(taped in person in Baltimore 04/12/07)

BIO: Mike Carotta is an author, teacher and nationally renowned speaker, having worked with adolescents and their spiritual growth in educational, pastoral and clinical settings for more than twenty-five years. Recently, Mike has written Have Faith: Sustaining the Spirit for Confirmation and Beyond and co-authored with Jack Shea the Lincoln Park mystery (and spirituality) series for young adolescents.

QUOTE TO NOTE:  (Being a disciple involves. . .) a movement from beyond “believer.”  I think that the data tells us that kids already believe. The question is:  What’s the difference between a believer and a disciple that’s not exactly the same?  After a life of this work, I am so excited that the church and its documents are saying let’s make discipleship the primary focus because it matches up with the data that says to us (that) kids already believe but it is this belief that’s comfortable.

OBSCURE FACTOID:   Mike and I have had a long-running conversation regarding discipleship and young people.  The discipleship question that is placed in each and everyone of these podcasts is to be blamed on Mike.

BEHIND THE SCENES:  OK, the hotel lobby seemed a good idea at the time.  Then, this family reunion invaded off to the side.  Then, some loud, boisterous  opinions were shared.  We stopped twice to let the background noise die off. (Attention Baltimore PD, I have the original tape in case any of the family members go missing.)  Then came the topic of Mike and food… Mike’s already long answer regarding what he wanted on his pizza was actually edited DOWN.  He also fully described the store bought option as well.  The man does love his pizza!

BLOG REFLECTION: can be read here for May 16th.