Podcasts about glad you asked

Mandy Fowler and Inge Whittemore talk about week 4 of “I'm Glad You Asked,” digging into the topics of legalism and the spiritual practice of the Rule of Life.

Mandy Fowler and Lead Pastor Ken Nash discuss week 2 of “I'm Glad You Asked” and have a conversation about The Good Samaritan, Romans 14, and the fruit of our Bible interpretation.

Health & Fitness · MGH Center for Women's Mental Health

Mandy Fowler and Lead Pastor Ken Nash discuss week 2 of “I'm Glad You Asked” and have a conversation about The Good Samaritan, Romans 14, and the fruit of our Bible interpretation.

Mandy Fowler and Lead Pastor Ken Nash discuss week 2 of “I'm Glad You Asked” and have a conversation about The Good Samaritan, Romans 14, and the fruit of our Bible interpretation.

May 31, 2026 | Questions Sermon Series | "I'm Glad You Asked" | John 20:24-29 | Dr. Tim Filston by

In the 6th chapter of Matthew's gospel, Jesus teaches his disciples how to pray, introducing what today we call the "Our Father," or the "Lord's Prayer." But Jesus imparts this prayer in the context of various instructions on the many ways we shouldn't pray. Don't pray in public for everyone to see. Don't put on a gloomy face. Then, in the following chapter, he says: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father in heaven." So Christians should pray. But Christians should also, it seems, be wary about praying the wrong way. This opens up intriguing questions about what it means to pray, whether there are things we should or shouldn't pray for, and what it means for a prayer to be answered.  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk with award-winning writer Laura Kelly Fanucci about the point of prayer.  Fanucci is the author of a number of books, most recently Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection Joy (Liturgical Press, 2026). She has written for U.S. Catholic as well as OSV News Service, America Magazine, and on two popular substacks. Her work has also been featured on the Hallow and Ritual apps, and in popular outlets including NPR's Morning Edition, On Being, and The Kelly Clarkson Show.  You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Fanucci's work, in these links. Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection, by Laura Kelly Fanucci The Holy Labor: Original essays on theology & spirituality from Laura Kelly Fanucci "Should you request prayers on social media?" by Teresa Coda "Can prayer heal?" by Teresa Coda "Prayer must lead to practical solutions," by Shireen Korkzan "Pope Leo says God rejects prayers of leaders who wage wars," by Joshua McElwee This episode is sponsored by Catholic Relief Services. Prayer connects us to God and to one another, and CRS puts that connection into action by serving people facing hunger, violence and displacement worldwide. Through shared prayers and humanitarian response, CRS invites you to live out your faith through service to others. Learn more about CRS' work at crs.org.

It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check it out!

BTW is back for our summer series “I'm Glad You Asked!” This week, Mandy Fowler (Director of Spiritual Formation) and Alex Fernandez (Pastor, Heritage Hill Campus) discuss the origins of the Bible and why it's important for Christians to know about them … plus, what about the extra books some traditions have?

BTW is back for our summer series “I'm Glad You Asked!” This week, Mandy Fowler (Director of Spiritual Formation) and Alex Fernandez (Pastor, Heritage Hill Campus) discuss the origins of the Bible and why it's important for Christians to know about them … plus, what about the extra books some traditions have?

BTW is back for our summer series “I'm Glad You Asked!” This week, Mandy Fowler (Director of Spiritual Formation) and Alex Fernandez (Pastor, Heritage Hill Campus) discuss the origins of the Bible and why it's important for Christians to know about them … plus, what about the extra books some traditions have?

This Easter—2026—multiple Catholic parishes across the nation saw a surge in adult baptisms and new converts entering the church. Some dioceses reported all-time records for people becoming Catholic at Easter. This trend parallels a broader trend of renewed interest in religion, especially with young people. Protestant and nondenominational churches have also had an influx of younger converts. According to a study from Barna Group, which tracks data on faith in U.S. culture, younger adults—Gen Z and Millennials—have become the most regular churchgoers, outpacing older generations.  While some are calling this a religious revival, the reality is that attracting young people to church doesn't necessarily, automatically translate into offering them a reason to stay for the long term. If young people are showing up for church because they are looking for something—are they finding what it was they were looking for? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talked to three guests from different backgrounds and Christian affiliations about what young people want from the church. Catalina Morales Bahena is Director of Learning at Faith in Action; Drew Stever is a chaplain, spiritual director, and ordained pastor in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and Baird Linke is an activist who currently serves as pastor of Our Savior's Lutheran Church in Bonner, Montana. They are some of the contributors to a new book, Hungry for Hope: Letters to the Church from Young Adults (Edited by Jeremy Paul Myers and Kristina Frugé, and published by Eerdmans).  Learn more about this topic in these links.   Hungry for Hope: Letters to the Church from Young Adults  New Barna Data: Young Adults Lead a Resurgence in Church Attendance Rise in Young Men's Religiosity Realigns Gender Gaps Religion Holds Steady in America "Young people are seeking connection. Can the church respond?" A U.S. Catholic interview "What young Catholic peacemakers want from the church," by John Noble "Younger Catholics are seeking new models of sainthood," by Rhina Guidos "Church revival? New numbers don't show whole picture, experts say," by Brian Fraga  

People go "parish hopping" for all kinds of reasons. Sometimes it's because of simple things like wanting more convenient mass times, or a shorter drive. Or it might be because they're looking for a community with more people in their age group, or more options for activities or outreach.  Sometimes, people leave their parish because of reasons pertaining to doctrine or liturgy. A new pastor might preach homilies that run counter to people's understanding of the faith, or initiate liturgical changes that leave them feeling spiritually desolate. For instance, following Pope Benedict XVI' 2007 motu proprio relaxing restrictions on the old Latin Mass, some parishes shifted to a more traditional liturgical form that sent some parishioners on a quest for the inclusive, Vatican II type Mass they preferred. Then in 2021, Pope Francis' instruction limiting the traditional rite sent other parishioners scrambling in other directions.  And sometimes, people leave their churches for more serious reasons relating to financial scandals, or spiritual or sexual abuse.  Does the church have an official stance on parish-hopping? If your parish is inconvenient, or you don't like the liturgies, or don't get along with your pastor, should you leave, or are there other options for dealing with issues in your parish?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Paul Jarzembowski about what a Catholic should do if they have issues with their parish or don't like their pastor. Jarzembowski is associate director for the Secretariat of Laity, Marriage, Family Life and Youth for the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, and the United States' national coordinator for World Youth Day. He serves as an advisor to the Vatican on ministries with young people.  You can learn more about this topic in these links. "Would you leave your parish because of the priest?" by Rosy McCarty "After a bad homily, this is what I told my kids," by Shannon Wimp Schmidt "Two very different parishes point to divisions in the church," by Peter Feuerherd "Is there a bright side to parish mergers?" by Nathaniel Hunter "Should you stop donating to your parish?" by Abby Rampone "It's time to make parishes accessible to people of all abilities," by Karen Jackson "Can my parish celebrate the Latin Mass?" by John Kyler "For heaven's sake, say hi to new parishioners," by Angela Howard-McParland  

You don't have to be Catholic to recognize St. Francis of Assisi. Across the nation, you can find this gentle bearded figure, clad in simple robes, often with birds perched on his shoulders, as he adorns people's lawns and gardens. St. Francis is the subject of multiple movies and even a Marvel comic book. Hippies love him for his simple, nature-based spirituality. Animal rights activists love him because of stories about him preaching to the birds or taming a dangerous wolf.  But how accurate are our popular renderings of this Medieval Italian saint? Francis was a reformer in his day, a controversial figure in many respects. As well as stories about him preaching to the birds, we have other stories about him stripping naked in front of a bishop or throwing himself into a thorn bush. How can we square the gentle nature-lover with the intense reformer? And would St. Francis even recognize himself in your pretty garden statue? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Bishop John Stowe, a priest in the Franciscan Order of Friars Minor Conventual and bishop of the diocese of Lexington, Kentucky —a diocese that encompasses various underserved Appalachian communities. In keeping with the Franciscan tradition, Stowe has been a voice for justice for the poor, and has spoken out repeatedly on environmental justice, immigrant rights, and LGBTQ+ inclusion. You can learn more about this topic in these links. "What do we know about St. Francis, the most popular saint?," by Kathleen Manning "What did St. Francis say about poverty?" by Daniel P. Horan "How St. Francis led one activist to fight for ecological justice," by James Ehlers "St. Francis and the Taming of the Wolf," by Murray Bodo, O.F.M.  

It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check it out!

It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check it out!

It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check it out!

Luke's attempts to get to the bottom of Andrew's citrus addiction leads to a bigger mystery about India's third-biggest newspaper. Plus, Luke makes plans to visit steamboat museums and chimney sweep museums during his stay in Missouri. And a listener from New Orleans calls in with an epic tale of line-cutting. 

It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes will now air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check it out!

It’s time for another Glad You Asked episode! Our Q&A episodes will now air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check it out!

Catholics are accustomed to thinking of the term apostle as referring exclusively to men: the Twelve who followed Jesus and were with him at the Last Supper, as well as the Apostle Paul. But the church also considers Mary Magdalene an apostle—the "apostle to the apostles," to be precise. So clearly, being an apostle isn't something only men can do. If women can be apostles, this opens a fascinating question: What about Mary, Jesus' mother? Mary of Nazareth might not have preached Jesus' teachings to crowds, or spread the news of his resurrection, but we see her proclaiming the glory of the Lord in the Magnificat, guiding Jesus to perform his first miracle, and sticking with him by the cross. We know she was an important part of the early church. Aside from that, she birthed Jesus, body and blood, into the world. In this third and final installment of Glad You Asked's three-part season finale on Mary, the hosts talk with theologian Natalia Imperatori-Lee about whether Mary the Mother of Jesus was an apostle.  Imperatori-Lee's scholarship focuses on ecclesiology, feminist theologies, and Latino/a theologies. She has written in both academic and popular publications, on topics ranging from the church's mistreatment of women scholars, to the perils of complementarity, to Mariology. Her most recent book, Women and the Church: From Devil's Gateway to Discipleship (Paulist Press), is an overview of feminist theology, for the undergraduate classroom. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Imperatori-Lee's work, in these links. Women and the Church: From Devil's Gateway to Discipleship, by Natalia Imperatori-Lee Bearers of an "Idle Tale": Women's Authority in a Creditability Economy, by Natalia Imperatori-Lee "Mary, Mary, quite contrary," by Elizabeth Johnson "Mary Magdalene knew she was an apostle. Why don't we?" by Alice Camille "Two historians track down Jesus' women disciples," a U.S. Catholic interview "Finding leadership roles for women in the church," by Bryan Cones The Beginnings of the Church, by F. J. Cwiekowski Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Mary's "Magnificat" is pretty revolutionary. It isn't praising God for abstract blessings, but for real material events, all of which have to do with radical social justice. And this makes sense, given the world Mary lived in. She was a young Jewish woman, likely from a poor family, in a nation that was occupied by the Roman Empire. Since she was not a citizen, she lacked various protections and rights. Her son Jesus would eventually be executed by that Empire, on suspicion of revolution—and his execution would be in the brutal form of crucifixion, since he didn't enjoy the protection of citizenship.  We know there were revolutionary groups in first-century Roman-occupied Palestine. And we know Jesus was executed because the imperial regime viewed him as a revolutionary. What would Mary have thought about those groups? Does her Magnificat indicate that she favored them? Can we call Mary a revolutionary? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the second in a three-part season finale looking at Mary as a figure of liberation, the hosts talk with theologian Kat Armas about Marian devotion in relation to movements of revolution and reform.  Armas has a dual Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, where she was awarded the Frederick Buechner Award for Excellence in Writing. She is the author of Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World (Brazos Press, and Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence and Strength (Brazos Press), as well as numerous articles, including in the National Catholic Reporter, Plough Magazine, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, and Sojornours.   Learn more about this topic, and read some of Armas' work, in these links:  Liturgies for Resisting Empire: Seeking Community, Belonging, and Peace in a Dehumanizing World, by Kat Armas Abuelita Faith: What Women on the Margins Teach Us About Wisdom, Persistence and Strength, by Kat Armas "In Scripture and Trump's America, some people mistakenly want a king," by Kat Armas "Mary, Mary, quite contrary," by Elizabeth Johnson "How Liberation Theology Illuminates Advent in the Bible," a U.S. Catholic interview Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.   "Divine revelation leads to revolution," by Alice Camille

"Look to Mary as a model of authentic womanhood." That's the message church leaders have directed at generations of Catholic women and girls. Often, latent in this message, is the notion that authentic womanhood means being docile, obedient, submissive, and innocent. So it's no wonder that many people, both inside and outside the church, view feminism and Catholicism as incompatible. There are many different types of feminism but none are known for preaching docility. Nevertheless, Catholic feminists exist. They are scholars, religious sisters, activists, community leaders, workers, and mothers. They make significant contributions to theology, too. Are these women failing to emulate Mary sufficiently? Or, alternatively, are they following Mary's example? What if Mary herself was a feminist? This episode of Glad You Asked is part of a three-part season finale looking at Mary as a figure of liberation. This segment of the series focuses on Mary from the perspective of feminist thought, considering whether the historical Mary was a champion of women's liberation, whether feminists can look to her for inspiration, and whether Marian devotion is compatible with feminist thought.  To discuss Mary as a figure of women's liberation, the hosts talked with theologian Julie Hanlon Rubio. Rubio is the Shea-Heusaman Professor of Christian Social Ethics and Associate Dean at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. She is the author or editor of seven books, most recently Can You Be a Catholic and a Feminist (Oxford University Press). She has published in a variety of academic journals as well as popular venues, and serves on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Review Board. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Rubio's work, in these links. Can You Be a Catholic and a Feminist? by Julie Hanlon Rubio "Why did God choose Mary?" by LaRyssa Herrington "Could Mary have said 'No'?" by Kevin Considine "Why was Mary a virgin?" by Alice Camille "Don't make Mary the feminine face of God," by Elizabeth Johnson "Catholic and feminist: You got a problem with that?" by Megan Sweas "Real biblical womanhood: the defiant women of Hebrew scripture," by Rebecca Bratten Weiss "Was Jesus a feminist?" by Bernadette Raspante Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.  

Merry Christmas! We have an early Christmas present for you! Glad You Asked – our Q&A episodes – will now air every month LIVE on YouTube! We hope you’ll join us there! But don’t worry, you can always watch later on YouTube or listen right here on your favorite podcast platform as usual. Check it […]

Roman Catholic leaders are sounding the climate alarm again—but are their claims grounded in reality? In this episode of Created to Reign, Dr. E. Calvin Beisner takes a hard look at the latest warnings, from Laudato Sí to the Claretian Missionaries' “Glad You Asked” podcast, and tests them against the actual data on natural disasters, global temperatures, and the world's energy use.The episode breaks down why dire predictions of worsening hurricanes, droughts, floods, and fires don't match long-term observational records, and why trillions spent on renewables have barely budged global dependence on fossil fuels. It also challenges the notion that rejecting climate catastrophism means rejecting care for creation, and revisits the Cornwall Alliance's Open Letter to Pope Francis as a call for clearer thinking and better stewardship.A compelling, evidence-driven challenge to the dominant narrative—inviting listeners to rethink what faithful creation care really requires.“Glad You Asked” podcast: https://uscatholic.org/articles/202511/what-does-the-church-really-teach-about-climate-change-lorna-gold/Open Letter to Pope Francis on Climate Change, https://cornwallalliance.org/anopenlettertopopefrancisonclimatechange/Climate and Energy: The Case for Realism, https://cornwallalliance.org/product/climate-and-energy-a-case-for-realism/  Visit our podcast resource page: https://cornwallalliance.org/listen%20to%20our%20podcast%20created%20to%20reign/Our work is entirely supported by donations from people like you. If you benefit from our work and would like to partner with us, please visit www.cornwallalliance.org/donate.

According to several recent studies of health care systems across the globe, the U.S. health care system lags far behind those in other developed nations. The system is more expensive per person, but also for the nation as a whole. This high cost doesn't translate into good access, high quality, or favorable outcomes. Many in the nation have no insurance at all, and many can't find a primary care provider, or access much beyond basic emergency care. Our very expensive system does not do well at preventing death, either.  Skyrocketing insurance costs are likely to make matters worse, leaving more people uninsured, and dying for lack of care. It is likely to create a ripple effect, as high health care costs will increase food insecurity and exacerbate the homelessness crisis. These effects may even touch those who are comfortably well-off, as more care facilities close due to lack of funds.  Activists, lobbyists, policy-makers, and analysts have been calling for some form of universal care for Americans for decades, to bring us in line with the less expensive and more equitable systems in other nations. But what should Catholics think about this question? Would universal health care access be in line with Catholic social teaching? What would a truly just health care system look like? This episode of Just Politics is a collaboration with the Glad You Asked podcast. Sister of the Humility of Mary Eilis McCulloh, one of the Just Politics hosts, talks here with U.S. Catholic editors Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss about Catholic teaching on health care. Glad You Asked brings in theologians, activists, scholars, and other experts to tackle a range of questions about Catholicism that don't have easy, obvious answers. You can learn more about this topic in these links: International Comparison of Health Systems How does the quality of the U.S. health system compare to other countries? Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System "Kristen Whitney Daniels on why health care access is a matter of faith and justice," Just Politics "As the inauguration approaches, U.S. health care is on the line," by Kevin Clarke Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

According to several recent studies of health care systems across the globe, the U.S. health care system lags far behind those in other developed nations. The system is more expensive per person, but also for the nation as a whole. This high cost doesn't translate into good access, high quality, or favorable outcomes. Many in the nation have no insurance at all, and many can't find a primary care provider, or access much beyond basic emergency care. Our very expensive system does not do well at preventing death, either.  Skyrocketing insurance costs are likely to make matters worse, leaving more people uninsured, and dying for lack of care. It is likely to create a ripple effect, as high health care costs will increase food insecurity and exacerbate the homelessness crisis. These effects may even touch those who are comfortably well-off, as more care facilities close due to lack of funds.  Activists, lobbyists, policy-makers, and analysts have been calling for some form of universal care for Americans for decades, to bring us in line with the less expensive and more equitable systems in other nations. But what should Catholics think about this question? Would universal health care access be in line with Catholic social teaching? What would a truly just health care system look like? To discuss this topic, the hosts of Glad You Asked collaborated with Sister of the Humility of Mary Eilis McCulloh of the Just Politics podcast. In Just Politics, Catholic sisters and their coworkers at the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice discuss pressing political issues from the standpoint of Catholic teaching. McCulloh currently serves as NETWORK's Grassroots Education and Organizing Specialist. You can learn more about this topic in these links: International Comparison of Health Systems How does the quality of the U.S. health system compare to other countries? Mirror, Mirror 2024: A Portrait of the Failing U.S. Health System "Kristen Whitney Daniels on why health care access is a matter of faith and justice," Just Politics "As the inauguration approaches, U.S. health care is on the line," by Kevin Clarke Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Recent years have seen increased climate-related natural disasters. In the United States, an inland hurricane brought catastrophic flooding to the mountains of North Carolina. Ash from wildfires in Canada has clouded the air for hundreds of miles. And across the globe, extreme climate catastrophes have destroyed lives and communities. We're seeing wildfires in Australia, crop loss in Brazil, landslides in Italy, and famine-inducing drought in East Africa. And that's just the start of the list. For some, climate disruptions happen on a level that looks apocalyptic, with lives lost and communities decimated. Others might experience the disruptions on a smaller scale. Maybe it's a tomato crop lost to drought, or a new invasive insect disrupting an ecosystem. The signs are everywhere: something is amiss.But not everyone is convinced we need to do anything about it.  Care for the Earth is a fundamental part of Catholic moral and social teaching. And recent popes have spoken prophetically on environmental justice, with Pope Francis' encyclical Laudato Si' (On Care for Our Common Home) offering important developments in this area of doctrine. But some Catholics still think climate change is a hoax, or that it's not connected with human activity. And many who accept climate science don't connect it with their responsibility as people of faith, or are uncertain how it translates into how they're meant to act in the world.  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Lorna Gold about the church's teachings on climate change, and how Catholics ought to respond. Gold is Executive Director of the Laudato Si' Movement, and has also worked as executive director of FaithInvest, and the Policy and Advocacy Manager with the Irish Catholic Agency for International Development, Trócaire.  You can read more about this topic, and read some of Gold's work, in these links. Laudato Si' (On Care for Our Common Home) Laudate Deum (On the Climate Crisis) Why Does the Church Care About Global Climate Change Climate Generation: Awakening to our Children's Future, by Lorna Gold "Catholic Church and climate change: Why Catholics care about climate change," by Anna Carolina Gutiérrez "'Enough is enough,' say Global South bishops in climate letter," by Michael Wright "Who is bearing the brunt of climate change?" by Kevin Clarke Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Send us Fan MailCleo Abram & Christophe Huabursin are two of the hosts of a new YouTube series "Glad You Asked," where they will tackle unknown mysteries, anomalies, and unexplained phenomena big and small.  (From 10-8-2019

Catholic just war theory is a moral framework for evaluating warfare that dates back to St. Augustine but has its roots in older, pre-Christian ethical systems. Though the theory has been widely embraced not just by Catholic theorists but also by policymakers, it's also been widely criticized. Some Christian pacifists, pointing to Jesus' teachings on nonviolence and the early church's radical rejection of war, argue that the very idea that a war could be just constitutes a betrayal of gospel values. Yet others argue that absolute nonviolence is an impossible ideal, and means putting the vulnerable at the mercy of unjust aggressors. Critics of radical pacifism point to multiple instances of wars waged to stop unjust aggressors, invaders, and assaults against human life and dignity.  It's a topic with multiple intersecting moral questions. Is just war theory a sophistical attempt to defend the indefensible, or a viable framework? Should victims of oppression and violence be held to absolute standards of nonviolence, or are they justified in defending themselves? Is pacifism an impossible ideal, or something we can really work for?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to author and activist David Swanson about just war theory, where it comes from, how it is applied, and whether it is ever possible for a war to be just.  Swanson is executive director of World BEYOND War, and campaign coordinator of RootsAction.org. His books include War Is A Lie and When the World Outlawed War. He has been awarded the Real Nobel Peace Prize, an alternative award, supported by the Lay Down Your Arms Association, and inspired by the belief that the Nobel Committee has strayed from Alfred Nobel's original vision. He's the recipient of the 2018 Peace Prize from the U.S. Peace Memorial Foundation, and has been involved in multiple peace organizations. You can read some of Swanson's work, and learn more about this topic, in these links.  "Just War Theory," by Alexander Moseley War Is A Lie, by David Swanson When the World Outlawed War, by David Swanson "We need to reclaim the legacy of Christian nonviolence,"  by Nicholas Hayes-Mota "What does the church teach about self-defense?" by Jacob Kohlhaas "Record arms spending defies Pope Francis' final warnings," by Kevin Clarke "The Mennonite Catholic who puts pacifism in action," a U.S. Catholic interview Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Here in the United States, the principle that church and state should be separate is so woven into the fabric of our culture, many take it for granted as a fact of American life. We understand that everyone in the nation is entitled to practice the religion of their choice and worship freely, but also that the nation does not have an official religion, and that civic spaces should be religiously neutral.  Yet not everyone in the United States is committed to this long-standing idea. Both Christian nationalists and Catholic integralists dislike the idea that religion and statecraft should be kept separate. Some want to make Christianity the state religion. Others would like to use the force of government to enforce certain practices and ban others, based not on natural law or the constitution, but on their interpretation of their denominational creeds. So it's not surprising that some political thinkers have been raising the alarm, warning that the boundary between church and state is in jeopardy. What Catholics ought to think about this, however, is a different question. After all, our allegiance is to God first, before the state. And as people involved in public life, why wouldn't we want to use whatever tools are in our grasp—including the tools of governance—to create a society more aligned with Catholic principles? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to political philosopher and activist Stephen Schneck about where the idea of separation of church and state came from, and what Catholics should think about it. Schneck is retired faculty at the Catholic University of America, where he served as Director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies. Under President Obama he served on the White House Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. He is on the board for Catholic Climate Covenant, Sojourners, and Democrats for Life of America. He has published extensively on political philosophy and public policy. Learn more about this topic and read some of Schneck's work in these links. "The danger of blurring the line between church and state," a U.S. Catholic interview. Any religion allied with nationalism is dangerous, by Stephen Schneck "We don't understand religious freedom. COVID-19 proved it." by Don Clemmer "Does religious freedom favor some religions over others?" by Elizabeth Shakman Hurd "How the Supreme Court Is Dismantling the Separation of Church and State," by Hayley Durudogan and Sydney Bryant "'The great dechurching': Why so many Americans are leaving their churches," by Jonathan Chang and Meghna Chakrabarti "In a First Among Christians, Young Men Are More Religious Than Young Women," by Ruth Graham Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

In the Christian tradition, "apocalypse" simply means revelation, or unveiling. Yet somewhere along the line, the word came to be associated not just with prophecies about the end of the world, but with the end of the world itself—or at least with vast catastrophes and the fall of civilizations. And for some reason, people love stories about such catastrophes. This fascination with the apocalypse is not confined to fringe religious groups waiting for Jesus to return, or preppers hiding out in bunkers. It's not even confined to people of faith. Apocalyptic themes can be found across the gamut of our entertainment, from pop culture to more highbrow offerings. Whether nuclear war, climate catastrophe, alien invasions, lethal pandemics, or hostile artificial intelligence, envisioning the world we know it being snuffed out appears to be prime entertainment. On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to author, scholar, and educator Ed Simon about the concept of apocalypse, whether humans have always obsessed over the world ending, and why we're so interested in the end times anyway. Simon is the author of over a dozen books, including The Dove and the Dragon: A Cultural History of the Apocalypse (Fortress Press), and Writing During the Apocalypse (Bloomsbury Publishing). He is the Public Humanities Special Faculty in the English Department of Carnegie Mellon University and the Editor-in-Chief for Belt Magazine and the forthcoming Pittsburgh Review of Books.  Learn more about this topic, and read some of Simon's work, in these links.  Writing During the Apocalypse, by Ed Simon  The Dove and the Dragon: A Cultural History of the Apocalypse, by Ed Simon  "Apocalypse is the Mother of Beauty," by Ed Simon "On the Limits of Language at the End of the World," by Ed Simon  "Why Are We So Obsessed With the End of the World?" by Christian Lorentzen "In today's political rhetoric, apocalypse always looms," by Heidi Schlumpf "The Book of Joel offers hope in the face of apocalypses," by Alice Camille Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

For many, the term “anarchy” connotes chaos, disorder, even violence. Yet some anarchists are pacifists. And some are even Christian. The earliest Christian communities, some scholars believe, had certain anarchist tendencies, such as making decisions through group consensus, versus top-down hierarchy. Later on, of course, the church became more structured and hierarchical. But those anti-institutional threads of tradition never quite went away. In the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, when the concept of anarchy became formalized, various groups explicitly identifying as Christian anarchists emerged, in Russia, Europe, and the United States. While anarchism might work for less structured Christian groups, like Anabaptists or Quakers, it seems an uncomfortable fit for Catholics, given the church's emphasis on rules and hierarchy. So does this mean that Catholics can't be anarchists? What would Catholic anarchism even look like? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to journalist and Catholic worker Renée Roden about whether Catholics can be anarchists. Roden has written extensively on the Catholic Worker movement, and on economic and labor movements, She is a frequent contributor to U.S. Catholic, as well as to The Nation, Religion News Service, The Associated Press, Washington Post, Commonweal, Sojourners, America, and Notre Dame Magazine. She also writes frequently for catholicworker.org and its newsletter, Roundtable. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Roden's work, in these links: “Christian anarchism is as old as Christianity itself,” by Renée Roden “The Anarchism of the Catholic Worker,” by Renée Roden “A Short History of Religious Anarchism,” by Kevin Daugherty “Divine revelation leads to revolution,” by Alice Camille  

Terry Prone is no stranger to the world of politics and media, in fact her first tv debut was just at the age of 13 years old. She has become a household name across media and politics in Ireland. In her latest memoir, Terry recounts her career working with different political parties and figures such as Charles Haughey and Garrett Fitzgerald.

The belief that the movement of heavenly bodies shapes or predicts events has been around for thousands of years and can be found in many ancient cultures. Even today, some people look to their horoscopes when seeking insight on life decisions. Others read their horoscopes just for fun, without really believing in astrology, or using it to make serious choices. Still others would never dream of reading their horoscopes, viewing this as a form of divination or witchcraft which could open the door to demonic forces. The Catechism of the Catholic Church lists astrology among other divination practices (including conjuring the dead, palm reading, and recourse to mediums) that Catholics should avoid. Pope Francis reminded the faithful to cling to Jesus, not horoscopes or fortunetellers, for security in life. But do these warnings refer to all uses of astrology? What about people who read their horoscopes for fun, or look to the positions of the celestial bodies when planning agricultural practices like planting crops or pruning fruit trees?  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to historian Luis Campos Ribeiro about the origins of astrology, how Christianity has regarded it over the centuries, and what the Catholic Church teaches today about looking to the stars for guidance. Ribeiro is a historian of art and of science, with a focus on astrology, astronomy and their connections to art in the Medieval and Early Modern eras. He has a doctorate degree in History and Philosophy of Sciences from the University of Lisbon, and has written multiple articles, and two books, including Jesuit Astrology: Prognostication and Science in Early Modern Culture (Brill). Learn more about this topic and read some of Campos Ribeiro's work in these links. “Should Catholics consult their horoscopes?” by Kathleen Manning “Cling to the Lord, not horoscopes, fortunetellers, pope says,” by Junno Arocho “Nautical astrology: a forgotten early modern tradition,” by Luis Campos Ribeiro Jesuit Astrology: Prognostication and Science in Early Modern Culture, by Luis Campos Ribeiro “What are the ancient origins of your zodiac sign?” by Catherine Caruso “The Meaning of Coincidence,” by Edward Tverdek Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

his Week in Episode #186 Cj and Big Chris Get Into Stealing Utilities (00:05), Black History In The Making (07:50), Inmate Caught From New Orleans Jail Escape (10:40), Turning Point USA's Super Bowl Halftime Show (16:30), The No Limit/Cash Money Verzuz (18:28), Michael Irvin Crashing Out On Old School vs New School WRs (23:30), Allen Iverson's All Time Top 5 NBA Players (30:48), Air Force One's Being Old Man Shoes (35:50), “Big Nigga Burger” Coming To Atlanta (50:27), They Ask “Can You Be Bought?” (55:08), And Cheating in College (56:43).

The tradition of churches as places of refuge for those in fear of the law goes back centuries. It figures in several popular stories set in the Middle Ages, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame (both the novel and the Disney film), and the legend of the outlaw Robin Hood. In the nineteenth century, in the United States, enslaved people sometimes took refuge in churches. Later, in the twentieth century, people escaping the draft occasionally did so as well. The tradition has endured into the twentieth century, with immigrants and refugees in the United States turning to churches for sanctuary.  In fact, in 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent their officers a memo, telling them to avoid arresting people in "sensitive locations" such as churches, schools, and hospitals. Now, however, the role of churches as sanctuaries has become uncertain, as the current administration has stripped churches and schools of those immigration enforcement protections.  On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk with theologian Leo Guardado about the origin and significance of the sanctuary church tradition, the legal status of sanctuary churches, and whether the magisterium of the Catholic Church officially supports this longstanding tradition. Guardado has a personal connection to this topic, as he escaped the civil war in El Salvador as a child. He has worked ecumenically in the borderlands in defense of migrant communities, and is the author of numerous articles and two books, including Church as Sanctuary: Reconstructing Refuge in an Age of Forced Displacement (Orbis Books) You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Guarddado's work, in these links. The Sanctuary Movement Church as Sanctuary: Reconstructing Refuge in an Age of Forced Displacement, by Leo Guardado (Orbis Books) “Churches have a long history of being safe havens — for immigrants and others,” by BIll Chappell “4 steps to becoming a Catholic sanctuary church,” by Melissa Walker “What the Birth of the Sanctuary Movement Teaches Us Today,” by Kyle Paoletta “Social Justice — Catholic Churches and Hospitals as Sanctuaries and Places of Refuge,” by Brian Kane, PhD Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Catholics have frequently taken a stand against civil authorities, even breaking the law, to remain true to their faith.  The early martyrs refused to worship the Roman gods and were murdered for it. Saints have stood up against oppressive authorities, helped the innocent escape unjust laws, and held onto their faith even when it was illegal. Catholics were murdered for opposing the Nazi regime, and persecuted for their work in civil rights. Many Catholics who grew up with stories of these heroes of faith and justice took away the implicit lesson: Sometimes being a follower of Jesus means breaking the law.  If these stories count as instances of civil disobedience, does that mean civil disobedience has a place in the Catholic tradition? Does the official magisterium of the church have any teachings supporting–or critiquing–civil disobedience? What is civil disobedience, anyway?  To answer these questions, the Glad You Asked hosts talked to Jack Downey, a scholar of civil disobedience who is also the John Henry Newman Professor of Roman Catholic Studies and a professor of religion and classics at the University of Rochester.  Downey's scholarship focuses on contemporary justice movements, liberation theology, religious history, and contemplative traditions. He is the author of The Bread of the Strong, a study of contemplative influences on Dorothy Day and the Catholic Worker movement. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Downey's work, in these links. “We are all called to protest, says this civil rights lawyer,” A U.S. Catholic interview “Holy disobedience,” by Jim Forest “Traditional Disobedience: Renewing the Legacy of Catholic Activism,” by John Gehring “The Unlikely Catholic Activist Who Believed in Civil Disobedience ‘Animated by Love',” by John Loughery “A Metaphor for the Planet,” by Jack Downey The Bread of the Strong: Lacouturisme and the Folly of the Cross, 1910-1985, by Jack Downey (Fordham University Press, 2015) Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit claretians.org.

Over the past 75 episodes, the Glad You Asked podcast has addressed dozens of your top questions about Catholic history, scripture, and theology. The hosts have posed questions like: Do dogs go to heaven? Was Jesus a refugee? And should Catholics use AI? And dozens of teachers, theologians, activists, and scholars have joined the show to share their expertise on these and other most-searched queries about Catholicism.  On October 3, 2025, Glad You Asked is coming back with even more answers to all your burning questions. Questions to look forward to in the upcoming season include: Should Catholics read their horoscopes? Can Catholics be anarchists? And what does the church teach about civil disobedience? And the season will close with a special three-part season finale about Mary, the Mother of God. Sign up for updates at USCatholic.org/gyapodcast. Or subscribe on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or wherever you listen to podcasts. Glad You Asked is sponsored by the USA-Canada province of the Claretian Missionaries, a congregation that tends to the religious and pastoral needs of vulnerable communities. To find out more and get involved please visit www.claretians.org.   

Thursday, August 14th, 2025Today, it appears that Russia is responsible for the hack of the federal court system; the US deficit has increased to $291B despite Trump's tariff promises; immigration agents on Monday detained a disabled 15-year-old student at gunpoint outside a Los Angeles high school; the bench trial in the case brought by Gavin Newsom alleging the Trump administration has violated the Posse Comitatus Act has ended and Judge Breyer should issue a ruling soon; the president says he will ask Congress for a long term extension of the federal occupation of the District of Columbia; Gavin Newsom will give a press conference today at 1130 AM Pacific Time regarding redistricting; the Congressional Budget Office is out with a score on the Billionaire Bailout Bill and it's just as we suspected; Ghislaine Maxwell's lawyer called my reporting a rumor on twitter, and i have a response; and Allison and Dana read your Good News.Thank You, Daily LookFor 50% off your first order, head to DailyLook.com and use code DAILYBEANS.  Thank You, Fast Growing TreesGet 15% off your first purchase. FastGrowingTrees.com/dailybeans. Community Support Sign-up - UTLAStoriesLive updates: Trump says he will request a 'long-term extension' of D.C. police takeover | NBC NewsTrump's tax law will mostly benefit the rich, while leaving poorer Americans with less, CBO says | NBC NewsUS deficit grows to $291 billion in July despite tariff revenue surge | ReutersAgents detain student at gunpoint near school; safe zones to be expanded around LAUSD campuses | Los Angeles TimesCommunity Support Sign-up - UTLATrump Administration Can Withhold Billions in Foreign Aid, Appeals Court Rules | The New York TimesGood Trouble Today's good trouble comes from Isaiah Martin, candidate for congress in Texas' 18th district. “Texas Republicans have now set up a TIP LINE to rat out the Texas Democrats. So PLEASE, for the sake of the public, DO NOT FLOOD THIS NUMBER with tips on Bigfoot sightings, UFO sightings, or asking why Trump is on "the list" 1-866-786-5972Texas House speaker creates 'tip line' to narc on missing Democrats - Raw StoryFrom The Good NewsIn this episode of Glad You Asked, Deputy Secretary Dr. Paul R. Lawrence is joined by DHS Deputy Secretary Troy Edgar to discuss career... - VA FacebookWeatherly Heights Baptist ChurchReminder - you can see the pod pics if you become a Patron. The good news pics are at the bottom of the show notes of each Patreon episode! That's just one of the perks of subscribing! patreon.com/muellershewrote Our Donation LinksNational Security Counselors - DonateMSW Media, Blue Wave California Victory Fund | ActBlueWhistleblowerAid.org/beans Federal workers - feel free to email AG at fedoath@pm.me and let me know what you're going to do, or just vent. I'm always here to listen. Find Upcoming Actions 50501 Movement, No Kings.org, Indivisible.orgDr. Allison Gill - Substack, BlueSky , TikTok, IG, TwitterDana Goldberg - BlueSky, Twitter, IG, facebook, danagoldberg.comCheck out more from MSW Media - Shows - MSW Media, Cleanup On Aisle 45 pod, The Breakdown | SubstackShare your Good News or Good TroubleMSW Good News and Good TroubleHave some good news; a confession; or a correction to share?Good News & Confessions - The Daily Beanshttps://www.dailybeanspod.com/confessional/ Listener Survey:http://survey.podtrac.com/start-survey.aspx?pubid=BffJOlI7qQcF&ver=shortFollow the Podcast on Apple:The Daily Beans on Apple PodcastsWant to support the show and get it ad-free and early?The Daily Beans | SupercastThe Daily Beans & Mueller, She Wrote | PatreonThe Daily Beans | Apple Podcasts

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

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.

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