Catholic Dystopian Fiction & Faith | Jacqueline Brown on Writing Stories That Change Souls

Before He Challenged Frank Turek: The Story of Chase Carroll

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.

Married to a Catholic Priest? The Rare Journey of Melissa Mayer to the Catholic Church

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.

A Father and Son’s Journey to 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

He Went to Mass to Save His Marriage… Then Became Catholic | David Davis Conversion Story

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… What Happened Next?

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 YouTube Set a reminder, you won’t want to miss this one. #Catholic #CatholicConversion #FaithJourney #MarriageRestoration #Testimony #ComeHome #Podcast