Francis Effect podcast

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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/adchoices

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 imprisoned migrants at an ICE facility near Chicago. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 parents of a child with autism, to get their response to recent false claims made about the condition by President Trump and Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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 about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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 choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

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

Heidi, Dan, and David think about how Catholics might prepare themselves for the violence against the vulnerable being promised by the incoming Trump administration, and they look at the work and ministry of Cardinal Robert McElroy with some measure of hope for the Church speaking out in favor of the "least of these." Then Heidi interviews Dylan Corbett, founder and Executive Director of the Hope Border Institute, which brings "perspective of Catholic social teaching to bear on the realities unique to our US-Mexico border region." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Dan, and David end the season with a conversation about how we are celebrating Advent and preparing for Christmas this year, as well as doing a roundup of what we have been watching and reading over the past few months. Plus Heidi interviews Chris White of National Catholic Reporter, and they discuss what might be coming next for the Francis papacy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Dan and David discuss the implications of Trump's cabinet picks for vulnerable populations. They look at the recent controversies around the liturgical use of certain hymns and songwriters, and Heidi interviews Ann Garrido about how to navigate difficult conversations during the holiday season. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Daniel, and David welcome their guests, Fr. Bryan Massingale and Sr. Simone Campbell, SSS, to look at the 2024 election and address the questions, How are we doing? How did we get here? and Where do we go from here? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the role of Catholic voters in the upcoming elections, and we look at the concluding weeks of the Synod on Synodality and explore its possible impacts, and then Heidi is in conversation with Michael Canaris of Loyola University Chicago, who just returned from Rome after leading a student delegation to engage with the Synod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this extended episode, we look at the recent climate devastation in the southeast, debrief with Daniel about his recent announcement, and Heidi interviews Massimo Faggioli about the October meeting of the Synod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Daniel, and David talk about the recent rise in calumny among Catholic candidates and elected officials, they look at changing demographics in Gen Z, and Heidi talks with Jeanne Lewis, CEO of Faith in Public Life, about the recent uptick in political violence Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Daniel, and David explore the history and possibilities of women in the diaconate, look at the current Season of Creation in light of increasing environmental destruction, and Heidi interviews author and ethicist Emily Reimer-Barry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Dan, and David kick off season 15 with a look back at summer politics - from the shakeup in the Democratic presidential ticket, to the Republican and Democratic conventions, and some earth-shaking Supreme Court decisions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David end season 14 with a look at the media they've been consuming lately, as well as looking at a recent Supreme Court case that might affect care for the homeless. Then Heidi interviews Sr. Elizabeth Johnson. Have a great summer, and we'll see you in the fall! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David talk about the recent DDF instruction on human dignity, with an eye to its implications for LGBTQIA+ communities. Next, they look at the life and legacy of Bishop Thomas Gumbleton, and Heidi interviews Professor Natalia Imperatori-Lee. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the recent ‘prayer’ event held in support of Donald Trump at Mar-A-Lago, and Heidi and Daniel teach David some things about basketball. Also, Heidi interviews Bruce Morrill, Chair of Catholic Studies at Vanderbilt University about the upcoming Eucharistic Congress Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss Super Tuesday and the State of the Union address, then they look at the recent collapse of the ultra-right-wing website, Church Militant, and Heidi interviews Michael O'Loughlin, recently named Executive Director of Outreach Catholic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at recent court rulings that have resulted in confusing and at points disastrous consequences for parents undergoing IVF treatments. Next they look at Texas AG Ken Paxton's recent accusations against Annunciation House, a ministry serving migrants, and Heidi interviews Dr. Kathleen Dorsey Bellow, Director of the Institute for Black Catholic Studies in New Orleans Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the "He Gets Us" ad campaign, and who might be funding it. Then they look at recent discussions around priestly celibacy, and a meeting of the Council of Cardinals to discuss women's issues with some actual women, and Heidi interviews author Joyce Rupp about Lent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the implications of the recent defamation suit against Donald Trump, and talk about the role of journalism in 21st-century Catholic life, and Heidi interviews Ansel Augustine about the synod and the experiences of Black Catholics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 election cycle has begun, and Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David discuss what the Iowa Caucus can tell us about next November, then we discuss the implications of the recent document on blessing same-sex couples, and Heidi interviews political scientist and friend of the show, Steven P. Millies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For our last episode of Season 13, Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the UN Climate Change Conference, Heidi interviews Bishop John Stowe, OFM, about the work of Pax Christi, and we talk about what we've been reading, watching, and listening to lately. We'll be back for Season 14 starting in mid-January. A blessed Advent, a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Happy Thanksgiving! Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the recent ouster of Tyler, Texas Bishop Strickland, and what it might mean for the growing divisions in the Church. Then they look at a recent court battle over voting rights in Arkansas, and what it might mean for the upcoming election. Finally, Heidi interviews theologian and professor timone davis about gratitude and the vital importance of having everyone at the table Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the recent testimony of former President Donal Trump, and the recent election of Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House, and discuss what this might mean for our democratic institutions, and Heidi talks with Fr. James Martin, SJ, about the recent Synod Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David reflect on the last four weeks of the Synod, and give their thoughts on the recently-released synthesis document, and Heidi interviews NCR Vatican correspondent, Christopher White Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David explore the dysfunction at the top levels of the Republican party, as demonstrated by the recent vacancy of the Speaker of the House, and discuss Laudate Deum, the recent addendum to Laudato Si’. In our last segment, Heidi interviews Kate McElwee, executive director of the Women's Ordination Conference Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the threat of government shutdown and its effects on the vulnerable, and look at the recent friction in Cologne, Germany over the blessing of same-sex unions, and Heidi interviews Brian Flanagan of New Ways Ministry Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the mixed Catholic response to the ongoing migrant crisis here in America and abroad, they look at the writers' and actors' strikes through a lens of Catholic Social Teaching, and Heidi interviews LA Times columnist Gustavo Arellano Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David kick off season 13 with a look back at the non-stop events of the summer, including the four indictments (so far) against former President Donald Trump, and they look ahead to the upcoming Season of Creation, in light of our ongoing and worsening climate crisis. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices