Best Cafeteria Catholics Podcasts (2024)

1
Vocations, voting and building virtuous community with Bishop Kevin Sweeney 54:02

2h ago54:02

54:02

This week on a live recording of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with Bishop Kevin Sweeney, the eighth bishop of the Diocese of Paterson, N.J. (and a “Jesuitical” superfan!), about his spiritual journey as a young priest on Sept. 11, 2001, and his transition to becoming a bishop during the Covid-19 pandemic. Bishop Sweeney cites his knowledge gai…

1
Olympic gold medalist Nick Mead on rowing, religion and relationships 58:42

10h ago58:42

58:42

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley chat with gold medal-winning Olympic rower Nick Mead, who shares insights about being an Olympic athlete and praying with his team in Paris. Nick had the honor of being one of the two flag bearers at the 2024 closing ceremony (along with Catholic Olympic champion Katie Ledecky), and this fall, he’s preparin…

1
In defense of young diocesan priests 56:33

8d ago56:33

56:33

In the first episode of season eight of “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley critique a general perception that younger priests are more conservative and rigid in their pastoral ministry. Joining them to discuss the countercultural decision to join the diocesan priesthood is the Rev. Wade Bass, a young priest who serves as pastoral administrator at Our Lad…

1
How the Enneagram can make you more merciful (and tolerable) 56:08

3M ago56:08

56:08

[CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley struggle to resist the temptation to “type” each other as they learn about the Enneagram from Liz Orr, a college chaplain who created the popular “Rude Ass Enneagram” Instagram account and authored the new book, “The Unfiltered Enneagram: A Witty …

1
The Jesuits sold 272 enslaved people. How can the church make amends with their descendents? 57:51

3M ago57:51

57:51

[CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by journalist Rachel Swarns to discuss her latest book, The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church. Rachel shares her wisdom about this important issue for U.S. Catholics and her experience as…

1
Meet Steve Javie: Legendary NBA ref and Catholic deacon 53:43

3M ago53:43

53:43

[CLICK HERE to complete the 2024 Jesuitical listener survey] Basketball fans know Steve Javie as a longtime N.B.A. referee and a frequent commentator on ESPN and ABC. But for the parishioners at St. Andrew’s Catholic Church in Newtown, Pa., he’s Deacon Steve. In the midst of the N.B.A. finals tournament, Deacon Steve took some time out of his busy …

1
Ethan Hawke on Faith, Imagination, and Flannery O’Connor 49:10

4M ago49:10

49:10

It’s a very special week on “Jesuitical”—Ethan Hawke joins us to discuss his new film, “Wildcat,” about the Catholic writer Flannery O’Connor, who is portrayed in the film by Ethan’s daughter, Maya. Zac, Ashley and Ethan share a wide-ranging and profound conversation about this great American writer and the work of bringing her to life in “Wildcat.…

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

4M 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

4M 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
We’re all Cafeteria Catholics 49:23

4M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

5M 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

6M 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

6M 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…

Podcasts Worth a Listen

Cafeteria Catholics Podcasts

Podcasts Worth a Listen

1
Jesuitical

America Media

1
Vocations, voting and building virtuous community with Bishop Kevin Sweeney 54:02

1
Olympic gold medalist Nick Mead on rowing, religion and relationships 58:42

1
In defense of young diocesan priests 56:33

1
How the Enneagram can make you more merciful (and tolerable) 56:08

1
The Jesuits sold 272 enslaved people. How can the church make amends with their descendents? 57:51

1
Meet Steve Javie: Legendary NBA ref and Catholic deacon 53:43

1
Ethan Hawke on Faith, Imagination, and Flannery O’Connor 49:10

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
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

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