The Pillar Podcast
- Episodes
- 457
- Released
- several times a week
- Latest episode
- Nov 13, 2026
About the podcast
Great Catholic Conversation, each week.
Episodes 457
Listening in color, with Archbishop Cordileone
Ed is joined by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco to talk about jazz and the practice of listening. Import this playlist to your favorite streaming platform: Listening in Color playlistThis …
Show notes
Ed is joined by Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco to talk about jazz and the practice of listening.
Import this playlist to your favorite streaming platform: Listening in Color playlist
This episode is brought to you by the Catholic Education Fund, an initiative of Aequitas Education in partnership with ACE Scholarships.
Learn more at: catholiceducationfund.org
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeOrganizing a papal visit, with Yago de la Cierva
Luke Coppen is joined by Spanish journalist Yago de la Cierva to talk about his experience planning a papal visit. Cierva was general coordinator of Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Spain in June 2026 and executive …
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Luke Coppen is joined by Spanish journalist Yago de la Cierva to talk about his experience planning a papal visit. Cierva was general coordinator of Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Spain in June 2026 and executive director of World Youth Day 2011 in Madrid.
Megaevents of the Catholic Church: Logbook for organizers and communicators
This conversation was recorded in September 2026.
This episode of The Pillar Podcast is brought to you by Sunday School, The Pillar’s bible study podcast. Each week, biblical scholar Scott Powell unpacks the readings you will hear at Sunday Mass.
Find Sunday School wherever you get your podcasts, or by visiting pillarcatholic.com/sunday-school
Pope Leo greets crowds during his visit to France. Credit: Vatican Media.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: Non parlo italiano
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD’s most American take.Don't miss this gala, Philadelphia!Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD’s most American take.
Don't miss this gala, Philadelphia!
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Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 285: Detroit, Father Leo, and lists
JD and Ed deliver the promised Detroit trivia game. Pope Leo XIV kicked off his 12-day trip to South America today. JD and Ed talk about what they expect from the pope’s planned stops.Then, the practice of …
Show notes
JD and Ed deliver the promised Detroit trivia game. Pope Leo XIV kicked off his 12-day trip to South America today. JD and Ed talk about what they expect from the pope’s planned stops.
Then, the practice of publishing lists of “credibly accused” clerics is back in the news. JD and Ed talk about the practice and how it could be improved.
Immerse yourself in Sacred Scriptures through the eyes of the Fathers and Doctors of the Church at Christendom College Graduate School of Theology, where you can earn a graduate certificate in Sacred Scripture or pursue your Master’s in Theology with the Sacred Scripture concentration.
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: Recreational companionship
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD seeks some advice. Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD seeks some advice.
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Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 284: A frontier pastor and the Great Commission
JD and Ed debate recent comments by Algeria’s Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco’s recent comments about the Catholic Church’s relationship with Muslim and Jewish believers.This episode of The Pillar Podcast is brought …
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JD and Ed debate recent comments by Algeria’s Cardinal Jean-Paul Vesco’s recent comments about the Catholic Church’s relationship with Muslim and Jewish believers.
This episode of The Pillar Podcast is brought to you by The Lamp, the only magazine for Catholics seeking intelligent, witty, and clear-eyed commentary on the world.
Pillar readers can get 40% off a one-year, six-issue print subscription with the code PILLAR40 at TheLampMagazine.com/subscribe
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeThe Catholic vote, with Stephen White
Ed is joined by Stephen White, executive director of the St. John Paul II National Shrine, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and author of ‘Red, White, Blue, and Catholic.’The ‘Catholic vote’ has …
Show notes
Ed is joined by Stephen White, executive director of the St. John Paul II National Shrine, fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center, and author of ‘Red, White, Blue, and Catholic.’
The ‘Catholic vote’ has long been a reliable bellwether for U.S. elections. But the 2024 presidential election was an anomaly. Ed and Stephen talk about what might have triggered the change, and the future of the Catholic vote.
This episode is brought to you by The Pillar’s paying subscribers. Become a paying subscriber today at pillarcatholic.com/subscribe.
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: The gentlemanly thing to do
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD and Ed debate a coaching decision. Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD and Ed debate a coaching decision.
Are you a paying subscriber?
* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone
* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.
* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast
Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 283: Fr. Justin Fulton Sheen and the Motor City
JD and Ed talk about reports that AI is coming to the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Museum in Peoria, IL. Then, they talk about some news out of the Archdiocese of Detroit this week.This episode of the Pillar Podcast …
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JD and Ed talk about reports that AI is coming to the Archbishop Fulton Sheen Museum in Peoria, IL. Then, they talk about some news out of the Archdiocese of Detroit this week.
This episode of the Pillar Podcast is brought to you by Five Stones. Offering critical services for Catholic apostolates – including marketing, order fulfilment, technology, and customer service.
To learn more, visit weare5stones.com/pillar
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: A podcast about a podcast
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comFt. Wrestling Chat.Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comFt. Wrestling Chat.
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Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 282: Pope Leo’s cancer, and the last word on Amoris?
JD and Ed briefly recap their time at last week’s conference for the Canon Law Society of America. They talk about Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis and what it might mean for his pontificate. Then, they …
Show notes
JD and Ed briefly recap their time at last week’s conference for the Canon Law Society of America. They talk about Pope Leo XIV’s lung cancer diagnosis and what it might mean for his pontificate. Then, they talk about Bishop Erik Varden’s essay addressing Amoris Laetitia.
Laetitiae Amor, by Bishop Erik Varden
This episode of The Pillar Podcast is brought to you by The Lamp, the only magazine for Catholics seeking intelligent, witty, and clear-eyed commentary on the world.
Pillar readers can get 40% off a one-year, six-issue print subscription with the code PILLAR40 at TheLampMagazine.com/subscribe
Pope Leo XIV, pictured on Sept. 7, 2025. Credit: © Mazur/cbcew.org.uk.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeOn bridges, with Fr. James Martin
JD is joined by Father James Martin to talk about his work with Catholics who identify as gay, his new memoir, and more. Then, Fr. Martin plays a round of bridges ‘Yes or No?’This conversation was recorded July …
Show notes
JD is joined by Father James Martin to talk about his work with Catholics who identify as gay, his new memoir, and more.
Then, Fr. Martin plays a round of bridges ‘Yes or No?’
This conversation was recorded July 8, 2026.
This episode of The Pillar Podcast is brought to you by The Pillar’s paying subscribers. If that’s you, thank you!
If you’d like to subscribe, visit pillarcatholic.com/subscribe.
Show notes:
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: Choices
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comMany choices are being made.Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comMany choices are being made.
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Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 281: A man without a country, and a conversation without winners and losers
Ed’s choice of news this week! He and JD talk about a curial snub and Pope Leo XIV’s meeting to mark the 10th anniversary of Amoris laetitia. Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Credit: Claude Truong-Ngoc/wikimedia, CC …
Show notes
Ed’s choice of news this week! He and JD talk about a curial snub and Pope Leo XIV’s meeting to mark the 10th anniversary of Amoris laetitia.
Cardinal Pietro Parolin. Credit: Claude Truong-Ngoc/wikimedia, CC BY-SA 4.0
This episode is brought to you by Annunicate – helping ministries, publishers, and creators launch their own fully branded app, without the pitfalls of Big Tech.
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This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: Snakebit
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comThey got the hats, at least!Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comThey got the hats, at least!
Are you a paying subscriber?
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Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 280: Backrooms, robots, and the nothingburger?
JD and Ed talk about the final report issued by the Vatican’s synod on synodality’s commission charged with suggesting changes to the Code of Canon Law, and why they think Pope Leo XIV needs to respond.Then …
Show notes
JD and Ed talk about the final report issued by the Vatican’s synod on synodality’s commission charged with suggesting changes to the Code of Canon Law, and why they think Pope Leo XIV needs to respond.
Then, they look ahead to Leo’s planned meeting on Amoris laetitia with the heads of international bishops’ conferences.
This episode of the Pillar Podcast is brought to you by the Catholic Education Fund, an initiative of Aequitas Education in partnership with ACE Scholarships.
To learn more, visit catholiceducationfund.org
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeVisiting the imprisoned, with Bishop Wack
JD Flynn is joined by Bishop William Wack, CSC, of Pensacola–Tallahassee to talk about his experience serving in prison ministry and common catalysts for conversion for the incarcerated. Then, Bishop Wack …
Show notes
JD Flynn is joined by Bishop William Wack, CSC, of Pensacola–Tallahassee to talk about his experience serving in prison ministry and common catalysts for conversion for the incarcerated. Then, Bishop Wack weighs JD and Ed’s idea for a personal ordinariate for prison ministry.
This episode is brought to you by Anchor Consulting, helping parish and diocesan leaders move from managing decline to making disciples.
Book a call with Jim today at EverydayEvangelization.org
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeEp. 279: LIVE from St. Louis!
JD and Ed are St. Louis this week for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.A very special thank you to our guest producer Kyle Heimann. This episode of the Pillar Podcast is brought to you by the …
Show notes
JD and Ed are St. Louis this week for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen.
A very special thank you to our guest producer Kyle Heimann.
This episode of the Pillar Podcast is brought to you by the Catholic Education Fund, an initiative of Aequitas Education in partnership with ACE Scholarships.
To learn more, visit catholiceducationfund.org
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: The bear in the room
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comWhat would you do?Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comWhat would you do?
Are you a paying subscriber?
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* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.
* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast
Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 278: The Steubenville question
JD and Ed speculate what could be on the horizon for the Diocese of Steubenville.This episode of the Pillar Podcast is brought to you by the Pillar’s exclusive breviary partner, Ascension Press, publisher of …
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JD and Ed speculate what could be on the horizon for the Diocese of Steubenville.
This episode of the Pillar Podcast is brought to you by the Pillar’s exclusive breviary partner, Ascension Press, publisher of the new translation of the Liturgy of the Hours.
With exceptional readability and top-of-the-line materials, this is a breviary that will faithfully serve the Church’s daily prayer for generations.
Pre-order today at AscensionPress.com/ThePillar
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeThe Big Bang and our beautiful (foamy?) universe, with Aaron Dominguez
Ed is joined by Aaron Dominguez, Ph.D., a particle physicist and former provost at The Catholic University of America.Aaron talks about his time at the CERN laboratory and fields Ed’s questions about the …
Show notes
Ed is joined by Aaron Dominguez, Ph.D., a particle physicist and former provost at The Catholic University of America.
Aaron talks about his time at the CERN laboratory and fields Ed’s questions about the relationship between faith and science, dark matter, and extraterrestrial life.
This conversation was recorded before Dominguez left his role as provost in August 2026.
This episode is brought to you by Anchor Consulting, helping parish and diocesan leaders move from managing decline to making disciples.
Book a call today by visiting EverydayEvangelization.org.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeEp. 277: The waiting game
Summer’s over in Rome! Ed is joined by Pillar Rome correspondent Edgar Beltrán to talk about the papal appointments that may be in the pipeline. This episode is brought to you by the University of Mary and its …
Show notes
Summer’s over in Rome! Ed is joined by Pillar Rome correspondent Edgar Beltrán to talk about the papal appointments that may be in the pipeline.
This episode is brought to you by the University of Mary and its accredited online MBA, a Newman Guide–recommended program that forms business leaders of character.
Learn more at pillar.umary.edu.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: Whiplash
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comEd recaps the FBI memo about “radical traditionalist Catholics.”Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comEd recaps the FBI memo about “radical traditionalist Catholics.”
Are you a paying subscriber?
* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone
* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.
* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast
Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 276: Pope Leo’s picks
JD and Ed get sucked into some Little League chat.Then, Pope Leo XIV is widely expected to name some new cardinals in the coming weeks. JD and Ed debate Pope Leo’s most likely and least likely picks.Cardinals …
Show notes
JD and Ed get sucked into some Little League chat.
Then, Pope Leo XIV is widely expected to name some new cardinals in the coming weeks. JD and Ed debate Pope Leo’s most likely and least likely picks.
Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. Credit: Vatican Media.
This episode is brought to you by the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, which leads the nation in the number of graduate programs recommended by The Newman Guide.
Learn more at pillar.umary.edu
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeThe German Church and the AfD, with Sebastian Ostritsch
Luke is joined by Dr. Sebastian Ostritsch to talk about the development of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, its formal condemnation in 2024 by the German bishops’ conference, and expectations ahead of …
Show notes
Luke is joined by Dr. Sebastian Ostritsch to talk about the development of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, its formal condemnation in 2024 by the German bishops’ conference, and expectations ahead of elections in the German state of Saxony-Anhalt.
German bishops pictured during their Sept. 23-26, 2024, plenary meeting in Fulda. © Deutsche Bischofskonferenz/Marko Orlovic.
This episode is brought to you by the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, which leads the nation in the number of graduate programs recommended by The Newman Guide.
Pillar paid subscribers are eligible for up to $10,000 in scholarships toward select programs.
Learn more at pillar.umary.edu.
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: Cooperstown
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comEd is so happy!Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of the …
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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comEd is so happy!
Are you a paying subscriber?
* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone
* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.
* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast
Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 275: Rupnik, the Russians, and a rejected plea deal
Chaldean Bishop Emanuel Shaleta rejects a plea deal. Pope Leo asks the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to cover its Rupnik mosaics. Then, Ed unpacks Russia’s misinformation campaign this week against the Holy …
Show notes
Chaldean Bishop Emanuel Shaleta rejects a plea deal. Pope Leo asks the Sanctuary of Our Lady of Lourdes to cover its Rupnik mosaics. Then, Ed unpacks Russia’s misinformation campaign this week against the Holy See.
JD plays a round of Russia ‘Greater or Lesser?’
Photo- Bishop Emanuel Shaleta. Credit: Chaldean Eparchy of Saint Peter the Apostle of San Diego.
This episode is brought to you by the University of Mary and its groundbreaking MBA/MA in Philosophy dual degree, a Newman Guide–recommended program for Catholic professionals who want to lead with both competence and conviction.
Learn more at pillar.umary.edu
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeBonus: A comeback and a dream escape
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comSome good news for Pillar reader (in a good way) Trevor Williams. Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit …
Show notes
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comSome good news for Pillar reader (in a good way) Trevor Williams.
Are you a paying subscriber?
* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone
* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.
* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar Podcast
Having issues? Email our producer Kate at [email protected]
Ep. 274: Middle-aged Men Yell at the Cloud
JD asks what the evolution of artificial intelligence demands of canon law?This episode is brought to you by the University of Mary, one of the nation’s most affordable and serious Catholic universities …
Show notes
JD asks what the evolution of artificial intelligence demands of canon law?
This episode is brought to you by the University of Mary, one of the nation’s most affordable and serious Catholic universities, offering flexible online graduate programs built for working adults.
Learn more at pillar.umary.edu
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribeThe consequences of Christianity, with Lord Frost
Ed is joined by Lord David Frost, CMG, to talk about his decision to become Catholic and his role as an non-affiliated member of the House of Lords.This episode of The Pillar Podcast is brought to you by …
Show notes
Ed is joined by Lord David Frost, CMG, to talk about his decision to become Catholic and his role as an non-affiliated member of the House of Lords.
This episode of The Pillar Podcast is brought to you by FUSIONISM, a new book by Catholic journalist and Pillar reader (in a good way) Stephanie Slade.
FUSIONISM is now available for pre-order from University of Notre Dame Press here: undpress.nd.edu/
This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe
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