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.
The following transcript is machine generated.
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By 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.
The following transcript is machine generated.