The UnCommon Good with Bo Bonner and Dr. Bud Marr

A Life of Showing Up: Why Fathers Matter and What Keeps Cradle Catholics in the Faith

Episode Summary

With Bo Bonner under the weather, Dr. Bud Marr welcomes Joe Stopulos, host of Man Up, for a wide-ranging and heartfelt conversation about growing up Catholic, the influence of faithful fathers, and how lived faith shapes family, vocation, and parish life.

Episode Notes

On this special episode of The Uncommon Good, Dr. Bud Marr is joined by Joe Stopulos, host of Man Up, for a candid and engaging discussion about the spiritual journey of a cradle Catholic. Joe reflects on growing up in a large Catholic family, the quiet power of faithful parents, and how simply “showing up” to Mass formed a lasting foundation of belief.

The conversation explores the importance of fathers in passing on the faith, the challenges and blessings of Catholic life in the 1990s, and how Joe’s faith deepened in adulthood through parish life, Scripture study, Catholic radio, and the influence of Fr. John Ricardo. Joe also shares the story behind the founding of Man Up and the vibrancy he sees today in the Diocese of Des Moines.

This episode is a thoughtful reflection on how ordinary faithfulness can bear extraordinary fruit — in families, parishes, and the wider Church.

Man Up with Joe Stopulos: https://manup.simplecast.com

The Uncommon Good: https://theuncommongood.simplecast.com

Iowa Catholic Radio: https://iowacatholicradio.com