Conversations with Consequences

As Catholic economist Catherine Pakaluk recently highlighted the beautiful joys of siblings in The New York Times, the TCA team discusses their own experiences as mothers of large families. They reiterate the countless blessings and unique upside of a full house—including how a young sibling can be a balm to older teens struggling with depression or anxiety. Next, we sit down with Catholic mother...

As these United States celebrate 250 years this Fourth of July, Msgr. Roger Landry discusses the Catholic roots of our country and the many great American saints including the North American Martyrs. We also get a sneak peek of Meghan Cox Gurdon's new book, Free Range Girl, coming to bookstores this Fall. Set in the spirit of 1976, the memoir is a "powerful and luminous look back at a childhood th...

After Pope Leo's historic trip to Spain, art historian Elizabeth Lev joins to discuss the towering La Sagrada Familia Basilica in Barcelona, and Antoni Gaudi, the venerable architect who worked indefatigably on the project. Lev also discusses the impact St. Peter's Basilica had on her own faith life, and why cathedrals are built to turn our gaze toward Heaven. Catholic author Emily Stimpson Chapma...

This week on the show, Becket Fund President Mark Rienzi joins Ashley McGuire to discuss a deeply moving letter sent by Pope Leo himself ahead of the firm's 2026 Canterbury Medal Gala. Then, Catholic psychologist Dr. Gregory Popcak breaks down a viral moment on forgiveness from the Holy Father’s trip to Spain and shares his BeDADitudes for being an awesome dad this Father's Day. Finally, Monsignor...

Fran Maier joins to share his favorite parts of Pope Leo's new AI encyclical, 'Magnifica Humanitas,' and we also mark the 100th birthday of Jerome Lejeune as the First Things editor shares intimate details about what he has learned raising a child with Down syndrome. Rebecca Dougherty also joins discussing Pope Leo's favorite book, 'The Practice of the Presence of God,' and why every Catholic shou...

We continue to sift through Pope Leo's 'Magnifica Humanitas' with Professor Paolo Carozza of Notre Dame's Law School. Also serving as chair of the Meta Oversight Board, Carozza explained why he thinks the encyclical is "a profound and prophetic document," and why there is a need now to "develop a new politics" for the "whole persons and for all persons," as the Holy Father wrote. As we look ahead...

With the release of Pope Leo's highly anticipated encyclical on artificial intelligence, Dr. Fernanda Psihas, considers the document under the lens of the feminine genius as we look to the Blessed Mother for guidance to be 'weavers of hope' as the Holy Father urges us all to do. As a scientist and physicist, she found Pope Leo's words to be very unifying especially when bridging the gap between sc...

As Catholics around the world await Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on AI coming out early next week, Father Robert Spitzer joins to discuss what we might expect from the document especially as it pertains to the dangers of artificial intelligence and the impact this new digital arena is having on the economy. As creator of his own AI tools, the EWTN host also discusses why theologically sound AI concep...

As we mark 1 year of a Leonine papacy, Katie Prejean McGrady joins to reflect on the accessibility of Pope Leo XIV and what it was like to MC an event with the Holy Father and 5 teens who asked about mental health, prayer life, and AI. We also look ahead to his upcoming encyclical and the lens of joy he might bring to the topic of humanity while delving into the dangers of artificial intelligence....

With a new book released just this week, Margarita Mooney Clayton discusses 'When Mary Calls: Surprising Encounters with the Mother of God,' a theological exploration weaving in 7 encounters with Mary who "acts as a bridge... a living spiritual mother who guides individuals through danger, loss, and spiritual renewal, ultimately leading them closer to God." As Pope Leo XIV marks one year as the Vi...

As we enter into the Marian month of May, papal biographer George Weigel discusses Pope John Paul II's love for the Blessed Mother and he also touches on some of the current ills of society today including the recent rise in antisemitism and the Catholic Church in Germany's moves to ordain women to the priesthood. The Becket Fund's Nicholas Reaves also joins as the Supreme Court is set to hear a c...

With so many young adults flocking to Mass and pondering Catholicism, Dominican Father Joseph Anthony Kress discusses his days serving as chaplain at UVA and what he is witnessing in NYC where hundreds are coming to Mass weekly looking for answers and faith. He also shares a pivotal moment in his life during a trip to Lourdes that led to his vocation as a Dominican, and his work as promoter of the...

TCA chaplain Msgr. Roger Landry joins Ashley McGuire to discuss the recent rhetoric from President Trump attacking Pope Leo, and the need for prayer in this divisive moment. He also talks about the Pope's Apostolic journey to Africa while the Holy Father walks in the footsteps of St. Augustine. Madeleine Kearns joins in discussing her recent piece in the Free Press assessing this trend where self-...

With a date now set for the beatification of the Venerable Fulton Sheen, Msgr. Roger Landry discusses the amazing impact Sheen had on so many. EWTN's Father Leo Patalinghug joins to discuss the intersection between feeding the faithful physically and spirtually thorugh his Plating Grace ministry. He also discusses what happened when he invited some 'Catholic-curious' social media influencers on pi...

As we mark Holy Week, Father Patrick van der Vorst walks us through the art of Fra Angelico, Michelangelo, and other legendary artists who inspire us with their vivid scenes especially during this season as we contemplate the Passion of our Lord. Msgr. Roger Landry shares all the ways we as Catholics can enrich our spiritual lives during this last week of Lent, by taking part in the Lord's Supper,...

Out with a new book on how to "train your tongue and grow beyond the sins of speech," Godsplaining co-host Father Gregory Pine discusses how the idea of the book was borne out of contemplating confessions he had heard. Steeped in Thomistic thought, the Dominican priest points out that “The tongue … is the most refined of bodily instruments through which we cultivate communion with each other." Wit...

With baseball season officially underway, we talk with John Scheinfeld about his new film, BaseballL Beyond Belief, that explores the compelling depths of how baseball and faith intertwine in powerful and surprising ways. As we mark Down Syndrome Awareness day this weekend, Kate Ashbrook, founder of A Purposeful Day, discusses her important work of helping young adults with special needs reach the...

As we are in the thick of Lent, Andrew Laubacher joins from Humanality discussing his Digital Detox program that is changing lives across the nation by bringing his expertise to high schoolers and college kids on the real dangers of the digital world. Sifting through Neil Postman, Jonathan Haidt, even BF Skinner, Laubacher offers a very real look at the harm being done by smartphones and ways we c...

With the 150th anniversary of Pope Pius' birthday, author Mark Riebling takes us into the role that the Pope played in not just ending the war, but to "eliminate Nazism by removing Hitler." With NY recently signing assisted suicide into law, Charles Camosy joins offering his Catholic plan for "resisting physician-assisted killing." Msgr. Roger Landry joins from his Nigerian missions trip giving us...

With a surge of antisemitism growing among young Catholics, Catholic author and commentator Mary Eberstadt discusses why soon-to-be-Blessed Fulton Sheen always said: to be antisemitic is to be anti-Christian, and the role social media plays in this rampant rise we are seeing. As Ben Sasse gave us all a master class in the art of dying well, the TCA team discusses his wisdom and why we must all try...

As we mark 4 years since the beginning of the war in Ukraine, the bishop of Kyiv, Bishop Vitaliy Kryvytskyi joins to discuss the plight of the faithful in Kiev, surviving the cold winter months with no electricity, and clinging to Christ amid such harsh conditions. Calling it "a war against civilians," the bishop of Kyiv–Zhytomyr also works tirelessly to create summer camps for children to retain...

This week, Bill McGurn of the Wall Street Journal joins to discuss the fate of Jimmy Lai and what might be done to bring the 'champion of freedom' home to his family. We also discuss his journey to the Catholic faith and McGurn's own role as godfather. Marking National Marriage Week, Leigh Snead discusses Springs in the Desert with founder Ann Koshute, working to help couples across the country st...

With the Super Bowl kicking off this weekend, we sit down with Father Patrick Hyde, Catholic chaplain at Indiana University to discuss the remarkable faith of Heisman Trophy winner Fernando Mendoza, and the recent uptick of so many college students eager to learn about Catholicism. With Bishop Michael Burbidge's pastoral letter on mental health, we talk with Dr. Greg Popcak about how to combat dep...

With thousands marching for life in Washington, D.C. last week, we talk with National Review's Alexandra DeSanctis about where the pro-life movement is now, especially as the dangerous abortion pill has become much more accessible. Sarah Hurm who headlined the March for Life joins sharing her personal story of saving her 4th child by abortion pill reversal. Msgr. Roger Landry also remembers the tr...

With her new book out this week, Catholic author, mother, and philosopher Carrie Gress discusses 'Something Wicked: Why Feminism Can't Be Fused With Christianity,' as she challenges the very foundations of feminism, and why it can never be part of the Christian ethos. With the March for Life this week, president Jennie Bradley Lichter reminds us 'life is a gift' as she calls the pro-life community...