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. 5D AGO

    Why Catholic Social Teaching Actually Matters with Dr. Peter Kwasniewski

    What is Catholic social teaching and why does it matter right now? In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins speaks with Dr. Peter Kwasniewski, author of His Reign Shall Have No End, to unpack one of the most misunderstood areas of the Catholic faith. Often reduced to politics, misused ideologically, or ignored altogether, Catholic social teaching is actually something far more fundamental. It is about ordering every part of life, personal, familial, economic, and political, under the reign of Christ. Kwasniewski challenges the idea that faith is merely private and argues that the Gospel must shape the entire social order. Drawing from Scripture, St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and Pope Leo XIII, he explains how Catholic teaching offers a coherent vision for rebuilding a fractured world. Topics discussed include: What Catholic social teaching really is and what it is notWhy modern society struggles with faith in the public squareThe battle between the “two cities” and what it means todayThe social kingship of Christ and its practical implicationsWhy reducing religion to private devotion is a mistakeHow families, work, and culture can be ordered toward ChristThe connection between liturgy and social renewalThis episode is both a challenge and an invitation to live the Catholic faith fully, not just in private, but in every aspect of life. Links:  Peter Kwasniewski Bio https://www.peterkwasniewski.com/Book: His Reign Shall Have No End https://www.aroucapress.com/his-reign-shall-have-no-endOs Justi Press https://osjustipress.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.

    1h 6m

  2. APR 14

    The President, the Pope, and a Perilous International Order with Trita Parsi

    What happens when political power clashes with moral authority? In this special episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins sits down with Trita Parsi, one of Washington’s leading voices on foreign policy, to unpack a striking moment in global affairs: a public exchange between President Donald Trump and Pope Leo XIV over war, diplomacy, and moral leadership. But this conversation goes far beyond headlines. Drawing on decades of geopolitical analysis, Parsi explains why the world feels increasingly unstable and what is really driving today’s conflicts, from Ukraine to Iran. More importantly, he highlights the deeper breakdown of international norms, the erosion of law-based order, and the growing risk of a fragmented, “multi-order” world. At the center of it all is a critical question for Catholics: What role should the Church play when global powers abandon moral limits? Topics discussed include: The Trump–Pope exchange and what it reveals about global leadershipThe collapse of international norms and rules governing warWhy the world is shifting from a unipolar to a multipolar realityThe danger of a fragmented “multi-order” global systemThe role of the Vatican and Catholic teaching in promoting peaceWhy just war theory matters now more than everHow Catholics can recover their voice in foreign policy debatesThis episode is a call to deeper reflection, renewed engagement, and a rediscovery of the Church’s role as a moral voice in a dangerous world. Links: Trita Parsi bio: About | tritaparsiQuincy Institute:  Home - Quincy Institute for Responsible StatecraftTrita Parsi Substack:  Trita Parsi | SubstackBetter Order Project: Toward a Better Security Order - Better Order Project  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.

    1 hr

  3. APR 6

    Can Families Survive the Digital Revolution? with Michael Toscano

    What is technology doing to our families and our children? In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins speaks with Michael Toscano of the Institute for Family Studies about the growing impact of digital technology on family life. From social media to smartphones, the modern technological landscape is reshaping how families communicate, form relationships, and raise children. Toscano shares insights from the Institute’s Family First Technology Initiative, offering a clear-eyed look at both the challenges and opportunities facing parents today. The conversation also explores the broader regulatory landscape, examining how policymakers are beginning to respond to concerns about children’s mental health, online safety, and the influence of Big Tech. Topics discussed include: How social media is shaping childhood and adolescenceThe impact of technology on family relationshipsWhy parents feel increasingly overwhelmedThe role of policy and regulation in protecting childrenPractical ways families can reclaim healthy habitsThis episode offers both a sober assessment of the current reality and a hopeful path forward rooted in intentional living and the dignity of the human person. Links: Michael Toscano Bio (Institute for Family Studies) https://ifstudies.org/about-us/michael-toscanoFamily First Technology Initiative https://ifstudies.org/family-first-technology-initiativeCongressional Research Overview on Social Media Regulation https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/IF12904Jason 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. MAR 16

    Charity and Truth in American Politics with Archbishop William E. Lori

    How should Catholics engage politics in a time of deep polarization? In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins speaks with Archbishop William E. Lori of Baltimore about his pastoral letter, In Charity and Truth: Toward a Renewed Political Culture. Archbishop Lori reflects on the growing divisions within American society and the urgent need for Catholics to bring both charity and truth into public life. Rather than withdrawing from politics or allowing faith to become captive to partisan agendas, Catholics are called to witness to the Gospel while working for the common good. The conversation explores how the Church’s social teaching offers a path forward amid ideological conflict and cultural fragmentation. Topics discussed include: The dangers of political tribalismWhy Catholics must avoid reducing the faith to partisan identityThe role of conscience in political decision makingHow charity and truth must guide public discourseThe responsibility of Catholics to defend human dignity and the common goodArchbishop Lori offers a hopeful and practical vision for renewing political culture through faithful discipleship, civil dialogue, and a deeper commitment to the Church’s moral and social teachings. Links:  Pastoral Letter: "In Charity and Truth: Toward a Renewed Political Culture" https://www.archbalt.org/in-charity-truth-toward-a-renewed-political-culture/Archbishop William E. Lori – Biography https://www.archbalt.org/the-archbishop/biography-of-archbishop-william-e-lori/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

  5. MAR 2

    The Faith of First Responders with Benjamin O’Brien

    What does it mean to live your Catholic faith when the sirens are sounding, and the culture is shifting beneath your feet? In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins speaks with firefighter and author Benjamin O’Brien about his memoir, The Proving Grounds: A Catholic on Ladder 17. Benjamin shares what it was like to serve as a first responder while navigating: Workplace harassment for his faithPride activism within his departmentThe moral and professional tension surrounding COVID mandatesThe mental and spiritual toll of traumaThe strain first responder life places on marriage and familyThis conversation goes far beyond firefighting. It is about what it means to stand firm in Christ in a secular workplace without becoming bitter, combative, or discouraged. Benjamin reflects on humility, the example of St. Joseph, the little way of St. Thérèse, and the quiet heroism required to build Babylon’s good without bending to its gods. For anyone trying to live faithfully in today’s workplace, this episode offers encouragement, clarity, and hope. Links: Book: The Proving Grounds: A Catholic on Ladder 17 https://ignatius.com/the-proving-grounds-pgp/ Author Interview at Catholic World Report: Fighting Fires and Growing in Faith https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2025/06/15/fighting-fires-and-growing-in-faith-an-interview-with-benjamin-obrien/ 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.

    44 min

  6. FEB 17

    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

  7. 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

  8. 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
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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
    36
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Catholic in America
  • Show Website
    Catholic in America

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