
The Pillar Podcast
byThe Pillar Podcast
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Great Catholic Conversation, each week. www.pillarcatholic.com
Episodes(40 episodes)

Bonus: Winter storm chat
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comA big winter storm is coming, and JD is worried about Ed. Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar PodcastHaving issues? Email our producer Kate at kolivera@pillarcatholic.com
Published: Jan 24, 2026Duration: 1:31

E245 - Ep. 245: Fasting, abstinence, and what is a parish?
JD and Ed go ‘to the law’ to address two questions floating around the internet this week. This episode is brought to you by Catholic Money Academy. Make this the year you clean up your finances. The Wallet Win team can help you manage your money with virtue.Claim your 2-week extended free trial at CatholicMoneyAcademy.com/pillar This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe
Published: Jan 24, 2026Duration: 1:01:55

Bonus: Coach Flynn
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD details his basketball team’s recent win.Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar PodcastHaving issues? Email our producer Kate at kolivera@pillarcatholic.com
Published: Jan 17, 2026Duration: 1:31

E244 - Ep. 244: Contra men, and Fulton Sheen
The Vatican is expected to soon announce a date for the beatification of Archbishop Fulton Sheen. JD and Ed talk about why Sheen’s initial 2019 beatification date was delayed, and what they expect for his beatification.Then, Ed tests JD’s knowledge of gifts given to sitting U.S. presidents.This week’s episode is brought to you by “V8’s For Vocations,” which is raffling off a 1959 Chevy Apache truck.Proceeds support the education of seminarians in the Diocese of Gallup, N.M.Learn more at v8sforvocations.org-<...
Published: Jan 17, 2026Duration: 1:13:18

Bonus: "Hosie"
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD goes down a linguistic rabbit hole.Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar PodcastHaving issues? Email our producer Kate at kolivera@pillarcatholic.com
Published: Jan 9, 2026Duration: 1:31

E243 - Ep. 243: Let boring be boring, please
Ed is tan, rested, and ready to talk with JD about this week’s consistory in Rome. This week’s episode is brought to you by The BIG Catholic Planner and Calendar. Pillar readers get 20% off with code PILLAR at BigCatholicCalendar.com, for a limited time.-Photo credit: Cardinals meet in small groups Jan. 7 during a consistory of the College of Cardinals. Vatican Media. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subs...
Published: Jan 9, 2026Duration: 48:34

Bonus: Venezuela, with The Pillar's Edgar Beltrán
JD Flynn is joined by Pillar Rome Correspondent Edgar Beltrán to talk about the developing situation in Venezuela, the role of the local Church, and Edgar’s own experiences as a child and a young professional in the country. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe
Published: Jan 7, 2026Duration: 1:08:17

Bonus: Of course Mary knew!
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comJD and Ed talk about Christmas carols and gift giving in this bonus episode of the Pillar Podcast. Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar PodcastHaving issues? Email our producer Kate at …
Published: Dec 20, 2025Duration: 1:30

E242 - Ep. 242: Sing a new Hicks into being
The Archdiocese of New York has a new archbishop. JD and Ed talk about the bad takes on the appointment that saturated the internet and secular media.Ed plays a round of Christmas carol ‘Yes or No.’This episode is sponsored by The Lamp.The Lamp is the only magazine for Catholics seeking intelligent, witty, and clear-eyed commentary on the world, and right now it’s 40% off for Pillar listeners with the code PILLAR40 at thelampmagazine.com. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscr...
Published: Dec 20, 2025Duration: 1:05:01

Bonus: Strawberry milk, and a Venezuelan in Rome
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comEdgar Beltran joins the bonus episode to talk about his experience on the Pillar pilgrimage in Rome and more. Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar PodcastHaving issues? Email our produc…
Published: Dec 12, 2025Duration: 1:30

E241 - Ep. 241: China, Venezuela, and a slick transition
Ed unpacks the recent installation of a new bishop in China, and what it could signal about the state of the Vatican-China deal. Then, Pillar Rome correspondent Edgar Beltrán joins the podcast to talk about the situation of Cardinal Porras in Venezuela. This episode is sponsored by Carved Wood Cross, bringing you meaningful art made by human hands.There’s still time to order before Christmas! Get 20% off your order with promo code PILLAR.Learn more at CarvedWoodCross.Etsy.com This is a public episode. If you'd lik...
Published: Dec 12, 2025Duration: 56:18

E240 - Ep. 240: Women deacons, and room for better conversation?
A visit to a Capuchin crypt in Rome sparks a conversation about relics and the resurrection of the body.A Vatican commission says the Church should not proceed with a female deaconate. JD and Ed talk about Pope Leo XIV’s decision to publicize the commission’s findings, and how the findings may impact conversations about women in the Church.Then, Ed plays a round of Rome ‘Yes or No.’This episode is sponsored by The Lamp, the only magazine for Catholics seeking intelligent, witty, and clear-eyed commentary on the world.For a li...
Published: Dec 5, 2025Duration: 1:00:45

An event! A happening!
Don’t miss The Pillar’s Live Show Jubilee Roman Extravaganza!Thursday, December 4 at the Drunken Ship Pub in Rome’s Piazza Campo de’ Fiori. We’ll start at 8pm.Be there. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe
Published: Nov 27, 2025Duration: 1:33

E239 - Ep. 239: Turkey in Turkey, and unity with the Orthodox
Pope Leo XIV released this week an apostolic letter about ecumenism, in anticipation of his Turkey Day trip to Turkey. JD and Ed talk about the apostolic letter, and ask what it could take to achieve ecumenism with the Orthodox Churches.Then, Ed plays a round of Thanksgiving ‘Yes or No’ and ‘Good, Better, Best.’This episode is sponsored by the BIG Catholic Calendar and Planner.You shouldn’t have to pick between getting things done and living a full Catholic life. With The BIG Catholic Planner and Calendar, you don’t have to. Its 3-ph...
Published: Nov 26, 2025Duration: 1:08:42

Bonus: Live from Notre Dame!
JD and Ed talk about evangelization and tradition at the University of Notre Dame in this live taping of The Pillar Podcast.This episode features conversations with Jennifer Martin, director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture, and Lucy Spence, editor-in-chief of the Irish Rover.This live recording of The Pillar Podcast was sponsored by the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture.Learn more at ethicscenter.nd.edu-The Main Building at the University of Notre Dame. Credit: Matthew Rice/wikimedia. CC BY SA 4.0 <...
Published: Nov 22, 2025Duration: 1:09:02

Bonus: What Leo didn't say, and the end of Christendom
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comEd was surprised by what Pope Leo XIV didn’t say during his virtual meeting today with young people.Then, Ed and JD talk about Cardinal Matteo Zuppi’s address this week to the Italian bishops’ conference.Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your S…
Published: Nov 22, 2025Duration: 1:30

E238 - Ep. 238: Pope Leo meets with young people, and the pension crisis
Pope Leo XIV’s virtual conversation today with young people at NCYC sparks a conversation about the evolving relationship Catholics have with the petrine office.Then, JD details his reporting on the collapse of a major Catholic pension fund.This episode is sponsored by Decided Excellence Catholic Media, helping Catholic parishes start their own parish magazines for the purposes of communication and evangelization.To learn more about bringing a magazine to your parish, visit decidedexcellence.com/parishTo learn more about starting your own Catholic magazine, visit decided excellence.com/join-our-team...
Published: Nov 22, 2025Duration: 1:01:39

Bonus: Bishop or bot?
During this week’s live show in Baltimore, JD and the audience compete in a round of ‘Bishop or Bot?’ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe
Published: Nov 14, 2025Duration: 14:21

E237 - Ep. 237: Live (and united) from Baltimore!
JD and Ed recap the U.S. bishops’ fall meeting in Baltimore this week.Then, JD plays a round of French retirement ‘Yes or No.’ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.pillarcatholic.com/subscribe
Published: Nov 14, 2025Duration: 1:01:17

Bonus: The catechetical content we need
This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.comOscar cams. Consider it, bishops!Are you a paying subscriber?* Visit pillarcatholic.com/listen on your phone* Check the top right corner of the webpage to ensure you are logged into your Substack account.* Tap ‘set up podcast’ next to The Pillar PodcastHaving issues? Email our producer Kate at kolivera@pillarcatholic.com
Published: Nov 7, 2025Duration: 1:31