Catholic in America

OSV Podcasts
  • 4.9 (14)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Identity politics and tribal thinking has become America's dominant paradigm. Why has the respect for genuine civic friendship and the common good waned? What are the set of moral and spiritual principles needed to reclaim or reimagine what has been lost? How do we use them to make right judgments about our world and to move forward with clarity and joy? The answer is at the heart of the Catholic faith and its social doctrine: rediscovering our common identity as children of the Father,  the One who created us for love. Join Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, to engage our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic.

  1. 3D AGO

    Reconciliation or Retreat? The Church and Indigenous Identity

    When the Vatican returned 62 Indigenous artifacts to Canada, many saw it as a gesture of reconciliation. But was something deeper being communicated? In this wide-ranging and provocative episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins speaks with sociologist and First Nations member Dr. Ashley Frawley about cultural identity, trauma narratives, missionary history, and the universal claim of Catholicism. Drawing on her Compact Magazine essay, “Are We Not Catholics Too?”, Dr. Frawley challenges the assumption that Indigenous Catholics are victims of Western imposition rather than full participants in the Church’s universal story. She argues that modern therapeutic and multicultural frameworks risk denying Indigenous agency, common humanity, and even the Church’s civilizational mission. The conversation explores reconciliation, residential schools, the trauma paradigm, and the tension between cultural particularity and Catholic universality. It also raises a deeper theological question: Is Christianity truly a gift for all peoples, or merely one tradition among many? Topics covered: The Vatican’s repatriation of Indigenous artifacts and its meaningTrauma narratives and the loss of agencyThe legacy and complexity of residential schoolsTruth and reconciliation commissions and their limitsMulticulturalism versus universalityChristianity, Enlightenment, and human dignityEvangelization, inculturation, and the Great CommissionThe danger of treating Catholicism as a Western possessionDr. Frawley offers a powerful reminder that Catholic means universal, and that the Church’s mission is not cultural erasure but cultural elevation and integration into a shared human inheritance. Links:  Compact Magazine Article: “Are We Not Catholics Too?” https://www.compactmag.com/article/are-we-not-catholics-too/ Ashley Frawley Bio (Compact Magazine) https://www.compactmag.com/contributor/ashley-frawley/ Canadian Conference of Catholic Bishops – Vatican Artifacts Return to Canada https://www.cccb.ca/media-release/vatican-artifacts-return-to-canada/ Dicastery for Promoting Integral Human Development – Church’s Commitment to Indigenous Peoples in Canada https://www.humandevelopment.va/en/news/2026/churchs-commitment-to-indigenous-peoples-in-canada.html National Catholic Reporter – Vatican Returns Indigenous Artifacts https://www.ncronline.org/news/vatican-returns-dozens-indigenous-artifacts-hundreds-remain-says-canadian-indigenous-leader Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.

    1h 7m

  2. FEB 2

    The Marijuana Industry Is Lying to You with Dr. Kevin Sabet

    Is marijuana really harmless? Or are we being sold a lie by a billion-dollar industry? In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins sits down with Dr. Kevin Sabet, a former White House drug policy advisor and founder of Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), to expose the truth behind Big Cannabis and its growing influence on law, culture, and public health. Together, they discuss how the marijuana industry uses tactics borrowed from Big Tobacco to promote addiction, downplay harm, and target vulnerable communities. Dr. Sabet, a Catholic and one of the most respected drug policy experts in the country, explains what’s really happening in states like Minnesota and how Catholics can respond with both compassion and clarity. Topics Covered: The myth of “harmless weed” and today’s high-potency THC productsHow legalization fuels addiction, mental illness, and youth harmThe racial and social justice failures of marijuana commercializationHow the marijuana industry manipulates science and messagingWhat the Church teaches about sobriety, freedom, and the dignity of the personWhy legalization is not the same as decriminalizationThe Minnesota bishops’ bold 2024 statement on marijuana, Living in the RealHow Catholics can advocate for human-centered, public-health-first drug policyDr. Sabet urges Catholics to wake up to the real costs of normalization and to take a courageous stand in favor of truth, healing, and human dignity. Links: Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM): https://learnaboutsam.org/Kevin Sabet Bio and Books: https://kevinsabet.com/Minnesota Bishops’ Statement: Living in the Real (March 2024): https://www.mncatholic.org/livingintherealSAM marijuana impact report detailing the harms of marijuana: SAM-impact-report-2026-2027.pdf Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.

    32 min

  3. JAN 19

    Imprisoned for 13 Years. How Did He Become a Man of Joy and Hope?

    Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan was imprisoned for 13 years, nine of those in solitary confinement, by Vietnam’s communist regime. But from the darkness of a prison cell, he became one of the Church’s most radiant witnesses of hope, reconciliation, and Eucharistic faith. In this unforgettable episode of Catholic in America, host Jason Adkins speaks with Elisabeth Nguyen, the Cardinal’s youngest sister and co-author of a new biography, Cardinal Van Thuan: A Man of Hope and Joy (Ignatius Press). Elisabeth shares powerful family stories and spiritual insights into how her brother carried the cross with Christ, forgave his persecutors, and brought Jesus to others even behind bars. Topics Covered: The political and spiritual context of Cardinal Van Thuan’s arrestHow he said Mass with smuggled wine and hostsThe “1,001 Messages of Hope” that inspired the Vietnamese underground ChurchHow he forgave those who betrayed his familyHis influence on the Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the ChurchWhy his story is especially relevant to today’s divided worldThe role of his family, especially his mother, in forming a faithful priestHow Eucharistic devotion and Vietnamese spirituality shaped his witnessThis episode is both a family testimony and a challenge to all Catholics to live the Gospel with deeper trust, boldness, and joy, even in the face of suffering. 📚 Resources Mentioned Book: Cardinal Van Thuan: A Man of Hope and Joy https://ignatius.com/cardinal-nguyen-van-thuan-cfntp/ Vatican Website on Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan https://www.cardinalvanthuan.va/en.html Salt + Light TV Documentary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uO_N7LQXjBY Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.

    1h 8m

  4. JAN 5

    Inside the Trillion Dollar War Machine: Who Profits from Endless War?

    Does America spend too much on its military? And is that spending actually making us less safe? In this sobering episode of Catholic in America, host Jason Adkins sits down with William D. Hartung, Senior Research Fellow at the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft and author of The Trillion Dollar War Machine, to explore how runaway military spending fuels global conflict, enables arms dealers, and undermines domestic priorities like healthcare, education, and infrastructure. They discuss the real power of the military-industrial complex, how the Pentagon partners with Hollywood and universities to shape culture and technology, and why both Democrats and Republicans fail to question the massive US defense budget. Hartung offers insight into how a bloated defense system endangers peace and why Catholics and other people of faith need to reclaim the moral conversation around war and peace. Topics Covered: What the military-industrial complex really looks like todayHow military contractors drive foreign policy and conflictThe role of Hollywood, Silicon Valley, and universities in supporting warWhy US defense spending exceeds that of the next 10 countries combinedHow the media helps normalize militarismWhat nuclear weapons modernization actually costsThe hidden cost to veterans and active-duty military familiesWhat a moral, effective military strategy would really look likeWhy Catholics must lead a renewed movement for peaceLinks: William D. Hartung Bio:  https://quincyinst.org/author/william-d-hartung/Book: The Trillion Dollar War Machine (Bold Type Books): https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/william-d-hartung/the-trillion-dollar-war-machine/9781645030638/Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.

    59 min

  5. 12/17/2025

    Aliens, AI, and the End of Truth: The Great Deception Uncovered

    Is our obsession with aliens and AI preparing us for a spiritual deception? In this electrifying episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins interviews philosopher, theologian, and author Daniel O’Connor, who argues that belief in extraterrestrials and superintelligent AI may be part of a growing cultural movement away from Christ — and toward idolatry and deception. Drawing on theology, Church history, science, and pop culture, O’Connor proposes that the so-called “First and Last Deception” mirrors the serpent’s lie in the Garden of Eden: that humans can become like gods through a non-human intelligence. Whether you're a skeptic, a science-fiction fan, or someone curious about how Catholics should think about aliens and AI, this conversation offers a clear, thought-provoking, and spiritually grounded perspective. Topics Covered: Why Daniel O’Connor believes aliens don’t exist — and never haveHow AI is being used as a spiritual gatewayWhat Scripture and the Catechism say about non-human intelligencesThe manipulation of public fear through “disclosure” eventsThe eerie connection between 1947, UFOs, and the Cold WarC.S. Lewis, the Church Fathers, and popes on extraterrestrial lifeWhy only man is made in the image of GodThe Church’s warnings against false messianism and pseudo-scientific prophetsWhat Catholics can do to avoid being deceivedO’Connor’s book is not just about debunking aliens or AI hype. It’s about holding fast to the truth of Christ in an age of spiritual confusion and technological seduction. Links: Daniel O’Connor’s Bio https://dsdoconnor.com/about-me/ Book: The First and Last Deception: Aliens, UFOs, AI, and the Return of Eden’s Demise https://www.amazon.com/First-Last-Deception-Aliens-Return-ebook/dp/B0DJFWQ421 YouTube Channel: Daniel O’Connor Lectures https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwB70gZ4NGlbFgnoY9FMUwg/videos Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.

    1h 1m

  6. 12/01/2025

    Is It Time to Flee to the Fields? Why Catholics Are Returning to the Land with Michael Thomas

    Is returning to the land just a romantic pipe dream, or a prophetic response to our disordered world? In this episode of Catholic in America, host Jason Adkins sits down with Michael Thomas, Executive Director of the Catholic Land Movement, to explore the growing desire among Catholics to reconnect with creation, live in community, and build lives rooted in place, prayer, and productive property. Drawing from Scripture, Church teaching, and his own journey from suburban life to homesteading in rural New York, Michael shares how the Catholic Land Movement is helping families rediscover the joy and sanctity of working the land, whether that means raising sheep, growing food, or simply planting a window garden with purpose. Links:  Catholic Land Movement Website https://catholiclandmovement.info Book: The American Catholic Land Movement: Past, Present, and Future https://tanbooks.com/products/books/the-american-catholic-land-movement-past-present-and-future/ Book: Flee to the Fields (The Catholic Land Movement in England) https://loretopubs.org/flee-to-the-fields.html YouTube Video: Intro to the Catholic Land Movement https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0vMhJp3DO8 Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.

    1h 7m

  7. 11/17/2025

    The 401(k) Hack Big Funds Don’t Want You to Know with Dr. Pia de Solenni

    In an age when many Fortune 500 companies openly push agendas hostile to Christian values, most Catholics feel powerless: boycotts are exhausting, and “just selling the stock” often feels impossible. Dr. Pia de Solenni explains why neither total withdrawal nor angry activism is the answer. Instead, she reveals a third way: faithful shareholder engagement that uses the very ownership Catholics already have (in retirement accounts, pension funds, 401(k)s, etc.) to push companies back toward sanity, protect human dignity, and often deliver market-beating returns. Guest Bio Dr. Pia de Solenni is a moral theologian (Pontifical University of the Holy Cross, Rome) and Senior Vice President of Corporate Engagement at IWP Capital. Former Chancellor and theological advisor to the Bishop of Orange, her writing has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and many other outlets. Resources Mentioned IWP Capital screening and engagement: https://www.iwpcapital.com/screeningUSCCB Socially Responsible Investment Guidelines (2021): https://www.usccb.org/resources/Socially%20Responsible%20Investment%20Guidelines%202021%20(003).pdfDr. Pia de Solenni’s full bio: https://moraltheologian.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/11/About-Dr.-Pia-de-Solenni.pngJason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.

    55 min

  8. 11/04/2025

    How the Suburbs Changed the Catholic Church Forever with Father Stephen Koeth, C.S.C

    In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins sits down with Fr. Stephen Koeth, C.S.C., historian and professor at the University of Notre Dame, to unpack his groundbreaking new book, Crabgrass Catholicism: How Suburbanization Transformed the American Church. Together they explore how post–World War II suburban growth reshaped Catholic parish life, architecture, education, and community — decades before Vatican II. From the explosion of new parishes on Long Island to the rise of commuter culture, Fr. Koeth shows that suburbia changed not only where Catholics lived, but how they believed. The conversation also looks ahead:  How can today’s Church learn from the past as it faces shrinking parishes in the Midwest and explosive growth in the South and West?  And what does “mission” look like when Catholic life is no longer centered around the neighborhood parish? Fr. Stephen Koeth, C.S.C. – University of Notre Dame Faculty Page: https://history.nd.edu/people/stephen-koeth-csc/ Book: Crabgrass Catholicism (University of Notre Dame Press): https://undpress.nd.edu/9780268206178/crabgrass-catholicism/ Notre Dame Church Properties Initiative: https://realestate.nd.edu/church-properties-initiative/ Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.

    1h 3m
See All (31)

Ratings & Reviews

4.9
out of 5
14 Ratings

About

Identity politics and tribal thinking has become America's dominant paradigm. Why has the respect for genuine civic friendship and the common good waned? What are the set of moral and spiritual principles needed to reclaim or reimagine what has been lost? How do we use them to make right judgments about our world and to move forward with clarity and joy? The answer is at the heart of the Catholic faith and its social doctrine: rediscovering our common identity as children of the Father,  the One who created us for love. Join Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, to engage our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic.

Information

  • Creator
    OSV Podcasts
  • Years Active
    2024 - 2026
  • Episodes
    31
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Catholic in America
  • Show Website
    Catholic in America