Jesuitical America Media

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, during Megan’s pregnancy.
They discuss: 
Megan’s experience of her daughter’s diagnosis and the lack of awareness and support surrounding CMV
The tension of loving Anna as she is and wanting to improve her quality of life
How St. Thomas Aquinas’s five remedies for sorrow helped Megan understand the joys and sorrows of raising a child with disabilities
In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley talk about a recent proposal out of Baltimore that would cut the number of parishes from 61 to 21. They also cover an imposter priest wreaking havoc throughout the New York area and Pope Francis’ plans to reinstate Pope Benedict XVI’s former secretary, Archbishop Georg Gänswein, as an apostolic nuncio.
What’s on tap?
A mojito (with fresh mint!)
Links from the show:
Baltimore archdiocese proposes cutting 61 parishes to 21 in the city
Imposter Priest Who Robbed Catholic Churches Nationwide Arrested in California
After public rift, Francis restores Benedict XVI’s former secretary to Vatican service
Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth

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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 also cover:
Amir’s experience completing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius
The history and diversity of Muslims in the United States
Finding common ground and sharing experiences with people of different faiths
In Signs of the Times, Jesuitical’s producer, Sebastian Gomes, and “Inside the Vatican” host Colleen Dulle join Ashley to break down “Dignitas Infinita,” the recent declaration from the Vatican covering issues surrounding human dignity like gender theory, human trafficking, surrogacy and more.
What’s on tap?
Boulevardier
Links from the show:
New Vatican doc ‘Dignitas Infinita’: What it says on gender theory, surrogacy, poverty and more
Colleen Dulle and Gerard O’Connell discuss Dignitas Infinita on “Inside the Vatican”
What meeting John Wooden taught a Muslim theologian about Jesuit education
Muslims and the Making of America
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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 been kidnapped in Libya on a previous reporting trip, would not be coming home this time.
In the new book, American Mother, Diane teams up with Colum McCann, an award-winning and international best-selling author, to tell her and her son’s story. Both authors join Zac and Ashley this week for a powerful conversation about grief, forgiveness and perseverance.
They discuss:
How Diane’s son James discovered his vocation as a journalist 
Why Diane decided to meet with one of her son’s killers 
How her Catholic faith sustained her through James’s years of captivity and after his death
In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a new book of interviews with Pope Francis, in which he discusses his relationship with Pope Benedict XVI and the conclave that elected him and his predecessor. Plus, Cardinal Wilton Gregory calls President Biden a “cafeteria Catholic” during an appearance on CBS’s “Face the Nation” on Easter Sunday, and the Society of Jesus releases a strongly worded statement on the war in Gaza.
Links from the show:
Pope Francis opens up about Benedict XVI, past conclaves and more in new book
Important U.S. cardinal says Biden is a ‘cafeteria Catholic’
‘We cannot be silent’: A statement from the Jesuits on Gaza
American Mother, by Colum McCann with Diane Foley
Bonus episodes available now through Patreon:
​​The quirky history of papal conclaves
Cardinal Gregory on young people, politics and becoming a listening church
Live show!
If you live in the Cincinnati area, you’re invited to join Zac, Ashley and Father Eric Sundrup (Jesuitical’s spiritual director) for a live show at Xavier University, on Tuesday, April 9, 6:30-7:30 pm. The event will be held in the Conatan Board Room in Schmidt Hall and will be followed by Mass. 
What’s on tap?
Cielo prosecco, a.k.a, Easter Bubbly
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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 Zac and Ashley for an enlightening conversation about drinking, its place in our culture and evaluating its place in our lives.
They discuss: 
Derek’s journey from award-winning bartender to mindful drinking advocate—and how his faith informed that decision
Why it seems like so many people today are re-evaluating their relationship with alcohol
Tips for taking a more mindful approach to drinking
Links from the Show
Confessions of a Catholic Bartender
Derek’s Positive Damage substack
What’s on tap?
Pinch hitters (0% ABV—it’s still Lent!)
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It’s an election year, and like it or not, the race is heating up, so “Jesuitical” went to Washington, D.C., to hear from an expert about the state of play. A long-time friend of the show, N.P.R.’s Scott Detrow, is the weekend host of “All Things Considered” and a co-host of the podcasts “Consider This” and “Trump’s Trials,” N.P.R.’s weekly recap of the former president’s multiple court cases. He joins Zac and Ashley for a refreshing conversation about politics and faith as we gear up for November’s election.
They discuss: 
Joe Biden and Donald Trump, who both recently clinched their respective parties’ nominations
The ethics of covering politics in today’s polarized climate
The role of religion in U.S. politics
In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover the diplomatic dust-up caused by the pope’s recent comments about the war in Ukraine before moving into a conversation about Francis’ 11th anniversary of his election, which was on March 13. The hosts talk about continued criticism of Pope Francis, as well as their own opinions about Francis’ papacy.
Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org.
March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with the award-winning TV newscaster Carol Costello. 7:30 p.m. PST in LMU’s Life Science Auditorium. All are welcome!
Links from the show:
After backlash, Vatican clarifies Pope Francis’ call for Ukraine to have ‘courage of the white flag’ 
Spanish bishop rebukes priests who joked about wishing pope goes to heaven soon
Attacking Pope Francis, anonymous cardinal seeks to curb the influence of his papacy
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The Oscars are this Sunday, so Zac and Ashley welcome John Dougherty, the moderator of America’s Catholic Movie Club, to unpack the state of play—and the Catholic themes—in some of this year’s Best Picture nominees. John, who is also the director of campus ministry at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, is an expert in finding God in all films. He guides the hosts through a fun-filled conversation on the best stories and performances of 2023.
John, Zac and Ashley discuss:
- How movies can help us to better understand ourselves and our culture
- Thoughts on Best Picture nominees like “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and more (plus, Zac gives his pick for St. Ignatius Film of the Year)
- Predictions and hopes for this year’s Oscar winners
In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recent lawsuits against Catholic migrant shelters, Church Militant’s announcement that they will cease operations in April after losing a defamation lawsuit and Pope Francis’ announcement that he will wash the feet of inmates at a women’s prison on Holy Thursday. 
Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org.
March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with the award-winning TV newscaster Carol Costello. 7:30 p.m. PST in LMU’s Life Science Auditorium. All are welcome!
Links from the show: 
John Dougherty’s writing
The return of the Catholic Movie Club: Why going to the movies is a sacred act
Hard truths, Catholics and women in Hollywood: takeaways from this year’s Oscar noms
Catholic charities and religious freedom are under fire at the border
Church Militant will cease publication in April after losing defamation suit
Pope Francis to do Holy Thursday feet washing at women’s prison
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