Ave Spotlight

Episode 185: Evangelizing Youth through Hip Hop and the Eucharist with John Levi Davidson

February 16th, 2026  |  43 mins 8 secs

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Host Oscar Rivera sits down with Catholic hip-hop artist and school administrator John Levi Davidson for a conversation where history, faith, and mission converge. From raising ten to guiding students at the historic St. Peter Claver High School in Tampa, Florida, John reflects on legacy, leadership, and why the Eucharist remains the center of everything he does.

Episode 184: Influencers, Algorithms, and the Psalms with Emily Mentock

February 2nd, 2026  |  34 mins 42 secs

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Emily Mentock joins Oscar for an honest conversation about faith, influence, and a changing digital era. As the Catholic Church discerns how to navigate influencer culture, we explore what it means to cultivate an authentic online presence rooted in digital mission—not personal branding.

Together, we discuss the importance of resisting the pressure to “perform” as influencers by staying grounded in prayer, humility, and parish life. We also look to King David as a surprising model of influence and reflect on why the Psalms remain one of the Church’s most powerful—and underused—spiritual treasures.

Episode 182: Human Dignity Isn’t Optional featuring Gloria Purvis

January 5th, 2026  |  54 mins 1 sec

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Gloria Purvis joins Oscar for a powerful dialogue on faith, race, and the Church’s call to uphold human dignity with no qualifiers. When rightly understood scripture demands justice rooted in love not just law. From Southern roots and Catholic School discipline to the Church’s response to racial injustice, Gloria challenges listeners to confront false narratives and reclaim justice and equity rooted in our rich faith.

Episode 181: Thoughts from Oscar on Advent and Christmas

December 22nd, 2025  |  23 mins 56 secs

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Inmid the rush toward Christmas. He invites listeners to spend quiet, prayerful moments before the manger, making space to contempl the final week of Advent, Oscar reflects on prayer during this sacred season, the swiftness of time, and the need to slow down aate the profound truth of God’s immense love for us.

Episode 180: Living with Intention in a Noisy World

December 8th, 2025  |  34 mins 57 secs

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January Donovan joins Oscar for a heartfelt conversation on what it means to live intentionally in a noisy, demanding world. From early-morning cappuccinos to setting the tone of the household, January offers practical wisdom on balancing vocation and career, embracing dignity in every season, and creating a home rooted in peace. Together, we reflect on God’s original design for men and women, discovering how love—rather than performance—builds the flourishing civilization our Creator intends.

Episode 179: The Table is Set (Thanksgiving Edition) with Tim Hanley

November 25th, 2025  |  37 mins

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Oscar sits down with Tim Hanley, a restaurateur and former Franciscan brother to talk about what makes community truly come alive. Tim shares how his time with the CFRs shaped his understanding of simplicity, fraternity, and the priority of relationships over success. We dive into the heart behind his restaurant concepts—from Neapolitan pizza to a 90s hip-hop speakeasy—and how each space is designed to connect people in a disconnected world. Rooted in faith, Tim’s journey reveals how vocation, family, and food all point toward the same truth: we’re made for communion.

Episode 178: Faith, Freedom, and the Heart of Sacrifice: A Veterans Day Reflection with Oscar Rivera

November 10th, 2025  |  27 mins 8 secs

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In this Veterans Day episode, host Oscar Rivera pauses to honor and thank the men and women who serve our country in the armed forces. Oscar reflects on the themes of faith, discipline, obedience, and sacrifice—virtues shared by both a life in Christ and a life of military service. Drawing on the humility and trust of the Roman centurion in the Gospels, he explores how authentic freedom is always rooted in self-gift. Join us in praying in gratitude for all who serve and safeguard peace.

Episode 177: Focused Faith with ADHD with Teresa Violette

October 27th, 2025  |  48 mins 56 secs

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Oscar Rivera welcomes Teresa Violette, Training Director at the CatholicPsych Institute, for an honest and hope-filled conversation about living with ADHD through a Catholic lens. Teresa shares her story of being diagnosed as an adult and reflects on the misconceptions around ADHD—why it’s more than just “not paying attention,” and how even the name might need a rethink. Together, they discuss the challenges of executive functioning, the struggle to stay focused in prayer, and the beauty of seeing one’s unique wiring as a gift from God. Discover how God works powerfully in our scattered moments and uses even our imperfect focus to draw us closer to him.

Episode 176: Seeing with the Heart: Dignity, Respect, and Down Syndrome with John Paul Von Arx

October 13th, 2025  |  41 mins 51 secs

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Country singer and songwriter John Paul Von Arx joins Oscar for a heartfelt and uplifting conversation about what it truly means to see the image of God in every person. We talk about human dignity, authentic respect, and how to move beyond superficial inclusion when engaging with people who have Down syndrome or other disabilities. From lessons learned in MMA fights to everyday encounters that challenge our perceptions, this episode invites you to see others—especially those the world overlooks—with new eyes and a fuller heart.

Episode 175: Live Boldly in the Light of Christ with Chika Anyanwu

September 29th, 2025  |  42 mins

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In this episode, Oscar sits down with Chika Anyanwu to talk about growth, creativity, and the struggles of self-doubt and comparison. From cultural connections in food to her powerful experience of Christ’s presence on Holy Saturday, Chika shares how God transforms fear into freedom. Together we challenge listeners to embrace their authentic calling and live boldly in the light of Christ.