JP2 Morning Crew

Embracing Our Journey: Will Peterson on Faith, Philanthropy, and Homecoming

In this episode featuring Will Peterson, the newly appointed Executive Director of the Catholic Community Foundation of San Diego, hosts Brandon Clark and Raul Caro discuss Will's return to San Diego and his role at the foundation. The episode delves into Will's upbringing in a devout Catholic family, his journey through education and non-profit work, and his current focus on philanthropy. Key topics include the operational aspects of the Catholic Community Foundation, the importance of donor-advised funds, and the foundation's commitment to aligning with Catholic ethical standards. The show wraps up with Will sharing his enthusiasm for upcoming community projects and a brief look forward to the next episode, which will reflect on JP2 Radio's highlights from the year 2024.

Jason Evert on Chastity, Gender, and Living God's Plan for Love

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and John Prust welcome Jason Evert, founder of the Chastity Project. Together, they explore meaningful topics such as living out chastity, addressing gender confusion with compassion and clarity, and preparing families for holy relationships rooted in God's love.

The Power of Purity: Jason Evert's Mission to Inspire Teens and Families

Join Brandon Clark on JP2 Morning Crew for a special Thanksgiving week episode filled with gratitude, inspiration, and exciting announcements. In this episode:
A Season of Thanksgiving: Reflections on gratitude from host Brandon Clark, Fr. John Amsberry, and guests John and Jenny Larrea.
A Gift to San Diego: John and Jenny share the journey of organizing an upcoming event featuring world-renowned Catholic speaker Jason Evert.
Empowering Teens and Families: Discussions on chastity, theology of the body, and addressing today’s challenges of gender identity with clarity, love, and hope.
Why This Event Matters: Fr. John Amsberry emphasizes the beauty of God’s plan for human love and offers words of healing and encouragement.
Event Details: Learn about Jason Evert's talks on December 8th at St. Charles Borromeo Parish in San Diego, including ticketing and the event's broader impact on the community.

Building Bridges: Connecting Adults Through Faith in San Diego

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, Brandon Clark and Eddie Madueno sit down with Nancy Wesseln, Director of the San Diego Catholic Adult Community, to explore how Catholic adults of all ages can find community, faith, and connection in San Diego.

Building Holiness Through Habits with Drago Dimitrov

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and Eddie Madueno sit down with Drago Dimitrov, founder of the Holy Habits app. Drago shares his journey in creating a unique Catholic app designed to help users develop virtues and break from sin through structured, daily habits. Together, they discuss how Holy Habits integrates Catholic spirituality with habit-building practices, providing a personalized roadmap to sanctity.
Drago explains the app’s features, such as customized habit tracking, daily gospel reminders, and group accountability tools that make spiritual growth accessible even in busy schedules. He emphasizes the importance of progressing in our faith journey, supported by God’s grace and reinforced by small, consistent actions. The app even includes a confession log and connects users to spiritual directors, making it an all-encompassing tool for growth in holiness. Listeners are encouraged to download the app and use it as a practical aid to deepen their relationship with Christ.

Reviving Faith Through the Eucharist: A Conversation with Deacon Steve Greco

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and Rob Goodell welcome Deacon Steve Greco from the Diocese of Orange for an inspiring discussion on the power of the Eucharist and the film, Jesus Thirst: The Miracle of the Eucharist. Deacon Steve shares his journey as a deacon, author, and evangelist, emphasizing the transformative impact of the Eucharist in leading souls to Christ. They discuss the success of Jesus Thirst, a film that has reached countless people worldwide, inspiring conversions and deepening faith in the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist.
Key themes include the mission of the Catholic Church to foster a revival of Eucharistic devotion, the impact of evangelization on Catholics and non-Catholics alike, and the profound importance of Eucharistic adoration. Deacon Greco encourages all Catholics to actively share their faith and invite others to experience the life-changing power of the Mass and adoration. For those interested, Jesus Thirst can be screened in local parishes, with DVDs available for the holiday season.

Exploring the Saints in Eucharistic Prayer I with Deacon Frank Reilly

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, Brandon Clark and Raul Caro welcome back Deacon Frank Reilly for an insightful conversation on the saints mentioned in Eucharistic Prayer I, especially fitting as we approach the solemnity of All Saints. They dive into the history and meaning of Eucharistic Prayer I, discuss why certain saints are included, and recount the inspiring lives of these holy men and women, including apostles, martyrs, and notable figures like St. Lawrence and St. Cecilia. Deacon Frank also shares personal anecdotes and emphasizes the importance of saints as role models of faith and courage.
Listeners are encouraged to reflect on these saints’ lives, which exemplify resilience, dedication to faith, and the ability to face hardship with grace. The show wraps up with an invitation to JP2 Radio's annual dinner on November 15, featuring Deacon Harold Burke-Sivers.

The Joy of Confession: Embracing God’s Mercy with Deacon Frank Reilly

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, host Brandon Clark welcomes Deacon Frank Reilly from Our Lady of Mount Carmel Parish in Rancho Peñasquitos to discuss one of Deacon Reilly’s favorite topics, The Joy of Confession. This episode delves deep into the Sacrament of Confession, helping listeners understand its true purpose and spiritual benefits.

A Journey to Faith: From Evangelical Christian to Catholic Seminarian

In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and Father Ed Horning are joined by special guest John Murcko, a second-year seminarian for the Diocese of San Diego. John shares his inspiring journey of faith, beginning with his upbringing in an evangelical Christian home and his eventual conversion to Catholicism. He reflects on the search for reverence and depth in his spiritual life, which led him to discover the beauty of the Eucharist and the Catholic Church.

Whispering Winds: Building a Community for Families with Special Needs

Show Notes:
In this episode of JP2 Morning Crew, hosts Brandon Clark and Martin Rosales are joined by special guest Stephanie Kiesel, a special needs attorney and a driving force behind the Whispering Winds Special Needs Family Camp. Together, they explore how Whispering Winds Camp has created a unique retreat environment that serves families with children who have special needs.
Key Discussion Points:
Introduction to Whispering Winds Camp and Conference Center: Martin Rosales, Executive Director, shares the success of their summer programs and the unique impact Whispering Winds has on all who visit, with a special focus on creating family memories in nature.
Stephanie Kiesel’s Journey: As a special needs attorney and a board member at Whispering Winds, Stephanie discusses her background, how she felt called to advocate for families with special needs, and her work in launching the Special Needs Family Camp in 2013.
Impact on Families with Special Needs: The camp provides a rare opportunity for entire families, including neurotypical siblings and special needs children, to bond in a supportive and inclusive environment. Stephanie highlights heartwarming stories, including the perspective of neurotypical siblings who find new understanding and joy through their experience at camp.
Expansion in 2025: Whispering Winds will introduce a second weekend dedicated to families with young adults (ages 18 and older) who have special needs, recognizing the continued importance of community and family activities as these children grow older.
Volunteer Opportunities and Scholarships: Whispering Winds provides one-on-one "buddies" for special needs children, and the program is supported by volunteers and financial donations that allow families to attend through scholarships.