Son Rise Morning Show 2025.12.11

Son Rise Morning Show 2025.12.11

Author: Sacred Heart Radio December 11, 2025 Duration: 3:00:01

Happy feast of Pope St. Damasus I! On today’s show, Matt Swaim welcomes Mike Aquilina to discuss the life and witness of one of the most influential popes of the early Church. Other guests include Rita Heikenfeld to discuss Rosemary on Bible Foods, and pastoral counselor Kevin Prendergast with tips on keeping a journal for prayer or personal growth. Plus news, weather, sports, and more…

*****

Prayer of St. John Chrysostom

O Lord Jesus Christ, open the eyes of my heart that I may hear your Word,and understand and do your will, for I am a sojourner upon the Earth.Hide not your commandments from me, but open my eyes, that I may perceive the wonders of your Law.Speak unto me the hidden and secret things of your wisdom.On you do I set my hope, O my God, that you shall enlighten my mind and understanding with the light of your knowledge; not only to cherish those things which are written, but to do them;For you are the enlightenment of those who lie in darkness, and from you comes every good deed and every gift. Amen.

*****

John Knutsen and the Retirement Fund for Religious are online at retiredreligious.org.

*****

RECIPES FROM RITA: GOAT CHEESE LOG WITH CRANBERRIES, PINE NUTS AND ROSEMARY

The cranberries lend a sweetness to the pungent goat cheese. The nuts, herbs and pepper add more elements of flavor.

Ingredients
1 log, 8 oz., plain goat cheese/Chevre
2 oz. cream cheese
1/8 teaspoon cayenne pepper powder or 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/2 cup dried cranberries, chopped fine
2-3 tablespoons pine nuts, toasted (toasting optional)
Palmful fresh parsley, minced
2-3 teaspoons fresh or dried rosemary, chopped
Crackers, flat bread or French baguettes
Instructions
Mix goat, cream cheese and pepper together.
Place on a square of plastic wrap and roll up, enclosing in plastic wrap as you go. Shape into a 7-8” log. This can be done a day ahead.
Mix cranberries, nuts, parsley and rosemary together.
Roll log in cranberry mixture, coating all sides and pressing gently to make mixture stick.
Cover and refrigerate 1 hour or up to 12 hours. Serve with crackers or bread.

Tip:
Toast pine nuts in a dry, nonstick skillet over low heat for just a few minutes. Stir the nuts often, until you see little blotches of brown on them.

Can’t seem to make a smooth log? After rolling in plastic wrap, place in a piece of paper towel cardboard insert cut to fit the roll. With a back and forth motion, continue to roll the log until smooth.

BONUS RECIPE: GOAT CHEESE WITH SUNDRIED TOMATO TAPENADE

Mix together, make a trough along the top of the goat cheese log (to hold the topping) and pour the mixture into the trough and over a log (6-8 oz) goat cheese:

1/4 cup sundried tomatoes
1 tablespoon fresh rosemary
1 Roma tomato, seeded and diced
1/2 teaspoon minced garlic or more to taste
1 tablespoon pine nuts (opt)
1 tablespoon parsley, minced (opt)
Olive oil – enough to make a nice topping – start with 2-3 tablespoons
Serve with Baguette or crackers.

*****

Full list of guests

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.


Each weekday morning, the lively voices of Anna Mitchell and Matt Swaim fill the air on the Son Rise Morning Show, offering a unique blend of daily news, thoughtful conversation, and spiritual grounding. This isn't just another talk program; it's a morning routine built around a Catholic worldview, designed to inform and motivate as the day begins. Tuning in feels like joining a thoughtful discussion with friends who are keenly aware of the world's events, its needs, and the deeper questions behind the headlines. The pace is energetic, moving seamlessly from current events to interviews with authors, theologians, and community leaders, all while weaving in moments for prayer and reflection. Whether you're starting your commute or your first cup of coffee, this podcast delivers substance and perspective, connecting faith to everyday life in business, non-profit work, and personal spirituality. It’s that rare morning show that engages both the mind and the spirit, making the hours from six to eight Eastern Time a purposeful launch to the day. You'll find the Son Rise Morning Show to be a consistent source of insight and encouragement, a program where information and inspiration meet.
Author: Language: en-us Episodes: 100

Son Rise Morning Show
Podcast Episodes
Son Rise Morning Show  2026.01.22 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:01
Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome pastoral counselor Kevin Prendergast to discuss developing virtuous habits in the new year. Other guests include Dr. John Bergsma from the St. Paul Cent…
Son Rise Morning Show  2026.01.21 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:01
Happy feast of St. Agnes of Rome! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Mike Aquilina to discuss the impact her martyrdom had in changing the perception of Rome towards Christians. Other guests include Ka…
Son Rise Morning Show  2026.01.20 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:01
Happy feast of St. Sebastian! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell discuss his patronage of athletes and soldiers. Guests include Fr. Boniface Hicks with more thoughts on personal prayer from the saints, and Ste…
Son Rise Morning Show  2026.01.19 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:01
Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Fr. John Gavin, S.J., to share more thoughts from the Church Fathers on Christian maturity. Other guests include Kevin Schmiesing with This Week in Cath…
Son Rise Morning Show 2026.01.16 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:01
Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Andrew Petiprin to talk about the problem of tribalism among Catholics. Other guests include Bobby Schindler from the Life and Hope Network, and Fr. Hez…
Son Rise Morning Show 2026.01.15 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:01
Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Courtney Brown from Ruah Woods to share more reflections on Artificial Intelligence through the lens of Theology of the Body. Other guests include Gary…
Son Rise Morning Show 2026.01.14 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:00
Happy feast of St. Devasahayam Pillai! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell discuss the life of this Christian martyr from India. Guests include Gary Zimak on what St. Peter teaches us about trusting Jesus, and…
Son Rise Morning Show 2026.01.13 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:00
Happy feast of St. Hilary of Poitiers! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Mike Aquilina to discuss his legacy as a Doctor of the Church. Other guests include Bishop David Ricken to share updates on the…
Son Rise Morning Show 2026.01.12 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:00
Happy feast of St. Aelred of Rivaulx! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Dr. John Cuddeback to reflect on St. Aelred’s wisdom regarding Christian friendship. Other guests include Dr. Matthew Bunson to…
Son Rise Morning Show 2026.01.09 [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 3:00:00
Good morning! On today’s show, Matt Swaim and Anna Mitchell welcome Dr. Matthew Bunson to look at Pope Leo’s extraordinary consistory of Cardinals at the Vatican. Other guests include Andrew Petiprin on why Catholicism s…