This week Ashley McGuire and Mary Fiorito welcome writer and mother Emily Zanotti, whose recent viral article in the National Catholic Register humorously captures the joys and trials of bringing small children to Mass. Emily shares the real story behind the now-famous photo of her young son kneeling piously at an All Souls Mass — a brief moment of serenity amid the chaos every parent knows well. She offers wisdom on handling judgment, seating strategies, cry-room etiquette, and creative ways to help little ones fall in love with the liturgy. 

Emily also highlights the National Catholic Youth Conference kicking off this weekend in Indianapolis. The three-day pilgrimage from November 20-22 for Catholic high school students will feature speakers, workshops, music, and opportunities for large-scale and small group prayer. Pope Leo will join via live digital encounter on Friday, Nov. 21, marking the first time a pope has engaged directly with the youth at the conference.

Our TCA chaplain Msgr. Roger Landry  joins with reflections from Missouri, where he visited the tomb of St. Rose Philippine Duchesne, the French missionary known as “the woman who always prays.” He explains how her hidden life of prayer and perseverance speaks powerfully to today’s missionaries. Msgr. Landry also helps us prepare for the 100th anniversary of the Feast of Christ the King, as we celebrate this Sunday. Instituted by Pope Pius XI in 1925 in response to rising secularism, the feast reminds us of Christ’s authority over all aspects of our lives, giving us the opportunity to reignite our commitment to living under His kingship and teachings.

Betsy Fentress shares her compelling interview with renowned Catholic medical missionary Dr. Tom Catena, spotlighting his vital work with the Sudan Relief Fund. A recipient of numerous awards for humanitarianism and outstanding Christian medical missionary service, “Dr. Tom” is revered throughout Sudan’s Nuba Mountains for his commitment to providing medical care at great risk to himself in times of war and peace. He helped found Mother of Mercy Hospital – the only facility for hundreds of miles across the remote region – as well as 19 clinics, bringing health care to people who had none. He continues to serve under the most challenging conditions during Sudan’s current civil war.

Emily Zanotti is a veteran political communications specialist, writer, blogger and columnist, and the digital editor for The American Spectator. As a conservative political columnist, her work has appeared in The Federalist, The Wall Street Journal, and numerous other publications. She is an associate fellow with the R Street Institute, a contributing editor to Acton Institute, and a writer and producer for Madison McQueen Axiom Strategies. She writes a popular humorist Substack blog featuring politics, family, and Catholic themes. Emily resides in Nashville with her husband and three children, where she enjoys tending chickens and sharing recipes. She earned her bachelor’s degree in criminal justice from Madonna University and holds a JD in intellectual property law and technology from Ave Maria School of Law.

Dr. Tom Catena is a medical missionary doctor from New York and director of Mother of Mercy Hospital in Sudan’s Nuba Mountains, serving as the only fulltime surgeon since 2008. He’s widely known for his humanitarian work and commitment to providing medical care to a vast underserved population. His hospital serves more than a million people across a territory equal in size to Austria. His dedication to providing medical care even in the face of warfare and bombing raids has garnered international acclaim and honors, including the Aurora Prize for Awakening Humanity and one of Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People. Dr. Catena graduated with a degree in Engineering from Brown University and earned his medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine, where he attended on a US Navy scholarship. He lives in Sudan with his wife, Nassima, and their two young sons, where their lives revolve around their faith and service to medical patients in need.

Monsignor Roger Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. A graduate of Harvard and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he served as Attaché to the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN in New York. In 2024, he was appointed the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA by Pope Francis. He writes for numerous publications, speaks on radio and TV, and served as executive editor for the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. He is the author of the book, Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God, and he leads pilgrimages to Rome, the Holy Land, and other sacred destinations. He was an on-site commentator for EWTN’s coverage of the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. He is national chaplain for Catholic Voices USA and New York Chaplain for the Leonine Forum.  Father Landry traversed the full 1500-mile Eucharist Pilgrimage in 2024, an event which coincided with his 25th year in the priesthood.

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Economist and university president Dr. Maria Sophia Aguirre joins Ashley to share the bold new vision of Catholic International University, the fully online Catholic institution formerly known as Catholic Distance University. She explains how CIU is going global with new programs while remaining person-centered, affordable, and faithful to the heart and mind of the Church. Dr. Aguirre also reflects on the promises and perils of AI, and why the Church must lead in designing technology that serves the human person rather than replaces it.

As we mark Veterans Day, retired Army officer-turned-canon-lawyer Michele McAloon introduces listeners to the Military Council of Catholic Women and its Catholic Women of the Chapel groups that serve military bases around the world. She shares moving stories of military wives, mothers, and women in uniform who hold families together through repeated deployments, wounded-warrior homecomings, and life overseas while seeking Christ in the midst of it. Michele also describes her own journey from the cockpit to canon law, and her literary podcast, Cross Word, born of a burning question: what does it mean to be truly human?

Christopher Byrne, founder and president of DC Social Collective, joins to talk about building Catholic young adult community in the post pandemic, post dating-app age, and the thriving DC social scene he has sparked with his new initiative. From waterfront picnics to ballroom-style dances and sold-out winery nights, his events company has fast become one of the most vibrant hubs for adults aged 18-35, with over 4,000 members in the DC, Maryland, and Virginia tri state area. Christopher says the collective is all about connecting and community building, finding real friendships, and cultivating authentic joy.

Our TCA chaplain Msgr. Roger Landry checks in from the USCCB’s Fall Plenary in Baltimore with first impressions of newly elected conference president and vice president, and how their leadership may shape the Church in the United States. He also prepares us for the World Day of the Poor during this Jubilee of Hope, unpacking Pope Leo XIV’s message that the poor are not only the object of our charity, but teachers who show us where our hope truly lies.

Dr. Maria Sophia Aguirre is President of Catholic International University (CIU) and a professor of economics. Before leading CIU, she spent three decades teaching and conducting research at The Catholic University of America, where she founded two master’s programs in integral economic development. A Fulbright scholar and specialist in international finance and integral economic development, Dr. Aguirre has advised the United Nations and government bodies across North and South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and the Middle East on family policy, demographic change, and human capital. Under her leadership, Catholic International University – formerly Catholic Distance University – is expanding globally with new programs in theology, the liberal arts, education, and integrated technologies including AI. Dr. Aguirre earned her Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Notre Dame and her undergraduate degrees in accounting and banking finance, as well as her CPA and MBA, in Argentina.

Michele McAloon is a canon lawyer for the Catholic Church and host of the podcast, Cross Word. After earning a Bachelor’s Degree from the University of Pittsburgh in 1985, she was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the US Army Transportation Corp, where she became an army pilot flying helicopters and fixed-winged aircraft. She married a fellow officer and later transferred to the Army Reserve, subsequently working with the State Department in Moldova, Azerbaijan, and Croatia. In 2010 she moved to Belgium where she studied at the Catholic University of Leuven and later completed a Master’s in Theology at what is now the Catholic Distance University of Charles Town, West Virginia. After transferring to Paris in 2012, she studied in French for a degree in Canon Law at the Catholic University of Paris. She earned her licentiate at age 54 and began hosting her literary podcast in 2020. She lives in Germany with her family.

Monsignor Roger Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. A graduate of Harvard and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he served as Attaché to the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN in New York. In 2024, he was appointed the National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA by Pope Francis. He writes for numerous publications, speaks on radio and TV, and served as executive editor for the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. He is the author of the book, Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God, and he leads pilgrimages to Rome, the Holy Land, and other sacred destinations. He was an on-site commentator for EWTN’s coverage of the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. He is national chaplain for Catholic Voices USA and New York Chaplain for the Leonine Forum.  Father Landry traversed the full 1500-mile Eucharist Pilgrimage in 2024, an event which coincided with his 25th year in the priesthood.

Christopher Byrne is the Founder and President of DC Social Collective (DSC), an organization he launched in May of 2021 in response to a need for authentic connection during the COVID pandemic. With a background in marketing, communications, and event production, Christopher has grown DSC into one of the region’s most popular communities for young adults, hosting premier events across DC, Maryland, and Virginia. He is a graduate of George Mason University where he earned a B.S. in Communication and Public Relations, with hands-on experience in digital media development, brand positioning, market engagement, and project management. He served as Creative Director for the production of brand campaign videos for Northern Virginia Health Education Center, and formerly interned at the Washington Examiner.

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After an iconic statue of St. Junipero Serra went missing from a freeway in South San Francisco, Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone joins to discuss what he knows about its whereabouts, and how the city is not being truthful about what happened. California state officials claim to have reported their intentions to remove the 22-foot high statue, but the Archbishop says his office had no forewarning or input on the devastating loss of a beloved cultural and Catholic emblem.

With AI flooding into every aspect of our lives including the classroom, Ari Schulman of The New Atlantis joins to share his greatest concerns about these new technologies, including the dangerous ways smartphones have completely changed our social landscape. He explores whether social media is dehumanizing us, undermining relationships, and robbing humans of creativity.

Father Thomas Petri joins to mark six months since the election of the first American-born Roman Pontiff and discusses the developments of Pope Leo XIV’s papacy. Pope Leo has demonstrated a continued commitment to social justice with a renewed openness toward traditional liturgy, and made history by joining in the historic prayer meeting with Britain’s King Charles last month.

Plus, we celebrate the Feast of the Dedication of the Lateran Basilica with Msgr. Roger Landry. The event commemorates the dedication of the first public church ever built for Christians following the religious freedom granted by the Edict of Milan, and celebrates the Church’s unity and history. 

Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pmET on EWTN radio!

Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone is the Archbishop of San Francisco, a position where he has served since being appointed by Pope Benedict XVI in 2012. Cordileone was born and raised in San Diego and first ordained as a priest in 1982. He went on to earn a doctorate in canon law from the Gregorian University. Prior to his installment as Archbishop of San Francisco, he served as Auxiliary Bishop of San Diego, followed by a period of service as the Bishop of Oakland. Archbishop Cordileone is well known for his work on canon law, beauty and music in liturgy, and for being an outspoken voice for reproductive rights and advocate of support for the poor.

Ari Schulman is the editor of The New Atlantis, a journal dedicated to covering the social, ethical, and political implications of modern science and technological advancements. His writings have appeared in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, The Atlantic, First Things, and numerous other publications. He was a contributor to The New Atlantis’ Futurisms blog – a site which covered critiques of transhumanism, and he previously served as a research assistant at the New York Times. He also worked as an ontological engineer for Cycorp, an Austin, Texas based company that developed a machine reasoning AI platform aiming to provide common sense reasoning to software applications. He earned degrees in computer science and English from the University of Texas at Austin.

Monsignor Roger Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. A graduate of Harvard and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he served as Attaché to the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN in New York. In 2024, he was appointed the new National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA by Pope Francis. He writes for numerous publications, speaks on radio and TV, and served as executive editor for the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. He is the author of the book, Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God, and he leads pilgrimages to Rome, the Holy Land, and other sacred destinations. He was an on-site commentator for EWTN’s coverage of the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. He is national chaplain for Catholic Voices USA and New York Chaplain for the Leonine Forum.  Father Landry traversed the full 1500-mile Eucharist Pilgrimage in 2024, an event which coincided with his 25th year in the priesthood.

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Archbishop Joseph Naumann joins to share the heartbreaking details of his own father's murder and how he has learned to forgive the man that stole his dad from him. Although the horrific event changed his life, he says, "I firmly believe that my dad’s love for my mom, me, and my brother survived his death," even leading him to his vocation. 

With a Supreme Court case revolving around pro-life pregnancy centers coming in November, filmmaker Cindy Morales joins with a sneak-preview of her new documentary, Fake Clinics?, chronicling the smears and attempts to dismantle them.

As we look ahead to World Mission Sunday, Msgr. Roger Landry talks about how important this work is, and why Pope Leo is urging all the faithful to "help the missions."

Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pmET on EWTN radio!

Archbishop Joseph Naumann, a Catholic prelate, was installed as the fourth Archbishop and the eleventh Bishop of the Archdiocese of Kansas City, Kansas in January of 2005. He joined the priesthood in 1975 and was ordained Auxiliary Bishop of St. Louis/Titular Bishop of Caput Cilla in 1997. In 2004 he was appointed as Coadjutor Archbishop in Kansas City until being named Archbishop in 2005. He graduated from St. Louis Preparatory Seminary South in 1967 and from Cardinal Glennon College in 1971, and completed his theological studies at Kenrick Seminary in Shrewsbury, Missouri. Archbishop Naumann is a leading voice championing right to life issues and promoting the dignity of life. His chosen episcopal motto is “Vitae Victoria Erit” meaning “Life Will Be Victorious.”

Cindy Morales is the Executive Director of Pro-Life Champions and leader of the “Shout My Story” movement. She previously served as Development and Outreach Coordinator for Pro-Life Champions. She joined the pro-life movement in 2002, volunteering at pregnancy resource centers and participating in Face the Truth tours. In 2005 she became Director of Religious Education at St. Philip the Apostle Parish in the Archdiocese of Chicago, where she published several studies for Catholic Scriptures International. Cindy holds a BA in Sociology and Masters of Divinity from McCormick Theological Seminary. In 2012 she left St. Philip to help produce the “40” film documentary, chronicling the history of the anti-abortion movement. Her latest documentary, Fake Clinics?, reveals the fake news proliferation that attempts to discredit the vital work of pregnancy health clinics in the US today. 

Monsignor Roger Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. A graduate of Harvard and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he served as Attaché to the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN in New York. In 2024, he was appointed the new National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA by Pope Francis. He writes for numerous publications, speaks on radio and TV, and served as executive editor for the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. He is the author of the book, Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God, and he leads pilgrimages to Rome, the Holy Land, and other sacred destinations. He was an on-site commentator for EWTN’s coverage of the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. He is national chaplain for Catholic Voices USA and New York Chaplain for the Leonine Forum.  Father Landry traversed the full 1500-mile Eucharist Pilgrimage in 2024, an event which coincided with his 25th year in the priesthood.

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Bishop Michael Burbidge joins this week to discuss not only his important work making sure all of the Arlington Diocese's Catholic schools are inclusive, but also to share his experience praying the Rosary with them marking the feast day of Our Lady of the Rosary. His Excellency also voices his concern over a pro-abortion amendment being considered in Virginia and why the consistent life ethic must always be applied to our understanding of life at any stage.

Jennie Bradley Lichter also joins as she is gearing up for her first march as president of the March for Life. She discusses this year’s theme, why the recent approval by the FDA of a generic abortion pill is so troubling, and a very important case that all pro-lifers should know about.

Msgr. Roger Landry also talks about Cardinal John Henry Newman, soon-to-be-doctor of the Church, as we celebrate his feast day today.

Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pmET on EWTN radio!

Bishop Michael F. Burbidge is the bishop of the Catholic Diocese of Arlington. A native of Philadelphia, he holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Philosophy and Master’s Degree in Theology from St. Charles Borromeo Seminary, and a Master’s in Education Administration from Villanova University. He earned his Doctorate in Education from Immaculata College. Bishop Burbridge serves on the Board of Trustees for the Catholic University of America, St. Mary’s Seminary, and numerous others, and has held a number of leadership positions with the USCCB. Currently he is Chairman of the Committee on Pro-Life Activities. In recent years he has published pastoral letters on the topics of “In Tongues All Can Hear: Communicating the Hope of Christ in Times of Trial” and “A Catechesis on the Human Person and Gender Ideology.”

Jennie Bradley Lichter is the president of the March for Life Education and Defense Fund. She previously served as White House Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the White House Domestic Policy Council, where she led initiatives to defend human life. She worked on policy issues and confirmation efforts (including Supreme Court) at the US Department of Justice, and served as in-house counsel for the Archdiocese of Washington. She is a former Deputy General Counsel at Catholic University of America, where she founded and directs the Guadalupe Project. She is a fellow at the Center for Religious Liberty at the university’s Columbus School of Law. Jennie graduated from the University of Notre Dame and Harvard Law School, and earned her Masters of Philosophy in Theology and Religious Studies from the University of Cambridge, UK. She and her husband have three children who all enjoy attending the March for Life.

Monsignor Roger Landry is a priest of the Diocese of Fall River, Massachusetts. A graduate of Harvard and the Pontifical North American College in Rome, he served as Attaché to the Holy See’s Permanent Observer Mission to the UN in New York. In 2024, he was appointed the new National Director of the Pontifical Mission Societies in the USA by Pope Francis. He writes for numerous publications, speaks on radio and TV, and served as executive editor for the weekly newspaper of the Diocese of Fall River. He is the author of the book, Plan of Life: Habits to Help You Grow Closer to God, and he leads pilgrimages to Rome, the Holy Land, and other sacred destinations. He was an on-site commentator for EWTN’s coverage of the 2013 papal conclave that elected Pope Francis. He is national chaplain for Catholic Voices USA and New York Chaplain for the Leonine Forum.  Father Landry traversed the full 1500-mile Eucharist Pilgrimage in 2024, an event which coincided with his 25th year in the priesthood.

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With a new movie on Mother Cabrini in theaters March 8, filmmaker Alejandro Monteverde joins with a glimpse into this amazing saint’s life who defied all the odds even with doctors saying she only had a year to live, reminding us all: ‘You can serve your weaknesses or you can serve your purpose.’ Considered patron saint of immigrants, Monteverde said ‘Cabrini was not about immigration. She was about the immigrant.’ Jeanne Mancini of March for Life also joins with a look at the great turnout at the march in DC and the state marches that are taking place across the country! Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily to prepare us for this Sunday’s Gospel. Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pmET on EWTN radio!

As we mark one-month since the DDF’s document on same-sex blessings, we talk with Father Jeffrey Kirby who offers a pastor’s view of the new declaration lamenting the confusion that it has sown within his own parish. As it’s just been one week since the March for Life, Kathryn Jean Lopez of the National Review discusses the vibrant young pro-life movement she witnessed in the snowy streets of DC during the march, and ways we can actually get somewhere on abortion. Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily to prepare us for this Sunday’s Gospel. Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pmET on EWTN radio!

As tens of thousands march for LIFE in our nation’s capital, we talk with Brian Clowes of Human Life International about ways to build a true culture of life in our post-Roe world. With the liberal media embracing open marriages and promoting polyamory, Ashley McGuire joins to discuss the true beauty of marriage and family, pointing to statistics that show married couples with children are the happiest! Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily for this Sunday’s Gospel. Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pmET on EWTN radio!

With March for Life events this month, we talk with Sister Ann Immaculee and Sister Marie Veritas of the Sisters of Life all about the profound experience at SEEK 2024 and what we can expect from the upcoming Life Fest! With strong words from Pope Francis on the evils of surrogacy, we talk with Katy Faust of Them Before Us about the wounds that this inflicts on all involved. Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily to prepare us for this Sunday’s Gospel. Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pmET on EWTN radio!

With pro-life events kicking off across the country this month, we hear all about San Francisco’s Walk for Life West Coast celebrating 20 years this January! Eva Muntean discusses headliners including Live Action’s Lila Rose and pro-life momentum on the ground in California! As we remember Pope Benedict XVI marking one year since his passing, we revisit with Edward Pentin about his life and legacy–and what we are still learning from this saintly man. Father Roger Landry also offers an inspiring homily for this Sunday’s Gospel as we celebrate the Epiphany. Catch the show every Saturday at 7amET/5pmET on EWTN radio!