Mahon McCann

Raising the Cross
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"Faith seeking understanding" Mahon McCann is an Irish philosophy Phd researcher and lecturer, specialising in ethics, philosophy of mind and digital technologies. He is a former atheist and Catholic convert and on this podcast he explores christian solutions to the meaning crisis, philosophy beyond reductive materialism, meaning and manipulation in the machine age and bridging the gap between the secular world and Christendom. Join the Raising the Cross substack to get every episode to your inbox 👇 www.mahonmccann.com

  1. FEB 5

    #109 - Paula Kelleher - From Feminism to Faith: Why I Became Catholic

    In this conversation, Paula shares her transformative journey from a typical Irish Catholic upbringing to a profound encounter with God that reshaped her faith. She discusses the struggles of returning to her roots after years abroad, the significance of confession, and her evolving understanding of the Catholic Church's teachings on women. Paula reflects on the challenges modern women face, the impact of feminism, and the importance of compassion in welcoming others into the faith. Join Paula's Substack at: https://truthofthewomb.substack.com/ Chapters:00:00 Journey of Faith: From Doubt to Belief03:47 Cultural Influences: Exploring Spirituality Abroad06:41 Encountering God: A Transformative Experience09:47 Returning Home: Navigating Loss and Faith13:00 Reconnecting with Catholicism: A Personal Journey15:52 Confession: A Path to Healing and Renewal18:49 Understanding the Church: A New Perspective21:51 Feminism and Faith: Reconciling Beliefs24:41 Natural Family Planning: The Church's Wisdom27:46 Embracing the Catholic Faith: A New Identity33:35 Misconceptions About Women in the Church35:17 The Role of Women in Faith38:37 Cultural Shifts and Women's Identity40:14 Feminism and Women's Empowerment43:26 Contraception and Its Impact on Women46:28 Challenges for Women in the Catholic Church49:37 Navigating Faith and Personal Struggles53:31 Finding Community in the Catholic Faith58:44 Opportunities for Growth in the Church Want to support the creation of more podcasts and essays? Consider becoming a patron below 👇 Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

    1 hr

  2. JAN 22

    #108 - Fr Gavan Jennings - Why did the Irish lose their Catholic faith? (w/Fr Gavan Jennings)

    Fr Gavan Jennings is a priest of Opus Dei, the editor of the position papers, and a presenter ⁨@ctmcatholic⁩ . In this conversation, we explore the evolving landscape of faith in Ireland, discussing the gradual decline of religious practice, the crisis of meaning in modern society, the importance of intellectual engagement in strengthening faith, the significance of personal relationships with God and the journey towards theosis, highlighting the role of laypeople in revitalising the Catholic Church and the joy that comes from living a life aligned with faith. *We had some technical difficulties hence Fr Gavan's miraculous background change halfway through. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Father Gavan Jennings 00:56 The Decline of Faith in Ireland 04:09 Cultural Identity and Catholicism 10:08 The Importance of Personal Faith 15:36 Intellectual Challenges Facing the Church 18:14 The Role of Catholic Intellectuals 28:20 Faith and Reason: A Balanced Approach 32:33 The Intellectual Crisis in Catholicism 39:26 The Role of Philosophy in Faith 47:42 Revitalizing Faith in Modern Ireland 54:29 Theosis: The Goal of the Christian Life 01:00:50 The Path to Sanctity and Happiness Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

    1h 7m

  3. 12/19/2025

    #107 - Fr Columba Jordan - From Boredom to Belief: The Future of Catholicism in Ireland

    The last podcast before a break over the Christmas! More than delighted to be joined by Fr Columba Jordan for an unofficial Christmas special. Fr Columba is a Franciscan Friar of the renewal ( ⁨@cfr_franciscans⁩ ), and a presenter at Call To More ( ⁨@ctmcatholic⁩ ).In this conversation, shares his journey as a Franciscan priest, challenges faced by young people in connecting with their faith, entering the dance with God, St Maximilian Kolbe and sacrifice and love, practical steps for encountering God, and the role of the internet and artificial intelligence in the return to faith. Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Father Columba02:56 Journey to the Priesthood05:51 Engaging the Youth: Addressing Boredom in Faith08:49 The Challenge of Familiarity in Faith12:02 The Proposal of Faith: A Call to Verify14:58 The Dance of Faith: Openness and Surrender17:53 The Role of Entertainment in Worship20:59 The Nature of Relationships and Vulnerability24:01 Shame and Its Impact on Faith26:55 The Journey of Growth and Transformation34:29 The Decline of Irish Catholicism36:19 Understanding God: Love and Justice39:39 The Image of God and Its Impact42:37 Living the Faith: A Personal Journey45:49 The Risk of Faith49:41 The Role of Doubt and Verification52:39 Surrendering to God56:12 The Power of Sacrifice01:00:06 Every Action Matters01:04:23 Practical Steps to Encounter God01:07:39 Entering the Dance of Faith01:10:24 The Role of Humility in Spiritual Growth01:11:42 The Impact of Prayer and Community01:12:10 The Intersection of Technology and Faith01:18:49 AI and the Future of Humanity01:25:06 The Internet as a Tool for Evangelization Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

    1h 34m

  4. 11/28/2025

    #106 - Brendan Graham Dempsey - Healing From the Meaning Crisis

    Hey There, New podcast on deck 🚨 This was an unbelievable conversation with Brendan Graham Dempsey on his new ‘evolution of meaning’ series!! Evolution of Meaning part 1: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Universal-Learning-Process-Evolution-Meaning/dp/B0D88CV4GP Evolution of Meaning part 2:https://www.amazon.com/Psyche-Symbolic-Learning-Evolution-Meaning/dp/B0FPV8M3Z8/In this conversation, we explored the themes of meaning, the meaning crisis, and the evolution of meaning through various philosophical and cultural lenses. We discuss the impact of nihilism, the role of metamodernism, and the significance of complexity theory in providing a foundation for meaning. With a new foundation in place, we explore a modern path to transcendence, the hero’s journey and the sacred! Check it out 👇 Chapters00:00 Introduction to the Evolution of Meaning02:18 Understanding the Meaning Crisis05:15 Philosophical Perspectives on Meaning08:34 The Role of Transcendence in Meaning11:31 Exploring Meaning in Life Literature14:26 The Journey Towards Meaning17:25 Complexity Theory and Meaning20:42 Active Inference and Meaning27:25 Understanding Surprise and World Models29:32 The Complexity of Human Models32:27 Cultural Evolution and Meaning Systems34:09 Moral Development and Complexity39:02 Human Learning as a Complexification Process44:48 The Role of Egocentrism in Meaning Making50:48 The Meaning Crisis and Anomie53:30 Breaking Frames: The Role of Technology and Social Media56:32 The Meta Frame: Embracing Chaos and Complexity59:40 Transcendence and Awe: The Sacred in Frame Breaking01:02:36 The Infinite Journey: Icons, Myths, and the Divine01:06:28 Faith and the Hero’s Journey: Navigating Uncertainty01:09:34 Learning and Meaning: The Evolution of Understanding My new book Waiting For The Offo will be out next Monday 1/12/25!!!! Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

    1h 17m

  5. 11/20/2025

    #105 - David Quinn - Why are Gen Z returning to Religion?

    David Quinn, is a columnist for the Sunday Independent/Irish Catholic and Commentator on society, religion and politics since 1994. Iona Institute Poll: https://ionainstitute.ie/big-revival-of-interest-in-religion-among-many-young-people-in-northern-ireland-says-new-poll/ In this conversation, David Quinn discusses the current state of Irish Catholicism, reflecting on its historical context and the evolving perspectives of younger generations towards religion. He emphasises the importance of religion in providing meaning, purpose, and community, especially in a society facing increasing secularisation. Quinn highlights signs of hope among younger people who are becoming more open to religion, suggesting a potential resurgence in religious engagement as they seek answers to life’s challenges. Chapters: 00:00 The Evolution of Irish Catholicism 12:05 The Church’s Influence and Secularisation in Ireland 19:54 Generational Perspectives on Religion and Progress 24:40 Woke Ideology vs. Christianity: A Cultural Clash 32:25 The Crisis of Modernity and Mental Health 33:10 The Role of Religion in Society 34:11 Rediscovering the Great Tradition 35:01 Perceptions of Church vs. Christianity 37:53 Distinguishing Between Institution and Faith 40:12 Rationality and the Existence of God 42:31 The Shift from Default Theism to Atheism 44:40 The Changing Landscape of Belief 47:35 Materialism and Free Will 49:16 Transhumanism and the Future of Humanity 51:01 Demographic Shifts and Religion’s Role 55:47 Signs of Hope Among Younger Generations Waiting For The Offo is coming out on 1/12/25!!! Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

    1h 1m

  6. 10/30/2025

    #104- Robert Freese - From Buddhism to Catholicism: A Spiritual Journey

    Robert Freese converted to Catholicism in 2020 after 20 years of practicing and eventually teaching Vipassana meditation. He and his wife Gosia are volunteers in the Faustinium, the lay order of Saint Faustina who initiated the devotion to Divine Mercy. In this conversation, Robert shares his profound journey from a secular upbringing in Texas to exploring Buddhism and eventually returning to Catholicism. He discusses the influence of his family background, the transformative power of meditation, and the importance of community in spiritual practices. Robert reflects on his experiences with Vipassana meditation, the challenges of balancing spiritual commitments with worldly responsibilities, and the ongoing quest for self-discovery and meaning in life. In this conversation, Robert Freese shares his profound journey of faith, detailing his experiences of encountering Jesus during meditation, the integration of his Buddhist practices with Catholicism, and the transformative power of suffering and grace. He reflects on the significance of communion, confession, and the importance of bringing one’s suffering to God, emphasising the deep connection between personal experiences and spiritual growth. Chapters 00:00 Journey of Spiritual Exploration 10:11 The Shift to Buddhism 19:57 Deepening the Practice 29:49 Teaching and Transformation 39:57 Navigating Challenges in Spiritual Life 49:51 Encountering Jesus in Meditation 54:00 The Cross and Personal Suffering 58:08 Navigating Faith and Personal Crisis 01:01:22 The Journey to Catholicism 01:07:20 Integrating Buddhism and Catholicism 01:14:14 Desire, Suffering, and Spiritual Growth 01:20:50 The Role of Confession and Grace Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

    1h 31m

  7. 10/17/2025

    #103 - Martin McManus - Why This Irish Psychologist Returned to the Catholic Church

    Martin McManus is a Lukewarm Catholic to anti-Catholic psychology postgrad to schismatic traditionalist to now a normal Catholic devoted to Our Lady and working to help others back to their home, the Catholic Church. In this conversation, Martin shares his profound journey from a lukewarm Catholic upbringing in Longford to a period of atheism influenced by modern psychology and prominent atheists. He discusses his struggles with nihilism and the eventual rediscovery of faith, sparked by the works of Jordan Peterson and his experiences in the mental health field. Martin emphasizes the importance of community and tradition in his return to Catholicism, particularly through the Legion of Mary, and advocates for sharing faith with love and understanding. Chapters: 00:00 Introduction to Martin’s Journey 02:39 Early Catholic Upbringing and Its Impact 05:34 Drifting Away from Faith and Academic Pursuits 08:27 Encountering Atheism and Intellectual Influences 11:12 The Shift Towards Seeking Meaning 13:56 Exploring Freedom and Reality 16:44 The Role of Jordan Peterson in Rediscovering Faith 19:42 The Paradox of Freedom and Responsibility 22:34 Finding Harmony in Faith and Reality 28:04 Awakening to Faith 30:20 Exploring Different Christian Denominations 32:04 The Search for Truth in Catholicism 35:09 Understanding the Magisterium 38:29 The Role of Doctrine and Tradition 40:49 Living Out the Faith in Modern Times 47:15 Engaging with the Legion of Mary 52:32 Encouragement for Faith Sharing Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

    57 min

  8. 10/10/2025

    Understanding the Good: Plato's Sun Analogy & Divided Line Explained | Plato's Republic Book Six

    In this lecture, we delve into the Good! Particularly Plato’s analogy of the Sun, and the Divided Line from ‘The Republic’ to explain the un-hypothetical first principle of everything. After a quick re-cap of the Philosopher Kings, we discuss the change from politics to philosophy in the Republic book six. Plato’s analogy of the ship for the state, and why Philosophers know appearance from Reality and the three roles of the Good in Plato’s ethics, epistemology and ontology. Finally, the lecture summarises the dialectic process leading to the Form of the Good, emphasising its critical role in understanding reality and achieving a just society. Chapters: 00:00 Plato’s Good and the Divided Line 00:26 Philosophers as Kings 02:39 The Analogy of the Ship 04:13 Corruption and Education 07:17 The Form of the Good 09:18 The Sun and the Divided Line 17:21 The Nature of Ultimate Reality 19:23 Conclusion and Next Steps Get full access to Raising the Cross at www.mahonmccann.com/subscribe

    20 min
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About

"Faith seeking understanding" Mahon McCann is an Irish philosophy Phd researcher and lecturer, specialising in ethics, philosophy of mind and digital technologies. He is a former atheist and Catholic convert and on this podcast he explores christian solutions to the meaning crisis, philosophy beyond reductive materialism, meaning and manipulation in the machine age and bridging the gap between the secular world and Christendom. Join the Raising the Cross substack to get every episode to your inbox 👇 www.mahonmccann.com

Information

  • Creator
    Raising the Cross
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    127
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Mahon McCann
  • Show Website
    Mahon McCann

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