This week on Jesuitical, Zac and Ashley share their conversation with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on the role of a church in a polarized society. As the Archbishop of Washington, D.C., “the epicenter of division,” Cardinal Gregory has devoted himself to bringing people together across vast political and faith-based differences, lending profound insight (and humor!) to this live conversation, which was hosted by Georgetown University’s Catholic Social Thought and Public Life and Leadership Roundtable. They discuss: Cardinal Gregory’s conversion as a boy and life as a priest Watching people come t ..read more

Few events inspire a media spectacle quite like the election of a pope. The white smoke, cardinals locked in the Sistine Chapel, secret ballots and ancient rules—it’s catnip for secular and Catholic journalists alike. But how did these customs evolve—and how might they change in the future? To find out, Zac and Ashley talk with Miles Pattenden, a historian, expert in the history of papal conclaves and the author of Electing the Pope in Early Modern Italy, 1450-1700. They discuss: How the election of popes evolved from St. Peter to today The role of the Holy Spirit—and politicking—inside concla ..read more

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Megan Nix, the author of Remedies for Sorrow: An Extraordinary Child, a Secret Kept from Pregnant Women, and a Mother's Pursuit of the Truth. The memoir details Megan’s journey after her daughter, Anna, contracted a little-known but relatively common congenital disease, cytomegalovirus, or CMV, during Megan’s pregnancy. They discuss:  Megan’s experience of her daughter’s diagnosis and the lack of awareness and support surrounding CMV The tension of loving Anna as she is and wanting to improve her quality of life How St. Thomas Aquina ..read more

This week on “Jesuitical,” Zac and Ashley are joined by Amir Hussain, a theology professor at Loyola Marymount University. Amir shares his insights about navigating life as a Muslim teaching theology at a Catholic university, prompting a conversation ranging from the imperative and blessings of interfaith dialogue to life without a cell phone. They also cover: Amir’s experience completing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius The history and diversity of Muslims in the United States Finding common ground and sharing experiences with people of different faiths In Signs of the Times, Jesuitica ..read more

On Aug. 19, 2014, the world watched in horror as the American journalist James Foley read a script prepared for him by ISIS terrorists, who filmed him from an unknown location in the Syrian desert. Mr. Foley, who had been in ISIS captivity for almost two years, was then beheaded by his captors. That is how Diane Foley learned that her son, who had been kidnapped in Libya on a previous reporting trip, would not be coming home this time. In the new book, American Mother, Diane teams up with Colum McCann, an award-winning and international best-selling author, to tell her and her son’s story. Bot ..read more

Although “Jesuitical” is often recorded over drinks, longtime listeners know that the hosts abstain from alcohol during Lent, which means there’s no better time to welcome Derek Brown to the show. He’s an award-winning mixologist, the founder of Positive Damage Inc., and an expert on no- and low-alcohol cocktails and mindful drinking. Derek joins Zac and Ashley for an enlightening conversation about drinking, its place in our culture and evaluating its place in our lives. They discuss:  Derek’s journey from award-winning bartender to mindful drinking advocate—and how his faith informed th ..read more

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 resp ..read more

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 ..read more

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 r ..read more

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 b ..read more