A single mom juggling work, study, and caring for a child told Joshua Pinto that RYSEN gave her words to pray when she couldn't find them herself. During lonely nights, the app reminded her she wasn't alone and God was still close. Joshua Pinto, Founder of RYSEN, didn't build this app in a boardroom. He built it during grief—after losing his father to cancer, almost exactly two years after losing his mother. In this episode of Lead with AI podcast, host Dr. Tamara Nall speaks with Joshua about how one founder's darkest moments became a faith companion now guiding people through their own struggles.

When Your Wife Cries During the First Demo  

Joshua's first jaw-dropping moment came when he showed the app to his wife. She asked something practical and raw about balancing being a mom, exhaustion, and her faith life. The response was so gentle and true to church teaching that it moved her to tears. That moment convinced Joshua he had something deeper than clever code. Friends started using it and reported similar experiences. "I feel like the person behind this app really cares for me." One friend joked that the app was more pastorally attentive than their parish priest on a holiday morning. The real "holy smokes" moment happens when people expect generic self-help but instead get Scripture, tradition, the saints, and genuine pastoral care in language that feels human.

Who RYSEN Serves  

RYSEN is grounded in Catholic teaching but built for anyone. It serves everyday Catholics wherever they are in their faith journey—whether exploring the faith or seasoned believers. The app has found particular resonance during what some call a quiet revival in the church. Many people are returning to traditional worship through their own research, and there aren't enough tools supporting that journey. Joshua has also shared the app with people from other denominations. The response from Protestants and evangelicals has been overwhelming—so much so that they're asking for versions tailored to their traditions.

Under the Hood: Theology Meets Technology  

If you could peek inside RYSEN's brain, you'd feel like you're in a library, a chapel, or a counselor's office. But under the hood, there's real structure making that experience happen.

First, theological guardrails that keep responses grounded in Scripture and Church teaching. RYSEN draws from the Catechism, works of the saints, writings of Thomas Aquinas and Augustine.

Second is pastoral sensitivity built from real spiritual counseling principles—gentle, safe, human, never harsh.

Third is what Joshua calls "soul print"—a feature that remembers themes in the user's journey and responds with continuity. The advice given to a 70-year-old nun differs completely from advice for a 25-year-old young adult. It's deeply contextual.

Fourth is the avatar engine. Users choose a spiritual guide inspired by saints, Catholic figures, or laypeople like Dan—a 40-something dad of three navigating everyday faith alongside work and family. Different tones of voice while theology remains consistent.

The Ethics of Sacred Conversations  

Ethics was priority one and two when building RYSEN. The ethical line is crystal clear: RYSEN isn't God. It isn't a priest. It isn't a therapist. It's built to walk alongside people but never to replace the church, the sacraments, or professional care.

Everything gets checked for theological accuracy while remaining pastorally attentive. There's human-in-the-loop moderation. If something slips through that isn't theologically accurate or pastorally wise, it can be picked up, reviewed, and corrected.

The system has built-in code that picks up concerning content automatically. If a person indicates self-harm or harm to others, the system catches that and flags it while keeping everything anonymous. For sensitive matters beyond the app's scope, RYSEN provides some advice but suggests the person seek professional help.

The Vision Beyond an App  

By 2030, Joshua doesn't see RYSEN as just an app on phones. He sees it woven into everyday Catholic life—a real spiritual companion for ordinary people navigating ordinary struggles.

The vision includes enterprise models for schools and churches. In schools, RYSEN could support faith formation with AI-generated learning paths that meet students where they actually are spiritually. In churches, it becomes an extension of the pastoral arm helping people between Sundays, during sacramental preparation, or in those moments when people need encouragement but never book an appointment with clergy.

Joshua also envisions RYSEN for troubled youth communities or remote communities with limited access to spiritual guidance. The app could integrate with real human mentors—acting as a first triage step before connecting someone to authentic human accompaniment.

Trust as the Next Competitive Advantage  

Joshua's boldest prediction: trust will become the next competitive advantage. People will choose AI they trust with their values and their families, not just the one with the biggest model. This insight extends far beyond AI. It's about people, relationships, winning business, and building friendships.

For RYSEN, that means being explicitly clear about theological grounding, transparent about limitations, honest about what the app can and cannot do. Building systems that respect sacred boundaries while providing genuine support.

Getting Started  

People carry heavy crosses while posting on Instagram with smiles. Single moms push through exhaustion. Individuals lose parents and still show up to work. In those moments when loneliness feels crushing and the words won't come, having a spiritual director in your pocket isn't a replacement for human connection—it's a bridge to help you keep walking until you find it.

RYSEN represents something many AI applications miss: the difference between replacement and accompaniment. Joshua's boldest claim isn't about eliminating humans—it's about augmentation. AI should give people superpowers, not seek to replace them.

The simplest way to understand RYSEN is to try it. The minimum viable product is free right now at rysen.life. Use it for prayer before bed, for Scripture reflection during your commute, or to ask that one question you've been carrying.

What's available now is just a taster. The full vision includes cross-platform experiences with guided journaling, deeper prayer companionship, and community features. Faith is meant to be walked together, not in isolation.

For faith-aligned investors or leaders who share this mission, Joshua's invitation is to dream together about what comes next. What exists today is just a seed. With the right partners, this could scale into a global faith companion strengthening individuals and communities.

Want to experience AI-powered spiritual companionship? Visit rysen.life to access RYSEN's theologically grounded, pastorally sensitive faith companion that walks alongside you in your spiritual journey.

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RYSEN AI:

Website: Rysen.Life

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