Ave Spotlight
with Chenele Shaw
We found 10 episodes of Ave Spotlight with the tag “oscar rivera”.
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Episode 166: Beyond Labels: Rethinking Sexual Sin and Embracing God’s Pursuit with Kim Zember
May 26th, 2025 | 35 mins 25 secs
ave maria press, ave spotlight, faith and freedom, free catholic podcast, kim zember, oscar rivera
Oscar and Kim Zember have an honest conversation about how the Church often mishandles sexual sin—treating some sins as worse than others—and how this mindset drives people away from mercy. Kim shares her personal journey of faith and freedom, challenging listeners to stop ranking sins and start recognizing how fiercely Jesus is pursuing their hearts.
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Episode 165: Durable Motherhood and Divine Femininity with Pamela Rivera
May 13th, 2025 | 37 mins 6 secs
ave maria press, ave spotlight, femininity, free catholic podcast, mother's day celebration, motherhood, oscar rivera, pamela rivera
This episode’s guest isn’t just beloved by God—she’s my beloved! I sit down with my wife, Pamela Rivera, for an honest conversation on the strength, beauty, and resilience of motherhood. We talk about how true femininity isn’t a one-size-fits-all and how society is now rebelling against the very image it created. But God’s vision for womanhood is deeper, more durable, and divinely designed. Don’t miss this one.
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Episode 164: Cold Matcha, Charisms, and the Call of the Holy Spirit with Jill Simons
April 28th, 2025 | 44 mins 21 secs
ave maria press, ave spotlight, charisms, free catholic podcast, jill simons, oscar rivera, supernatural gifts, the authentic uprising show
Oscar and Jill Simons have an honest conversation about the Holy Spirit in today’s modernist world. Together they explore the power of charisms—gifts from the Holy Spirit—and how they shape our mission as baptized people. This conversation challenges listeners to consider diving deeper into what it really means to walk with the Spirit.
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Episode 163: Last Week of Lent: Finish Strong with Oscar Rivera
April 14th, 2025 | 21 mins 2 secs
almsgiving, ave maria press, ave spotlight, fasting, free catholic podcast, how is lent going for you, lent, oscar rivera, podcast for the everyday catholic, prayer
As we enter the final week of Lent, host Oscar Rivera reminds us that it’s not the time to dwell on any shortcomings in our almsgiving, fasting, and prayer. Instead, it’s a moment to refocus, recommit, and finish strong. Whether your Lent has gone exactly as planned or felt a bit off track, these last few days offer a powerful opportunity to embrace the spirit of sacrifice and spiritual growth. In this episode, Oscar shares encouragement and practical wisdom to help you make this final stretch count—so you can prepare your heart for the joy and renewal of Easter.
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Episode 162: Faithful Surrender: Adoption, Marriage, and Bold Prayers with Allison Gingras
March 31st, 2025 | 29 mins 29 secs
adoption, allison gingras, ave maria press, ave spotlight, family, free catholic podcast, marriage, oscar rivera
In this episode, Oscar sits down with Catholic author and media evangelist Allison Gingras to talk about marriage, family, and the boldness of saying "yes" when God calls you into the unexpected. Allison shares her powerful journey of surrender and trust, which led her all the way to China to adopt a specific child. We also explore the beauty of the Sacrament of Marriage, how God guides couples, and the importance of open communication in following his lead.
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Episode 161: From Struggles to Strength: Real Talk on Marriage and Faith feat. Mary Bruno
March 17th, 2025 | 32 mins 36 secs
ave maria press, ave spotlight, embracing love in marriage, free catholic podcast, infertility and faith, intimacy, maria bruno, marriage, oscar rivera
In this episode, Oscar sits down with Mary Bruno to unpack the quirks, challenges, and joys of marriage. From humorous food debates to deep struggles with infertility and faith, they share raw and uplifting stories of love, loss, and transformation. Mary opens up about her journey through infertility, the adoption of her daughter, and the powerful moment she encountered Jesus in her pain. Together, they explore the beauty of intimacy, the importance of vulnerability, and how God’s light shines through even the darkest moments. Tune in for a heartfelt conversation on embracing love, suffering, and purpose in marriage.
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Episode 160: Faith, Vulnerability, and the Messy Beauty of Married Life with Renzo and Monica Ortega of Two Become Family Podcast
March 3rd, 2025 | 41 mins 27 secs
ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic teaching, communication, how to talk about sex with your spouse, oscar rivera, renzo and monica ortega, st. john paul ii’s theology of the body, two become family podcast
In this episode of Ave Spotlight, Oscar chats with Renzo and Monica Ortega—podcast hosts, authors, and speakers—for a candid and lively conversation about the beautiful, messy, and unexpected sides of married life. From navigating cultural differences to tackling faith struggles, they open up about what it really takes to build a strong, Christ-centered marriage. And they don’t shy away from the tough stuff—emotional infidelity, societal pressures, sex, and even the Church’s blind spots in marriage formation? It’s all on the table. Want to know the secret to not just surviving marriage but thriving in holiness? Tune in and find out!
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Episode 159: Weights, Wisdom and Social Emotional Learning in Ministry featuring Rhyan Ramirez
February 17th, 2025 | 43 mins 35 secs
ave maria press, ave spotlight, ministry, oscar rivera, rhyan ramirez, social emotional learning
Join Oscar and Bro Rhy (Ryan Ramirez) as they dive into their personal stories, cultural traditions, and compare Olympic lifting with powerlifting. They explore the importance of social emotional learning (SEL) in ministry, how self-awareness and introspection help manage stress and emotions, and the role of faith in overcoming life’s challenges. Throughout the conversation, they share their spiritual journeys and highlight how Jesus plays a central role in every aspect of life. Tune in for an engaging discussion on fitness, faith, and personal growth!
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Episode 158: Catholicism and Psychology: Faith, Emotions, and Mental Health with Greg Bottaro
February 3rd, 2025 | 44 mins
ave maria press, ave spotlight, catholic psychologist, catholicism and psychology, catholicpsych institute, connection between faith and mental health, greg bottaro, oscar rivera, seasonal depression
Join Oscar and Greg Bottaro, a Catholic psychologist and founder of the CatholicPsych Institute, for a thought-provoking discussion at the intersection of faith, science, and human vulnerability. In this episode, they explore the Catholic Church’s evolving perspective on the human person, the connection between faith and mental health, and how emotions and relationships mirror God’s creation. They also delve into the Church’s role in mental health conversations, the impact of seasonal depression, and the importance of emotional growth in living a faithful life. This conversation is insightful, authentic, and inspiring.
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Episode 157: SEEK25 and Memorizing Scripture with Jackie Angel
January 20th, 2025 | 27 mins 23 secs
ave maria press, ave spotlight, bible, free catholic podcast, jackie angel, memorize scripture, oscar rivera, scripture, seek
Fresh off the Seek 25 Conference, Oscar and Jackie Angel unpack the power of large conferences that unite young people, spark friendships, and ignite encounters with Jesus. Jackie shares her journey with scripture—from opening her first Bible at eighteen years old to writing Memorize Scripture: Simple Steps to Pray, Ponder, and Practice God’s Word. Together, they break down how scripture can transform lives, strengthen relationships, and inspire faith, no matter where you’re starting from. Tune in and let’s talk about how the Sacred Word of God speaks to us and meets us right where we are.