The Pillar Podcast

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Ep. 251: What’s next for Bishop Shaleta? Mar 07, 2026

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JD and Ed talk about the unprecedented arrest this week of Chaldean Catholic Bishop Emanuel Shaleta.

Then, Ed plays a round of your new favorite Pillar Podcast game ‘Better Know a Currency.’

This episode is brought to you by The Cristeros, a new movement of faithful Catholic men committed to prayer, formation and brotherhood.

Learn more at TheCristeros.org/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/subscribe

Bonus: Resounding gongs or clashing cymbals Mar 03, 2026

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com

How can Christians be prophets in the modern world?

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Bonus: The Bug Feb 28, 2026

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com

Watches and a bug.

JD and Ed will record the rest of this week’s bonus episode early next week.

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Ep. 250: Reasonable people, and a lack of conclusions Feb 27, 2026

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JD and Ed talk about the reassignment of a bishop in the Ivory Coast— and the lack of transparency around the reassignment.

Then, they detail the case of a Chaldean Catholic bishop accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his cathedral’s charity fund.

This episode is brought to you by St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry.

St. Bernard’s is a Catholic graduate school that seeks to reunite theology, prayer, and sanctity by providing a true formation of mind and heart led by a personal encounter with Christ while studying theology and philosophy in and from the heart of the Church.

You can learn more by visiting their website: stbernards.edu

- Read Bishop Erik Varden’s Lenten reflections here, beginning with ‘Entering Lent’ on February 22: coramfratribus.com/life-illumined/

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

Ep. 249: It is schism Feb 20, 2026

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The Society of St. Pius X released a batch of statements this week related to their plans to consecrate new bishops this summer, without a papal mandate.

JD and Ed talk about the documents— specifically one titled ‘Annex II.’

You can read Annex II here: Order and Jurisdiction: The Futility of the Schism Accusation

This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Liturgical Formation at Christendom College Graduate School of Theology.

This summer, consider attending the Institute for Liturgical Formation, spending four weeks immersed in reverent liturgy and rigorous academics.

Learn more at christendom.edu/liturgy

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

Bonus: Scatology and eschatology Feb 14, 2026

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JD and Ed answer a canon law question from readers.

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Ep. 248: Notre Dame, and the end of the great metropolitan turnover Feb 14, 2026

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The U.S. Church is approaching the end of its great metropolitan turnover. JD and Ed talk about the characteristics of the newly appointed metropolitans.

Then, JD and Ed talk about internal backlash against an appointment at the University of Notre Dame.

JD plays a round of Valentine’s Day ‘Yes or No.’

This episode is sponsored by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This Lent, join the nation’s biggest Catholic Bible study, and share Christ with others.

To learn more, visit StPaulCenter.com/lent

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

Bonus: The Olympics and cultural cosplay Feb 07, 2026

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com

Do you prefer summer or winter Olympics?

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Ep. 247: ‘Welcome To New York' Feb 07, 2026

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There’s a lot of news out of the Archdiocese of New York this week. JD and Ed talk about the installation of Archbishop Ronald Hicks, and an insurance company’s bizarre attempt to pressure the Archdiocese of New York into dropping a lawsuit over insurance coverage for sexual abuse claims.

Then, Ed plays a round of ‘super bowl’ trivia.

This episode is sponsored by the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology. This Lent, join the nation’s biggest Catholic Bible study, and share Christ with others.

To learn more, visit StPaulCenter.com/lent

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

Bonus: Champ Chat? Feb 02, 2026

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This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com

JD details his weekend of basketball.

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