Segment 1: The Christian Vision of a Free Government (2 segments)

A free and flourishing society needs two things: the rule of law, and freedom. The purpose of government is to secure those two conditions. But the dominant view today is that freedom and law are in opposition to each other. Dr. Adam MacLeod looks at the Christian vision of a free government.

Segment 2: Hamilton and Jefferson’s Schools of Thought (2 segments)

Thomas Jefferson and Alexander Hamilton represent the best known and broadest schools of American thought on how best to balance liberty with the need for order. Dr. John Pinheiro looks the intellectual origins of their principles and what we might glean from each to help build a free and virtuous society.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: What made this nation possible?

We are reaching the celebration of the semi-quincentennial anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, and at this crossroads in history we must ask a question. What made this nation possible? Marcus shares some thoughts.

Segment 2: Retiring Fijian Priest reflects on healing and mission

Fr Kusi Cobona is a Fijian priest who is retiring after more than 40 years of ministry, most recently at Sts. James, Cornelius and Cyprian parish in Mason, Michigan. He joins us to reflect on his years of priesthood and shares a healing experience he had while on a parish mission.

Segment 3: Newman’s Vision of the University (2 segments)

To remove God from education is to tear education itself at the seams. Ali Ghaffari joins us looking at John Henry Newman’s vision of the University and how education should address the entire person.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: Robert Nisbet: Conservative and Communitarian (2 segments)

Though he was not a Christian, Robert Nisbet was closely allied to Christian Humanists and the Christian Humanist movement throughout his life. Dr Brad Birzer looks at his core ideas--of community and conservatism.

Segment 2: What would CS Lewis say about Politics? (2 segments)

The conventional wisdom has it that C.S. Lewis disdained and ignored politics. The conventional wisdom is mistaken. Dr. Micah Watson joins us to explore Lewis’s understanding of the political as it relates to timeless principles of morality and the stubborn realities of fallen human nature.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: Peter, Paul, and the Two Wings of Truth

Today we celebrate the Solemnity of Saints Peter and Paul. They represent two essential roles of the Church – Peter, the magisterial authority, and Paul the evangelical mandate of the Gospel. The Catholic Church is unique in how she unites the understanding of both these saints as necessary parts of our baptism. Marcus has more.

Segment 2: What it means to be an ambassador of Christ

Stephen Henley joins us to share his work with Legatus and how his organization helps prepare Catholics to be ambassadors of Christ.

Segment 3: The Problems with Post-Liberalism (2 segments)

Over the past few years, some conservative Catholic theologians have reintroduced the political philosophy of “Catholic integralism” as the true social teaching of the Catholic Church, one even binding on the consciences of Catholics. These “neo-integralists” argue that governments must be subject to the spiritual authority of the Catholic Church, and for that reason governments ought to coerce the baptized to obey the Catholic hierarchy. We discuss the problems with this approach with Dr. James Patterson.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: “Whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (2 segments)

“Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.” These striking words from Jesus are the focus of this Sunday’s Gospel. We unpack the readings with Rob Corzine.

Segment 2: Understanding Abraham Kuyper’s Public Theology (2 segments)

Abraham Kuyper was a man of many talents and achievements. He edited two newspapers, founded a university, led the formation of a new denomination, championed a new political movement, and served as prime minister of the Netherlands. He was also a formidable controversialist, a brilliant theologian, and a tireless advocate of public justice. We examine his public theology with Dr. Jordan Ballor.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: Why can’t a layperson preach the homily?

This week the Vatican officially rejected a request from the German bishops to allow laypeople to preach the homily at Mass. Marcus looks at the liturgical significance of the homily and why it is reserved for the clergy.

Segment 2: Fusionism – What it Is and What it Isn’t

Fusionism is a political philosophy, rooted in the Cold War, that attempts to unite different wings of the Conservative movement. We look at some of its tenants with Dr. Jason Duncan.

Segment 3: Is Free Trade Free? (2 segments)

So in the last 40 years, we’ve seen the biggest and most meaningful reduction in global inequality that we’ve seen in the whole economic history of the planet. Can we credit globalization with this change? Philip Booth examines the concepts of globalization and free trade within the current political environment.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: SSPX issues declaration of faith (2 segments)

The traditionalist Society of Saint Pius X has issued an open letter and a declaration of faith to Pope Leo XIV and the College of Cardinals. The accompanying declaration contains 154 statements defending traditional Church teachings, including on the sacraments, the Virgin Mary, and fidelity to the Traditional Latin Mass. Matthew Bunson looks at this and other Church news.

Segment 2: What AI can’t know, be, or do (2 segments)

Enthusiastic supporters of Artificial Intelligence are particularly impressed by the amount of knowledge that AI apps seem to have. They are convinced that the apps know everything. But the technology has its limits – and there are things that AI cannot ever know, do, or be. John Horvat has more.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: Obedience Shows our Faith

In today’s readings, the theme of obedience appears again and again. As the faithful, we are called to a life of moral obedience. In the Gospel, Jesus warns us that “only the one who does the will of my Father” will enter the Kingdom of Heaven. Marcus has more.

Segment 2: Does Capitalism Destroy Culture?

One of the most enduring critiques of capitalism is that it is morally and culturally corrosive. This is a complex topic, in part because there are many definitions and demarcations of both capitalism and culture and the political Left and Right are both concerned about this topic, for different reasons. We take a look with Michael Matheson Miller.

Segment 3: Winning the War on Government Debt (2 segments)

Is it really true that excessive government debt creates inflation, or rather is the lesson of history that it creates something far, far worse? David Bahnsen joins us.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Heal, Not Harm: The Importance of Free and Virtuous Medicine (2 segments)

The First Amendment guarantees the right to express one’s religious convictions both privately and publicly. Naturally, public expression extends to professional life - we mustn’t check our conscience at the door to our workplace. Yet, that is precisely what is expected of many health care professionals. This expectation harms the health care professional, the patient, and the overall profession. We look at the problem and a solution with Dr. Andrew Kubick.

Christianity Compels the Transformation of Culture (2 segments)

As Christians, it’s easy to be lured by the prospect of casting aside the culture and the sinful world, and to simply fend for ourselves. But the Scriptures call for the baptized to engage the culture, to bring about the transformation of the culture, so that our vocations intersect with our occupations for the sake of sanctifying the entire world for Christ. Charlie Self has more

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com

Segment 1: Fatherhood First: The Man Who Left the World Cup

Jérémy Doku is living a soccer player’s ultimate dream: he’s playing in the FIFA World Cup. But this week he set that dream aside, leaving his team so he could be present for the birth of his son. Sadly, his decision was met with some blowback. Critics accused him of abandoning his duties, and one television personality went as far as to claim that fathers play no role in the delivery process. Marcus looks at what this shows about our culture’s understanding of family and vocation.

Segment 2: Empowering Workers: A Better Way Forward

Workplace harmony tends to increase productivity, and greater productivity leads to flourishing. Jim Babka joins us with a look at strategies for empowering workers for greater unity and flourishing.

Segment 3: Thinking Theologically about Work (2 segments)

We devote hours and hours each week to our work – often spending more waking hours there than anywhere else. What if we approached our work as a vocation, regardless of what that work might be? We explore a theological vision of work and vocation with Scott Rae.

This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit avemariapm.substack.com