<![CDATA[The Pillar: The Pillar Podcast]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/s/the-pillar-podcasthttps://substackcdn.com/image/fetch/$s_!ktjI!,w_256,c_limit,f_auto,q_auto:good,fl_progressive:steep/https%3A%2F%2Fbucketeer-e05bbc84-baa3-437e-9518-adb32be77984.s3.amazonaws.com%2Fpublic%2Fimages%2Fe1d84de5-dbcf-4987-8cad-e8e485283932_300x300.pngThe Pillar: The Pillar Podcasthttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/s/the-pillar-podcastSubstackThu, 30 Apr 2026 15:31:52 GMT<![CDATA[Bonus: Crazy or prophet? ]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-crazy-or-prophethttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-crazy-or-prophetFri, 24 Apr 2026 23:25:13 GMTEd explains why the Benevacantism conspiracy theory is back in the news this week.

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 258: Pope on a plane]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-258-pope-on-a-planehttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-258-pope-on-a-planeFri, 24 Apr 2026 23:21:20 GMTJD and Ed talk about Pope Leo XIV’s in-flight press conference this week. Then, JD talks about a new database system being tested in dioceses in Brazil.

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This episode is sponsored by the St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry, a Catholic graduate school that seeks to reunite theology, prayer, and sanctity by providing a true formation of mind and heart led by a personal encounter with Christ while studying theology and philosophy in and from the heart of the Church.

You can learn more by visiting stbernards.edu

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Pope Leo XIV speaks to reporters during a papal flight April 21. Credit: Vatican Media.

]]><![CDATA[Bonus: Sports Chat]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-sports-chathttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-sports-chatSun, 19 Apr 2026 02:39:28 GMTEd shares a New Jersey basketball story

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 257: Leo in Africa, and questions without answers]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-257-leo-in-africa-and-questionshttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-257-leo-in-africa-and-questionsSun, 19 Apr 2026 02:32:25 GMTJD and Ed talk about Pope Leo XIV’s trip to Africa and his letter to the College of Cardinals.

Ed plays a round of First Communion ‘Yes or No.’

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This episode is sponsored by the Institute for Liturgical Formation at Christendom College Graduate School of Theology. This summer, consider spending four weeks immersed in reverent liturgy and rigorous academics.

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]]><![CDATA[Bonus: A question of etiquette]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-a-question-of-etiquettehttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-a-question-of-etiquetteFri, 10 Apr 2026 22:50:39 GMTEd asks JD a question of etiquette.

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 256: War, peace, and the meeting]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-256-war-peace-and-the-meetinghttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-256-war-peace-and-the-meetingFri, 10 Apr 2026 22:46:17 GMTJD and Ed talk about the January meeting between the Vatican’s then-nuncio to the United States and the Department of Defense. JD asks about Pope Leo XIV’s approach to just war.

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This episode is brought to you by the Catholic Education Fund, an initiative of Aequitas Education in partnership with ACE Scholarships.

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]]><![CDATA[Bonus: Wildcat]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-wildcathttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-wildcatThu, 02 Apr 2026 20:32:00 GMTEd asks JD for his take on Pope Leo’s plans for a consistory of cardinals in June.

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 255: Yard work and yard goats]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-255-yard-work-and-yard-goatshttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-255-yard-work-and-yard-goatsThu, 02 Apr 2026 20:24:17 GMTJD and Ed talk about the nature of Holy Saturday.

Ed plays a round of MiLB team name trivia.

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This episode is brought to you by The Cristeros, a new movement of faithful Catholic men committed to prayer, formation and brotherhood.

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]]><![CDATA[Bonus: Pillar Homes and Gardens]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-pillar-homes-and-gardenshttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-pillar-homes-and-gardensSat, 28 Mar 2026 00:34:28 GMTA foolproof plan and a wounded man.

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 254: Not hat chat, and how did we get here?]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-254-not-hat-chat-and-how-did-wehttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-254-not-hat-chat-and-how-did-weSat, 28 Mar 2026 00:27:23 GMTJD and Ed talk about the sobering case of Noelia Castillo Ramos. Then, the Dicastery for Legislative Texts has a new prefect.

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 253: Live from Chicago!]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-253-live-from-chicagohttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-253-live-from-chicagoSat, 21 Mar 2026 02:04:59 GMTWe were going to squirrel away this week’s live recording in Chicago in The Pillar’s secret archives, but it was too good a time not to share.

Learn more about Aid for Women Chicago here: aidforwomen.org/

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Production and photography by Kyle Heimann.

]]><![CDATA[Bonus: Chicago chat]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-chicago-chathttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-chicago-chatFri, 13 Mar 2026 22:45:51 GMTDo you like sport peppers?

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Don’t miss the next live recording of The Pillar Podcast on March 19 in Chicago!

We’ll meet at 7 pm at the Nisei Lounge (3439 N. Sheffield Ave.) and we’ll probably start making the show around 8 pm.

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 252: The last straw in a long story]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-252-the-last-straw-in-a-long-storyhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-252-the-last-straw-in-a-long-storyFri, 13 Mar 2026 22:41:12 GMTJD and Ed give an update on Bishop Emanuel Shaleta. Then, they talk about the danger of ecclesial spectatorism.

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-

Don’t miss the next live recording of The Pillar Podcast on March 19 in Chicago!

We’ll meet at 7 pm at the Nisei Lounge (3439 N. Sheffield Ave).

]]><![CDATA[Bonus: Ed's quandary]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-eds-quandaryhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-eds-quandarySat, 07 Mar 2026 03:43:00 GMTEd asks JD for advice.

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 251: What’s next for Bishop Shaleta?]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-251-whats-next-for-bishop-shaletahttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-251-whats-next-for-bishop-shaletaSat, 07 Mar 2026 03:24:50 GMTJD and Ed talk about the unprecedented arrest this week of Chaldean Catholic Bishop Emanuel Shaleta.

Then, Ed plays a round of your new favorite Pillar Podcast game ‘Better Know a Currency.’

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This episode is brought to you by The Cristeros, a new movement of faithful Catholic men committed to prayer, formation and brotherhood.

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]]><![CDATA[Bonus: Resounding gongs or clashing cymbals]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-should-we-have-the-conversationhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-should-we-have-the-conversationTue, 03 Mar 2026 18:08:18 GMTHow can Christians be prophets in the modern world?

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]]><![CDATA[Bonus: The Bug]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-the-bughttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-the-bugSat, 28 Feb 2026 03:26:09 GMTWatches and a bug.

JD and Ed will record the rest of this week’s bonus episode early next week.

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]]><![CDATA[Ep. 250: Reasonable people, and a lack of conclusions]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-250-reasonable-people-and-a-lackhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-250-reasonable-people-and-a-lackFri, 27 Feb 2026 22:08:14 GMTJD and Ed talk about the reassignment of a bishop in the Ivory Coast— and the lack of transparency around the reassignment.

Then, they detail the case of a Chaldean Catholic bishop accused of embezzling hundreds of thousands of dollars from his cathedral’s charity fund.

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This episode is brought to you by St. Bernard’s School of Theology and Ministry.

St. Bernard’s is a Catholic graduate school that seeks to reunite theology, prayer, and sanctity by providing a true formation of mind and heart led by a personal encounter with Christ while studying theology and philosophy in and from the heart of the Church.

You can learn more by visiting their website: stbernards.edu

- Read Bishop Erik Varden’s Lenten reflections here, beginning with ‘Entering Lent’ on February 22: coramfratribus.com/life-illumined/

]]><![CDATA[Ep. 249: It is schism]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-249-it-is-schismhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/ep-249-it-is-schismFri, 20 Feb 2026 22:13:48 GMTThe Society of St. Pius X released a batch of statements this week related to their plans to consecrate new bishops this summer, without a papal mandate.

JD and Ed talk about the documents— specifically one titled ‘Annex II.’

You can read Annex II here: Order and Jurisdiction: The Futility of the Schism Accusation

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This episode is brought to you by the Institute for Liturgical Formation at Christendom College Graduate School of Theology.

This summer, consider attending the Institute for Liturgical Formation, spending four weeks immersed in reverent liturgy and rigorous academics.

Learn more at christendom.edu/liturgy

]]><![CDATA[Bonus: Scatology and eschatology ]]>https://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-scatology-and-eschatologyhttps://www.pillarcatholic.com/p/bonus-scatology-and-eschatologySat, 14 Feb 2026 02:44:52 GMTJD and Ed answer a canon law question from readers.

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