Francis Effect podcast

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David kick off season 11 with a look back at the summer break, and they explore the impact of the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II as well as recent policies from dioceses to exclude LGBTQ+ parishioners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David look at the implications of the recently-leaked Supreme Court decision that likely will overturn Roe v. Wade, and the impact of closing the USCCB-run Catholic News Service, and then they look back at the season and ahead to the summer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the recent anniversary of Network Lobby, the takeaways from the French elections, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's recent attacks on both major corporations and the vulnerable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David take it a little easy for Holy Week, and catch up on shows and music that they've each been enjoying. They also nerd out about liturgy at the beginning of the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, David, and Fr. Daniel discuss the recent reforms allowing more lay leadership, the recent allegations connecting Ginni Thomas to the January 6th insurrection, and the Seante confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David discuss the recent round of legislation aimed at LGBTQ+ persons, the relationship of nuclear disarmament to the war in Ukraine, and the grim second anniversary of the COVID pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the recent Russian attack on Ukraine, they explore the Pope's live video conference with students across the Americas, and they talk about what they are planning for the season of Lent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the recent focus of right wing groups on Catholic organizations working on the southern US border, the firing of two faculty advisors at a Catholic school newspaper,, and welcome Fr. Bryan Massingale to discuss the recent upsurge in book bans across the nation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, David, and Fr. Daniel discuss what they did between seasons, the life and legacy of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn, and the impact of recent state bills and diocesan policies on the dignity and wellbeing of transgender persons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the ongoing canonization process for Dorothy Day, recent developments with new Ways Ministries and the Vatican, and take a look back at some of the best and worst of 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David discuss the takeaways from the recent USCCB meeting, the continuing dangers of COVID-19, and the verdicts in recent murder cases in Wisconsin and Georgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David talk about the Bishops' Conference on the Eucharist, the recent comments by the Archbishop of Los Angeles about social justice, and the policy memo from the Diocese of Madison forbidding parishes to be used as vaccination sites  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the start of COP-26, Joe Biden's audience with Pope Francis, and the slow steps toward approving a COVID vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David look at the Pope's recent remarks to the "social poets," as well as the dustup over Pete Buttigieg taking time with his children, and the upcoming Glasgow Summit on climate change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the history and influence of the world's largest Catholic media empire, the recent clashes between Church Militant and the city of Baltimore, and talk about what they've been watching recently  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David explore the idea of synodality and the upcoming 2023 Synod, and they look at current US policy playing out on our southern border with Haitian migrants, and welcome guest Christopher White to talk about the recent Papal visit to Hungary and Slovakia   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David recap the big changes that happened over the summer, as well as reviewing the fallout from Traditionis Custodes, and the continuing battles over COVID mitigation

Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David look at the first hundred days of the Biden presidency, and the reactions from some Catholic quarters, and they also look at factors influencing some Catholics to leave the Church

Fr. Daniel and David talk about the huge number of anti-Transgender bills introduces in state legislatures, the recent turn in SCOTUS cases involving religious Free Exercise, and the 51st Earth Day celebration

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the effects of a recent Georgia law on voting procedures, discuss the first week of the trial of Derek Chauvin, and imagine what the Church might look like after COVID

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the recent document on LGBTQ blessings from the CDF, the domestic terrorism that occurred in Atlanta, and the unfolding situation with the Governor of New York

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the strange path to COVID relief, the conflicting messages of the Bishops regarding vaccines, and the recent Papal visit to Iraq

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the recent effects of winter storms on Texas, the (re)establishment of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, and we welcome guest Fr. Jim McDermott to discuss his recent article on being gay in the priesthood

Heidi, Fr. Dan and David talk about the recent appointment of Sr. Becquart to a significant position, how we are preparing for Lent, and what we're doing these days for distractions

Heidi, Fr. Dan, and David explore the subtle Catholicism of the Biden Inauguration, the back-and-forth between Archbishops Gomez and Cupich, and the brief but ominous life of the 1776 Report

Recorded soon after the events of January 6th, Heidi, Dan, and David process the attack on the Capitol, and some of the dangerous rhetoric (from bishops as well as politicians) that got us here

Fr. Dan, Heidi and David close out Season 7 with a discussion of the new COVID vaccine, the growing rift among Bishops concerning President-Elect Biden, and the joy of the Christmas season

Some last minute surprises from the Bishops, a discussion of the grassroots nature of sainthood, and why this year it might be OK to put up your tree as early as you want

Heidi, Fr. Dan and David discuss the effects of the President's refusal to concede the election, and the revelations of the McCarrick report. We also dream just a little bit about what life might be like after COVID.

Heidi, Fr. Dan and David look back at the road leading to the 2020 elections, and what might lie ahead, and then they look at the recent remarks from Pope Francis about civil unions for LGBTQ persons

We're two weeks out from the election - what do we know? Also, we look at a recent foiled plot to kidnap the Michigan governor, and the recent Encyclical from Pope Francis

Fr. Dan, Heidi, and David look at the role of anti-Catholicism in the confirmation battle over Amy Coney Barrett. They explore the impact of the NYT reporting on President Trump's taxes, and they look at the details of the case involving suspended Irish priest Tony Flannery

Fr. Dan, Heidi, and David explore the theological impact of plural nouns on sacraments, as well as the latest developments in the Breonna Taylor case, and round out the conversation with a look at the recent call for parishioners to return to Mass in Wisconsin

Fr. Dan and David kick off season 7 with a welcome to our new co-host, Heidi Schlumpf, executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter

Fr. Dan and David discuss a recent article by Baltimore Archbishop William Lori in support of Black Lives Matter

We collect last season's segments on the seven sacraments into one giant bonus episode. 

Fr. Dan and David explore the academic discipline of "spirituality," and discuss how it fits in our understandings of faith.

Fr. Dan and David talk about the presumptive nomination of Joe Biden as the Democratic Party candidate, and finish out their discussions of the sacraments with Matrimony and Holy Orders.

Fr. Dan and David continue their discussion of the Sacrament of Penance with an in-depth conversation about the Seal of Confession, and how it applies in a number of real-world situations

Fr. Dan and David look at a recent round of laws designed to discourage environmental protests. Then they discuss David's recent piece on "prepper" culture in the National Catholic Reporter, and they continue their series exploring the sacraments with a conversation about penance.

Fr. Dan and David record this episode remotely, as Illinois is under "shelter in place" guidelines. They discuss responses to COVID-19 in light of Catholic Social Teaching, the practice of "spiritual communion," and the sacrament of anointing the sick.

Part 2 of our on-location coverage of the LA Religious Education Congress. Fr. Dan and David speak to Jordan Denari Duffner, Gabriella Wilke and Regina Munch of Commonweal Magazine, composer David Haas, and Fr. Bryan Massingale

Fr. Dan and David visit the LA Religious Education Congress in Anaheim to speak with Robert Ellsberg, Phyllis Zagano, Tom Gibbons, and James Martin

Fr. Dan and David discuss the recent moves to limit asylum seekers and immigration, the troubles with the Iowa Caucus, and what some call the "orphaned sacrament" in the Roman Rite

The Paper of Record refuses to go on the record about the Democratic primaries, there is much confusion about what Pope Emeritus Benedict meant to say with his participation in a new book by Cardinal Sarah, and Fr. Dan and David talk about the sacrament of Holy Communion 

Fr. Dan and David have differing views on recreational marijuana, but they are both fearful of looming war with Iran. They also start a new series on the 7 sacraments, with a discussion of baptism.

Fr. Dan and David discuss the ongoing impeachment process, the narrowing field of Democratic candidates, and the theology and spirituality of Christmas

Fr. Dan and David look at AG Barr's recent Notre Dame speech, the unfolding democracy movement in China's backyard, and the pros and cons of baptizing an alien.

Fr. Dan and David explore the efforts used to fence people out of our communities, be they physical or spiritual. They discuss the priest who refused communion to former Vice President Joe Biden, the recent interview with Cardinal Burke, and the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.

Fr. Dan and David look at the "new normal" in the Golden State, the lingering colonialism surrounding the end of the Amazon Synod, and Fr. Dan answers some questions about religious communities.

Fr. Dan and David discuss the recent oral arguments in the Bostock case, the canonization of five new saints, and the unfolding situation in northern Syria.