WE’RE BACK! And talking about the biggest song of the last year “What Was I Made For” By Billie Eilish from the Barbie movie, and to take us through it we have the poet Clare McCallan. She shares her wisdom (including some spicy hot takes), a bit about her life, and also a really good poem. She also talks about her new book “Courage To Create.” And…

Is Mean Girls the best movie of the 00’s? It’s likely the most quoted. Screenwriter Emily Schmitt joins us to discuss the movie, the musical, and now the movie musical, Mean Girls. So fetch! Episode 83 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/mean-girls-a-catuionary-tale-w-emily-schmitt Emily’s Website:…

It’s the question Catholics love to argue about. Let’s get into it. Mary Did you Know? Episode 82 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/what-did-and-didnt-mary-know-mary-did-you-know Catholic Merch - https://catholicmerch.store Join my Patron Community www.PopCultureCatechism.com Listen wherever you …

If you’ve ever had sex or thought about sex, this episode is for you. Ellen Holloway is a Sexuality & Intimacy coach, with a certificate in Fundamentals of Sex Therapy, and the author of “The Orgasm Course for Catholic Women.” This conversation was amazing and I know I will be listening back to it for years to come. This episode is not one to miss.…

Mike sits down with Audrey Assad who shares very freely about her journey away from the Catholic faith, her music, her healing and her heart. All of this and more as we also geek out about Celine Dion. Mike‘s wife also makes a few cameos to sing. Episode 80 Show Host: Mike Tenney Audrey’s Info: IG: http://instagram.com/audreyassad Tw: http://twitte…

A muslim & a catholic walk into a discussion on The Hunger Games, geopolitics, and human nature. This episode is unlike any I’ve done before. Dr. Shyam Sriram is an Indian-American, muslim convert, and a political science professor at a Jesuit Catholic college. He turned out to be the perfect person with whom to have an open-minded conversation abo…

It’s been 2 years since Olivia Rodrigo trampled the music scene with her debut “Sour,” and her new follow up “Guts” is even more in your face. Lillian Fallon, author of “A Theology of Style” joins us to talk about self image, modern dating, life in the fashion industry, and why O Rod’s music is just so so so good. Episode 78 Show Host: Mike Tenney …

Mike and his friend Julia (Seven Mile Chats) went to the Eras tour and it reminded us of the mass. This episode is us being Taylor/pop music/Theology/Liturgy nerds turned up to 11. Episode 77 Show Host: Mike Tenney Julie's website - www.ourgirltalk.org Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/taylors-eras-tour-and-the-liturgy…

Hi Barbie! It's the biggest movie of the year and it's weird and funny and loud and thought provoking. I was not expecting to like this movie as much as I did and I'm so glad I got to talk to the founder of Girl Talk, Julie Larkin. She has a wealth of experience working with young women and a grounded and wise perspective on what it's like to be a …

Is there any show more important for millennial women than Gilmore Girls? Rory, Lorelai, & Emily Gilmore have something to teach us if we are paying attention: What does it take to be a good mother? A good daughter? Does privilege ruin us? Is feminism all it’s cracked up to be? What should a woman look for in a man? Allison Sullivan, creator of the…

Army Chaplain Recruiter, Jumpmaster, and Catholic priest, Fr. Peter Pomposello joins us to discuss the art and moral dilemmas of Christipher Nolan's latest epic: Oppenheimer. I think this is one of our best episodes so far. Strap on your parachutes as we tackle: - The morality of killing in war - Weapons of mass destruction - The cost of being a so…

Tight harmonies and soaring melodies tied with soul wrenching lyrics: Folk-Soul power couple Abner Ramirez and Amanda Sudano are making some of the best music around. Speaker Mari Pablo joins us to talk about why this married couple’s music cuts so deep and rises so high. Episode 73 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/p…

Leslie Knope, Ron Swanson, Tom Haverford, April Ludgate: characters so ridiculous that they can’t be real yet they feel like people we know and love. Actor/Writer/TikTok superstar Kiersten Lyons returns to the show to talk about why Parks & Rec might just be the most important TV comedy so far this century. We talk about: - How not to be cringe - D…

Was Thanos right? Is Cap really the good guy? Is Tony as self-serving as he seems? Are SHIELD the good guys? Nick De La Torre returns to the show to talk about the moral quandaries of the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Episode 71 Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/marvel-and-morality-w-nick-de-la-torr…

Two guys. Sparse Stage. Conversation about the world’s seminal grunge band. Singer-songer Mike Mangione joined us between events at the new AWAKEN Catholic theater to talk about Pearl Jam and why they mean so much to Gen Xers and elder millennials. We discuss: - Chasing cool - The cost of true communion - Nakedness - Throwing away my secular music?…

This is def a PG-13 episode so don’t listen to this with young ears around. Hook up Culture vs Purity Culture? Sex Positivity vs Chastity? Dr Andrew & Sarah Swafford join us to talk about the messages regarding sex that we receive through social media and what is more harmful than helpful. This is a long episode and we cover A LOT including: - Do c…

Halo has been XBox’s flagship game for 20 years and it was one of the first games to make a FPS with a compelling story and realistic characters combined with a fantastical, expansive world. It revolutionized not just game play, but what we’ve come to expect from a great game. Our guest today is a man whose work you know: Ethan Nagy, AWAKEN Catholi…

Bad Bunny is bigger than Taylor Swift currently and it’s past time we talked about his music, his message, and his influence. Fernando Catragena joins the show to talk about: - How to have hope amidst brokenness - Do our failings define us? - Can we really change? - Are you blessed? - Dealing with haters - Why Puerto Rico is awesome - And much more…

Miley’s hits, hijinx, and hairstyles have been ubiquitous for a decade and a half. Ali Hoffman of @‌theoodlesofdoodles joins us to go through Miley’s hits of past and present. We go deep on this episode and discuss: - Vulnerability - Independence vs codependency vs interdependence - Fame! - Singleness - Asceticism and delight - How to let god love …

Two of the biggest rappers with a lot in common and a lot that’s not, the music of Machine Gun Kelly and NF drips with trauma and pain from contrasting perspectives. Hip Hop artist Connor Flanagan joins us to go through it. - Following your dreams - Can you dream big with a family? - Quick fixes & lasting solutions - Coping mechanisms - The antidot…

FOOTBALL IS LIFE! Luke Carey, football geek and cohost of the seminal Catholic podcast Catching Foxes, joins us to talk about the most uplifting show on television, Ted Lasso. We cover a lot including: - Why the world needs Ted - Healthy responses to suffering - Father wounds - Abandonment wounds - How to deal with bullies - The benefits and failin…

Ever wondered if the "Patron Exclusive Content" is worth it? Here's a sneak peak for you! It includes the opening talk from Mike's Lenten parish retreat as well as a few songs from the U2 concert Mike did for patrons for episode 19 with Christopher West. Show Host: Mike Tenney Show Page: https://www.awakencatholic.org/pop-culture-catechism/bonus-pa…

INCONCEIVABLE! How have we not talked about the Princess Bride on this show yet? Tom Corcoran of Rebuilt welcomes Mike to the Church of the Nativity in Timonium, MD to discuss the most delightful movie of all time. We cover a lot including: - How to help a parish - Feminine and masculine strength - How many men fail - How to be a hero? - What if I …

Sex sells and it always has but with the advent of streaming, shows have much more leeway to display nudity and sex. In another potentially TMI episode, author & speaker Mary Lenaburg joins us to talk about: - What’s the difference between porn & nudity - How porn affects individuals, couples, and society - How to talk to a spouse about porn - What…

Venturing into a corner of pop culture we largely ignore on PCC, we asked Jon (Bearded)Blevins to take us through the world of sports, e-sports, and online gaming. - Can competition be holy? - Jesus as an underdog - When games become too much - How to be holy online - Why teams are important to a community - Fostering friendship & building communit…

We all have songs that take us back to key moments in our lives. In this episode, Chika & Mike share stories from their youth and that music that accompanies them. Along the way we discuss: - Mistakes - Starting over - Friends who call you out - Family and family wounds - Weddings! - When Mike almost became a priest - Living with anxiety - Music yo…

It’s about time we talked about the GOATs of Rock N’ Roll: THE BEATLES! Speaker & musician Dominic Quaglia joins the show to geek out about their music and contemplate their messages. - Some personal stuff comes out as we discuss: - Friendships - Losing & finding hope - Jesus’ most revolutionary teaching - Mary - Suffering - And more! Episode 59 Sh…

Avatar is once again the biggest movie in the world. Ripe with Catholic allegory and lessons for our role in the natural world and our relationships to its different peoples, this movie is way more than just a visual spectacle. Journey with us into the world of Pandora and the culture of the Na’vi. Awaken Catholic president Nick De La Torre joins u…

The Chosen is probably the best screen adaptation of the Jesus story ever made. Bishop Bill Byrne of the Diocese of Springfield, MA joins us to talk about what it gets right about Jesus and his followers, and what it means for you and me. We discuss: - Can we trust the Bible stories? - Scandal in the Church - The Virgin Mary - Avoiding obscure theo…

Mike & a team of other alumni and students from the Catholic University of America recently ran a session at the National Catholic Youth Conference in Long Beach, CA. While there, we had a great conversation about the career, music, and spiritual journey of Justin Bieber and we got real deep into some stuff including: - Can you forgive but also set…

Mike recently crashed Edmund Mitchell’s Studio in Grapevine, TX and the two shared some of their favorite songs with each other. A fantastic, goofy conversation ensued featuring music by David Wimbish & the Collection, Penny & Sparrow, and Cory Wong. We dove into: - the value & risk of doubt - our inner monsters - what it takes to live a life of fa…

Probably DC Comics’ best movie to date, Wonder Woman hits on some of the biggest questions of history. We dive into them with the help of Ogechi Akalegbere, speaker, youth minister, and winner of the 2021 Cardinal Bernardin Award for Leadership. We tackle: - Are humans fundamentally good or bad? What about me? - Is the devil real? Is the devil just…

Mumford & Sons have been our most requested/suggested episode and we are finally doing it! Nashville recording artist Ricky Vazquez of Village Lights (who were just nominated for a Dove award) joins us to discuss the lyrics and music of the neo-folk rock giants. We go pretty deep as we discuss: - The struggles of being a young man - Sex, passion, i…

Paramore’s influence is all over the airwaves and interwebs these days. We revisit one of Mike’s favorite bands with the help of recording artists and founders of Enemy Love Records, Emma Fradd & David Kruse. In this episode we discuss: - Losing your innocence - Fake happiness - Can you choose joy? - The relief of hitting rock bottom - What is hope…

We kick off Season 3 of Pop Culture Catechism with everyone’s favorite religious dystopia: The Handmaid’s Tale. Samantha Povlock, founder & Editor in Chief of FemCatholic, joins us to talk about: -Feminism -The Patriarchy -Consent & sexual assault -Is sex in America too masculine? -Unjust Laws -Do Catholics want a theocracy? Episode 51 Show Host: M…

With Amazon’s new “Rings of Power” show about to be released, it’s time to delve “deeply & greedily” into the lore of Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.” Jon Marc Grodi (The Coming Home Network, Elevate Ordinary) returns to the show to nerd out about the rich mystical, spiritual, and mythological meaning of this remarkable work of literature. We dis…

Facts? Truth? History? Myth? What does it all mean and how do we know? Bible Geek & LifeTeen CIO Mark Hart joins us to spelunk the world & themes of Indiana Jones. We discuss: - Biblical archeology & history - Icons vs Idols - Mystery & myth - Fathers & Sons - Mary - Faith & Reason - Pride, Glory, & Fame - Which is the best Indy movie - And as usua…

Blink 182 were as big as Britney in their heyday and set the tone for rock music for a decade. Anthony D’Ambrosio, co-founder of Catholic Creatives, joins us to explore the Godfathers of Emo. We discuss: - Vulnerability - Manliness & Masculinity - Growing up - Learning about sex - Boomers - Jesus - Reverence & Irreverence And much more! Episode 48 …

https://youtu.be/lfMlL8qd_9sBy Mike Tenney

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Green Day, Bob Dylan, 2Pac, Flobots, Marvin Gaye . . . What do all of these artists have in common? They all stood up against violence through their music. Consistent Life Ethic activists Savannah & Ryan Ackermann join us to talk about the great protest songs of history. We discuss A LOT of hot button issues including: - The death penalty - Euthana…

In this special solo, Father’s Day episode, Mike shares what he admires about TV’s superdad, Jack Pearson from NBC’s “This is Us.” We discuss: - What is masculinity? Is it toxic? - Angry prayers - Rising to the occasion - How to find purpose in life - Why a real man should be liturgicalBy Mike Tenney

Juneteenth is right around the corner so it’s the perfect time to talk about the music and message of Beyoncé. We welcome Vice President of New Wave Feminists, Marcia Lane-McGee to the show. So come get in formation as we discuss: - Privilege, Color Blindness, & Anti-racism - Art & Solidarity - Feminism & Clericalism - Hot sauce [swag] - Black Live…

Marshall Mathers is a force to be reckoned with. His talent is undeniable. His story: inspiring. His lyrics? Frequently reprehensible. Pop rap artist Jeremy Flick joins us to discuss the music and message of Slim Shady. We discuss: -Why God (and we) love an underdog -How to pursue your dreams, even with family responsibilities -How to “make it” in …

Follow us into the Upside Down as we ready ourselves for Season 4 of Stranger Things. Kaiser Johnson, who played the infamous Jazzercise Instructor/Evil Russian, joins us to share some of his journey and insight. We share what we love about the show and it brings up some pretty personal stuff as we discuss: - the value of being a nerd - Friendship:…

An old soul with a heavenly voice, Adele is the world's most widely celebrated musician. Nashville-based songwriter Dana Catherine joins us to talk about Adele's music and craft, as well as how to have God help navigate the twists and turns of young adulthood. We discuss: - calling and how to know when to follow your heart - is God calling me to ma…

"We gon’ praise our way out the grave, dog!" Hip Hop artist John Levi joins us to discuss the phenomenon that is Kanye West and his music. We hit some big topics including: -the key to real holiness -the N-word & profanity -doing stupid things -failure -materialism -self-doubt and mental health -the power of verbal confession and profession -vulner…

I first met Dan and his brother Alex when they were in seminary to become priests. But then they spent the next 15 years building Scythian from a pub band to one of the biggest festival acts in the country. Dan and I had a great time sharing some of our favorite folk songs. The conversation got deep pretty quickly as we talked about the relationshi…

The first live-action Star Wars show is arguably also the most compelling Star Wars story ever. We welcome Deacon, Professor, and Star Wars nerd-extrordianire Bob Rice to unpack the Mandoverse as we discuss: - Fundamentalism - the stories of 3 orphans - religious deconstruction & reconstruction - How to question God? Is there a value to doubt? - Ce…