95 Conversation Starters

AMDG. Imagine yourself in a queue of people awaiting some event. Your eyes land on someone sporting an image of St. Padre Pio with the words “Hakuna Matata” juxtaposed near the saint’s likeness. Or maybe you arrive at your next meeting only to notice a colleague sporting some socks that initially might pass for snazzy but upon closer inspection reveal flowers and images of St. Therese of Lisieux. Moments like these have been catalysts to conversations that serve as conduits of evangelization and connection. Who would’ve thought to create and market such products? The folks at Sock Religious, including co-founder Scott Williams and operations director Jeff Traylor – our guests on this episode. Listen in for what got the quirky, punny idea got off the ground, how they make it work, and what motivates them to operate the business the way they do. We also hear about their podcast All Set for Sunday, a weekly show for – as they say – “busy or distracted parents to be a little more prepared for Sunday Mass.” Many of us can relate.

Check out Sock Religious for yourself.

Kolbe deeply appreciates the donation Sock Religious made during Catholic Schools Week to Kolbe’s financial assistance program. There are other ways to support Kolbe financially, including

• designating Kolbe Academy, Napa CA, as your Amazon Smilerecipient – a percentage of all your Amazon purchases will go to aid Kolbe in its mission.
• matching gifts from employers – email Kolbe’s Development Director (and Kolbecast co-host!) Steven Hayden for more information.
• one-time gifts or monthly contributions – use this link (

For more information about or to apply for financial assistance from Kolbe Academy, click here. For the 2022-23 school year, apply by May 15, 2022.

Kolbecast episodes mentioned in this episode:

• Ep 88 Built for Battle with Jonathan Conrad, the Catholic Woodworker
• Ep 71 A Sight for Sore Eyes with Chris Lewis of Baritus Illustration
• Ep 90 Vocations Here, Now, and Eventually
• Ep 94 A Boy, A Book, and a Library Mouse

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Have a suggestion or question for the Kolbecast team? Write to us at podcast@kolbe.org.

Interested in Kolbe Academy’s offerings? Visit kolbe.org.