Professor Mark Rienzi, Co-Director of the Center for Religious Liberty at Catholic Law and President and CEO of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty, recently appeared on an episode of the podcast Called with Father Mike Schmitz. The episode, titled "Called to Defend Religious Liberty," focuses on Rienzi's work as a religious liberty advocate. Over the course of his career, he has litigated a number of significant cases before the U.S. Supreme Court, representing clients that include the Little Sisters of the Poor, Hobby Lobby, and various parents and ministries seeking to protect their religious freedom.

His path to those victories, however, was not without difficulty. Before his high-court successes, Rienzi experienced a 13-year stretch of losses. In his conversation with Father Mike, he reflects on that period and what it taught him about persistence, preparation, and the long-term work of defending religious liberty.

The episode also moves beyond legal matters to address broader questions about faith and public life. Father Mike and Rienzi talk through what it means to defend the freedom to live according to one's beliefs, how to navigate a sense of powerlessness in a divided culture, and how ordinary people can respond to that challenge with honesty and conviction.

Called is hosted by Father Mike Schmitz and produced by The Catholic Initiative in partnership with Ascension. Each episode features conversations with people who have chosen lives of service—including teachers, entrepreneurs, parents, and community leaders.

The episode can be viewed below: