Daniel P. Horan

Inspired by Pope Francis' frequent exhortation to the faithful to "return to the basics" of our faith, Fr. Dan Horan decided to begin this Lent with a return to the fundamentals — via an ecumenical approach.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David talk about the "He Gets Us" and "Hallow" Super Bowl ads; cardinals' meeting with women; and recent discussion on priestly celibacy. Heidi also discusses Lent with Sr. Joyce Rupp.

Instead of blindly cheering on one's political tribe as if the election were a football game and we were all just fans, we ought to think deeply about real issues, good governance and responsible leadership. 

Listen: Heidi, Fr. Daniel and David talk about the defamation suit against Donald Trump and about the role of journalism in Catholic life. Plus, Heidi interviews Ansel Augustine about the synod and experiences of Black Catholics.

Those familiar with John Caputo's lifetime of work will recognize several key themes reappearing in interesting and provocative ways, inviting readers to reflect on the meaning of God, faith, church and prayer.

Listen: Father Daniel, Heidi and David discuss the Iowa caucus and the Vatican document on blessing same-sex couples, and Heidi interviews political scientist and friend of the show Steven P. Millies.

One reason why Fiducia Supplicans is meaningful, writes Fr. Dan Horan, is that for those in same-sex relationships to receive church blessings, their existence in the world is first necessarily acknowledged.

When it comes to participating on what was once Twitter, the scales have finally tipped decisively and incontrovertibly toward the "bad" side of the good vs. bad equation, writes columnist Fr. Dan Horan.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David talk about the COP28, the U.N. climate change conference; Heidi interviews Bishop John Stowe of Kentucky; and the trio concludes Season 13 with a pop culture roundup.

It can be difficult to acknowledge the presence of Advent, let alone take any time to reflect on its meaning. Fr. Dan Horan returns to two of Thomas Merton's essays to renew our understanding of the liturgical season.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David talk about the ouster of Bishop Joseph Strickland, and a court battle over voting rights in Arkansas. Also, Heidi interviews theologian and professor timone davis.

In addition to his works on prayer and contemplation, Thomas Merton's lesser-known writing on nonviolence, Christian life, contemporary virtues and racial justice may be just what we need today, writes Fr. Dan Horan.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David look at the recent testimony of former President Donald Trump and the recent election of Mike Johnson as House speaker, and Heidi talks with Fr. James Martin about the synod.

Before the close of this year's synod session, Pope Francis restated what the church is at its core and, in doing so, denounced a church governed by clericalism.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel, and David reflect on the last four weeks of the synod on synodality and give their thoughts on the synthesis document. Also, Heidi interviews NCR Vatican correspondent Christopher White.

When overwhelmed by the magnitude of global violence, Dan Horan returns to an essay by Thomas Merton: "The Root of War Is Fear."

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel, and David explore the dysfunction of the Republican Party, and discuss Pope Francis' Laudate Deum. Also, Heidi interviews Kate McElwee of the Women's Ordination Conference.

Laudate Deum reads like the treatises of the early Christian theologians who sought to articulately defend the fundamentals of Christian faith against cultural and religious skepticism or hostility. 

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David discuss the threat of U.S. government shutdown and look at recent friction in Germany over blessing same-sex unions. Also, Heidi interviews Brian Flanagan of New Ways Ministry.

The term "ecophobia" gives us a lens through which to view the human behavior that has harmed the rest of creation, writes Dan Horan.