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Invest in a thriving and sustainable Catholic Church

The Catholic Initiative is renewing the family of God by investing in and partnering with vibrant, but under-resourced parishes and schools to restore sacred places, amplify ministries, and sustain them for generations.

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A Podcast by The Catholic Initiative

Called with Fr. Mike Schmitz

Stories of ordinary people living extraordinary lives of service — hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and brought to you by The Catholic Initiative in partnership with Ascension.

About the Podcast
Service as invitation, not obligation

Inspired by scripture verse Matthew 25:40, Called brings listeners into conversation with ordinary men and women living extraordinary lives of service.

"Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40
The Host

Fr. Mike Schmitz, a trusted voice in Catholic media

At the center of Called is host Fr. Mike Schmitz, a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Duluth and one of the most recognized voices in Catholic media today. Fr. Schmitz previously hosted The Bible in a Year, the most successful religious podcast ever produced — approaching one billion downloads and earning a #1 ranking on Apple Podcasts.

"When we say God is good, all the time… are you just saying that? Or do you mean it?" Called Podcast guest Darryl Woods, on finding strength while imprisoned nearly 30 years for a crime he didn't commit
390K+
Views & Downloads
Top 3
Apple Podcast's New Shows in 2025
29%
Listeners under 45yo
24
Episodes planned in Season One
Watch & Listen

The episodes

Watch every episode below, or view the full playlist on YouTube. New episodes release throughout Season One.

With Montse Alvarado

Called to Defend Religious Liberty (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Mark Rienzi)

With John Hale

Called to Be Hospitable (w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz & John Hale)

With Kristy Schena

Called to Walk with Families in Need w/ Kristy Schena and Fr. Mike Schmitz

With John F. Crowley

Called to Use God’s Gifts of Innovation Faithfully w/ John F. Crowley & Fr. Mike Schmitz

With Dr. Carolyn Woo

Called to Be Courageous w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dr. Carolyn Woo

With Harry Lennix

Called to Rebuild w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Harry Lennix

With Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow

Called to Love Through Action w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Magnus MacFarlane-Barrow

With Fr. Josh Johnson

Called to Form Our Youth w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Fr. Josh Johnson

With Elizabeth Santorum Marcolini

Called to Care for the Vulnerable w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Elizabeth Santorum Marcolini

With the Sisters of Life

Called to Accompany Mothers w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and the Sisters of Life

With Kerry Robinson

Called to Walk with the Poor w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Kerry Robinson

With Dave Arnold

Called to Unify w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Dave Arnold

With Kevin Doyle

Called to Sustain the Church for Generations w/ Fr. Mike Schmitz and Kevin Doyle

With Darryl Woods

Called to Build Bridges with Fr. Mike Schmitz and Darryl Woods

With Chris Green

Called to Use Your Gifts for Good w/ Chris Green

With Coach Lou Holtz

Called to Form the Young with Coach Lou Holtz

With Fr. John Riccardo

Called to Heal the Brokenhearted with Fr. John Riccardo

Listen Wherever You Get Your Podcasts
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