Called with Fr. Mike Schmitz brings you powerful stories of ordinary people living extraordinary lives of service.
Hosted by Fr. Mike Schmitz and brought to you by The Catholic Initiative in partnership with Ascension, each episode features real conversations with individuals who have answered God’s call to serve others—from teachers and entrepreneurs to parents and community leaders.
Whether you’re seeking inspiration for your own journey or looking for practical ways to live your faith, Called will challenge you to see service not as obligation, but as invitation.
This podcast transforms stories into action and belief into boldness.
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Meet the Host
Fr. Mike Schmitz is a Catholic priest of the Diocese of Duluth and one of the most trusted voices in Catholic media today. Host of the #1 religion podcast The Bible in a Year, Father Mike has guided millions of listeners through Scripture with his approachable teaching style and genuine passion for helping people encounter Jesus. He serves as chaplain at the University of Minnesota Duluth, where he has ministered to college students for over 15 years. Through his work with Ascension, including The Catechism in a Year and Ascension Presents, Fr. Mike continues to make Catholic teaching accessible to audiences worldwide. His message is simple: faith isn’t just something we believe—it’s something we live.
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The Catholic Initiative is a nonprofit organization dedicated to renewing the Church and serving those most in need through creativity, courage, and love. Working primarily in underserved communities, The Catholic Initiative restores parishes, supports Catholic schools, and empowers local leaders to create lasting change. Their mission extends beyond physical renewal to spiritual and digital evangelization, recognizing that authentic Catholic witness requires both action and accessibility. Through strategic partnerships and innovative approaches, The Catholic Initiative works to ensure that the Gospel message reaches every corner of society, transforming communities one relationship at a time.
Ascension is a leading Catholic media company with nearly two decades of experience in digital evangelization and content production. Home to bestselling Catholic resources and top-ranked podcasts including The Bible in a Year and The Catechism in a Year, Ascension has been collaborating with Fr. Mike Schmitz for over ten years across numerous high-impact projects. Through their multimedia platform, publishing house, and educational programs, Ascension reaches millions of people worldwide, making Catholic teaching accessible, engaging, and transformative. Their mission is to inspire and equip Catholics to live their faith with confidence and joy, meeting people wherever they are in their spiritual journey.
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