In Goodfaith

In this episode of In Good Faith, we sit down with Ike Ndolo — husband, dad, songwriter, and longtime minister — to talk about what it means to hold on to faith, creativity, and justice in a changing Church.
Ike shares how a high school class and a teacher who believed in him unexpectedly sparked his songwriting journey. We trace his path from a youth minister in Missouri to leading worship in Arizona’s charismatic Catholic scene, and how that world shaped (and challenged) his understanding of God, justice, and belonging.
Together we reflect on:
What happens when our faith traditions fracture into “different flavors” — and how we might learn to breathe with both lungs again
The tension between passion for worship and the call to justice
What it’s like to work inside the Church, deconstructing and rebuilding belief while trying to stay rooted in love
How a mother’s courage for truth and justice can shape a lifelong faith
Ike’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and reorientation — from youth ministry to music to confronting the hard edges of institutional life — and still choosing to believe in a God who shows up “in the rubble.”
 
Ike's Songs Featured in Pt. 1 & 2
🎵 God in the Rubble
🎵 City of God (new release)
Connect with Ike
Website: www.ikendolo.com
Instagram: @ikendolo
Facebook: facebook.com/ikendolo
Spotify: Ike Ndolo on Spotify
 
Join the conversation:
We want to hear from you! What questions or challenges are you facing as a parent or caregiver trying to nurture faith in your family? Share your thoughts and help shape the series by submitting questions through the link or on social media.
Stay tuned for more episodes of the Parent Series!
In Goodfaith Podcast Topic Submissions

What happens when we truly see one another? In this moving conversation, youth minister and theologian Sherine Green and writer and humanitarian Vince Gallagher share stories that reveal the transforming power of mercy and encounter. From mission trips in Jamaica and Latin America to classrooms and communities across the U.S., they reflect on what it means to be present to the suffering and beauty of the world — and to respond with love.
Together, they explore with us how encounter bridges divides, why trust is at the heart of mission, and how even small acts of kindness can pierce the veil and let us glimpse the kingdom of God among us.
Join the conversation:
We want to hear from you! What questions or challenges are you facing as a parent or caregiver trying to nurture faith in your family? Share your thoughts and help shape our parent series by submitting questions through the link or on social media.
Stay tuned for more episodes!
In Goodfaith Podcast Topic Submissions

In this installment of The Confessional, we sit down with Cecilia Flores, Executive Director of Catholic Volunteer Network, to talk about what it really looks like to raise kids in faith and justice — with honesty, joy, and a whole lot of grace.
Cecilia shares stories from her life as the daughter of Filipino immigrants, her years in mission work in Honduras, and the daily realities of parenting her two kids, Kiara and Jacob. Together, we talk about the spaces where Church teaching meets real life — where faith, service, and family all collide in the everyday mess and beauty of love.
Join the conversation:
We want to hear from you! What questions or challenges are you facing as a parent or caregiver trying to nurture faith in your family? Share your thoughts and help shape the series by submitting questions through the link or on social media.
Stay tuned for more episodes of the Parent Series!
In Goodfaith Podcast Topic Submissions

Welcome to the first installment of our new parent series, The Confessional. The name comes from the repurposed confessional we use as our recording space, but it also reflects what we hope this series will be: a place for parents to speak honestly about the joys and challenges of raising kids in today’s complicated, noisy world.
In this episode, we sit down with Molly and Benno Lauer, who share how their family created a tradition of annual retreats—weekends away where they step back from daily life to reflect, set goals, and name their shared values. What began during the pandemic, when their oldest turned their house into a “hotel” just to break the routine, has grown into a practice that shapes everything from chores to morning routines to how they hold each other accountable with kindness.
Together, we explore how family discernment can be both practical and faith-filled: creating simple rituals (like “glows and grows”), giving kids ownership of family goals, and remembering that intentionality matters more than perfection.
If you’ve ever wondered what’s possible when a family pauses the chaos and chooses direction together, this conversation is for you.
 
Join the conversation:
We want to hear from you! What questions or challenges are you facing as a parent or caregiver trying to nurture faith in your family? Share your thoughts and help shape the series by submitting questions through the link or on social media.
Stay tuned for more episodes of the Parent Series!
In Goodfaith Podcast Topic Submissions
 

Introducing Our New Parent Series: "The Confessional"
In this mini-episode, share some exciting news: the launch of a brand-new series within In Goodfaith focused on the joys and challenges of parenting.
Recorded in our repurposed confessional booth in Trenton, NJ, we discuss some of our own parenting journeys—toddlers, teenagers, and everything in between—and preview the kinds of conversations listeners can expect this fall. From grandparents and single parents, to priests and families navigating sports and spiritual life, this series will highlight the real, messy, hopeful stories of parents raising children in faith today.
Join the conversation:
We want to hear from you! What questions or challenges are you facing as a parent or caregiver trying to nurture faith in your family? Share your thoughts and help shape the series by submitting questions through the link or on social media.
Stay tuned for the first full episode of the Parent Series, dropping soon—and new episodes every other week throughout the fall.
In Goodfaith Podcast Topic Submissions

In this episode, we explore how Catholic teaching shapes the lives of athletes seeking to balance their love of sports with their life of faith. From the discipline of competition to the demands of family schedules, youth sports can both enrich and challenge spiritual life.
Our guest, Father Josh Whitfield of Dallas, Texas, shares pastoral insights and personal experiences on how families can stay grounded in faith while navigating the whirlwind of practices, games, and tournaments. Together, we’ll hear stories and reflections that shed light on what it means to integrate faith and athletics, offering fresh perspectives for parents, athletes, and parish communities alike.In the episode, we discuss Fr. Josh Whitfield's article "Soccer vs. Sunday Mass: How youth sports are undermining religion—and hurting our kids" in America Magazine. Be sure to read his thought-provoking piece!
Learn more about Fr. Josh at his website, where you can find links to his books and other articles.

This episode is Part 2 of our conversation with Angela Patterson from Springtide Institute. We delve into the evolving landscape of faith formation, exploring both the challenges and opportunities it presents. Join us as we discuss the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people's spiritual lives, the importance of community, and innovative approaches in youth ministry.
We also examine how faith intersects with cultural issues, mental health, and the diverse experiences of Gen Z and Gen Alpha. Tune in to discover what's working in faith formation today and how we can support young people in their spiritual journeys.

In Part One of our conversation with Angela Patterson from Springtide Research Institute. Our conversation explores the dynamic shifts in faith and spirituality among Gen Alpha and delves into the unique challenges and opportunities faced by this generation, including the influence of technology, mental health awareness, and the celebration of diversity.
Listen and here how these factors are reshaping spiritual practices and what it means for the future of faith communities. Join us for an insightful conversation that sets the stage for understanding the evolving spiritual landscape. 
In Part Two, coming soon, we discuss the lasting impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people, the importance of community, and what's working in youth ministry today. 
Thanks for listening!

Join Stephanie Peddicord and Maggie Smith as they welcome Seán Sanford, founder of the New Jersey Service Project, now known as Goodfaith. In this episode, Sean shares his journey from community organizing to founding a transformative organization that has impacted thousands of lives. Discover the power of encounter, the importance of relationality in faith, and how Catholic social teaching can be woven into everyday life.
Key Topics:
The origins of the New Jersey Service Project
The evolution of Good Faith and its mission
The role of encounter in bridging divides
Personal stories of transformation and impact
The intersection of Catholic social teaching and sacramental theology
"Encounter doesn't ask us to set aside our commitments; it asks us to bring our whole selves." "We need to continue to be in meaningful encounter with those on the margins."
 
#GoodFaith #CatholicSocialTeaching #Encounter #CommunityImpact

In part two of our conversation with Sharon Browning and Brenna McGinnis of Just Listening, we go deeper into the science behind what happens when we truly listen. Sharon and Brenna share insights from neuroscience and physiology—how deep listening shapes our brains, calms the nervous system, and builds empathy. We explore how the simple act of being present can become a practice of justice, healing, and transformation, both personally and collectively.
Whether you’re a ministry leader, teacher, parent, or simply someone who wants to show up more fully for others, this episode offers practical wisdom and inspiring reflection on how listening itself can be a radical act of love.
Learn more about Just Listening: https://justlistening.net