Wake Up!

Wake Up! 5/7/2026: White Smoke, Two Gulls and a Pope | Trusting in God | Shahbaz Bhatti.

We're joined by Katie Warner, Catholic author, talks about her new book White Smoke, Two Gulls and a Pope. David Dawson Jr., Catholic husband and father, talks about trusting in God’s will for our family, especially when His plan looks different from ours. Knox Thames, the producer for Blood and Water and the executive director of the Center for Global Religious Freedom at Dallas Baptist University, talks about a powerful new graphic biography, Blood and Water: The Life and Martyrdom of Shahbaz Bhatti.

Wake Up! 5/6/2026 : Kneeling for Communion | Mental Health | Blessed Mother and St. Joseph

We're joined by Dina Dow, director of evangelization and catechesis in the Diocese of Baton Rouge, will talk about the Blessed Mother and St Joseph as living models of how to follow Jesus. Dr. Luke Arredondo, Executive Director of the St. Brendan Center for Evangelization and Spirituality in the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee with Catholic 101 segment: I see people kneel when they receive communion and stand when they receive communion. Is there a right way?

Wake Up! 5/5/2026: Living the Little Way | St. Vincent de Paul | May and the Month of Mary

We're joined by Steve Ray, Catholic convert and pilgrimage leader, talks about May and the month of Mary. Michael Acaldo, CEO of St. Vincent de Paul USA joins us with a monthly update. Jason Gale, vice president of content and production at TAN Books talks about TAN Books' new release from Fr. Joseph Spence entitled Living the Little Way: Six Keys to the Spirituality of St. Thérèse.

Wake Up! 5/4/2026: Children's Books | Teens and Summer Schedules | Diocesan Updates

We're joined by Bevi Fontenot, communications director of the Diocese of Houma-Thibodaux. Alan Migliorato, founder of Adventure Catholic, talks about teens and summer schedules. Aimee Maciver, Catholic author, talks about her books called What Kind of Boys Does God Make? and What Kind of Girls Does God Make?. These books will help parents open up important conversations about the unique and unrepeatable dignity that their children have – and simply how much God loves them.

Wake Up! 5/1/2026: Catholics and Confession | AI | Summer Faith

We're joined by Hans Plate, founder of Vinea Research Group, talks about Vinea Research's new study showing the correlation between Catholics and confession. Andrew Gillsmith is the author of "Our Lady of the Artilects", a metaphysical science fiction novel written in the Catholic intellectual tradition that explores artificial intelligence, consciousness and whether machines could ever possess something like a soul talk about the book and AI. Kathleen Higgins, director of youth and young adult ministry in the Diocese of Baton Rouge talks about summer faith- how do we still practice when we are on vacation.

Wake Up! 4/30/2026: Pro-Life Persuasion | Foster Grandparents | Family Spiritual Companion

We're joined by Ben Clapper, executive director of Louisiana Right to Life, with Pro-Life Persuasion segment answers the question: What About a Baby Who Is ill or Disabled and Can't Wive Outside the Womb. Should Abortion Be Legal Then? How Do We Respond? David Dawson Jr., Catholic husband and father talks about the necessity of spiritual companions for your family. Ana Mendieta, foster grandparents program director with Catholic Charities Archdiocese of New Orleans talks about ways we can help.

Wake Up! 4/29/2026: Archdiocesan News | ECHO Community | St. Catherine of Siena

We're joined by Sarah McDonald, Communications Director of the Archdiocese of New Orleans, updates us on news and Clarion Herald stories. Brian Butler, executive director of ECHO Community, updates us on upcoming retreats and gatherings. Dr. Tom Neal, Chief of Evangelization and Mission Engagement of the Diocese of Pensacola-Tallahassee with Catholic 101 segment on St. Catherine of Siena: what can we learn from her?

Wake Up! 4/28/2026: Tower of Jesus Completion | Family Life | St. Vincent de Paul

We're joined by Mauricio Cortés Sierra, lead architect for the Tower of Jesus Christ and the cross terminal at the Sagrada Família in Barcelona, Spain. He talked about Pope Leo XIV’s visit to Barcelona's Sagrada Familia on June 10 and the completion of the tower. Erin Franco, Catholic wife and mother, talks family life and provides tips. Sunnie Johnson-Lain, CEO of SVDP BR, updates us on ways we can help the community.

Wake Up! 4/27/2026: Hotel Hope | Teens and Chores | Theology Lessons

We're joined by Sr. Mary Lou Specha, executive director of Hotel Hope in New Orleans, Alan Migliorato, founder of Adventure Catholic, talks about teens and chores. Dr. David Whidden, Fran U Theology Professor, joins us for a theology lesson.

Wake Up! 4/24/2026: CMA NOLA Guild | Grandparents' Role | Biloxi Diocese

We're joined by Steve Ray, Catholic convert and pilgrimage leader, talks about the role of grandparents to their grandchildren. Dr. Jerussa Aita-Levy, Pediatric ER Physician at LSU and Emmanual Levy, first year medical student at LSU will talk about the CMA NOLA Guild. Terry Dickson, communications director of the Diocese of Biloxi and editor of the Gulf Pine Catholic newspaper, talks about diocesan events and news.