Catholic podcast Archives - The Simple Catholic

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Ana Munley via phone call on June 26th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

How did you start your Tiktok?

I had a regular account I made in 2020. I posted something about reading the Bible in 2024 and it was flagged as a violation. It sat under review for several weeks. I was upset and feeling like I was being silenced about sharing my faith. So on December 15th, 2025 I decided to make a new TikTok and this one dedicated to my Catholic faith.

For about a month I only had Tiktok, but with the ban looming, I went over onto Instagram in January 2025.

Your Instagram bio says “Rooted in Christ. Built on Truth.” Can you share how that phrase became your personal mission and what it means in your day-to-day life?

I think it’s because growing up I was a cradle Catholic. My family was Catholic in name only. Being lukewarm, our life was about comfort over our actual faith.. but as I started to dig deep and look at the teachings I realized it is the way it is because it’s rooted in truth. Because of that, my faith was deepened and transformed.

I like to describe the Catholic faith being like the railings on the side of a highway to keep you on the road and safe, to keep you from veering off the road.

I always want to stay rooted in truth. The tagline speaks to the content that I share and the intent I have with sharing it.

You’ve grown a large following on Instagram and TikTok rather quickly. What do you think has resonated most with your audience—and what has surprised you about this journey?

The answer is the same one. What’s resonated with me the most is the rediscovery of my faith and hearing from cradle Catholics. It’s like you are re-catechetizing Catholics.

Bishop Barron said we are taught this “Sunday school” type of catechesis in either OCIA or in Catholic schools,but there’s so much richness in the faith.

People want to learn more but don’t know where to start. I’m not here to debate people and tell them they’re wrong.

My approach is more like bringing light to the truth instead of fighting darkness with more darkness.

You’re the host of the AfterMass podcast. What inspired you to launch it, and what kinds of conversations or themes do you hope to bring to light through that platform?

My first episode comes out next week. I want to provide reverts and new converts more information about the faith in a long-form manner. It’s based on how to be a more devout Catholic and how you can be the best Catholic you can be.

I want it to be a place to have conversations and not just a bite-sized version on the other platforms.

Being an “Unapologetic Catholic” online isn’t always easy—how do you navigate pushback or criticism while staying grounded in truth and charity?

This is something I have taken to Confession. My priest has given me really good advice. When you deal with negative comments especially the ones that bash the Theology of the Catholic Church. My priest told me that the Catholic Church doesn’t need my defense, She has stood before you and will remain after you.

Another thing to realize is to keep it charitable for the sake of those people who are watching and reading the comments who may slightly think the same thing as the negative commenters. Can my response help the people reading/commenting? If not, then I don’t comment that way.

I get feisty and a bit sassy at times (you can see that in some of my videos) but I always aim to have my responses be rooted in charity and truth for the sake of those reading.. And that is my approach.

Have there been any particular saints, devotions, or Church teachings that have deeply shaped your spiritual life and how you share your faith online?

Not necessarily any saints that shaped anything online, but Saint Rita has resonated with me. She is the patron saint of impossible causes (victims, the sick, etc). As far as my online work, Saint Maximlian Kolbe inspires me. He played a huge role in online evangelization and his life and death are a great example of not only how to spread the Good News of your faith but also how to live it.

What advice would you give to young Catholics who want to evangelize on social media but are nervous about being too “out there” with their faith?

My number one thing is to start with something that resonates with you. For example, if the Rosary is a devotion you are particularly passionate about and drawn to, start with that.

There’s a way to deliver your faith from a place rooted in faith while also delivering it with love and charity.

Looking ahead, what’s next for your ministry or digital presence? Any projects you’re especially excited about?

The podcast is definitely top of the list, and I am also working with a Catholic shop called Abundantly Yours in designing a Rosary (Saints Jude and Rita design). I’ll be sharing why these specific rosaries are important to me and sharing more of my personal struggles and how these Saints have helped me.

Where’s the best place to learn more about your ministry?

About Ana:

Living in sunny Florida with my husband Joe and our two kids, Emilia and Lucas. I’m a Catholic content creator, corporate professional and host of After Mass, a podcast for Catholics who want more than just Sunday. First podcast episode drops 7/1! Follow along on TikTok & Instagram: @anamunley where I’m sharing Catholic truth with conviction, compassion and zero fluff.

Thank you for sharing!

Editor’s Note: Matthew Chicoine interviewed Joe Coleman via phone call on March 12th, 2025. Some of the questions have been rearranged and edited to provide the best reader experience without losing any integrity of the answers given.

What inspired you to specifically focus on helping Catholic business owners with their podcasts rather than pursuing a broader market?

We work with pretty much anyone who wants to create Catholic content but our primary focus is Catholic business owners. I have audio-produced a variety of Catholic projects over the years. I really didn’t see serving this specific niche. It seemed to be that Catholics who are running businesses according to the teachings of the Gospel were underserved. It fills a need that hasn’t gotten as much attention as non-profits and ministry.

How did your experience at KNOM Radio in Alaska shape your approach to podcast production?

That’s a good question, I worked at KNOM as a producer, on-air host, and a writer. I am very grateful to KNOM for teaching me about the fundamentals of audio-production. A large part of what I did was in-studio interviews or longer form audio packages. I got experience in storytelling and what makes a good conversation. I learned how to help guests get their point across.

You mention that podcasts are “the best medium to build audience trust” – can you share an example where you’ve seen this trust develop between a Catholic business owner and their audience?

We helped develop a podcast called Making Every Class Catholic by Dr. Brett Falkeld where he talked to Catholic educators. He used the podcast to talk to interesting people like the Archbishop of Vancouver. He provided this content for professional and personal enrichment to show how teachers can make all their classes Catholic. He used the podcast to drive people to his subscription community for educational resources. The podcast was a marketing vehicle to help his business to be the first point of contact.

One of the best things about broadcasting is that you can talk about a problem that speaks to the listeners and makes them feel like you are having this one-on-one conversation. You can scale this conversation while still keeping it intimate.

Saint Maximilian Kolbe is your studio’s namesake – how does his legacy influence your work philosophy?

He has a newspaper/periodical that is still in existence: Knight of the Immaculata. Because of this, one of his patronages is that of communication. His biggest claim to fame is his sacrifice in Auschwitz. It is easy to lose sight of heroism in modernity. It is easy to forget that you still can do great things. Our studio is to help businesses tell great stories. We strive for excellence and holiness like the saints. While I will likely not reach the same level as Saint Maximilian, he is still a good model to look up to and inspire myself and my business.

What’s the most significant transformation you’ve witnessed in a client’s business after launching their podcast?

I think of Dr. Falkeld’s podcast. Using it as a marketing vehicle is powerful. The podcast is still a source of traffic to his community. Podcasts as a medium are playing the long-game. You can play the short game with viral posts on social media. But podcasting in general is playing the long-game.

I think the reality is that not everyone is going to be seeing immediate success. Think in terms of months and years versus days. It’s tough to say any business is going to be transformed right away when launching a podcast.

We produce a show called Catching Foxes. It has been going on for ten years. The personal fulfillment the hosts continue to receive from this experience is invaluable to the amount of friends they developed through their podcast.

Looking ahead, how do you see Catholic podcasting evolving over the next few years?

That’s a good question! I think that space probably expands. It will likely evolve similar to how the podcasting industry in general has expanded. The fact we had presidential candidates this past year going on podcasts. Four years ago this was inconceivable.

The one objection I hear is that the market is so saturated. While there are a lot of podcasts, there is not a saturation of high quality Catholic podcasts. For every Pints with Aquinas, there are 100 “not- Pints with Aquinas”.

The Catholic world moves slow in the tech space. There’s still time to hop on and start a podcast that’s high quality.

Where’s the best way for my readers to learn more about your work?

They can visit our website at saintkolbestudios.com or email me at joe@saintkolbestudios.com.

About Joe:

Joe Coleman is the Founder and Director of Audio Production at Saint Kolbe Studios. He started his audio career in 2019 as an on-air host, producer, and writer at the oldest Catholic radio station in the US, KNOM Radio in Nome, Alaska. Now, he lives in Tyler, Texas with his wife and soon-to-be-born daughter. P.S. Want a free podcast studio? Seriously! Saint Kolbe Studios is giving away five full podcast setups to new retainer clients. We want to lower the barrier to entry and help you tell your story. Head to saintkolbestudios.com to learn more.