This is our final installment from the The Cardinal Newman Leadership Summit held at the University of St. Thomas in fall of 2024. In our first episode we asked the questions if college is still worth it and talked with Kevin Murphy about how college is a pathway for the discernment of God’s will for our life. Then we talked with Kyle Washut about …

Before walking the Camino de Santiago, Fr. Eduardo thought about what to bring and what to leave behind – physically and spiritually. By the end of the 80-mile trek, he’d found new lessons to take home. Fr. Eduardo Rivera is the Campus Chaplain for the University of St. Thomas – Houston. When he agreed to go on the trip, he knew he would be accompa…

In his youth, Ricky Vazquez was constantly running back and forth from going to church and not. As he grew up, he saw that the times that he felt the most distant from God is when God was the closest to him - even in the wake of senseless tragedy. On this episode of MAX Music, recording artist and worship leader Ricky Vazquez performs two original …

Dalia is a busy person. Despite all she had to do, she never left time to focus on what really mattered. However, without tasks to complete or the pattern of busyness and stress, she had to face what was at the core of poor relationships. This is Dalia Sifuentes, a nursing student at University of St. Thomas – Houston. After months of a packed sche…

Trisha is a planner. But when she decided to walk the Camino, she just wanted to experience what was to come. The alone time and silent prayer through physical and emotional suffering nearly broke her. However, she realized what really broke her when the walk was over. This is Dr. Trisha Ruiz. She is the Senior Director of Veteran Services at the U…

Despite her fulltime career in Christian music, Sarah Kroger found herself with more questions than answers in her faith. She felt anxiety about where the questions would lead. The honesty and vulnerability of the songs written during this period of wrestling, and the way Sarah tells her own story, are a powerful testament to faith that’s not afrai…

Jo’s cancer diagnosis nearly prevented her from hiking “The Camino.” But despite her worries, she found calm in simply walking the walk. This is Dr. Jo Meier-Marquis, Professor of Psychology at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. Hear her story of overcoming physical and mental obstacles as she walked the Way of St. James, the Camino de Santiago.…

This is not your ordinary hike. It involves walking about 15 miles each day, contemplating the steps of St. James on your way to his burial site in Spain - a pilgrimage that’s been popular since the Middle Ages. Now, it is known as the Camino de Santiago, or the "Way of St. James," which is a network of routes across Europe which meet at tomb of St…

Edgardo was angry at God. And it was perfectly understandable. His family was broken, and he felt devastated. Through the community that he didn’t even know was there for him, he was able to re-connect with his faith. This is Edgardo Giron. He is a Chemical Engineering major at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. Hear his story of family circum…

Becoming a priest is intense. In Fr. Eduardo’s experience, prayer was his life line. When he stepped away from the distractions of the world to focus on prayer, he found his prayer style. But it wasn’t immediate... it took practice. This is Fr. Eduardo Rivera. He is the Campus Chaplain at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. His routine for med…

Kamryn felt betrayal for this first time at 19 years old. After a devastating athletic injury, she felt betrayed by God. In the silence of her prayer, while resting in her desolation, she found hope as God spoke to her. This is Kamryn Spell. She is a student and athlete at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. Find out what “word” came to her in …

Chris knows adversity ... and strength. He has seen people tragically bottom out while witnessing others live with courage. All these experiences have shaped him, and through prayer, he has realized what’s most important. This is Christopher Zeglin. He is the Associate Vice President of Marketing at University of St. Thomas-Houston. A United States…

Danielle sees a shaking in the world today. While people say that all the time, she sees the Christian community, as a whole, reaching an undeniable tipping point. The divide between Protestants and Catholics is getting smaller and smaller, and she wants Catholics to get ready for a new level of Christian unity. This is Danielle Brown. She is the D…

Nathaniel doesn’t want to be a disgrace. While he and his family are witnessing 50,000 people gathered in a stadium doing one thing – he realizes he is responsible for his family. For him, the time to teach is now and the time to practice what you preach is ever-present. This is Nathaniel Binversie, a full-time missionary. On this episode, he share…

One thing is for sure, it’s hot in South Texas. Rick’s job was to capture thousands of people walking in Brownsville, Texas heat with ... well ... Jesus. The heat was brutal, but overwhelming joy for Christ let Rick to only think about one thing: go. This is Rick Trevino. He is a Project Manager and Content Developer for the Diocese of Brownsville …

Pat was born and raised Catholic, but never quite "owned" his faith. But in high school, he admired unique the peace and joy he saw in his some of his peers and thought, "whatever it is that they have, I want that." This is Pat Gunning. He is the Campus Minister at the University of St. Thomas-Houston. Hear how sometimes spiritual journeys don’t in…

Amy decided she was too smart to be Catholic. As a high school student, she thought the Church had nothing to offer her. As a college student, a chance encounter at her dorm room’s door led to her becoming stuck at Church....in the communion line. In that moment, while she was stuck, something unexpected happened. This is Amy Auzenne. She is the Di…

George was perfectly happy as a faithful graduate student. He was shocked when he was mugged by the beauty of ... liturgy. Absent of rational arguments – he sat with the confusion of being overcome by experience. He launched headfirst onto a path of intellectual pursuit and exploration that would define the rest of his life. And then, the decision …

Melynda admits it. She joined the Catholic Church because she was pregnant (and her husband was already Catholic). But then, through the kindness and openness of a group of mothers at her church, Melynda came to know the love of Jesus in the Eucharist. This is Melynda Ludwick. She is the First Lady at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. Hear he…

Abi was merely going through the motions. Reluctant to step into that space, little did she know her life would be changed forever. This is Abi Bielstein. She works in Campus Ministry at the University of St. Thomas – Houston. Prepare to hear her powerful story of navigating tragedy and profound transformation through the power of the Eucharist. Fo…

Taylor Tripodi talks about her musical journey as well as what inspired her to write “This is Redemption” and “Take Care of Everything." MAX Music features musicians sharing their spiritual journey through song and conversation. Artists share acoustic, stripped-down versions of songs and then talk about why music matters to them. Includes live perf…

This is an episode about Saints. Men and Women who lived ordinary and extraordinary lives filled with heroic virtue. First we hear from Darnell, who tells the story of an altogether uneventful car accident and the one moment that he can't seem to shake. Then we talk to Meg Hunter-Kilmer, an itinerant missionary who travels the world, living out of …

Today's stories are about coming of age, that wonderful and awkward time in life when you think you know everything but you really know nothing. Darnell opens up with a story about manhood, or rather, the transition into manhood, and all the insecurity that comes with it until one is rooted in their faith. Then we hear from Alejandra Herrera, the f…

Today we’re talking about trust - trusting your gut, trusting your call, and most importantly trusting in Christ. Darnell begins with a story of frustration and resentment that is slowly transforming into a greater trust of God's will. Then, we hear from Fr. Dat Hoang, a Vietnamese immigrant, priest of the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston, and foun…

This is an episode about internal dialogue, limiting beliefs and how Christ's love can set us free! In our opening, Darnell Miller tells a story about juggling that isn't really a story about "juggling." Then we sit down with Leah Darrow, a mother, speaker, author, coach and entrepreneur whose reversion to the Catholic faith has afforded her the op…

Today we are talking about the religious, brothers and sisters who have devoted their life to the service of God, and how our relationships with them - understanding their unique, intimate relationship with Christ - can help us lay people better invite Christ into our own lives. First, Darnell shares a story about Sr. Maura, a Franciscan Sister of …

Mercy! What is there to say about mercy? We all need it! And God gives it in abundance! We just need to accept it! In this episode of Protagonists of Change, we talk about mercy in our lives. First, Darnell shares a story from college where, despite being the cause of his own problems, he is shown radical mercy and forgiveness. Then Nicole Labadie,…

A momma's prayer is powerful! In this episode of Protagonists of Change, we explore the prayer of mothers, see the fruit that comes from those prayers and learn from their example. First Darnell shares why his mother's bad storytelling might be a strength in her prayer life. Then we speak to Jim Coleman, an actor and lead of St. Luke Productions sh…