326 episodes

Welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics hosted by two young, lay editors at America—Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who offers a unique perspective on faith, culture or current events. We also bring you some of the top (and maybe more obscure) Catholic news of the week. And we'll ask: Where do we find God in all this?

Jesuitical America Media

    • Religion & Spirituality
    • 4.8 • 823 Ratings

Welcome to Jesuitical, a podcast for young Catholics hosted by two young, lay editors at America—Zac Davis and Ashley McKinless. Each episode features a guest who offers a unique perspective on faith, culture or current events. We also bring you some of the top (and maybe more obscure) Catholic news of the week. And we'll ask: Where do we find God in all this?

    A Catholic reporter’s take on the 2024 election

    A Catholic reporter’s take on the 2024 election

    It’s an election year, and like it or not, the race is heating up, so “Jesuitical” went to Washington, D.C., to hear from an expert about the state of play. A long-time friend of the show, N.P.R.’s Scott Detrow, is the weekend host of “All Things Considered” and a co-host of the podcasts “Consider This” and “Trump’s Trials,” N.P.R.’s weekly recap of the former president’s multiple court cases. He joins Zac and Ashley for a refreshing conversation about politics and faith as we gear up for November’s election.
    They discuss: 
    Joe Biden and Donald Trump, who both recently clinched their respective parties’ nominations
    The ethics of covering politics in today’s polarized climate
    The role of religion in U.S. politics
    In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley cover the diplomatic dust-up caused by the pope’s recent comments about the war in Ukraine before moving into a conversation about Francis’ 11th anniversary of his election, which was on March 13. The hosts talk about continued criticism of Pope Francis, as well as their own opinions about Francis’ papacy.
    Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org.
    March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with the award-winning TV newscaster Carol Costello. 7:30 p.m. PST in LMU’s Life Science Auditorium. All are welcome!
    Links from the show:
    After backlash, Vatican clarifies Pope Francis’ call for Ukraine to have ‘courage of the white flag’ 
    Spanish bishop rebukes priests who joked about wishing pope goes to heaven soon
    Attacking Pope Francis, anonymous cardinal seeks to curb the influence of his papacy
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    • 53 min
    Is ‘Barbie’ a Jesuit allegory? And other questions ahead of the 2024 Oscars

    Is ‘Barbie’ a Jesuit allegory? And other questions ahead of the 2024 Oscars

    The Oscars are this Sunday, so Zac and Ashley welcome John Dougherty, the moderator of America’s Catholic Movie Club, to unpack the state of play—and the Catholic themes—in some of this year’s Best Picture nominees. John, who is also the director of campus ministry at St. Joseph’s Prep in Philadelphia, is an expert in finding God in all films. He guides the hosts through a fun-filled conversation on the best stories and performances of 2023.
    John, Zac and Ashley discuss:
    - How movies can help us to better understand ourselves and our culture
    - Thoughts on Best Picture nominees like “Barbie,” “Oppenheimer,” “The Holdovers,” “Killers of the Flower Moon,” and more (plus, Zac gives his pick for St. Ignatius Film of the Year)
    - Predictions and hopes for this year’s Oscar winners
    In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s recent lawsuits against Catholic migrant shelters, Church Militant’s announcement that they will cease operations in April after losing a defamation lawsuit and Pope Francis’ announcement that he will wash the feet of inmates at a women’s prison on Holy Thursday. 
    Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org.
    March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with the award-winning TV newscaster Carol Costello. 7:30 p.m. PST in LMU’s Life Science Auditorium. All are welcome!
    Links from the show: 
    John Dougherty’s writing
    The return of the Catholic Movie Club: Why going to the movies is a sacred act
    Hard truths, Catholics and women in Hollywood: takeaways from this year’s Oscar noms
    Catholic charities and religious freedom are under fire at the border
    Church Militant will cease publication in April after losing defamation suit
    Pope Francis to do Holy Thursday feet washing at women’s prison
    Support Jesuitical on Patreon
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    • 51 min
    A Jesuit guide to major life choices

    A Jesuit guide to major life choices

    It’s the question every college senior dreads when they’re back home for Christmas break: What are you going to do after graduation? At a live recording of Jesuitical at Loyola University Chicago, Zac and Ashley talk with Paddy Gilger, S.J., about how students (and the rest of us) can use the tools of Ignatian discernment when making more life decisions.
    They discuss:

    Whether college is a bubble—and if that is a good or bad thing

    How they saw God working in their lives as they made the leap from college to careers

    The importance of doing discernment in community


    Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org.
    March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.


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    • 41 min
    Mental health and the Catholic Church: Can we have better conversations?

    Mental health and the Catholic Church: Can we have better conversations?

    This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley welcome Meg Kissinger, a Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of While You Were Out: An Intimate Family Portrait of Mental Illness in an Era of Silence. Meg’s memoir employs her journalistic skills to tell a tale of a Catholic family navigating mental illness. It serves as a great foundation for a profound, personal conversation about faith, tragedy, and trusting in an institution even when people in it have failed you.

    They discuss:

    Meg’s family’s experience with mental illness and suicide

    The evolution of the church’s pastoral care for those impacted by suicide

    How community life can help us to have better conversations about mental health


    In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss the recent news that the prefect of the Vatican Apostolic Archives, Archbishop Sergio Pagano, is retiring—and dishing Vatican secrets on the way out. They then cover the recent controversy over the funeral of activist Cecilia Gentili, which was held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York last week.

    If you are having thoughts of suicide, call or text 988 to reach the Suicide and Crisis Lifeline or visit SpeakingOfSuicide.com/resources for additional resources.

    What’s on tap?
    Coffee—it’s still Lent!

    Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org

    Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here.

    March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.

    Links from the show:

    When my siblings died by suicide, the church failed us. Now, it’s finally listening.

    The keeper of the Vatican’s secrets is retiring. Here’s what he wants you to know.

    Cardinal Dolan on St. Pat’s funeral for transgender activist: ‘I think our cathedral acted extraordinarily well’


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    • 42 min
    Prayer, fasting and...working out? What is Exodus90?

    Prayer, fasting and...working out? What is Exodus90?

    To ring in the Lenten season, “Jesuitical” is talking Exodus 90, a 90-day ascetic spiritual practice for men centered around three pillars: prayer, fasting and fraternity. Terence Sweeney, an assistant teaching professor in the Honors Program and Humanities Department at Villanova University, joins Zac and Ashley to chat about the hugely popular program—why people love it, what it leaves out and what Catholics who don’t participate can learn from it.
    They discuss:
    - The absence of communal Lenten practices in today’s church and how Exodus 90 tries to fill that void
    - Exodus 90’s shortcomings and the dangers of spiritual meritocracy in ascetic practice
    - What all Catholics can take from Exodus 90 this Lent
    In this week’s Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley are joined by Christine Lenahan, one of America’s O’Hare Fellows. They discuss controversial depictions of Christ, from the “He Gets Us” Super Bowl ads and a new painting of Jesus that caused quite an uproar in Seville, Spain.
    What’s on tap?
    Water. Happy Lent.
    Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org
    Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here.
    March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.
    Links from the show:
    - Fasting, praying and working out: What ‘Exodus 90’ gets right—and wrong—about asceticism for men
    - Controversial artistic depictions of Jesus are nothing new
    - In defense of the ‘He Gets Us’ Super Bowl ads
    - 101 Things To Give Up For Lent
    - Terence Sweeney's podcast episode, "A Medieval Anti-racist"
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 59 min
    Why we love the church, with Bishop Donald Hying

    Why we love the church, with Bishop Donald Hying

    If you’re still Catholic, there are presumably things you love about the church. But it can be tempting to focus on the negatives: the scandals, the boring homilies, the lackluster music. This week, Zac and Ashley are doing something a little different: talking about why they love the church with Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wis. at a special live recording at St. Thomas Aquinas parish, they discuss:
    - How Bishop Hying’s love for the church changed when he became a bishop
    - The saints, the sacraments and the Catholic imagination
    - How to balance love and hard truths in pastoral work
    In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a street artist known for his paintings of Pope Francis (and who now has the Vatican’s official stamp of approval) and a new document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith that reminds priests that when it comes to administering the sacraments, they need to stick to the script.
    Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org
    Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here.
    March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD.
    Links from the show:
    - Street artist of ‘Super Pope’ fame gets official Vatican stamp of approval
    - Vatican to priests: Stick to the script for Sacraments
    - Bishop Hying: Why I Love the Church
    What’s on tap?
    Fernet Branca on ice
    Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

    • 57 min

Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5
823 Ratings

823 Ratings

Buscando fluidez ,

Thank you!!

Really appreciated your last episode - and many before it! Thank you for bringing your faith, your minds and your questions to the air - you provide a thoughtful, informed, open to modernism, real perspective I really relate to. I also appreciate the mix of components on your show (news, a focus, and where you’ve found God). Now I just have to join in on the cocktail component ;).

Gabs32MA ,

Interesting, good questions asked, but kinda leaves you hanging

I mostly enjoyed the recent episode on whether Church doctrine can change. The interviewee was very good but I was a bit put off by the assertion that its really all about the journey. I think in today’s world we all feel very keenly that beliefs have consequences. It’s not just “as long as you’re struggling with the teaching” it’s all good. I appreciated his call to take church teaching seriously, but if I’m a scientist working in in vitro technologies, even if I’m aware the Church prohibits in vitro, I may come to a different conclusion out of a desire to give people the babies they want. Then what? No worries, as long as I’m struggling with the teachings. And I proceed to created designer babies and feed the industrial beast. Choices matter, people. Also, his mention of the need for conversion points to the fact that there would be an objective thing to convert to. There’s always some nuance yes, but I think for all the talk of not being a cafeteria Catholic, this only encourages that mindset, since it’s all personal!

InFaith&Prayer ,

Excellent

This is informative and relatable. Thanks!!

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