ChatCTK is a podcast exploring life and faith at Christ the King Catholic Church in Nashville, Tennessee. Hosted by Jon Stotts, CTK director of adult faith formation, ChatCTK will feature interviews with folks around Christ the King's community about their experiences of God, Catholicism, and faith in everyday life.  

EPISODE 6 - Carolyn Goddard on Centering Prayer

In this episode, we are joined by longtime parishioner Carolyn Goddard, who for many years facilitated centering prayer and lectio divina groups here at Christ the King. We talk about the practice of centering prayer, how it fits in with other forms of prayer, and the importance of silence in the spiritual life.

EPISODE 5 - Fr. Dexter Brewer on Conscience

In this episode, we are joined by CTK pastor Fr. Dexter Brewer, who recently led two Sunday morning adult education sessions on conscience in Catholic teaching and practice. We talk about the importance of conscience, the importance of listening to that quiet voice within, and the struggles that Catholics often have over matters of conscience. 

EPISODE 4 - Richard Rodgers on Dream Work

In this episode, we are joined by Christ the King parishioner Richard Rodgers, who facilitates a monthly dream group here at the parish. We talk about the significance of our nighttime dreaming, and Richard describes his experience with dream work, the practice of sharing one’s dreams with a group in order to uncover what our deeper selves, our angels, or even God might be telling us.

>EPISODE 3 - Fr. Dexter on the Easter Triduum

In this episode, Fr. Dexter Brewer returns to talk about the Easter Triduum. We discuss his favorite parts of these most holy days of our liturgical year, and he reflects on the nature of liturgy and why these solemn rituals are so powerful.

EPISODE 2 - Margaret Emsweller on Not Grieving Alone

In this episode, we welcome Christ the King’s pastoral care coordinator, Margaret Emsweller. We discuss the parish’s grief ministry, a resource for those who have lost loved ones, and she talks about her own journey through grief. I’ll offer a content warning for our listeners: we do discuss pregnancy loss, the loss of adult children, and the loss of spouses. If you are in need of support during a difficult time, you can contact Margaret Emsweller at margaret.emsweller@ctk-nashville.org.

EPISODE 1 - Fr. Dexter on Lent

In this episode, Fr. Dexter Brewer talks all about Lent. We discuss the purpose of our Lenten fast and how it all leads up to the Easter Triduum, and he shares some tips for anyone trying to decide what to give up for Lent. We also mention the upcoming Christ the King Lenten retreat, facilitated by Fr. Dexter, in the church at 6pm on Monday, February 26th and Tuesday February 27th. This retreat is hosted by the Women’s Council and open to all parishioners

EPISODE 10

In episode ten, we are joined by Fr. Dexter Brewer, pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church, to talk about the season of Advent. We discuss Christmas lights, the liturgical significance of light and silence, and the art of doing less – not more – in our spiritual lives. 

EPISODE 9

In episode nine, we are joined by Christ the King parishioner Staci Roccasalva, founder of Let’s Work Happier, a coaching service that helps busy professionals avoid burnout and regain a spiritual perspective on their life and work. Staci talks about her journey from corporation to coaching, the value of silence, and the role of the parish in a balanced spiritual life.

EPISODE 8

In our eighth episode, we are joined again by Fr. Dexter Brewer, pastor of Christ the King Catholic Church, to discuss the upcoming Sunday gospel. We talk about what it means to love God, why loving our neighbor is an integral part of this, and how we know when we have successfully fulfilled the two greatest commandments.

EPISODE 7

In our seventh episode, we are joined by Fr. Mark Sappenfield, Christ the King’s associate pastor and priest of the diocese of Nashville for 15 years. Fr. Mark shares a little bit about what motivated him to become a priest and the tremendous opportunities to accompany people that priestly ministry has afforded him. We also discuss the psalms, the practice of daily prayer, and how the eucharistic sacrifice incorporates us all as one body, rejoicing and suffering together.

EPISODE 6

In our sixth episode, we are joined by Christ the King parishioner Beth Brown, who recently completed the Camino Portugues, a pilgrimage that took her up the coast of Portugal to Santiago de Compostela. We talk about what pilgrimage is, and Beth shares stories from the camino along with some of the spiritual insights that her journey revealed.

EPISODE 5

In our fifth episode, Fr. Dexter returns to discuss the Sunday gospel (Matthew 16:21-27), in which Peter’s confession of faith last week is followed by his immediate misunderstanding of who Jesus is and what Jesus has come to do. We reflect on the importance of losing one’s life in order to find it, on what Fr. Dexter has come to cherish about his own life, and some tips for anyone who might be considering the priesthood.


EPISODE 4

In our fourth episode, we're back for another insightful conversation with our pastor, Fr. Dexter Brewer. Our focus this week is on the upcoming Sunday gospel (Matthew 15:21-28), a startling passage in which Jesus resists a woman's plea for her daughter's healing. We'll be diving into discussions about Jesus’s understanding of his mission, the essence of law, and the importance of a God who puts people before precepts.

EPISODE 3

This episode features Christ the King parishioner Justin Brinkley. Justin grew up in the Church of Christ denomination, and his love for the Bible led him on a journey into the Catholic Church. In his relatively short time here at Christ the King, Justin has been very active – you might have encountered him at a Credo Bible study, as an RCIA catechist, at Room in the Inn, or teaching Sunday morning adult education. Today, Justin shares a little bit about this journey, what the Scriptures mean to him, and what role they can play in the life of ordinary Catholics.

Want to hear more from Justin? Click here to view his 2023 CTK series "Saint Paul: Person, Pastor, Prophet."

In our second episode we return again to chat with the pastor of Christ the King, Fr. Dexter Brewer. We talk about the parable of the weeds and the wheat in this Sunday's gospel, and the importance of letting go of our control over the good and evil that arises in the midst of living.