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Masculinity & Evangelization w/ Dcn. Michael Halbrook & Nick Meyer | Understanding Our Apostolic Age

Every year, in the 90 days leading up to Easter, the team at Exodus invite Catholic men across the world to deepen their spiritual life by participating in a challenge, Exodus 90, that draws men away from distractions in life - social media, video games and television amongst others - and prompts them to engage in a series of ascetic, spiritual and communal activities to transform their lives and deepen their relationship with God.

Darnell Miller, Creative Director at MAX Studios, sat down with Deacon Michael Halbrook, Exodus' COO, and Nick Meyer, Exodus' Head of Growth, to discuss the importance of understanding true masculinity and the importance of community and friendship.

Learn More about Exodus

The Beam in Our Eye w/ Sam Mazzarelli | Understanding our Apostolic Age

We must know our strengths and weaknesses before we can become better evangelists. At least that is the thesis behind the Catholic Leadership Institute's mission. In this episode, MAX Studios' Creative Director, Darnell Miller, sits down with Sam Mazzarelli, Vice President, Innovation and Development at Catholic Leadership Institute, to learn how they are working with parishes to identify their blind spots and help them better serve their community while preparing them to serve others.

Learn more about Sam Mazzarelli and Catholic Leadership Institute

The Art of Serving the Deaf Community w/ Fr. Sean Loomis | Understanding Our Apostolic Age

While in seminary, Fr. Sean Loomis, Chaplain Annunciation B.V.M Rectory in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, was approached and asked if he would be willing to learn American Sign Language and serve the Deaf community. He accepted and his since gone on to learn, understand and participate in their language and culture.

In this episode, Darnell and Fr. Loomis discuss the challenges that come with serving a new community and explore how the lessons Fr. Loomis learned in serving the Deaf community can be applied in any mission.

Learn more about Fr. Sean Loomis and his ministry

Accompanying Parents Through Loss w/ Kelly Breaux | Understanding our Apostolic Age

After losing a child of her own, Kelly Breaux realized there was not sufficient support in her church community. So she set out to create Red Bird Ministries, where she trains others, priests and lay alike, to accompany families through the struggles that come with miscarriage and loss of a child.

In the this conversation, Kelly shares her story of loss, why she believes it is important to empower the priests to accompany families and what she has learned in serving.

Learn more about Red Bird Ministries

What Does it Mean to Live in an Apostolic Age w/ Jason Simon | Understanding Our Apostolic Age

We are in the midst of an Apostolic Age.

But what does that mean?

We headed to Dallas to attend The Evangelical Catholic's Conference: Priests for An Apostolic Age to find out. There we had the opportunity to talk to experts - lay and religious - about what it means to live in an apostolic age and how they are using their ministries to "Go Out" and reach people for Christ.

In this first episode we talk to Jason Simon, the President of The Evangelical Catholic, and organizer of this conference, about what it means to be in an apostolic age and why it is important to empower priests to develop new styles and tactics for outreach. We also discuss the fundamental shift of our understanding of parish life that needs to happen if we are going to prepare the laity to go out and evangelize.

Learn more about The Evangelical Catholic

Around the Halo: Season 2, Episode 10

Episode 10 is here!

Inspired by the popular show on ESPN, Around the Horn, Around the Halo features four guests who weigh in on topics about sports, pop culture and the news.

In this episode, Little Flower Media COO Matt McClure is the host. Guests are Jonathan "Bearded Blevins," CEO of Little Flower Media, Darnell Miller, Creative Director of MAX Studios at University of St. Thomas-Houston, Joel Stepanek, Chief Mission Officer for the National Eucharist Congress, author and speaker. Our is special guest Fr. Victor, a priest at St. John Vianney Catholic Church in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Here are the chapters:
1:05 Intros
6:00 Joel Pandering
7:24 99 Luftballoons
14:24 State of Awkward
22:54 Darkness My Old Friend
31:44 Hogwarts Heresy
42:45 Unholy-Moley
54:40 The Big Game

@BeardedBlevins

Around the Halo: Season 2, Episode 8

Here is episode 8 of Around the Halo!

Inspired by the popular show on ESPN, Around the Horn, Around the Halo features four guests who weigh in on topics about sports, pop culture and the news.

In this episode, Little Flower Media COO Matt McClure is the host. Guests are Jonathan "Bearded Blevins," CEO of Little Flower Media, Darnell Miller, Creative Director of MAX Studios at University of St. Thomas-Houston, Joel Stepanek, Chief Mission Officer for the National Eucharist Congress, author and speaker. Our is special guest Jacob Imam, a former Muslim,, former agnostic and Catholic convert. He is also an economist and serves as the Executive Director of New Polity.

Here are the chapters:
1:05 Intros
5:02 Grounded
13:30 Dead Frogs
22:42 In Exodus
36:08 Gas-X

Episode 3 – Final Episode: The Cultivation of Purpose with Leah Darrow

We've gone on this journey with Leah and Ricky and now it's time for some fun - Pumpkin Day!

We witness the culmination of their work week in and week out during the fall season. Darnell and Bridget also get to take in Pumpkin Day and all that it means for this family to celebrate with one another and their community. Leah and Ricky's mission at work is a marvel to watch. They are so joyful and proud of the fruits of their labor and they continue to work hard to make things better and better year after year - all for the love and glory of God to be proclaimed through their actions.

See the beauty of mission alive and see how Leah and Ricky articulate their immense joy in serving others through this joyous event.

Power Made Perfect

Leah Darrow

Big Family Farm and Nursery

University of St. Thomas-Houston

Episode 2 – The Cultivation of Purpose with Leah Darrow: Faith, Farming and Vocation

We’re in the phase of renewal with Leah, Ricky and the family in episode two of Cultivation of Purpose. We get a little deeper into why they are doing the particular tasks they have picked as farmers and how their kids fit into the mix. Darnell shares his perspective of Big Family Farm and why what they are doing matters. We see family life overlap with the grind of chores each day.

This is a raw look at what it’s like when someone genuinely follows their dream - as difficult or confusing as it may seem. The hard parts of being on mission with God show themselves in unexpected ways for Leah and Ricky. You’ll see moments of beauty with their children and success on the farm, but then also immense sadness with the miscarriage of their baby. Leah helps us ponder and sift through the intricacies of renewal while living your dream in episode 2.

 

Power Made Perfect

Leah Darrow

Big Family Farm and Nursery

University of St. Thomas-Houston

Episode 1 – The Cultivation of Purpose with Leah Darrow: Faith, Farming and Vocation

Episode One of the three-part series, produced by University of St. Thomas Houston’s MAX Studios, featuring Leah Darrow, her husband Ricky Soldinie and their family becoming new farmers on Big Family Farm in Fordland, Missouri.

In episode one, you get to know Leah, Ricky, their kids and the 80-acre property they now call home. They left the suburbs of St. Louis for a simpler, albeit more challenging, life as farmers. You’ll see a day in the life of this family - feeding chickens and pigs, getting food on the table, and prepping for their main source of income in agri-tourism - four Saturdays in October called Pumpkin Days.

MAX Studios’ Bridget Richardson and Darnell Miller join them on the farm and ponder their own questions about this new exploration for this family on Big Family Farm.

Throughout the episode, Leah and Ricky continue to call you to take stock of your own life and be aware of what may be missing for you. Ask yourself the challenging question, “Are you happy?”

 

Power Made Perfect

Leah Darrow

Big Family Farm and Nursery

University of St. Thomas-Houston

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