Saint Padre Pio's example reminds us of the importance of cultivating a relationship with our own guardian angels. Each of us has been blessed with a heavenly protector who watches over us, guides us, and intercedes on our behalf. By acknowledging their presence and expressing our gratitude, we can deepen our connection with these divine companions…

What would make you want to have more children? This week on “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat speaks with Dr. Alice Evans, a social scientist who is as concerned about the global decline in fertility as he is. The two discuss why this isn’t just a gender issue — it’s “a solitude issue” – and whether there’s a way to bring relationships back. 02:03…

Behind South Africa’s farm murders lies a story the media won’t tell—of racial vengeance, ideological blindness, and the collapse of moral order. The violence against South African farmers isn’t a myth—it’s a crisis the media refuses to name. Denial has a cost, and it’s being paid in blood.By Sarah Cain

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my two friends and former Evangelical seminarians (and, in Chris's case, a pastor) to discuss the importance of the Pope. Why is the Pope so important? In their trademark cordial and insightful style, Brandon and Chris help us to dig deeply into the biblical and historical roots of the papacy, …

Imagine defending yourself from a rapist, and then being charged for that defense and imprisoned for 17 years. That is the reality of Martyna Ogonowska, sentenced under Britain’s unjust legal system, which hinges upon a broken system of morality.By Sarah Cain

Pornography has rewired a generation. Choking is now considered “just part of sex.” ER visits are up. Dead bodies are being excused with “She consented.” This isn’t liberation—it’s desecration. What we call love is increasingly indistinguishable from violence. Read the article at Catholic World Report: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2025/05/23…

On this episode of “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat interviews Vice President JD Vance about the Trump administration’s deportations, the tariff backlash and how Vance’s faith influences his politics. 01:49 - How faith shapes JD Vance’s politics 04:26 - ‘Papal interventions in politics’ 14:44 - How will the Trump administration measure success on …

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Father Donald Haggerty, priest at St. Patrick's Cathedral in New York and the author of a number of fine books including The Hour of Testing: Spiritual Depth and Insight in a Time of Ecclesial Uncertainty. We're talking about taking the temperature of society and responding to crises both in th…

I wanted to provide a health update, in light of all of the well-wishes and inquiries that I have received. I had the gallbladder surgery, which was successful. I now have four small wounds in my abdomen, which are healing nicely…By Sarah Cain

Is artificial intelligence about to take your job? According to Daniel Kokotajlo, the executive director of the A.I. Futures Project, that should be the least of your worries. Kokotajlo was once a researcher for OpenAI, but left after losing confidence in the company’s commitment to A.I. safety. This week, he joins Ross to talk about “AI 2027,” a s…

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by one of my all-time liturgical heroes Chris Carstens to talk all things liturgy – and the centrality of Christ at Mass. What is the liturgy? What is it meant to do and how are we meant to do it? Why do we worship liturgically? And how can we do it better? Plus, we talk about the future of the li…

As Catholics and commentators alike dissect Pope Leo XIV’s past, we’re reminded that the papacy is not a political office—and treating it like one blinds us to its spiritual reality.By Sarah Cain

St. Rita of Cascia, known as the "Saint of Impossible Causes," endured an abusive marriage, the violent death of her husband, and the loss of her sons before entering religious life. Her extraordinary faith amidst suffering transformed her into one of the Church's most powerful intercessors, making her the saint countless faithful turn to when all …

Democrats are stumbling — badly. While the Trump administration redefines the limits of executive overreach, the Democratic party remains at odds over how to — even whether to — respond. But Senator Chris Murphy of Connecticut has a plan for beating Republicans in 2026, and it involves taking a cue from President Trump. He shares it with Ross Douth…

In this special episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined, from Rome, by Fr. Haig Chahinian, a priest in the Armenian Catholic Church, and the CEO of Salt and Light Media, to talk about the importance of a pope, the papacy, and papal conclaves for the Eastern Catholic Churches. While Fr. Haig was originally scheduled to talk about Eastern Catholi…

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend Brian Jacobson, a former Protestant pastor and a convert to the Catholic faith, to unpack his incredible story and the reasons why he absolutely fell in love with the Catholic faith. From the initial realization – at an ecumenical Bible study – that him and his fellow Protestants coul…

By OnePeterFive

The Trump era is ushering in a new age of right wing counterculture, one defined by masculinity and transgression. In this episode of Interesting Times, Ross speaks with Jonathan Keeperman, the founder of Passage Press, about the influence of an edgy, reactionary, right-wing “vibe shift” on American politics and culture. 2:09 - Jonathan Keeperman’s…

I have been told that I need to have surgery, and that I may not safely delay. I have lost the ability to eat most foods, because my gallbladder needs to be removed. Surgery is scheduled for May 6th, and I would appreciate your prayers for its success and a rapid recovery.By Sarah Cain

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend author, podcaster, and former Episcopalian priest Andrew Petiprin to talk unpack one of the biggest misconceptions about the Catholic Church: that Catholicism is simply another Christian denomination. With aplomb, charity, and with Scripture and the history books in hand, Andrew expla…

As we face the challenges of division in our world today, Our Lady of the Atonement offers us inspiration and intercession as we work toward the healing of relationships and the unity of all Christians in the one Body of Christ. The Catholic Crusade - Website & Blog The Catholic Crusade - YouTube Prayer Channel…

On this episode of “Interesting Times,” Ross Douthat is joined by the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest and an editor of America Magazine, to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis and the challenges facing the next papacy. 02:20 The First Jesuit Pope 05:23 Google Translate and Exchanging Emails 06:05 The Visual Element of Francis’s Legacy 07:48 Th…

With Pope Francis’ passing, many rush to praise. Let’s have a more honest reckoning—acknowledging ambiguity, failures, and the need for mercy.By Sarah Cain

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by Hugh Owen, the founder and director of the Kolbe Center for the Study of Creation to talk about the Catholic perspective on the literal story of creation. Can Catholics believe in a literal reading of Genesis? Has the Catholic Church officially adopted the theory of evolution? What does the sci…

At just 15 years old, Carlo Acutis combined his passion for the Eucharist with computer programming skills to evangelize online, and now this teenage tech prodigy is about to make Catholic history. | #CarloAcutis #BlessedCarloAcutis #SaintCarloAcutis The Catholic Crusade — Prayer channel The Catholic Crusade — Website & Blog…

President Trump may forever reshape the boundaries of executive power. This week on “Interesting Times,” Ross and Jack Goldsmith, who was the head of the White House’s Office of Legal Counsel under President George W. Bush, discuss which cases are most likely to win in the courts and permanently expand the executive branch — for better or worse. 00…

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by my friend Matthew Becklo, writer, editor, and Publishing Director for Bishop Barron's Word on Fire Catholic Ministries, to talk about the Catholic "both/and" paradigm that uniquely defines the Church that Christ founded. Neither "earthbound" or too "heavenly-minded," Becklo shows how, time and …

In a world that trivializes evil and buries grief, we must confront both the brokenness within and the ruin around us. Easter is a reckoning.By Sarah Cain

As the West unravels, hope endures—not in online echo chambers, but in rooms where people still care about truth, beauty, and rebuilding what was lost. This is how we fight the collapse.By Sarah Cain

Is the short-term economic pain of President Trump’s unpredictable approach to tariffs a reasonable price to pay for a more resilient America? Mr. Trump appears to think so, and so does Oren Cass — sort of. On the first episode of “Interesting Times,” the founder and chief economist of the think tank American Compass joins Ross Douthat to discuss a…

Ahead of a speaking event in Chicago, a candid reflection on the necessity of real-world community, the failures of DEI, and the delusions of disarmament in violent cities. Some things still need to be said face-to-face.By Sarah Cain

In this episode of The Cordial Catholic, I'm joined by the one and only Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, PhD in a conversation that aims to turn the conventional tropes about Faith vs. Science on its head and to talk about areas where faith fills in the gaps left by science. The host of EWTN's Father Spitzer's Universe, the author of over 18 books and many …