The Extraordinary Story with Tom Hoopes

One Year of the Extraordinary Story | Season Two Finale

In the season two finale, Tom Hoopes is joined by his editor and producer, Michael Coy, to reflect on a full year of The Extraordinary Story. Topics include the origins of the podcast, favorite episodes, and hopes for the future of the church.

First Prediction of the Passion | S2 E15

Today we are going to talk about Mark’s Midpoint. It’s the turning point in the Extraordinary Story that Mark is telling about Jesus Christ. Before, Jesus was a mystery man, after this he says who he is plainly and that means he must suffer and die.

On This Rock | S2 E14

In this episode, Peter correctly answers Jesus's question "Who do you say I am?" and in reply, Jesus gives St. Peter a role of shocking prominence in his Church. How can such supreme authority be given to Peter? And how could it apply to so many weak popes that followed? And does it really apply also to Pope Francis?

Sign of Jonah | S2 E13

Today we will hear Jesus promise to give one sign to his detractors: The sign of Jonah. Then he goes on to make references to another Old Testament figure: The Queen of Sheba. This language may be mystifying for us but it wasn’t for the Jewish leaders of his time. In fact, these verses show Jesus taking the gloves off in a new way – a new way that will lead directly to his downfall… and it’s also a clear lesson to us.

Crumbs from the Master’s Table | S2 E12

We often treat Jesus like a loyal dog at our heels. In truth, we are the dogs at the master's table. In this gospel passage, a Canaanite woman begs Jesus to heal her daughter. Jesus' response is not only a test of her faith, but a promise of what faith and humility delivers.

Love Jesus, Hate Religion? | S2 E11

We often run into the trap of loving Jesus, but hating religion. In this Gospel passage, Jesus criticizes the Pharisees, the religious orthodoxy of His day, and shows us exactly how to critique religion without destroying it altogether.

It is the Spirit that Gives Life | S2 E10

A follow up to last week's episode, where Jesus proclaimed that He was the Bread of Life. This week, Tom Hoopes reflects on Christ's revelation from John 6:63. "It is the spirit that gives life, the flesh is of no avail; the words I have spoken to you are spirit and life."

I Am the Bread of Life | S2 E9

Jesus has performed miracles. He has conquered demons, challenged civic and religious authority, and called His apostle, Peter, out into the storm. This week, on The Extraordinary Story, Jesus utters perhaps the most controversial and transformative statement in the Gospels.

Step Out Into the Storm | S2 E8

What do you do when the wind is raging? When you're caught in a storm, and suddenly you see Christ walking on the water? What do you do when He calls out to you? Do you hunker down and go where the wind takes you? Do you grit your teeth and wait for the end? Or do you step out onto the waves and stride into the storm? That's the question we face this week on the Extraordinary Story.

Multiplying Fishes & Loaves | S2 E7

Today we're going to talk about the multiplication of the loaves, a story that is told in all four gospels because it made such a huge impression on the apostles. The story has enormous ramifications for the faith in general and for us in particular, in the drama of the gospel story. It's this watershed moment where the question of who Jesus is becomes even more urgent.