Lights, Catholic, Action!

Diego Soto was certain he would become a priest, but after five years in seminary, he found peace in taking a different path. Now a Catholic school teacher and weekend rancher, he joins Sissel Anderson to share why those years weren’t wasted and how prayer is helping him navigate job loss, unexpected opportunities, and the challenge of trusting God without knowing what comes next.

What does it look like to live your Catholic faith far beyond the walls of the Church? After more than 50 years in law, Robert Gieb shares how faith has shaped his work in the legal profession, his involvement in the pro-life movement and the Red Mass, and an unexpected mission that helped build a Catholic school for hundreds of students in Uganda.
 

What happens when a successful career in the car business gives way to an unexpected call to the priesthood? Father Jack McKone shares his remarkable journey from missionary work in Guatemala to serving as a priest in the Diocese of Fort Worth, along with unforgettable stories of faith, adventure, and his personal connection to the legacy of Blessed Stanley Rother.

What happens when the career you planned gives way to a mission you never expected? Sam Macaraeg shares how his journey from aspiring jazz musician to Catholic campus missionary helped shape a homegrown missionary program at St. John Paul II University Parish, where personal accompaniment is forming college students not just to practice their faith, but to become missionary disciples themselves.
 

Sister Catherine Marie Nguyen never imagined becoming a religious sister, but an unexpected encounter with God’s love changed her plans and led her from dreams of a medical career to a life devoted to Christ. Now a Dominican sister and Catholic school nurse, she shares how caring for scraped knees, comforting sick children, and simply being present can become a powerful way to preach the Gospel without ever stepping behind a pulpit.

What happens when the career you built, the business you trusted, and the plans you fought to save all fall apart? In this episode, Guadalupe Radio Network’s Julian Placino shares how a season of surrender led him to an unexpected calling in Catholic media, a deeper life of prayer, and a powerful lesson: sometimes the breakthrough comes only after you let God take the lead.

A chance encounter in a second-grade classroom changed Nikki Leafgreen’s life, revealing how God could use Catholic education to fulfill her desire to change the world. Now principal of St. George Catholic School, Nikki shares how faith, service, and a close-knit community are helping students and families encounter Christ while planting seeds that can last a lifetime.
 

At Cassata Catholic High School, students who may have struggled elsewhere aren’t written off, they’re given the individualized support, flexibility, and faith-filled community they need to thrive. In this episode, Dr. Maggie Harrison and principal Julianna McConegly challenge misconceptions about Cassata and reveal how a school built on second chances is helping students rediscover their potential, their purpose, and their faith.
 

 At the new TCU Newman Center, Father Jonathan Wallis shares his remarkable journey from the Episcopal Church to the Catholic priesthood and reveals how authentic community, the Eucharist, and a lived faith are transforming the next generation of Catholic leaders on campus. From rescuing kittens in the walls to tackling today's biggest challenges of loneliness and discipleship, this conversation offers a compelling look at why college ministry matters now more than ever.

In this episode, Diocesan Athletic Director Shannon Irwin shares how Catholic sports can do far more than build better athletes—they can shape character, strengthen families, and help young people grow in faith through authentic community and Christ-centered coaching. Drawing from her own journey from public education to Catholic schools, Shannon reveals why the lessons learned on the field often become the foundation for a lifetime of discipleship, leadership, and service.