Called (with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

What does true hospitality look like? It’s more than hosting a dinner party or planning a great trip—it’s creating space for others to encounter love, joy, beauty, and ultimately, God.

In this episode of Called, Fr. Mike Schmitz sits down with John Hale to talk about the deeper meaning of hospitality, how pilgrimage can transform hearts, and why a “theology of abundance” changes the way we live and love.

Whether you’re welcoming thousands or simply showing up for the person in front of you, this conversation will challenge you to live with greater joy, generosity, and magnanimity of heart.

To receive updates on the podcast text CALLED to 33777.

If you have a question or a story of someone living out their calling to serve others, email [email protected].

What does it mean to answer God’s call—especially when it leads you somewhere unexpected?

In this episode of Called, Fr. Mike Schmitz sits down with Kristi Schena, founder of Kids On The Go, to share a powerful story of faith in action. What began as a simple response to a gap in care for children with special needs grew into a life-changing ministry serving thousands of families.

Kristi opens up about the moment she saw the need, the challenges of building a nonprofit from the ground up, and how her own family’s struggles deepened her mission. Through uncertainty, loss, and unexpected blessings, her story reveals how God works through ordinary people to do extraordinary things.

If you’ve ever felt a tug on your heart to make a difference—but didn’t know where to start—this conversation will inspire you to listen, trust, and take the next step.

To receive updates on the podcast text CALLED to 33777.

If you have a question or a story of someone living out their calling to serve others, email [email protected].

What do you do when suffering hits your family—and there’s no cure?

In this episode of Called, Fr. Mike Schmitz sits down with John Crowley, a father whose life changed overnight when two of his children were diagnosed with a rare, fatal disease. Faced with the impossible, John didn’t walk away—he stepped in.

From grief and fear to faith and determination, this powerful conversation explores what it means to trust God in crisis, to “see a need and fill it,” and to use your gifts in service of others. John’s journey into the world of biotech innovation is a witness to courage, perseverance, and the call to love in action.

You can learn more about the Called podcast at: https://ascensionpress.com/pages/called.

To learn more The Catholic Initiative, please visit https://thecatholicinitiative.org/.

To receive updates on the podcast text CALLED to 33777.

If you have a question or a story of someone living out their calling to serve others, email [email protected].

What does it mean to trust God when the decision feels risky?

In this episode of Called, Fr. Mike Schmitz sits down with Dr. Carolyn Woo to talk about courage, discernment, and leaving security to follow God’s call. Carolyn shares how she walked away from tenure and a successful academic career to say yes to a mission that would eventually lead her to serve the global Church through Catholic Relief Services.

Together they discuss fear, trust, and the question many of us eventually face: What is enough?

If you’ve ever struggled with a big life decision or wondered how to know what God is asking of you, this conversation is for you.

To receive updates on the podcast text CALLED to 33777.

If you have a question or a story of someone living out their calling to serve others, email [email protected].

How can beauty rebuild a broken community?

In this episode of Called, Fr. Mike Schmitz sits down with acclaimed actor Harry Lennix to explore faith, storytelling, and the power of the arts to transform culture.

From growing up Catholic on Chicago’s South Side to discerning the priesthood, to performing on Broadway and in film, Harry shares how his vocation has always been rooted in service. Inspired by Pope John Paul II’s Letter to Artists, he explains why creativity images the Creator—and why investing in beauty is essential, especially in under-resourced neighborhoods.

They discuss:

🔸How art reveals truth

🔸Why culture shapes communities

🔸Mercy, justice, and the human heart

🔸The vision behind the Lillian Marcie Center for the Performing Arts

To receive updates on the podcast text CALLED to 33777.

If you have a question or a story of someone living out their calling to serve others, email [email protected].