Catholic Workers' Podcast

Sean Sullivan
  • 5.0 (3)
  • POLITICS
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A podcast and community dedicated to evaluating politics and economics from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching. The hope is to turn education and collaboration into actionable community building to effect real change. We appreciate any support you're able to give to help keep this podcast going: https://ko-fi.com/catholicworkerspodcast

  1. 08/18/2025

    Episode 13: Public Transportation

    Journey through the history of public transportation in the U.S., from its early rise to its deliberate dismantling by the auto industry. This episode exposes the high costs of car dependency—financial, environmental, and to public health—and highlights how public transit can be a powerful tool for building a more just and equitable society. Learn how robust transit aligns with Catholic social teaching and serves the common good.

    24 min

  2. 08/18/2025

    Episode 12: Economic Indices

    Discover the surprising origins of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), a metric born from crisis and war. This episode reveals how GDP's focus on market transactions leads to profound blind spots, including its failure to account for unpaid labor, environmental costs, and inequality. We then offer a Catholic vision for an economy that measures what truly matters: human dignity, the common good, and a diverse set of indicators that promote holistic well-being.

    24 min

  3. 08/14/2025

    Episode 11: Working Hours

    Dive into the surprising history of the workweek, from hunter-gatherer and medieval rhythms to the brutal realities of the Industrial Revolution. This episode explores the hard-won fight for the eight-hour day and its alignment with Catholic social teaching on the dignity of work and the theology of the Sabbath. We conclude by examining the modern push for a four-day workweek as a new way to achieve a just wage and a truly human life.

    19 min

  4. 08/14/2025

    Episode 10: Just War Theory

    Explore the evolution of Just War Theory, a rigorous framework designed to make war a last resort. This episode traces the theory's foundations from the Old Testament to its refinement by St. Augustine and St. Thomas Aquinas. We then apply its criteria to U.S. interventions, concluding with Pope Francis's shift towards a "just peace" rooted in non-violence and a call to build a world where war is obsolete.

    21 min

  5. 08/08/2025

    Episode 9: Public Banks

    Reclaim finance for the common good! This episode defines public banking as a model that prioritizes community over private profit. We connect this idea to Catholic Social Teaching's call for ethical finance, from ancient prohibitions on usury to modern encyclicals. Finally, we explore the rich history and promise of public banks, from the Bank of North Dakota to international successes and a cost-benefit analysis.

    34 min

  6. 08/08/2025

    Episode 8: Community Gardens

    Discover the power of community gardens! We explore their history as a response to hardship, from Pingree's Potato Patch to Victory Gardens. We then connect them to Catholic Social Teaching, emphasizing our call to be stewards of creation from Genesis to Pope Francis' Laudato Si'. Finally, we discuss the extensive health and economic benefits, along with practical steps to start a garden in your own community.

    10 min

  7. 08/08/2025

    Episode 7: Jobs Guarantee

    Explore the Jobs Guarantee, a policy to ensure everyone who desires to work can. We trace its history from the WPA and CCC to its deep roots in Catholic Social Teaching on the dignity of labor. This episode concludes by exploring a modern implementation, its economic benefits, and a case study of how a Jobs Guarantee could transform a city like Houston, creating a stronger local economy and community.

    12 min

  8. 08/08/2025

    Episode 6: Jubilees

    Explore the radical concept of the Jubilee Year, from its ancient roots in Israel to its transformation in the Catholic Church. This episode examines its core mandate of societal reset and debt relief. We then consider what a modern Jubilee might look like today, proposing concrete debt cancellation initiatives to address our staggering household debt and promote economic justice.

    16 min
See All (13)

Ratings & Reviews

5
out of 5
3 Ratings

About

A podcast and community dedicated to evaluating politics and economics from the perspective of Catholic Social Teaching. The hope is to turn education and collaboration into actionable community building to effect real change. We appreciate any support you're able to give to help keep this podcast going: https://ko-fi.com/catholicworkerspodcast

Information

  • Creator
    Sean Sullivan
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2025
  • Episodes
    13
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Sean Sullivan
  • Show Website
    Catholic Workers' Podcast