Unwritten

It started as a fun weekend in the snow.A few ATVs, a cabin in Iowa, some burnt ends, and a bunch of college guys who needed a break from their phones.Then one guy walked barefoot into the snow.At first, everyone thought he was just doing an act.But as the night went on, it became clear that something deeper was happening. A moment in prayer that would change one friend's life forever.

Mark knew exactly where he was heading in life, or at least he thought he did before one injustice changed everything.What followed was a spiral into anger, disappointment, and a search for meaning in all the wrong places. But years after asking, “Who have I become?”, Mark found himself at a retreat he almost didn’t attend, listening to a message he didn’t know he needed.His story is about shattered dreams, unexpected mercy, and what happened when a dark room became brighter than it should have been. 

John thought he was leading a Bible study.Then a skeptical Baptist walked into the room and asked a simple question:“What are Catholics actually about?”What followed was years of conversations, debates, disagreements, road-trip phone calls, and one friendship that neither of them could have predicted.Along the way, both men discovered something surprising:sometimes winning an argument isn't what changes a heart.This is the story of an unlikely friendship, a long journey toward truth, and a text message that arrived years later with a line John will never forget:“I fear that I will not be Protestant much longer.”

Todd is back for Part 2!Todd went to a healing retreat hoping Jesus would heal his knee.Instead, something else happened.A few days later, during Eucharistic adoration at a youth conference, two strangers witnessed the same impossible thing at the exact same moment.Neither of them told anyone.Until one finally spoke up.What followed was miracle after miracle, a life changing experience, and a question Todd never expected Jesus to answer:What if suffering isn’t getting in the way of love…but leading you deeper into it?

In Part 1 of this amazing storyTodd spent most of his life chasing success.Basketball. Business. Money. Achievement.And for a long time, it worked, at least on the surface.But underneath it all was a growing isolation he couldn’t explain.Even after building the life he thought he wanted, something still felt empty.Then came an encounter.A confession.A near-death experience.And a question that changed everything:Are you fully with Jesus…or still sitting on the fence?

Connor grew up chasing greatness.He found it in packed gyms, Friday night lights, long bus rides, and the feeling of fighting alongside a team for something bigger than himself. And for a while, it felt like everything had been working out. But there was still something missingAt the same time, a different kind of brotherhood was forming through the Newman Center on campus.Men pursuing holiness with the same intensity he once brought to the field.And slowly, Connor realized the desire that drew him to sports had never been wrong.It was just pointing somewhere deeper all along.

At first, it was easy to overlook. Just another opportunity, easy to ignore.But later, in the quiet, something stirred.A prompting that didn’t quite make sense.Submit.What followed were weeks of preparation, doubt, and the growing feeling of being in over his head.He gave the talk.Three people came.It could have ended there.But just before that moment, something else had already begun—quietly, unexpectedly.A bold prayer was answered.Sometimes, God works through the moments that feel the smallest.This is a story about faith—and the God of the impossible.

When James was born, something didn’t seem right.At first, it was easy to miss. The room was busy. There were nurses, questions, movement.But later, in the quiet of the nursery, his father saw it clearly.His arm wasn’t moving.What followed were weeks of appointments, uncertainty, and the slow realization that this might not fix itself.They tried everything they knew to try.And then, on a Sunday afternoon, they did something they weren’t sure would change anything at all.

We are celebrating ONE YEAR! 🎉 A huge thank you to you listeners for supporting us. We can't do it without you.It started small.A few people.A mustard seed of faith.They kept showing up—praying, believing, asking for more.And then… something shifted.Lives changed.Culture turned.Because sometimes, God only desires a little faith to change everything.Dr. Edward Sri discusses the beginnings of FOCUS after meeting Curtis Martin.

We are celebrating ONE YEAR! 🎉 A huge thank you to you listeners for supporting us. We can't do it without you.She just wanted to be free. It seemed simple. Do whatever you want.Live how you want.And for a while, it worked—or at least it felt like it did.But somewhere along the way, something didn’t add up.The freedom she chased didn’t bring the peace she expected.The people around her weren’t really there when it mattered.Then one ordinary day, in a place with empty shelves and a line of people waiting… something shifted.It couldn’t be explained.But in a single moment, everything became clear.What she thought would take her freedom away…was actually the thing that would give it to her.And her life was never the same after that.

We are celebrating ONE YEAR! 🎉 A huge thank you to you listeners for supporting us. We can't do it without you.In this episode of Unwritten, guest Dominic Paolucci shares a gripping and unexpected story from a mission trip to Asia. He recounts a moment in a secret chapel where a bizarre prompting from the Holy Spirit to "hit" a discouraged friend resulted in a profound breakthrough of divine love. The conversation explores how God moves through both massive geopolitical shifts and the smallest, most personal gestures to draw people back to Him.For more like this, follow us or visit seekreplay.com. Share with the friend you thought of while listening!

He just wanted to lead a Bible study.That was the question.It should have been simple.But somewhere in the middle of that conversation, something shifted. What started as excitement turned into tension… and then something deeper.There was more behind his answer than expected.And more at stake than either of them realized.The conversation didn’t end cleanly.It didn’t resolve.But it led to something neither of them saw coming.

Dianna had spoken with Bill many times before.What started as a routine call turned into something more — visits to his home, long conversations over tea, and a glimpse into a life marked by sacrifice, loss, and a quiet kind of generosity.There was just one thing she never brought up.On her final visit, standing in his driveway after everything had been signed, the thought came back again: simple, almost too simple.She hesitated.Then she asked.Bill didn’t answer right away.He took two steps back, placed his hands over his heart, and stood there in silence.

It was six in the morning when George’s roommate burst into his room and said the words no Catholic expects to hear.The Pope was dead.In the days that followed, George found himself grieving more than he expected. And in prayer, a strange idea kept returning, one that didn’t make much practical sense: Go to Rome.A few phone calls and a very uncomfortable flight later, he was standing in St. Peter’s Square with thousands of pilgrims watching the chimney above the Sistine Chapel.Before leaving home, he had thrown an American flag into his bag almost as an afterthought.He didn’t think he’d need it.

Gabe was twenty years old and somehow responsible for directing the music for a college retreat.It was already more than he felt ready for: new songs, last-minute rehearsals, and a team trusting him to lead the most important moment of the weekend.Then one of the singers walked up to him at dinner.She could barely speak. There was blood on the napkins in her hand.The night’s music depended on her voice.With the biggest moment of the retreat only minutes away, three students slipped into a back room and did the only thing they knew to do.They started to pray.

Will and Nicole wanted nothing to do with the missionaries.They had learned how to survive on the streets of Denver — together, guarded, self-contained. Every offer of conversation met with distance. Every invitation declined.Then Nicole needed surgery.The decision didn’t go the way the missionaries had hoped. The recovery was worse than anyone expected. And still, the visits continued.Not to argue. Not to persuade. Just to stay.What followed didn’t happen quickly. It unfolded over years — in park lunches, long winters, and conversations that slowly stopped feeling guarded.Eventually, they asked for something no one saw coming.Learn More about Christ in the City here: https://christinthecity.org/Don't forget to subscribe and follow the show

In college, Sam Kolar looked like he was doing just fine.Good grades. Full social calendar. Fraternity parties. Plenty of friends. No obvious disasters.But somewhere in the middle of all of it, something felt off — a kind of restlessness he couldn’t explain and didn’t really want to examine.It wasn’t a crisis that changed him.It was a conversation.One friend had the courage to say what no one else would — about sin, about the Eucharist, about the difference between being “nice” and actually loving someone.This is a story about what happens when someone risks your approval for your freedom.And what happens when you finally stop pretending you’re fine.Subscribe/Follow for more episodes!

The underside of the 15-passenger van started screaming halfway down a hill in Western Massachusetts.They were fifteen minutes from a chocolate factory. On schedule. On mission.The noise did not belong.What followed wasn’t heroic or efficient. It was an awkward stop in a place they didn’t expect to be, a handful of small exchanges, and a day that slowly began to feel different than the one we had planned.Some inconveniences interrupt you.Others expose something you didn’t know you needed.

It was supposed to be quick.A knock. A request for gas money. A simple yes or no.The man standing there was living out of his car. He had a dog. A past he couldn’t outrun. And a story that didn’t fit neatly into the categories Matt thought he understood.What followed wasn’t dramatic. No big speeches. Just conversation. Hesitation. And a quiet invitation that could have been ignored.It didn’t feel like much at the time.

It was supposed to be a quiet flight home from Italy.Early morning. Headphones in. No conversations planned.But somewhere over the Atlantic, the man in 14C started talking.He had everything most people are told to chase — success, recognition, a life that looked full from the outside. Still, there was something unsettled underneath it.By the time the plane began its descent, it was clear this wasn’t just small talk. It was a series of conversations that kept unfolding — each one carrying a question no one was quite ready to answer.Not every seat assignment is accidental.

Less than a year after becoming Catholic, Caleb said yes to something he didn’t fully understand.New city. New community. New prayers he barely knew by heart.He didn’t want to be the weak one. The new one. The one who didn’t belong.So when training started, he pushed himself like everyone else.Minutes later, he was walking off the field on crutches.What followed wasn’t dramatic. It was slower than that. Watching instead of playing. Smiling when he didn’t feel it. Quiet doubts he wasn’t sure how to name.And somewhere in the middle of all of it, the question shifted.Maybe he wasn’t there to prove anything at all.

In this episode of Unwritten, host Trevor sits down with Craig Johring, whose life and mission have been shaped by years of walking alongside the poor in Mexico City.Craig shares the powerful story of Luis — a former street kid whose life was marked by addiction, instability, and survival on the margins. What followed wasn’t a quick fix or a feel-good moment, but a slow, demanding journey rooted in presence, love, and faith.Through his organization, Hope of the Poor, Craig describes what real transformation looks like when someone is given more than help — when they’re given dignity, accountability, and a community that refuses to give up.In This Episode You’ll Hear:❤️ What authentic love looks like when it’s lived daily🏠 Why a safe place is only the beginning of healing🤝 How accountability becomes an act of mercy🔥 Why helping others is often the final step toward freedom🙏 The quiet, faithful work that changes lives over timeThis episode is a reminder that transformation rarely happens all at once — but when someone is willing to stay, to love, and to believe, even the most broken stories can begin again.learn more about Hope of the Poor here: https://hopeofthepoor.org/

In this episode of Unwritten, a simple act of kindness opens the door to one of the most unforgettable questions ever asked on the streets.On a cold, gray November morning in Minneapolis, a tired missionary is packing up after a long day of serving the homeless — rejected, exhausted, and ready to go home. Then a voice calls out from behind him:"Hey… you got any more coffee?"What begins as a cup of hot coffee turns into a sacred encounter neither of them expected.In This Episode You’ll Hear:☕ Why small acts of mercy can change everything❄️ Life on the streets — addiction, survival, and lost dignity💔 A mother’s heartbreak over a son she longs to see again🙏 The Gospel shared in the mess, not after it’s cleaned up👀 The question that stopped everything: “Does Jesus have eyes like you?”❤️ What it means to truly see someone — beyond labels, pasts, and masksThis episode is a powerful reminder that Jesus meets us exactly where we are, that no one is beyond hope, and that sometimes the holiest moments happen on cold sidewalks with nothing more than a cup of coffee and a willing heart.Learn more about Br. Adam and his mission here: https://brotherhoodofhope.org/

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor Barreca sits down with Melissa Sartori, who shares a quiet but powerful story of how God works long before we ever see the fruit.While serving on a small Catholic campus in the Northeast, he was tasked with reaching student athletes — a group that made up nearly a quarter of the entire student body. Many were open, curious, and eager. But one athlete, Caitlyn, always stayed just out of reach: friendly, kind, smiling… yet never willing to go deeper.Despite little visible progress, she never left his prayers. And then, on a cold November night — with plans canceled and Thanksgiving break hours away — everything changed.In This Episode You’ll Hear:🏃‍♀️ Life as a campus missionary working with student athletes🙏 What it looks like to pray faithfully when nothing seems to be happening🚪 The unexpected knock on the door that changed everything💔 Caitlyn’s story of broken relationships, addiction, and deep loneliness❤️ A raw conversation about emptiness, longing, and the desire to be loved✝️ The simple prayer that opened the door to a real relationship with JesusThis episode is a reminder that no one is a lost cause, that God is always planting seeds beneath the surface, and that our smallest prayers — even when they feel unnoticed — may be preparing the ground for something life-changing.

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor Barreca sits down with a former Division I athlete (Dylan LaNoue) whose life revolved around performance, medals, and winning — until everything he worked for stopped satisfying his heart.Raised in a hyper-competitive, sports-centered family, his identity was built on success. Records, rankings, MVPs — all of it came true. But behind the accolades were broken relationships, family pain, loneliness, and a growing realization that achievement wasn’t enough.What followed was a slow, profound transformation — not through trophies, but through authentic friendship, prayer, and learning what it actually means to be loved.In This Episode You’ll Hear:🏅 Growing up believing your worth is earned through success🏀 A Division I athletic career that still left him empty💔 Rock bottom moments: family turmoil, heartbreak, and loneliness🤝 The friend who loved him when everything else fell apart🕊️ A chapel moment that changed how he understood God — and himself👨‍👦 A father-son relationship healed through small, faithful acts✝️ A powerful full-circle moment sponsoring his own dad into the ChurchThis episode is a moving reminder that identity isn’t built on what you accomplish, but on who you’re loved by — and how God patiently renews the mind and heart over time.

In this episode of Unwritten, host Trevor Barreca sits down with Chase Maly to share a story marked by suffering, mercy, and unexpected hope.🛵 As a high school junior, Chase was involved in a serious motorcycle accident that left him in the ICU with multiple internal injuries and overwhelming pain. In the middle of it all, he wrestled with loneliness, fear, and the question of whether his life truly mattered.🏥 During long nights in the hospital, Chase’s family never left his side—but internally, he just wanted the suffering to end.📉 Years later, after walking away from his faith and chasing success on his own terms, Chase found himself at a retreat, unsure why he was there and unsure if God still wanted him back.🌊 On a quiet walk down a dock toward the confessional, everything began to change. Through the sacrament of confession, Chase encountered God’s mercy in a way he never had before—and realized he didn’t have to carry his past alone.🔥 Now a FOCUS missionary, Chase reflects on how God used pain, patience, and people to bring him home—and how those same experiences now shape the way he walks with students who feel unseen, lonely, or stuck in suffering.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Kyle Medlock shares the harrowing story of a single night that changed everything — a reckless decision, a violent crash, and a moment that left him with no doubt that God was real and present in his life.Just one week before his senior year of high school, Kyle said yes to a thrill that turned into a near-fatal accident on a dark country road. What followed was chaos, silence, and a miracle that would take years for him to fully understand. In This Episode You’ll Hear:🚗 A high-speed joyride that ended in a catastrophic crash💥 Kyle waking up upside down and crawling out of a crushed truck🙏 How every passenger survived — against all odds🏚️ The unexplainable detail in the wreckage that revealed God’s protection✝️ Why this moment wasn’t instant conversion, but a grace that unfolded over timeThis episode is a powerful reminder that God often moves in our lives before we know how to name it — and that some moments only reveal their meaning years later. If you’ve ever looked back and realized you shouldn’t be here, this story will stay with you.

In this episode of Unwritten, host Trevor Barreca sits down with Maggie Zarybnicky, a FOCUS missionary whose simple need for a bed turned into a jaw-dropping encounter with God’s unmistakable providence.After three months on an air mattress, Maggie finally found a last-minute discount on a real bed — but it came with a catch: a 45-minute drive, no truck, and no clear plan. What followed was a night full of strangers, faith conversations, closed stores, and a shocking act of generosity she could never have expected.In This Episode You’ll Hear:🛏️ How Maggie’s desperate need for a real bed set everything in motion🚚 The 45-minute ride with Adam, a complete stranger with a massive rusty-red truck🙏 An awkward but sincere faith conversation that opened the door to something bigger🌙 A late-evening stop at a dark strip mall… and a mattress store that should have been closed🤝 The unexpected connection between the salesman, Maggie’s chaplain, and FOCUS🎁 The moment Maggie is handed a $450 mattress and bed frame — completely free💬 Adam’s unforgettable words on the drive home: “You talked about God the whole way up here… but you won’t let Him give you a mattress.”This episode is a beautiful reminder that God provides through ordinary people, unexpected detours, and wild yeses of faith. If you’ve ever doubted that God cares about the small details of your life — this story might change everything.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, host Trevor Barecca welcomes Murphy Tinio, who shares a personal chapter that illuminates the movement of the Holy Spirit today. Murphy opens into a season of his life that felt hard and dry while serving as a second-year missionary and first-year team director in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Grappling with profound loneliness and disconnection, Murphy sought clarity during a silent retreat.His story is one of simple faith: going to prayer, asking God for what he genuinely needed, and receiving a surprising, clear answer at 3:30 a.m.. The ensuing conversation with a fellow missionary, Noah, became a crucial moment, demonstrating God’s provision for Murphy’s expressed desire for friendship.In This Episode You’ll Hear:🏙️ Murphy's struggle with loneliness and disconnection while navigating a new role and a new city, far from his small-town Kansas roots. 🕯️ The challenge of maintaining patience and hope when coming to prayer during long periods of feeling like God wasn't speaking. ⏰ The pivotal moment at 3:30 a.m. in the crypt chapel when God clearly responded to his heartfelt question about loneliness. 🗣️ God’s instruction to Murphy: "Go and talk to them", leading to an "awkward question" posed to Noah at the final meal. 🫂 The joy and support found in the friendship that blossomed from that honest prayer, providing connection in a way he wasn't able to with others. ✨ The realization that God was providing for him in all the little ways he was asking for, confirming that God is good and trustworthy.If you love stories of finding clarity in difficult seasons, recognizing God’s provision in the details of everyday life, and learning to go to prayer for what you genuinely desire, this episode will strengthen your conviction that God is still at work and shows up as a good father.

Macy had been showing up. Asking questions. Opening up.Then one day, she stopped.No warning. No explanation. Just silence.Months later, she came back — carrying something no one expected, and a decision that would change more than her own future.What followed wasn’t neat. It wasn’t predictable. It was a series of small invitations, reluctant yeses, and one moment that almost didn’t happen at all.Some stories don’t unfold the way you plan.They unfold the way you’re willing to walk.

🎉 The SEEK Podcast is now the Unwritten Podcast, presented by FOCUS! Follow us here to keep getting new stories of God's grace active in the world.On this episode of Unwritten, host Trevor Barreca welcomes Leah Nielson, a missionary who shares a story of radical spiritual transformation experienced through persistent prayer at the University of North Dakota (UND). Leah, a former sorority member, was placed at UND between 2015 and 2017, where she chose to pray daily during her Holy Hour for just three women from the Alpha Phi house. She sought the intercession of St. Philomena, an early Christian martyr, believing her simplicity and love of Jesus were exactly what sorority women needed. Despite the house being known as one of the "more party type of houses," Leah stuck to her specific prayer. The profound affirmation of this miracle came in the spring of 2017: a woman Leah was discipling revealed something about herself that Leah will never forget.Join us as SEEK26! Use this link to register: http://bit.ly/3IPoew4Use Promo Code REPLAY for Exclusive Pre-SEEK Content, and a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers to shopfocus.org 🎥 Also - We are doing a short VIDEO series! Please enjoy visually engaging with some of our storytellers.

🎉 The SEEK Podcast is now the Unwritten Podcast, presented by FOCUS! Follow us here to keep getting new stories of God's grace active in the world.Join us as SEEK26! Use this link to register: http://bit.ly/3IPoew4Use Promo Code REPLAY for Exclusive Pre-SEEK Content, and a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers to shopfocus.org 🎥 Also - We are doing a short VIDEO series! Please enjoy visually engaging with some of our storytellers.In this episode of Unwritten, a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of the movement of the Holy Spirit in the world today, host Trevor Barreca welcomes Ryan Noll. Ryan discusses his experience working in campus ministry at NYU and the difficult lesson he learned about control and faithfulness.Whether seeking stories of God at work or evidence of the movement of the Holy Spirit, this conversation demonstrates what happens when a campus minister believes that people's encounters with Jesus are "solely dependent on whether or not you are a good instrument in the hand of God". Ryan shares the story of Nick, a new student with blue hair, who found the Catholic Center via a quick Google search and seemed highly intrigued by the faith.Ryan invested five months into discipling Nick, only to be heartbroken on April 27th, 2017, when Nick delivered a "breakup" gift of chocolates, a letter, and his grandfather's Catholic Bible, deciding instead to join a non-Catholic ministry. Ryan believed he would never see the "fruit of the work" or know the rest of Nick's faith journey. Ryan's struggle reveals how God works behind the scenes. After a year and a half of silence, Nick reappeared at Mass and asked Ryan to be his sponsor into the Catholic Church that Easter. This powerful encounter affirms that God is faithful and loves people more than we do. Ryan realized he had been entrusted with Nick and with Nick's family heirloom—the word of God—until the right time. The story encourages listeners to never give up hope on those who seem closed off, reminding us that Jesus is still doing and saying many things in the world through the power of the Holy Spirit.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes! Find us at seekreplay.com.

🎉 The SEEK Podcast is now the Unwritten Podcast, presented by FOCUS! Follow us here to keep getting new stories of God's grace active in the world.Join us as SEEK26! Use this link to register: http://bit.ly/3IPoew4Use Promo Code REPLAY for Exclusive Pre-SEEK Content, and a chance to win one of three $100 vouchers to shopfocus.org 🎥 Also - We are doing a short VIDEO series! Please enjoy visually engaging with some of our storytellers.In this episode of Unwritten, a podcast dedicated to sharing stories of the movement of the Holy Spirit, we hear from Niru De Silva to discuss his profound healing journey following profound pain and loneliness as a new missionary. Whether seeking stories of God at work or the movement of the Holy Spirit, this conversation demonstrates what happens when someone who has already given his life to God and moved across the country to serve the Lord on a college campus experiences a crisis of faith. Despite his deep conviction, Niru endured such hardships and obstacles that he looked up one day and thought, "Why am I doing this?". After multiple rejections had eroded his sense of self-worth, he found his own life felt like a "living hell", even praying in desperation for death, saying, "God, I would never commit suicide, but it'd be really great if the next time I opened my eyes, I was in heaven".Niru De Silva's encounter reveals how the Lord’s invitation provides a sign that keeps one going, leading to a slow, deep transformational journey of healing that restores identity and affirms that God is the healer.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

🎉 The SEEK Podcast is now the Unwritten Podcast, presented by FOCUS! Follow us here to keep getting new stories of God's grace active in the world.🎥 Also - We are doing a short VIDEO series! Please enjoy visually engaging with some of our storytellers.In this episode of Unwritten, host Trevor Barreca sits down with Lizzi to discuss her profound conversion following trauma and a pursuit of worldly success.Whether seeking stories of God at work or the movement of the Holy Spirit, this conversation demonstrates what happens when someone overcomes adversity of insurmountable capacity but remains unsatisfied and searching for what they were made for. Lizzie's encounter reveals how the Lord’s invitation lifts the pressure of expectations and leads to fulfillment through full-time ministry.What You’ll Hear:The disruption of Lizzie's life by a traumatic brain injury led to emotional anguish and a lost sense of identity. Despite achieving success by transferring to UC Berkeley, she felt perpetual pressure, loneliness, and eventually abandoned her Catholic faith.How her practical father, who used her as a "guinea pig," arranged a 4-week FOCUS mission trip to Southeast Asia, forcing her to pack a Catholic Bible despite her having abandoned Mass and faith.The pivotal moment in a humid Singapore chapel where she was flooded with joy and heard God say something she'll never forget. Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

Hang Out With Us at SEEK26: http://bit.ly/3IPoew4In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor Barreca sits down with John Paul JP Hernandez to talk about how a simple game of Monopoly led a grandson to witness his grandpa's faith journey and miraculous conversion.Whether you're looking for stories of God at work in the world today, or just curious about the transforming power of divine mercy, this conversation will demonstrate how encountering God's mercy can unwrite years, decades, of habitual ways of living and lead you outside of yourself to give yourself away to others.What You’ll Hear:• The story of JP's grandfather, Carlos, who struggled with childhood trauma after his father stepped out on him, but eventually underwent a dramatic transformation from a man of severity to one who was loving, understanding, and empathetic.• How reading the book The Return of the Prodigal Son helped Carlos gain the capacity to forgive his father and have mercy on himself, leading him to become an "everyday saint" and a man profoundly intimate with God.• Stories of Carlos' constant evangelization and generosity, including his routine visits to support a struggling single mother with a son who had special needs, how he led a Muslim friend to attribute her healing from cancer to his intercession, and the mysterious final words his baby niece spoke, "For the Lord's sake, amen".Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Gayle Konderla to discover how the simple, faithful love of one couple transformed generations of their large, loud Catholic family.Whether you're struggling to stay faithful to God in your time of prayer or in communication with your spouse and loving your kids, or just curious about how simple witness can build a greater impact in relationships, this conversation will remind you that simple and faithful love across your whole life has the capacity to transform generations of people in your family.What You’ll Hear:• How Gayle's super faithful grandparents, who raised 12 children (six boys and six girls), including a son who is now a bishop, influenced generations of their family one small witness at a time. Gayle shares experiences of praying rosaries together and celebrating Mass in the living room.• The family's loving response to tragedy, including seeing their grandmother's fiery and zealous love for God and family deepen as she grew sick with cancer, and the system the 12 siblings created to care for their grandfather after his early onset Alzheimer's diagnosis for about seven years.• Insights into the grandfather's struggle with Alzheimer's, and the beautiful realization that though he might forget that he saw someone the day before, he never forgot who they were and how much he loved them. The last thing he said to Gayle was, "I love you and I'm proud of you".Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Jane Voelker to talk about A priest she barely knew confronted her deepest spiritual conviction, sparking a wild journey toward profound healing.Whether you're someone who is completely stuck in a part of your life with God, or just curious about the movement of the Holy Spirit in the world today, this conversation will offer a reminder that God steps in and changes things when we cannot fix ourselves.What You’ll Hear:• Jane's realization that her confessed "weakest point"—wanting to keep people at an arm's distance so they can't hurt her—was incorrect. A priest, who had only spoken to Jane for about five minutes prior to the retreat, told her the truth: her weakest point was believing she was unlovable. The priest had been emphasizing throughout the retreat that knowing one's weakest point is essential because it is exactly where God wants to meet us and where the enemy wants to attack.• The surprising result of her initial prayer following the revelation, where Jane invited God into her feeling of unlovableness. Jane thought God might shame her for being a missionary who felt unworthy of love, or immediately demand a fix, but instead, God just sat there with her in that broken part of her heart for the entire hour of prayer.• The unexpected moment of complete healing that happened months later. While brushing her teeth in a little cabin in West Virginia, Jane caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror and spontaneously thought, "I'm so good and I'm so beautiful," after which she never doubted it again. This healing shows that God stepped in out of love for her to tell her the truth, without her needing to try to fix herself or grasp for anything.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Alex Sanchez to talk about A single moment of radical honesty shattered years of shame and changed the entire direction of one man's life.Whether you're wrestling with deep-seated painful beliefs or existential shame, or just curious about God's intense and beautiful mercy, this conversation will provide a powerful reminder of God's intense and beautiful mercy for them.What You’ll Hear:• Alex shares how deep-seated feelings of failure, disappointment, and not belonging developed in his youth, leading him to compromise his morals, start drinking, and routinely smoking weed for two years in high school.• The intense, unmistakable internal urge Alex felt to "Tell your parents the truth", culminating in a pivotal confession on July 8th, 2010, and how his parents’ response of mercy and truth—including his father saying, "I failed you as a father"—evaporated years of Alex’s painful beliefs about himself.• The surprising role of Alex’s mother, who was led to a drug and alcohol counselor via a name that came to her in a dream during one of the sleepless nights following the confession, and how this foundational moment of conversion became a turning point for Alex's entire family.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Caitlyn Robinson to talk about how God intervened in her family's most earthshattering tragedy, transforming their despair into a profound witness of miraculous healing and faith.Whether you're a parent facing unimaginable difficulty, someone wrestling with the power of prayer, or just curious about how divine grace and the communion of saints can move mountains, this conversation will inspire you to believe in the impossible and recognize God's active presence in our darkest hours.What You’ll Hear:Caitlyn, a mother of nine, recounts the terrifying Sunday morning when her 14-month-old son, Vincent, was found lifeless after drowning in their backyard hot tub, and the immediate, frantic attempts at CPR. The initial despair as Vincent showed no signs of life, the family's fervent prayers and Hail Marys, and the powerful, immediate prayer chain that ignited through their community, parish, and beyond.The hospital's grim prognosis after Vincent received 52 minutes of CPR with no pulse, Caitlyn's initial skepticism about a full recovery, and her profound realization of the intercessory power of the communion of saints.The pivotal role of the Novena to Blessed Michael McGivney, the placement of a relic on Vincent's chest during a hospital Mass, and how this led to his miraculous, complete recovery, including an organ-clear MRI and Vincent walking out of the hospital on the ninth day of the novena, perfectly fine.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, host Trevor Bara sits down with Justin Victor to hear his powerful testimony of how God continually sent "lifeguards" to rescue him from "drowning" in various challenges throughout his life, from childhood peril to adult struggles with sin, career, and unforgiveness.Whether you've faced overwhelming odds, felt lost in the depths of your own choices, or simply need a reminder of God's ever-present saving power and subtle promptings, this conversation will offer encouragement and a jolt of belief in God's call to pick up the pieces of our broken selves.What You’ll Hear:Justin’s miraculous near-drowning experience at age six, when his godfather was divinely prompted to save him.How he was saved from "drowning in sin from the inside" as a young adult through faithful friends, daily prayer, and the sacrament of confession.His journey from feeling "empty" and "mundane" in his dream career to finding deeper satisfaction and peace as a youth missionary with NET Ministries.The powerful realization that God not only sends "lifeguards" but also calls us to be "lifeguards for others". Justin's experience of God providing his wife as a "lifeguard" in marriage, and finding "deep healing" from unforgiveness through God's "ocean of mercy" in confession.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Garrett Bernardo to talk about how God transformed his childhood dream of professional baseball into a global mission of inspiring purpose-driven athletes.Whether you're an athlete navigating big dreams, someone facing an identity crisis, or just curious about how faith can redefine success and purpose, this conversation will inspire you to embrace God's larger vision for your life and persevere through trials.What You’ll Hear: Garrett's upbringing in a household of faith, his early ambition to play professional baseball like his father, and the identity crisis he faced when rejected from playing at the University of Maine.The unexpected origins of his brand, NOVUS, and its mantra "claim your crown," inspired by a childhood Bible verse (James 1:12) and a college side hustle.How God confirmed his call to pursue NOVUS full-time through a powerful moment at daily mass, and how the brand now outfits athletes from little leagues to professional teams, resonating with those who have overcome adversityHit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!http://novusclothingcompany.com

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Ben Kelly to talk about how a life-altering moment of suffering destroyed his idyllic world and led him on an unexpected journey back to God's heart.Whether you're curious about the movement of the Holy Spirit in the world today, or just curious about dealing with immense suffering and loss, this conversation will inspire you to continue to see what God is doing in your life and demonstrate how the power of one person loving you can transform a life.What You’ll Hear:• Ben recounts his freshman year at Harvard, where he met FOCUS missionaries and began "scuba diving into the ocean" of faith, while simultaneously watching his girlfriend Molly suffer unimaginably from the return of cancer.• The immense impact of the persistent love and gratuitous kindness of missionary Mike and the entire FOCUS team, who drove seven hours to attend Molly's funeral without telling him they were coming.• The visceral experience during adoration at the SEEK conference, prompted by the short line "Jesus wept", that revealed the answer to his pain was not a "neat and tidy phrase" or explanation, but the presence of Christ's own sorrow.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor  sits down with Victor Kopen to talk about his son. A father witnesses a rosary turn "smoking hot" while praying for his newborn son who had been revived four times.Whether you're a parent facing great uncertainty, or just curious about the intercession of the saints and modern miracles, this conversation will inspire you with powerful testimony to the movement of the Holy Spirit in the world today.What You’ll Hear:• The story of Victor's son, Pierce, who was born seemingly healthy but was later diagnosed with PPHN (persistent pulmonary hypertension of a newborn), requiring doctors and residents to revive him four times before he was flown to Pittsburgh.• The astonishing event where Victor prayed the rosary—which he had laid on a relic of St. Padre Pio's bloodstained glove—and the rosary became "smoking hot," causing his baby to convulse and his oxygen saturation to immediately jump from the low 90s to an "unnaturally high" $100 \%$.• How Victor reached a pivotal moment of complete surrender to God's will, after which he was instantly enveloped in an unworldly, unconditional love from the Holy Spirit, and the heartwarming post-script of his now-healthy son referring to St. Padre Pio as "my buddy".Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Chris Bonderer to talk about a powerful image received in prayer that revealed a student's deepest restlessness and gave undeniable proof of God's presence.Whether you're inspired by radical testimonies of what God is doing, or just curious about the impact of prayer out loud with another person, this conversation will inspire you to see God working in your life too and bring you to greater faith that God listens and responds.What You’ll Hear:• Missionary Chris Bonderer details his work at the University of Southern California (USC), specifically his deep friendship with Grant, a senior struggling with deep dissatisfaction despite having been a football player and fraternity member. Grant expressed feeling restless and wondered if 65 years was "too long to live" feeling that way.• The powerful image Chris received while praying for Grant—picturing him as a gladiator, smiling from cheek to cheek in the Coliseum, but with tears streaming down his face. Chris then asked Grant, "Do you feel like there's anything missing in your life?".• The stunning insight Grant shared later: The gladiator image perfectly mirrored a moment he experienced before quitting the football team when, despite the electricity of the environment and the crowds going insane, he felt "dead inside" while running out of the tunnel. This experience served as "undeniable" proof that God sees and knows him.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Courtney Roach to talk about how a disappointing papal audience and physical exhaustion led to a profound, vulnerable experience of God's perfect love right inside St. Peter's Basilica.Whether you're struggling with feelings of unworthiness while trying to lead, or just curious about how God works through moments of weakness, this conversation will inspire you to know that God is at work in your life and can accomplish great things even when you feel you don't have enough capacity.What You’ll Hear:• Courtney recounts the incredible journey of leading 40 women—most of whom she had never met—on the strenuous Daily Nothings Pilgrimage to Italy during the Jubilee year.• After suffering through 97- to 98-degree heat in Rome and wrestling with internal anger and judgment, Courtney wept during the Jubilee Walk and felt encouraged by St. Peter, who told her, "I just want to show you the imperfect way. Just come to me".• While carrying the cross and entering the holy doors of St. Peter’s Basilica, Courtney broke down trying to read Psalm 23, instantly hearing the Lord confirm her mission and finding deep clarity and comfort in the realization that vulnerability is key to her leadership.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Austin Satrio to talk about how a simple invitation to Adoration transformed a searching student into a potential priest in under 24 hours.Whether you're someone inspired to see God working in your life, or just curious about the transforming power of God in unexpected encounters, this conversation will encourage you to open your eyes to small opportunities and make simple invitations of faith in Christ Jesus.What You’ll Hear:• Austin Satrio, attending SEEK 2025 on behalf of the St. Thomas Moore Teaching Fellowship, meets a student named Michael who traveled alone to the conference, confessed he was not currently practicing his faith, and was unsure why he was even there.• The gentle, basic invitation Austin and his colleague extended to Michael to visit the Adoration Chapel, suggesting he simply sit in silence for 10 or 15 minutes and “just be present” with the Lord, without needing to say or ask the perfect things.• Michael’s profound encounter in Adoration, where the Lord very clearly spoke into his heart, affirming His love and telling Michael, "I think you're perfect". This encounter prompted Michael to go to confession for the first time in about 10 years and strongly feel the Lord inviting him to consider the priesthood.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Lauren Lewis to talk about Lauren Lewis shares how searching desperately for affirmation in college led her down a dark path until a shocking accident and a quiet interior voice changed everything.Whether you're fighting to make space for silence amidst the busyness of your life, or just curious about how God encounters people in the midst of their suffering and chaos, this conversation will help you encounter God and be reminded of His love for you.What You’ll Hear:• Lauren’s journey through college, starting strong in her faith but eventually giving up Mass and seeking deep affirmation from her amateur cycling teammates and coach. Lauren felt a great need for affirmation, doing anything—from focusing on her outfits or athletic ability—to receive it.• The serious bike accident in which Lauren was hit by a car, sustaining a severe concussion, and why her grandmother insisted this was God granting her a second chance at life. After recovering, Lauren initially misinterpreted this second chance, focusing on being the best athlete she could be, which quickly led her back into a dark place.• Why the climax of Lauren's story was not the dramatic accident, but the quiet, interior voice she heard in her living room that told her simply: "Go back to mass". This demonstrates that God often reveals Himself not in the storm or thunder, but in the peace and stillness of the heart.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Srishti Gupta to talk about a militant atheist's journey from rejecting all religion to finding her heart's home in the presence of God..Whether you're struggling with faith, questioning organized religion, or just curious about spiritual transformation and calling, this conversation will remind you of the power of God's love to radically transform a life and call you to action.What You’ll Hear:• Srishti recounts growing up Hindu, moving away from faith after studying it, and arriving at college as a militant atheist with the goals of becoming an astronaut and making everyone else atheist.• The foundational role of the Resurrection in her conversion: Srishti realized that if the Resurrection was real, all of Christianity must be true, leading her to study and eventually fight the notion of becoming Catholic despite feeling profoundly "home" during the Consecration at her very first Mass.• How her commitment to a non-obligatory 11 p.m. Holy Hour (Adoration of the Eucharist) became the most deeply uniting space with the Lord, ultimately confirming her call to consecrated life in a religious community that begins every day with a Holy Hour.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Santonio Hill to talk about Santonio's friend Cole. After achieving wild success in acting and modeling, a friend keeps hitting rock bottom until he demands the one thing his Catholic friend has: joy.Whether you're someone seeking the meat of a life quest for meaning, or just curious about how persistent prayer and radical hospitality can lead to conversion, this conversation will provide a living and vibrant testimony that God powerfully uses commitment in daily prayer for conversion.What You’ll Hear:• The three-year pattern of superficial conversations that was broken when Cole approached Santonio at his wedding and whispered, "Your life is awesome and I want it".• How achieving wild success in acting was repeatedly met with emptiness, causing Cole to grow tired of hitting rock bottom and finally ask Santonio to sit with him at Mass.• The moment Cole confessed to Santonio, saying, "To be honest with you, when I close my eyes and I look for God the Father, for whatever reason, your face pops up," leading to intensive discipleship focused on apologetics and reading scripture.Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!

In this episode of Unwritten, Trevor sits down with Ethan Dvidovich to talk about how seeking to be liked led to a near-fatal car accident and the stunning realization that he "should not be alive right now".Whether you're searching for your true identity, wrestling with shame and past vices, or just curious about how God turns a "pile of garbage into a pile of gold", this conversation will reveal how authentic Christian brotherhood can lead to transformative grace.What You’ll Hear:• Ethan's pursuit of popularity and fitting in, which culminated in the "worst night of his life"—skateboarding inebriated, without a helmet, on the road in May 2020, resulting in him being hit by a car. He sustained serious injuries, including a fractured neck, a torn ACL, a hematoma in his head, a third concussion, and about 30 stitches and staples.• The moment his neurosurgeon walked into the room and told him, "Ethan, you should not be alive right now... You've been given a second chance at life. What are you going to do with it?". Ethan recounts how even after this incident, he initially reverted to old habits, boasting about his scars because he thought the accident made him "cool" or "different".• The gradual conversion that took place through meeting influential men at the Catholic Center at the University of Georgia who showed him it was okay to be vulnerable. Unlike the sudden conversion of St. Paul, Ethan’s transformation was a slow encounter with Jesus through brotherhood that helped him realize he was a "beloved son of God".Hit follow or subscribe so you don’t miss future episodes!