Ordinary Time with Brandon Forschino

At a time when anxiety, distraction, and uncertainty seem to define an entire generation, one teenager chose a different path.In this episode of Ordinary Time, I sit down with rising high school senior Rodrigo DeLeon Ruiz—bestselling bilingual author of Fortitude, international debate champion, and a young Catholic whose story offers hope to his generation.Born in Mexico and raised in the United States, Rodrigo didn't write Fortitude as someone who had all the answers. He wrote it while living through many of the same struggles facing today's teenagers.Together, we discuss:• How Sensory Processing Disorder shaped Rodrigo's resilience• Growing through the isolation and uncertainty of COVID-19• Why discipline creates freedom instead of limiting it• How faith became the foundation for purpose and perseverance• What Gen Z is really searching for today• Why more young people are rediscovering Catholicism• Practical habits for building courage, resilience, and authentic fortitudeWhether you're a parent, student, educator, or someone seeking encouragement in your own faith journey, this conversation offers practical wisdom and lasting hope.Get the book, Fortitude, by visiting https://www.rodrigodeleonruiz.com/If this episode encourages you, please like, subscribe, and share it with someone who needs to hear this message.#Catholic #GenZ #Faith #Anxiety #MentalHealth #CatholicPodcast #ChristianPodcast #Purpose #Discipline #Resilience #YoungAdults #Fortitude #Hope #CatholicYouth #OrdinaryTimePodcast

Many people know Chase Carroll as the University of North Florida student whose question sparked one of the most talked-about exchanges with Christian apologist Frank Turek.During a live "Change My Mind" event at UNF, Chase stepped to the microphone and asked a simple but provocative question: "Can Christianity exist without the Catholic Church?"The conversation that followed quickly spread across YouTube, generating thousands of comments and attracting responses from both Catholic and Protestant apologists.But this episode isn't about fourteen minutes at a microphone. It's about everything that came before.Like David before Goliath, Chase's defining moment was preceded by years of formation, study, prayer, and a growing conviction that truth matters. Long before anyone knew his name, God was preparing him through ordinary moments that would eventually lead to an extraordinary opportunity.In this episode of Ordinary Time, Chase shares the story behind the viral exchange, his reversion to the Catholic faith, the questions that shaped his intellectual journey, and the experiences that gave him the confidence to publicly defend what he believed.The viral debate may be what introduced the world to Chase Carroll. This conversation reveals the deeper story of how God prepared him for that moment.

Is it really possible to be married to a Catholic priest? Yes, though it is a rare exception within the Roman Catholic Church.In this episode of Ordinary Time, I sit down with Melissa Mayer to explore her family’s remarkable journey into Catholicism. Melissa and her husband, Fr. Phillip Mayer, both came from a Protestant and Anglican background before entering full communion with the Catholic Church.After years in Anglican ministry, Fr. Mayer received a special dispensation from Pope Francis and was ordained a Catholic priest in 2019 through the Ordinariate, allowing him to remain married while serving as a Catholic priest. Today, Fr. Mayer serves at St. James Catholic Church in Jacksonville, helping to build and shepherd a growing Catholic community.Melissa, Fr. Mayer's wife, shares the story from her perspective, the theological questions, spiritual searching, sacrifices, fears, and graces that shaped their conversion. The conversation also offers a rare behind-the-scenes look at family life with a Catholic priest, the mission of St. James, and a deeper understanding of the Ordinariate and its unique place within the Catholic Church.

In this episode of Ordinary Time, I sit down with Dr. Asher Chanan-Khan and his son Matthew for a powerful conversation about suffering, truth, and their unexpected journey into the Catholic Church.Dr. Asher Chanan-Khan is a world-renowned blood cancer specialist who has spent decades advancing treatments for patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia. But after receiving his own terminal cancer diagnosis, he suddenly found himself facing the very suffering he had spent his life helping others endure.At the same time, Matthew was walking through what he describes as a “dark night of the soul” following deep personal struggles and the impact of divorce. In the middle of that pain, he unexpectedly encountered Christ again after visiting a Catholic Church.As Matthew began discerning Catholicism through OCIA, Dr. Asher attended alongside him — not because he wanted to become Catholic, but because he wanted to ensure his son was not being taught false doctrine.What began as skepticism slowly became something much deeper.Coming from a non-denominational background, much of what Dr. Asher believed about the Catholic Church was shaped by misunderstanding and criticism. But the deeper he looked, the more he encountered beauty, history, truth, and a faith that challenged everything he thought he knew.One statement from Matthew especially stayed with him:“If you want to have a serious, deep relationship with the Lord, then you go to the Catholic Church.”That statement forced Dr. Asher to wrestle with a difficult question:“If I believe this is true for my son… why would it not also be true for me?”This is an honest and deeply moving conversation about suffering, fatherhood, faith, healing, and ultimately surrendering to Christ.If this episode impacts you, consider subscribing and sharing it with someone searching for hope and truth.#Catholic #ConversionStory #CatholicChurch #OCIA #Faith #JesusChrist

On this episode of Ordinary Time, I’m joined by David Davis, who shares his powerful journey into the Catholic Church. Born to a Southern Baptist preacher, David spent his entire life deeply rooted in ministry, not only as a pastor’s kid but also as a youth minister, the Chairman of the Board of a large United Methodist Church, and a devoted church leader.But through a season of personal struggle and vulnerability, including a separation in his marriage, David found himself willing to do whatever it took to fight for his bride. That pursuit led him somewhere unexpected: attending Mass with his wife. What began as an act of love and commitment slowly became an encounter with the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Catholic faith.This is a beautiful story of a man fighting for his bride, only to discover how Christ has been fighting for His Bride, the Church, all along. Today, David carries a deep desire for unity among Christians and is committed to fostering greater understanding and connection across the Body of Christ.#Catholic #CatholicChurch #CatholicFaith #CatholicLife #CatholicConversion #CatholicPodcast #CatholicMen #CatholicCommunity #ocia@DioceseofStAugustine

He went to Mass to save his marriage…He didn’t expect it to change his life.On my next episode of Ordinary Time Podcast, I sit down with David Davis, a lifelong church leader who never imagined he’d become Catholic.But in the middle of fighting for his wife, he encountered something deeper: the truth, goodness, and beauty of the Church and the realization that Christ had been fighting for His Bride all along.This is a powerful story of restoration, humility, and unexpected grace.📅 Premieres Thursday, April 9 at 7:00 PM on YouTubeSet a reminder, you won’t want to miss this one.#Catholic #CatholicConversion #FaithJourney #MarriageRestoration #Testimony #ComeHome #Podcast

What role does Catholic fiction play in shaping the soul—and why does it matter today?In this episode of Ordinary Time, I sit down with bestselling Catholic author Jacqueline Brown to explore how faith, storytelling, and even dystopian fiction can lead people closer to God.Jacqueline, a former child psychologist, is the author of The Light Series, The Awakening Trilogy, and Altered—clean, faith-filled novels written for mature teens and adults. Her work dives deep into the spiritual battle for the soul, asking the kinds of questions most of us avoid.In this conversation, we cover:* Her journey from psychology to becoming a Catholic author* Why Catholic fiction and storytelling matter in today’s culture* The role of dystopian themes and spiritual warfare in her books* How stories can lead readers one step closer to the FatherLearn More + Special OfferExplore Jacqueline’s books: https://jacqueline-brown.comUse code ORDINARYTIME for 10% off your purchaseAbout Ordinary TimeReal conversations helping ordinary Catholics live an extraordinary faith—every day.Subscribe, like, and share to support the mission.Music AttributionMusic by https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videosArtist: Nick PetrovLicense code: 9698ZJZCEHXQWYTA

In this episode of Ordinary Time, Brandon Forsino speaks with John Clegg about the pressing issue of children's poverty and the impactful work of the Sisters of Mary, an organization founded by Venerable Aloysius Schwartz. They discuss the organization's mission to alleviate poverty through education and vocational training, the importance of pro-life advocacy, and the transformative stories of alumni who have benefited from the program. The conversation emphasizes the spiritual dimensions of poverty and the need for greater awareness and support for the Sisters of Mary.Chapters00:00 Introduction to Children's Poverty Awareness01:01 The Mission of the Sisters of Mary03:03 Venerable Aloysius Schwartz: A Life of Service05:51 The Impact of the Sisters of Mary09:01 The Best Kept Secret in Charity12:00 The Call to Pro-Life Advocacy15:01 Transforming Lives Through Education18:05 The Spiritual Dimension of Poverty20:59 Alumni Success Stories23:56 The Veneration of Venerable Al30:05 How to Support the Sisters of Maryhttps://worldvillages.org/Music by: https://www.bensound.comLicense code: BHKCPOWTQ7GDQDVBArtist: : The Fable

Travis Callaway is the Chief Operating Officer at Castletown Media, an award-winning Catholic film studio and communications agency behind the Carlo Acutis Documentary, Roadmap to Reality: Carlo Acutis and Our Digital Age. Castletown Media also partnered with Hallow to produce major campaigns, including their 2025 Pray40 initiative featuring actor Jonathan Roumie and Hallow CEO Alex Jones.Travis is also the co-host of the podcast Coffee, Commerce, and Catechesis, where he and his team offer Catholic entrepreneurs and professionals insight into navigating modern secular culture grounded in the eternal teachings of the Catholic Church.

What if everything happening at Mass is far more real—and far more alive—than we can see?In this episode of Ordinary Time, I sit down with Joe Helow, Executive Producer of The Real Presence, a powerful Eucharistic documentary that is helping Catholics rediscover the mystery, beauty, and reverence of the Mass.The film presents a 28-minute cinematic experience that combines liturgical footage with artistic visualization to help viewers enter more deeply into the mystery of the Eucharist—not as a symbol, but as the true Body, Blood, Soul, and Divinity of Jesus Christ.Joe shares the story behind the project, including how a simple desire to honor Christ in the Eucharist led to a film that is renewing faith and awakening hearts to the reality of the Mass.We talk about the inspiration behind the documentary, the importance of beauty in evangelization, and why recovering reverence for the Eucharist matters now more than ever.About the FilmThe Real Presence: The Mass is a 28-minute cinematic experience designed to help viewers see the unseen reality of the Catholic Mass, including the presence of angels, saints, and the eternal sacrifice of Christ made present in the Eucharist.Watch the film for free → https://www.therealpresence.comAbout Ordinary TimeReal conversations helping ordinary Catholics live an extraordinary faith—every day.Subscribe, like, and share to support the mission.Music AttributionMusic by https://www.bensound.com/free-music-for-videosArtist: Marcus P.License code: 325TTV7DBKEENLAA