Ave Spotlight

with Chenele Shaw

About the show

Want to hear more about life from a Catholic perspective? Listen to host Oscar Rivera as he talks with special guests about culture, current events, and all things Catholic. You’ll walk away with a better understanding of your faith and how to live it in the world today.

Episodes

  • Episode 149: Manhood Derailed: How to Get Back on Track with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers

    September 30th, 2024  |  24 mins 51 secs
    authentic male spirituality and fatherhood, ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholicism, deacon harold burke-sivers, ephesians 5, manhood, oscar rivera

    In this episode, Oscar talks with Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers to explore his roots in Barbados and his lifelong passion for trains. Together, we uncover fascinating insights about trains, drawing a powerful analogy between the mechanics of cruise control and the state of modern manhood. Just as a train can coast smoothly when balanced and under the right conditions, the same applies to men navigating life. However, without that balance, cruise control can lead to disaster—much like how many men today risk becoming either overly dominant or too passive. Are we facing a derailment of manhood in today’s society? This conversation is both eye-opening and provocative, offering a fresh perspective that’s sure to spark deep reflection.

  • Episode 148: The Difference Between Piety and Scrupulosity and the Power of Longing for God with Tanner Kalina

    September 16th, 2024  |  31 mins 2 secs
    aching for greatness, ave maria press, ave spotlight, longing for god, oscar rivera, scrupulosity, st. augustine, tanner kalina

    Ever wonder if your spiritual practices are drawing you closer to God or pulling you away? In this episode, Tanner Kalina sheds light on the subtle dangers of scrupulosity—when devotion becomes obsession—and how it can create barriers between us and the Father’s love. We also journey through the transformative life of St. Augustine of Hippo, uncovering how his mother’s relentless prayers and God’s boundless grace guided him from restless searching to profound peace. Join us as we explore the powerful intersection of faith, grace, and the deep yearning for divine connection.

  • Episode 147: Back to School Made Simple with Sr. Josephine Garrett, CSFN

    September 2nd, 2024  |  28 mins 27 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, back to school, back to school tips, csfn, free catholic podcast, mental health, oscar rivera, sr. josephine garrett

    Grab your backpack and get ready! In this episode, Oscar sits down with the ever-inspiring Sr. Josephine Garrett from the Sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth. Sr. Josephine dishes out practical and heartwarming “back to school” tips for parents, teens, and college students alike. From staying organized to staying faithful, she reminds us that even in the busiest seasons, ordinary people can do extraordinary things with God’s amazing grace. Whether you’re gearing up for class or just need a little back-to-school boost, this episode is packed with wisdom, laughs, and a whole lot of heart!

  • Episode 146: Oscar Rivera is Welcomed to the Ave Podcast Family by Katie McGrady

    August 16th, 2024  |  26 mins 27 secs
    ave explores, ave maria press, ave spotlight, free catholic podcast, katie mcgrady, national eucharistic congress, oscar rivera, podcast for everyday catholics

    In this new episode of Ave Spotlight, host Oscar Rivera sits down with Katie Prejean McGrady—host of Ave Explores and The Katie McGrady Show on Sirius XM. Together, they discuss the origins of their collaboration, dive into their experience at the National Eucharistic Congress, and share thoughts on the Olympics.

  • Episode 145: Introducing the NEW Host of Ave Spotlight, Oscar Rivera!

    August 2nd, 2024  |  8 mins 43 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, free catholic podcast, oscar rivera, podcast for everyday catholics

    Oscar shares his hopes and prayers for this podcast—that it will bring encouragement, enthusiasm, and empowerment to everyday Catholics to live out their faith as described in Acts 2:42, “They devoted themselves to the teaching of the apostles and to the communal life, to the breaking of the bread and to the prayers.”

    Follow along at avemariapress.com or subscribe wherever you listen to your favorite podcasts.

  • Episode 144: Chenele Shaw's Final Episode: Gratitude and Excitement for What's Next!

    May 6th, 2024  |  12 mins 57 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, chenele shaw, eucharistic pilgrimages, eucharistic revival, free catholic podcast, national eucharistic congress

    Hello, Spotlight friends and welcome to my final episode of Ave Spotlight. I'm Chenele Shaw, and it's with a mix of emotions that I bring you this farewell episode. For three incredible years, we've delved into meaningful conversations, explored faith and community, and shared stories that have touched our hearts.
    As I prepare to move on to coordinate two routes for a national Eucharistic pilgrimage this summer, I can't help but reflect on the journey we've had together. In this episode, I'll share my excitement about the upcoming pilgrimage, giving you a glimpse into what awaits those who embark on this adventure!
    I also want to take this moment to express my deepest gratitude to all of you - our amazing guests, dedicated listeners, and everyone who has supported Ave Spotlight along the way. Your enthusiasm, insights, and stories have made this podcast a treasure trove of inspiration and connection.
    So I bid farewell to my time as host of Ave Spotlight with warmth, gratitude, and anticipation for the new paths ahead. Thank you for being part of this incredible journey!

  • Episode 143: Image Perception and Style for Young People with Lillian Fallon

    April 22nd, 2024  |  23 mins 58 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, chenele shaw, lillian fallon, theology of style, theology of the body

    In the final episode of Ignite! Sparking Faith in the Hearts of Teens series, Lillian Fallon, author of Theology of Style, discusses how young people can express their dignity and Catholic faith through their personal style. As a teen, Fallon shares how her parents gave her the freedom to express her creativity and uniqueness in her style which lead to discovering her uniqueness, worth, and identity in the Lord.

  • Episode 142: Sparking Faith in the Hearts of Teens: The Saint Squad Effect with Amy Cattapan

    April 8th, 2024  |  21 mins 42 secs

    When we’re having a bad day or going through a rough patch, some of the greatest comforts come from our friends. Whether it’s to give us advice, pump us up, or just sit with us in the hard stuff, having solid people in our lives is crucial for feeling supported.

    In this episode, discover how to create a group of heavenly helpers—or “saint squad,” as speaker, writer, and teacher Amy Cattapan calls it—to connect with saints personally and to reap the benefits of their guidance and intercession. In this chat, Amy and Chenele also explore the profound impact that the lives of saints can have on the faith of young people and show how to incorporate that practice into everyday faith.

  • Episode 141: Sparking Faith in the Hearts of Teens: A Family Foundation with Jasmyn and Steven Joubert

    March 25th, 2024  |  26 mins 59 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, chenele shaw, jasmyne joubert, sparking faith in the hearts of teens, steven joubert, the power of familial bonds in handing down the faith

    In this episode, we delve into the profound influence of family on the spiritual journey of teens, featuring the insightful perspectives of Jasmyn and Steven Joubert, a dynamic young Catholic couple. Through their experiences and reflections, we uncover how families and close-knit communities ignite the hearts of young people. Join us as we explore the power of familial bonds and the role they play in inspiring and nurturing the faith lives of today's youth!

  • Episode 140: Sparking Faith in the Hearts of Teens: YDisciple's Annie Grandell on Transformative Media

    March 11th, 2024  |  19 mins 4 secs
    annie grandell, ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic youth ministry, chenele shaw, intersection of faith and media, media and young people, net ministries, ydisciple, youth ministry

    In this episode of Ave Spotlight, Annie Grandell, Director of YDisciple, discusses the impact of transformative media. Join us as Annie shares insights on ways that media can assist us in ministry while being fun, informative, and well done. Explore the intersection of faith, media, and personal transformation in this enlightening conversation!

  • Episode 139: Sparking Faith in the Hearts of Teens: Sacred Encounter with Fr. Tim Anastos

    February 26th, 2024  |  23 mins 20 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, chenele shaw, fr. tim anastos, helping teens grow in their faith, jesus, make me fully alive, sparking faith in the hearts of teens

    In this second episode of our Ignite series, we delve into the transformative impact of spending time with our Eucharistic Lord on the faith journey of Catholic teens. Fr. Tim Anastos shares his vocation story and practical ways for young people to engage in adoration. Join us as we explore the profound influence of Jesus' Eucharistic presence on the hearts of youth!

  • Episode 138: Sparking Faith in the Hearts of Teens: The Transformative Power of Spiritual Events with Julianna Nett of Life Teen

    February 12th, 2024  |  25 mins 3 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, catechesis, catholic teens, chenele shaw, empowering teens to deepen their relationship with jesus, evangelization, julianna nett, life teen, sparking faith in the heart of teens, youth ministry

    Join us for the first episode of our series Ignite: Sparking Faith in the Heart of Teens with our special guest, Julianna Nett of Life Teen. She shares her insights and experiences in navigating the intersection of faith and community. Through thoughtful discussion and personal anecdotes, we uncover the transformative power of events in shaping the spiritual growth of young Catholics and empowering teens to deepen their relationship with Jesus Christ.

  • Episode 137: Compassion in Action: Self-Knowledge and a Pro-Life Society with Leah A. Jacobson

    January 29th, 2024  |  26 mins 4 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic social teaching, chenele shaw, compassion in action series, dignity of women, healthcare for women, human dignity, leah a. jacobson, pro-life, social justice, the guiding star project

    On this episode of our Compassion in Action Series, Chenele sits down with Leah Jacobson to explore the profound connection between understanding and the fabric of society. Leah delves into the idea that a deeper comprehension of our bodies can pave the way for a consistently pro-life community. Join the conversation as Leah shares her experiences and insights, including her work with Guiding Star, a ministry committed to offering holistic healthcare to women. Tune in!

  • Episode 136: Best of Ave Spotlight: It's Time for a Revival with Joel Stepanek

    January 5th, 2024  |  25 mins 14 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, chenele shaw, eucharistic revival, free catholic podcast, joel stepanek, national eucharistic congress, podcast for everyday catholics

    This week Chenele Shaw talks with Joel Stepanek, chief mission officer for the National Eucharist Congress, about the Eucharistic Revival. What is it? How can you be a part of it? What does it mean for the Church? Join us in this conversation about encountering Jesus in the Eucharist!

  • Episode 135: Rebuilding Faith with Tom Corcoran

    December 22nd, 2023  |  24 mins 43 secs
    40 reflections to rebuild your faith, ave maria press, ave spotlight, chenele shaw, rebuild your faith, rebuilt, rebuilt faith, rebuilt parish, tom corcoran

    In this episode, we dive into the transformative insights from Rebuilt Faith by Tom Corcoran. Join us as we explore the art of asking questions, finding comfort in doubt, and the profound strength that comes from faith and community. Tune in for an uplifting conversation on rebuilding faith and embracing the power of curiosity. Let's navigate this journey together!

  • Episode 134: Compassion in Action: Embracing the Poor with Fr. Malachy Joseph Napier

    December 11th, 2023  |  28 mins 30 secs
    ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic social teaching, chenele shaw, compassion in action, fr. malachy joseph napier, option for the poor

    In this episode of our Compassion in Action Series, Chenele sits down with the insightful Father Malachy to dive into the heart of service and self-awareness. Get ready for a candid conversation as they explore the importance of serving the poor and recognizing our poverty before God. Father Malachy shares personal stories, practical insights, and a dash of humor, making this episode a must-listen for anyone looking to deepen their faith and make a positive impact in the world.