Today on the show, Dr. Tim Uhl, the superintendent of Montana Catholic Schools and host of the podcast Catholic School Matters. We talk about how he started his podcast and what about Catholic education challenges and inspires Tim.

NCR contributor Julie Bourbon reports on a study of "nones" — that is, n-o-n-e-s, or young adults who don’t identify with any organized religion. Later, NCR Bertelsen intern Maria Benevento and Suzanne Gladney, founder of the Migrant Farmworkers Assistance Fund provide an update on immigration issues, including chain migration and the latest on the DACA debate and those living in the U.S. under Temporary Protected Status.

NCR staff writer Brian Roewe. Brian has been reporting on an excommunication case in Nebraska with a lot of history behind it. Last year, members of the Lincoln chapter of Call to Action met with Bishop James Conley in a series of dialogue sessions. These sessions have led to an agreement of sorts to have the 1996 censure lifted for individual members.

NCR’s Vatican correspondent Joshua McElwee talks about Pope Francis' upcoming trip to Chile and Peru. The papal trip takes place January 15-21, 2018. Joshua also recaps the pope’s recent State of the World address to diplomats. Later, sociologist Michele Dillon explains the trends in a new survey of American Catholics and talks about how the data show a refreshed enthusiasm among American Catholic women.

Retired priest Bill O'Malley shares some of his resolutions for 2018. Now 86, Fr. O'Malley draws on his decades of creativity and teaching experience to reflect on what the coming year may hold.

Today, Sr. Linda Romey talks about how “bad theology” perpetuates gender inequality and the role that women religious play in this #MeToo moment. Later, NCR columnist Jamie Manson and film critic Sr. Rose Pacatte talk about the dangers of unchecked power in any system and what they envision happening next in Hollywood and the Catholic Church.

In this episode, NCR columnist and blogger Tom Carney argues that the mystery of Christmas is drowned out by the commercial holiday. Tom talks about how to recapture the spiritual foundation of Christmas and how he celebrates the coming of Christ. Later, Soul Seeing editor Mike Leach talks about how the holiday has evolved for him with different seasons of life. He’ll also share recommendations for listeners looking for some extra Christmas hope this year.

Global Sisters Report staff writer Dawn Araujo-Hawkins talks about how congregations of women religious are working to make amends for historically buying into a culture of racism. Later, NCR Bertelsen interns Maria Benevento and James Dearie provide updates on faith-based efforts to stem the tide of gun violence through initiatives like the Gun Violence Prevention Sabbath and a guide to non-violent holiday gifts for children.

Global Sisters Report international correspondent Chris Herlinger talks about reporting in difficult locations like South Sudan and how sisters and priests deal with trauma as they’re ministering to people also processing traumatic experiences. Later, Young Voices columnist Mike Jordan Laskey talks about this year’s short Advent calendar and how to make the most of this overlooked season of waiting and preparation.

In this episode, NCR editor Dennis Coday stops by the studio to talk about recent news, including the pope's visit to Myanmar and Bangladesh, the extradition of a Salvadoran former colonel, and tax reform and sexual assault news in the U.S.