When I’m driving or working in the yard, I often enjoy listening to podcasts and audiobooks. Because I’ve found podcasts to be a very helpful way to stay informed and motivated in my faith, I thought I’d share five Catholic podcasts that you might enjoy adding to your own listening queue. Here they are, in no particular order:

1. Pints with Aquinas (Apple | Google) – Matt Fradd specializes in in-depth interviews with notable Catholics on newsworthy topics. As the name implies, St. Thomas Aquinas is a favorite saint of Matt Fradd, but the topics of conversation are very accessible. I especially enjoyed Matt’s recent interviews with Dr. Ralph Martin of Renewal Ministries and Jason Evert of the Chastity Project.

2. The Crab & the Cross (Apple | Google) – Here’s a local podcast! My friend Mary Rose Depperschmidt, who used to teach at St. Mary’s Ryken and is now campus minister at St. Mary’s College, offers a short interview with a big-name Catholic in each episode. I’ve been very impressed with the quality of speakers that she’s been able to line up.

3. The Pillar Podcast (Apple | Google) – Although I often jump around from podcast to podcast, this is one that I absolutely never miss. JD Flynn and Ed Condon, who are both journalists and canon lawyers, offer great conversation about the news in the Catholic Church each week. Their podcast offers the perfect combination of love for the Church and a willingness to address tough questions about the need for the Church’s reform.

4. Every Knee Shall Bow (Apple | Google) - Lay Catholic evangelists Michael Gormley and Dave VanVickle bring theological expertise and evangelistic zeal to each episode as they offer practical tips for sharing the Catholic faith with your family members, coworkers, strangers, or whomever. Their love for Jesus and the Church is always contagious!

5. The Catechism in a Year (Apple | Google) – Last year, Fr. Mike Schmitz hosted the chart-topping daily podcast “The Bible in a Year.” This year, he’s offering the similarly popular “The Catechism in a Year” for those who want to learn what the Catechism of the Catholic Church teaches and why.