Sandburg Media
Francis Effect podcast
Two theologians walk into a bar... No, seriously: This podcast is about the real world of politics and current events, seen through the lens of Catholic teaching and spirituality. Your hosts, Fr. Dan Horan and David Dault, bring you a mix of perspectives, from Abbey Road to Metaphysical Graffiti. Dan is a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest. David is a radio producer and Catholic convert. They both have doctorates in theology. It is the best possible kind of nerdy.
Author
Sandburg Media
Category
Podcast website
Latest episode
Apr 23, 2026
Where to listen?
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Episodes
#2608 - President Trump's clashes with Pope Leo, Earth Day and ecospirituality, and an interview with Natalia Imperatori-Lee 23.04.2026 1:28:28
Heidi, Daniel, and David discuss the continuing saga of American political leaders trying to lecture the Pope on Catholic doctrine, and then they turn to a discussion of the recent Earth Day remembrance, asking whether it sould be seen as a celebration or a lament. Then Heidi interviews Natalia Imperatori-Lee about the upcoming Women's Ordination Conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit...
#2607 - Pope Leo's first Holy Week, Supreme Court conversion therapy decision, and an interview with Aaron Robertson 09.04.2026 1:28:49
Heidi, Daniel, and David discuss Pope Leo's strong anti-war stance during his first Holy Week, and they explore the role of the USCCB in a recent Supreme Court decision about conversion therapy. Then Heidi interviews Aaron Robertson about the history of Black Catholics, with a focus on the history of Detroit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2606 - Cesar Chavez controversy, Pope Leo speaks out against the Middle East war, and an interview with Kate Ward 26.03.2026 1:14:19
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at recent horrific revelations about the labor leader, Cesar Chavez, as well as exploring the Pope's pushback against the war with Iran. In our third segment, Heidi interviews Dr. Kate Ward about the meaning of work in Catholic Social Teaching. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2605 - The war in Iran, amicus brief on birthright citizenship, and the Oscars 12.03.2026 1:12:19
Heidi, Daniel, and David explore whether or not we are, in fact, at war (we are), and whether or not the US should continue to recognize birthright citizenship (we should). Then, in the third segment, David and Heidi try to figure out how we can find time to watch more movies, because Dan has seen them all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2604 - Rubio in Munich, the Olympics, and an interview with Bishop Brendan Cahill 26.02.2026 1:23:21
Heidi, Daniel, and David examine the recent speech by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich, and they geek out about their favorite Winter Olympic sports. Then Heidi interviews Bishop Brendan Cahill of the diocese of Victoria, Texas, and Chair-Elect for the USCCB Committee for Migration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2603 - NYC and Denver get new bishops, new revelations from the Epstein files, and an interview with Fr. Isaac Slater 12.02.2026 1:11:50
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the possibilities arising from new episcopal leadership in New York City and Denver. Then they turn their attention to the most recent disclosures from the Epstein files. In our final segment, Heidi interviews Fr. Isaac Slater about the spiritual value of not judging others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2602 - US bishops speaking out against Trump policies, remembering John Allen, Jr, and an interview with Laura Fanucci 29.01.2026 1:23:46
Heidi, Daniel, and David remember the life and work of John Allen, Jr., and track the shifting landscape of Catholic leadership around the current immigration situation, and Heidi interviews Minnesota author and activist Laura Fanucci. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2601 - The killing of Renee Good, the invasion of Venezuela, and an interview with Maxwell Kuzma 15.01.2026 1:20:14
Heidi, Daniel, and David return for their 18th season, and things are a bit dire. Looking first at horrible events in Minneapolis, and then horrible events abroad, they turn to the Gospels and Catholic social teaching for a glimmer of hope. Things are brightened by Heidi's conversation with Maxwell Kuzma in our third segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2516 - The Pope's first trip, the continuing saga of women deacons, and a pop-culture roundup 04.12.2025 1:13:52
We end our 17th season with a look at the current state of the Catholic Church, as well as with a look at what we've been watching, reading, and listening to lately Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2515 - The USCCB Conference, reopening the government, and an interview with Kat Armas 20.11.2025 1:31:34
Heidi, Daniel, and David do a deep dive into the recent Bishops' Conference, and we look at the ongoing fallout from the government shutdown as the country struggles to reopen. Then Heidi interviews Kat Armas about the spirituality of resisting empire during Advent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2514 - The loss of SNAP benefits, LMU labor dispute, and America's attacks on boats in the Caribbean 06.11.2025 1:08:11
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the cascading effects of the government shutdown, as well as the recent attacks by the American military on civilian fishing boats in the Caribbean. Finally, we take a look at the unfolding situation at Loyola Marymount, where their Board of Directors has refused to recognize union negotiations moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/ad...
#2513 - Effects of the government shutdown, Pope Leo's first apostolic exhortation, and an interview with Fr. David Inczauskis, SJ 23.10.2025 1:19:38
Heidi, Dan, and David look at the ongoing government shutdown from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching, and the notion that the government should exist to promote the common good. Then they look at Dilexi Te, the Holy Father's first apostolic exhortation to the faithful. Finally, Heidi interviews Fr. David Inczauskis, SJ, who was involved in the recent efforts to bring the Eucharist to imp...
#2512 - Pope Leo's comments on Senator Dick Durbin, Pete Hegseth's unprecedented meeting with the generals, and an interview with J.D. and Tamara Long-Garcia 09.10.2025 1:27:56
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the recent comments made by Pope Leo in the wake of Cardinal Blase Cupich offering to honor Senator Dick Durbin for a lifetime of service, and then we try to understand exactly what was going on with the recent meeting of generals and other military leaders called by Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Finally, Heidi interviews J.D and Tamara Long-Garcia, the parent...
#2511 - Pope Leo's long interview, free speech fallout, and Tricia Bruce on synodality 25.09.2025 1:18:00
Heidi, Daniel, and David explore what we might learn from the first official interviews with the Holy Father. We then turn to the recent bouts of alleged political violence and the chilling effects on free speech in the public sphere. Then Heidi interviews sociologist Tricia Bruce about the continuing work of synodality in the Church. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2510 - LGBTQIA+ Jubilee pilgrimage, RFK and vaccines, and an interview with Joe Paprocki 11.09.2025 1:13:20
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the unsettling shifts in America's vaccine policies, and the recent pilgrimage to Rome by LGBTQIA+ Catholics. Heidi interviews author and catechist Joe Paprocki. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2509 - Our summer, Trump's summer, and an interview with Archbishop Wester 28.08.2025 1:15:49
Heidi, Daniel, and David catch up on the many projects and changes they've been working on over the summer break. They also recap the many moves of the Trump administration and what they might mean for America and the Church. Heidi interviews Archbishop Wester of Santa Fe about nuclear disarmament. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Summer Special - We have a new Pope! 30.05.2025 56:26
Heidi, Daniel, and David gather for a special episode to look at the first weeks of the papacy of Pope Leo XIV. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2508 - The death, impact, and legacy of Pope Francis 24.04.2025 1:18:21
Heidi, Daniel, and David reflect on the papacy of Poe Francis, end talk about the next steps that will be happening in the Vatican following his death this past Monday. Then they look ahead to the future of the Church, and discuss how we each can take up the legacy of Francis into the heart of the 21st century. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2507 - Tariffs, preaching on creation, and an interview with Stephanie Clary about Laudato Si' 10.04.2025 1:19:56
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the negative effects of a fabricated trade war on global commerce, and then they explore how pastors can use their positions to help raise awareness about climate change. Then Heidi interviews Stephanie Clary, of NCR's EarthBeat, about the 10th anniversary of Laudato Si'. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2506 - Illegal deportations, survey of women in ministry, and an interview with Meghan Clark 27.03.2025 1:36:45
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the recent actions of the Trump administration to violate civil rights and judicial oversight, and discuss a recent survey of women in the San Diego Diocese. Then Heidi interviews theologian Meghan J. Clark Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2505 - Threats to the Department of Education and Georgetown Law School, and an interview with Rev. Angela Denker 13.03.2025 1:17:45
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the recent attacks on education, both generally and specifically, by the Trump administration, and Heidi interviews Rev. Angela Denker about Christian nationalism. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
#2504 - The Pope's health, potential cuts to Medicaid, and an interview with Shannon Evans on Lent 27.02.2025 1:19:49
Daniel, Heidi, and David look at the GOP's recent attacks on Medicaid, and join their prayers with the world on behalf of the health of Pope Francis. Heidi interviews NCR's Shannon Evans about lenten spirituality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
Francis Effect presents: The Four Theologians 20.02.2025 1:11:48
In this special episode of The Francis Effect, co-host Heidi Schlumpf moderates a roundtable of four theologians: Dr. Bryan Massingale and Dr. Cristina Traina, both of Fordham University in New York, and Dr. Hille Haker and Dr. Miguel Diaz, both of Loyola University Chicago. The guests react to the first month of the second term of President Donald Trump in light of Catholic theology. Learn more...
#2503 - The attack on USAID, J.D. Vance's armchair theology, and an interview with Charlene Howard of Pax Christi 13.02.2025 1:20:14
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the effects the recent attacks on USAID have had on charities and NGOs - especially in the Catholic world. Then they look at the recent comments made by Vice-President J.D. Vance as he weighs in on theological issues. Finally, Heidi welcomes Charlene Howard, the new Executive Director of Pax Christi USA, for a conversation about their work. Learn more about your ad...
#2502 - Trump 2.0, the Oscars nominations, and an interview with Thomas Reese, SJ 30.01.2025 1:17:10
Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the first week of the second Trump administration, and what listeners can do for self-care and mutual aid. Next, we take a lighter view and look at the various vilms nominated for the 2025 Academy Awards. Finally, Heidi interviews Fr. Thomas Reese, SJ, about his life in Catholic journalism, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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