Franciscan University Presents

By Franciscan University of SteubenvilleReligion & Spirituality Christianity

Franciscan University Presents episodes

October 02 Welcoming Persons With Disabilities | Mark Bradford | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Mark Bradford, Editor of "Indispensable: A Catholic Guide to Welcoming Persons With Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities", as they discuss how Catholics can welcome individuals with disabilities into our communities and into the sacraments.
Other Voices from this episode include:
Dr. Megan Reister, Professor of Special Education & Early Childhood
John Paul Von Arx, Coordinator of Ministry Accompaniment
Michelle Wright, Adjunct Professor of Theology & Catechetics

Original Air Date: AUGUST 2026
59 min
September 04 The First American Pope | Dr. Matthew Bunson | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Dr. Matthew Bunson, Vice President and Editorial Director of EWTN News and Author of "Leo XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope", as they discuss the historical significance and potential impact of the first pontiff born in the United States.
Other Voices from this episode include:
Theresa Antony, MA Theology Student
Colleen Eisley, Communication Arts & Theology Major
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: JULY 2026
58 min
August 07 Pardon, Peace, and Interpersonal Forgiveness | Fr. John Burns | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Fr. John Burns, PhD, Founder of the Friends of the Bridegroom and Author of "Pardon and Peace: The Science and Theology of Interpersonal Forgiveness", as they discuss the significance of extending forgiveness to others and the healing that can accompany that choice.
Other Voices in this episode include:
Mercedes O'Brien, Business Management Major
Gianna Waldron, Business Management Major
Anthony DeBlasis, Biology Major
Anthony Fontecchio, Accounting & Finance Major

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: JUNE 2026
58 min
July 03 On Euthanasia and Dying Well | Fr. Tad Pacholczyk | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Fr. Tad Pacholczyk, PhD, Senior Ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center, as they discuss the problems with euthanasia in light of the dignity of human suffering.

Other Voices from this episode include:
Dr. Martin Owen, MD, Family Medicine Practitioner
Dr. Ben Safranski, PhD, former Hospice Counselor
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: MAY 2026

You can watch the video version of this episode on Faith and Reason here.
58 min
June 05 Serving the Poor and the Persecuted | Dr. Stephen Rasche | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Dr. Stephen Rasche, Director of the Institute for Catholic Humanitarian Service at Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of the book, The Disappearing People: The Tragic Fate of Christians in the Middle East, as they discuss modern martyrdom and persecution of Christians in the Middle East and Nigeria.
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: APRIL 2026
Other Voices from this episode include quotes from Pope Francis during his 2021 visit to Iraq, read by JW Beatovich.

You can watch the video version of this episode on Faith and Reason here.
58 min
May 01 Overcoming Sins of Speech | Fr. Gregory Pine, OP | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Father Gregory Pine, OP, Professor of Dogmatic and Moral Theology at the Dominican House of Studies and author of the new book, Training the Tongue and Growing Beyond Sins of Speech, as they discuss the gift of our ability to speak and how to use it for the glory of God.

Other Voices in this episode include:
Samuel Wofford, Marketing Major
John Tiplick, Theology Major
Camila Aponte, Human Development & Family Studies Major
Clare Weber, Theology and Catechetics Major
Quotes from the Epistle of St. James read by John Romanowsky
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: MARCH 2026

You can watch the video version of this episode here.
58 min
April 01 Making a Pilgrimage | Joan Watson | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Joan Watson, Formation Manager at Verso Ministries and author of the new book, Making a Pilgrimage: A Companion for Catholics, as they discuss the meaning and importance of pilgrimages.
Other Voices for this episode include:
Fr. Jonathan St. André, TOR
Vice President of Franciscan Life
Fr. Shawn Roberson, TOR
Chaplain
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: FEBRUARY 2026

You can watch the video version of this episode on Faith and Reason here.
58 min
March 04 Answers on Death and Dying | Dr. Roger Nutt | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn, and special guest Dr. Roger Nutt, Provost at Ave Maria University and author of the new book To Die Is Gain: A Theological (re-) Introduction to the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick for Clergy, Laity, Caregivers, and Everyone Else, as they discuss what the Sacrament of the Anointing of the Sick can teach us about death and dying.
Other Voices from this episode include:
Fr. Patrick Whittle, TOR
Assistant Professor of Theology
ORIGINAL AIR DATE: January 2026

You can watch the video version of this episode here.
58 min
February 06 When Bad Things Happen to Good People | Hon. Jeff Fortenberry | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Regis Martin and Dr. Scott Hahn,, and special guest the Hon. Jeff Fortenberry, retired Congressman from Nebraska, as they discuss the weaponization of government against people of faith, and how we can respond to persecution in our own lives.
Other Voices for this episode include:
Liam O'Neill, Political Science Major
Gianna Chipchase, Human Development & Family Studies Major
Joseph Lytle, Accounting Major

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: DECEMBER 2025
You can watch the video version of this episode, as well as discover over Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.
58 min
January 05 Piety and Personality | Rosemary McGuire Berry | Franciscan University Presents
Join host Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, panelists Dr. Shane Owens and Dr. Regis Martin , and special guest Rosemary McGuire Berry, author of Piety and Personality: The Temperaments of the Saints, as they discuss how our temperaments can help—or hinder—our journey in faith. Each of us can find a saint who shows us how our unique gifts and challenges can be our path to holiness.
Other Voices for this episode include:
Christina Simms, Mechanical Engineering Major
Paul Bremberg, Political Science & History Major
Gareth Cassidy, Master of Theology

ORIGINAL AIR DATE: NOVEMBER 2025
You can watch the video version of this episode here.
58 min