Catholic Theology Show

“And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is love.” - 1 Corinthians 13 On this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes Suzanne Bilodeau, host of Latte and Laundry and editor of She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood. They discuss how motherhood can reveal our need for God, loosen the grip of perfectionism, and teach us to trust his providence. Suzanne also shares why she stepped away from social media, how 1 Corinthians 13 shaped her book, and what it means to find peace in your vocation without comparing your life to someone else’s. Whether you’re a parent, discerning your vocation, or longing to love more freely, this conversation offers encouragement to begin again in the knowledge that you are God’s beloved son or daughter. Resources: She Loved: Resting in the Beauty of Motherhood (Ascension Press) Suzzanne’s podcast, Latte and Laundry Related Episodes: The Philosophy of Motherhood w/ Dr. Janice Chik Breidenbach | Ep. 9 The Lost…

What can G.K. Chesterton teach us about classical education, the Catholic faith, and the work of C.S. Lewis? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dale Ahlquist, president of the Society of G.K. Chesterton and the Chesterton Schools Network, to explore Chesterton’s enduring influence on Catholic thought, education, and literature. Ahlquist explains how classical education forms students in truth, goodness, and beauty, integrating the arts, philosophy, virtue, and the Catholic faith. He also discusses Chesterton’s ability to challenge modern assumptions through paradox, his conviction that existence itself is a gift, and why gratitude is essential to a joyful life. Resources: Knight of the Holy Ghost: A Short History of G.K. Chesterton by Dale Ahlquist Related Episodes: America’s 250th & What Chesterton Saw in America w/ Susan Hanssen An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology with Joseph Pearce | Ep. 21 G.K. Chesterton’s Orthodoxy and God’s Creation w/ Fr. Joseph…

How can recovering a sense of wonder at creation lead us closer to Jesus Christ? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Professor Christopher Thompson, Dean of Saint Paul Seminary, to explore “Green Thomism” and the Catholic vision of creation through the thought of St. Thomas Aquinas. They discuss our modern “nature deficit disorder,” the intelligibility and beauty of creation, the effects of original sin, the distinction between human and animal death, and the relationship between ecology and Catholic moral theology. Professor Thompson also explains how creation can serve as a “window” toward God, why Catholics should not separate care for creation from their relationship with Christ, and how all of this ultimately comes together in the Eucharist, where bread and wine—fruits of creation and human labor—are offered back to the Father in Christ. Resources: The Joyful Mystery: Field Notes Toward a Green Thomism Related Episodes: Finding God in Nature and in the…

What does the Catholic Church actually teach about justification? Why did it become such a major point of division during the Protestant Reformation? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Michael Root, Emeritus Professor at The Catholic University of America and a former Lutheran, to explore the Council of Trent’s teaching on justification. They discuss faith, grace, baptism, the sacraments, good works, merit, and the Catholic understanding of how God’s grace transforms us from within. Dr. Root also shares his own journey from Lutheranism into the Catholic Church and explains how his study of Aquinas, grace, and human cooperation ultimately led him across the Tiber. Together, they explore how Catholics can recover the joy and confidence of justification, not by trusting in our own accomplishments, but by trusting in the grace of Christ, who continually works in us and brings His work to completion. Resources: Affirmations and Admonitions: Lutheran Decisions and…

What can the ancient Christian tradition of the Middle East teach us about living the Catholic faith today? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes Bishop Francois Beyrouti, Eparchial Bishop of Newton, to explore the history, beauty, and mission of the Melkite Catholic Church. From the early Christians of Antioch to the challenges facing Christians in a post-secular world, Bishop Beyrouti shares how the Church’s ancient faith remains deeply relevant today. The conversation explores the relationship between theology and evangelization, the importance of knowing and living the faith, the meaning of suffering, the beauty of the liturgy, and practical ways to grow closer to Jesus Christ. Bishop Beyrouti also shares his personal journey to the priesthood and the lessons he has learned from studying Scripture, the Church Fathers, and the living Tradition of the Church. Resources: Melkite Catholic Eparchy of Newton Related Episodes: Chastity and Mercy in a Secular World w/…

How do we disconnect from distractions and discover intimacy with God? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Matt Fradd, host of Pints with Aquinas podcast and author of Jesus Our Refuge, for a wide-ranging conversation about encountering Christ, Thomas Aquinas, prayer, spiritual growth, technology, community, and the struggle to live an authentically Christian life in a distracted age. He describes the history of his hugely popular Pints with Aquinas podcast and what it was like to bring it to The Daily Wire. Matt shares the story of his conversion, why St. Thomas Aquinas remains so relevant today, they discuss one of the great spiritual challenges of our age: distraction. From smartphones and social media to endless news and digital entertainment, modern technology can fragment our attention and weaken our experience of genuine community. Matt shares his experience of taking an extended break from his phone and computer and offers practical advice for…

What can the Gospel of Matthew reveal about Jesus, His Kingdom, and the Church He established? Dr. Edward Sri, author, theologian, Vice President of Formation at FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students), and visiting Professor at Ave Maria University, joins Dr. Michael Dauphinais to explore the deeper structure of Matthew's Gospel and the connections it makes between Jesus, David's kingdom, Peter, and the authority Christ gives to His Church. This conversation also explores what Matthew reveals about the Christian life, including the Father's loving gaze, forgiveness, evangelization, the Sacraments, and Christ's promise to remain with His Church. Resources: The Gospel of Matthew by Curtis Mitch & Edward Sri Dr. Edward Sri’s Website God With Us: Encountering Jesus in the Gospel of Matthew by Edward Sri Related Episodes: Understanding the Gospel in a Digital World w/ Dr. Edward Sri | Ep. 105 How to Be Overwhelmed by the Gospel w/ Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P. | Ep. 199

How does the Shroud of Turin show the risen Christ? Hair falling to the shoulders, facial shadows from overhead light, and an unflattened back all point to a man lifted up, just as Jesus promised in the Gospel of John. This episode’s guest, Dr. Gilbert Lavoie, is a physician specializing in internal medicine, occupational medicine and public health. For more than forty years he has conducted a forensic study of the Shroud of Turin, focusing on the blood marks, anatomical details of the image, and their alignment with the Crucifixion and the Gospel of John. He is the author of several works on the Shroud, most recently, The Shroud of Jesus and the Sign John Ingeniously Concealed, and has contributed to the Ave Maria University Shroud of Turin exhibit. From the off-image blood mark that first convinced a skeptical physician to microscopic fibers, first-century dating evidence, and the three-dimensional sculpture now at Ave Maria University, this conversation weaves science, Scripture, and the mystery of the…

In this powerful episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with author and scholar Joseph Pearce to uncover the astonishing courage and heroic fidelity to Christ and his Catholic Church of the English martyrs. Drawing from Pearce’s book Faith of Our Fathers: A History of True England, they bring to life the stories of saints such as Thomas More, John Fisher, Edmund Campion, Margaret Clitherow, Robert Southwell, and Nicholas Owen, ordinary men and women who chose Christ over comfort, freedom and even life itself. From persecution under Henry VIII and Elizabeth I, to the hidden priest holes and secret Masses that kept the faith alive for three centuries, Pearce shows why these heroes represent the “true England.” You’ll also hear how their witness paved the way for the great Catholic revival led by figures such as St. John Henry Newman, and the timeless lessons of humility, fidelity, and the Cross that still speak to us today. May all the English Catholic Martyrs, pray for…

Catholic teachings can be misunderstood as just a set of rules, but in this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Bishop Thomas Paprocki and Dr. Dauphinais dive into how what looks like rules are paths to freedom and grace. Drawing from more than fifty years of priestly ministry and over two decades as a bishop, Bishop Paprocki reflects his vocation, discuss the future of young Catholics in the Church, marriage, discipleship, the role of faith, and a future filled with hope. Bishop Paprocki offers practical wisdom on courage, trust and hope, encouraging Catholics to live their faith confidently in a world that challenges Christian beliefs. Encountering Christ in Secular Society w/ Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone | Ep. 52 Resources: From Christendom to Apostolic Mission by Monsignor James Shea Additional resources mentioned include the SEEK Conference hosted by FOCUS Ave Maria University School of Law

Join Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Dr. Scott Hahn, founder of the Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology, for a rich, eye-opening journey through 1–2 Chronicles. These books pulse with God’s relentless love, revealing how He weaves covenant, kingship, temple, and liturgy into one sweeping story of salvation.Hahn and Dauphinais pull back the curtain on the history, and theological depth that make Chronicles the vital bridge between the Old and New Testaments. You’ll discover why these pages matter more than most people realize, and how they prepare the way for Christ. This conversation also marks the release of Dr. Hahn’s new book: Kingdom Come: Unveiling the Mystery of Salvation History, A Study of 1–2 Chronicles (co-authored with Celeste Fortenberry, Emmaus Road Publishing, mid-2026). Come ready to see Scripture with fresh eyes, and a fuller heart. Resources: Holy People, Holy Land' by Dr. Dauphinais and Michael Levering Related episodes: Catholics In Exile w/ Dr. Scott Hahn | Ep. 106 ▶ Help support Ave Maria…

What if the Bible isn’t just a collection of laws and stories, but the original romantic comedy with the happiest ending of all time? Discover how marriage reveals the very heart of God’s Trinitarian love and why recovering this vision is urgent for our culture today. In this rich conversation on The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes Dr. John Bergsma, author of ⁠The Bible and Marriage: The Two Shall Become One Flesh by John Bergsma⁠ to explore how marriage stands at the very center of God’s plan for humanity, from Adam and Eve’s original communion, through the covenants and prophetic love stories like Hosea, to Jesus as the Bridegroom who prepares a place for His Church. Together they recover the beautiful biblical vision of companionate, indissoluble, self-giving love, address common misunderstandings about the Old Testament, polygamy, headship, and Ephesians 5, and show how the entire scriptural narrative is ultimately a divine romance culminating in the Wedding Feast of the Lamb.…

In this powerful episode of the Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes His Excellency Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone of San Francisco. They discuss the heart of Christian courage, the beauty and truth of the Church’s timeless teachings on marriage and human flourishing, and the urgent need to recover reverence in the celebration of the Holy Mass. Archbishop Cordileone shares insights on the Benedict XVI Institute for Sacred Music and Divine Worship, the new Reverent Liturgy Project, the power of sacred music (including the Mass of the Americas), Ad Orientem worship, kneeling for Communion, silence in church, active participation, and how beauty draws souls to Christ. They also explore personal encounter with Jesus, evangelization through genuine friendship, the integration of faith and reason (logica latria), and why the Church’s tradition remains a source of joy and communion in a secular age. A rich conversation filled with wisdom, hope, and practical encouragement for priests,…

Drawing on Scripture the Church Fathers, the parable of the Good Samaritan, personal stories, and rich analogies including black holes, heart transplants and the Sistine Chapel, Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P., shows how the Gospel moves from background noise to a life-changing encounter with Jesus Christ. In this powerful episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes Fr. Gabriel Gillen, O.P., Dominican Friary and National Chaplain for FOCUS to explore how we can move from mere knowledge of the faith to being truly overwhelmed by the Gospel. Fr. Gillen unpacks the Five R’s that form a clear, compelling presentation of the kerygma, the proclamation of the Gospel , the Five R’s are revealed in the episode! Whether you’re a longtime Catholic or someone rediscovering the faith, this conversation will deepen your wonder at God’s plan of salvation and inspire you to live it more fully. Understanding the Gospel in a Digital World w/ Dr. Edward Sri | Ep. 105 The Gospel in the Cosmos: Out of…

Every moment of Jesus’ life is for our transformation and an invitation to be united with Him. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes back Father Dominic Legge, O.P., President of the Pontifical Faculty of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C., and former Director of the Thomistic Institute. Aquinas devotes an entire section to what Jesus did and suffered, from His conception and baptism, through His transfiguration, passion, and death, to His resurrection and ascension. Fr. Legge unpacks the importance of these mysteries and how they reveal God’s plan for humanity, and what it means to be united to Christ through His grace and the Sacraments. Resources: Thomistic Institute Aquinas 101 video series and Aquinas' treatment of the mysteries of Christ's life in the Summa Theologiae. A lecture by Karen Oberg on the theology and science of water, and the book They Flew by Carlos Eire. Explore the work of the Dominican House of Studies and the broader Thomistic…

Did you know that G.K. Chesterton visited America 100 years ago and wrote about his observations and encountered in the book What I Saw in America? In honor of the 250th Anniversary of the United States of America, Dr. Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Susan Hanssen, associate professor of history at the University of Dallas, to discuss the history of the country through G.K. Chesterton’s eyes. Together they unpack what Chesterton meant when he said America was “the only nation in the world that is founded upon a creed" of equality, freedom, and governance as well as his prescient and prophetic cautions about the progressivism of the post-WWI era and its creeping totalitarianism and servitude. Finally, they consider how Chesterton distinguished between what he called America's "shadows" and the great "light of America" that he thought the rest of the world needed to see. Celebrate the 250th Anniversary of the United States with The Catholic Theology Show! Public Discourse and writings from Susan Hanssen:…

What do women need not just to survive, but to truly thrive in today’s culture?This episode features a conversation on why so many women feel overwhelmed despite having a strong faith, the difference between spiritual formation and human formation, and the habits, virtues, and practical skills needed to flourish. Dr. Michael Dauphinais and January Donovan, founder of The Woman’s School and Catholic Feminine Formation, explore growth mindset versus fixed mindset, how culture shape's identity and self-worth, and the importance of rewiring the mind through truth and repetition. Together, they discuss the feminine genius, the vision of the "New Woman," why Our Lady remains the model of feminine excellence, how success is better understood as wholeness rather than achievement, and the unique role Catholic women can play in leading a culture of renewal. January shares her remarkable personal story of healing, conversion, marriage, motherhood, and the inspiration behind her mission. January shares a vision based…

What is expected of Catholics when every company, institution and system seems morally compromised? Can Catholics buy coffee from companies with immoral policies? Can Catholics pay taxes to governments that fund evil? How are Catholics supposed to live in the world but not be of the world?In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais is joined by Fr. Ryan Connors to explore one of the most difficult questions in Catholic moral theology through the wisdom of Thomas Aquinas. Drawing from his book ‘Rethinking Cooperation with Evil: A Virtue-Based Approach,’ Fr. Connors explains why Aquinas approaches morality not as a system of rules but a path towards freedom, virtue and happiness that ultimately leads to Eternal life. If you struggle with moral anxiety and seek clarity on Catholic ethics or want to better understand virtue and freedom, this episode is for you.Resources:Rethinking Cooperation with Evil: A Virtue-Based Approach by Fr. Ryan Connors (Catholic University of America Press,…

Today's Release is a collaboration with The Magdala Ministries Podcast! Today on the podcast, Rachael Killackey sits down with theologian, podcast host, and Magdala board member, Dr. Michael Dauphinais, to discuss The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis. They talk about the healing imagery within this great work, the story of the red lizard and the white horse, and what we can learn about redemption from the souls in the story. Special thanks to The Catholic Theology Show team for editing this episode and lending their studio to us. Please check out their show below! Welcome to a place of honesty, hope, and healing for women struggling with sexual addiction. We’re so glad you’re here.

What does Moses have to do with Jesus—and why does it matter for Catholics today? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes back author, filmmaker, and Catholic convert Steve Ray for a sweeping exploration of the life of Saint Moses and his enduring significance for understanding Christ, the Church, and the Sacraments. Drawing from Scripture, Church tradition, and decades of leading pilgrimages through the Holy Land, Steve unpacks how the story of Moses serves as the foundation for understanding Jesus as the New Moses and the Christian life as a New Exodus. Together, Michael and Steve explore the burning bush, the divine name “I AM,” the Passover, the crossing of the Red Sea, the manna in the wilderness, the Tabernacle, and the Promised Land—revealing how each points forward to Christ and finds its fulfillment in the New Covenant. The conversation also highlights how the early Church interpreted the Exodus as the pattern for Christian initiation, illuminating the…

The sacred liturgy is not a matter of personal preference or style it is the living heart of the Church’s worship and the clearest expression of her faith in Christ. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Ave Maria University welcomes Jesuit priest, publisher, and theologian Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press and founding provost of Ave Maria University. Drawing on decades of theological reflection and his collaboration with Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI), Fr. Fessio reflects on Sacrosanctum Concilium and the meaning of actuosa participatio. He argues that true participation in the Mass is primarily interior—an attentive, living union with Christ in His sacrifice—and explores the continuity of the Church’s liturgical tradition, from Latin and Gregorian chant to the Roman Canon and the orientation of prayer. The conversation also engages Benedict XVI’s vision of the “reform of the reform” and the call to recover reverence, silence, and sacred order in the Eucharist. Resources:…

Speech is made for communion—it’s meant to bind people together in truth and charity—but in a fallen world it so often does the opposite, slipping into distortion, division, and harm. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dominican theologian Fr. Gregory Pine to discuss his book Training the Tongue: Growing Beyond the Sins of Speech. Drawing on the Epistle of James and the moral psychology of St. Thomas Aquinas, Fr. Pine reframes the task at hand: the goal isn’t merely to “tame” the tongue as if it were a wild animal, but to train it—forming it through virtue so that truthful, charitable speech becomes second nature, and patterns like lying, gossip, and complaint gradually lose their grip. Resources with Fr. Gergory Pine: Fr. Pine's Godsplaining Podcast Official site of the Thomistic Institute, where Fr. Gregory Pine serves as Assistant Director Related Episodes: Spiritual Theology According to Aquinas with Fr. Gregory Pine | Ep. 74 The Summa for Beginners: The…

Why do the most beautiful places on earth sometimes fill us with deep awe and wonder and yet other times leave us feeling empty? In this episode, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. John Nepil about his book To Heights and Unto Depths, exploring how the beauty of nature can either deepen faith or become a substitute for it. Drawing from a 486-mile trek on the Colorado Trail, Fr. Nepil reflects on suffering, community, and the search for meaning, while addressing modern philosophies that promote self-creation over communion with God. The conversation also touches on hell, conversion, and how practices like prayer and the sacraments help us rediscover a life rooted in Christ. Relevant Episodes: The Catholic Calling to Environmental Stewardship w/Dr. Shepard | Ep. 96

Why did a writer who defended so many deeply Catholic ideas stop just short of becoming Catholic—and what can that tell us about faith, history, and influence? In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and ⁠Joseph Pearce⁠ ⁠ explore the fascinating tension at the heart of C.S. Lewis’ life and thought. Mr. Pearce is a Visiting Professor Literature at Ave Maria University and author of C. S. Lewis and the Catholic Church, published by ⁠Ignatius Press⁠. They highlight why Lewis remains essential reading for Catholics, pointing to his strong affirmation of doctrines like purgatory, sacramental life, and the inseparable unity of faith and reason. Pearce and Dauphinais reflect on the paradox that Lewis’ distance from Catholicism may have expanded his reach, making him a trusted voice for non-Catholics while quietly leading many readers toward the Church. While also highlighting Pearce's books: C.S Lewis and the Catholic Church⁠ Relevant Episodes: Why Catholics Should read the Classics…

What if our modern obsession with justice is actually missing its foundation? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais and Fr. Stephen Brock explore the meaning of justice through the lens of Thomas Aquinas. They contrast the classical view of justice as a virtue—a habit of giving others what is due—with modern approaches that reduce it to rights, power, or social systems, often influenced by thinkers like Thomas Hobbes. Fr. Brock argues that today’s intense desire for justice can become distorted when separated from God, leading to frustration, false solutions, or utopian thinking. Drawing on Aristotle and the Christian tradition, the conversation highlights how justice begins in the moral character of the person, is formed within the family, and ultimately finds its fulfillment in God, who alone can fully set things right. The episode offers a concise but rich reflection on virtue, society, and the deeper meaning of justice in a world searching for it. Check these out: The…

What happens when timeless stories of faith are told in a way that feels immediate, human, and deeply personal? In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Peter Atkinson about the vision behind The Merry Beggars and its rapid growth through audio storytelling. Peter recounts his path from Ave Maria University to pursuing acting, and how an unexpected pivot during the pandemic led to a creative breakthrough. Now working with Relevant Radio, The Merry Beggars produces immersive audio dramas that present the lives of the saints in a compelling and accessible format for modern audiences. Throughout the conversation, they emphasize the importance of portraying saints as fully human—people who struggled, suffered, and chose courage and faith. These stories, they explain, help listeners better understand their own spiritual journeys, especially in moments of difficulty and doubt. The episode also explores themes of ongoing conversion, the meaning of suffering, and the reality…

Poetry is far more than personal expression; it is a contemplative encounter with reality itself. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Ave Maria University welcomes poet, critic, and theologian James Matthew Wilson, Cullen Foundation Chair in English Literature and Director of the MFA Program in Creative Writing at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. Professor Wilson explores how the Catholic imagination restores the unity of truth, goodness, and beauty. Drawing from Augustine, Aquinas, Dante, and Benedict XVI, he shows beauty as the splendor of being—the force that first draws us into wonder and ultimately leads us to contemplative praise. Through readings from his collection Saint Thomas and the Forbidden Birds, Wilson illustrates how disciplined poetic form becomes an act of doxology, responding to the divine love that precedes and sustains all creation. Related Episodes: An Introduction to Chestertonian Theology with Joseph Pearce The Theology of Tolkien w/ Joseph Pearce Tolkiens…

What does it really mean to be a man in a culture that often confuses strength with dominance and softness with compassion? In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Michael Dauphinais welcomes Fr. James Mason for a focused discussion on a largely overlooked challenge in priestly formation: the vice of effeminacy. Drawing on his article, “The Forgotten Vice in Seminary Formation,” Fr. Mason explains effeminacy in the Thomistic sense as a lack of fortitude—an undue softness that hinders authentic masculine virtue. He situates this vice within a broader crisis of masculinity, outlining a continuum between healthy masculinity—marked by sacrificial love, perseverance, and responsibility—and its distortions: effeminacy on one side and machismo on the other. The conversation also highlights the complementary vocations of men and women, emphasizing masculine self-sacrifice modeled in Christ. Grounded in Scripture, tradition, and recent Church history, Fr. Mason offers practical ways to cultivate fortitude,…

Storytelling is intensely human, and is the matter of our own humanity. In this CTS episode, Ave Maria University alumnus, filmmaker, Director of Dramatic Arts & Fellow in Catholic Studies at the University of Mary (Bismarck, ND), and founder of Canticle Productions, Daniel Bielinski, shares his faith, everything that goes into making film and the art of storytelling. Dr. Dauphinais engages with Bielinski on the logistics of creating and writing film productions, the theology of movies, what stories can do for us, and how stories allow us to understand that we are a part of God's story. Daniel discusses his recent film Hazel’s Heart, based on a young girl’s sacrificial love during a North Dakota blizzard, and his upcoming project Medora, which examines marriage and sacrifice on the historical frontier. He walks through the filmmaking process—from discovering a story to writing, producing, and distributing—while stressing the need to uncover the deeper “heart” in real events. Related Catholic Theology Show…

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes back Joseph Pearce—acclaimed author, literary scholar, and Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University (currently teaching an intensive course on G.K. Chesterton)—for a rigorous examination of the place of pre-Christian ("pagan") Greco-Roman literature in the formation of the Catholic mind. The discussion engages longstanding theological questions: Should Christians read Homer, Virgil, and Sophocles? Drawing on patristic sources such as St. Basil the Great's Address to Young Men on the Right Use of Greek Literature, the episode addresses early tensions (e.g., Jerome's dream challenging devotion to Cicero, Tertullian's query "What has Athens to do with Jerusalem?") while affirming the providential role of Hellenic culture in preparatio evangelica—preparing the intellectual and imaginative soil for the Gospel, as articulated in Pope Benedict XVI's Regensburg Address. Pearce elucidates how these classics illuminate…

Whether you are starting your career, a CEO, or a college student, this episode is for you. In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais welcomes Jeff Schiefelbein, Managing Partner of Undivided Life, to explore the Catholic theology of work as a true vocation. Drawing on the Pontifical document The Vocation of the Business Leader (“the bane of man’s existence is the divided life”), Vatican II’s Decree on the Apostolate of the Laity, John Paul II’s Laborem Exercens, and St. Josemaría Escrivá’s call to sanctify ordinary labor, they present work as co-creation with God—neither ruthless nor monastic, but permeated with Christian generosity. Key themes include: subsidiarity as the path to agency, mastery, and human formation (in business and family); pitfalls like fear-driven centralization, judgmental language, passive conformity (“going along to get along”), and inadequate miscarriage bereavement policies; remedies through neutral outcome-focused feedback, bold faith witness, and…

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Dr. Carrie Gress, author of The End of Woman: How Smashing the Patriarchy Has Destroyed Us. The conversation explores the historical, philosophical, and theological roots of modern feminism and its cultural impact. Dr. Gress reflects on her academic journey in philosophy and explains how her research led her to examine the intellectual foundations of feminist thought. The discussion traces early feminist figures such as Mary Wollstonecraft and her work A Vindication of the Rights of Woman, highlighting key themes related to the redefinition of womanhood. The conversation then turns to second-wave feminism, including the influence of Betty Friedan and The Feminine Mystique, as well as Simone de Beauvoir and The Second Sex. Dr. Gress discusses how certain feminist movements intersected with broader political ideologies and how these developments shaped contemporary understandings of sex, family, and social roles. Throughout the…

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Christopher Kaczor, Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, Honorary Professor of the Renewal of Catholic Life at the Word on Fire Institute, and President of the American Catholic Philosophical Association, on his recent publication Is Belief Believable? Reasoning About God from Plato and Aquinas to C.S. Lewis and Jordan Peterson (Ave Maria Press, 2025). The discussion explores Aquinas' preambles of faith, including per se causality (illustrated through atmospheric pressure and ongoing creation), and the mysteries of revelation as God's self-disclosure, enabling intimate communion beyond rational limits.Central to the dialogue is Christianity's soteriological essence: not mere ethical guidance or societal cohesion, but salvation from sin through Christ's passion, death, and resurrection. Kaczor critiques reductions of the Gospel to moralism, emphasizing grace's role in transforming deceitful desires.…

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais engages Dr. Chad Pecknold, Associate Professor of Theology at The Catholic University of America and Theologian in Residence at the Basilica of St. Mary in Alexandria, Virginia, on his recent work Fire on the Altar: Setting Our Souls Ablaze through Augustine's Confessions. Pecknold offers a rigorously Catholic interpretation of Augustine's Confessions, countering experiential-expressivist and individualistic readings prevalent in modern scholarship. He demonstrates that the text constitutes an objective moral and liturgical reckoning of reality, structured around the motif of sacrifice. Central to this reading is the pivotal phrase in Book V—“accept the sacrifice of my confessions”—which Pecknold interprets as Augustine's offering of his life story united to Christ's Eucharistic sacrifice on the Church's altar. This liturgical anthropology culminates in the Eucharist as the fire of divine charity that purifies the inner altar of the soul,…

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Mark Brumley, president of Ignatius Press and longtime contributor to the Catholic apologetics movement. Together, they reflect on the rise of Catholic apologetics in the United States during the 1980s and 1990s, a time marked by doctrinal confusion, limited catechetical resources, and strong evangelical critiques of the Catholic faith. Brumley shares his personal journey from unaffiliated theism to evangelical Christianity and ultimately to Catholicism, highlighting how historical research, Scripture, and engagement with early Church writings led him to embrace the Catholic Church. The conversation explores the challenges Catholics faced before the publication of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, the impact of Catholic Answers, and the importance of clear, reasoned explanations of the faith. The discussion then turns to contemporary apologetics, including the influence of digital media, responses to the New Atheism, the…

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Paul Gondreau, professor of theology at Providence College, for an in-depth conversation on the full humanity of Jesus Christ and its implications for Christian anthropology, masculinity, femininity, and moral life. Drawing on St. Thomas Aquinas, Scripture, and the Catholic tradition, Dr. Gondreau explains how affirming Christ as fully human—and fully male—counters ancient and modern forms of docetism and defends the goodness of creation, embodiment, and sexual difference.The discussion explores Christ’s human emotions, passions, and affectivity, the scandal of particularity in the Incarnation, and why Jesus’ maleness matters without marginalizing women. Together, they examine how Jesus radically reorients relationships between men and women, elevates women as disciples, and calls men to moral self-governance, chastity, and rightly ordered aggression. The conversation also addresses contemporary cultural confusion around…

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Immaculée Ilibagiza, survivor of the 1994 Rwandan genocide and author of A Blessing in Disguise: Miracles of the Seven Sorrows Rosary. Drawing from her harrowing experience of hiding for three months while much of her family was murdered, Immaculée reflects on how suffering became a place of encounter with God rather than abandonment. She shares how meditation on the Passion of Christ and the sorrows of Mary sustained her hope, preserved her dignity, and anchored her faith amid profound darkness.The conversation centers on the Seven Sorrows Rosary and the Marian apparitions at Kibeho, Rwanda, officially approved by the Church. Immaculée explains how this devotion leads believers more deeply to Christ by contemplating His suffering through the heart of His mother. She emphasizes the distinction between accepting suffering and approving the evil that causes it, showing how forgiveness and prayer freed her from hatred, healed her…

In this episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Gerald Boersma, professor of theology at Ave Maria University, for an in-depth conversation on St. Augustine’s City of God. Together they explore Augustine’s historical context, writing in the aftermath of the sack of Rome, and his enduring vision of the two cities: the City of God and the City of Man. The discussion highlights Augustine’s critique of pagan religion, political power, and the illusion of earthly peace, as well as his response to Pelagianism and Donatism. Dr. Boersma explains how Augustine understands history, politics, virtue, and grace through the lens of love, contrasting the self-centered love that defines the earthly city with the love of God that animates the heavenly city. They examine Augustine’s insights into pride, domination, and false notions of justice, as well as his insistence that true righteousness and peace are gifts of grace rather than human achievements. The conversation also addresses…

Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, psychiatrist and author, discusses his upcoming book "Teach Me Your Suffering" and shares insights on how contemplating Christ's passion can transform our experience of personal suffering. The conversation explores the prayer "doce me passionem tuum" (teach me your suffering) as a spiritual practice that helps people move from isolation to communion with Christ during difficult times. Dr. Kheriaty explains how Christ suffered throughout his entire earthly life, not just during the crucifixion, making him relatable to all human experiences of pain. The discussion covers practical approaches to prayer, forgiveness, and finding meaning in suffering, emphasizing how focusing on Christ's wounds can provide healing for our own wounds. The conversation also addresses how to experience Mass more deeply as a participation in Christ's sacrifice and offers guidance on accepting suffering without approving of it, while still seeking appropriate treatment and remedies. ▶ Help support Ave Maria…

In this episode of the Catholic Theology Show, host Michael Dauphinais interviews Father James Mason, pastor and vicar of clergy for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, who has been giving Ignatian retreats for seventeen years. Father Mason shares his personal conversion story as a late vocation who entered seminary at thirty after a career in law, describing his spiritual struggle as fighting God until he finally surrendered. The conversation explores the four stages of Saint Ignatius' Spiritual Exercises: beginning with recognizing God's love and the reality of sin, journeying through Christ's life, contemplating the passion and death, and finally the resurrection. Father Mason emphasizes how these exercises are universal tools for spiritual growth, not just for religious but for all Catholics seeking deeper union with Christ. The discussion covers practical aspects of prayer, dealing with suffering redemptively, the challenge of evangelizing family members who have left the faith, and living with holy…

How can faithful Catholics reclaim the healing mission of medicine in an era of ideological pressures and fragmented care? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. James Breen, family physician, author of Benedict Medicine: A Catholic Response to Rescue the Profession's Healing Mission, and founder of the Benedict Medicine practice in Fort Myers, Florida, to explore the tensions between Catholic anthropology and contemporary medical systems. During their conversation, they also discuss practical solutions like independent primary care models and the vital role of physicians in accompanying patients through suffering, illness, and end-of-life decisions. Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community):https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/ Ave Maria University website: https://www.avemaria.edu/ Dr. James Breen’s Website, including access to his recent book, Benedict Medicine: A Catholic Response to Rescue the Profession's Healing Mission:…

How can Catholics address the challenges of sexual addiction and pornography in a culture that often normalizes these behaviors? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Rachael Killackey, founder and executive of Magdala Ministries and author of Love in Recovery, to explore the complexities of sexual addiction, particularly among women. And how faith in God’s mercy offers guidance and a path to healing. They discuss the importance of integrating faith and compassion in the healing process, the benefit of support groups, the impact of early exposure to pornography, and the need to move beyond shame-based approaches to foster authentic recovery. Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Magdala Ministries, which provides details about their programs for women's healing from sexual addiction, podcast episodes, speaker bookings, and support groups. Love in Recovery: One Woman's Story of Breaking Free from Shame and Healing from Pornography Addiction…

How does J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic faith infuse his tales with sacramental wonder and redemptive hope? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Ben Reinhard, professor of English at Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of The High Hallow: Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination, to uncover the liturgical foundations of The Lord of the Rings. During their conversation, they also discuss the fairy-story mindset as a gateway to an enchanted, Eucharistic worldview, the hobbits' Magnificat-like humility, and the dangers of false liturgies like the palantíri that tempt us toward idolatrous control.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/Ave Maria University website: https://www.avemaria.edu/Dr. Ben Reinhard's faculty page at Franciscan University of Steubenville, which includes details about his work and publications:https://shss.franciscan.edu/faculty/reinhard-dr-ben/Dr. Ben Reinhard’s book, The High Hallow: Tolkien's…

Have you ever wondered why Christmas carols move us so deeply? In this special Christmas episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Host Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Daniel Lendman (Dean of Students and Theologian at Ave Maria University) to explore the profound theology hidden in our favorite Christmas hymns.From the soul-stirring power of “O Holy Night” to the triumphant joy of “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing,” the quiet longing of “In the Bleak Midwinter,” and the timeless beauty of “O Come, All Ye Faithful” and “Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming,” they unpack how these beloved songs proclaim the Incarnation, reveal our true dignity, and connect us to centuries of Catholic tradition.Chapters:00:00 – Intro & Welcome 02:15 – O Holy Night and the worth of the soul 12:40 – The divine night and ancient antiphons 20:30 – Hark! The Herald Angels Sing 35:10 – In the Bleak Midwinter & the world without Christmas 45:20 – O Come, All Ye Faithful (with Latin!) 55:00 – Lo, How a Rose E’er Blooming & Mary’s role

How can C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity illuminate the truth of the Catholic faith for seekers and believers alike? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Andrew Swafford, professor of theology at Benedictine College and author of Lunatic, Liar, or Lord: Unveiling the Truth of Catholicism in C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, to explore apologetics rooted in Lewis's trilemma on Jesus' divinity and his overall approach to showing that it is reasonable to believe in the Christian faith. During their conversation, they also discuss the philosophical case for God's existence, human uniqueness, Jesus' resurrection, and much more. Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Dr. Andrew Swafford’s faculty profile at Benedictine College The Swaffords’ personal website, which includes details about Dr. Andrew Swafford's speaking engagements and resources on theology, marriage, and family Check out Dr. Andrew Swafford’s new book, Lunatic, Liar, or Lord:…

How does J.R.R. Tolkien's Catholic faith infuse his tales with sacramental wonder and redemptive hope? Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Ben Reinhard, professor of English at Franciscan University of Steubenville and author of The High Hallow: Tolkien's Liturgical Imagination, to uncover the liturgical foundations of The Lord of the Rings. During their conversation, they also discuss the fairy-story mindset as a gateway to an enchanted, Eucharistic worldview, the hobbits' Magnificat-like humility, and the dangers of false liturgies like the palantíri that tempt us toward idolatrous control.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/Ave Maria University website: https://www.avemaria.edu/Dr. Ben Reinhard's faculty page at Franciscan University of Steubenville, which includes details about his work and publications:https://shss.franciscan.edu/faculty/reinhard-dr-ben/Dr. Ben Reinhard’s book, The High Hallow: Tolkien's…

How can C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity illuminate the truth of the Catholic faith for seekers and believers alike? Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Andrew Swafford, professor of theology at Benedictine College and author of Lunatic, Liar, or Lord: Unveiling the Truth of Catholicism in C.S. Lewis's Mere Christianity, to explore apologetics rooted in Lewis's trilemma on Jesus' divinity and his overall approach to showing that it is reasonable to believe in the Christian faith. During their conversation, they also discuss the philosophical case for God's existence, human uniqueness, Jesus' resurrection, and much more.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community):https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/Ave Maria University website:https://www.avemaria.edu/Dr. Andrew Swafford’s faculty profile at Benedictine College:https://www.benedictine.edu/person/swafford-andrewThe Swaffords’ personal website, which includes details about Dr. Andrew Swafford's speaking…

How can Catholics address the ethical dilemmas in modern medicine and public health policy? Dr. Michael Dauphinais hosts Dr. Aaron Kheriaty, a Catholic psychiatrist and former professor, to discuss his experiences challenging unethical medical mandates and his new book, Making the Cut: How to Heal Modern Medicine. They exploreKheriaty’s legal battles against university vaccine mandates, his advocacy for informed consent, and the broader issue of government censorship in public health. Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University website Dr. Aaron Kheriaty’s personal website, which includes details about his biography, books, articles, and public speaking engagements. Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC), where Dr. Aaron Kheriaty serves as Director of the Bioethics, Technology, and Human Flourishing Program. Discover Dr. Aaron Kheriaty on Amazon,including his book, Making the Cut: How to Heal ModernMedicine

In this special live episode of The Catholic Theology Show, Host Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes guests Kara Johnson, John Mortensen, and Beth Mortensen before a student audience at Ave Maria University to discuss integrating the intellectual life with family life. Drawing heavily from A.G. Sertillanges’s classic 1920 work, The Intellectual Life, the panel shares personal experiences and practical wisdom. Kara Johnson, a theology professor and mother of a young son, describes how family suffering and joy have deepened her theological work. John and Beth Mortensen, parents of nine who both hold doctorates in theology, recount finishing dissertations amid pregnancies and bed rest, job instability that pushed John back into software development, and discovering that married life is a “preschool for the perfection of charity.” The conversation explores how children “bring you back to the real,” why love (of God, truth, spouse, and children) is the true unifying principle of life, and how the intellectual life is…

How can Catholics understand the sacraments through Saint Thomas Aquinas’s Summa Theologica? Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Dr. Roger Nutt, Provost and Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, to explore Aquinas’s treatment of the sacraments in the third part of the Summa. They discuss how the sacraments, as efficacious signs instituted by Christ, extend His redemptive work by addressing both the guilt and disorder of sin, drawing believers into deeper intimacy with God through grace. Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community): https://www.avemaria.edu/annunciation-circle/ Ave Maria University website: https://www.avemaria.edu/ Dr. Roger Nutt’s faculty profile at Ave Maria University: https://www.avemaria.edu/faculty-and-staff/roger-nutt-s-t-l-s-t-d General Principles of Sacramental Theology by Dr. Roger Nutt, published by Catholic University of America Press: https://www.cuapress.org/9780813229386/general-principles-of-sacramental-theology/ The Sacraments w/Dr. Roger Nutt…