Francis Effect podcast

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David go on the road for a live taping at St. Mary's College in Notre Dame, Indiana. They end season 12 by looking ahead to Pride month in June, and to the 2024 election, as well as talking about what they've been watching and reading. Please join them for Season 13, starting in September! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the future prospects of space flight, the recent statements by Tennessee bishops in the gun control debate, and the next phase of the Synod on Synodality Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the recent actions of the Tennessee Legislature, the potential scandal brewing around Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas, and the recent repudiation of the so-called "Doctrine of Discovery" by the Vatican Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David discuss the plans from the Biden administration to shut down COVID testing and support in the coming weeks, the recent guidance document from the Committee on Doctrine at the USCCB regarding Transgender persons, and how we are preparing for the coming of Holy Week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David look at the recent suit brought by Dominion Voting Systems against Fox News, the recent accusations by Bishop Paprocki against his brother Bishops, and an exploration of the untapped possibilities of the Holy Spirit in our faith lives. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David look back at a decade of Francis's papacy, the environmental effects of the train derailment in Ohio, and the recent Supreme Court cases that could change the internet as we know it. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David discuss the efforts of Florida Governor Ron Desantis to change the AP curriculum, the parallels between anti-Trans and anti-LGBTQIA+ legislation and the policies of many Catholic schools and dioceses, and the challenges and joys of entering the season of Lent. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the recent passing of Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI, and his legacy. They also explore the many facets of synodality, as they look at a recent essay by Cardinal McElroy about welcoming the marginalized, and the possibilities that arise in letting the excluded voices of women play a role in our liturgies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David explore the most recent revelations from the Congressional hearings on January 6th, discuss the recent removal of Frank Pavone from the clerical state, and talk about their hopes for Christmas and the New Year Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the issues at play in recent oral arguments in the 303 Creative case, look at the fans and opponents of synodality in the USCCB and beyond, and explore what diplomatic possibilities might lay ahead for Vatican-China Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the recent attack on the LGBTQ community in Colorado, the implications of the recent elections for leadership in the USCCB, and talk about the beginning of Advent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David do a round-up of the 2022 Midterm elections, explore recent Supreme Court cases and their effects on Affirmative Action and Native tribal law, and discuss recent anti-LGBTQ+ policies in Catholic dioceses Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David discuss the recent remarks from rapper Ye and their consequences, the aftermath of yet another horrific school shooting, and the recent political comments from Archbishop Chaput Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look back at the complex legacy of the Second Vatican Council, look ahead to the November midterm elections, and look all around for good things to watch and read. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at Catholic Governors using migrants as political pawns, the recent synthesis reports from the Synod on Synodality, and recent developments and long-term effects in the ongoing war in Ukraine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David kick off season 11 with a look back at the summer break, and they explore the impact of the recent death of Queen Elizabeth II as well as recent policies from dioceses to exclude LGBTQ+ parishioners Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David look at the implications of the recently-leaked Supreme Court decision that likely will overturn Roe v. Wade, and the impact of closing the USCCB-run Catholic News Service, and then they look back at the season and ahead to the summer Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the recent anniversary of Network Lobby, the takeaways from the French elections, and Florida Governor Ron DeSantis's recent attacks on both major corporations and the vulnerable Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David take it a little easy for Holy Week, and catch up on shows and music that they've each been enjoying. They also nerd out about liturgy at the beginning of the conversation. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, David, and Fr. Daniel discuss the recent reforms allowing more lay leadership, the recent allegations connecting Ginni Thomas to the January 6th insurrection, and the Seante confirmation hearings for Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David discuss the recent round of legislation aimed at LGBTQ+ persons, the relationship of nuclear disarmament to the war in Ukraine, and the grim second anniversary of the COVID pandemic Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the recent Russian attack on Ukraine, they explore the Pope's live video conference with students across the Americas, and they talk about what they are planning for the season of Lent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the recent focus of right wing groups on Catholic organizations working on the southern US border, the firing of two faculty advisors at a Catholic school newspaper,, and welcome Fr. Bryan Massingale to discuss the recent upsurge in book bans across the nation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, David, and Fr. Daniel discuss what they did between seasons, the life and legacy of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hahn, and the impact of recent state bills and diocesan policies on the dignity and wellbeing of transgender persons. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the ongoing canonization process for Dorothy Day, recent developments with new Ways Ministries and the Vatican, and take a look back at some of the best and worst of 2021 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David discuss the takeaways from the recent USCCB meeting, the continuing dangers of COVID-19, and the verdicts in recent murder cases in Wisconsin and Georgia. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David talk about the Bishops' Conference on the Eucharist, the recent comments by the Archbishop of Los Angeles about social justice, and the policy memo from the Diocese of Madison forbidding parishes to be used as vaccination sites Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the start of COP-26, Joe Biden's audience with Pope Francis, and the slow steps toward approving a COVID vaccine for 5 to 11 year olds Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel, Heidi, and David look at the Pope's recent remarks to the "social poets," as well as the dustup over Pete Buttigieg taking time with his children, and the upcoming Glasgow Summit on climate change Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the history and influence of the world's largest Catholic media empire, the recent clashes between Church Militant and the city of Baltimore, and talk about what they've been watching recently Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David explore the idea of synodality and the upcoming 2023 Synod, and they look at current US policy playing out on our southern border with Haitian migrants, and welcome guest Christopher White to talk about the recent Papal visit to Hungary and Slovakia Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David recap the big changes that happened over the summer, as well as reviewing the fallout from Traditionis Custodes, and the continuing battles over COVID mitigation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David look at the first hundred days of the Biden presidency, and the reactions from some Catholic quarters, and they also look at factors influencing some Catholics to leave the Church Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Daniel and David talk about the huge number of anti-Transgender bills introduces in state legislatures, the recent turn in SCOTUS cases involving religious Free Exercise, and the 51st Earth Day celebration Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the effects of a recent Georgia law on voting procedures, discuss the first week of the trial of Derek Chauvin, and imagine what the Church might look like after COVID Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David discuss the recent document on LGBTQ blessings from the CDF, the domestic terrorism that occurred in Atlanta, and the unfolding situation with the Governor of New York Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David look at the strange path to COVID relief, the conflicting messages of the Bishops regarding vaccines, and the recent Papal visit to Iraq Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Daniel, and David talk about the recent effects of winter storms on Texas, the (re)establishment of the Office of Faith-Based Initiatives, and we welcome guest Fr. Jim McDermott to discuss his recent article on being gay in the priesthood Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Dan and David talk about the recent appointment of Sr. Becquart to a significant position, how we are preparing for Lent, and what we're doing these days for distractions Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Dan, and David explore the subtle Catholicism of the Biden Inauguration, the back-and-forth between Archbishops Gomez and Cupich, and the brief but ominous life of the 1776 Report Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Recorded soon after the events of January 6th, Heidi, Dan, and David process the attack on the Capitol, and some of the dangerous rhetoric (from bishops as well as politicians) that got us here Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Dan, Heidi and David close out Season 7 with a discussion of the new COVID vaccine, the growing rift among Bishops concerning President-Elect Biden, and the joy of the Christmas season Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Some last minute surprises from the Bishops, a discussion of the grassroots nature of sainthood, and why this year it might be OK to put up your tree as early as you want Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Dan and David discuss the effects of the President's refusal to concede the election, and the revelations of the McCarrick report. We also dream just a little bit about what life might be like after COVID. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Heidi, Fr. Dan and David look back at the road leading to the 2020 elections, and what might lie ahead, and then they look at the recent remarks from Pope Francis about civil unions for LGBTQ persons Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're two weeks out from the election - what do we know? Also, we look at a recent foiled plot to kidnap the Michigan governor, and the recent Encyclical from Pope Francis Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Dan, Heidi, and David look at the role of anti-Catholicism in the confirmation battle over Amy Coney Barrett. They explore the impact of the NYT reporting on President Trump's taxes, and they look at the details of the case involving suspended Irish priest Tony Flannery Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Dan, Heidi, and David explore the theological impact of plural nouns on sacraments, as well as the latest developments in the Breonna Taylor case, and round out the conversation with a look at the recent call for parishioners to return to Mass in Wisconsin Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Dan and David kick off season 7 with a welcome to our new co-host, Heidi Schlumpf, executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Fr. Dan and David discuss a recent article by Baltimore Archbishop William Lori in support of Black Lives Matter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices