What happens when a lifelong Catholic discovers, for the first time, that God wants a personal relationship with her?

In this episode of Yes Catholic, David sits down with Vanessa Arianto, a recent University of British Columbia graduate who grew up Catholic in Indonesia, before moving to Vancouver for university in 2021. Looking for a Catholic community that felt like home, Vanessa found Catholic Christian Outreach (CCO) on campus, and her faith went from a Sunday checklist to a living relationship with Jesus.

Vanessa shares her first experience of Eucharistic Adoration at a CCO retreat in Whistler, where the parable of the Prodigal Son became her own story and she felt truly seen, known, and embraced by the Father.

At Rise Up Calgary, on the eve of a new season full of unknowns, Vanessa received an image in prayer of walking on water hand in hand with Jesus, and a question that surprised her: “Will you walk with me with confidence?” She shares how that word shaped what became the best year of her life, and how she now serves on CCO’s worship team, helping others encounter God through music.

If you’re struggling to trust God with your plans, or wondering whether to go to Rise Up, this conversation is for you.

“Trusting the Lord is something we learn little by little through our daily yes to Jesus.”

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We’re so grateful you joined us for this episode. If this story inspired you, be sure to like, share, and subscribe to keep saying Yes to Jesus with us.

Stay connected with the Yes Catholic community on Instagram and subscribe on YouTube @yes.catholic for more powerful testimonies and faith-filled content.

Your support helps us continue sharing stories and reaching people all over the world! Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

This episode of Yes Catholic is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors Truthly, Ascension, SacredSpark, and Tabella. Your partnership helps us continue sharing powerful testimonies and inspiring stories of faith.

Make room for daily prayer with Alto, Ascension’s monthly printed prayer companion. Explore upcoming editions and subscribe.

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Jackson Kiser grew up going to church but never believed in God. Through high school and college, being an atheist was part of his identity, and he even felt a quiet disdain for the “Jesus-happy” people around him. Then, at one of the lowest points of his life, he prayed a simple prayer: “Jesus, if you’re real, show up.” And He did.

In this episode, Jackson shares how that first encounter with grace led him to a Presbyterian church, then to an unexpected moment inside the Valencia Cathedral in Spain, where he felt drawn to the Catholic Church in a way he still can’t fully explain. He talks about wrestling through misconceptions about Mary, the saints, and Catholic worship, his experience in OCIA, being received into the Church at the Easter Vigil of 2026, and how a pilgrimage to Baltimore changed the way he sees the faith.

If you’ve ever felt that something is missing but you’re afraid to take the first step, this story is for you.

Follow Jackson on Instagram.

Send us some love!

Support the show

Thanks for Tuning in to Yes Catholic!

We’re so grateful you joined us for this episode. If this story inspired you, be sure to like, share, and subscribe to keep saying Yes to Jesus with us.

Stay connected with the Yes Catholic community on Instagram and subscribe on YouTube @yes.catholic for more powerful testimonies and faith-filled content.

Your support helps us continue sharing stories and reaching people all over the world! Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

This episode of Yes Catholic is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors Truthly, Ascension, SacredSpark, and Tabella. Your partnership helps us continue sharing powerful testimonies and inspiring stories of faith.

Make room for daily prayer with Alto, Ascension’s monthly printed prayer companion. Explore upcoming editions and subscribe.

...

Joel Robertson grew up worshipping in basements and living rooms in a Minnesota house church. Later, he was shaped by Reformed theology, and by then he was convinced that every Catholic was an idolater. Today he’s known online as “The Accidental Catholic.”

In this episode, Joel tells David about a mysterious encounter with God at his baptism when he was seven. He also shares how God reached him in a moment of despair at 13, and how he spent years touring rehab centers and detention facilities to give hope to others. Exposure to deep divisions among churches sent him into a crisis of faith. A Trent Horn debate showed him that belief in God could be intellectually trustworthy. Then Jesus’ prayer for unity in John’s Gospel sent him searching for the original Church.

Follow Joel on Instagram: @theaccidentalcatholic

Content note: This episode includes discussion of depression and a suicide attempt. If you’re struggling, please reach out to someone you trust or a local crisis line.

Send us some love!

Support the show

Thanks for Tuning in to Yes Catholic!

We’re so grateful you joined us for this episode. If this story inspired you, be sure to like, share, and subscribe to keep saying Yes to Jesus with us.

Stay connected with the Yes Catholic community on Instagram and subscribe on YouTube @yes.catholic for more powerful testimonies and faith-filled content.

Your support helps us continue sharing stories and reaching people all over the world! Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Thank You to Our Sponsors!

This episode of Yes Catholic is made possible by the generous support of our sponsors Truthly, Ascension, SacredSpark, and Tabella. Your partnership helps us continue sharing powerful testimonies and inspiring stories of faith.

Make room for daily prayer with Alto, Ascension’s monthly printed prayer companion. Explore upcoming editions and subscribe.

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