<![CDATA[Homeward by BigAppleCatholic]]>There is a road beneath the road we walk every day. A deeper story humming under the ordinary. This is where we follow that echo— through longing and laughter, beauty and ache — trusting that this life is leading somewhere, and to Someone, truer than we can yet see.

This is for those who love and ache a little like us in this world. Those who who like us are on Homeward road.

I am overjoyed to welcome as co-host my best friend, fellow artist, and G.K. Chesteron enthusiast, Katie Jones. I think you will love her just as much as I do.

We cannot wait to walk this new chapter with you by our side!!

Keep up with us @homeward.pod

Write us here: bigapplecatholic.com/contact

Or email us here: HomewardPodcastInfo@gmail.com

]]>https://www.bigapplecatholic.comRiverside.fm (https://riverside.com)Wed, 13 May 2026 22:39:31 GMTMon, 06 Apr 2026 19:59:27 GMT60Mariana and Katie<p>There is a road beneath the road we walk every day. A deeper story humming under the ordinary. This is where we follow that echo— through longing and laughter, beauty and ache — trusting that this life is leading somewhere, and to Someone, truer than we can yet see.</p><p>This is for those who love and ache a little like us in this world. Those who who like us are on Homeward road.</p><p>I am overjoyed to welcome as co-host my best friend, fellow artist, and G.K. Chesteron enthusiast, Katie Jones. I think you will love her just as much as I do.</p><p>We cannot wait to walk this new chapter with you by our side!!</p><p></p><p>Keep up with us <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/homeward.pod" target="_blank">@homeward.pod</a></p><p>Write us here: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://bigapplecatholic.com/contact" target="_blank">bigapplecatholic.com/contact</a></p><p>Or email us here: HomewardPodcastInfo@gmail.com</p>episodicMariana and Katiehomewardpodcastinfo@gmail.comno<![CDATA[What Does it Mean To Be Human? With Dr. Sarah Maple]]>In this conversation, Katie and I sit down with Dr. Sarah Maple to explore one of the most foundational questions we can ask: what does it mean to be human?

Together, we talk about the nature of being human, beauty, and the artistic vocation rooted in divine love. We delves into how beauty reveals our origin, purpose, and ultimate destiny, inviting all of us into a deeper wonder of life and creation.

We also reflect on original solitude and unity, the gift of the human heart, the role of wonder, and the quiet ways Christ calls us back to Himself through beauty, suffering, and love.

Dr. Maple’s work as a painter, theologian, and professor shines throughout this conversation, especially in the way she speaks about artists, beauty, and the human person with both intellectual depth and real tenderness. More than anything, we were struck by her attentiveness, wisdom, and the sense that these are questions she has truly lived with herself.

You can learn more about Dr. Maple, her upcoming book The Resurrection of Beauty (Saint Augustine Press), as well as her work through her Instagram at @dr.sarahmaple and her emerging project at lagiardina.org.

Takeaways

  • The meaning of being human in a disenchanted world
  • The role of beauty in revealing our divine origin and purpose
  • The artistic vocation as a response to divine love and creation

Chapters

  • 00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Humanity
  • 05:10 Exploring the Essence of Being Human
  • 09:07 The Role of Beauty in Human Existence
  • 14:00 Understanding Desire and Its Implications
  • 18:58 The Transcendentals: Beauty, Truth, and Goodness
  • 23:05 The Importance of Community and Dependency
  • 27:22 The Garden of Eden: A Blueprint for Humanity
  • 33:33 The Call to Love and Response
  • 37:06 Awakening to Enchantment
  • 39:44 Re-enchantment and Vulnerability
  • 43:34 The Art of Hospitality
  • 47:38 Experiencing Life's Enchantment
  • 53:18 The Journey of Being Human

As always, we would love to hear from you. You can follow along with us and stay in touch at @homeward.podcast and @bigapplecatholic.

You can also visit bigapplecatholic.com for more!

]]>80a9bb8e-dcbe-4aa8-80e1-5d1cffb9983cWed, 13 May 2026 09:00:00 GMT<p>In this conversation, Katie and I sit down with Dr. Sarah Maple to explore one of the most foundational questions we can ask: what does it mean to be human?</p><p></p><p>Together, we talk about the nature of being human, beauty, and the artistic vocation rooted in divine love. We delves into how beauty reveals our origin, purpose, and ultimate destiny, inviting all of us into a deeper wonder of life and creation.</p><p></p><p>We also reflect on original solitude and unity, the gift of the human heart, the role of wonder, and the quiet ways Christ calls us back to Himself through beauty, suffering, and love.</p><p></p><p>Dr. Maple’s work as a painter, theologian, and professor shines throughout this conversation, especially in the way she speaks about artists, beauty, and the human person with both intellectual depth and real tenderness. More than anything, we were struck by her attentiveness, wisdom, and the sense that these are questions she has truly lived with herself.</p><p></p><p>You can learn more about Dr. Maple, her upcoming book <i>The Resurrection of Beauty (Saint Augustine Press),</i> as well as her work through her Instagram at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/dr.sarahmaple" target="_blank">@dr.sarahmaple</a> and her emerging project at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://lagiardina.org" target="_blank">lagiardina.org</a>. </p><p></p><p>Takeaways</p><ul><li>The meaning of being human in a disenchanted world</li><li>The role of beauty in revealing our divine origin and purpose</li><li>The artistic vocation as a response to divine love and creation</li></ul><p></p><p>Chapters</p><ul><li>00:00 Introduction to the Journey of Humanity</li><li>05:10 Exploring the Essence of Being Human</li><li>09:07 The Role of Beauty in Human Existence</li><li>14:00 Understanding Desire and Its Implications</li><li>18:58 The Transcendentals: Beauty, Truth, and Goodness</li><li>23:05 The Importance of Community and Dependency</li><li>27:22 The Garden of Eden: A Blueprint for Humanity</li><li>33:33 The Call to Love and Response</li><li>37:06 Awakening to Enchantment</li><li>39:44 Re-enchantment and Vulnerability</li><li>43:34 The Art of Hospitality</li><li>47:38 Experiencing Life's Enchantment</li><li>53:18 The Journey of Being Human</li></ul><p></p><p>As always, we would love to hear from you. You can follow along with us and stay in touch at <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/homeward.pod" target="_blank">@homeward.podcast</a> and <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/bigapplecatholic" target="_blank">@bigapplecatholic.</a></p><p></p><p>You can also visit <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://bigapplecatholic.com" target="_blank">bigapplecatholic.com</a> for more!</p>no01:00:15What Does it Mean To Be Human? With Dr. Sarah Maplefull<![CDATA[We're All Just Trying to Get Home ]]>The day has finally come! We are so eager to start this new chapter with you and embark on the Homeward journey together. In this episode we give a glimpse of our heart behind this project, why we felt like we needed it for ourselves, and our hopes for everyone that will join us.

Thank you for being here. It is a privilege to walk this with you

xo

Mariana and Katie

Episode Guiding Quote:

"The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back."

— C. S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces

Major Points:

  • The significance of longing and wonder in faith
  • Building a community centered on beauty and truth
  • The journey of living with an open heart amidst pain
  • The role of art, story, and community in spiritual growth
  • Hope and vulnerability in the Christian life

Links Mentioned:

The best way to keep us with us right now is on Instagram! @homeward.pod

Otherwise feel free to reach out via bigapplecatholic.com we'd love to hear from you! <3

]]>4257a438-b426-48f7-859f-7ed35563cf18Tue, 28 Apr 2026 19:10:33 GMT<p>The day has finally come! We are so eager to start this new chapter with you and embark on the Homeward journey together. In this episode we give a glimpse of our heart behind this project, why we felt like we needed it for ourselves, and our hopes for everyone that will join us.</p><p></p><p>Thank you for being here. It is a privilege to walk this with you</p><p></p><p>xo</p><p>Mariana and Katie</p><p></p><p>Episode Guiding Quote:</p><p></p><p>"The sweetest thing in all my life has been the longing — to reach the Mountain, to find the place where all the beauty came from — my country, the place where I ought to have been born. Do you think it all meant nothing, all the longing? The longing for home? For indeed it now feels not like going, but like going back."</p><p></p><p>— C. S. Lewis, Till We Have Faces</p><p></p><p>Major Points:</p><ul><li>The significance of longing and wonder in faith</li><li>Building a community centered on beauty and truth</li><li>The journey of living with an open heart amidst pain</li><li>The role of art, story, and community in spiritual growth</li><li>Hope and vulnerability in the Christian life</li></ul><p></p><p><b>Links Mentioned:</b></p><p></p><ul><li>Mariana and Katie's infamous Irish Farms Vlog: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldjBfJqS9Uo" target="_blank">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ldjBfJqS9Uo</a></li><li>Go To The Limits of Your Longing Poem: <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://onbeing.org/poetry/go-to-the-limits-of-your-longing/" target="_blank">https://onbeing.org/poetry/go-to-the-limits-of-your-longing/</a></li></ul><p></p><p>The best way to keep us with us right now is on Instagram! <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="https://www.instagram.com/homeward.pod" target="_blank">@homeward.pod</a></p><p></p><p>Otherwise feel free to reach out via <a rel="noopener noreferrer nofollow" href="http://bigapplecatholic.com" target="_blank">bigapplecatholic.com</a> we'd love to hear from you! &lt;3</p><p></p><p></p>no01:00:111We're All Just Trying to Get Home full