Ave Spotlight

Episode 82: Celebrating Black Saints with Meg Hunter-Kilmer

February 21st, 2022  |  28 mins 18 secs

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Chenele and Meg Hunter-Kilmer talk about the blessing and importance of befriending saints whose life experience is much different from our own. Meg also introduces lesser-known Black saints and shares her personal story of becoming friends with saints who are different from her.

Do you ever think of the saints as your friends? What if you befriended a saint who is different from you?

Episode 81: Catholics United for Black Lives with Shannon Wimp Schmidt

February 14th, 2022  |  17 mins 28 secs

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Chenele talks with Shannon Wimp Schmidt, founding member and media director of Catholics United for Black Lives about responding to racism, educating the Church, and faithfully supporting the Black Lives Matter movement while staying true to Church teaching.

Episode 80: Celebrating Black Catholics with Marcia Lane-McGee

February 7th, 2022  |  20 mins 10 secs

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Happy Black History Month! Join Chenele and Marcia Lane-McGee in this special episode to talk about the uniqueness of Black Catholic culture, Marcia's new book "Fat Luther, Slim Pickin’s", and her work as cohost of the Plaid Skirts and Basic Black podcast.

Episode 79: Gaming and the Gospel with Jonathan Blevins

January 31st, 2022  |  23 mins 7 secs

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How can we use social media to evangelize? In this episode, Chenele talks with Jon Blevins—AKA "Bearded Blevins"—founder of Little Flower Media, about building a community for Christ through gaming.

Episode 78: Consistently Pro-Life with Sam Povlock from FemCatholic

January 24th, 2022  |  21 mins 6 secs

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What does it mean to be consistently pro-life?

This week Samantha Povlock, founder and CEO of FemCatholic, chats with Chenele Shaw about the pro-life movement and what being pro-life means. They also discuss how best to support women while maintaining ethical consistency.

If you have ever wondered what the Church has to say about these issues, and how to go about living this out in your everyday life, this episode is for you. 

Episode 77: Gay and Christian with Eve Tushnet

January 17th, 2022  |  18 mins 53 secs

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What would happen if gay Christians began to believe the truth about God—that he loves all people unconditionally?

Join Chenele this week as she talks with Eve Tushnet about navigating rejection and embracing God's love as a gay Christian. She'll discuss her new book Tenderness and what drew her to the Catholic Church.

Episode 76: Welcoming People of ALL Abilities with Christy Wilkens

January 10th, 2022  |  28 mins 37 secs

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How can parish communities best love and support those with visible disabilities, as well as those with disabilities we cannot see? Join Chenele and author Christy Wilkens as they talk about Christy's experience with family members who have disabilities. They also discuss how members of a parish can create a more welcoming community for those with disabilities.

Episode 75: Learning to Love Your Body with Shelby Hirschman

January 3rd, 2022  |  25 mins 16 secs

ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, chenele shaw, good body nutrition, love your body, nutrition, self-care, shelby hirschman

Shelby from Good Body Nutrition joins us this week where we talk nutrition, faith, and learning to love your body.

Episode 73: Walking with Loved Ones who Experience Gender Dysphoria with Julia Sadusky

December 27th, 2021  |  25 mins 2 secs

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How can we walk with loved ones struggling with gender dysphoria and stay true to the Catholic faith?

Psychologist Julia Sadusky discusses with Chenele what she has learned about gender identity through her research and clinical practice. Sadusky shares helpful tips on talking about gender and most importantly on how to listen well.

Episode 72: The Christmas SEASON with Fr. Joe Laramie

December 20th, 2021  |  23 mins 53 secs

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Join Chenele on this special Christmas episode of Ave Spotlight with our good friend Fr. Joe Laramie, SJ, of the Pope's Worldwide Prayer Network, as he leads us through an Ignatian meditation and talks about why Elf is the best holiday movie!

Episode 71: Nearness with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT

December 13th, 2021  |  16 mins 30 secs

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Enjoy this special episode from Ave Explores! Katie Prejean McGrady talks with Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, about drawing near to Jesus during Advent for peace and comfort in times of sorrow and distress.

Episode 70: Servant of God Thea Bowman with Karianna Frey

December 6th, 2021  |  20 mins 15 secs

ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic podcast, chenele shaw, free catholic podcast, karianna frey, servant of god thea bowman, usccb

Servant of God Thea Bowman--a renowned Black Catholic evangelizer, teacher, writer, and singer--continues to inspire many people more than two decades after her death. Join Chenele as she talks with Karianna Frey, editor of We Are Beloved: 30 days with Thea Bowman, about what can learn from this holy woman.

Episode 69: A Journey to Sisterhood: Becoming a Nun in 2021 with Sr. Dolores Carmel Benitez

November 29th, 2021  |  24 mins 46 secs

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Discernment can be a blessing and a challenge. In this episode, Sr. Dolores Carmel Benitez shares her story of discernment and how she responded to God's call!

Episode 68: Dating Q&A with Regina Boyd

November 22nd, 2021  |  19 mins 29 secs

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Let's talk dating! Chenele and Regina Boyd, a Catholic licensed counselor, answer listener-submitted questions on dating, getting out there, and giving yourself a break.

Episode 67: Can Catholics Party? with Mari Pablo

November 15th, 2021  |  17 mins 35 secs

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Partying with friends can sometimes lead to behaviors that are unhealthy and harmful. Campus minister Mari Pablo shares tips to help fellow Catholics create a community of support, accountability, and holiness.

Episode 66: Lessons of Purpose from Marvel's Shang-Chi with Adrienne Garalde

November 8th, 2021  |  17 mins 1 sec

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The new movie Shang-Chi has been rocking the box office. Chenele visits with fellow Marvel nerd Adrienne Garalde to talk about the lessons he takes from the film by viewing it through a Catholic lens, especially how meaningful it was to see an Asian-American hero portrayed on the big screen.