The Pillar Podcast

The Vatican is expected to soon announce a date for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen . JD and Ed talk about why Sheen’s initial 2019 beatification date was delayed, and what they expect for his beatification. Then, Ed tests JD’s knowledge of gifts given to sitting U.S. presidents. This week’s episode is brought to you by “V8’s For Vocations,” which is raffling off a 1959 Chevy Apache t...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com JD goes down a linguistic rabbit hole. Are you a paying subscriber? * Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone * Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account. * Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast Having issues? Email our producer Kate at kolivera@p...

Ed is tan, rested, and ready to talk with JD about this week’s consistory in Rome. This week’s episode is brought to you by The BIG Catholic Planner and Calendar. Pillar readers get 20% off with code PILLAR at BigCatholicCalendar.com , for a limited time. - Photo credit: Cardinals meet in small groups Jan. 7 during a consistory of the College of Cardinals. Vatican Media. This is a public episode....

JD Flynn is joined by Pillar Rome Correspondent Edgar Beltrán to talk about the developing situation in Venezuela, the role of the local Church, and Edgar’s own experiences as a child and a young professional in the country. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com JD and Ed talk about Christmas carols and gift giving in this bonus episode of the Pillar Podcast. Are you a paying subscriber? * Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone * Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account. * Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar...

The Archdiocese of New York has a new archbishop. JD and Ed talk about the bad takes on the appointment that saturated the internet and secular media. Ed plays a round of Christmas carol ‘Yes or No.’ This episode is sponsored by The Lamp. The Lamp is the only magazine for Catholics seeking intelligent, witty, and clear-eyed commentary on the world, and right now it’s 40% off for Pillar listeners w...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com Edgar Beltran joins the bonus episode to talk about his experience on the Pillar pilgrimage in Rome and more. Are you a paying subscriber? * Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone * Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account. * Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to...

Ed unpacks the recent installation of a new bishop in China , and what it could signal about the state of the Vatican-China deal. Then, Pillar Rome correspondent Edgar Beltrán joins the podcast to talk about the situation of Cardinal Porras in Venezuela. This episode is sponsored by Carved Wood Cross, bringing you meaningful art made by human hands. There’s still time to order before Christmas! Ge...

A visit to a Capuchin crypt in Rome sparks a conversation about relics and the resurrection of the body. A Vatican commission says the Church should not proceed with a female deaconate. JD and Ed talk about Pope Leo XIV’s decision to publicize the commission’s findings, and how the findings may impact conversations about women in the Church. Then, Ed plays a round of Rome ‘Yes or No.’ This episode...

Don’t miss The Pillar ’s Live Show Jubilee Roman Extravaganza! Thursday, December 4 at the Drunken Ship Pub in Rome’s Piazza Campo de’ Fiori. We’ll start at 8pm. Be there. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

Pope Leo XIV released this week an apostolic letter about ecumenism, in anticipation of his Turkey Day trip to Turkey. JD and Ed talk about the apostolic letter, and ask what it could take to achieve ecumenism with the Orthodox Churches. Then, Ed plays a round of Thanksgiving ‘Yes or No’ and ‘Good, Better, Best.’ This episode is sponsored by the BIG Catholic Calendar and Planner. You shouldn’t hav...

JD and Ed talk about evangelization and tradition at the University of Notre Dame in this live taping of The Pillar Podcast. This episode features conversations with Jennifer Martin, director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, and Lucy Spence, editor-in-chief of the Irish Rover. This live recording of The Pillar Podcast was sponsored by the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture. Lea...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com Ed was surprised by what Pope Leo XIV didn’t say during his virtual meeting today with young people. Then, Ed and JD talk about Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s address this week to the Italian bishops’ conference. Are you a paying subscriber? * Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone * Check the top right corner of...

Pope Leo XIV’s virtual conversation today with young people at NCYC sparks a conversation about the evolving relationship Catholics have with the petrine office. Then, JD details his reporting on the collapse of a major Catholic pension fund. This episode is sponsored by Decided Excellence Catholic Media, helping Catholic parishes start their own parish magazines for the purposes of communication...

During this week’s live show in Baltimore, JD and the audience compete in a round of ‘Bishop or Bot?’ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

JD and Ed recap the U.S. bishops’ fall meeting in Baltimore this week. Then, JD plays a round of French retirement ‘Yes or No.’ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com Oscar cams. Consider it, bishops! Are you a paying subscriber? * Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone * Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account. * Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast Having issues? Email our producer Kate at kolivera@pillar...

JD and Ed look ahead to the elections at the U.S. bishops’ fall meeting in Baltimore next week. Join JD and Ed next week for two live tapings of The Pillar Podcast! * Wednesday, November 12 at 8pm at Todd Connor’s in Baltimore (700 S Broadway) * Saturday, November 15 at 10 pm at Legends at the University of Notre Dame (100 Legends) This episode is sponsored by Decided Excellence Catholic Media, he...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com JD and Ed talk costumes and more in this Halloween bonus episode. Are you a paying subscriber? * Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone * Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account. * Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast Having issues? Email our...

JD and Ed wrestle with a question about Pope Leo XIV. Then, JD asks Ed for some advice. This episode is sponsored by SEEK 2026. Go To The Heights at SEEK 2026— January 1-5 in Columbus, OH • Fort Worth, TX • Denver, CO— where prayer, fellowship, and inspiration meet. Learn more at seek.focus.org - Photo: Pope Leo XIV © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com JD and Ed talk about the gambling and sports betting scandal roiling the NBA. Are you a paying subscriber? * Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone * Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account. * Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast Having issues...

JD and Ed take a deep dive inspired by Pope Leo XIV’s meeting this week with King Charles III. This episode is sponsored by Decided Excellence Catholic Media. Learn more about bringing a magazine to your parish by visiting decidedexcellence.com/parish Or, learn about publishing your own Catholic magazine by visiting decidedexcellence.com/join-our-team - Photo credit: King Charles III, then Prince...

JD recaps his time at SeaWorld. He and Ed talk about a couple more Leonine appointments this week— Cardinal Blase Cupich to the Pontifical Commission for Vatican City and Fr. Josef Grünwidl as the new archbishop of Vienna. They talk about the APSA audit memo that informed Pope Francis’ 2022 order transferring the Vatican’s asset management from APSA to the Vatican City bank. They speculate why Pop...

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com Ed visits an allergist. Then, he shares his frustrations with the latest lawsuit related to the Vatican financial scandal. Are you a paying subscriber? * Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone * Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account. * Tap ‘set up podc...

JD and Ed answer a canon law question from a Pillar reader. The Diocese of Lincoln has said a vibrating relic is “not of supernatural origin.” JD and Ed talk about the relic and the acts of faith it inspired in the local community. Then, JD and Ed talk about the latest from Pope Leo XIV— including repealing one of Pope Francis’ financial regulations , publishing his first apostolic exhortation , a...