Podcasting Priests
CHARLOTTE — Priests across the Diocese of Charlotte are taking to podcasting, offering homilies, insights on spiritual classics, and practical applications of theology to everyday life. The latest offerings are by priests in Charlotte and Mount Holly, who are working with TAN Books.
Father Timothy Reid has just launched “The Commentaries: The Interior Castle,” an exploration of the spiritual classic by St. Teresa of Ávila.
And TAN Books’ series “From the Rooftop” with Monsignor Patrick Winslow and Father Matthew Kauth will soon celebrate a year on the air. The duo first conceived the idea as a radio show during their seminary days more than 25 years ago as they pondered how to apply what they were learning to the lives of those they would one day shepherd.
Interested? Take an inside look at both podcasts with the Catholic News Herald.
Explore ‘The Interior Castle’
Recording from the rectory of St. Ann Church in Charlotte, Father Timothy Reid helps listeners read and understand St. Teresa of Ávila’s magnum opus in “The Commentaries: The Interior Castle.”
A Third Order Carmelite since 2007 and spiritual director for Charlotte’s Our Lady of Mt. Carmel Secular Carmelite group, Father Reid is well-versed on the spirituality of St. Teresa of Ávila, one of history’s most famous Carmelites. The Spanish nun and mystic reformed Carmelite life in the 16th century, but had previously struggled in the path to sanctity, making her relatable to modern readers.
“I have developed a devotion to all of the Carmelite saints,” Father Reid says. “As part of our formation as secular Carmelites, we study all of the great writings of our saints, including ‘The Interior Castle.’ It made quite an impression on me during my formation, and it’s a book that I’ve often gone back to study.”
Conor Gallagher, CEO of TAN Books, knew of Father Reid’s great love for St. Teresa of Ávila and pitched the idea of the commentary podcast leading listeners through “The Interior Castle.”
The 20-episode series is now available on streaming platforms and at www.tandirection.com/podcasts.
Father Reid says he aims to help people gain a greater understanding of one of the most important books on the spiritual life and a greater love for St. Teresa of Ávila.
“I hope listeners of this podcast will be motivated to really dig into their prayer lives and seek to grow in holiness,” he says. “And I really hope the listeners come to a greater confidence in God’s love for mankind, which becomes so evident as one moves through this book.”
Creating the podcast has been spiritually beneficial for Father Reid, too.
“It has been a great reminder of how seriously I must take my own spiritual life,” he says. “The process of our sanctification isn’t easy. It’s hard to be a saint! But it is God’s will that we each grow in real intimacy with Him so that we can become saints.”
Father Reid, who is also the vicar of education for the Diocese of Charlotte’s Catholic Schools system, strongly recommended that Catholics put aside the myriad forms of media available today, noting that most of it is not edifying.
“I never tire of studying the lives and writings of the saints, for doing so always provides encouragement to persevere in a life of prayer and works of charity, and to persevere in seeking God’s will – no matter what the cost,” he says.
“Watching TikTok videos, scrolling endlessly through Twitter, or binge-watching Netflix won’t get us to heaven. But following the teachings and examples of the saints will.”
View the Church ‘From the Rooftop’
The seeds of “From the Rooftop” were planted long ago when Monsignor Patrick Winslow and Father Matthew Kauth were in the seminary together in Washington, D.C. Now in full bloom more than 25 years later, the podcast has been on the air for a year and features 25 episodes covering a range of topics related to theology, morality, liturgical living and everyday life as a Catholic.
As Monsignor Winslow and Father Kauth prepared for exams in the seminary, they found that they wanted to continue their discussions of eschatology, the life of grace, and moral theology.
They climbed through windows and up ladders to reach the parapet of the seminary’s tower where a beautiful scene unfolded as they looked out over the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, The Catholic University of America, and iconic monuments in the nation’s capital. There, the future priests pondered how they would be able to draw forth discipleship in those they would soon serve – applying what they were learning to the lives of their flocks.
“In a certain sense, the setting – without us knowing at the time – was perfect for this disposition because we were looking out at the world, we were looking out at the people, we were looking out upon the things that were going on at the time, and we were trying to see it all in the light of faith,” Monsignor Winslow recalls in the first episode of the podcast.
Decades after their time in the seminary, Monsignor Winslow, now vicar general and chancellor of the Diocese of Charlotte, and Father Kauth, now rector of St. Joseph College Seminary, brought their idea for a radio show to life as a podcast. The priests began partnering with TAN Books to distribute
“From the Rooftop” in August 2022.
Longtime friends and brother priests, the hosts have a natural, easy-going rapport.
“I hope the podcast encourages people to cultivate the spiritual dimension of their friendships,” Monsignor Winslow says.
On the show, the hosts seek to meet listeners where they are and elevate their minds to heavenly things.
“Sometimes I hear that it isn’t intellectual enough, and sometimes I hear that it is a bit over the heads of the listeners,” Father Kauth says. “Given that I hear both, we are probably hitting where we desire to. Mostly, it has been a joy to have so many tell me how much they enjoy the episodes. They speak of it bringing them just a bit of joy and that they relate and laugh a lot.”
— Annie Ferguson
Three priests in the Diocese of Charlotte have free, not-for-profit podcasts distributed by TAN Books. In the new release, “The Commentaries: The Interior Castle,” Father Timothy Reid leads listeners through the spiritual classic by St. Teresa of Ávila. Monsignor Patrick Winslow and Father Matthew Kauth apply their theological knowledge to everyday life in “From the Rooftop.” (Photos provided by TAN Books)
Listen for yourself
Find these podcasts and others at www.tandirection.com/podcasts. For more podcasts and homily recordings from priests across the Diocese of Charlotte, go to
www.catholicnewsherald.com/viewpoints.