Erika looks back on everything she read in 2025 – American history, satire, murder mysteries, and children’s classics—while juggling motherhood, work, and ten-minute reading windows. This year-end book roundup considers what our reading habits reveal about attention, endurance, and staying human in a distracted age.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro
1:33 - The Civil War: A Narrative — Shelby Foote
2:57 - Jayber Crowe — Wendell Berry
4:28 - Martyrs of the 20th Century — Robert Royal
4:59 - Blood and Thunder: An Epic of the American West — Hampton Sides
5:55 - Death Comes for the Archbishop — Willa Cather
6:32 - Dominion — Tom Holland
7:37 - Scoop — Evelyn Waugh
8:42 - Tiger in the Smoke — Margery Allingham
9:14 - Against the Machine — Paul Kingsnorth
11:07 - Advent Homilies — John Henry Newman
11:40 - Children’s Books (Rapid-Fire)
12:59 - Conclusion

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What is going on in Minnesota?! A massive fraud scandal is exposed, raising serious questions surrounding local leadership, immigration, and the use of American taxpayer dollars. Meanwhile, is #NeverTrump over? And finally, Pope Leo is “very disappointed” by Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s latest decision. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
02:22 SERIOUS Business in Minnesota
30:51 #NeverTrump is Over
46:48 Good News
50:41 Pope Leo Christmas + Pritzer is a Disappointment
55:40 Twilight Zone
1:01:33 Closing Prayer

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All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

Authorities say the suspect connected to the Brown and MIT shootings has been found—what we know now and what questions remain. Meanwhile, does Vivek Ramaswamy know what it means to be an American? And finally, Trump signs an executive order reclassifying marijuana. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
02:10 Brown and MIT Shooter Found
11:03 What is an American?
43:31 Good News
52:12 The Weed
58:40 Twilight Zone
1:09:55 Closing Prayer

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Blessed be the Lord, the God of Israel;
he has come to his people and set them free.
He has raised up for us a mighty savior,
born of the house of his servant David.
Through his holy prophets he promised of old
that he would save us from our enemies,
from the hands of all who hate us.
He promised to show mercy to our fathers
and to remember his holy covenant forever.
This was the oath he swore to our father Abraham:
to set us free from the hands of our enemies,
free to worship him without fear,
holy and righteous in his sight
all the days of our life.
You, my child, shall be called the prophet of the Most High;
for you will go before the Lord to prepare his way,
to give his people knowledge of salvation
by the forgiveness of their sins.
In the tender compassion of our God
the dawn from on high shall break upon us,
to shine on those who dwell in darkness and the
shadow of death,
and to guide our feet into the way of peace.

Luke 1:68-79

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

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America is suffering from a quiet estrangement crisis. One-third of adults are cutting off family, and politics and social media are fueling the divide. Is reconciliation still possible? A sober, compassionate look at loss, loyalty, and what Christmas asks of us.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: The silent “No Contact” pandemic
3:17 - What is causing so many to choose estrangement?
4:50 - A change in the way we view family
6:57 - Going deeper: the REAL reason people go no contact
9:00 - A message for those who are estranged
12:34 - You can’t just erase your family. So what do you do?

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Vanity Fair goes inside the White House and delivers a piece that has us all wondering, "Why?" Meanwhile, a controversial “Lost Generation” essay ignites debate over merit, identity, and who’s been left behind in modern America. And finally, the Church enters a pivotal moment as a new bishop is named for New York. All this and more on the LOOPcast.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
05:25 Vanity Fair “Inside the Trump Admin”
18:10 The Lost Generation
56:02 Good News
1:05:29 New Bishop for NY
1:10:50 Twilight Zone
1:21:19 Closing Prayer

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We Pray O Lord, for the United States of America. We pray for our leaders, that they be inspired to lead according to your will. Most especially, we pray that every Catholic in America will be inspired to live out the truths of our faith in public life, and that it will lead to the renewal of our Church and country.

St. Thomas More, Pray for us.
St. Fidelis, Pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Amen.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

Recent acts of violence shake the nation and the world: what we know so far, and what critical questions remain unanswered. Meanwhile, President Trump signs a sweeping executive order on artificial intelligence and signals a major shift in U.S. cannabis policy. And finally, the U.S. Army cancels a wide range of religious support contracts, leaving Catholic soldiers without access to Mass, sacraments, and pastoral care. All this and more on the LOOPcast.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
02:55 Violence Shakes the Nation - What We Know
33:52 Trump Signs Executive Order on AI and Signals Change in U.S. Cannabis Policy
54:37 Good News
1:04:00 U.S. Army Cancels Catholic Chapel Contracts
1:07:12 Twilight Zone
1:22:07 Closing Prayer

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O Almighty everlasting God, who, by the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of Mary, glorious Virgin and Mother, to become the worthy habitation of thy Son; grant that we may be delivered from present evils and from everlasting death by her pious intercession, in whose commemoration we rejoice. Through the same Christ our Lord.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

A Boston parish openly defies its bishop over a controversial ICE-themed Nativity display. Meanwhile, the Indiana Senate rejects a GOP-backed redistricting plan after weeks of intense debate. And finally, The Daily Pennsylvanian shines a spotlight on some of its most unexpected and controversial alumni. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
01:35 Boston Parish Openly Defies Bishop over ICE-Themed Nativity Display
11:23 Indiana Redistricting Update
36:32 Good News
44:45 ACA Plans Fail
55:50 Twilight Zone
1:03:05 Closing Prayer

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Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer offered with deepfelt confidence to beg this favor…. O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of “Guadalupe” the virgin who crushed the serpent. Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate heart was pierced by seven wounds of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns thrown across my pathway. Queen of Apostles aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior. I plead this through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

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Get everything you need for your traditional home blessing — including the St. Benedict Medal, Holy Water Bottle, and more — from our friends at Holy Heroes today! https://bit.ly/TheDeep_HolyHeroesHB

Why do middle-class Americans feel poor in the “best economy ever?" From $140K poverty lines to the death of the middle class, we dig into the K-shaped economy. If you’ve ever wondered why the American Dream feels out of reach, this episode of The Deep is for you!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Is the middle class disappearing?
4:54 - What gets missed in the poverty line calculation
7:47 - Critics respond: “But Americans have never had it better!”
10:08 - The mandatory participations fees of modern society
11:42 - The American dream is broken
17:31 - Conclusion: So what should you do?

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Australia becomes the first country to enact a nationwide social media ban for kids—will the U.S. follow their lead? Meanwhile, dynamic pricing is here, and you should be concerned. And finally, Rep. Jasmine Crockett announces her Senate run in Texas. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
04:18 Australia Bans Social Media for Kids
22:23 Dynamic Pricing is Here
41:50 Good News
57:30 Jasmine Crockett for Senate?!
01:07:50 Twilight Zone

EMAIL US: [email protected] 

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All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear President Trump’s challenge to birthright citizenship. Meanwhile, another MAHA win: RFK Jr.’s CDC votes to drop the Hepatitis B shot for newborns. And finally, President Trump marks the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with a striking presidential message honoring Mary’s role in American history. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

EMAIL US: [email protected] 
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Father,
The image of the Virgin is found in your Church.
Mary had a faith that your Spirit prepared and a love that
never knew sin,
for you kept her sinless from the first moment of
her conception.
Trace in our actions the lines of her love,
in our hearts her readiness of faith.
Prepare once again a world for your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.