The Pillar Podcast

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Ep. 242: Sing a new Hicks into being Dec 20, 2025

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The Archdiocese of New York has a new archbishop. JD and Ed talk about the bad takes on the appointment that saturated the internet and secular media.

Ed plays a round of Christmas carol ‘Yes or No.’

This episode is sponsored by The Lamp.

The Lamp is the only magazine for Catholics seeking intelligent, witty, and clear-eyed commentary on the world, and right now it’s 40% off for Pillar listeners with the code PILLAR40 at thelampmagazine.com.

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: Strawberry milk, and a Venezuelan in Rome Dec 12, 2025

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

Edgar Beltran joins the bonus episode to talk about his experience on the Pillar pilgrimage in Rome and more.

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Ep. 241: China, Venezuela, and a slick transition Dec 12, 2025

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Ed unpacks the recent installation of a new bishop in China, and what it could signal about the state of the Vatican-China deal.

Then, Pillar Rome correspondent Edgar Beltrán joins the podcast to talk about the situation of Cardinal Porras in Venezuela.

This episode is sponsored by Carved Wood Cross, bringing you meaningful art made by human hands.

There’s still time to order before Christmas! Get 20% off your order with promo code PILLAR.

Learn more at CarvedWoodCross.Etsy.com

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. 240: Women deacons, and room for better conversation? Dec 05, 2025

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A visit to a Capuchin crypt in Rome sparks a conversation about relics and the resurrection of the body.

A Vatican commission says the Church should not proceed with a female deaconate. JD and Ed talk about Pope Leo XIV’s decision to publicize the commission’s findings, and how the findings may impact conversations about women in the Church.

Then, Ed plays a round of Rome ‘Yes or No.’

This episode is sponsored by The Lamp, the only magazine for Catholics seeking intelligent, witty, and clear-eyed commentary on the world.

For a limited time, Pillar listeners get 40% off with the code PILLAR40 at thelampmagazine.com

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

An event! A happening! Nov 27, 2025

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Don’t miss The Pillar’s Live Show Jubilee Roman Extravaganza!

Thursday, December 4 at the Drunken Ship Pub in Rome’s Piazza Campo de’ Fiori. We’ll start at 8pm.

Be there.

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. 239: Turkey in Turkey, and unity with the Orthodox Nov 26, 2025

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Pope Leo XIV released this week an apostolic letter about ecumenism, in anticipation of his Turkey Day trip to Turkey. JD and Ed talk about the apostolic letter, and ask what it could take to achieve ecumenism with the Orthodox Churches.

Then, Ed plays a round of Thanksgiving ‘Yes or No’ and ‘Good, Better, Best.’

This episode is sponsored by the BIG Catholic Calendar and Planner.

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Pillar readers get 20% off with code PILLAR at BigCatholicCalendar.com for a limited time

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: Live from Notre Dame! Nov 22, 2025

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JD and Ed talk about evangelization and tradition at the University of Notre Dame in this live taping of The Pillar Podcast.

This episode features conversations with Jennifer Martin, director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, and Lucy Spence, editor-in-chief of the Irish Rover.

This live recording of The Pillar Podcast was sponsored by the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture.

Learn more at ethicscenter.nd.edu

The Main Building at the University of Notre Dame. Credit: Matthew Rice/wikimedia. CC BY SA 4.0

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: What Leo didn't say, and the end of Christendom Nov 22, 2025

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

Ed was surprised by what Pope Leo XIV didn’t say during his virtual meeting today with young people.

Then, Ed and JD talk about Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s address this week to the Italian bishops’ conference.

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 S…

Ep. 238: Pope Leo meets with young people, and the pension crisis Nov 22, 2025

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Pope Leo XIV’s virtual conversation today with young people at NCYC sparks a conversation about the evolving relationship Catholics have with the petrine office.

Then, JD details his reporting on the collapse of a major Catholic pension fund.

This episode is sponsored by Decided Excellence Catholic Media, helping Catholic parishes start their own parish magazines for the purposes of communication and evangelization.

To learn more about bringing a magazine to your parish, visit decidedexcellence.com/parish

To learn more about starting your own Catholic magazine, visit decided excellence.com/join-our-team

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: Bishop or bot? Nov 14, 2025

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During this week’s live show in Baltimore, JD and the audience compete in a round of ‘Bishop or Bot?’

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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