Social media was supposed to bring the world closer together. It was supposed to make it easier for us to understand each other, grow in knowledge, and make more informed judgements about current events. Instead, it’s often done the opposite. This week, in the wake of events in Minnesota, Switzerland, Venezuela, and Washington, DC, we’re walking through minefields as we discuss how the changing nature of journalism and the ascent of social media has contributed to confusion, chaos, political polarization, and apathy. We also hunt around for some answers about how Christians are called to navigate the whole ungodly mess.

This week’s episode of Visitation Sessions is brought to you by Select International Tours. The leader in Catholic pilgrimages for 35 years, Select is also now the only Catholic Pilgrimage company to offer a comprehensive pilgrim formation program to help you prepare spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially for the unique experience of going on pilgrimage. Learn more at pilgrimformation.com

Show Notes

Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power by Joseph Pieper

Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier

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This week, we’re talking to You Tube sensation, small town mortician, and (most importantly) Catholic dad of four, Victor Sweeney.

Over the past five years, Sweeney (33) has unexpectedly built a loyal following online for his penetrating insights about about death, dying, and the moments of grace made possible by both. He first began sharing that wisdom during Covid, in a series of uber viral videos for Wired. Since then, he has launched a You Tube channel, a podcast (“Death And …”), and written a book with Simon and Schuster, Now Departing: A Small Town Mortician on Death, Life, and the Moments in Between. Now, he’s sharing his wisdom with us in a fantastic conversation that we hope you enjoy as much as we did.

Show Notes

Now Departing

Victor Sweeney on Wired

“Death And” Podcast

You Tube Channel

Nick Cave and the Red Hand Files

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As the Church moves from Christmas back into Ordinary Time, we’re talking about what that transition means in our own lives. We also talk about the Chapman’s pilgrimage to Rome, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, the Clarks, “The Pitt,” Christmas gifts, detective fiction, and the direction snow blows (Emily was jet lagged, folks, really jet lagged).

Show Notes:

Born to Run

Bread of Angels by Patti Smith

Russia, OH

With a Daughter’s Eye: A Memoir of Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson

Cormoran Strike Mysteries by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

The Clarks

Joy Clarkson: “Not Everyone is Everything”

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put

“On ‘The Pitt,’ ER Doctors Try to Fix This Broken World”

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Christmas is three days away, and for our final podcast of 2025, we’re talking about memory: how the Church understands it, what it gives to us, how it defines us, and how, especially this time of year, it shapes the way we understand and celebrate Christmas.

As a special Christmas bonus, the end of the episode features one of the Stapleton’s Christmas carols: their version of “What Star Is This?” Links to all their carols are included in the shownotes.

We are taking the next two weeks off, but are praying you have the very merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years. Thanks for listening!

This episode of Visitation Sessions is brought to you by Select International Tours. The Chapmans are leaving for their pilgrimage in Rome on December 26, and taking all your intentions with you. They chose Select to organize their pilgrimages because of their excitement about accommodating families with young children, their decades of experience, their faithfulness, and their professionalism. To learn more about the pilgrimages and cruises Select offers, visit selectintenationaltours.com.

Show Notes

Confessions by Saint Augustine

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Ikiuru

Living

“What Star is This” (Stapleton Version)

“What Child is This” (Stapleton Version)

“Huron Carol” (Stapleton Version)

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It's cold and grey and the wind is a blowin' here in the Ohio Valley, so both the Stapletons and Chapmans are doing what families have always done in such times: gathering around the fire. For us, making space for fire in our homes has been, quite literally, life-changing, making winter warmer and life more human. Today, we're reflecting on why this is, examining what fire teaches us about God and ourselves, man and woman, and who we are as a people.

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Recently, one of Emily’s readers sent her a message, expressing her frustration over her fiancee’s enjoyment of video games and asking for advice. She thought the men needed to weigh in as well, so we recorded a special bonus episode focused on the question.

We do these bonus episodes about once a month, to thank those of you who make this podcast possi…

Before Emily and Chris headed off to Illinois, we sat down to chat about the good, the bad, and the necessary of Thanksgiving. Kate shared stories, Casey cracked jokes, Emily wept, and Chris philosophized. So, pretty much your typical episode, only this time with a side of gravy.

This episode of Visitation Sessions was brought to you with the help of Select International Tours, who is not only our favorite pilgrimage company because of their faith-filled tours, but also because of their work with Select to Give, a non-profit run by volunteers of Select International which provides material support to Christians living in the Holy Land. To learn more, visit selecttogive.org.

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Yes, Emily wrote another book. Yes, it’s getting obnoxious. And yes, we’re talking about it anyways. But, we’re also talking about aging and traveling and beer and Puritans and holiness and toxic teas and a whole lot more. It’s a great conversation, and we’re happy to have you join us for another episode of Visitation Sessions.

This episode of Visitation Sessions is brought to you by Select International Tours, winner of an innovation award from the Faith Travel Association for their Food and Faith pilgrimages. If you are a foodie or a wine connoisseur, who is looking to make a pilgrimage, check out the pilgrimages offered by Select International Tours.

Show Notes:

Sacred Wine: The Holy Heritage and History of Catholic Vintners

“Why Doesn’t Anyone Want to Make French Wine Anymore” by Josephine de La Bruyère

“Why the Germans Are Falling Out of Love With Beer” (The Economist)

Franciscan University Austrian Summer Experience

Shop the Chapman’s Online Bookstore

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Today, is the Feast of the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, an Italian religious sister who came to the United States to serve the Italian poor and ended up becoming one of the greatest forces for good in American history, founding dozens of orphanages, hospitals, and schools, during her 29 years in the States.

It’s also National Adoption Month, and we could think of no way better of honoring Mother Cabrini and furthering the conversation about adoption, than bringing in our good friend Dr. Kimberly Henkel, to talk with us about the importance of changing the adoption conversation in the Catholic Church today.

As the co-founder of two apostolates, Springs in the Desert and Springs of Love, which serve couples struggling with infertility and discerning/pursuing adoption, Kimberly is doing incredible work to serve families that are often forgotten about in the Church today. We loved talking with her and hope you find our conversation as helpful as we did.

Show Notes

Kimberly’s Story

Building Belonging

Springs in the Desert

Springs of Love

Sound of Freedom

Sound of Hope

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This week, we’re chatting about the pop culture phenomenon du jour, K-Pop Demon Hunters, plus the toxic culture of pop princesses, boy band fever, and cotton candy theology.

Show notes are few and far between, but here are the videos of the Ambiguous Dance Company that Chris used to show the kids when they were toddlers on the daily.

Higher Power (official dance video)

Higher Power/Extraterrestrial Transmission

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