Chris Bartlett
Co-Host of The Catholic Dad Show
Hometown: Round Rock, TX
Ministry at Ablaze: Director of Leadership Formation
Education:
MA Theology, St. Mary University-San Antonio
BA Theology with Religious Education Concentration, Franciscan University of Steubenville
BA Business, Marketing, Franciscan University of Steubenville
Ministry Background: It was the spring of my 8th-grade year on a retreat where my relationship with Christ and His Church became personal and real. Since that time, God has been gently calling my gifts into ministry. I served on retreat teams in High School & College and was blessed by an amazing internship in youth ministry. After graduation, I was hired as the Director of Youth Ministry at St. Thomas Aquinas in College Station. It was an amazing season of growth. In 2008, I become the Director of Youth, Young Adult, and Campus Ministry at the Diocese of Austin. This is where ministry leadership became a professional passion. In 2011, I returned to parish ministry as the Director of Youth Ministry at St. William Catholic Church in Round Rock and have been there since.
Passion & Interests: I delight in my family and love playing with my kids. I enjoy guitar, soccer, and Monday Night Game Night (ask me about it). I’m a bit of a nerd and my board game collection continues to grow.
How did you become involved with Ablaze? Next Level Ministry was founded along the way as the desire to share the vision of ministry broadened beyond my parish position. I see so many ministry leaders suffering and some leaving the church. This had to change. Next Level Ministry has been building ministry leaders and fostering excellence throughout the country for over 6 years! Next Level encountered Ablaze a couple of years after it’s founding. Ablaze desired to pour more intentionally into ministry leaders and choose to partner, not compete. This partnership has grown into the 360 approach of Youth Ministry that makes Ablaze Ministries so successful. I am humbled and honored to stand with the amazing ministry leaders in the Ablaze Ministries family.
Favorite Quotes and Verses:
The Hemorrhaging Woman (Mark’s account) and the Road to Emmaus in Luke can rock my spiritual world.
“Apathy is a bigger threat to the church today than heresy” – Chris Bartlett
Chris Bartlett has hosted 59 Episodes.
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Season 1 Finale
December 14th, 2023 | 17 mins 25 secs
ablaze families, ablaze ministries, catholic, catholic dad, chris bartlett, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, matt rice
Chris & Matt wrap up Season 1 of the Catholic Dad Show. They announce that they are taking a break, reminisce on their favorite moments from their first 50 episodes & ask for your help in crafting Season 2!
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Gratitude w/ Fr. Deus
November 30th, 2023 | 31 mins 8 secs
ablaze families, ablaze ministries, catholic, catholic dad, chris bartlett, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, fr deus, gratitude, latrines, matt rice, uganda
In this episode of the Catholic Dad Show, Matt & Chris are joined by a special guest, Fr. Deus. Fr. Deus is a visiting priest from Uganda that Matt met when he brought his two oldest boys there on a mission trip. While there, Matt got to see the treasure of the faith that the people in Uganda have, while seeing the great need for simple necessities, like latrines. Matt, Chris, and Fr. Deus discuss gratitude and how to open our children’s eyes to the many blessings they’re surrounded by.
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Catholic Dad Checkup
November 16th, 2023 | 29 mins 49 secs
ablaze families, ablaze ministries, catholic, catholic dad, chris bartlett, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, matt rice, parenting
Is it time for a check-up on how you’re doing as a father? What does that check-up look like? Matt & Chris give 5 areas to evaluate and make you an even better father to your children.
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Is Your Family An Idol?
November 2nd, 2023 | 31 mins 33 secs
catholic, catholic dad, dad, dad podcast, family, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, idols, parenting
A recent viral post has Matt & Chris thinking about the rightful place the family has in your life as a Catholic Dad. Is your family placed above Christ in your life? How can you evaluate if Christ is the priority? Find out in this week’s episode of the Catholic Dad Show!
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Eucharistic Revival (Part 2) with Fr. Tim Anastos
October 19th, 2023 | 29 mins 58 secs
catholic, catholic dad, catholic revival, catholicism, dad, dad podcast, eucharist, eucharistic revival, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, fr tim anastos, usccb
Matt & Chris are back to continue discussing the Eucharistic Revival. This time, they’re joined by Fr. Tim Anastos, a USCCB Eucharistic Preacher. They talk about what the Eucharistic Revival means for you, as a Catholic Dad, and your family. Your intimate relationship with God is the most important step in forming your children to have a relationship with the Lord.
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3 things a Punk Rock Show taught me for Catholic Dads!
October 5th, 2023 | 33 mins 10 secs
catholic, catholic dad, concerts, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, punk rock, punk rock dad
Only Chris Bartlett could leave the concert of a small punk rock band with several lessons he wants to share with Catholic Dads. He and Matt discuss bringing your kids to a punk rock concert and how the Holy Spirit moves even there. This episode is for all the punk rock dads.
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Euchastic Revival with Fr. Brian Welter
September 21st, 2023 | 35 mins 50 secs
catholic, catholic dad, dad, dad podcast, eucharist, eucharistic revival, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast
There’s a Eucharistic Revival happening in America right now. Chris & Matt interview Fr. Brian about what the Eucharistic Revival is and what to do about it as a Catholic Dad.
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Episode 49: What every parent needs to know about AI Chat GPT
September 7th, 2023 | 37 mins 12 secs
ai, ai and parenting, catholic, catholic dad, chat gpt, chat gpt school, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast
Is Chat AI taking over? How should we view it morally? In what capacity should our children have access to using it? These are just a few questions that Matt & Chris discuss in today’s episode.
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Simplicity
August 24th, 2023 | 31 mins 34 secs
ablaze ministries, catholic, catholic dad, chris bartlett, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, matt rice, simple living, simplicity
Matt & Chris talk about ways to bring about simplicity in our lives. They share practical tips and examples of what they have practiced in their own families.
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The Duggar Documentary "Shiny Happy People" | Part 2
August 10th, 2023 | 32 mins 41 secs
ablaze ministries, catholic, catholic dad, catholic homeschool, catholic parenting, chris bartlett, dad, dad podcast, duggars, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, matt rice, shiny happy people
Chris and Matt have more to discuss about the Amazon Prime show “Shiny Happy People: Duggar Family Secrets.” This time, they discuss big families, what childhood and responsibility should look like, pros and cons of homeschooling, and the role of the father in protecting their children’s purity.
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The Duggar Documentary "Shiny Happy People" | Part 1
July 27th, 2023 | 32 mins 21 secs
catholic, catholic dad, catholic parenting, dad, dad podcast, duggar, duggar documentary, duggars, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, shiny happy people
Have you seen the Amazon Prime show “Shiny Happy Family: Duggar Family Secrets”? In this episode, Matt and Chris come ready to dive into the truths and lies involving Christianity and the Duggars that they saw in the 4 episodes of the show.
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Saints Alive w/ Alex Dee
July 13th, 2023 | 35 mins 3 secs
alex dee, catholic, catholic dad, catholic parenting, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, saints alive
Chris speaks with Alex Dee, a husband, father, actor, & “swiss army knife.” Alex is the co-founder of the Saints Alive podcast, which takes the lives of the saints and turns them into audio dramas to inspire children of today. Chris & Alex discuss the story behind the podcast, how “Saints Alive” is a great resource for your children, and our call to sainthood.
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Dealing with Miscarriage as a Dad
June 29th, 2023 | 31 mins 30 secs
catholic, catholic dad, catholic parenting, dad, dad podcast, dealing with miscarriage, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, miscarriage, pregnancy
This episode of The Catholic Dad Show focuses on what it’s like to be a husband and father during a miscarriage. Chris & Matt share how they personally responded and give advice for those experiencing this tragedy or know someone who is.
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Unexpected Places for Pro-Parenting Tips
June 15th, 2023 | 31 mins 16 secs
ablaze ministries, catholic, catholic dad, catholic parenting, chris bartlett, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, matt rice, parenting
Matt and Chris discuss moments in which some of the best parental advice has come when they were least expecting it. They dive deeper into what to do with that parental advice & determining if it is worth implementing it into your own family.
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Catholic Dads Review Exodus 90
June 1st, 2023 | 31 mins 11 secs
catholic, catholic dad, catholic manhood, catholic men, dad, dad podcast, e90, exodus 90, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast
Matt & Chris have both participated in Exodus 90 and talk about the good, the bad and ugly of the program.
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How to Fight for Great Faith Formation for your Kids
May 18th, 2023 | 31 mins 5 secs
catholic, catholic dad, catholic parenting, chris bartlett, dad, dad podcast, father, fatherhood, fatherhood podcast, matt rice, sacramental prep, sacraments
This episode of The Catholic Dad Show focuses on how to advocate for great faith formation for your kids, especially during the sacramental prep process. Chris and Matt break down how best to partner with a parish to help your child grow in their faith & what you can do as a parent to prepare your children at home.