For my whole life, I've just accepted one of Catholicism's most unbelievable claims: that the Eucharist is truly the Body and Blood of Christ. In this episode of Mezzo, I revisit one unforgettable night at a Catholic youth retreat where a girl suddenly began screaming during Eucharistic adoration, students believed they witnessed spiritual phenomena, and I experienced something that has shaped my faith ever since.

Looking back as both a lawyer and a gay Catholic, I reflect on the tension between genuine encounters with God and emotionally manipulative religious environments. I talk about why I'm skeptical of dramatic spiritual experiences, why I still believe the Eucharist matters, and how I've learned to embrace mystery without pretending to have all the answers.

Whether you're Catholic, former Catholic, atheist, or simply curious about faith, I hope this conversation offers an honest look at what it feels like to believe.

00:00 A Wafer and Wonder

00:46 Retreat Night Setup

01:52 Screams in Adoration

02:47 Aftermath and Doubt

03:22 What Catholics Believe

05:03 Touching the Veil

05:56 Faith With Limits

06:14 Manufactured and Real

07:31 Deception and Humor

08:12 A God Who Meets Us

08:45 Closing and Thanks

Today, I’m joined on Mezzo by Dr. Vincent Lloyd, professor at Villanova University and author of Black Natural Law and co-author of Break Every Yoke: Break Every Yoke: Religion, Justice, and the Abolition of Prisons.We discuss natural law, suffering, Christianity, oppression, prisons, abolition, Martin Luther King Jr., Anna Julia Cooper, and why the experiences of marginalized communities matter for understanding human nature and justice.This conversation challenged a lot of the assumptions I grew up with around Catholic natural law, punishment, suffering, and political theology. We talk about how Christianity became overly focused on rules and punishment, why suffering can both reveal injustice and be dangerous to romanticize, and how communities shaped by oppression often develop unique wisdom about domination and human dignity.We also discuss immigration enforcement, protest movements, prison abolition, the role of faith in activism, and why Christianity has historically offered people hope in moments that seem impossible.

00:00 Why Black Natural Law

03:01 Two Common Natural Law Frames

06:14 Human Nature Power And Dependency

12:55 Education Beyond Protest

16:14 Anna Julia Cooper And Integrated Life

20:37 Suffering And Redemptive Insight

22:15 Against Valorizing Suffering

29:07 Prisons Punishment And Bad Theology

35:31 Why Abolish Prisons

40:57 Natural Law As Communal Discernment

48:25 Faith Activism And Finding Hope

In today's Mezzo episode, I share a very personal story.Rather than debating DEI, merit, or politics in the abstract, I wanted to explain what these conversations have looked like in my own life. As a gay Catholic and lawyer, I've experienced both opportunities that were closed to me because of my identity and opportunities that were opened through diversity initiatives.I discuss losing a Vatican internship despite being the top candidate, why a corporate diversity externship changed the trajectory of my career, how discrimination has shaped my life, and why I believe these conversations are far more complicated than today's popular political commentary suggests.Whether you agree with me or not, my hope is that this conversation encourages greater empathy and a deeper understanding of the people on the other side of our political disagreements.If you enjoy thoughtful conversations about faith, politics, law, sexuality, and the Catholic tradition, I'd love for you to subscribe and join me for future discussions.00:00 Why We Stay Connected00:46 Setting the Stage on DEI02:26 Stories Over Sound Bites04:11 Trump Orders and Merit06:07 Growing Up Gay Catholic07:15 Vatican Internship Rejected09:37 Family and Future Kids11:32 Lawrence v Texas Reality13:51 Protections Won Then Lost15:35 My DEI Externship Breakthrough17:12 Owning the DEI Label18:02 Fears and Fair Critiques20:10 Special Education Targeted21:44 Closing and Call to Action

What happens when you stop trying to win arguments and start telling honest stories?In this conversation, I sit down with Simon, creator of the acclaimed Dear Alana podcast, to talk about the years-long journey of bringing Alana Chen's story to life. We discuss grief, creativity, Catholicism, deconstruction, conversion therapy, and why so many people—religious and secular alike—feel trapped by simplistic narratives.We explore why Dear Alana resonated so deeply, the challenge of telling a story instead of making an argument, and how authentic storytelling can create empathy across political, religious, and cultural divides. We also discuss the future of faith conversations, why we need more nuanced media, and what it means to create art that serves people rather than ideologies.Whether you're Catholic, former religious, LGBTQ, questioning your faith, or simply interested in meaningful storytelling, I hope this conversation helps you think differently about grief, creativity, and what it means to seek truth together.00:00 Welcome00:48 Simon background01:44 Starting Dear Alana03:44 Alana story parallels07:08 A vocational calling10:00 Telling grief responsibly12:24 Story not argument14:59 Bridging inside outside audiences22:39 Catholicism in politics now25:24 Grief and faith reckoning30:58 Grief reshapes priorities33:02 Grief without resolution34:00 Beauty in hard stories34:48 Building bridges across divides35:57 A small life's big impact37:03 Rated R faith conversations39:00 Beyond clean arguments40:43 Capacity to face suffering41:55 Dismantling secular religious divide44:47 Conversion therapy legal lessons47:30 Religious literacy and governance49:22 Making space for honest doubt52:32 Outsider honesty as gift55:11 Create together not alone58:38 Wrapping up

Socialism is presently all over American news, with democratic socialist politicians currently competing for key roles in state and national leadership. These developments have elicited forceful commentary from Catholic leaders such as Bishop Robert Barron. Catholics are often told that the Church has always condemned socialism. But is that actually what the Church teaches?

In this episode, I examine Bishop Robert Barron's response to New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani and use it as a starting point to explore more than a century of Catholic social teaching. What does Barron get right? And what does he get wrong? Looking at Rerum Novarum, Quadragesimo Anno, Laborem Exercens, Centesimus Annus, and the writings of Popes Benedict XVI and Francis, I explore how the Church's understanding of capitalism, socialism, democratic socialism, collectivism, private property, and the common good has developed over time.Rather than asking whether Catholics must embrace capitalism or socialism, I explore the principles that have remained constant throughout Catholic tradition: the dignity of work, the rights of workers, the universal destination of goods, private property, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the preferential option for the poor.If you've ever wondered what Catholic social teaching actually says—and whether modern political labels fit the Church's tradition—this episode is for you.00:00 Catholicism Meets Socialism00:53 Barron Versus Mamdani02:09 Collectivism And Socialism05:00 Democratic Socialism Question05:23 Leo XIII Rerum Novarum07:29 Pius XI Quadragesimo Anno09:36 John Paul II On Work14:04 Centesimus Annus And Capitalism18:08 Benedict On Democratic Socialism20:24 Francis And Marxist Dialogue22:51 Back To Barron Tweet24:00 Closing Thoughts

Former youth minister–turned–therapist Ashley Kieffer joins Chris to talk about black-and-white Catholicism, youth ministry culture, and what happens when faith gets tangled up with OCD and scrupulosity. They unpack safety vs fear, confession as compulsion, sexuality and shame, and what it means to move from “cookie-cutter Catholic” to a faith rooted in love instead of anxiety. If your religious life feels more like panic than peace, this conversation is for you.

00:00 Ashley's Background and Early Faith Journey

01:35 Youth Ministry Experience

05:54 Transition to Mental Health Therapy

09:51 Exploring Faith and Mental Health

18:10 Understanding OCD and Scrupulosity

21:57 Navigating Scrupulosity in a Hyper-Catholic World

23:05 Therapeutic Approaches to Religious OCD

29:39 Challenges in Youth Ministry

36:17 Overcoming Fear and Embracing Nuance

44:42 Gratitude and Connection with God

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In today’s episode of Mezzo, I talk with Katherine Mitchell, therapy program director at Bridging Hope, a sexual assault crisis center in northeast Georgia. (You may also know her as the former manager of Reconstructing Catholicism.) Katherine oversees therapy for survivors whose trauma may have happened yesterday or decades ago, using EMDR, somatic work, and trauma-informed care to walk with people through some of the worst things that can happen to a human being.

We talk about what actually happens inside a sexual assault crisis center, why juries and even other women often struggle to believe survivors, and how politics and power shape which stories are taken seriously. Katherine shares candidly about being a survivor herself, raising two young boys with consent and safety in mind, saying “no” to things like sleepovers and certain church events, and learning to set boundaries that protect connection instead of shutting it down.

We also explore burnout, how therapists know when they’re not okay, the limits of what therapy (or faith) can promise, and why religious communities so often hurt instead of help. Underneath all of it is a quiet invitation: your trauma wasn’t your fault, and you deserve support in the work of healing.

00:00 The Importance of Healing and Community Support07:15 Differences Between Therapist and Social Worker11:46 Challenges in Addressing Sexual Violence18:36 Parenting and Teaching Consent23:32 Empowering Parents to Advocate for Their Children34:21 Challenges of Clergy Abuse Survivors41:59 Finding Meaning and Motivation in the Work44:58 The Role of Autonomy in Healing52:55 Spirituality and Healing57:21 Current Interests and Self-Care

Over the past year, I've watched my community in Minneapolis experience fear, grief, and incredible acts of courage. In this episode of Mezzo, I share my own experiences living through the recent ICE operations in the Twin Cities, how they affected my friends, my faith, and my understanding of what it means to love our neighbors.This isn't simply a discussion about politics. It's a reflection on Christian hope, peaceful resistance, constitutional rights, and the responsibility we have to care for one another during moments of crisis. I talk about community solidarity, fear, forgiveness, and why I believe hope is something we practice—even when it feels impossible.Whether you agree with me or not, I hope you'll listen with an open mind as I share why these events have changed me and why I believe our response to suffering ultimately says something about who we are.00:00 Minneapolis Under Occupation01:08 Marching With Our Neighbors02:21 Minnesota Nice In Action04:36 Fear And Escalation09:19 Alex Preti And The Aftermath24:33 Disconnection And Solidarity26:28 Faith Leaders Mobilize29:38 Rest Guilt And Grief32:32 Hope As Moral Effort41:40 Constitutional Crisis Call To Act

In this episode, I share some of my personal story about immigration, faith, and family. My grandfather once overstayed his visa and, for a time, was considered an "illegal immigrant." Looking at today's immigration debate, I can't help but wonder how differently my own family might have been treated under our current political climate.

I also reflect on why I was initially hopeful about JD Vance as a Catholic public figure, why that hope ultimately faded, and what I believe Catholic teaching—including the concept of ordo amoris (the order of charity)—actually asks of Christians when it comes to immigrants and refugees.

This isn't a discussion about political parties as much as it is about neighbors, compassion, and the responsibility we owe to the people whose lives become intertwined with our own. Whether you agree or disagree, I hope you'll listen with an open mind and join the conversation in the comments.

If you enjoy thoughtful discussions on Catholicism, politics, ethics, LGBTQ issues, and faith, consider subscribing for more.

00:00 The Personal Legacy of Immigration

02:55 Reflections on J.D. Vance and Political Discourse

05:52 The Complexity of Love and Responsibility

08:59 The Impact of Immigration Policies

11:58 A Call to Compassion and Understanding