Are You Really "Good"? The Hidden Trap of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism – Fr. Nick Stark – 06/26/2026

The Catholic Morning Show – 06/26/2026

Sam Halligan hosts his final Friday show alongside Alexia Baker and Brady Grimm before Bo Bonner returns Monday, delivering Catholic news, sports, weather, and three standout conversations. Sunday Gospel Reflection — Fr. Nick Stark Fr. Nick Stark breaks open this Sunday's Gospel, warning against the cultural default of "moralistic therapeutic deism" — a term coined in 2005 by sociologists Christian Smith and Melinda Lundquist Denton — and calling listeners to anchor true goodness in a real relationship with Jesus Christ rather than vague niceness. Biking for Babies — Todd Clancy Todd Clancy, board member at Martha's House of Hope, previews the Biking for Babies Central Iowa Ride on Saturday, June 27 at St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1102 NW Weigel Dr., Ankeny. Choose a family-friendly 5-mile ride, a mid-distance ride, or the long route on the High Trestle Trail. Proceeds stay local, supporting Innervisions Healthcare, Agape Pregnancy Resource Center, Ruth Harbor, and Martha's House of Hope. Register or volunteer at bikingforbabies.com [https://www.bikingforbabies.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] or IowaCatholicRadio.com/events [https://iowacatholicradio.com/events?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. Everyday Mission — Dan DeMatte Dan DeMatte, founder and executive director of Damascus, shares how a small Catholic youth camp grew into a national missionary movement reaching roughly 50,000 people a year, and offers practical encouragement to love like Jesus right where you are. Learn more at damascus.net [https://www.damascus.net/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. Also This Weekend Jeanne Thill previews "Making It Personal with Bishop William Joensen," airing 8 a.m. Saturday and 11 a.m. Sunday. Sam also notes the Forge Hog Roast (couples event) on Thursday, July 31, 6–9 p.m. at the Wills Family Orchard — details at myforge.org/events [https://myforge.org/events/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. Listen live or stream past episodes at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] or on the Iowa Catholic Radio app. #CatholicPodcast #CatholicRadio #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicMorningShow #Catholic #Catholicism #ProLife #Evangelization #Damascus #BikingForBabies Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

From Encounter to Mission: Becoming an Everyday Missionary – Dan DeMatte – 06/26/2026

Dan DeMatte, founder and executive director of Damascus, joins guest host and former Damascus missionary Sam Halligan for a conversation on mission, discipleship, and revival in the Church. Key Highlights * The origin of Damascus — from youth ministry done in community to a national movement built on encounter with Jesus * Why Damascus says they're "not camp people who talk about Jesus, but Jesus people who run camp ministry," using camps to draw middle schoolers and high schoolers into life-changing encounter * The scope today: roughly 450 full-time summer missionaries serving campers across Ohio, Michigan, and Maryland, plus year-round retreats, a worship collective, and traveling speakers — reaching an estimated 50,000 people annually * How the Church after Vatican II emphasized the universal call to holiness, and why Damascus aims to add the equally essential call to mission * A practical challenge for every listener: love like Jesus in your home, workplace, and community; ask questions, truly listen, and then share the name of Jesus Learn more, listen to the podcast, and connect with Damascus at damascus.net [https://www.damascus.net/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. #Damascus #CatholicMissionary #Evangelization #CatholicPodcast #IowaCatholicRadio #DanDeMatte #Discipleship #Catholic #NewEvangelization #Catholicism Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Biking for Babies: Ride to Defend Life Across Central Iowa – Todd Clancy – 06/26/2026

Todd Clancy — board member at Martha's House of Hope — shares the story and mission of Biking for Babies and invites listeners to ride or volunteer. Event Details * What: Biking for Babies Central Iowa Ride * When: Saturday, June 27 (Mass and check-in begin the morning; the show referenced a 7 a.m. start) * Where: St. Luke the Evangelist Catholic Church, 1102 NW Weigel Dr., Ankeny, IA 50023 * Routes: 5-mile family ride, a mid-distance ride, and a long route on the flat, car-free High Trestle Trail (to Woodward and back) * Local impact: Proceeds support InnerVisions Healthcare, Agape Pregnancy Resource Center, Ruth Harbor, and Martha's House of Hope The Bigger Picture Founded about 16 years ago after its founders took to heart St. John Paul II's words, "Woe to you who do not defend life," Biking for Babies now sends roughly 90–100 young missionaries on a national ride of about 600 miles in six days, distributing over $400,000 last year to more than 90 pregnancy resource centers and maternity homes nationwide. Register or volunteer at bikingforbabies.com [https://www.bikingforbabies.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] or IowaCatholicRadio.com/events [https://iowacatholicradio.com/events?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. #BikingForBabies #ProLife #CatholicPodcast #IowaCatholicRadio #CultureOfLife #CentralIowa #PregnancyResourceCenter #Catholic #AnkenyIowa #HighTrestleTrail Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Are You Really "Good"? The Hidden Trap of Moralistic Therapeutic Deism – Fr. Nick Stark – 06/26/2026

In this Friday Gospel reflection on Iowa Catholic Radio, Fr. Nick Stark offers a sharp, encouraging preview of Sunday's Gospel. Key Highlights * Why "just be a good person" collapses without a common standard for what good actually means * How Jesus ties goodness directly to Himself: whoever loves father or mother more than Him is not worthy of Him, and whoever receives a prophet receives a prophet's reward * Moralistic therapeutic deism explained — the belief that we just need to be nice and that God exists mainly to make us happy — and why slogans like "love is love" sound comforting but stay empty * Original sin understood as pride: choosing for ourselves what is good and evil apart from God * A call to reject a distant, self-referential faith and live now in the joy and reward Christ promises Hear more daily Gospel reflections and stream the full show at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. #CatholicPodcast #SundayGospel #CatholicRadio #IowaCatholicRadio #MoralisticTherapeuticDeism #Catholic #GospelReflection #Catholicism #FaithOverFeelings Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

The Catholic Morning Show - 06/25/2026

Listen Live The Catholic Morning Show airs weekdays at 7:00 AM Central on the Iowa Catholic Radio Network. Stream live at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show] or on the Iowa Catholic Radio app. This week, Sam Halligan is guest hosting in place of Bo Bonner. Sunday Scripture Preview — Deacon Randy Kiel For the Thirteenth Sunday in Ordinary Time (Year A), Deacon Randy Kiel opens the First Reading from Second Kings, where the prophet Elisha is welcomed by a generous, influential Shunammite woman and promised a son. He shows how her grace-filled generosity and miraculous gift foreshadow Mary, and connects Saint Paul's teaching on Baptism in Romans — being dead to sin and alive in Christ — to the power of the Holy Spirit reigning in every heart. Read the full Sunday readings (Sunday, June 28, 2026) at USCCB.org [https://bible.usccb.org/bible/readings/062826.cfm?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. The Four Senses of Scripture — Monica Welsh Catholic Bible teacher Monica Welsh explains the Church's framework for reading Scripture through its literal and spiritual senses — literal, allegorical, moral, and anagogical — using memorable examples like Jesus' words to "cut off your hand" and Adam as a figure of Christ. Explore her audio-guided Old Testament and New Testament courses for the everyday Catholic at The Catholic Bible Class with Mon [https://thecatholicbibleclasswithmon.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. Coveting — The 9th & 10th Commandments — Ed Van Buskirk As June, the month of the Sacred Heart of Jesus, draws to a close, Ed Van Buskirk — founder of the Catholic apostolate If U Love Me — joins Deacon Mark Campbell to wrap up the Ten Commandments series on coveting. He distinguishes healthy desire from disordered envy, exposes how comparison and "the grass is greener" thinking steal our peace, and prescribes gratitude, humility, devotion to Mary, and frequent reconciliation as the cure. Explore the "God's Recipe for a Wonderful Life" resources at GodsRecipe.org [https://godsrecipe.org/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show], and revisit the full series by searching "Ed Van Buskirk" at IowaCatholicRadio.com [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=Iowa%20Catholic%20Radio&utm_medium=Podcast&utm_campaign=The%20Catholic%20Morning%20Show]. #CatholicMorningShow #IowaCatholicRadio #CatholicPodcast #CatholicRadio #Catholic #Faith #Scripture #BibleStudy #TenCommandments #SundayReadings #Coveting #SacredHeart Credits: Produced, Edited, and Mixed by Ayden Pugh, Alexia Baker, and Brady Grimm.   LINKS You can follow us on Facebook, [https://www.facebook.com/iowacatholicradio] Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/iacatholicradio/], and Youtube [https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQ_w8fZ51egdFCWFGRSB4xA]! You can also find more information on our website [https://iowacatholicradio.com/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts]. If you would like to support Iowa Catholic Radio you can donate Here! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/giving-options/]   Iowa Catholic Radio Network Shows: * Be Not Afraid [https://iowacatholicradio.com/be-not-afraid/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Fr. Fabian Moncada and Fr. Bruce Riebe * Be Not Afraid in Spanish [https://be-not-afraid-in-spanish.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Fabian Moncada * Catholic Women Now [https://iowacatholicradio.com/catholic-women-now/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Chris Magruder and Julie Nelson * Making It Personal [https://iowacatholicradio.com/making-it-personal/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bishop William Joensen * Man Up! [https://iowacatholicradio.com/man-up-podcast/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Joe Stopulos * Sunday Dive [https://sundaydive.simplecast.com/] with Katie Patrizio * The Catholic Morning Show [https://the-catholic-morning-show.simplecast.com] with Dr. Bo Bonner * The Daily Gospel Reflection [https://daily-gospel-reflections-with-fr-nick-smith-46ae5480.simplecast.com/] with Fr. Nick Smith * The Uncommon Good [https://iowacatholicradio.com/the-uncommon-good/?utm_source=podcast%20foot%20notes&utm_medium=podcasts&utm_campaign=podcasts] with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr * Faith and Family Finance [https://iowacatholicradio.com/faith-and-family-finance/] with Gregory Waddle Want to support your favorite show? Click Here [https://forms.donorsnap.com/form?id=7aa8b1f5-937c-412d-9c60-5eff0f4fca2d] Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com [https://pcm.adswizz.com] for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.