In this heartfelt episode, Edmund, Emily, and special guest Edmundo Reyes reflect on the final paragraphs of the Catechism and five transformative years of Real+True. They explore the deeper meaning of the word “Amen” and how it connects us to Mary’s fiat, the heart of evangelization, and the ongoing mission of the Church. With touching personal stories, behind-the-scenes insights, and a look ahead at exciting new projects (including a new podcast series!), this episode is both a celebration of the past and an exciting look into the future. (We also want to thank another surprise special guest, JP Talty, for joining us later in the episode!

00:00

Edmund, Emily, and Edmundo reflect on the final Catechism paragraphs, focusing on the word “Amen” and its connection to Mary’s fiat. Emily shares a personal story about teaching her niece to say Amen, emphasizing how this small word carries deep spiritual meaning.

10:09

The team shares how Real+True was never about just making content—it was about mission. They reflect on the project's early vision, earning the patronage of the Holy See, and what they’ve learned through collaboration, creativity, and evangelizing catechesis.

19:05

The team shares favorite moments from the project, including a young viewer’s testimony about unlocking the graces of Confirmation and Edmund’s emotional experience hearing how his love for analogies helped others teach the faith. They also reflect on receiving Vatican recognition, the global impact of making the videos free, and Emily’s upcoming debut as a parish catechist using Real+True resources.

28:19

The team reflects on the personal impact of the project and its contributors. Edmund and Edmundo announce Phase 2: a new podcast and book series to help connect the Catechism to real-life topics, with Edmund working on a guide for catechists and everyday Catholics.

37:43

The team wraps up with gratitude — reflecting on the community behind Real+True and the personal transformations it sparked, inviting listeners to stay tuned for the next exciting phase.

An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

00:00 Emily and Edmund kick off the episode by introducing the sixth and seventh petitions: “Lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil”. They explore how modern generations oscillate between moral relativism and hyper-vigilance about right and wrong, despite many still praying regularly. This sets the stage for examining how the Catechism helps us discern objective morality amid today’s shifting cultural views.

08:08 Edmund and Emily show how over-intellectualizing the Faith led to two extremes, either thinking we can resist temptation on our own (Pelagianism) or feeling powerless without special election (Jansenism). These often show up today as indifference or scrupulosity. They unpack the Greek roots of “lead us not into temptation,” noting it means both “don’t let us enter” and “don’t let us yield,” and encourage praying for God’s help to trust His will and avoid yielding to temptation.

15:46 Edmund and Emily emphasize that temptation isn’t sinful, only yielding to it is. They encourage humility and reliance on God’s grace instead of shame. Using everyday examples like marital frustrations over an unloaded dishwasher, they show how praying for virtues (e.g., patience) can help in the midst of temptation. They highlight the Catechism’s wisdom on discernment, distinguishing growth-forming trials from temptations that lead to sin and discuss the importance of avoiding both indifference and scrupulosity.

22:15 Edmund and Emily illustrate how charity and community can justly take precedence over strict observance, reminding us that relationship trumps anxious rule-keeping. They stress discernment in distinguishing between trials and temptations. The motto: “rules without relationship lead to rebellion,” highlights the heart’s posture in prayer.

28:05 Edmund and Emily wrap up with practical tips for catechists: integrate the Ten Commandments into prayer by guiding an examination of conscience that moves beyond a checklist to a heartfelt dialogue with God. They stress honest, heart-level prayer and bringing specific struggles before Jesus, asking for grace so that doctrine informs our lived encounter, not just intellectual assent.

An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.

In this episode of the Real+True Podcast, hosts Edmund Mitchell and Emily Mentock dive into the complexities of forgiveness as reflected in the Lord's Prayer. They discuss the importance of understanding the catechism's teachings on forgiveness, exploring common myths and misconceptions of mercy. The conversation includes practical advice for implementing forgiveness in daily life and how to understand forgiveness in relation to reconciliation.

(00:00) Edmund and Emily introduce the episode, focused on the petition "Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us" from the Lord's Prayer. They discuss how this short but powerful petition invites deep reflection on common misconceptions around forgiveness.

(10:25) Edmund and Emily debunk the idea that forgiveness is just an emotional release, using neuroscience to show how it reshapes our brain’s response to anger and resentment. They clarify that true forgiveness doesn’t excuse wrongdoing but extends honest mercy while upholding justice.

(17:50) Edmund and Emily explain that forgiveness doesn’t excuse the wrong or erase the memory, but frees our hearts by letting go of demands on the offender. They note that reconciliation is valuable but only possible when both parties choose it.

(28:19) Edmund and Emily explore how forgiveness and reconciliation can diverge, noting that while full restoration isn’t always possible, we’re called to discern when to pursue peace and when to set healthy boundaries. They illustrate how “willing the good” of others—whether in marriages or teen friendships—lets us extend mercy even when relationships change.

(39:10) Edmund and Emily show that accepting mercy is strength, not weakness, and invite the prayer “Jesus, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” They close with a “forgiveness examine,” using Gospel truths and Ignatian visualization to lay resentments on the cross and embrace God’s healing.

(49:14) Edmund and Emily close by describing a powerful Ignatian-style meditation of visualizing your hurts placed on the cross and transformed by Christ. They encourage listeners to engage mind, heart, and the senses in prayer to unblock forgiveness and receive God’s mercy. Finally, they invite everyone to revisit earlier Catechism teachings on reconciliation and join them online at realtrue.org to continue exploring the faith.

An OSV Podcasts partner. Discover more ways to live, learn, and love your Catholic faith at osvpodcasts.com. Sharing stories, starting conversations.