Patrick Madrid (born November 8, 1960, in Lynwood, California) is an American Catholic apologist, author, radio host, speaker, educator, and publisher. He grew up in Southern California, raised by his father Bernard Madrid, a former U.S. Coast Guard sailor turned electronics engineer, and his mother Gretchen, a housewife. Madrid holds a Bachelor of Science in business from the University of Phoenix, a Bachelor of Philosophy, and a Master of Arts in dogmatic theology from the Pontifical College Josephinum. He gained prominence through his association with Catholic Answers before leaving in January 1996 to pursue independent work as an author, speaker, publisher, professor, and radio host. He has authored or edited 26 books, including bestsellers like 'Why Be Catholic?' and 'Life Lessons: 50 Things I Learned in My First 50 Years', with over one million copies sold worldwide. Academically, he has served as an adjunct professor of theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville and currently teaches at Holy Apostles College & Seminary. He continues to defend and explain Catholic teachings through books, talks, media appearances, and his radio show.