Catholic in America

OSV Podcasts
  • 4.6 (16)
  • 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. Sep 21

    UFOs, AI, and the Spiritual World with Dr. Diana Pasulka

    What if the UFO phenomenon isn't really about aliens? Scholar of religion Diana Walsh Pasulka has spent years studying reports of UFOs, unidentified aerial phenomena, non-human intelligence, emerging technologies, and the religious ideas developing around them. What she has found raises much bigger questions than whether extraterrestrials are visiting Earth. In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins talks with Dr. Pasulka about her new book, The Others: UFOs, AI, and the Secret Forces Guiding Human Destiny, and the strange intersection of religion, technology, artificial intelligence, and reported encounters with non-human intelligence.  Pasulka traces how her research in Catholic history unexpectedly led her into the world of UFOs and UAPs. She explains why she began seeing similarities between modern accounts and older religious reports of extraordinary phenomena, and how digital technology has helped create new decentralized systems of belief around UFOs.  The conversation also explores artificial intelligence, transhumanism, Silicon Valley, René Girard, Marshall McLuhan, Teilhard de Chardin, the spiritual ideas surrounding early space exploration, and Pasulka's argument that Christians need to recover traditions of discernment when confronting claims about mysterious forms of intelligence.  Ultimately, the question is not simply whether something strange is out there. It is whether technology and new forms of spirituality are changing how we understand ourselves, God, and what it means to be human. Are we seeking transcendence through Christ, or building another Tower of Babel? Links Diana Walsh Pasulka https://dwpasulka.com/ The Others: UFOs, AI, and the Secret Forces Guiding Human Destiny https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250394866/theothers/ Ross Douthat interviews Diana Walsh Pasulka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7n4nctI60c Alien civilizations have not visited Earth and never will, physicist claims https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/alien-civilizations-not-visited-earth-140700410.html CONTINUE THE CONVERSATION Interested in exploring these questions even further? Listen to our conversation with Daniel O’Connor, “Aliens, AI, and the End of Truth: The Great Deception Uncovered.” It offers another Catholic perspective on UFOs, artificial intelligence, non-human intelligence, and the spiritual questions surrounding our rapidly changing technological world. 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.

  2. Sep 7

    The St. Francis You Don’t Know with Fr. Bobby Barbato

    Eight hundred years after his death, St. Francis of Assisi remains one of the most recognizable and beloved saints in the world. But do we really know Francis? In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins welcomes Capuchin Franciscan Fr. Bobby Barbato, rector of the National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi in San Francisco, for a fascinating journey through the life, conversion, and enduring witness of St. Francis. Fr. Bobby takes us beyond the familiar images of Francis preaching to birds and loving creation to reveal a man radically transformed by his encounter with Jesus Christ. They revisit some of the defining moments of Francis' life, including his failed pursuit of knighthood, his embrace of the leper, Christ's call at San Damiano to "repair my house," his embrace of poverty, his life with the Franciscan brothers, and the Canticle of Brother Sun. Along the way, they explore what these stories can teach Catholics today about conversion, discipleship, money, power, technology, community, care for creation, and learning to see the world through the eyes of Christ. Fr. Bobby also explains why Francis' famous love of creation was far more than sentimentality, what it really means to "live penance," why Francis could call death his sister, and how his radical humility offers an alternative to a culture obsessed with power, possessions, prestige, and influence. As the Church marks the 800th anniversary of St. Francis' Transitus on October 3, 2026, this conversation invites us to rediscover not simply the Francis we think we know, but the disciple whose life continues to challenge Christians eight centuries later.  Links: Shrine of St. Francis and the Porziuncula Indulgence: https://shrinesf.org/the-pardon-of-assisi/Vatican News article on the plenary indulgence in the Jubilee Year of St. Francis: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/vatican-city/news/2026-01/year-saint-francis-indulgence-assisi.htmlFranciscan shrines in the USA: https://www.catholicshrines.org/post/8-shrines-and-pilgrimage-sites-in-the-usa-to-visit-during-the-franciscan-jubilee-yearFr. Bobby Barbato, OFM Cap. Bio: https://www.franciscanpilgrimages.com/pilgrimage-staff/vita-barbato/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.

  3. Aug 17

    Can Politics Be Evangelized?

    What does evangelization have to do with politics? More than we might think. In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins welcomes Dr. Matthew Petrusek, Senior Director of the Word on Fire Institute and author of Evangelization and Ideology: How to Understand and Respond to the Political Culture. Petrusek argues that politics can provide Catholics with an important opportunity for evangelization. Political debates inevitably raise deeper questions about morality, human dignity, justice, truth, and ultimately our understanding of reality itself. Rather than abandoning these conversations, Catholics should learn how to engage them with reason, courage, charity, and a well-formed understanding of Catholic social teaching.  Jason and Matthew discuss why politics is much bigger than elections, how Catholics can distinguish arguing from fighting, why local political engagement matters, and how institutions themselves can become places of evangelization. They also explore the principles of solidarity and subsidiarity, the dangers of ideology, the importance of natural law, and what Petrusek describes as a Catholic approach of "hopeful realism" toward political life. Ultimately, evangelizing political culture is not about creating heaven on earth or imposing Catholicism through government. It is about helping create a society where it is easier for people to pursue what is good, true, and ultimately Christ Himself.  Links:  Matthew Petrusek Bio and Evangelization and Ideology https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/pages/matthew-petrusek?srsltid=AfmBOopnBaDU5JlHrmxNRyXV6V8RNjdA6vOUGubhkz-TD8hfkY68bGP2 Word on Fire Institute https://institute.wordonfire.org/ Pope St. John Paul II on Catholic Social Teaching and Evangelization https://focusequip.org/catholic-social-teaching-and-the-new-evangelization/ 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.

  4. Aug 3

    Why the Public Square Needs Catholics with Jason Adkins

    Should Catholics stay out of politics? Far from it. In this special live episode of Catholic in America, recorded at the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, Jason Adkins explores why the Church teaches that political engagement is not optional, but an essential expression of Christian charity.  Drawing from Scripture, Catholic social teaching, and the wisdom of Popes Leo XIII, Francis, and Leo XIV, Jason argues that politics is far more than elections or partisan conflict. At its best, politics is the pursuit of the common good and one of the primary ways Catholics love their neighbor. Throughout the lecture, he explains how Catholics can faithfully engage today's most difficult public debates, including bioethics, religious liberty, education, healthcare, assisted suicide, and the dignity of every human person. Topics include: Why politics is "one of the highest forms of charity"The Catholic understanding of the common goodWhy the Church must be present in public lifeCatholic social teaching beyond partisan politicsBuilding relationships with elected officialsWhy Catholics should engage bioethical issuesThe dignity of every human person from conception to natural deathForming consciences rather than winning argumentsWhat Pope Leo XIV's early teaching means for Catholics todayHow ordinary Catholics can transform their communitiesWhether you're active in public life or simply wondering how your faith should shape your civic responsibilities, this conversation offers a compelling vision for living the Gospel beyond the walls of the church. 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.

  5. Jul 20

    Finding Yourself Without Losing Others with Luke Burgis

    What happens when the desire to belong begins to replace the search for truth? In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins sits down with author, entrepreneur, and Catholic University scholar Luke Burgis to discuss his newest book, The One and the Ninety-Nine: How to Find Identity and Cultivate Individuality in an Age of Social Contagion.  Together they explore one of the defining questions of modern life: How do we remain true to ourselves while living in community? Drawing from Scripture, philosophy, psychology, the Rule of St. Benedict, René Girard, and Catholic social teaching, Burgis explains why today's culture often rewards conformity over conscience and why authentic communion requires strong, well-formed individuals. Topics discussed include: Why social contagion shapes modern cultureThe difference between community and communionHow technology and artificial intelligence influence identityWhy friction and suffering help form virtueThe importance of conscience in Catholic lifeThe danger of groupthink, even inside the ChurchWhat the Parable of the Lost Sheep teaches about personal identityHow families, education, and work help form the "solid self"Whether you're navigating social media, raising a family, leading a business, or simply trying to live your faith with integrity, this conversation offers practical wisdom for becoming the person God created you to be. Links The One and the Ninety-Nine https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250373038/theoneandtheninetynine/ Wall Street Journal Review https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/the-one-and-the-ninety-nine-review-a-study-in-selves-688114da Luke Burgis https://lukeburgis.com/ 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.

  6. Jul 6

    Why We're More Connected but More Lonely with Dr. John Cuddeback

    Why are so many people lonely, anxious, and disconnected despite having more comforts and conveniences than ever before? In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins welcomes Dr. John Cuddeback, professor of philosophy at Christendom College, to discuss his new book, The Intentional Household: Living As If People Matter.  Dr. Cuddeback argues that one of the greatest crises of modern life is not political or economic. It is the loss of the household as a true community of daily life. Rather than simply sharing a roof, families are called to become places where friendship, meaningful work, hospitality, prayer, and genuine leisure shape every aspect of life. Together, Jason and Dr. Cuddeback explore: Why the household is the foundation of civilizationThe difference between a house and a homeWhy technology should serve relationships, not replace themThe forgotten importance of shared work and shared leisureWhy friendship is the foundation of marriage and familyThe wisdom of Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Wendell BerryRaising children through culture, not merely instructionCaring for the elderly as an essential part of family lifePractical ways to become more intentional at homeWhether you're single, married, raising children, or entering retirement, this conversation offers timeless wisdom for building a life where people truly matter. Links:  John Cuddeback Bio: https://www.christendom.edu/academics/undergraduate-faculty/john-a-cuddeback/LifeCraft: https://life-craft.org/The Intentional Household: https://ignatius.com/intentional-household-the-inhp/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.

  7. Jun 15

    Before Podcasts and YouTube, There Was ArchBishop Fulton Sheen, with Bishop Louis Tylka

    More than forty years after his death, Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen continues to inspire Catholics around the world. In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins speaks with Bishop Louis Tylka, promoter of Sheen’s cause for canonization and leader of the Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation, about the life, legacy, and enduring relevance of one of the greatest evangelists in American Catholic history.  Known for his groundbreaking television program Life Is Worth Living, Archbishop Sheen brought the Gospel into millions of homes at a time when television was still a new medium. Yet behind his remarkable communication skills was something far deeper: a profound friendship with Jesus Christ rooted in a daily Holy Hour before the Blessed Sacrament.  Topics discussed include: Fulton Sheen’s early life and vocationHis rise as a radio and television pioneerWhy Life Is Worth Living attracted over 30 million viewers weeklyThe role of philosophy and theology in shaping his thoughtHis influence on Catholic apologetics and evangelizationThe central importance of the Holy Hour in his lifeWhy Sheen remains relevant in the digital ageThe miracle attributed to his intercession and the path to beatificationWhat modern Catholics can learn from his witnessBishop Tylka offers a compelling portrait of a man whose success was never rooted in celebrity, but in prayer, holiness, and a deep desire to bring people into friendship with Christ.  As Catholics navigate a rapidly changing media landscape, Sheen’s example offers a timeless lesson: effective evangelization begins not with technology, but with prayer. Links: Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen Foundation Bishop Louis Tylka Biography Bishop Louis Tylka Bio Life Is Worth Living: "Pain and Suffering" Life Is Worth Living Sample Episode William F. Buckley Interviews Archbishop Fulton Sheen Buckley Interview with Fulton Sheen 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.

  8. Jun 4

    Catholic in America Rewind: Aliens, AI, and the End of Truth with Daniel O'Connor

    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.  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.

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Ratings & Reviews

4.6
out of 5
16 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
    46
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Catholic in America
  • Show Website
    Catholic in America

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