<![CDATA[The Young Church]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church The Voices of Tomorrow, the Faith of Today.

Welcome to the Young Church Podcast. Listen to the testimony of young Catholics and their relationship with Christ.

]]> RSS.com 2026.401.141116 Fri, 17 Apr 2026 12:00:16 GMT en 84dfff02-287c-5823-bfa8-1f4570ed7b6c https://media.rss.com/the-young-church/20241004_081018_bb2a09a46c99420e78bccfd5ca50c48b.png The Young Church https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church yes The Young Church 2024 The Young Church The Young Church false episodic podcast <![CDATA[Ep. 20 - Brandon & Andrew | Experiencing God’s Presence: The Encounters That Changed Us]]> In this season finale, Brandon Esquivias and Andrew Reza jump into another discussion about this year's Year 1 Confirmation retreat. While Brandon delves into how his perspective of and relationship with God transformed throughout the retreat as a candidate, his leader, Andrew, shares about an immensely powerful encounter he had when he came home from the retreat.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1922726 7e3d4818-1d75-48ea-a682-b4c1d78ed32f 2126 full 1 1 20 20 false Sun, 02 Mar 2025 22:12:52 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 19 - Sydney & Liz | Two Sides of Retreat: Preparation and Impact ]]> Sydney Torres and Liz Reza sit down to debrief this year’s Year 1 confirmation retreat. The pair unpack opposing yet complementary perspectives — Liz having served on the CORE team for 4 years and Sydney in her first year of confirmation. While Liz offers a window into the spiritual and practical preparation that goes into these weekends, Sydney shares her experience encountering the Lord in new ways on the retreat and how she’s taken home that spiritual rejuvenation.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1900320 68df941b-d500-4537-8546-09d4333c3e09 2288 full 1 1 19 19 false Sun, 16 Feb 2025 18:08:02 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 18 - Lauren & Julia: Loving Daily Mass and Fostering Holy Co-Ed Friendships]]> Lauren Udabe and Julia Butterbaugh discuss how they've each cultivated a deep love for encountering Jesus through daily mass and their friend group that attends together often. Jumping into how their group exemplifies holy and healthy co-ed friendship, Lauren and Julia explore the nuances and boundaries of fostering healthy platonic relationships with men that lead both parties closer to God.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1885032 f3394422-77cb-4ec6-a8a2-88cf7944f6f9 2591 full 1 1 18 18 false Sun, 09 Feb 2025 15:00:39 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 17 - Connor: Why You Should Go to SEEK]]> Connor McCoy discusses what brought him to SEEK 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah, and how his experience there deepened his relationship with God, dedication to the faith, and thirst for knowledge. He tackles what it's like to be Catholic at a protestant college and the importance of being involved in Christ-centered community.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1876133 6341d86e-c846-4e9c-b4cd-f1029b88a515 2081 full 1 1 17 17 false Sun, 02 Feb 2025 15:00:30 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 16 - Kristen & Michael: Deepening My Faith at SEEK 2025]]> Kristen Martinez and Michael Villate recap their experience at SEEK 2025 in Salt Lake City, Utah with 18,000 other young Catholics. Touching on their favorite talks and experiences from the conference, they discuss why they traveled to SEEK and how their lives have changed coming back home. Kristen and Michael witness to the life-giving fullness that God poured into the event and embolden others to go in future years to encounter the transformative power of Christ.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1852266 db8d0f10-fec1-4b6f-8be2-f700c03bb73a 2551 full 1 1 16 16 false Sun, 26 Jan 2025 15:00:16 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 15 - Alexis: How Jesus Led Me to Peace and a Dream Career at Disney]]> Those familiar with Alexis Hull know it's no surprise that this is our longest episode yet! The conversation explores how her encounters with Christ at youth retreats cemented her faith in the Lord and led her to serve extensively in youth ministry leadership. Currently working her dream career in Disneyland's costuming department, Alexis discusses experiencing anti-Catholic rhetoric in college and how her work and faith are intertwined.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1843393 ed3e3110-fefd-4fef-8c66-d4122bbd591d 3739 full 1 1 15 15 false Sun, 19 Jan 2025 16:00:23 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 14 - Sofia & Bella: Female Friendship Anchored in Christ]]> Sofia Campbell and Bella Gutierrez share how they discovered the joy of faith-filled friendship and the fruits of grounding their sisterhood in Christ. They discuss how their individual journeys with the Lord drew them to each other and the difficulties of striving to be a woman of God in today's society.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1835751 98ca2d9a-99e3-4edf-894b-254513ab45e0 2361 full 1 1 14 14 false Sun, 12 Jan 2025 15:00:22 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 13 - Deacon Jorge: Preparing for the Priesthood]]> Deacon Jorge Moncada Hernandez discusses his vocational journey as he prepares to be ordained to the priesthood in the spring. He delves into how he wound up at St. Cornelius parish, the community's impact on his spiritual formation, and his thesis topic: how the Eucharist is the perfection of friendship. Jorge bears witness to Christ's transformative goodness in his life.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1824208 895d78ff-87df-41b0-a96a-d0b3dc901b36 2640 full 1 1 13 13 false Sun, 05 Jan 2025 15:00:38 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 12 - Ally & Frida: Involving Jesus in College Applications]]> Two more of our St. Cornelius Youth Ministry leaders, Ally Valdes and Frida Santiesteban, join the pod! Both seniors in high school, the pair discuss incorporating their faith into their college application essays and trusting that God will guide them along this next phase of their lives.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1812024 3ee18376-60aa-4c7b-b9fc-684912a1a698 2309 full 1 1 12 12 false Sun, 22 Dec 2024 15:00:22 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 11 - Joseph & Ian: Navigating Truth with Friends of Different Faith]]> Joseph Reza and Ian Aleshire join the podcast to explore the fullness they've found in Catholic brotherhood and how those friendships differ from their relationships with those who hold different beliefs. Diving into the challenges and opportunities these friendships present, Joseph and Ian discuss their personal journeys with Christ and how they pursue truth with the people in their lives.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1798382 421331e4-217e-4b5c-8a9d-053ac43530df 2859 full 1 1 11 11 false Sun, 15 Dec 2024 15:00:25 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 10 - Jordan: Discovering New Community & the Fulfilling Joy of Service]]> We welcome Jordan Rahe for a conversation grounded in how he returned to his love for the faith and his experience finding Catholic community as a young adult in a new city. A member of several ministries here at St. Cornelius, Jordan dives into the importance of the Lazarus Project: a ministry focused on serving the homeless not just by providing them with food or toiletries, but engaging in loving conversation and prayer.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1788619 ef029b66-0923-49ed-87cb-e5827c525a3b 2510 full 1 1 10 10 false Sun, 08 Dec 2024 16:00:24 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 9 - Kaitlyn & Amanda: A Vision of Heaven & Having Family in Youth Ministry]]> Sisters Kaitlyn and Amanda Hull sit down to discuss their faith lives, diving into their unique experiences of going through the confirmation process while their mom served as the youth minister — part of that journey involving a vision Kaitlyn was gifted years ago that brought immeasurable comfort to their family. The pair delve into what it’s like to be a young devoted Catholic with friends who aren’t, and how their experiences and relationships with Christ give them the confidence to stand strong in their faith in the face of doubt.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1780613 c828f747-7bb4-4506-a5e6-f4d44aebeedc 2487 full 1 1 9 9 false Sun, 01 Dec 2024 16:00:43 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 8 - Joe & Edward: The Beauty of Sacred Music]]> Joe Sees and Edward Solideo join the podcast to discuss the importance of sacred music. Both serving as members of the choir Lumen Vitae, the pair sits down to unpack how sacred music’s beauty centers on igniting the intellect rather than emotion, along with how and why it orients us toward God.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1770183 5f26fb06-da4f-4c71-bfd3-a862b6ad24f5 3264 full 1 1 8 8 false Mon, 25 Nov 2024 07:53:42 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 7 - Erik & Aidan: In the World but not of the World]]> Erik Lopez and Aidan Smith hop in the studio to discuss their personal journeys in the Catholic faith, exploring their initial engagements with the church, significant spiritual experiences at confirmation retreats, and the importance of sacraments. They share how they support each other in prayer and emphasize the challenges and rewards of living out their faith — including the societal pressure they face and their aspirations to inspire others.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1753805 81d08abd-408d-466d-9f8e-22aca92279c4 2606 full 1 1 7 7 false Mon, 18 Nov 2024 01:07:48 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 6 - Crystal: Eucharistic Ministry, Catholicism in College, & Faith + Psychology]]> Crystal Torres hops in the studio for a conversation stemming from the ways in which her role in Eucharistic ministry has impacted her faith. Currently studying psychology at CSULB, Crystal journeys through what her faith life looks like as a college student, how her beliefs and studies work hand in hand, and how we can be more open with talking about God and living an example of Christ in our daily interactions.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1745750 5b9244d4-a086-4f73-a95a-f8b172497867 2945 full 1 1 6 6 false Sun, 10 Nov 2024 23:41:48 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 5 - Brooke: Transforming Lives Through Catholic Education ]]> Brooke Nagy joins the pod to chat about what the relationship between school and faith looks like in her life, first rediscovering her fire for the Lord while at college. Now working as the second grade teacher at St. Cornelius, the Catholic school she grew up attending, Brooke shares about implementing her faith into the classroom and watching her students grow to deeper understand God’s love.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1733739 bae12a30-db74-453e-98bf-f45ab4233857 1935 full 1 1 5 5 false Sun, 03 Nov 2024 15:00:30 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 4 - Matthew: Seminary, Gratitude, and Man vs. Technology]]> Highly anticipated guest Matthew Reynolds is here in the studio for a captivating and wide-ranging discussion! In talking about his first few months at St. John’s Seminary and his road to priestly formation, the conversation pans to humanity’s relationship with technology, how we God in times of crisis, and the importance of gratitude.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1721962 7e4a512a-0a29-4749-93fe-892c365b78d0 3436 full 1 1 4 4 false Sun, 27 Oct 2024 09:51:47 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 3 - Andrew & Miguel: Camp Wojtyla, Creation, and Love in Suffering]]> In this episode, Andrew Carniglia and Miguel Macias Casas delve into their transformative experiences at Camp Wojtyla, a Catholic outdoor summer camp in Colorado. In discussing the impact of living amidst nature, Andrew and Miguel explore the importance of faith-filled community, love in suffering, and fulfillment in the service of others. Hear their stories of spiritual growth as they recount both the joyful and challenging moments they encountered during their time at camp and back home.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1711200 b19686f0-0ee0-496e-adf2-aa83bfa6cb6e 2946 full 1 1 3 3 false Sun, 20 Oct 2024 03:25:45 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 2 - Elissa & Katie: Surrender, Sisterhood, & Rediscovery ]]> Elissa and Katie Rodriguez sit down to share their powerful testimonies for an inspiring conversation on love, faith, and the beauty of letting God lead. Diving into their journeys through seasons of loss and hardship, singleness, and fruitful vs. unfruitful relationships, the sisters break down what it means to be loved by the Lord in a romantic, intimate way.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1699856 11ac900b-3a6c-487b-bbe6-0255f516fba4 2858 full 1 1 2 2 false Sat, 12 Oct 2024 02:04:45 GMT <![CDATA[Ep. 1 - David & Ty: Faith, Brotherhood, & Accountability ]]> For the premiere of The Young Church Podcast, we welcome David Torres and Ty Casarez for a conversation centered on brotherhood in Christ. Initially connecting at a youth group through their shared passion for the gym, they discuss how their friendship evolved into one grounded in the Catholic faith, the importance of accountability, and supporting each other in living out the Gospel.

]]> https://rss.com/podcasts/the-young-church/1686434 ad9fd97e-a56b-41d6-8844-95c06ebe32a2 2065 full 1 1 1 1 false Sun, 06 Oct 2024 00:13:32 GMT