Glad You Asked

Have you ever had a question about Catholicism that you couldn’t find an easy answer to? Or a question about a teaching or tradition that seemed to have five different answers, none of them satisfactory? Or maybe you even had a question you felt you weren’t allowed to ask. The new podcast from U.S. Catholic, Glad You Asked, may be just what you are looking for. Join U.S. Catholic editors Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss as they explore the questions about Catholicism that don't have easy answers.

#86: Natalia Imperatori-Lee - Was Mary an apostle? 12/17/2025

#86: Natalia Imperatori-Lee - Was Mary an apostle? Catholics are accustomed to thinking of the term apostle as referring exclusively to men: the Twelve who followed Jesus and were with him at the Last Supper, as well as the Apostle Paul. But the church also considers Mary Magdalene an apostle—the “apostle to the apostles,” to be precise. So clearly, being an apostle isn’t something only men can do. If women can be apostles, this opens a fascinating question: What about Mary, Jesus’ mother? Mary of Nazareth might not have preached Jesus’ teachings to crowds, or spread the news of his resurrection, but we see her proclaiming the glory of the Lord in the Magnificat, guiding Jesus to perform his first miracle, and sticking with him by the cross. We know she was an important part of the early church. Aside from that, she birthed Jesus, body and blood, into the world. In this third and final installment of Glad You Asked’s three-part season finale on Mary, the hosts talk with theologian Natalia Imperatori-Lee about whether Mary the Mother of Jesus was an apostle. Imperatori-Lee’s scholarship focuses on ecclesiology, feminist theologies, and Latino/a theologies. She has written in both academic and popular publications, on topics ranging from the church’s mistreatment of women scholars, to the perils of complementarity, to Mariology. Her most recent book, (Paulist Press), is an overview of feminist theology, for the undergraduate classroom. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Imperatori-Lee’s work, in these links. by Natalia Imperatori-Lee , by Natalia Imperatori-Lee by Elizabeth Johnson by Alice Camille a U.S. Catholic interview by Bryan Cones , by F. J. Cwiekowski Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/39441865

#85: Kat Armas - Was Mary a revolutionary? 12/12/2025

#85: Kat Armas - Was Mary a revolutionary? Mary’s “Magnificat” is pretty revolutionary. It isn’t praising God for abstract blessings, but for real material events, all of which have to do with radical social justice. And this makes sense, given the world Mary lived in. She was a young Jewish woman, likely from a poor family, in a nation that was occupied by the Roman Empire. Since she was not a citizen, she lacked various protections and rights. Her son Jesus would eventually be executed by that Empire, on suspicion of revolution—and his execution would be in the brutal form of crucifixion, since he didn’t enjoy the protection of citizenship. We know there were revolutionary groups in first-century Roman-occupied Palestine. And we know Jesus was executed because the imperial regime viewed him as a revolutionary. What would Mary have thought about those groups? Does her Magnificat indicate that she favored them? Can we call Mary a revolutionary? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the second in a three-part season finale looking at Mary as a figure of liberation, the hosts talk with theologian Kat Armas about Marian devotion in relation to movements of revolution and reform. Armas has a dual Master of Divinity and Master of Arts in Teaching degree from Fuller Theological Seminary, where she was awarded the Frederick Buechner Award for Excellence in Writing. She is the author of : (Brazos Press, and (Brazos Press), as well as numerous articles, including in the National Catholic Reporter, Plough Magazine, The Christian Century, Christianity Today, and Sojornours. Learn more about this topic, and read some of Armas’ work, in these links: by Kat Armas by Kat Armas by Kat Armas by Elizabeth Johnson a U.S. Catholic interview Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . by Alice Camille /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/39386680

#84: Julie Hanlon Rubio - Was Mary a feminist? 12/05/2025

#84: Julie Hanlon Rubio - Was Mary a feminist? “Look to Mary as a model of authentic womanhood.” That’s the message church leaders have directed at generations of Catholic women and girls. Often, latent in this message, is the notion that authentic womanhood means being docile, obedient, submissive, and innocent. So it’s no wonder that many people, both inside and outside the church, view feminism and Catholicism as incompatible. There are many different types of feminism but none are known for preaching docility. Nevertheless, Catholic feminists exist. They are scholars, religious sisters, activists, community leaders, workers, and mothers. They make significant contributions to theology, too. Are these women failing to emulate Mary sufficiently? Or, alternatively, are they following Mary’s example? What if Mary herself was a feminist? This episode of Glad You Asked is part of a three-part season finale looking at Mary as a figure of liberation. This segment of the series focuses on Mary from the perspective of feminist thought, considering whether the historical Mary was a champion of women’s liberation, whether feminists can look to her for inspiration, and whether Marian devotion is compatible with feminist thought. To discuss Mary as a figure of women’s liberation, the hosts talked with theologian Julie Hanlon Rubio. Rubio is the Shea-Heusaman Professor of Christian Social Ethics and Associate Dean at Jesuit School of Theology of Santa Clara University in Berkeley, California. She is the author or editor of seven books, most recently (Oxford University Press). She has published in a variety of academic journals as well as popular venues, and serves on the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops' National Review Board. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Rubio’s work, in these links. by Julie Hanlon Rubio by LaRyssa Herrington by Kevin Considine by Alice Camille by Elizabeth Johnson by Megan Sweas by Rebecca Bratten Weiss by Bernadette Raspante Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/39294270

#83: Eilis McCulloh - Does the church support universal health care? 11/26/2025

#83: Eilis McCulloh - Does the church support universal health care? According to several recent studies of health care systems across the globe, the U.S. health care system lags far behind those in other developed nations. The system is more expensive per person, but also for the nation as a whole. This high cost doesn’t translate into good access, high quality, or favorable outcomes. Many in the nation have no insurance at all, and many can’t find a primary care provider, or access much beyond basic emergency care. Our very expensive system does not do well at preventing death, either. Skyrocketing insurance costs are likely to make matters worse, leaving more people uninsured, and dying for lack of care. It is likely to create a ripple effect, as high health care costs will increase food insecurity and exacerbate the homelessness crisis. These effects may even touch those who are comfortably well-off, as more care facilities close due to lack of funds. Activists, lobbyists, policy-makers, and analysts have been calling for some form of universal care for Americans for decades, to bring us in line with the less expensive and more equitable systems in other nations. But what should Catholics think about this question? Would universal health care access be in line with Catholic social teaching? What would a truly just health care system look like? To discuss this topic, the hosts of Glad You Asked collaborated with Sister of the Humility of Mary Eilis McCulloh of the Just Politics podcast. In Just Politics, Catholic sisters and their coworkers at the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice discuss pressing political issues from the standpoint of Catholic teaching. McCulloh currently serves as NETWORK’s Grassroots Education and Organizing Specialist. You can learn more about this topic in these links: Just Politics by Kevin Clarke Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/39183075

#82: Lorna Gold - What does the church really teach about climate change? 11/21/2025

#82: Lorna Gold - What does the church really teach about climate change? Recent years have seen increased climate-related natural disasters. In the United States, an inland hurricane brought catastrophic flooding to the mountains of North Carolina. Ash from wildfires in Canada has clouded the air for hundreds of miles. And across the globe, extreme climate catastrophes have destroyed lives and communities. We’re seeing wildfires in Australia, crop loss in Brazil, landslides in Italy, and famine-inducing drought in East Africa. And that’s just the start of the list. For some, climate disruptions happen on a level that looks apocalyptic, with lives lost and communities decimated. Others might experience the disruptions on a smaller scale. Maybe it’s a tomato crop lost to drought, or a new invasive insect disrupting an ecosystem. The signs are everywhere: something is amiss.But not everyone is convinced we need to do anything about it. Care for the Earth is a fundamental part of Catholic moral and social teaching. And recent popes have spoken prophetically on environmental justice, with Pope Francis’ encyclical Laudato Si’ (On Care for Our Common Home) offering important developments in this area of doctrine. But some Catholics still think climate change is a hoax, or that it’s not connected with human activity. And many who accept climate science don’t connect it with their responsibility as people of faith, or are uncertain how it translates into how they’re meant to act in the world. On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Lorna Gold about the church’s teachings on climate change, and how Catholics ought to respond. Gold is Executive Director of the Laudato Si' Movement, and has also worked as executive director of FaithInvest, and the Policy and Advocacy Manager with the Irish Catholic Agency for International Development, Trócaire. You can read more about this topic, and read some of Gold’s work, in these links. (On Care for Our Common Home) (On the Climate Crisis) by Lorna Gold by Anna Carolina Gutiérrez by Michael Wright by Kevin Clarke Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/39128455

#81: David Swanson - Is there such thing as a just war? 11/14/2025

#81: David Swanson - Is there such thing as a just war? Catholic just war theory is a moral framework for evaluating warfare that dates back to St. Augustine but has its roots in older, pre-Christian ethical systems. Though the theory has been widely embraced not just by Catholic theorists but also by policymakers, it’s also been widely criticized. Some Christian pacifists, pointing to Jesus’ teachings on nonviolence and the early church’s radical rejection of war, argue that the very idea that a war could be just constitutes a betrayal of gospel values. Yet others argue that absolute nonviolence is an impossible ideal, and means putting the vulnerable at the mercy of unjust aggressors. Critics of radical pacifism point to multiple instances of wars waged to stop unjust aggressors, invaders, and assaults against human life and dignity. It’s a topic with multiple intersecting moral questions. Is just war theory a sophistical attempt to defend the indefensible, or a viable framework? Should victims of oppression and violence be held to absolute standards of nonviolence, or are they justified in defending themselves? Is pacifism an impossible ideal, or something we can really work for? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to author and activist David Swanson about just war theory, where it comes from, how it is applied, and whether it is ever possible for a war to be just. Swanson is executive director of World BEYOND War, and campaign coordinator of RootsAction.org. His books include and . He has been awarded the Real Nobel Peace Prize, an alternative award, supported by the Lay Down Your Arms Association, and inspired by the belief that the Nobel Committee has strayed from Alfred Nobel's original vision. He’s the recipient of the 2018 Peace Prize from the U.S. Peace Memorial Foundation, and has been involved in multiple peace organizations. You can read some of Swanson’s work, and learn more about this topic, in these links. by Alexander Moseley , by David Swanson , by David Swanson by Nicholas Hayes-Mota by Jacob Kohlhaas by Kevin Clarke a U.S. Catholic interview Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/39038570

#80: Stephen Schneck - What is the separation of church and state? 11/07/2025

#80: Stephen Schneck - What is the separation of church and state? Here in the United States, the principle that church and state should be separate is so woven into the fabric of our culture, many take it for granted as a fact of American life. We understand that everyone in the nation is entitled to practice the religion of their choice and worship freely, but also that the nation does not have an official religion, and that civic spaces should be religiously neutral. Yet not everyone in the United States is committed to this long-standing idea. Both Christian nationalists and Catholic integralists dislike the idea that religion and statecraft should be kept separate. Some want to make Christianity the state religion. Others would like to use the force of government to enforce certain practices and ban others, based not on natural law or the constitution, but on their interpretation of their denominational creeds. So it’s not surprising that some political thinkers have been raising the alarm, warning that the boundary between church and state is in jeopardy. What Catholics ought to think about this, however, is a different question. After all, our allegiance is to God first, before the state. And as people involved in public life, why wouldn’t we want to use whatever tools are in our grasp—including the tools of governance—to create a society more aligned with Catholic principles? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to political philosopher and activist Stephen Schneck about where the idea of separation of church and state came from, and what Catholics should think about it. Schneck is retired faculty at the Catholic University of America, where he served as Director of the Institute for Policy Research & Catholic Studies. Under President Obama he served on the White House Advisory Council for Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. He is on the board for Catholic Climate Covenant, Sojourners, and Democrats for Life of America. He has published extensively on political philosophy and public policy. Learn more about this topic and read some of Schneck’s work in these links. a U.S. Catholic interview. by Stephen Schneck by Don Clemmer by Elizabeth Shakman Hurd by Hayley Durudogan and Sydney Bryant by Jonathan Chang and Meghna Chakrabarti by Ruth Graham Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/38954325

#79: Ed Simon - Are we living in the end times? 10/31/2025

#78: Renée Roden - Can Catholics be anarchists? 10/24/2025

#77: Luis Campos Ribeiro - Should Catholics consult their horoscopes? 10/17/2025

#77: Luis Campos Ribeiro - Should Catholics consult their horoscopes? The belief that the movement of heavenly bodies shapes or predicts events has been around for thousands of years and can be found in many ancient cultures. Even today, some people look to their horoscopes when seeking insight on life decisions. Others read their horoscopes just for fun, without really believing in astrology, or using it to make serious choices. Still others would never dream of reading their horoscopes, viewing this as a form of divination or witchcraft which could open the door to demonic forces. The Catechism of the Catholic Church among other divination practices (including conjuring the dead, palm reading, and recourse to mediums) that Catholics should avoid. Pope Francis l to cling to Jesus, not horoscopes or fortunetellers, for security in life. But do these warnings refer to all uses of astrology? What about people who read their horoscopes for fun, or look to the positions of the celestial bodies when planning agricultural practices like planting crops or pruning fruit trees? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to historian Luis Campos Ribeiro about the origins of astrology, how Christianity has regarded it over the centuries, and what the Catholic Church teaches today about looking to the stars for guidance. Ribeiro is a historian of art and of science, with a focus on astrology, astronomy and their connections to art in the Medieval and Early Modern eras. He has a doctorate degree in History and Philosophy of Sciences from the University of Lisbon, and has written multiple articles, and two books, including (Brill). Learn more about this topic and read some of Campos Ribeiro’s work in these links. by Kathleen Manning by Junno Arocho by Luis Campos Ribeiro by Luis Campos Ribeiro by Catherine Caruso by Edward Tverdek Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/38620740

#76: Leo Guardado - What happened to the Catholic tradition of sanctuary? 10/10/2025

#76: Leo Guardado - What happened to the Catholic tradition of sanctuary? The tradition of churches as places of refuge for those in fear of the law goes back centuries. It figures in several popular stories set in the Middle Ages, including The Hunchback of Notre Dame (both the novel and the Disney film), and the legend of the outlaw Robin Hood. In the nineteenth century, in the United States, enslaved people sometimes took refuge in churches. Later, in the twentieth century, people escaping the draft occasionally did so as well. The tradition has endured into the twentieth century, with immigrants and refugees in the United States turning to churches for sanctuary. In fact, in 2011, Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) sent their officers a memo, telling them to avoid arresting people in "sensitive locations" such as churches, schools, and hospitals. Now, however, the role of churches as sanctuaries has become uncertain, as the current administration has stripped churches and schools of those immigration enforcement protections. On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk with theologian Leo Guardado about the origin and significance of the sanctuary church tradition, the legal status of sanctuary churches, and whether the magisterium of the Catholic Church officially supports this longstanding tradition. Guardado has a personal connection to this topic, as he escaped the civil war in El Salvador as a child. He has worked ecumenically in the borderlands in defense of migrant communities, and is the author of numerous articles and two books, including (Orbis Books) You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Guarddado’s work, in these links. by Leo Guardado (Orbis Books) by BIll Chappell by Melissa Walker by Kyle Paoletta by Brian Kane, PhD Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, a congregation of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/38543150

#75: Jack Downey - Does the church support civil disobedience? 10/03/2025

Coming Soon: Season 7 of Glad You Asked 09/26/2025

#74: Dean Dettloff – What is a Jubilee Year? 06/13/2025

#74: Dean Dettloff – What is a Jubilee Year? In February of 1300, Pope Boniface VIII, in the papal bull Antiquorum Habet Fida Relatio, declared the first-ever Catholic Jubilee Year. Anyone who made a pilgrimage to the tombs of the Apostles Peter and Paul in Rome, and who repented and confessed, would receive “the fullest and broadest pardon for all sins committed,” Boniface proclaimed. One of the thousands of pilgrims who journeyed to Rome that year was the painter Giotto, who created a fresco commemorating the event. Another was the poet Dante Alighieri, who references the Jubilee in his Divine Comedy—ironically, this appears in Canto 18 of Inferno, where he compares the movement of the damned along the eighth circle of hell to the Roman method of traffic control during the Jubilee. The jubilee tradition goes back far further, however, originating in Judaism, before Christianity had even begun. In the Israelite tradition, the jubilee was associated with things like forgiving debts, freeing enslaved people, and other concrete gestures of material justice. In the Catholic tradition, however, the Jubilee focuses not on debt forgiveness but on forgiveness of sins. On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk with scholar Dean Dettloff about the origins of the Jubilee Year, its significance in the Catholic tradition, and whether there is any likelihood that the Catholic Jubilee will recover its ancient tradition of concrete liberation. Dettloff is the Research and Advocacy Officer for Development and Peace–Caritas Canada. He holds a PhD in philosophy from the Institute for Christian Studies in Toronto and the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, where he also teaches as sessional faculty. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Dettloff’s work, in these links. What Is a Holy Year? “This Jubilee year, be open to the gift of hope,” by Alice Camille “Take action against mass incarceration this Jubilee year,” by Alessandra Harris “Canada must lead global debt cancellation, like it did 25 years ago,” by Dean Detloff “Mourning a Pope We Often Ignored,” by Dean Detloff “A May Day Saint,” by Dean Detloff Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/37001170

#73: Bishop John Stowe – What does it mean to be a "pro-life" Catholic? 06/06/2025

#73: Bishop John Stowe – What does it mean to be a "pro-life" Catholic? The earliest documented use of the term pro-life was in a book on parenting and child education. The book, Summerhill: A Radical Approach to Child Rearing, by A.S. Neil, was published in 1960 and contained the statement that “no pro-life parent or teacher would ever strike a child. No pro-life citizen would tolerate our penal code, our hangings, our punishment of homosexuals.” However, that’s not how the term is typically used today. In the early 1970s, following Roe v. Wade, anti-abortion activists began using the term pro-life in reference to their opposition to legalized abortion. Even then, many activists thought being pro-life ought to entail a holistic approach to life issues: that people should oppose not only abortion, but also war, the death penalty, income inequality, and racism. This idea that pro-life ought to refer to all life really began to pick up steam in 2016, partially as a response to the mainstream pro-life movement's alliance with far right political leaders. Today, many people who used to identify as pro-life no longer do so. They feel the term has been tarnished. Should “pro-life” mean opposition to abortion, or should it be more inclusive? Has the term been compromised by its association with various political agendas? And how should Catholics respond to this debate? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Bishop John Stowe about what it means to be a pro-life Catholic. Stowe is bishop of the diocese of Lexington, Kentucky and a priest in the Order of Friars Minor Conventual. In keeping with the Franciscan tradition, Stowe has long been a pastoral voice for justice for the poor and for environmental justice. He’s also spoken repeatedly for immigrant rights and LGBTQ+ inclusion. Learn more about this topic in these links. “U.S. Catholic readers critique the pro-life movement,” by Kathleen Bonnette “As election nears, Catholics reflect on abortion politics,” by Cassidy Klein “4 ways progressive pro-lifers can reengage with Democratic leaders,” by Rebecca Bratten Weiss “Will the synod listen to women on reproductive issues?” by Ashley Wilson “In debates about reproductive health, listen to Black women,” a U.S. Catholic interview “A new way to think about the ‘consistent ethic of life’,” by Steven P. Millies “It’s Time to Move Past the Pro-Life / Pro-Choice Dividing Line,” by Rebecca Bratten Weiss “Do restrictive abortion laws actually reduce abortion? A global map offers insights,” by Michaeleen Doucleff “The movement against abortion rights is nearing its apex. But it began way before Roe,” by Deepa Shivaram Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/36893365

#72: Dawn Eden Goldstein – What is excommunication? 05/30/2025

#72: Dawn Eden Goldstein – What is excommunication? Catholic history is full of famous excommunications involving court intrigue and geopolitical conflicts. Henry VIII of England was excommunicated twice: first in a “provisional excommunication,” by Pope Clement, then again by Pope Paul III, in 1538. An earlier English monarch, Henry II, also clashed with the church—specifically, with Thomas Becket, archbishop of Canterbury. Though Becket never excommunicated Henry, he did excommunicate a number of his supporters. Further back in history, yet another Henry, the Holy Roman Emperor Henry IV, was famously excommunicated by Pope Gregory VII. The emperor ended up walking on foot to Canossa Castle in 1077, and kneeling in the snow doing penance for three days, begging for his excommunication to be lifted. Stories like this might suggest that excommunication was a tool for political leverage, or a weighty and dramatic event that only happened when the Catholic Church wielded massive political power. But excommunications still happen today, and most of them do not involve state leaders. On this episode of the podcast, the hosts talk with canon lawyer Dawn Eden Goldstein about the canonical and theological significance of excommunication. Goldstein is one of the few laywomen in the world to hold both a theology doctorate licensed by the Holy See and a licentiate in canon law. She is also the first woman to earn a doctorate in sacred theology from the University of St. Mary of the Lake. She is also the author of several books, including (Loyola Press) and (Orbis Books). You can find more information about this topic and read some of Dawn’s work in these links. “What is excommunication?” by Michelle Arnold “Excommunication is not the church's equivalent of capital punishment,” by Thomas Reese “Vatican excommunicates former nuncio to the US, found guilty of schism,” by Carol Glatz “What is canon law?” by Dawn Eden Goldstein The Dawn Patrol Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/36791115

#71: Toni Alimi – Did St. Augustine condone slavery? 05/23/2025

#70: Kori Pacyniak – What can the church learn from trans Catholics? 05/16/2025

#70: Kori Pacyniak – What can the church learn from trans Catholics? Conversations among Catholics about trans people and the church often center on questions of inclusion and belonging in relation to church life and teachings. Can trans people be baptized into the church or partake in other sacraments? Should trans Catholics be allowed to join religious orders? The conversations often proceed as though trans Catholics are fundamentally a problem to be solved. Even when the intention is to be welcoming, making this the primary discussion among Catholics fails to recognize that trans Catholics are already part of our families, communities, workplaces, and parishes. Trans Catholics are already a part of the church. Some theologians and pastoral leaders suggest that shifting the focus of these discussions could lead to a broader understanding of church life. As well as considering what we owe to trans people, we should also consider how trans people enrich the church—how their active participation in church communities might help us deepen our theology and pastoral witness. On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to guest Kori Pacyniak about what the church can learn from trans Catholics. Pacyniak is a queer, nonbinary, and trans Catholic who is a doctoral candidate at the University of California Riverside. They studied religion and Portuguese at Smith College and have a master of divinity from Harvard and a master’s degree in theology and trauma from Boston University. Ordained as a priest through Roman Catholic Womenpriests, Pacyniak focuses on creating sacred space and liturgy by and for queer and trans Catholics. Learn more about this topic and read some of Pacyniak’s writing in these links. “Gender diversity has always been part of the church,” by Emma Cieslik “As a transgender Catholic, I don’t see gender diversity as a threat to our faith,” by Maxwell Kuzma “Trans and Catholic: A parent’s perspective,” by Deacon Ray Dever “We cannot abandon trans Catholics,” by Father Bryan Massingale “Pope Francis Calls for the Inclusion of Trans People in Catholic Church Practices,” by Dallas Knox “God Doesn’t Want You to Be Miserable,” by Kori Pacyniak “The Women Who Want to Be Priests,” by Margaret Talbot Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/36594925

#69: Don Clemmer – How do they choose a new pope? 05/02/2025

#69: Don Clemmer – How do they choose a new pope? The Catholic Church, albeit not a democratic nation-state, has one of the most long-standing voting traditions in the world. When a pope dies, their successor is chosen by election. However, only a few Catholics—the cardinals of the church—participate. And the Catholic magisterium teaches that even though humans vote, it’s the Holy Spirit guiding the process. Even though the pope is the head of state for Vatican City, the election of a new pontiff is supposed to be about God’s will for the church, not about the triumph of this or that political faction. The Catholic Church has held many conclaves over the centuries, some contentious. The recent death of Pope Francis provoked widespread media speculation not only about who would succeed him but how the process of choosing a pope works at all. Especially in an era where everything is visible and conducted for an audience, the very secrecy of the conclave—as the voting process is called—adds to the intrigue. On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to guest Don Clemmer about who chooses a pope, how the process works, and some of the traditions associated with the conclave. Clemmer is editor of Connection magazine for the NETWORK Lobby for Catholic Social Justice and coproducer of the Just Politics podcast. He has written extensively for U.S. Catholic, as well as for many other publications, and previously worked in the media relations office of the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Find out more about this subject, and read some of Clemmer’s work, in these links. “How is a pope chosen?” by Jacob Kohlhaas “What happens when a pope dies?” by Amanda Osheim “What is the College of Cardinals?” by Jacob Kohlhaas “What is the origin of the papal smoke?” by David Pitt “The 12 cardinals who might succeed Pope Francis,” by Don Clemmer Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/36412775

#68: Glenn Butner – Was Jesus a refugee? 04/25/2025

#67: John Farrell - Were Adam and Eve real? 04/17/2025

#67: John Farrell - Were Adam and Eve real? Belief in a literal six-day creation, including a literal Adam and Eve, is more associated with evangelical Christianity than with Catholicism. Most Catholic schools teach evolutionary theory as the best and most reliable account of the origin of life and see no conflict between this and orthodox Catholic faith. At the same time, some Catholics still promote a creationist view on the origins of humanity. What does the Catholic Church have to say about this? Are Catholics obliged to believe that Adam and Eve were real people who talked to God, were tempted by a snake, and got cast out of a garden because they ate a forbidden fruit? If so, how does this fit with everything science has to tell us about evolution? And if the church accepts evolution, how does this affect other core Catholic teachings, especially on original sin? On this episode of the podcast, science writer John Farrell talks about how the Catholic Church has grappled with the challenges posed by evolution over the years, as well as what science has to say on the question of whether Adam and Eve were real. John Farrell is the author of The Day Without Yesterday: Lemaître, Einstein and the Birth of Modern Cosmology (Basic Books, 2005) and The Clock and the Camshaft: And Other Medieval Inventions We Still Can’t Live Without (Prometheus Books, 2020). He has contributed to U.S Catholic and many other publications, including Commonweal, Cosmos Magazine, New Scientist, the Wall Street Journal, the Guardian, the Boston Globe, Salon, Forbes and the Tablet of London. You can learn more about this topic, and read some of Farrell’s writing, in these links. by John Switzer by Joel Schorn by John L. Allen Jr. by John Farrell by John Farrell by Alice Camille by Ilia Delio by Tatha Wiley by Daryl P. Domning and Monika K. Hellwig by Chris Stringer Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/36210650

#66: Gareth Gore – What is Opus Dei? 04/11/2025

#66: Gareth Gore – What is Opus Dei? Nearly a century ago, a Spanish priest named Josemaría Escrivá founded a religious movement intended to summon Christians of all races, ages, and social classes to renew the world, not by separating themselves from it, but by making their everyday lives holy. Today, the group Escriva founded, known as Opus Dei (“Work of God”) is a highly respected group with approximately 90,000 members, active in 70 countries. St. Pope John Paul II was an admirer of Escrivá and officially canonized him in 2002. Opus Dei members include priests and religious but also laypeople who work ordinary jobs, have families, and are involved in the life of their parishes. Many of these Opus Dei members are unaware that the organization has been accused of human trafficking and labor exploitation and is the subject of a criminal investigation in Argentina. According to the report that concluded the investigation, people holding different positions within Opus Dei recruited women and girls from low-income families in several South American countries, promised them job training, and placed them in grueling work situations without pay. Opus Dei has also been accused of financial crimes such as fraud and money laundering. Opus Dei leadership denies these allegations, claiming their critics have concocted false charges by taking details out of context. So how do we balance these allegations with the experience of thousands of ordinary Catholics and with Escrivá’s vision of an inclusive church? What exactly is Opus Dei and how does it relate to the rest of the church? On this episode of Glad You Asked, hosts Emily Sanna and Rebecca Bratten Weiss talk to journalist Gareth Gore about what Opus Dei is, how it functions, and the details of the allegations against the group. Gore is the author of Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church (Simon & Schuster). Based in London, Gore has reported from over 25 countries and covered some of the biggest financial stories in recent years. For more information about this topic, and to read about Gore’s book, check out these links. Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church, by Gareth Gore “Argentine prosecutors accuse Opus Dei leaders in South America of trafficking and labor exploitation,” by Debora Rey “Women in Argentina claim labor exploitation by Opus Dei,” by Debora Rey “How Opus Dei manipulated its way into power,” by John Farrell “In Argentina, Opus Dei 'categorically' denies allegations it's involved in human trafficking,” by Junno Arocho Esteves “Peruvian Opus Dei cardinal denies allegations of sexual abuse of minor,” by Elise Ann Allen “Opus Dei Contests Charges of Malfeasance in Author’s New Book,” by Ken Oliver-Méndez “Miracle attributed to Blessed Josemaria is approved” “Split in Vatican on Opus Dei's miracle,” by Giles Tremlett Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/36099470

#65: Christian Matson – Are there still hermits? 04/04/2025

#65: Christian Matson – Are there still hermits? Christian history has multiple stories of people who felt called by God to separate themselves from the bustle of society and live alone, often in remote places. In the first centuries of Christianity, the desert fathers and mothers went into the wilderness seeking a simple life of spirituality and prayer. In the Byzantine Empire there were the stylites, or pillar-saints, who lived atop columns and practiced extreme asceticism. Other hermits lived in seclusion within society, sometimes in little cells attached to churches. In the Middle Ages, this practice became more popular, especially among women, some of whom were physically walled up in their cells, with no door or means of exit, representing their death to the world. Known as anchorites or anchoresses (from the ancient Greek ἀναχωρεῖν, meaning “to withdraw”), the most famous of these was the mystic and theologian Julian of Norwich. The tradition of the hermit vocation has deep roots in pre-Christian practices, too. Hebrew scriptures are filled with stories of people fleeing into the desert to escape society and draw closer to God. In the New Testament, both John the Baptist and Jesus follow their example. And other religions, including Buddhism, Hinduism, and Sufism, also have traditions associated with the eremitic life. But what about today? What does the life of a Christian hermit look like, in the modern era? On this episode of Glad You Asked, the hosts talk to Brother Christian Matson, a professed hermit in the Diocese of Lexington. Brother Christian professes a rule of life that allows him to support himself financially through his work in the arts while he lives a life of contemplation in a private hermitage. You can learn more about the hermit vocation, and about Brother Christian’s work, in these links. “What is a hermit?” by John Christman “How To Be Alone,” by Alexander Jusdanis “Medieval anchoresses found spiritual freedom in tiny cells,” by Ellyn Sanna “Sixty Feet Above: The Difficult Sanctity of Simeon Stylites,” by Eric Shuler “The Desert Fathers and Mothers” “Catholic diocesan hermit approved by Kentucky bishop comes out as transgender,” by Jack Jenkins “Theater partnership puts depression, suicide prevention under spotlight,” by Buddy Forbes Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/36005515

#64: Stacy Davis – Who was Jezebel? 03/28/2025

#64: Stacy Davis – Who was Jezebel? The Bible is full of vivid, fascinating characters: heroes and antiheroes, tricksters and villains. One of the most memorable biblical villains is Queen Jezebel, wife of King Ahab in Kings 1 and 2. Jezebel shows up in multiple stories: persecuting the prophet Elijah, trying to institute the worship of the god Ba’al, conniving to steal a vineyard, and finally dying a gruesome death. She is mentioned in the book of Revelation, too, when the author refers to a woman in the church at Thyatira who “calls herself a prophet and is teaching and beguiling my servants to engage in sexual immorality and to eat food sacrificed to idols” (Rev. 2:20). Because she lured her husband to worship a false god, and because she is remembered as wearing makeup and finery, she has come to be associated with ideas about women as dangerous, immoral temptresses. The name “Jezebel” has become a slur for a promiscuous woman who leads men astray, and this slur has been used especially to demean and demonize Black women. But who was Jezebel really? Was she the sexually promiscuous character these slurs imply, and why does scripture depict her as a super-villain? On this episode of Glad You Asked, theologian and biblical scholar Stacy Davis talks to the host about the character Jezebel and the history of using her as a weapon against Black women. Davis is a professor of religious studies and Theology at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana, and the author of Haggai and Malachi in the Wisdom Commentary Series (Liturgical Press). She is an associate editor of The Africana Bible: Reading Israel’s Scriptures from Africa and the African Diaspora, as well as for the forthcoming Westminster John Knox Bible. You can learn more about this topic in these links: “Jezebel from an African-American Perspective,” by Stacy Davis “The Jezebel Stereotype,” by David Pilgrim “Who Exactly Was the Original Jezebel?” by Wednesday Martin “Jezebel Isn’t Who You Think She Is,” by Nyasha Junior “Naming the 333 women in the Bible,” by Alice Camille Glad You Asked is sponsored by the /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/35911675

#63: Nicholas Hayes-Mota – Are billionaires going to hell? 03/21/2025

#62: Jaime Waters - Who was at the nativity? 12/20/2024

#62: Jaime Waters - Who was at the nativity? In the United States, nativity scenes are part of the ordinary landscape of Christmas—even in secular spaces. You might see a blow-up nativity scene, all in garish colors, in front of a neighborhood store. Or in church, traditional statuary depicting European-looking characters. Some homes and religious organizations feature nativity scenes from around the world, with the holy family in diverse cultural garb. But no matter the aesthetic there are common elements in most nativity scenes: Baby Jesus in the manger, Mary and Joseph close by, a few placid animals, some devout shepherds and magi, with an angel hovering on high. But how accurate are these scenes? Would the Holy Family really have been surrounded by animals? Did shepherds actually show up immediately after Jesus was born? And did Mary worry at all about the safety of putting a newborn infant in an animal’s feeding trough? On this episode of the podcast, scholar Jaime Waters talks to the hosts about what the nativity was really like and who was there. Waters is an associate professor of Old Testament at Boston College School of Theology and Ministry. She is presently working on a commentary on the book of Jeremiah for the Wisdom Commentary Series from Liturgical Press, and a book on methods of biblical interpretation. She has written multiple articles for America magazine about the intersection of scripture and justice issues. You can learn more about this topic and read some of Waters’ writing in these links: “Who was really at the Nativity?” By Emily Sanna “What are we missing in our depictions of the nativity?” By Kelly Nikondeha “A nativity collection shows different imaginings of Christmas” By Jerry Bleem, O.F.M. “The journey of the magi is long and risky, but it ends with joy” By Jaime Waters “The loving dynamics in the Holy Family” By Jaime Waters Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/34511985

#61: AJ Levine - Who was Mary of Nazareth? 12/13/2024

#61: AJ Levine - Who was Mary of Nazareth? Often, Catholics refer to Mary with the various honorifics we have attached to her over the centuries: Mother of God, Blessed Virgin, or Queen of Heaven. When we imagine her, we may think of famous paintings representing her as a queen, crowned and throned, holding baby Jesus. While these titles all highlight important theological truths about Mary, and our religious art helps us venerate her as the most important saint of the church, we may sometimes lose sight of who Mary was historically. Long before the church developed our various doctrinal understandings about her, Mary was a Jewish woman born into a particular family, culture, and political situation. But compared with the vast amount of theological writing on Mary, the historical material we have about her is pretty scant. Who was Mary of Nazareth, really? What was her life like? How did she dress, what did she eat, and what level of education did she have? On this episode of the Glad You Asked podcast, guest AJ Levine helps us get a clearer picture of the historical Mary, beneath the halo and beyond the holy cards. Levine is the Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace. She was the first Jew to teach the New Testament at Rome’s Pontifical Biblical Institute. She has held office in the Society of Biblical Literature, the Catholic Biblical Association, and the Association for Jewish Studies. Her books include The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish Jesus (HarperOne) and Short Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial Rabbi (HarperOne). Her most recent book is Jesus for Everyone: Not Just Christians (HarperOne). Learn more about this topic, and read some of Levine’s writing, in these links. “Mary, Mary, quite contrary,” By Elizabeth Johnson “It is time to free Mary and let God have her own maternal face,” By Christine Schenk “All mothers stand at the cross with Mary,” By Sister Laurie Brink, O.P. “Why did God choose Mary?” By LaRyssa Herrington “Witnesses, patrons, faithful disciples: The women at the cross and the tomb,” By Amy-Jill Levine “A Jewish take on Jesus: Amy-Jill Levine talks the gospels.” A U.S. Catholic interview Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/34432990

#60: Brian Green - Should Catholics use AI? 12/06/2024

#60: Brian Green - Should Catholics use AI? It’s difficult to avoid artificial intelligence these days. When searching on Google or reading product reviews, there’s a good chance that you’ll be offered the option to read an AI-generated summary. Or maybe an AI tool will offer to write your work email for you. Savvy users are typically able to detect the errors in AI summaries, but even the most cautious and informed person might find it difficult to sort through what’s accurate and what isn’t. And while an ethical student wouldn’t want to entrust their carefully thought out ideas to an AI writing program, it might be a temptation for those less skilled at writing, or less concerned about morals. These are just a few ways AI disrupts our already hectic human lives. There are also questions about AI taking human jobs, AI being used to spread disinformation, AI romantic partners, even AI contract killers. The ethical issues around AI are real. But does this mean AI itself is bad? Are there ethical ways of using it? On this episode of Glad You Asked, guest Brian Green talks to the hosts about what AI is, what the real ethical concerns are, and whether Catholics should use it at all. Green is the director of technology ethics at the Markkula Center for Applied Ethics at Santa Clara University. His work focuses on the impact of technology on human life, society, and religion. He has contributed to a number of books on AI and ethics and is the author of Space Ethics (Rowman & Littlefield). He’s been a lead contributor on three World Economic Forum case studies on ethical practices at Microsoft, Salesforce, and IBM and has worked with the Vatican’s Dicastery for Culture and Education. Learn more about this topic in these links. “How should Christians respond to the challenges of AI?” By Kate Ott “AI isn’t all doom and gloom, says this theologian” A U.S. Catholic interview “‘Oppenheimer’ offers a sober lesson in the era of AI” By Danny Duncan Collum “Futuristic fiction asks important ethical questions about AI” By Jeannine Pitas Journal of Moral Theology, Special Issue on AI Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/34318540

#59: Heidi Schlumpf - Would Thomas Aquinas be a Thomist? 11/29/2024

#59: Heidi Schlumpf - Would Thomas Aquinas be a Thomist? Even 700 years after his death, St. Thomas Aquinas is still one of most influential theologians in the history of the Catholic Church. The Dominican friar, philosopher, and theologian wrote extensively about morals, liturgy, the sacraments, humanity, and the nature of God. He drew on multiple non-Christian and pre-Christian traditions to articulate the relationship between natural reason and revealed truth. Today, Aquinas’ ideas remain central to Catholic thought. But not all his ideas have aged well. And this can pose a problem, especially when people treat him as an authority on the level of the magisterium. Some of the ideas from Aquinas that self-described Thomists like to reiterate not only aren’t church teaching—they’re also incorrect. But would Thomas Aquinas be a Thomist? What would the saint think about popular takes on his ideas today? And why is this academic quibble politically significant? On this episode of Glad You Asked, journalist Heidi Schlumpf, who recently wrote about this topic for U.S. Catholic, joins the hosts to talk about why conservative influencers love Aquinas and why disputes about his thought are relevant for the public square. Schlumpf is a senior correspondent for and former executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter. She previously served as the managing editor of U.S. Catholic and has reported extensively on religion, spirituality, social justice, and women's issues. She is the author of Elizabeth A. Johnson: Questing for God (Liturgical Press). You can read more about this topic and read some of Schlumpf’s writing in these links. “Would Thomas Aquinas be a Thomist?” By Heidi Schlumpf “Why ‘trads’ seek to root the church’s future in the past” By Angela Denker “Two very different parishes point to divisions in the church” By Peter Feuerherd “J.D. Vance’s Catholicism. Theological profile of Trump’s heir apparent” By Massimo Faggioli Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/34182700

#58: Nicholas Hayes-Mota - What is integralism? 11/22/2024

#58: Nicholas Hayes-Mota - What is integralism? Religious nationalism is on the rise, both in the United States and globally. While this poses multiple challenges to justice work, it also raises theoretical questions for Christians, including the question of how Catholics should understand the relationship between church and political powers. For centuries, when monarchy was the default, Catholics argued about this. Should the pope control the king, or vice versa? Can kings appoint religious institutional leaders? What if a pope excommunicates a monarch? Somewhere along the line, a political idea called integralism developed. Integralism proposes a much closer relationship between political and religious authorities than most Americans are comfortable with. But despite our longstanding embrace of the separation of church and state, this seemingly obscure idea has entered our public discourse, associated with some right-wing influencers and political figures—including Vice President-Elect JD Vance. So what is integralism? Is it the same as nationalism, and does it threaten our constitutional ideas about religious liberty? On this episode of the podcast, scholar Nicholas Hayes-Mota talks to the hosts about what integralism is and how it relates to the current political climate. Hayes-Mota is a social ethicist and public theologian whose research interests include the theology of community organizing, Catholic social thought, contemporary virtue ethics, democratic theory, and AI ethics. He is a professor in the Department of Religious Studies at Santa Clara University’s College of Arts and Sciences. You can learn more about this topic and read some of Hayes-Mota’s work in these links. “What is Catholic integralism?” By Steven P. Millies “The Integralist Argument Is Wrong, Even If You’re Catholic” By Kevin Augustyn “The strange world of Catholic 'integralism'—and Christian nationalism” By Jack Jenkins “The not-so-Catholic candidacy of J. D. Vance” By Jason L. Miller and Rebecca Bratten Weiss “Faith at the expense of freedom” By Rebecca Bratten Weiss “We need to reclaim the legacy of Christian nonviolence” By Nicholas Hayes-Mota Glad You Asked is sponsored by the Claretian Missionaries USA, an order of Catholic priests and brothers who live and work with the most vulnerable among us. To learn more, visit . /episode/index/show/05d2d433-301a-4db1-a691-d1745271d5aa/id/34108906

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