The War on Mediocrity

Fr. Zarse shares his vocation story—every step of the way. From his childhood and college years to the leap of faith into seminary, he walks through the key moments that led him to the priesthood

Vulnerability is risky—and most of us avoid it. But without it, there's no real love, no healing, no growth. Fr. Zarse and Carson explore how Christ models true vulnerability, why it's essential for relationships and the spiritual life, and what it actually looks like to live it out with wisdom, humility, and trust in God.

Fr. Zarse and Carson talk about the four types of love and focus on the love Christ fully reveals and calls us to imitate.

Humanity will never find peace until it turns with trust to Divine Mercy. Fr. Zarse & Carson reflect on the Divine Mercy Chaplet—what it is, what it means, and how it draws us into the mercy of Christ in a simple but powerful way.

God's mercy is infinite—but not passive. Fr. Zarse & Carson explore how it should transform our lives and the historical context of Jesus appearing to St. Faustina Kowalska.

If the Resurrection didn't happen, nothing matters. But it did—and everything changes. Fr. Zarse & Carson unpack the reality of Easter, walking through the Gospel accounts and showing how Christ's victory over death transforms not just what we believe, but how we live every single day

Fr. Zarse walks step by step through Holy Week—from Jesus' entry into Jerusalem to Calvary. He offers reflections, insights, and commentary to help you enter more deeply into this week and live it well.

Fr. Zarse & Carson unpack fortitude—the cardinal virtue and gift of the Holy Spirit that gives us firmness in trials, conquers fear (even of death), and empowers us to pursue the good.

Labor might be more than a way to make a living--it might just make you holier. In this episode, Fr. Zarse & Carson explore the dignity of work, what the Church says, what the saints have said, and how you can be sanctified by working.

Fr. Zarse and Carson break down tips for how to hear God in prayer. Learn how to train your heart and mind to recognize God's voice, quiet the noise, and grow in deeper listening.

Fr. Zarse breaks down why we have saints, how they're participating in salvation, and how even secular people find inspiration in them.

Fr. Luke Doyle joins the show to make a big announcement, look at how deep God's love is, and show the gap between knowing about God & actually knowing Him.

Join Fr. Zarse as he celebrates the one-year anniversary of the podcast! In this special episode, he reflects on memories from the past year, answers trivia from the last 365 days, and celebrates what the Lord has been doing.

Fr. Zarse and Carson break down what Lent is actually about, share what Church leaders say about it, and give a recipe for a fruitful Lent.

What does it actually mean to participate at Mass? Fr. Zarse breaks it down—revealing the moments we often overlook and offering ways to move from "watching" to worship.

What should I do when I feel distant from God? Fr. Zarse and Carson break down how to respond when prayer feels dry and God seems far away. They share what the saints teach us to do in these moments and reflect on their own experiences of walking through seasons of spiritual dryness.

Fr. Zarse dives into the power of surrender—exploring examples from Abraham to Jesus, sharing lessons from his own life, and giving practical ways to let go of control & trust in the Father.

What does it mean to "remember to keep holy the Lord's Day"? Fr. Zarse dives into the beauty—and challenge—of keeping Sunday sacred. He explores what the Church teaches about Sundays, what labor is permissible, and practical ways to live out the Third Commandment in today's world.

Fr. Joseph Asante joins the podcast to talk about his first 90 days at Sacred Heart of Jesus, reflecting on memories, moments of growth in faith, the joy he's experienced being here, and the love he has for all of you

Fr. Zarse & Carson break down Christmas, revealing hidden significances & offer tips to celebrate well! Father explains why Mass & prayer are non-negotiables this season, helping you enter more fully into the joy of Christ's birth.  He also answers rapid-fire Christmas questions including: What's your favorite Christmas song? What's your best Christmas memory? What's the best gift you ever received for Christmas? And more!

Fr. Zarse answers your questions! What superpower would he pick? What's his go-to karaoke song? And what does he think about adding more Mass times?

Fr. Zarse reflects on what has taken place this week & what lies ahead

Getting thousands of people from all over the world to agree on anything is nearly impossible. Yet for centuries, saints have been unanimous: silence is essential. In this episode, Fr. Zarse & Carson explore the transformative power of silence—its physical and psychological benefits, its role in leading us closer to God, why silence is woven into the Mass, and practical ways to cultivate it even amidst the chaos of work, kids, and everyday life.

Fr. Zarse and Carson unpack the season of Advent with insights that can reshape your month: how to enter it well, the hidden depths most Catholics overlook, the practices that transform your experience, and the real cost of jumping straight to Christmas.

Fr. Zarse and Carson reflect on the Solemnity of Christ the King—where it came from, why the Church gave us this feast, and what it looks like to let Jesus be King of every part of our lives.

Fr. Zarse unpacks the Rosary—its rich history, how it's shaped his own spiritual life, the fruits it bears, and insights that will transform the way you pray it.

Fr. Zarse and Carson reflect on our identity, how understanding it changes everything in our lives, and what eternity can look like with that in mind.

Deacon Nicholas Moragues joins the show today with Fr. Zarse and Carson to recap a recent healing retreat and share how we can apply what the clergy learned to our own lives.

Fr. Phillip Scott is an incredible speaker with a wild story to share. He joins Fr. Zarse and Carson to talk about starting a religious order, finding peace in Christ while being kidnapped (you read that right), and what he calls the Lord's "Divine Obsession" for you.

Fr. Zarse and Carson explore humility—the foundation of every other virtue.

Fr. Zarse just got back from Rome & Assisi with Julie Krause. He shares stories and reflections from visiting the four major basilicas, the tomb of St. Francis, the resting place of Blessed Carlo Acutis, the Holy Stairs, the relic of the True Cross, and even the Manger from Bethlehem.

Fr. Zarse and Carson break down Lectio Divina in a way that's both simple and deep—accessible for someone praying it for the first time and enriching for those who practice it daily.

Fr. Zarse and Carson explore the 7 spiritual works of mercy, showing how each one offers a powerful way to love Jesus and serve Him in the lives of others. Fr. Columba Jordan's Video: https://youtu.be/hj4SuTADaXk?si=-7T_uBwgKRd-Rwm1

You sent the questions, and Fr. Joseph had some fun answering them! In this episode, he joins Fr. Zarse and Carson to talk about his love for dancing and music, African animals, and even his push-up contests.

Fr. Joseph Asante has arrived! He chats with Fr. Zarse and Carson to share his journey across the world, his passion for soccer, what he calls his "international stomach," the joy of being a priest, and his first impressions of life in his new home.

Fr. Zarse and Carson share the dramatic story of St. Moses the Black—a gang leader, robber, and murder suspect whose conversion was driven by fasting and who later became a priest. They discuss how fasting transforms our hearts and how it allows us to share in God's plan of salvation for others.

Emily Dumler joins Fr. Zarse and Carson to talk about marriage enrichment—how it impacts our holiness, why it's worth investing in your marriage, and practical ways to do it.

Fr. Zarse and Carson unpack the mental, spiritual, and even physical health benefits of praying the Rosary. They discuss how to grow in devotion, why we pray it, and how to go deeper with it in prayer.

Deacon Nicholas joins Fr. Zarse and Carson for a powerful conversation on redemptive suffering. Living with cystic fibrosis, diabetes, and arthritis, frequent hospital visits are a part of his story—but so is joy. Rather than becoming bitter, Deacon Nicholas has learned to offer his suffering for the sanctity of others and become grateful for his cross.

Fr. Zarse, Carson, and seminarian Dominic Victor tackle the corporal works of mercy in this week's episode. Rooted in Matthew 25, they explore why these acts matter, how they impact those we serve, and how they transform us in the process. Additionally, Dominic and Fr. Zarse spend a few minutes with a special reflection on Dominic's summer at Sacred Heart.

Fr. Zarse, Carson, and seminarian Dominic Victor answered your questions on this week's episode!   Here's a preview of a few they dive into: Where does it say in the Bible that priests have the ability to turn the host and wine into the Body and Blood of Christ? How should parents handle crying children in church? Is cereal soup? What would Fr. Zarse be the patron saint of? What are some of the biggest challenges Fr. Zarse faces as a priest? Are priests allowed to go to bars or happy hour?

Fr. Zarse takes a quick victory lap, reflecting on the milestones, celebrations, and moments of grace from the past few months at Sacred Heart of Jesus. From big wins to small joys, he covers it all. Beth Bucklin joins the show with a heartfelt thank you.

Archbishop Emeritus Joseph F. Naumann reflects on 50 years of priesthood, sharing stories from his ordination day to his two decades as Archbishop of Kansas City in Kansas. He shares plenty of belly laughs, his love of ice cream, and some from-the-heart moments.

Fr. Zarse and Carson reflect upon humanity's greatest question

Emily Wobker, volunteer for Many Part Ministries, joins Fr. Zarse and Carson, along with Char Mies, to talk about Charisms! What are they? Why do they matter? And how could they transform the Church if more people knew and used them?

Fr. Zarse explores the profound 12 promises Jesus revealed to St. Margaret Mary Alacoque!

Seminarian Dominic Victor visits Fr. Zarse and Carson to share his journey to seminary, his passions, life as a seminarian, and the exciting path that lies ahead.

Fr. Zarse and Carson conclude their month-long journey through Acts 2:42 by breaking open the beauty of the Sacraments and the Mass. Discover how these gifts bring abundant grace, joy, and sanctification to our lives. Plus, hear a special witness from Dcn. Nicholas Moragues as he shares his personal journey with the Sacraments.

Fr. Zarse & Carson continue exploring Acts 2:42 as a roadmap to holiness, focusing this week on the teaching of the apostles. Additionally, it's week three of hearing from Sacred Heart School students! This week, Harlow shares about her identity in Christ and the journey that led her there. To wrap up the series, all three students—Harlow, Leo, and Samuel—join Fr. Zarse and their teacher, Mrs. Jessica Jones for a brief conversation as a group.

In this episode, Fr. Zarse and Carson are joined by Fr. Andrew Walsh—Fr. Zarse's best friend—to discuss the installation of Archbishop Shawn McKnight, which took place yesterday. With Fr. Walsh's personal connection to Archbishop McKnight, they share unique insights, reflections, and thoughts on what this new leadership means for the diocese and the community moving forward.