Best Ashley Francis Podcasts (2024)

1
Pope Francis used a homophobic slur. How should Catholics respond? 38:25

26m ago38:25

38:25

This week on “Jesuitical,” we’re breaking from our usual format to discuss news out of the Vatican that Pope Francis used a homophobic slur while discussing church policy on admitting gay men to the priesthood. To discuss this incident and the apology that followed, Ashley is joined by “Jesuitical” producer Sebastian Gomes; Mike O’Loughlin, executi…

1
Discerning the spirits with Eric Sundrup, S.J. 56:58

9h ago56:58

56:58

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are live at Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio, for a conversation with Eric Sundrup, S.J., who provides spiritual direction (or spiritual violence, depending on who you ask) for the podcast. The hosts and Eric share their own experiences discerning their paths as young adults and offer insights from Jes…

1
Sent by Heather and Ashley Holleman 1:01:45

10d ago1:01:45

1:01:45

If you've ever felt a pit in your stomach about sharing your faith, wondered about how to have fruitful gospel conversations, or even felt skeptical about the efficacy of evangelism, you're not alone. In this episode, we discuss Sent by Heather and Ashley Holleman. This book is chock full of incredibly practical and helpful tips for how to engage p…

1
We're Back! 7:31

8d ago7:31

7:31

After a four year hiatus, we're back! Tune in to hear about what we've been doing and what our plans are going forward.By The Great Christian Books Podcast

1
We’re all Cafeteria Catholics 49:23

8h ago49:23

49:23

Ryan Burge set out to learn how many Catholics agree with church teachings on three key pro-life issues: abortion, euthanasia and the death penalty. The answer? Fewer than 1 percent. This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Ryan, an associate professor of political science at Eastern Illinois University and the author of the “Graphs …

1
A singer-songwriter inspired by Saint (and Pope) Francis 47:43

22d ago47:43

47:43

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley are joined by Andrea Von Kampen, a singer-songwriter and friend of the show. Hailing from Lincoln, Neb., Andrea discusses her new album, “Sister Moon.” (For those keeping track at home, yes, that is a St. Francis of Assisi reference.) Recorded at Union Pool in Brooklyn, N.Y., they share a wide-ranging convers…

1
D.C.’s Cardinal Gregory on the Synod, Pope Francis and our political climate 48:06

1M ago48:06

48:06

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley share their conversation with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on the role of a church in a polarized society. As the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., “the epicenter of division,” Cardinal Gregory has devoted himself to bringing people together across vast political and faith-based differences, lending profound insight…

1
The quirky history (and future) of papal conclaves 52:20

1M ago52:20

52:20

Few events inspire a media spectacle quite like the election of a pope. The white smoke, cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel, secret ballots and ancient rules—it’s catnip for secular and Catholic journalists alike. But how did these customs evolve—and how might they change in the future? To find out, Zac and Ashley talk with Miles Pattenden, a h…

1
A mother’s mission to change how we talk about pregnancy and disease 52:18

2M ago52:18

52:18

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Megan Nix, the author of Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth. The memoir details Megan’s journey after her daughter, Anna, contracted a little-known but relatively common congenital disease, cytomegalovirus, or CMV…

1
A Muslim theologian on teaching at a Jesuit university 56:35

2M ago56:35

56:35

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Amir Hussain, a theology professor at Loyola Marymount University. Amir shares his insights about navigating life as a Muslim teaching theology at a Catholic university, prompting a conversation ranging from the imperative and blessings of interfaith dialogue to life without a cell phone. They…

1
Her son was beheaded by ISIS. Here’s what she’s learned about mercy 53:32

2M ago53:32

53:32

On Aug. 19, 2014, the world watched in horror as the American journalist James Foley read a script prepared for him by ISIS terrorists, who filmed him from an unknown location in the Syrian desert. Mr. Foley, who had been in ISIS captivity for almost two years, was then beheaded by his captors. That is how Diane Foley learned that her son, who had …

1
A Catholic bartender’s conversion to ‘mindful drinking’ 47:27

2M ago47:27

47:27

Although “Jesuitical” is often recorded over drinks, longtime listeners know that the hosts abstain from alcohol during Lent, which means there’s no better time to welcome Derek Brown to the show. He’s an award-winning mixologist, the founder of Positive Damage Inc., and an expert on no- and low-alcohol cocktails and mindful drinking. Derek joins Z…

1
A Catholic reporter’s take on the 2024 election 53:57

3M ago53:57

53:57

It’s an election year, and like it or not, the race is heating up, so “Jesuitical” went to Washington, D.C., to hear from an expert about the state of play. A long-time friend of the show, N.P.R.’s Scott Detrow, is the weekend host of “All Things Considered” and a co-host of the podcasts “Consider This” and “Trump’s Trials,” N.P.R.’s weekly recap o…

1
Is ‘Barbie’ a Jesuit allegory? And other questions ahead of the 2024 Oscars 51:29

3M ago51:29

51:29

The Oscars are this Sunday, so Zac and Ashley welcome John Dougherty, the moderator of America’s Catholic Movie Club, to unpack the state of play—and the Catholic themes—in some of this year’s Best Picture nominees. John, who is also the director of campus ministry at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, is an expert in finding God in all films. He g…

1
A Jesuit guide to major life choices 41:29

3M ago41:29

41:29

It’s the question every college senior dreads when they’re back home for Christmas break: What are you going to do after graduation? At a live recording of Jesuitical at Loyola University Chicago, Zac and Ashley talk with Paddy Gilger, S.J., about how students (and the rest of us) can use the tools of Ignatian discernment when making more life deci…

1
Mental health and the Catholic Church: Can we have better conversations? 42:49

3M ago42:49

42:49

This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley welcome Meg Kissinger, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence. Meg’s memoir employs her journalistic skills to tell a tale of a Catholic family navigating mental illness. It serves as a great foundation for a profound, per…

1
Prayer, fasting and...working out? What is Exodus90? 59:14

4M ago59:14

59:14

To ring in the Lenten season, “Jesuitical” is talking Exodus 90, a 90-day ascetic spiritual practice for men centered around three pillars: prayer, fasting and fraternity. Terence Sweeney, an assistant teaching professor in the Honors Program and Humanities Department at Villanova University, joins Zac and Ashley to chat about the hugely popular pr…

1
Why we love the church, with Bishop Donald Hying 57:04

4M ago57:04

57:04

If you’re still Catholic, there are presumably things you love about the church. But it can be tempting to focus on the negatives: the scandals, the boring homilies, the lackluster music. This week, Zac and Ashley are doing something a little different: talking about why they love the church with Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wis. at a special li…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Ashley Francis Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
The Burning Castle Podcast

Ashley Rindsberg

1
Living With Purpose Interviews

Francis Lynch

1
Jesuitical

America Media

1
The Great Christian Books Podcast

The Great Christian Books Podcast

1
Livelihood Matters Podcast

Merlinda Francois

1
Chicago's Best: The Soccer Podcast

Lucas Zeiler

1
Pope Francis used a homophobic slur. How should Catholics respond? 38:25

1
Discerning the spirits with Eric Sundrup, S.J. 56:58

1
Sent by Heather and Ashley Holleman 1:01:45

1
We're Back! 7:31

1
We’re all Cafeteria Catholics 49:23

1
A singer-songwriter inspired by Saint (and Pope) Francis 47:43

1
D.C.’s Cardinal Gregory on the Synod, Pope Francis and our political climate 48:06

1
The quirky history (and future) of papal conclaves 52:20

1
A mother’s mission to change how we talk about pregnancy and disease 52:18

1
A Muslim theologian on teaching at a Jesuit university 56:35

1
Her son was beheaded by ISIS. Here’s what she’s learned about mercy 53:32

1
A Catholic bartender’s conversion to ‘mindful drinking’ 47:27

1
A Catholic reporter’s take on the 2024 election 53:57

1
Is ‘Barbie’ a Jesuit allegory? And other questions ahead of the 2024 Oscars 51:29

1
A Jesuit guide to major life choices 41:29

1
Mental health and the Catholic Church: Can we have better conversations? 42:49

1
Prayer, fasting and...working out? What is Exodus90? 59:14

1
Why we love the church, with Bishop Donald Hying 57:04

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