Why would someone spend their time cleaning graves of complete strangers?

In this episode, Fr. Edward sits down with Allyson—better known as the “Crzy Cemetery Lady”—who has captured attention online for restoring forgotten headstones and uncovering the stories of the people buried beneath them.

She shares how it all began, what draws her to cemeteries, and why these places are far more meaningful than most people realize. If you’ve ever wondered how to properly clean a gravestone (and what NOT to use), Allyson gives practical, respectful advice for beginners.

But this conversation goes deeper…

Fr. Edward also brings up a puzzling gravestone misspelling—leading to a fascinating discussion about memory, history, and how the dead are remembered.

Fr. Edward Looney looks ahead to a meaningful trip to New York, where he will visit the Parish Visitors of the Immaculate and pray at the tomb of the Servant of God Mother Tallon. Along the way, he will also honor the memory of his priest mentor, Fr. Fred Miller, whose buried in the religious order's cemetery.

In this episode, Fr. Edward speaks with Mother Maria Catherine, whom he met through the Mariological Society of American and reconnected with at the Center for Sainthood Studies, to discuss the life, legacy, and growing cause for canonization of Mother Tallon—the foundress of the Parish Visitors.

Together, they explore:

-How Mother Maria Catherine discovered her vocation with the Parish Visitors

Fr. Edward also shares a moving story about the reality of religious life today—how communities depend on providence and how quickly donations can be used to meet urgent needs.

Join us as we reflect on holiness, vocation, and the quiet yet powerful witness of a woman whose cause for sainthood is advancing.

Dr. George Ellis is a surgeon by profession—but his creative pursuits have led him into the world of independent film through his company, Coronado Beach Productions.

In this engaging conversation, Dr. Ellis joins Fr. Edward to explore the intersection of vocation and creativity. Together, they discuss what it’s like to navigate two very different worlds—medicine and filmmaking—while pursuing meaningful storytelling.

You’ll hear insights on:

https://coronadobeachproductions.com

Trig Rosseau joins Fr. Edward Looney to discuss the world of Christian hip hop and the mission behind Holy Culture Radio, the station dedicated to faith-centered hip hop that can be heard on SiriusXM.

In this conversation, they explore the place of hip hop within Christian evangelization and how artists are using the genre to proclaim the Gospel. Fr. Edward asks questions many listeners may have: Can hip hop truly be Christian? Does Christian hip hop avoid the explicit language often associated with the genre? And does hip hop experience the same kind of crossover between secular and Christian music that exists in other musical styles?

Trig shares insights into the culture of Christian hip hop, the artists shaping the movement, and how Holy Culture Radio is helping bring faith-filled music to a wider audience.

Whether you’re already a fan of hip hop or simply curious about how the Gospel is reaching new audiences through music, this conversation offers an engaging look at faith, culture, and evangelization.

In this episode, I sit down with Stephen P. White to discuss a major new national study on Catholic priesthood published in Rebuilding Trust: The State of the Catholic Priesthood in the United States.

What is the real state of the Catholic priesthood in America today?

Stephen explains the purpose of the study, the kinds of questions priests were asked, and what the data actually revealed. While it can be easy to focus on discouragement and dysfunction, this research also uncovers hopeful signs: priests who love their vocation, strong and healthy bishop-priest relationships, and real pathways toward renewal.

We also discuss:

This is an honest and hopeful conversation about leadership, brotherhood, and the future of the Catholic priesthood in the United States.

If you care about the health of the priesthood and the life of the Church, this conversation is for you.

Learn more about the study and book: https://www.cuapress.org/9780813240350/rebuilding-trust/

What if Jesus is the greatest leadership model of all time—and modern leadership theory has been overlooking Him?

Fr. Daniel Brandenburg, LC joins Fr. Edward to discuss how his academic study of leadership led him to a surprising realization: at Catholic institutions, Jesus was rarely studied as a leadership model at all. Yet no leader has shaped history more profoundly.

In this conversation, Fr. Brandenburg compares Jesus to the top secular leadership frameworks and thought leaders, explains why asking for the “best leadership model” misses the point, and shares how leading like Jesus leads to flourishing—while failing to do so leads to breakdown.

He also reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s leadership style, offers encouragement for those suffering under poor leadership (including a powerful story involving Padre Pio), and explains who his book is written for and why it matters today.

Fr. Edward also shares how this discussion challenged and refined his own thinking about leadership.

Whether you’re a priest, educator, manager, or parish volunteer, this episode will reshape how you think about leadership—and discipleship.

Buy his book: https://www.amazon.com/Leader-Like-No-Other-Leadership/dp/B0DYJJBKMD/

What do priests and funeral directors have in common? According to Bishop Robert Barron, “The priest goes where most don’t want to go”—and the same could be said of funeral directors.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with funeral director Victor Sweeney for a candid and thoughtful conversation about death, funerals, and what lies beyond this life. Fr. Edward shares stories from death calls—including one time when he simply made a pot of coffee for a grieving family in the midst of chaos. Victor reflects on his own experiences, including leading a Latin prayer when he encountered a deeply Catholic home and family.

They explore how Victor’s Catholic faith informs his work, why he is careful with the word “love” in obituaries, and how he helps his parish observe All Souls’ Day and remember the dead. The conversation also touches on Purgatory, Catholic and non-Catholic funeral rites, what Victor has learned from preachers, and why he once made homemade graves for the poor.

Fr. Edward and Victor discuss contemporary funeral culture—why fewer families are holding funerals today, the rise of cremation, and how Catholics can better understand the importance of reverently burying ashes. Victor also shares about his secular book, which invites readers of all backgrounds to reflect on life, death, and eternity.

Whether you’ve recently lost a loved one, work in ministry, or simply want to think more deeply about mortality and hope, this conversation offers wisdom, honesty, and faith-filled perspective.

Buy Victor Sweeney's book- https://www.amazon.com/Now-Departing-Small-Town-Mortician-Moments/dp/1668062119

Fr. Edward Looney welcomes author Anthony DeStefano back to the podcast to discuss his new children’s book, Your Valentine, which reclaims the true Christian meaning of Valentine’s Day.

Anthony shares the real story of St. Valentine—a 3rd-century priest and martyr whose witness to Christian marriage and sacrificial love reminds us that love is stronger than death. They explore how Valentine’s Day became commercialized, why it’s important to teach children the Catholic roots of the holiday, and how themes of empathy, friendship, and self-giving love are woven into the story.

This episode is a timely conversation for parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to rediscover the faith-filled origins of Valentine’s Day.

Your Valentine is available from Sophia Institute Press. Buy here: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/your-valentine/?oid=816&affid=203

Devotions in the Church often rise and fall in popularity, but some are providentially renewed for a particular moment in history. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney and Fr. Lawrence Carney explore the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus—its origins, spiritual depth, and relevance today.

Fr. Edward shares how he was first introduced to the Holy Face devotion after leaving seminary in 2008 and how it quietly shaped his spiritual life. Fr. Carney traces the history of the devotion, explains why he believes it deserves renewed attention—especially among diocesan priests—and recounts how he personally encountered it.

Together, they discuss what the devotion looks like in daily life, from the simple prayer “Lord, show us Thy face and we shall be saved” to the importance of enrollment and consecration. The conversation also explores St. Martin of Tours’ surprising connection to the Holy Face, the sainthood cause of the religious sister instrumental in spreading the devotion, and why consecrating oneself to the Holy Face remains meaningful amid so many other consecrations.

Finally, they unpack the Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive stages of the spiritual life that shape the consecration, drawing on great 20th-century spiritual theologians, and clarify the relationship between the Veil of Manoppello, the Shroud of Turin, and the Veil of Veronica—what they share and how they differ.

A rich conversation for anyone seeking to deepen their prayer and gaze more intentionally upon the Face of Christ.

Buy the book: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/preparation-for-total-consecration-to-the-holy-face-of-jesus-how-god-draws-the-soul-into-the-purgative-illuminative-and-unitive-ways/?srsltid=AfmBOorPX-h-1605TDIsVzZM-UGbE23INOZMscfA-zwehgto-kno6AQ4

In this conversation, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with actor and filmmaker David Henrie about his new EWTN+ series, Seeking Beauty, a show that invites viewers to rediscover the meaning of beauty through art, history, and faith.

David shares his understanding of beauty as something deeply misunderstood in today’s culture, and explains the purpose behind Seeking Beauty, which he describes as something like a “Catholic Rick Steves”—but with a spiritual depth rooted in the saints and the Church’s artistic heritage.

Together, they reflect on Italian history and how what was built centuries ago continues to endure, especially in Rome. Fr. Edward shares his own experience of traveling to Rome for the first time and how encountering sacred art in person changed the way he sees and prays.

The conversation touches on the saints featured in the series, including a powerful moment involving an unfinished Pietà by Michelangelo, and the moving experience of hearing a poem read that brought the sculpture—and its meaning—to life. Fr. Edward offers insight into the importance of appreciating beauty rather than merely taking pictures of it.

David also shares why the show exists, recounting how Edmundo Reyes was inspired. He reveals which place in Italy truly blew him away, explains St. Mark’s connection to Venice, and how viewers can watch Seeking Beauty streaming now on EWTN+.

Fr. Edward closes by inviting viewers to go on a pilgrimage from their recliner, allowing sacred art, history, and faith to form their hearts through this new series.

📺 Seeking Beauty is streaming now on EWTN+