Creedal Catholic

Lauren Spohn joins me on the show to talk about her journey to Catholicism (via Oxford) and the craft of filmmaking.

In this episode, Zac and Larry discuss the resurgence of metaphysical belief in modern society, particularly focusing on the two recent articles by Paul Kingsnorth and Ross Douthat. We explore the implications of Kingsnorth's argument in his Erasmus lecture, "Against Christian civilization," discuss the cultural and metaphysical collapse of the West, and the conflict between modernity and Christianity. The conversation also touches on controversial figures in the modern right, the dynamics of techno-feudalism, and the relationship between sin and creativity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Weather Talk 01:02 Resurgence of Belief in Modern Society 02:58 Exploring Paul Kingsnorth's Perspective 06:03 The Nature of Christian Civilization 08:58 Cultural and Metaphysical Collapse 12:10 The Conflict Between Modernity and Christianity 14:53 Controversial Figures in the Modern Right 17:59 Techno-Feudalism and Political Dynamics 20:57 Linking Civilization and Sin 24:13 Creative Impulse Beyond Sin 30:57 The Role of Sin in Civilization 34:55 Technology and Environmentalism: A Double-Edged Sword 39:52 Understanding Modern Religious Attitudes 44:28 The Crisis of Civilizational Christianity 50:47 Re-Evangelizing Culture: A Call to Action 56:41 Navigating Modern Moral Dilemmas

In this conversation, my friend Dr. Jon Askonas joins me to discuss the "A Future for the Family" project (https://afutureforthefamily.org/). We discuss the impact of technological development on family structures, the need for a proactive approach to technological development that empowers families, the history of technological change, the influence of military and corporate interests on social development, and the importance of economic dynamism. We also talk about space! Read more at afutureforthefamily.org. Dr. Jon Askonas is Assistant Professor of Politics at the Catholic University of America and a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:09 The Future for the Family Project 05:53 Technological Impact on Family Dynamics 08:52 Proactive vs Reactive Approaches to Technology 12:05 Military and Corporate Influence on Technology 15:06 Economic Dynamism and Family 17:49 Mortality, Life Extension, and Family 21:03 The Commodification of Human Sexuality 27:21 The Impact of Pornography on Society 30:40 The Role of Technology in Relationships 34:39 Holding Companies Accountable 41:59 Reimagining Space Exploration and "Rewilding" 52:27 Envisioning a Future for Embodied Life

In this episode, Dr. Ethan Schimmoeller joins me to discuss the critical role of palliative care in medicine, addressing common misconceptions and the importance of understanding its purpose. We explore the intersection of Christianity and modern medicine, the historical influence of Christianity on the practice of modern medicine, the metaphysical foundations of medical practice, ethical dilemmas faced in end-of-life care, and a "care of hope." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:31 Understanding Palliative Care: Definitions and Misconceptions 10:45 The Shift from Cure to Care: A Philosophical Perspective 18:03 Personal Journey: Discovering Palliative Care 24:27 The Compassion Argument in Assisted Suicide 27:31 Clinical Realities: Pain Management and Palliative Care 38:00 The Influence of Christianity on Modern Movements 39:49 Metaphysical Foundations of Medicine 42:06 Palliative Care: Secular vs. Christian Approaches 45:00 Consciousness and Suffering in Palliative Care 50:58 Understanding Pain and Suffering 56:03 Ethical Dilemmas in End-of-Life Care 01:02:00 Pro-Life Perspectives at the End of Life 01:10:07 Finding Hope

In this conversation, Dr. Tom Ward joins the shot to talk about his journey to Catholicism, the role of family in nurturing belief, and the theological and philosophical contributions of Blessed John Duns Scotus to the Catholic Tradition. Our dialogue explores the challenges faced by converts, the importance of understanding church history, and the nuances of Scotus's thought, particularly regarding univocity and analogy in relation to God and creation, misconceptions about Bl. John Duns Scotus' association with nominalism, his unique perspectives on individuality and the nature of the will, and his intriguing theory about the fall of Satan and its implications for understanding moral choices. We wrap up with a brief discussion on Stoicism, its resurgence in modern times, and the relevance of Boethius' thoughts in this context. Ordered by Love: https://angelicopress.com/products/or... After Stoicism (SOLD OUT!): https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/prod... Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tom Ward and His Work 01:27 Dr. Ward's Journey to Catholicism 15:57 The Role of Family in Faith 16:22 Exploring Blessed John Duns Scotus 23:32 Univocity and Analogy in Scotus's Thought 30:39 Understanding Duns Scotus and Nominalism 39:38 The Individuality and Haecceity in Scotus' Thought 47:07 The Fall of Satan: Duns Scotus' Unique Perspective 57:44 Stoicism and Its Relevance Today

In this episode, I explore the theology of the infancy narratives in Scripture, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, who is both fully man and fully God. Drawing on insights from Pope Benedict XVI's book, he explores the genealogy of Jesus, the Annunciation, the virgin birth, the visit of the wise men, and more, highlighting the profound theological implications of these events. Chapters 00:00 The Nativity Story: An Introduction 02:53 Exploring Jesus' Provenance 06:04 Genealogies of Jesus: Matthew vs. Luke 08:50 The Annunciation: Zechariah and Mary 12:04 Mary: The Ark of the New Covenant 14:52 The Cosmic Timing of Jesus' Birth 17:57 The Virgin Birth: Myths and Realities 20:51 Jesus' Humble Birth: Cave vs. Stable 24:10 The Shepherds and the Wise Men 27:07 Conclusion: Seeking the Face of Jesus Links: Genealogy in Matthew: https://bibleproject.com/articles/jesus-genealogies/#:~:text=The%20name%20of%20David%20in,the%20name%20of%20%E2%80%9CDavid.%E2%80%9D Did Matthew mistranslate "virgin"? https://knowingscripture.com/articles/is-virgin-the-correct-translation-of-isaiah-7-14 Scott Hahn on Mary as the Ark of the Covenant: https://www.motherofallpeoples.com/post/scott-hahn-mary-new-ark-of-the-eternal-covenant Pope Benedict XVI's "Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives": https://a.co/d/5zwTNxl

In this episode of Creedal, we discuss what the Incarnation reveals about human dignity and apply those lessons to the ongoing debate about assisted suicide in the UK. Zac provides a detailed overview of the proposed legislation on assisted suicide, arguing against it from both moral and policy perspectives, and highlighting the dangers of framing such issues in a misleading way. In this conversation, Zac discusses the complex issues surrounding assisted dying legislation, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of dignity, autonomy, and the healthcare system. He critiques the slippery slope of assisted suicide laws, highlighting the potential for abuse and the importance of palliative care. Zac argues for the necessity of hope in end-of-life decisions and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers. Takeaways Mass hysteria reflects humanity's chronic existential anxiety. Advent serves as a reminder to place hope in Jesus. The incarnation elevates human dignity and opens possibilities for eternal life. Assisted suicide is currently being debated in the UK Parliament. The UK has a long-standing prohibition against assisted suicide since 1961. The recent second reading of the bill indicates majority support in Parliament. Assisted suicide raises significant moral and practical concerns. Public support for assisted dying is often framed misleadingly. Dignity in dying is a term used to garner support for assisted suicide. Assisted suicide is always a bad idea from both moral and policy standpoints. A lack of autonomy does not diminish dignity. Canada's assisted suicide statistics are alarming. Coercion can be implicit in decisions about assisted suicide. Palliative care should be prioritized over assisted suicide. Hope is essential in discussions about end-of-life care. Sound Bites "Our ultimate hope lies in Jesus Christ." "Mass hysteria is a feature of humanity." "Advent is a time to reassess our hope." "This is a giant sea change for the UK." "Assisted suicide is always a problem." "Assisted suicide is bad policy." "We have a broken healthcare system." "Autonomy does not change your dignity." Chapters 00:00- Introduction and Context of Current Events 02:32 - The Significance of Advent and Human Dignity 08:37 - Assisted Suicide: The UK Debate 22:47 - Arguments Against Assisted Suicide 42:30 - The Importance of Hope in End-of-Life Decisions

For the written version of this essay, check out: https://creedal.substack.com/p/the-six-going-infinite

In this episode, Zac and Larry discuss Larry's observations from the Synod on Synodality in Rome. 00:00 Introduction and Conference Reflections 05:07 Insights from the Synod on Synodality 10:00 Expectations vs. Reality of the Synod 15:00 The Role of Laypeople in the Church 20:04 Pope Francis and Progressive Catholicism 25:04 The Vatican's Approach to American Catholicism 29:56 Conclusion and Future Implications 32:04 The Eurocentric Nature of the Synod 34:51 African Church Perspectives and Concerns 37:50 The Disconnect Between the Synod and Global South 39:43 Pope Francis and the Challenge of Co-optation 42:30 The Nature of Dialogue at the Synod 52:22 Hope for the Future of the Church

In this episode, Zac discusses the recent election in the United States, focusing on the failures of the media and the Democratic Party, Trump's broad appeal, polling failures, and the state of conservatism. Sound Bites "I think there's room for optimism." "The media's framing backfired spectacularly." "We need to have interesting conversations." "This is a failure of the Democratic Party." "Trump has broad appeal on the issues." "Polling failed to capture Trump support." "Conservatism is not dead, but in peril." "Our hope is never in political salvation." Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Future Plans 01:24 Media's Role in the Election 11:45 Failures of the Democratic Party 21:28 Trump's Broad Appeal 28:27 Polling Failures and Silent Voters 36:01 Conservatism in Peril 41:12 Hope Beyond Politics

In this conversation, Zac and Andrew discuss Andrew's book (co-written with David Paul Baird and Rev. Michael Ward) entitled 'Popcorn with the Pope.' We delve into specific films on the list, such as 'Au Revoir Les Enfants' and 'Babette's Feast', discussing various themes and ideas from each. Relatedly, we also discuss concerns about the impact of AI on the arts--both from labor and creative perspectives. Buy the book here: https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/products/popcorn-with-the-pope?gclid=Cj0KCQjwn9y1BhC2ARIsAG5IY-6mWrryeuTxWChVGh8EYliN2em43I0skHdYAQs7o0bh_a4XlMUeKLYaArEoEALw_wcB 00:00 Introduction and Background 05:26 The Vatican Film List and Popcorn with the Pope 17:10 Exploring 'Au Revoir Les Enfants' 24:08 Uncovering the Themes of 'Babette's Feast' 27:50 Babette's Feast and the Vatican Film List 36:09 The Impact of AI on the Entertainment Industry 39:19 The Need to Protect Human Creativity and Dignity 45:10 Protecting Workers' Rights and Copyrights 48:28 The Threat of Cultural and Economic Devastation by AI 50:49 Using the Differentiation from AI as an Evangelism Tool

Today on the show Zac teams up with longtime guest Larry Chapp to talk about why young people are leaving the Church. It's a great conversation, and to follow more of Larry's work, head to gaudiumetspes22.com.

In this conversation, Zac and Alex discuss the limitations of artificial intelligence (AI) and its impact on human flourishing. They explore the role of intuition and embodiment in human understanding, and explore a Christian account of the development of understanding via the Sacraments. They also delve into the concept of emergent consciousness and the challenges of reducing the human mind to a material substrate or a product thereof. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:16 Misconceptions and Challenges of AGI 13:51 The Flawed Computational Theory of Mind 21:23 The Unfounded Idea of a Singularity 25:38 The Limitations of Large Language Models 32:04 Intuition and Embodiment in Human Understanding 33:55 The Sacraments and Embodied Experience 37:35 The Importance of Personhood in AI 46:28 The Dangers of Outsourcing Jobs to Robots 53:19 The Cultural and Societal Implications of AI 55:44 For next time: AI in Warfare? Ethical Concerns and Responsible Decision-Making Books Discussed: Hubert Dreyfuss: What Computers [Still] Can't Do--https://a.co/d/016fuh7L Nick Bostrom: "A Letter from Utopia"--https://nickbostrom.com/utopia Iain McGilchrist: The Master and His Emissary--https://a.co/d/03LzycwX

I've got an exciting announcement today--sign up for my newsletter below! My newsletter: https://creedal.substack.com/ I'd love to speak at your event: https://creedal.substack.com/p/speaking Subscribe on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFd938A6-eKlgbAwAvvwMuQ My upcoming debate at New Polity: https://newpolity.com/events/2024

In this episode, Zac and Andrew discuss various news articles in the 'Fake News' segment and then dive into a close read of an article by L.M. Sacasas titled 'Secularization Comes for the Religion of Technology.' They explore the concept of secularization and how it applies to the religion of technology, as well as the implications for society. 00:00 Will Barbers Save Civilization? 03:16 Fake News Segment 16:17 Secularization Comes for the Religion of Technology 36:03 Technology as a Religion 37:09 World Fairs and Technological Exhibitions 42:40 Secularization of the Religion of Technology 45:57 The Vacuum of the Religion of Technology 52:20 The Unstable Nature of Technology 57:45 Recommendation: Popcorn with the Pope 59:05 Recommendation: Navalny Documentary ** Secularization Comes for the Religion of Technology by L.M. Sacasas** Fake News Real Item #1  Fake News Real Item #2

Today we're breaking down five Super Bowl commercials, including one that Zac describes as "the worst commercial I have ever seen." Kia EV9: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OU7BJc96lI4 Microsoft Copilot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaCVSUbYpVc&ab_channel=Microsoft Temu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Od0aOse1wc&ab_channel=Temu He Gets Us: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94BqlDQ-Ppo&ab_channel=HeGetsUs Dove Body Image: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g0D5MU6_0n0&ab_channel=DoveUS

My conversation with Dr. Larry Chapp today discusses the recent teaching edict of the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith: Fiducia Supplicans. The document attempts to clarify the pastoral meaning of blessings, particularly in relation to "irregular unions," but falls short on several fronts. We discuss some of our issues with the document, including theological incoherence, the invention of straw man positions, and the potential for misinterpretation. We also explore the implications of divorcing pastoral practice from truth, and the need for love to be grounded in truth. Included in the discussion: clericalism, masked homophobia, incrementalism and the law of gradualism, responses from bishops conferences around the world, synodality and non-synodal approaches, comparisons to Humanae Vitae (ha!), the subseuqent press release, the endurance of the Church, support for LGBT Catholics, and much more. Episode Links: Fiducia Supplicans The subsequent press release The Pillar's rollup of reactions Eden Invitation Chapters 00:00 Introduction 00:49 What is Fiducia Supplicans? 02:09 Authority of the Document 05:24 Perceptions and Reactions 08:19 Invention of a Middle Position 10:08 Theological Incoherence 11:34 Blessing Individuals vs. Relationships 13:02 Train Wreck of Pastoral Approach 14:28 Spin and Misinterpretation 15:28 Pastoral Disaster 20:21 Theology of Blessings 21:42 Tenuous Foundations 22:17 Solution in Search of a Problem 23:15 Incoherence and Contradictions 26:04 Masked Homophobia 27:33 Divorcing Pastoral Practice from Truth 31:16 Theological Stupidity 35:43 Ecclesiastical Free-for-All 38:26 Divorcing Love from Truth 40:54 The Church as an Idol 44:04 Incrementalism and the Law of Gradualism 45:00 Responses from Bishops Conferences 46:50 Synodality and Non-Synodal Approaches 50:13 Comparisons to Humanae Vitae 52:46 The Press Release and African Bishops 57:43 Racism and Synodality 58:06 The Church's Endurance and Hillaire Belloc 58:19 Support for LGBT Catholics 01:01:28 Pope Francis and Pastoral Mistakes 01:03:06 Proclaiming the Truth

Merry Christmas! My apologies for the lack of production as of late, but I've got some exciting things to announce early next year. I'll be back in your podcast feed before long--lots of interesting conversations to still be had, and I'm just getting started! If you'd like to read the homily: http://ww1.antiochian.org/node/21955 Glory to Jesus Christ!

Today on the show we tackle our usual "misinformation" segment before diving into "BAPism" the absurd ideology espoused by followers of a mysterious internet persona known as "Bronze Age Pervert." Using Graeme Wood's latest article as a starting point, we discuss the ideology and a few of its grievous errors before articulating the beginning of an alternative. Grame Wood's article: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/09/bronze-age-pervert-costin-alamariu/674762/ Also mentioned: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EvG44mwPsbk&ab_channel=TheEuropeanConservative

Today on the show, Tsh Oxenreider joins me to talk about literature, the craft of writing, converting to Catholicism, switching to dumbphones, and more. Discussed on the show: Tsh's Substack: https://thecommon.place/ Tsh's website: https://www.tshoxenreider.com/ Tsh's new book: https://a.co/d/0s1bJey (coming Aug 29, 2023) Tsh's previous appearance on Vernacular: https://open.spotify.com/episode/59S7pO9aVjFYDXJPE8G776?si=mGcPkUD-QuWXcom6yuMrwA Wisephone: https://techless.com/

Today on the show, a longtime friend of the podcast--Casey Chalk--joins me to talk about his latest book, "The Obscurity of Scripture." Buy Casey's book (and write a review): https://a.co/d/bImrguj

The return of What a Week w/Andrew Petiprin!

Today on the show, entrepreneur, artist, and filmmaker Matheus Bazzo joins me to talk about his companies, how to make great films, the importance of storytelling, and much more. For more info on Lumine, head to www.lumine.tv

Today on the show, I welcome my friend Alex Fogassy, Air Force officer and doctoral candidate at the University of Oxford. We talk about: "What is Artificial Intelligence?" The difference between Narrow AI and AGI What the limitations and threats are of Narrow AI What developments in these domains (or lack thereof) portend for our future The parallels between transhumanism and Christianity ...and much more. Feedback? Email me: zac@creedalpodcast.com

Today on the show, my good friend Larry Chapp joins me to talk about Cardinal Cupich's amateurish foray into the realm of moral theology, replete with misappropriations of the late Pope Benedict XVI's thought. We discuss what's really going on behind the scenes, Cardinal McElroy's recent piece, the Universal Call to Holiness, and much more. Mentioned on the show: The McElroy article: https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2023/01/24/mcelroy-synodality-inclusion-244587 The Cupich article: https://www.chicagocatholic.com/cardinal-blase-j.-cupich/-/article/2023/02/15/a-church-called-to-love-perfectly Larry's response: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2023/02/21/cardinal-cupich-and-the-hermeneutics-of-the-abyss/ And don't miss: Larry's blog: https://gaudiumetspes22.com/ Larry's new podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/1uaHLSSh7HfnDUKNoIOtBK

Seminary, Faithfulness, and Moving East w/John Monaco Today on the show, Duquesne doctoral candidate and theologian John Monaco joins us to talk about his experience in seminary, remaining faithful in a church that is often faithless, and moving east--to the Eastern Catholic Churches.

Apologies for the lengthy delay since my last episode! Today is a solo show--I share some life updates (nothing major--just very busy lately!), ask for your feedback on what you want to hear on the show in 2023, talk about some recent developments in the news, and share some of the things I most appreciate about Pope Benedict XVI, who entered into eternal rest on December 31, 2022. Email me your feedback: zac@creedalpodcast.com

Today on the show we take a break from our regular programming to talk about antisemitism and the dangers of its counterfeit gospel. Using Ye's recent remarks about Hitler as a launching point, we discuss the rise of antisemitism on the political right and dissect Mit Brennender Sorge's, Pope Pius XI's encyclical to Germans in 1937, to talk about why and how antisemitism is antithetical to the Gospel and must be identified and condemned wherever it rears its ugly head. Mentioned on the show: Mit Brennender Sorge: https://www.vatican.va/content/pius-xi/en/encyclicals/documents/hf_p-xi_enc_14031937_mit-brennender-sorge.html Alexandra Valdez's analysis: https://ejournals.bc.edu/index.php/elements/article/download/9021/8139/ Humani Generi Unitas: https://web.archive.org/web/20131010052806/http://www.bc.edu/dam/files/research_sites/cjl/texts/cjrelations/resources/education/humani_generis_unitas.htm

On this week's installment, we banter a bit about film and storytelling and do a food-themed Misinformation segment before diving into our close read for the week: an interview of Fen de Villiers in the European Conservative. Then we wrap with our recommendations for the week (linked below). Breakthrough: https://europeanconservative.com/articles/interview/interview-with-fen-de-villiers/ 'Wakanda Forever' Review: https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/11/wakanda-forever-exploits-commercial-politics/ 'First Man': https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1213641/

This week, we dive into Wes Anderson's masterpiece Rushmore before covering a misinformation segment that includes art vandalism, a malady called Alice in Wonderland Syndrome, and Heidi Klum's halloween costume. Then we do a close read of Kat Rosenfield's debut piece in National Review and uncover what it reveals about the state of American political polarization today. Mentioned on the show: Rushmore by Wes Anderson: Why I Keep Getting Mistaken for a Conservative by Kat Rosenfield: https://www.nationalreview.com/magazine/2022/11/07/why-i-keep-getting-mistaken-for-a-conservative/ Depraved Activism by Casey Chalk: https://www.theamericanconservative.com/depraved-activism/ Consider the Hummingbird by Katherine Rundell: https://www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v44/n21/katherine-rundell/consider-the-hummingbird

Today on the show, Andrew Petiprin rejoins for What a Week to talk about the crisis of our boys and how we can help them. We also revisit last week's postliberalism discussion and talk about the strange case of John Fetterman, who concealed a serious medical condition from voters in Pennsylvania.  Mentioned on the show:  Alzheimer's Study: https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-022-22179-z Taylor Swift: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2022/oct/27/taylor-swift-edits-anti-hero-music-video-fat-bathroom-scales University of Wisconsin: https://notthebee.com/article/watch-a-university-protestor-outside-of-a-matt-walsh-talk-rage-eats-a-bible- The Boys Feminism Left Behind: https://substack.com/inbox/post/79611945

Today on the show we review listener feedback before diving into a misinformation segment that features ice cream, Richard Nixon, The Simpsons, and mosquito magnets. Then we turn to Michael Hanby's critique of post liberalism before wrapping up with some recommendations. Mentioned on the show: “Are We Postliberal Yet” by Michael Hanby: https://newpolity.com/blog/are-we-postliberal-yet “Of Boys and Men” by Richard Reeves: https://www.brookings.edu/book/of-boys-and-men/ “Uncorked”: https://www.netflix.com/title/81024260 “Master of Wine”: https://www.youtube.com/c/konstantinbaummasterofwine

Today on the show, we discuss the State Fair of Texas, John Fetterman's absurd Senate candidacy, Elon Musk, the American Federation of Teachers, and Roger Scruton.  Links for things mentioned on the show:  Misinformation: New York Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2022/10/10/us/politics/biden-exaggeration-falsehood.html Saving Ukraine: https://twitter.com/rweingarten/status/1579414707949096960?s=20&t=yq7G1i_UD_DTlr-3tHkunQ Elon Musk: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-63225781 Close Read:  Roger Scruton's piece: https://www.firstthings.com/article/2022/10/the-work-of-mourning Recommendations:  A French Village: https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1288631/ Johnny Cash: https://open.spotify.com/artist/6kACVPfCOnqzgfEF5ryl0x

NOTE: A previous version of this podcast had distorted volume levels on the audio tracks. If you have volume issues on your episode, delete the file and redownload. That should fix the problem! Our apologies for the error. -- Today on the show, lawyer and author Jeremy Christiansen joins me to talk about growing up in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints (colloquially referred to as "Mormonism"), the epistemology underpinning Mormon conviction, and how the house of cards that was his religious belief all came crumbling down in his late twenties. That's when he discovered the Apostolic Fathers--and never looked back. You can buy Jeremy's book here: https://bookshop.org/a/25089/9781621645924

Today on the show, Andrew and I talk about the Nord Stream 1 pipeline and who might be responsible (and whether or not you can ask who might be responsible), nuclear war and what a time it is to be alive, abolishing the family, serial tree killers, Joan of Arc doing slam poetry, and the social contagion of TikTok-fueled imagined (or exaggerated) illness. Links: Hurts so Good by Suzy Weiss: https://www.commonsense.news/p/hurts-so-good Freddie DeBoer's piece: https://freddiedeboer.substack.com/p/we-cant-constructively-address-online?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email Der Spiegel on Nord Stream 1: https://www.spiegel.de/international/sabotage-in-the-baltic-nord-stream-attacks-expose-vulnerability-of-european-infrastructure-a-03337f93-a32a-40a1-9266-fc2692289e33?utm_source=substack&utm_medium=email Jeremy Christiansen's book: https://bookshop.org/a/25089/9781621645924 Jeremy Christiansen's interview on Creedal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZavwOKMq7k&feature=youtu.be&ab_channel=Creedal%3ATheology%26Culture 'Love in the Afternoon' at 50 by Casey Chalk: https://www.theamericanconservative.com/love-in-the-afternoon-at-50/ "Joan of Arc" Slam Poetry: https://twitter.com/not_the_bee/status/1578054077409333248?s=46&t=MfFinj1aa7IfOQoeFEEIHw Serial Killer in Oregon: https://www.wsj.com/articles/gresham-lumberjack-serial-tree-killer-baffles-oregon-community-11664949734 Abolish the family! https://www.newstatesman.com/international-politics/ideas-international-politics/2022/09/abolish-family

On today's episode of Creedal, I'm joined by Dr. Abigail Favale of the University of Notre Dame. Abigail shares her intellectual journey from exvangelical feminist scholar to faithful daughter of the Church, and shares a helpful summary of the intellectual history of feminism that brought us to the radical conclusions of today's gender identity ideology. Along the way, she highlights some of the philosophical tensions and inconsistencies of modern gender theory, painting a far more beautiful picture of human sexuality that is grounded in God's love for each one of us. Dr. Favale's book, The Genesis of Gender, is available wherever books are sold, I cannot recommend it highly enough! The Genesis of Gender: https://bookshop.org/a/25089/9781621644088 Into the Deep: An Unlikely Conversion: https://bookshop.org/a/25089/9781532605017

Today on the show we welcome special guest Lauren Spohn to join us in banter about the British monarchy, which pub in Oxford is the best (!), wandering through medieval libraries, and the dangers of "progress." Andrew also leads a misinformation segment featuring Matthew McConaughey, Weird Al Yankovic, and Harrison Ford. Resources: Peter Thiel on the Dangers of Progress: https://unherd.com/2022/07/peter-thiel-on-the-dangers-of-progress/ The Great Canadian Mass Graves Hoax: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-great-canadian-mass-graves-hoax/id1570872415?i=1000580292996 Why Jean-Luc Godard Matters: https://www.nationalreview.com/2022/09/why-jean-luc-godard-matters/ The Right Stuff (read by Dennis Quaid): https://www.audible.com/pd/The-Right-Stuff-Audiobook/B077K8CR41

Today on the show, Andrew Petiprin and I talk about Queen Elizabeth II before embarking on a misinformation segment about racially-motivated layoffs (yikes), blaming September 11 on the rage of white men, and the Department of Treasury auditing tax-delinquent IRS agents.  Then we break down Ed Feser's recent piece, “Perfect World Disorder,” before leaving you with our recommendations for the week.  Andrew's piece on the Queen: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2022/09/14/the-death-of-queen-elizabeth-ii-and-the-growing-cult-of-disenchantment/ Misinformation:  Twilio: https://www.twilio.com/blog/a-message-from-twilio-ceo-jeff-lawson  The Atlantic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dQw4w9WgXcQ&ab_channel=RickAstley  Audits: https://www.dailywire.com/news/watchdog-to-probe-irs-after-hundreds-of-employees-failed-to-pay-taxes Close Read: https://postliberalorder.substack.com/p/perfect-world-disorder Recommendations: Optimal Work: https://www.optimalwork.com/  The Long Night of the Soul: https://www.theringer.com/2021/5/20/22444532/long-night-of-the-soul  Does My Son Know You: https://www.theringer.com/2022/3/3/22956353/fatherhood-cancer-jonathan-tjarks

Today on the show, Andrew and I talk about: The importance of owning your own DVDs and CDs Blank Street Coffee, the stranger-than-parody coffee shop taking over NYC (https://www.nytimes.com/2022/08/29/dining/blank-street-coffee.html) "What We Owe the Future" (https://www.amazon.com/dp/1541618629) Slate Star Codex's review of the same (https://astralcodexten.substack.com/p/book-review-what-we-owe-the-future) J.K. Rowling's crime fiction (https://robert-galbraith.com/stories/) Nerdrotic's "The Rings of Power is ABYSMAL" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hnEXip1KsLk&ab_channel=Nerdrotic) Send your feedback to zac@creedalpodcast.com!

Today on "What a Week," we discuss listener Justin's feedback for us on the purpose of art (and the travesty of an "AI Rapper"), and we do a misinformation segment that covers Meghan Markle, Bank of America, predatory lending, and California coping with climate change. Then we do a deep dive into an article in Tablet Magazine on "The Debasement of Art," and talk about where we agree with the author and where we think she missed the mark. We wrap with some of our recommendations. Our Close Read: The Debasement of Art The Meghan Markle nonsense California and Electric Vehicles Bank of America and Preferential Lending A Turning Point for Europe by Benedict XVI Out in the Great Alone (Grantland)

On today's installment of What a Week, special guest Bobby Mixa joins Andrew and I to talk through the news of the week. We discuss: Baseball Parks and Fields (and garish stadiums) Gummy Bears Wind Turbines Amazon's "Lord of the Rings" Installment The decline of the University and Federal student loan bailouts And much more! Links mentioned: William Deresiewicz's article Wind Turbines and Gummy Bears The Strange Capital Records Saga The Podcast Movement Incident Put Down the Woke Man's Burden (James Hankins) The Passion of Joan of Arc (1928) The Idea of a University Follow Zac Follow Andrew Follow Bobby

On today's installment of What a Week, we run a misinformation segment that covers Queen Elizabeth I, Joan of Arc, Anthony Fauci, the shelving of Batwoman (at a cost of $90 million to Warner Brothers), and more. Then we talk about "progress studies," reviewing this 2019 essay from Patrick Collison and Tyler Cowen: https://www.theatlantic.com/science/archive/2019/07/we-need-new-science-progress/594946/ We finally share some recommendations--links below. The White Sox Ballpark in Chicago that Never Was (CBS Sports) The Offer (Paramount+) And since Jurassic Park makes so many appearances in this episode, check out Andrew's latest for the Catholic Herald here: https://catholicherald.co.uk/let-them-have-dominion/

Today on the show, my friend Larry Chapp rejoins me for a discussion about Desiderio Desideravi, the Pope's comments on the development of dogma, moral theology, and more. Larry's article on Desiderio Desideravi: https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/desiderio-desideravi-connecting-some-papal-dots Larry's article on Proportionalism and the Pope: https://www.ncregister.com/commentaries/understanding-pope-francis-it-s-the-moral-theology-stupid

On today's installment of What a Week, we run a misinformation segment that covers electoral politics, atomic bombs, Prince Harry, Jim Harbaugh, and Ayman al-Zawahiri. Then we talk about architecture, drawing on @WrathofGnon's work on his Substack (article links below). We finally share some recommendations--links below. The Alluring City (https://wrathofgnon.substack.com/p/the-alluring-city) Brutalism: The Disappearance of Beauty (https://wrathofgnon.substack.com/p/the-alluring-city) Silence (2016), Dir. by Martin Scorsese (https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0490215/) Bishop Fulton Sheen's telecast (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q7thCeXnPEI&list=LL&ab_channel=Catholic365)

Today on the show, I'm welcoming Andrew Petiprin for the first of many installments of our new weekly show. We discuss: Alana Newhouse's "Everything is Broken": https://www.tabletmag.com/sections/news/articles/everything-is-broken Emma Green's Roe article in The New Yorker: https://www.newyorker.com/news/annals-of-education/what-the-end-of-roe-v-wade-will-mean-for-the-next-generation-of-obstetricians The film work of Éric Rohmer: https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0006445/ And these crazy things: https://twitter.com/MiaCathell/status/1546964215843508224 https://twitter.com/TPostMillennial/status/1551260188245561344?s=20&t=e5urIgSzGPaQpU8n2n7TKg https://twitter.com/JamesMelville/status/1552038563033894915?s=20&t=e5urIgSzGPaQpU8n2n7TKg https://www.nytimes.com/2022/06/28/magazine/sex-ed-books-teens-parents.html https://www.tmz.com/2022/07/27/ukraine-president-volodymyr-zelensky-dragged-vogue-cover-shoot/ https://www.nytimes.com/2022/07/23/style/cannibalism-tv-shows-movies-books.html

Today on the show, my friend Nathan Crankfield of Seeking Excellence joins me to talk about the challenges of growing up in a biracial family, his journey from dyed-in-the-wool Democrat to registered Republican, his thoughts on Black Lives Matter and the state of national politics, converting to Catholicism, and much more. Tune into the Seeking Excellence Podcast on Thursday, Jul 21st, to hear part two of this discussion. Listen here: https://anchor.fm/thosewhoseek

Today on the show, author Jessica Hooten Wilson joins me to talk about her latest book, The Scandal of Holiness: Renewing Your Imagination in the Company of Literary Saints. We talk about how imagination shapes the moral life, George Bernanos, Disney movies, and more. Buy Jessica's book: https://www.eighthdaybooks.com/product/125590/The-Scandal-of-Holiness-Renewing-Your-Imagination-in-the-Company-of-Literary-Saints Follow Jessica on Twitter: https://twitter.com/HootenWilson Follow Jessica's work: https://jessicahootenwilson.com

Today on the show, Fr. Bonaventure Chapman joins me for a spirited discussion about our shared Anglican backgrounds, conversion to Catholicism, joining the Dominican order, the sovereignty of God, and film. He'll be back for more, I hope--so write in your questions for next time! zac@creedalpodcast.com