Podcasts about glad you asked

In February of 1300, Pope Boniface VIII, in the papal bull Antiquorum Habet Fida Relatio, declared the first-ever Catholic Jubilee Year. Anyone who made a pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome, and who repented and confessed, would receive “the fullest and broadest pardon for all sins committed,” Boniface proclaimed. One of the thousands of pilgrims who journeyed to Rome that year was the painter Giotto, who created a fresco commemorating the event. Another was the poet Dante Alighieri, who references the Jubilee in his Divine Comedy—ironically, this appears in Canto 18 of Inferno, where he compares the movement of the damned along the eighth circle of hell to the Roman method of traffic control during the Jubilee.  The jubilee tradition goes back far further, however, originating in Judaism, before Christianity had even begun. In the Israelite tradition, the jubilee was associated with things like forgiving debts, freeing enslaved people, and other concrete gestures of material justice. In the Catholic tradition, however, the Jubilee focuses not on debt forgiveness but on forgiveness of sins.  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk with scholar Dean Dettloff about the origins of the Jubilee Year, its significance in the Catholic tradition, and whether there is any likelihood that the Catholic Jubilee will recover its ancient tradition of concrete liberation. Dettloff is the Research and Advocacy Officer for Development and Peace–Caritas Canada. He holds a PhD in philosophy from the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he also teaches as sessional faculty. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Dettloff's work, in these links.  What Is a Holy Year? HISTORY “This Jubilee year, be open to the gift of hope,” by Alice Camille This Jubilee year, be open to the gift of hope - U.S. Catholic “Take action against mass incarceration this Jubilee year,” by Alessandra Harris Take action against mass incarceration this Jubilee year - U.S. Catholic “Canada must lead global debt cancellation, like it did 25 years ago,” by Dean Detloff Canada must lead global debt cancellation, like it did 25 years ago - The Hill Times “Mourning a Pope We Often Ignored,” by Dean Detloff Mourning a Pope We Often Ignored | Sojourners “A May Day Saint,” by Dean Detloff A May Day Saint | Commonweal Magazine Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.  

The earliest documented use of the term pro-life was in a book on parenting and child education. The book, Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing, by A.S. Neil, was published in 1960 and contained the statement that “no pro-life parent or teacher would ever strike a child. No pro-life citizen would tolerate our penal code, our hangings, our punishment of homosexuals.”  However, that's not how the term is typically used today. In the early 1970s, following Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion activists began using the term pro-life in reference to their opposition to legalized abortion. Even then, many activists thought being pro-life ought to entail a holistic approach to life issues: that people should oppose not only abortion, but also war, the death penalty, income inequality, and racism.  This idea that pro-life ought to refer to all life really began to pick up steam in 2016, partially as a response to the mainstream pro-life movement's alliance with far right political leaders. Today, many people who used to identify as pro-life no longer do so. They feel the term has been tarnished.  Should “pro-life” mean opposition to abortion, or should it be more inclusive? Has the term been compromised by its association with various political agendas? And how should Catholics respond to this debate?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Bishop John Stowe about what it means to be a pro-life Catholic. Stowe is bishop of the diocese of Lexington, Kentucky and a priest in the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. In keeping with the Franciscan tradition, Stowe has long been a pastoral voice for justice for the poor and for environmental justice. He's also spoken repeatedly for immigrant rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion.  Learn more about this topic in these links. “U.S. Catholic readers critique the pro-life movement,” by Kathleen Bonnette U.S. Catholic readers critique the pro-life movement - U.S. Catholic “As election nears, Catholics reflect on abortion politics,” by Cassidy Klein As election nears, Catholics reflect on abortion politics - U.S. Catholic “4 ways progressive pro-lifers can reengage with Democratic leaders,” by Rebecca Bratten Weiss 4 ways progressive pro-lifers can reengage with Democratic leaders | National Catholic Reporter “Will the synod listen to women on reproductive issues?” by Ashley Wilson Will the synod listen to women on reproductive issues? - U.S. Catholic  “In debates about reproductive health, listen to Black women,” a U.S. Catholic interview In debates about reproductive health, listen to Black women - U.S. Catholic “A new way to think about the ‘consistent ethic of life',” by Steven P. Millies A new way to think about the ‘consistent ethic of life' “It's Time to Move Past the Pro-Life / Pro-Choice Dividing Line,” by Rebecca Bratten Weiss It's Time To Move Past The Pro-Life / Pro-Choice Dividing Line | Rebecca Bratten Weiss “Do restrictive abortion laws actually reduce abortion? A global map offers insights,” by Michaeleen Doucleff MAP: Click to see abortion laws — and rates of abortion — around the world : Goats and Soda : NPR “The movement against abortion rights is nearing its apex. But it began way before Roe,” by Deepa Shivaram The history of the anti-abortion movement in the U.S. : NPR Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

St. Augustine of Hippo, the fourth century theologian, philosopher, and doctor of the church, shaped Christian theology in myriad ways. Multiple Christian denominations draw heavily on Augustine's ideas about grace, original sin, free will, and the trinity. And now, with the election of Pope Leo XIV, an Augustinian priest is steering the entire global Catholic Church.  But one area of Augustine's thought doesn't get addressed as often: his beliefs about slavery. Did Augustine support the institution of slavery? How did he reconcile his beliefs with the gospel's commitment to radical equality? And why, if we want to understand racism in the United States, do we need to go all the way back to a fourth century theologian's theses about politics, society, and the relation of humanity to God?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Toni Alimi about Augustine's ideas about slavery. Alimi is assistant professor in the Sage School of Philosophy at Cornell University. His research and teaching span ancient Roman philosophy, intellectual history, contemporary ethics and politics, and philosophy of religion. His book, Slaves of God, explores Augustine's arguments slavery and argues that slavery is a central theme in his broader ethics and politics. Learn more about this topic and Alimi's scholarship in these links.  Slaves of God: Augustine and Other Romans on Religion and Politics, by Toni Alimi Slaves of God | Princeton University Press “Augustine was ‘wrong about slavery': Book reexamines key figure,” by Kate Blackwood Augustine was ‘wrong about slavery': Book reexamines key figure | Sage School of Philosophy “When did the church condemn slavery?” by Jacob Kohlhaas When did the church condemn slavery? - U.S. Catholic “How the U.S. Catholic Church profited from slavery,” A U.S. Catholic interview How the U.S. Catholic Church profited from slavery - U.S. Catholic  “What did St. Augustine say about original sin?” by Kathleen Bonnette What did St. Augustine say about original sin? - U.S. Catholic Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.  

Conversations among Catholics about trans people and the church often center on questions of inclusion and belonging in relation to church life and teachings. Can trans people be baptized into the church or partake in other sacraments? Should trans Catholics be allowed to join religious orders? The conversations often proceed as though trans Catholics are fundamentally a problem to be solved.  Even when the intention is to be welcoming, making this the primary discussion among Catholics fails to recognize that trans Catholics are already part of our families, communities, workplaces, and parishes. Trans Catholics are already a part of the church.  Some theologians and pastoral leaders suggest that shifting the focus of these discussions could lead to a broader understanding of church life. As well as considering what we owe to trans people, we should also consider how trans people enrich the church—how their active participation in church communities might help us deepen our theology and pastoral witness.  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to guest Kori Pacyniak about what the church can learn from trans Catholics. Pacyniak is a queer, nonbinary, and trans Catholic who is a doctoral candidate at the University of California Riverside. They studied religion and Portuguese at Smith College and have a master of divinity from Harvard and a master's degree in theology and trauma from Boston University. Ordained as a priest through Roman Catholic Womenpriests, Pacyniak focuses on creating sacred space and liturgy by and for queer and trans Catholics. Learn more about this topic and read some of Pacyniak's writing in these links. “Gender diversity has always been part of the church,” by Emma Cieslik Gender diversity has always been part of the church - U.S. Catholic “As a transgender Catholic, I don't see gender diversity as a threat to our faith,” by Maxwell Kuzma As a transgender Catholic, I don't see gender diversity as a threat to our faith - Outreach “Trans and Catholic: A parent's perspective,” by Deacon Ray Dever Trans and Catholic: A parent's perspective - U.S. Catholic “We cannot abandon trans Catholics,” by Father Bryan Massingale We cannot abandon trans Catholics - U.S. Catholic “Pope Francis Calls for the Inclusion of Trans People in Catholic Church Practices,” by Dallas Knox Pope Francis Calls for the Inclusion of Trans People in Catholic Church Practices | GLAAD “God Doesn't Want You to Be Miserable,” by Kori Pacyniak "God Doesn't Want You to Be Miserable.” - New Ways Ministry “The Women Who Want to Be Priests,” by Margaret Talbot The Women Who Want to Be Priests | The New Yorker Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

We just celebrated Mother's Day, which may not have been what you expected. It can be a complicated day when people don't show up or recognize you as you deserve. I want to acknowledge the complex feelings that come with Mother's Day and say that you aren't alone in experiencing those emotions. Whatever your Mother's Day brought you, I hope you feel recognized and supported. Today, we are bringing you another great episode during Maternal Mental Health Month as we uncover the purpose of a new podcast filling a gap for many people. Join us to learn more about this vital resource! Allie Hales, a mom of four, is passionate about making reliable, relevant information available for moms like herself. She graduated from the J. Reuben Clark Law School at Brigham Young University and is a member of the Massachusetts Bar. She serves on Brigham and Women's Hospital's Newborn Medicine and Reproductive Health Advisory Board, Newton-Wellesley Hospital's Maternal Services Council, and is actively involved with the Boston Center for Endometriosis. Allie grew up in the suburbs of Boston and currently lives in Baltimore with her four children and her husband, Riley, a resident in anesthesia at Johns Hopkins Hospital.  Dr. Ruta Nonacs completed a perinatal and reproductive psychiatry fellowship at Massachusetts General Hospital. She is a clinical instructor at Harvard Medical School, a senior psychiatrist with the Center for Women's Mental Health at Massachusetts General Hospital, and the creator and editor-in-chief of their website,⁠ ⁠⁠womensmentalhealth.org⁠. She, with Allie Hales, co-hosts the new podcast,⁠ So Glad You Asked⁠. Dr. Ruta's work has been published in numerous scientific journals and books, and she is the author of⁠ A Deeper Shade of Blue: A Woman's Guide to Recognizing and Treating Depression in Her Childbearing Years. ⁠ Show Highlights: Highlights of Dr. Ruta's path to her current work Allie's lived experience in her mental health journey and her connection to Dr. Ruta Barriers to getting information and accessing treatment The importance of lived experience in developing solutions and strategies Moms, questions, and a new podcast Giving a voice to “regular moms” and providing evidence-based solutions Major topics planned for upcoming podcast episodes (Dr. Ruta and Allie have a huge list!) The connection between the podcast and a resource hub at ⁠womensmentalhealth.org⁠ Accessible information IS preventative. The podcast schedule and plans for the first season Dr. Ruta and Allie's hopes and dreams for their podcast to empower and support women Resources: Connect with Dr. Ruta Nonacs and Allie Hales:⁠ Women's Mental Health website⁠,⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ So Glad You Asked⁠ podcast, and⁠ A Deeper Shade of Blue: A Woman's Guide to Recognizing and Treating Depression in Her Childbearing Years⁠. Call the National Maternal Mental Health Hotline at 1-833-TLC-MAMA or visit⁠ cdph.ca.gov⁠ Please find resources in English and Spanish at⁠ Postpartum Support International⁠, or by phone/text at 1-800-944-4773. There are many free resources, like online support groups, peer mentors, a specialist provider directory, and perinatal mental health training for therapists, physicians, nurses, doulas, and anyone who wants to be more supportive in offering services.  You can also follow PSI on social media:⁠ Instagram⁠,⁠ Facebook⁠, and most other platforms Visit⁠ www.postpartum.net/professionals/certificate-trainings/⁠ for information on the grief course.   Visit my website,⁠ www.wellmindperinatal.com⁠, for more information, resources, and courses you can take today! If you are a California resident looking for a therapist in perinatal mental health, ⁠email me⁠ about openings for private pay clients! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

The Catholic Church, albeit not a democratic nation-state, has one of the most long-standing voting traditions in the world. When a pope dies, their successor is chosen by election. However, only a few Catholics—the cardinals of the church—participate. And the Catholic magisterium teaches that even though humans vote, it's the Holy Spirit guiding the process. Even though the pope is the head of state for Vatican City, the election of a new pontiff is supposed to be about God's will for the church, not about the triumph of this or that political faction.   The Catholic Church has held many conclaves over the centuries, some contentious. The recent death of Pope Francis provoked widespread media speculation not only about who would succeed him but how the process of choosing a pope works at all. Especially in an era where everything is visible and conducted for an audience, the very secrecy of the conclave—as the voting process is called—adds to the intrigue.  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to guest Don Clemmer about who chooses a pope, how the process works, and some of the traditions associated with the conclave. Clemmer is editor of Connection magazine for the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and coproducer of the Just Politics podcast. He has written extensively for U.S. Catholic, as well as for many other publications, and previously worked in the media relations office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Find out more about this subject, and read some of Clemmer's work, in these links.  “How is a pope chosen?” by Jacob Kohlhaas How is a pope chosen? - U.S. Catholic “What happens when a pope dies?” by Amanda Osheim What happens when a pope dies?  “What is the College of Cardinals?” by Jacob Kohlhaas What is the College of Cardinals? - U.S. Catholic “What is the origin of the papal smoke?” by David Pitt What is the origin of the papal smoke? - U.S. Catholic “The 12 cardinals who might succeed Pope Francis,” by Don Clemmer The 12 cardinals who might succeed Pope Francis - U.S. Catholic Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

Nearly a century ago, a Spanish priest named Josemaría Escrivá founded a religious movement intended to summon Christians of all races, ages, and social classes to renew the world, not by separating themselves from it, but by making their everyday lives holy.  Today, the group Escriva founded, known as Opus Dei (“Work of God”) is a highly respected group with approximately 90,000 members, active in 70 countries. St. Pope John Paul II was an admirer of Escrivá and officially canonized him in 2002. Opus Dei members include priests and religious but also laypeople who work ordinary jobs, have families, and are involved in the life of their parishes.  Many of these Opus Dei members are unaware that the organization has been accused of human trafficking and labor exploitation and is the subject of a criminal investigation in Argentina. According to the report that concluded the investigation, people holding different positions within Opus Dei recruited women and girls from low-income families in several South American countries, promised them job training, and placed them in grueling work situations without pay. Opus Dei has also been accused of financial crimes such as fraud and money laundering.  Opus Dei leadership denies these allegations, claiming their critics have concocted false charges by taking details out of context. So how do we balance these allegations with the experience of thousands of ordinary Catholics and with Escrivá's vision of an inclusive church? What exactly is Opus Dei and how does it relate to the rest of the church?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, hosts Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss talk to journalist Gareth Gore about what Opus Dei is, how it functions, and the details of the allegations against the group. Gore is the author of Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church (Simon & Schuster). Based in London, Gore has reported from over 25 countries and covered some of the biggest financial stories in recent years.  For more information about this topic, and to read about Gore's book, check out these links.  Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church, by Gareth Gore Opus | Book by Gareth Gore | Official Publisher Page | Simon & Schuster “Argentine prosecutors accuse Opus Dei leaders in South America of trafficking and labor exploitation,” by Debora Rey Argentine prosecutors accuse Opus Dei leaders in South America of trafficking and labor exploitation | AP News “Women in Argentina claim labor exploitation by Opus Dei,” by Debora Rey Women in Argentina claim labor exploitation by Opus Dei | AP News “How Opus Dei manipulated its way into power,” by John Farrell How Opus Dei manipulated its way into power - U.S. Catholic “In Argentina, Opus Dei 'categorically' denies allegations it's involved in human trafficking,” by Junno Arocho Esteves In Argentina, Opus Dei 'categorically' denies allegations it's involved in human trafficking | National Catholic Reporter “Peruvian Opus Dei cardinal denies allegations of sexual abuse of minor,” by Elise Ann Allen Peruvian Opus Dei cardinal denies allegations of sexual abuse of minor - Catholic Herald “Opus Dei Contests Charges of Malfeasance in Author's New Book,” by Ken Oliver-Méndez Opus Dei Contests Charges of Malfeasance in Author's New Book| National Catholic Register “Miracle attributed to Blessed Josemaria is approved”  Miracle attributed to Blessed Josemaria is approved - Opus Dei “Split in Vatican on Opus Dei's miracle,” by Giles Tremlett Split in Vatican on Opus Dei's miracle | World news | The Guardian Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

Kids today are wrestling with deep, challenging, real-world issues:  

Christian history has multiple stories of people who felt called by God to separate themselves from the bustle of society and live alone, often in remote places. In the first centuries of Christianity, the desert fathers and mothers went into the wilderness seeking a simple life of spirituality and prayer. In the Byzantine Empire there were the stylites, or pillar-saints, who lived atop columns and practiced extreme asceticism.  Other hermits lived in seclusion within society, sometimes in little cells attached to churches. In the Middle Ages, this practice became more popular, especially among women, some of whom were physically walled up in their cells, with no door or means of exit, representing their death to the world. Known as anchorites or anchoresses (from the ancient Greek ἀναχωρεῖν, meaning “to withdraw”), the most famous of these was the mystic and theologian Julian of Norwich.  The tradition of the hermit vocation has deep roots in pre-Christian practices, too. Hebrew scriptures are filled with stories of people fleeing into the desert to escape society and draw closer to God. In the New Testament, both John the Baptist and Jesus follow their example. And other religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sufism, also have traditions associated with the eremitic life.  But what about today? What does the life of a Christian hermit look like, in the modern era? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Brother Christian Matson, a professed hermit in the Diocese of Lexington. Brother Christian professes a rule of life that allows him to support himself financially through his work in the arts while he lives a life of contemplation in a private hermitage. You can learn more about the hermit vocation, and about Brother Christian's work, in these links.  “What is a hermit?” by John Christman What is a hermit? - U.S. Catholic “How To Be Alone,” by Alexander Jusdanis How To Be Alone | Sojourners “Medieval anchoresses found spiritual freedom in tiny cells,” by Ellyn Sanna Medieval anchoresses found spiritual freedom in tiny cells - U.S. Catholic “Sixty Feet Above: The Difficult Sanctity of Simeon Stylites,” by Eric Shuler Sixty Feet Above: The Difficult Sanctity of Simeon Stylites “The Desert Fathers and Mothers” The Desert Fathers and Mothers — Center for Action and Contemplation “Catholic diocesan hermit approved by Kentucky bishop comes out as transgender,” by Jack Jenkins Catholic diocesan hermit approved by Kentucky bishop comes out as transgender | National Catholic Reporter “Theater partnership puts depression, suicide prevention under spotlight,” by Buddy Forbes Theater partnership puts depression, suicide prevention under spotlight Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

The Bible is full of vivid, fascinating characters: heroes and antiheroes, tricksters and villains. One of the most memorable biblical villains is Queen Jezebel, wife of King Ahab in Kings 1 and 2. Jezebel shows up in multiple stories: persecuting the prophet Elijah, trying to institute the worship of the god Ba'al, conniving to steal a vineyard, and finally dying a gruesome death. She is mentioned in the book of Revelation, too, when the author refers to a woman in the church at Thyatira who “calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to engage in sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:20).   Because she lured her husband to worship a false god, and because she is remembered as wearing makeup and finery, she has come to be associated with ideas about women as dangerous, immoral temptresses. The name “Jezebel” has become a slur for a promiscuous woman who leads men astray, and this slur has been used especially to demean and demonize Black women.   But who was Jezebel really? Was she the sexually promiscuous character these slurs imply, and why does scripture depict her as a super-villain?    On this episode of Glad You Asked, theologian and biblical scholar Stacy Davis talks to the host about the character Jezebel and the history of using her as a weapon against Black women. Davis is a professor of religious studies and Theology at Saint Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and the author of Haggai and Malachi in the Wisdom Commentary Series (Liturgical Press). She is an associate editor of The Africana Bible: Reading Israel's Scriptures from Africa and the African Diaspora, as well as for the forthcoming Westminster John Knox Bible.   You can learn more about this topic in these links: “Jezebel from an African-American Perspective,” by Stacy Davis  whc.bibleodyssey.com “The Jezebel Stereotype,” by David Pilgrim The Jezebel Stereotype - Anti-black Imagery - Jim Crow Museum “Who Exactly Was the Original Jezebel?” by Wednesday Martin Who Exactly Was the Original Jezebel? ‹ Literary Hub “Jezebel Isn't Who You Think She Is,” by Nyasha Junior Jezebel Isn't Who You Think She Is - Dame Magazine “Naming the 333 women in the Bible,” by Alice Camille Naming the 333 women in the Bible - U.S. Catholic   Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries.

Carl Kerby is president & founder of Reasons for Hope. Prior to forming Reasons for Hope, he was a founding board member of Answers in Genesis and served there for 15 years.Skeptics and scoffers are flooding society these days in the media, politics, academia and even churches. 2 Peter chapter 3 recognizes this problem. So while there are those who will be sarcastic in their questioning, others genuinely want to know the truth so they know whether or not they should pursue the Christ of Christianity. Carl noted that he's encouraged by the current state of our youth because of the questions he hears from them. On the other hand, what he's concerned about is the level of despair and hurt that kids communicate that is causing them to ask the questions that represent their desire to seek hope.Jim then pointed to an alarming statistic from Carl's website. It indicates that 75% of kids leave the church from age 18 to 25. Carl explained how the majority of these are not college age students, they're elementary, middle and high school students. In other words, these youngsters may be sitting in our youth groups but mentally they've already checked out! Review this broadcast to find out how you can bring hope to inquiring young minds as you learn more about the DeBunked video series and hear answers to some of the questions from the book, Glad You Asked! Listeners also posed questions of their own for Carl.

Carl Kerby is president & founder of Reasons for Hope. Prior to forming Reasons for Hope, he was a founding board member of Answers in Genesis and served there for 15 years.Skeptics and scoffers are flooding society these days in the media, politics, academia and even churches. 2 Peter chapter 3 recognizes this problem. So while there are those who will be sarcastic in their questioning, others genuinely want to know the truth so they know whether or not they should pursue the Christ of Christianity. Carl noted that he's encouraged by the current state of our youth because of the questions he hears from them. On the other hand, what he's concerned about is the level of despair and hurt that kids communicate that is causing them to ask the questions that represent their desire to seek hope.Jim then pointed to an alarming statistic from Carl's website. It indicates that 75% of kids leave the church from age 18 to 25. Carl explained how the majority of these are not college age students, they're elementary, middle and high school students. In other words, these youngsters may be sitting in our youth groups but mentally they've already checked out! Review this broadcast to find out how you can bring hope to inquiring young minds as you learn more about the DeBunked video series and hear answers to some of the questions from the book, Glad You Asked! Listeners also posed questions of their own for Carl.

As of March 2025, Elon Musk, the richest person in the world according to Bloomberg, was valued to be worth 311 billion dollars. To help put this quantity in perspective: In order for the average middle-class person earning around $45,000 a year to earn even $1 billion, they would have to devote all their time to work, while spending nothing, for over 21,000 years—that is, longer than human history.  Given the extent of dire need across the world, it seems grossly unethical for anyone to have that kind of money. From a Catholic perspective, we need to take seriously not only concerns rooted in natural law ethics, regarding the flourishing of the person and the common good, but also traditional teachings about the moral obligations around money. Scripture is filled with warnings about the serious, possibly eternal punishments in store for those who hoard wealth at the expense of the poor. Does that mean billionaires are going to hell? On this episode of Glad You Asked, hosts Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss talk to moral theologian Nicholas Hayes-Mota about the Catholic Church's teaching on wealth and whether amassing vast amounts of money is a sin.  Hayes-Mota is a social ethicist and public theologian whose research interests include the theology of community organizing, Catholic social thought, contemporary virtue ethics, democratic theory, and AI ethics.    Read more about the ethics of wealth inequality: “Pope Francis: Powerful and Rich Risk Going to Hell If They Ignore the Poor,” by David Gibson “Why the wealth gap is bad for everyone.” A U.S. Catholic interview “Why wealth inequality matters,” by Kevin Clarke “The Universal Destination of Goods in St. John Chrysostom,” by Antônio Lemos Rerum Novarum (Rights and Duties of Capital and Labor), encyclical of Pope Leo XIII Populorum Progressio (On the Development of Peoples), encyclical of Paul VI Fratelli Tutti (On Fraternity and Social Friendship), encyclical of Pope Francis   Read more by Nicholas Hayes-Mota: “We need to reclaim the legacy of Christian nonviolence,” U.S. Catholic “Principle in Practice: A MacIntyrean Analysis of Community Organizing and the Catholic Social Tradition.” Journal of Catholic Social Thought “Partners in Forming the People: Jacques Maritain, Saul Alinsky, and the Project of Personalist Democracy.” Journal of Moral Theology “An Accountable Church? Broad-Based Community Organizing and Ecclesial Ethics,” Journal of the Society of Christian Ethics  

Welcome to another episode of Glad You Asked! Listeners, you sent in some fantastic questions and we're excited to answer them! Navigating a woke workplace Kristi McLelland Biblical definition of a false teacher “Stories of the Bible” When your pastor recommends a heretical book Lesbian couple at church Advice for single women Michael Heiser

D'Lai is one of the nation's most sought-after comedians. D'Lai has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime, BET's ComicView, and Kevin Hart's Laughing Out Loud Network. On top of touring colleges and universities, he has also embarked on military tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, and Bahrain. Consistently headlining sold-out shows around the country, D'Lai's material and sets span his humble beginnings to the experiences that have made him the man he is today. Transparent, raw, and uncut, D'Lai leaves it all on the stage. No questions, secrets, or lies; this man is a master of his craft, bringing audiences to their feet after every show.A comedian and entrepreneur, D'Lai has amassed millions of followers on social media with his stand-up comedy, storytelling, and reaction videos. He has created hashtags that have turned his brand—“Take It In” and “I'm Glad You Asked,” to name a few—into a merchandise bonanza. D'Lai is more than just funny. As a high-energy comedian, prominent entrepreneur, motivational speaker, spokesperson, author, and developer of film and television content, he has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment industry; he's a multi-layered, talented threat and one to watch. Unlocking Humanity with Host John Edmonds Kozma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

D'Lai is one of the nation's most sought-after comedians. D'Lai has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime, BET's ComicView, and Kevin Hart's Laughing Out Loud Network. On top of touring colleges and universities, he has also embarked on military tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, and Bahrain. Consistently headlining sold-out shows around the country, D'Lai's material and sets span his humble beginnings to the experiences that have made him the man he is today. Transparent, raw, and uncut, D'Lai leaves it all on the stage. No questions, secrets, or lies; this man is a master of his craft, bringing audiences to their feet after every show.A comedian and entrepreneur, D'Lai has amassed millions of followers on social media with his stand-up comedy, storytelling, and reaction videos. He has created hashtags that have turned his brand—“Take It In” and “I'm Glad You Asked,” to name a few—into a merchandise bonanza. D'Lai is more than just funny. As a high-energy comedian, prominent entrepreneur, motivational speaker, spokesperson, author, and developer of film and television content, he has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment industry; he's a multi-layered, talented threat and one to watch. Unlocking Humanity with Host John Edmonds Kozma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

D'Lai is one of the nation's most sought-after comedians. D'Lai has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime, BET's ComicView, and Kevin Hart's Laughing Out Loud Network. On top of touring colleges and universities, he has also embarked on military tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, and Bahrain. Consistently headlining sold-out shows around the country, D'Lai's material and sets span his humble beginnings to the experiences that have made him the man he is today. Transparent, raw, and uncut, D'Lai leaves it all on the stage. No questions, secrets, or lies; this man is a master of his craft, bringing audiences to their feet after every show.A comedian and entrepreneur, D'Lai has amassed millions of followers on social media with his stand-up comedy, storytelling, and reaction videos. He has created hashtags that have turned his brand—“Take It In” and “I'm Glad You Asked,” to name a few—into a merchandise bonanza. D'Lai is more than just funny. As a high-energy comedian, prominent entrepreneur, motivational speaker, spokesperson, author, and developer of film and television content, he has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment industry; he's a multi-layered, talented threat and one to watch. Unlocking Humanity with Host John Edmonds Kozma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

D'Lai is one of the nation's most sought-after comedians. D'Lai has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime, BET's ComicView, and Kevin Hart's Laughing Out Loud Network. On top of touring colleges and universities, he has also embarked on military tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, and Bahrain. Consistently headlining sold-out shows around the country, D'Lai's material and sets span his humble beginnings to the experiences that have made him the man he is today. Transparent, raw, and uncut, D'Lai leaves it all on the stage. No questions, secrets, or lies; this man is a master of his craft, bringing audiences to their feet after every show.A comedian and entrepreneur, D'Lai has amassed millions of followers on social media with his stand-up comedy, storytelling, and reaction videos. He has created hashtags that have turned his brand—“Take It In” and “I'm Glad You Asked,” to name a few—into a merchandise bonanza. D'Lai is more than just funny. As a high-energy comedian, prominent entrepreneur, motivational speaker, spokesperson, author, and developer of film and television content, he has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment industry; he's a multi-layered, talented threat and one to watch. Unlocking Humanity with Host John Edmonds Kozma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Life doesn't have to leave you spinning. In our “Overwhelmed” series, Pastor Scotty reminds us of the profound simplicity of prayer: just asking God. This week, explore how God has tied His faithfulness and reputation to answering the prayers of His people. Prayer isn't about perfect words or rituals—it's about trusting that He hears, He cares, and He responds. Come discover the joy of bringing your needs to the One who never fails and find peace in His unwavering faithfulness.

Life doesn't have to leave you spinning. In our “Overwhelmed” series, Pastor Scotty reminds us of the profound simplicity of prayer: just asking God. This week, explore how God has tied His faithfulness and reputation to answering the prayers of His people. Prayer isn't about perfect words or rituals—it's about trusting that He hears, He cares, and He responds. Come discover the joy of bringing your needs to the One who never fails and find peace in His unwavering faithfulness.

D'Lai is one of the nation's most sought-after comedians. D'Lai has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime, BET's ComicView, and Kevin Hart's Laughing Out Loud Network. On top of touring colleges and universities, he has also embarked on military tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, and Bahrain. Consistently headlining sold-out shows around the country, D'Lai's material and sets span his humble beginnings to the experiences that have made him the man he is today. Transparent, raw, and uncut, D'Lai leaves it all on the stage. No questions, secrets, or lies; this man is a master of his craft, bringing audiences to their feet after every show.A comedian and entrepreneur, D'Lai has amassed millions of followers on social media with his stand-up comedy, storytelling, and reaction videos. He has created hashtags that have turned his brand—“Take It In” and “I'm Glad You Asked,” to name a few—into a merchandise bonanza. D'Lai is more than just funny. As a high-energy comedian, prominent entrepreneur, motivational speaker, spokesperson, author, and developer of film and television content, he has carved out a unique niche in the entertainment industry; he's a multi-layered, talented threat and one to watch. Unlocking Humanity with Host John Edmonds Kozma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

D'Lai is one of the nation's most sought-after comedians. D'Lai has appeared on HBO's Def Comedy Jam, Showtime, BET's ComicView, and Kevin Hart's Laughing Out Loud Network. On top of touring colleges and universities, he has also embarked on military tours in Iraq, Afghanistan, Korea, Japan, and Bahrain. Consistently headlining sold-out shows around the country, D'Lai's material and sets extend from his destitute beginnings to the experiences that have made him the man he is today. Transparent, raw, and uncut, D'Lai leaves it all on the stage. No questions, no secrets, no lies; this man is a master of his craft, bringing his audiences to their feet after every show. A comedian and entrepreneur, D'Lai has amassed millions of followers on social media with his standup comedy, storytelling, and reaction videos. He has created hashtags that have turned his brand—“Take It In” and “I'm Glad You Asked,” to name a few—into a merchandise bonanza. D'Lai is more than just funny. A high-energy comedian, prominent entrepreneur, motivational speaker, spokesperson, author, and developer of film and television projects, he's a multi-layered, talented threat and definitely one to watch. Unlocking Humanity with Host John Edmonds Kozma Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the United States, nativity scenes are part of the ordinary landscape of Christmas—even in secular spaces. You might see a blow-up nativity scene, all in garish colors, in front of a neighborhood store. Or in church, traditional statuary depicting European-looking characters. Some homes and religious organizations feature nativity scenes from around the world, with the holy family in diverse cultural garb. But no matter the aesthetic there are common elements in most nativity scenes: Baby Jesus in the manger, Mary and Joseph close by, a few placid animals, some devout shepherds and magi, with an angel hovering on high.  But how accurate are these scenes? Would the Holy Family really have been surrounded by animals? Did shepherds actually show up immediately after Jesus was born? And did Mary worry at all about the safety of putting a newborn infant in an animal's feeding trough?  On this episode of the podcast, scholar Jaime Waters talks to the hosts about what the nativity was really like and who was there. Waters is an associate professor of Old Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. She is presently working on a commentary on the book of Jeremiah for the Wisdom Commentary Series from Liturgical Press, and a book on methods of biblical interpretation. She has written multiple articles for America magazine about the intersection of scripture and justice issues. You can learn more about this topic and read some of Waters' writing in these links: “Who was really at the Nativity?” By Emily Sanna https://uscatholic.org/articles/201912/who-was-really-at-the-nativity/  “What are we missing in our depictions of the nativity?” By Kelly Nikondeha https://uscatholic.org/articles/202212/what-are-we-missing-in-our-depictions-of-the-nativity/  “A nativity collection shows different imaginings of Christmas”  By Jerry Bleem, O.F.M. https://uscatholic.org/articles/201712/a-nativity-collection-shows-how-different-cultures-imagine-christmas/  “The journey of the magi is long and risky, but it ends with joy”  By Jaime Waters https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/12/16/epiphany-scripture-reading-242059  “The loving dynamics in the Holy Family”  By Jaime Waters https://www.americamagazine.org/faith/2021/11/18/word-scripture-lectionary-liturgy-readings-mass-241843  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.  

Often, Catholics refer to Mary with the various honorifics we have attached to her over the centuries: Mother of God, Blessed Virgin, or Queen of Heaven. When we imagine her, we may think of famous paintings representing her as a queen, crowned and throned, holding baby Jesus. While these titles all highlight important theological truths about Mary, and our religious art helps us venerate her as the most important saint of the church, we may sometimes lose sight of who Mary was historically. Long before the church developed our various doctrinal understandings about her, Mary was a Jewish woman born into a particular family, culture, and political situation. But compared with the vast amount of theological writing on Mary, the historical material we have about her is pretty scant.  Who was Mary of Nazareth, really? What was her life like? How did she dress, what did she eat, and what level of education did she have? On this episode of the Glad You Asked podcast, guest AJ Levine helps us get a clearer picture of the historical Mary, beneath the halo and beyond the holy cards.  Levine is the Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. She was the first Jew to teach the New Testament at Rome's Pontifical Biblical Institute. She has held office in the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and the Association for Jewish Studies. Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus (HarperOne) and Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi (HarperOne). Her most recent book is Jesus for Everyone: Not Just Christians (HarperOne). Learn more about this topic, and read some of Levine's writing, in these links. “Mary, Mary, quite contrary,” By Elizabeth Johnson https://uscatholic.org/articles/201101/mary-mary-quite-contrary/  “It is time to free Mary and let God have her own maternal face,” By Christine Schenk https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/simply-spirit/it-time-free-mary-and-let-god-have-her-own-maternal-face  “All mothers stand at the cross with Mary,” By Sister Laurie Brink, O.P. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202005/all-mothers-stand-at-the-cross-with-mary/  “Why did God choose Mary?” By LaRyssa Herrington https://uscatholic.org/articles/202305/why-did-god-choose-mary/  “Witnesses, patrons, faithful disciples: The women at the cross and the tomb,” By Amy-Jill Levine https://www.abc.net.au/religion/amy-jill-levine-women-at-the-cross-and-the-tomb/13843886  “A Jewish take on Jesus: Amy-Jill Levine talks the gospels.” A U.S. Catholic interview https://uscatholic.org/articles/201209/a-jewish-take-on-jesus-amy-jill-levine-talks-the-gospels/  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.  

It's difficult to avoid artificial intelligence these days. When searching on Google or reading product reviews, there's a good chance that you'll be offered the option to read an AI-generated summary. Or maybe an AI tool will offer to write your work email for you. Savvy users are typically able to detect the errors in AI summaries, but even the most cautious and informed person might find it difficult to sort through what's accurate and what isn't. And while an ethical student wouldn't want to entrust their carefully thought out ideas to an AI writing program, it might be a temptation for those less skilled at writing, or less concerned about morals.  These are just a few ways AI disrupts our already hectic human lives. There are also questions about AI taking human jobs, AI being used to spread disinformation, AI romantic partners, even AI contract killers. The ethical issues around AI are real. But does this mean AI itself is bad? Are there ethical ways of using it? On this episode of Glad You Asked, guest Brian Green talks to the hosts about what AI is, what the real ethical concerns are, and whether Catholics should use it at all.  Green is the director of technology ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. His work focuses on the impact of technology on human life, society, and religion. He has contributed to a number of books on AI and ethics and is the author of Space Ethics (Rowman & Littlefield). He's been a lead contributor on three World Economic Forum case studies on ethical practices at Microsoft, Salesforce, and IBM and has worked with the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education. Learn more about this topic in these links.  “How should Christians respond to the challenges of AI?” By Kate Ott https://uscatholic.org/articles/202307/how-should-christians-respond-to-the-challenges-of-ai/  “AI isn't all doom and gloom, says this theologian” A U.S. Catholic interview https://uscatholic.org/articles/202307/ai-isnt-all-doom-and-gloom-says-this-theologian/  “‘Oppenheimer' offers a sober lesson in the era of AI” By Danny Duncan Collum https://uscatholic.org/articles/202311/oppenheimer-offers-a-sober-lesson-in-the-era-of-ai/  “Futuristic fiction asks important ethical questions about AI” By Jeannine Pitas https://uscatholic.org/articles/202308/futuristic-fiction-asks-important-ethical-questions-about-ai/  Journal of Moral Theology, Special Issue on AI https://www.academyforlife.va/content/dam/pav/documenti%20pdf/2022/AI/Spring%202022%20Special%20Issue%20AI.pdf  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Welcome to another episode of Glad You Asked! In this episode, we’re answering questions about… ∙Spiritual gifts ∙Women’s ministry, book clubs, and Bible study ∙Pentatonix ∙Hymnology resources ∙Modesty ∙Virtual vs. in person Bible study ∙What to do in church when a song from a heretical source is sung ∙Navigating technology Christianly ∙Having a relationship with […]

Even 700 years after his death, St. Thomas Aquinas is still one of most influential theologians in the history of the Catholic Church. The Dominican friar, philosopher, and theologian wrote extensively about morals, liturgy, the sacraments, humanity, and the nature of God. He drew on multiple non-Christian and pre-Christian traditions to articulate the relationship between natural reason and revealed truth.  Today, Aquinas' ideas remain central to Catholic thought. But not all his ideas have aged well. And this can pose a problem, especially when people treat him as an authority on the level of the magisterium. Some of the ideas from Aquinas that self-described Thomists like to reiterate not only aren't church teaching—they're also incorrect. But would Thomas Aquinas be a Thomist? What would the saint think about popular takes on his ideas today? And why is this academic quibble politically significant? On this episode of Glad You Asked, journalist Heidi Schlumpf, who recently wrote about this topic for U.S. Catholic, joins the hosts to talk about why conservative influencers love Aquinas and why disputes about his thought are relevant for the public square.  Schlumpf is a senior correspondent for and former executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter. She previously served as the managing editor of U.S. Catholic and has reported extensively on religion, spirituality, social justice, and women's issues. She is the author of Elizabeth A. Johnson: Questing for God (Liturgical Press). You can read more about this topic and read some of Schlumpf's writing in these links. “Would Thomas Aquinas be a Thomist?” By Heidi Schlumpf https://uscatholic.org/articles/202406/would-thomas-aquinas-be-a-thomist/  “Why ‘trads' seek to root the church's future in the past” By Angela Denker https://uscatholic.org/articles/202207/why-trads-seek-to-root-the-churchs-future-in-the-past/  “Two very different parishes point to divisions in the church” By Peter Feuerherd https://uscatholic.org/articles/202105/parish-differences-show-division-in-church/  “J.D. Vance's Catholicism. Theological profile of Trump's heir apparent” By Massimo Faggioli https://international.la-croix.com/opinions/jd-vances-catholicism-theological-profile-of-trumps-heir-apparent  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Join us as we wrap up our series, I'm Glad You Asked. This week, we're tackling the question: Can I know God personally? Deep within us is a longing—a thirst—to connect with the One who created us. But is such a relationship truly possible? Let's explore this together. John 10:10-11 & 14-16

Religious nationalism is on the rise, both in the United States and globally. While this poses multiple challenges to justice work, it also raises theoretical questions for Christians, including the question of how Catholics should understand the relationship between church and political powers. For centuries, when monarchy was the default, Catholics argued about this. Should the pope control the king, or vice versa? Can kings appoint religious institutional leaders? What if a pope excommunicates a monarch? Somewhere along the line, a political idea called integralism developed. Integralism proposes a much closer relationship between political and religious authorities than most Americans are comfortable with. But despite our longstanding embrace of the separation of church and state, this seemingly obscure idea has entered our public discourse, associated with some right-wing influencers and political figures—including Vice President-Elect JD Vance.  So what is integralism? Is it the same as nationalism, and does it threaten our constitutional ideas about religious liberty? On this episode of the podcast, scholar Nicholas Hayes-Mota talks to the hosts about what integralism is and how it relates to the current political climate.  Hayes-Mota is a social ethicist and public theologian whose research interests include the theology of community organizing, Catholic social thought, contemporary virtue ethics, democratic theory, and AI ethics. He is a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University's College of Arts and Sciences. You can learn more about this topic and read some of Hayes-Mota's work in these links. “What is Catholic integralism?” By Steven P. Millies https://uscatholic.org/articles/201910/what-is-catholic-integralism/  “The Integralist Argument Is Wrong, Even If You're Catholic”  By Kevin Augustyn https://www.discoursemagazine.com/p/the-integralist-argument-is-wrong-even-if-youre-catholic  “The strange world of Catholic 'integralism'—and Christian nationalism”  By Jack Jenkins https://www.ncronline.org/news/strange-world-catholic-integralism-and-christian-nationalism  “The not-so-Catholic candidacy of J. D. Vance”  By Jason L. Miller and Rebecca Bratten Weiss https://uscatholic.org/articles/202407/the-not-so-catholic-candidacy-of-j-d-vance/  “Faith at the expense of freedom”  By Rebecca Bratten Weiss https://www.christiancentury.org/features/faith-expense-freedom  “We need to reclaim the legacy of Christian nonviolence”  By Nicholas Hayes-Mota https://uscatholic.org/articles/202405/we-need-to-reclaim-the-legacy-of-christian-nonviolence/  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.  

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19). This verse, sometimes called the Great Commission, includes a mandate to perform baptisms. But does that mean Jesus was telling everyone to go out and baptize? In the gospel passage, Jesus is speaking only to the eleven men who were closest to him, sometimes called the apostles. Traditionally, Catholics have believed that those eleven men were the first priests, and that this is why the mandate to baptize was directed at them.   But does that mean only priests can perform baptisms? And does it mean that a person who is able to baptize should do so any time they get a chance, even if the person hasn't asked for baptism, doesn't want it, or is too young to make the decision? What about if a person was adamant about rejecting baptism, but is now unconscious, and dying? Should a good Catholic try to get them baptized anyway?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, Claretian Father Paul Keller talks to the hosts about the church's rules around baptism: who can baptize, who can be baptized, and what makes a baptism valid. Keller is the provincial superior for the USA-Canada Chapter of the Claretian Missionaries and a frequent contributor to U.S. Catholic on issues relating to pastoral ministry, public policy, theology, and ethics.  You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Keller's writing, in these links.  “Baptism, not piety, is what makes us Catholic” By Don Clemmer https://uscatholic.org/articles/202307/baptism-not-piety-is-what-makes-us-catholic/  “3 things Catholics should remember about baptism” By John Kyler https://uscatholic.org/articles/202211/3-things-catholics-should-remember-about-baptism/  “Why does baptism have to be so wet?” By Victoria M. Tufano https://uscatholic.org/articles/201603/why-does-baptism-have-to-be-so-wet/  “Should confirmation be for adults only?” By Father Paul Keller, C.M.F. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202206/should-confirmation-be-for-adults-only/  “Can a priest withhold communion from a Catholic?” By Father Paul Keller, C.M.F. https://uscatholic.org/articles/202109/can-a-priest-withhold-communion-from-a-catholic/  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

In times of difficulty and strife, it's easy to feel hopeless. Sometimes it's personal loss or tragedy, sometimes it's climate catastrophe. Sometimes it's the injustice meted out by authoritarian, extremist regimes. Sometimes it's the weight of depression, anxiety, and trauma. Christian mandates to rejoice and be glad can feel ridiculous, even insulting, to those who see no cause for joy. When the weight of the world's woes gets heavy, simply getting out of bed in the morning can be a chore. Hopelessness may seem like the most logical, realistic response to the state of humanity. But aren't Christians supposed to be hopeful? Technically, hope is a theological virtue. Hope is connected with faith and charity. So some Christians assume that hopelessness must be a sin, or at least a religious failure. It doesn't help that some Catholics try to turn mental health issues into spiritual ones, even going so far as to claim that depression is caused by evil spirits. So, what's the difference between the virtue of hope, having hope for the future, and feeling “in a hopeful mood”? Are Christians required to be hopeful even in dire times? Is it a sin to be hopeless? On this episode of Glad You Asked, Christine Valters Paintner discusses what it means to be hopeful in a world fraught with suffering. Paintner is a Benedictine oblate and the online abbess at abbeyofthearts.com, a virtual monastery integrating contemplative practice and creative expression. She is a poet and the author of more than 20 books on the spiritual life. Her newest book is A Midwinter God: Encountering the Divine in Seasons of Darkness (Ave Maria Press).  You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Paintner's writing, in these links: “Biblical figures struggled with mental health, too” By Alice Camille https://uscatholic.org/articles/202402/biblical-figures-struggled-with-mental-health-too/  “How your parish can help those suffering from depression”  By Jessie Bazan https://uscatholic.org/articles/201804/how-your-parish-can-help-those-suffering-from-depression/  “No one can avoid suffering, but Jesus points a way to healing” By Kevin Considine https://uscatholic.org/articles/202309/no-one-can-avoid-suffering-but-jesus-points-a-way-to-healing/  “It's OK to despair and swear at God” By Michael Leech https://www.ncronline.org/blogs/soul-seeing/its-ok-despair-and-swear-god  “Learn to take your troubles to the Black Madonna” By Christine Valters Paintner https://uscatholic.org/articles/202204/learn-to-take-your-troubles-to-the-black-madonna/  “Exile is at the heart of the human experience” By Christine Valters Paintner https://uscatholic.org/articles/202308/exile-is-at-the-heart-of-the-human-experience/  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Historically, nationalism has often turned out to be a bad idea. The most obvious examples of nationalism leading to atrocities include the Nazi regime in Germany and Benito Mussolini's fascist dictatorship in Italy, but today's geopolitical scene involves a variety of problematic nationalistic movements, including in India, Turkey, Brazil, and Hungary.  Even though nationalism frequently leads to violence or even genocide, people keep trying it. Perhaps the logic is something like “As great as MY nation is, maybe this time it will work!”  Here in the United States, nationalism has usually come with a particularly Christian flavor. Aside from the usual concerns associated with nationalism, this pairing of politics and religion poses unique challenges. Does it even make sense to combine a political ideology like nationalism with a religion like Christianity (especially Catholic Christianity, which is all about universality and solidarity across borders)?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, theologian and activist Jim Wallis discusses the nature of Christian nationalism, whether nationalism can ever be truly Christian, and how people of faith should respond to the resurgence of Christian nationalism in the United States today. Wallis is the founder of Sojourners and the author of 12 books, including America's Original Sin: Racism, White Privilege, and the Bridge to a New America (Brazos). He is the inaugural chair and founding director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith and Justice. You can learn more about this topic in these links. “Any religion allied with nationalism is dangerous,” by Stephen Schneck https://uscatholic.org/articles/202304/any-religion-allied-with-nationalism-is-dangerous/ “Christian nationalism distorts the faith, says Lexington Bishop John Stowe,” by Heidi Schlumpf https://www.ncronline.org/news/christian-nationalism-distorts-faith-says-lexington-bishop-john-stowe “How one evangelical leader uses the Bible to expose the ‘False White Gospel,'” by John Blake https://www.cnn.com/2024/04/28/us/evangelical-christianity-false-white-gospel-wallis-cec/index.html Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Every year at Halloween in the United States, amidst the usual vampires, witches, wizards, and superheroes, you may see a few costumes inspired by the Mexican tradition of Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead.  If you aren't familiar with this tradition, you might wonder about the significance of the floral crowns and beautifully painted skulls. Although the movie Coco recently brought Día de los Muertos into the public eye, Americans who are not of Mexican descent may still be confused about the celebration. Is this just how they do Halloween in Mexico? Or is Día de los Muertos the same as All Souls' Day?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, scholar and educator Mathew Sandoval talks about the origin of this colorful and evocative tradition. Sandoval is a cultural historian and performance studies scholar whose research focuses on Día de los Muertos in history and popular culture. He is an associate teaching professor at Barrett the Honors College in Downtown Phoenix, where he teaches interdisciplinary seminars on art, culture, race, history, and activism. He also has a professional career as a performing artist, storyteller, poet, and filmmaker.  You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Sandoval's writing, in these links: “What is Día de los Muertos? An expert explains the holiday celebrating loved ones who have died” By Matthew Sandoval https://artscanvas.org/arts-culture/what-is-dia-de-los-muertos-an-expert-explains-the-holiday-celebrating-loved-ones-who-have-died  “Is Día de los Muertos the same as All Souls Day?” By Joel Schorn https://uscatholic.org/articles/201111/is-dia-de-los-muertos-the-same-as-all-souls-day/  “How ‘La Catrina' became the iconic symbol of Day of the Dead” By Matthew Sandoval https://artscanvas.org/arts-culture/how-la-catrina-became-the-iconic-symbol-for-the-day-of-the-dead  “8 prayer practices to honor the dead on All Saints and All Souls Days” By the U.S. Catholic editors https://uscatholic.org/articles/202010/8-prayer-practices-to-honor-the-dead-on-all-saints-and-all-souls-days/  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.  

Every presidential election year, Catholics have the same debates: Which candidate is more in line with Catholic teachings? Is it a sin to vote for a certain candidate or support a certain party? What if none of the candidates reflect Catholic teaching? Various voter guides circulate, few of them the same. And inevitably, election season also becomes the season of misinformation, as media personalities and influencers broadcast their own personal opinions under the label of “church teaching.” Stories abound of priests or religious leaders telling their congregations that they are obliged to vote a certain way or be in mortal sin. Catholics who take seriously both their faith practice and their obligation to civic engagement may feel overwhelmed, confused, and dispirited in the face of this. Some may wonder whether there's even any point in voting at all. Others may decide not to vote because they dislike the idea of democracy. And still others may stay home simply because of ennui.  On this episode of the podcast, theologian and ethicist Meghan Clark discusses the question of whether Catholics have to vote, and how we ought to vote when we do. Clark is a professor of theology at St. John's University in New York and author of The Vision of Catholic Social Thought: The Virtue of Solidarity and the Praxis of Human Rights (Fortress Press). In 2022, she was the assistant coordinator of the North American Working Group of the “Doing Theology from the Existential Peripheries” Project for the Migrant & Refugees Section of the Vatican's Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development. She is a frequent contributor to U.S. Catholic.  Learn more about this topic, and read some of Clark's writing, in these links: “How should Catholics vote? A guide for faithful citizens” By Bernard Evans https://uscatholic.org/articles/202010/how-should-catholics-vote-read-this-guide-before-you-hit-the-polls/  “If you care about family values, vote for the common good” By Kathleen Bonnette https://uscatholic.org/articles/202410/if-you-care-about-family-values-vote-for-the-common-good/  “Government for the people needs to be for everyone” By Meghan Clark https://uscatholic.org/articles/202210/government-for-the-people-needs-to-be-for-everyone/  “Notre Dame peace scholar advises Catholic voters to use social teaching as guide” By Catherine M. Odell https://www.ncronline.org/news/notre-dame-peace-scholar-advises-catholic-voters-use-social-teaching-guide  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit https://claretians.org.

The social media trend of women who define themselves as “tradwives” has been growing for some time. You might be searching for a bread recipe or looking for crafts to do with your children, and suddenly you find yourself watching an Instagram reel featuring a young white woman in vintage 1950s clothing, standing in a beautiful kitchen, and talking about the joy of embracing traditional gender roles, not working outside the home, and submitting to her husband.  The tradwife aesthetic can be appealing, especially in our era of automation and late stage capitalism. And those who are ecologically minded might feel drawn to a lifestyle that looks more natural and simple, where women make their own clothing and prepare food from scratch instead of participating in globalized industrialization. But the tradwife trend isn't just about the aesthetic. Nor are ecological concerns a top priority for most women who call themselves tradwives. So what's the deal with the tradwives? Where did the trend come from, why is it so popular, and how should justice-minded Catholics evaluate it? On this episode of the podcast, the hosts talk to Emma Cieslik about the tradwife phenomenon, its origins, and its ideological framework. Cieslik is a religious scholar and museum worker based in Washington, D.C. who studies the intersections of gender, sexuality, and Catholic material cultures. She serves as director for Queer and Catholic: A CLGS Oral History Project. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Cieslik's writing, in these links. “Catholic trad wives pose a formidable political and religious force” By Emma Cieslik https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/guest-voices/catholic-trad-wives-pose-formidable-political-and-religious-force  “The Truth About the Past That ‘Tradwives' Want to Revive” By Jacqueline Beatty https://time.com/6962381/tradwives-history/  “Trad Wives Are Thriving in the Post-Dobbs Era” By Morgan Jerkins https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2024/06/trad-wife-wives-nara-smith-estee-williams-dobbs-roe-escapism/  “I thought I hated feminism. What I actually hated was conservative women's culture” By Rebecca Bratten Weiss https://uscatholic.org/articles/202305/i-thought-i-hated-feminism-what-i-actually-hated-was-conservative-womans-culture/ “Gender diversity has always been part of the church” By Emma Cieslik https://uscatholic.org/articles/202406/gender-diversity-has-always-been-part-of-the-church/  Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Glad You Asked | God's Solution for Stress (October 6, 2024)Feeling overwhelmed by the demands of daily life? In this episode, we dive into God's answers for dealing with stress, exploring how the pressures of modern life—whether at work, in relationships, or just keeping up—affect our mental and spiritual health. Learn how scripture guides us to slow down, set boundaries, and depend on God's power instead of trying to do it all on our own. With insights from Ephesians 5 and Philippians 4, we unpack practical ways to live wisely, cultivate gratitude, and turn worry into worship. Join us as we embrace God's peace in the midst of life's chaos and discover a new way to live stress-free.

You asked the big questions like...   How do I deal with stress?  Where do I fit into God's plan?  How do I understand and follow God?  What does God say about Burn Out, My Relationships, and the Dumpster Fire that is the world right now?  Well, I'm glad you asked!  In this series, we will unpack God's answers to your questions."Your people will proclaim your praise to all generations, O God!"  Psalm 79:1326206 Aldine Westfield @ 10am

The topic of today's Glad You Asked episode is The Chosen. In 2021, we ran a three episode series reviewing seasons 1 and 2 of The Chosen, and we thought it was time for a little update. We've answered lots of questions about The Chosen on our show in the last few years, and so […]