The Sheepdogs Podcast

Tune in today to our conversation with Sister Dede Byrne, a legendary Sister who is setting the world on fire! You're going to love her stories and her charisma. Sister Dede shares her story growing up in a strong Catholic family of 8 siblings, her time in U.S. Army, then feeling her call to religious life, and her experience as a medical doctorSister Dede shares stories about being at ground zero during 9/11, spending a week with Mother Teresa, and finding her community of the the Little Workers of the Sacred Hearts of Jesus and Mary. Sister served in Afghanistan as a Colonel in the U.S. Army while using her medical expertise to tend to the sick. Sister Dede always tried to serve in places where she could go to Mass everyday"The best way to let God know you is to push away your own personal agenda"Sister shares her experience testifying for Fr. Fideles in court, saying boldly, "abortion is the murder of a child"Sister's brother is the Bishop William Byrne of the Diocese of Springfield, Massachusetts who the first thing he did when he became Bishop was sat down with all his priests and told them to start their day with a Holy Hour SIster Dede fully supports Michael and Johnny's bar evangelization effortsMother Teresa's advice for Sister Dede was simple: "Keep your eyes on the cross".We talk about the depth of the desiccation in the world right now, and yet, where sin abounds, grace abounds all the more. You won't want to miss it!

Tune in today for an EXCLUSIVE interview with Monsignor Shea, Catholic Priest and President of University of Mary in Bismark, North DakotaIn this episode, Monsignor Shae discusses:Jesus as Advocate, friend and brother"Do not be afraid"We are cooperators in God's redemption, but we cannot earn God's blessing which can only be a free giftAnd so much more! Tune in and make sure to give our show a 5 Star Rating on the platform you use to listen

In this episode, we recount the story of Our Lady of Guadeloupe! Fr. Willig then tells his experience of visiting Guadeloupe, Mexico with his parents recently, and the impact it has had on his life! We then finish by talking about the Rosary Challenge for 2023!!!

Welcome to another episode! Today we have Fr. Chase Hilgenbrinck as our guest to discuss the story God is writing in His life, which includes:Fr. Chase grew up in a Catholic family in IllinoisHe went to Clemson University and played soccer in the ACCFr. Chase talks about Truth, Beauty and Goodness and the roles these played in his lifeHe advises students to "be honest with yourself"The importance of not walking alone and having spiritual friendshipsHe moved to Chile to play professional soccer and decided to take ownership of his Catholic faith again and let God take the reigns in his lifeHe eventually saw his heart was not fulfilled with his dreams and was drawn to ask God what His purpose was for his life, where He heard the words, "Be my priest."Tune in to hear our conversation!

This episode we have on Daniel Rodriguez, Missionary Advisor for Damascus Mission Camp. We discuss a lot of different spiritual topics, including:Every Christian is called universally to Holiness and to missionIf we want to have a fulfilled life, we have to serve somebodyWe're called to evangelize and need to start from a place of intimacy from the Lord and then share our testimony with peopleHow to fight for the joy of the Gospel by knowing the power of the ResurrectionMan does not live on bread alone but on every word that comes from the mouth of GodParaclete means, “One who is called to sit by one's side.”How to live in an evangelistic way on a college campusAnd lastly, Daniel shared with us about the 2022 EMPOWER Conference in December 15th - 18th put on by Damascus Mission Camp and how to register for it. It's an episode you won't want to miss!

Today we had on Liz Schroeder, a Junior at Miami University studying Kinesiology and Nutrition!Liz shares with us her personal testimony, starting from one point of initial conversion in college, to spending her summer entirely devoted to the Lord, to now living a Catholic integrated life in CollegeLiz talks about with deeper conversion to Christ comes more fulfillment, feeling more whole, knowing more who she is, and a life fully alive.This is a great conversation, you won't want to miss!

Today we interviewed Kathryn Kueppers, who formally won Miss Minnesota. We talk about how she navigated that world as a Catholic and her journey to becoming a Focus Missionary at Miami University!

Welcome to season two of the sheepdogs podcast! This Season we start off interviewing Johnny about his new job at Cincinnati Right to Life. In this episode we discuss:The monumental decision overturning Roe vs. Wade in June 24th, 2022 Johnny tells stories about being on the front lines of the pro-life movement He talks about the importance of taking activism steps in this movement, he talks about the importance of prayer in this movement We're all called to be Apostles, to be in the fight for life, to be saving lives Johnny tells a story about what a post-abortive woman would tell MEN in this movement The link to the RSVP Link to this form: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd1I1fx407mkkZMkogM6Rz5weztZYxX79i78YZVLM0z6BYwuw/viewform?usp=sf_link

In this episode, we interview Fr. Joshua Waltz. Listen in for a ton of incredible stories! You can find his Vocation Story here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JqATi2zbaBwIn this episode we discuss: More crazy details to Fr. Waltz' vocation storyThe impact his mom has had on his life The story of Fr. Waltz and his brother chasing down their dad after he divorced his mother and being with her throughout her fight with cancer The importance of loving people and meeting people where they are at when evangelizing Fr. Waltz' multiple encounters with St. John Paul II and how that has effected his priesthood, as well as Archbishop Fulton Sheen Fr. Waltzs' concept of, "You don't see what I see", when it comes to the hidden side of sin and people dealing with the hurt that comes with it The importance of choices in life and choosing grace over sin and so much more!

Today Fr. Jacob Willig and Johnny discuss Dr. Jordan Peterson's Commencement Address to Hillsdale College Class of 2022. You can find the actual address here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HvHjhtM8D7wIn this episode you will find:Our introduction discussing the abundant blessings of the yearDr. Peterson's Speech to the Class of 2022 (Sparknotes)Some memorable quotes from Dr. Peterson:“You have something to bring into the world that no one else can bring in. If you fail in that duty, you deprive the world of that.”“People thank me for things that I've done or said. You've put something out for something you truly believe, and that is part of the redemptive process for someone else. There is NOTHING better than that.”"The good that unites all the goods is the same good that's reflected in the image of Christ. The acceptance of the suffering of life and the necessity of serving the lowest as the Highest calling. It might be true. Partly because the freest societies that we know are predicated on this idea…so it might be true."

Today we didn't really have a script, but instead just have a conversation about taking ownership in college and how we go about doing that. We discuss:Extreme Ownership in College Pier Georgio Frassati --a Blessed to emulate The Gym, Chapel, Library MovementHow starting small is so important and so much more!We hope you enjoy this episode, thanks for tuning in!

This episode we discuss King Louis IX's letter to his Son which you can find here: http://www.christendomrestoration.org/uploads/9/0/2/6/9026344/letter-of-st-louis-ix-to-his-son.pdfWe discuss:Celebrity look-alikes, and Sam coins the term, "Saint-a-likes" We read through King Louis IX's letter to his sonWe talk about our fathers and the impact a father has on his childrenFr. Jacob shares what it is like to be a Chaplain and a Spiritual FatherWe discuss adversity and hoe Christianity helps solve our problemsWe discuss suffering and how it fits into God's Divine Providence We use Joseph of the Old Testament as a radical example of suffering and trust in Divine Providence We discuss the rest of the letter involving King Louis IX's advice on gossiping, staying true to the Church of Rome, and his final blessing to his son

Today during the Easter Season we read and discuss the Road to Emmaus. In this Episode we break down the reading of the Gospel Luke 24:13-35 as we discuss:Why didn't the disciples recognize Jesus?Jesus being with us in the midst of our troublesJesus calling the disciples: "Foolish!"The importance of being stern at times as a father, friend, or priestFr. Willig takes about Jesus and the breaking of the bread and Christ as victimEveryone discusses, the Scripture verse"Were our hearts not BURNING within us?"Johnny shares a story of his friend West and his heart burning for ChristMr. Sullivan gives us the final word on the importance of sharing the faith, how many people still do not know the answer to our problems which we know can be found in Christ, and the fact that WE do, so why we need to share the Gospel more in our lifeThank you Mr. Sullivan and Deacon Mike for coming on the podcast!

Today we have Johnny Ambrose Kiernan, Director of Catholic Identity at Corryville Catholic Grade School in Cincinnati The story behind Johnny Ambrose Kiernan's man-bun Johnny K's following God's will to become a teacher in Price Hill in Cincinnati“Riding the wave” of listening to the Father's voice Johnny K's story of getting robbed while living in the inner city of Price HillThe joys and sorrows of his two years as a teacher Johnny K's experience coaching basketball God calls us to be heroes in the vocation we are called to We talk about Johnny K's boss —> Fr. Ethan MooreJohnny K's experience of, “When the Lord calls, you go.” We discuss the importance of our words and the impact we can make Michael closes us out that Johnny K's only safety net is Jesus

Today we have on Deacon Michael Willig who takes about his Master's Thesis on Crisis in Fatherhood. In this episode we discuss:The great need for good fathers in society todayThe last 100 years and how it has discouraged men from wanting to be good fathersThe need for biological fathers to understand their role as Priest, Prophet, and KingWhat it means to be in a covenantal relationshipHow in order to be a father, you must FIRST learn how to be a sonFathers have the biggest influence in the family when it comes to FaithEvery man is called to fatherhood in some capacityHow we can look to Jesus Christ for the perfect image of FatherhoodWe talk about our respective grandfathers and their influence on our livesDeacon Willig gives the final word on how to live out the office of fatherhood

Today's guest on the podcast is Fr. Michael Shields, the first native Alaskan priest. In this episode we discuss: Fr. Michael spent 28 years in the Far East of Siberia, ministering to the poor in Magadan, RussiaFr. Michael heard God say to him on a Jesuit retreat, “Go pray in the camps.” He teaches us how to deal with fear and how it is the enemy of FaithHe talks about his devotion to Blessed Charles de Foucauld and his spirit of abandonment to the Will of GodHe talks about the power of Our Lady, confession, and the Eucharist He talks about prayer and why its so important for a spiritual lifeHe finally speaks about his tagline, "Come to Siberia and Die"And he's just a joyful priest much like Fr. Jacob and I think you'll see that through our conversation today

In this episode with Peter we discuss:A person who is a slave to work is never free no matter how much money he hasPieper's diagnosis of the poverty of soulWho in pop culture is an ideal of “leisure”Leisure gives affirmation not of things, but of the DivineThe Holy Sacrifice of the Mass is the highest form of leisureSunday can become a day of false leisure — like a longer "smoke break"The role sacrifice plays in leisureFree time spent pursuing higher, eternal goods.Go to 25:49 for a practical schedule for a college student with leisurePeter tries to convince Michael to buy and smoke a pipe of loose leaf tobaccoOur culture is downstream of where we put our worship

Welcome to Part 2 in Leisure the Basis of Culture! In this episode we walk through: A recap of the last episode on LeisurePeter shells out more of what Pieper means by Leisure and gives us great images as to what Leisure is and how we can incorporate it as college students Some fire quotes from this episode:"Acedia is sorrow at the Divine Goodness eminent within us" "God calls people to different levels of holiness for His purposes""There's a voice in the Heavenly choir that only you can fill" "No one who looks to leisure to restore his working powers will truly be able to reap the fruits of leisure"Without going into its' highest form yet (stay tuned for Part 3!) , Peter defines leisure as, "Attitudinal openness to a world that's infused with God" Make sure to give us that 5 Stars if you like the content! God Bless -Sheepdogs Team

Today we have on the podcast Rachael Willig!If that name sounds familiar, it is because it is! Rachael is the sister of Fr. Jacob Willig, but that is not all she is. Rachael runs her own company called The Family Chef, llc. She has worked with Jean Robert De-Cavel after getting her Culinary Arts degree, worked in a 5 Star French Alps resort, she lived on Mediterranean Sea in Spain and in Florence, Italy.She is on the podcast today to tell her story and help college students to:Not settle early onBring an entrepreneurial spirit to everything you do (including faith!)“Just go for it”Start a perpetual adoration chapel at your parish and….Even if you don't have confidence in yourself, have confidence in God!!You won't want to miss this one, it was a fun one!

This episode is for ALL YOU philosophy lovers…We have a philosopher Peter Burleigh on…we walk through Josef Pieper's book Leisure the Basis of Culture and how people in our society today live to work, instead of work to live.In this episode you will find: How Ancient Greeks Saw life as primarily about being leisure, not work He asks the question: What is work? Whats the point of work?What is culture? What is authentic leisure? How can we synthesize it into a way of life? Peiper's Idea of , "the Intellectual worker” The more difficult = does not necessarily mean more good Difference between the intellectus + the ratio The Power of Silence How can we use this to be better students??? How can we let information go into our mind and our soul? Learning how to cook Peter says if we don't watch out, we will become like people in the Disney Pixar film, “Walle” How do you convince a person of what, “the good life” is?

Welcome back! In this episode we talk about the G.K. Chesterton Quote “Christianity is not found tried and left wanting, it is found difficult and left untried.” We talk about Jack's conversion experience from nondenominational Christian to Catholicism.We talk about:The difficulty of being Catholic in College amidst party culture,It is difficult -- is it worth it?How the understanding of the human person helps us be more authentic CatholicsListening + Asking Questions is helpful for understanding peopleThe only way to build a house is by laying brick by brickBeing in the world but not of the world.Make sure to give us a rating wherever you tune in!

Today's Episode is all about working out, and how it relates to the Spiritual life.We have a guest Sam Dearie on who is a freshman at Miami University and a self-declared workout enthusiast. Today we start out walking through Sam's early riser workout schedule and talk about traits that cross over to the spiritual life such as:The importance of Consistency and Just showing UP Humility + trusting the processTurning Working out into a lifestyle And ultimately Suffering —> how it strengthens our will, how we can learn to offer it up and do it for the honor and Glory of God This is a great one you won't want to miss! Whether you're listening on Spotify or Apple Podcasts make sure to give us that 5* rating

Tune in today to listen to the March for Life Recap! Fr. Ethan Moore is our first two-time guest on the Sheepdogs Podcast, and we have a fun time having him back, and are able to get serious to talk about how we can devote more of our lives to the Pro-Life Movement. Here is the link to Katie Shaw's Speech from the March for Life https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UEP2m_2I3kk

Sr. Alicia is from the Our Lady of the Angels. She is a Franciscans of the Eucharist of Chicago. She shares about their twofold Mission to assist the materially poor people in Humboldt Park in their primary needs and also in their spiritual needs. She shares a powerful testimony of witnessing a drive by shooting while praying in front of the Blessed Sacrament, and not only does she have an Infectious laugh, but Sr. Alicia is a true disciple of Christ. She shares about the Eucharistic Revival, and encourages us not to stop at the personal relationship with Christ but that it moves us to works of charity…..fostered in the most profound way in the Eucharist. She calls men OUT directly to get their acts together, convert their hearts to Christ and reclaim their leadership in the church. She has three German shepherds, and cut her finger cooking in world famous show, “Chopped”, but still managed to come out a Champion! Total SHEEPDOG move! Make sure to give us a rating on Spotify or Apple Podcasts, and share this episode with anyone you think could benefit. In Christ, Sheepdogs Out.

Today we speak with Fr. Jonathan Meyer. This episode was made to help you build life changing habits for 2022. We walk through how we weren't made for comfort but for greatness, we debunk the myth that Striving for Greatness is the same thing as being prideful, we talk about the virtue of Magnanimity, importance of a Daily Routine for 2022 and much more. Fr. Meyer tells us Every Day is Day One and how this mentality will lead to a fruitful and virtuous 2022.

Nathan Crankfield, founder of the Seeking Excellence Podcast and https://www.thosewhoseek.org/, is a special guest today on the Sheepdogs Podcast where he speaks to us about what it means to be Excellent in a Christian context. He shares his testimony and walks us through how extreme ownership, intentionality, and mental toughness are virtues Catholics really need to develop in order to live out our call to Excellence.

This Episode featuring Elizabeth Hudelson we talk about her experience being a Damascus Summer Missionary and what those summers taught her about how to live on mission in the "real world". Fr. Jacob tells dad jokes, learns what a blob is and we find out Michael was in the North Elmhurst biker gang growing up. This is a fun one!

This is an episode you won't want to miss. We have guest Fr. Eddie Hoffman on the Podcast, who shares his story of converting to Presbyterian to Catholic, and later on becoming a Catholic priest! He talks about the radical call of Christ in Luke 14:26, and what that meant for his life. He teaches us how we can witness to our own families as we grow in our faith! You won't want to miss. (Scroll to 18:35 if you want to skip to this.)

Do you know about the the GREATEST naval victory since Pharaoh's army drowned in the Red Sea? Tune in today for a history lesson from Michael on the Battle of Lepanto which happened in 1571, and stay the rest of the time for what this battle means for our lives in 2021.

The Sheepdogs get serious on this episode, as they discuss heavy topics like abortion, the importance for responsibility, and the power of generosity when living out our Christian call to a life fully alive

Possibly the most lively one YET. In this episode you hear how we picked our podcast NAME, hear Michael tell stories about Padre Pio, Johnny go on tangents about other Saints and Angels, and Fr. Jacob give his words of wisdom on how we can live like Saints in our daily lives, and much more!

Do you know much about the Sacrament of Confession? It's different names? Do you know why we go to Confession, or the true power of the Sacrament? Tune in to Find out!

Have you ever heard of Consecration to Mary? How about the story of Our Lady of Guadelupe? Who do you go to when you need comfort? Listen to find out!!! "Never be afraid to love the Blessed Virgin too much. You can never love her more than Jesus did." -St. Maximilian Kolbe

In Today's Podcast episode, we launch our first podcast with Fr. Jacob Willig, Chaplain at Miami University! We dove into this without a plan, launching into topics like: baptism, what does living a life fully alive in Christ mean? What actually is a bearcat? Is Archbishop Schnurr featured on one of Tim McGraw's new tracks? And lastly, how important is a community in college? Listen to find out!References: Fr. Luigi Giussani The Journey to Truth is an ExperienceFancy Like by Walker Hayes