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★★★★★

4.5

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170 reviews

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Two theologians walk into a bar... No, seriously: This podcast is about the real world of politics and current events, seen through the lens of Catholic teaching and spirituality. Your hosts, Fr. Dan Horan and David Dault, bring you a mix of perspectives, from Abbey Road to Metaphysical Graffiti. Dan is a Franciscan friar and Catholic priest. David is a radio producer and Catholic convert. They both have doctorates in theology. It is the best possible kind of nerdy.

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Midterm elections, Magnifica Humanitas chapter 3, and an interview with Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy

2026/10/22

Heidi, Daniel, and David explore the wild landscape of the upcoming midterms, they continue their study of Magnifica Humanitas with a look at chapter 3, and Heidi interviews Krisanne Vaillancourt Murphy of the Catholic Mobilizing Network Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The failed execution of Christa Pike, chapter 2 of Magnifica Humanitas, and in interview with Marianne Duddy-Burke

2026/10/08

Heidi, Daniel, and David dig into the second chapter of the new papl encyclical, to look at the foundations that undergird Catholic Social Teaching. They also discuss the application of that social teaching in the context of the recent attempt to execute Christa Pike in Tennessee. In the final segment, Heidi interviews Marianne Duddy-Burke, the executive director of DignityUSA. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2610 - Bishop Barron on empathy, Magnifica Humanitas Chapter 1, and an interview with Ed Hahnenberg

2026/09/24

Heidi, Daniel, and David continue their explorations of the new papal encyclical, and they bring a critical eye to Bishop Barron's recent attacks on so-called "toxic empathy." Heidi brings us an interview with theologian and author Ed Hahnenberg about synodality and ministry. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Season of Creation, Magnifica Humanitas Introduction, and an interview with Steve Schneck

2026/09/10

Heidi, Daniel, and David dive in to the new papal encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, for a season-long exploration of its themes and meanings. They also catch up on their summer activities, and ponder what it means to journey through the Season of Creation during a time of increasing climate peril. Then Heidi interviews Steve Schneck, president of Catholics for the Future. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

President Trump's clashes with Pope Leo, Earth Day and ecospirituality, and an interview with Natalia Imperatori-Lee

2026/04/23

Heidi, Daniel, and David discuss the continuing saga of American political leaders trying to lecture the Pope on Catholic doctrine, and then they turn to a discussion of the recent Earth Day remembrance, asking whether it sould be seen as a celebration or a lament. Then Heidi interviews Natalia Imperatori-Lee about the upcoming Women's Ordination Conference. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#2607 - Pope Leo's first Holy Week, Supreme Court conversion therapy decision, and an interview with Aaron Robertson

2026/04/09

Heidi, Daniel, and David discuss Pope Leo's strong anti-war stance during his first Holy Week, and they explore the role of the USCCB in a recent Supreme Court decision about conversion therapy. Then Heidi interviews Aaron Robertson about the history of Black Catholics, with a focus on the history of Detroit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Cesar Chavez controversey, Pope Leo speaks out agains the Middle East war, and an interview with Kate Ward

2026/03/26

Heidi, Daniel, and David look at recent horrific revelations about the labor leader, Cesar Chavez, as well as exploring the Pope's pushback against the war with Iran. In our third segment, Heidi interviews Dr. Kate Ward about the meaning of work in Catholic Social Teaching. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The war in Iran, amicus brief on birthright citizenship, and the Oscars

2026/03/12

Heidi, Daniel, and David explore whether or not we are, in fact, at war (we are), and whether or not the US should continue to recognize birthright citizenship (we should). Then, in the third segment, David and Heidi try to figure out how we can find time to watch more movies, because Dan has seen them all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Rubio in Munich, the Olympics, and an interview with Bishop Brendan Cahill

2026/02/26

Heidi, Daniel, and David examine the recent speech by Secretary of State Marco Rubio in Munich, and they geek out about their favorite Winter Olympic sports. Then Heidi interviews Bishop Brendan Cahill of the diocese of Victoria, Texas, and Chair-Elect for the USCCB Committee for Migration. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

NYC and Denver get new bishops, new revelations from the Epstein files, and an interview with Fr. Isaac Slater

2026/02/12

Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the possibilities arising from new episcopal leadership in New York City and Denver. Then they turn their attention to the most recent disclosures from the Epstein files. In our final segment, Heidi interviews Fr. Isaac Slater about the spiritual value of not judging others. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

US bishops speaking out against Trump policies, remembering John Allen, Jr, and an interview with Laura Fanucci

2026/01/29

Heidi, Daniel, and David remember the life and work of John Allen, Jr., and track the shifting landscape of Catholic leadership around the current immigration situation, and Heidi interviews Minnesota author and activist Laura Fanucci. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The killing of Renee Good, the invasion of Venezuela, and an interview with Maxwell Kuzma

2026/01/15

Heidi, Daniel, and David return for their 18th season, and things are a bit dire. Looking first at horrible events in Minneapolis, and then horrible events abroad, they turn to the Gospels and Catholic social teaching for a glimmer of hope. Things are brightened by Heidi's conversation with Maxwell Kuzma in our third segment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Pope's first trip, the continuing saga of women deacons, and a pop-culture roundup

2025/12/04

We end our 17th season with a look at the current state of the Catholic Church, as well as with a look at what we've been watching, reading, and listening to lately Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The USCCB Conference, reopening the government, and an interview with Kat Armas

2025/11/20

Heidi, Daniel, and David do a deep dive into the recent Bishops' Conference, and we look at the ongoing fallout from the government shutdown as the country struggles to reopen. Then Heidi interviews Kat Armas about the spirituality of resisting empire during Advent Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The loss of SNAP benefits, LMU labor dispute, and America's attacks on boats in the Caribbean

2025/11/06

Heidi, Daniel, and David look at the cascading effects of the government shutdown, as well as the recent attacks by the American military on civilian fishing boats in the Caribbean. Finally, we take a look at the unfolding situation at Loyola Marymount, where their Board of Directors has refused to recognize union negotiations moving forward. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Podcast reviews

Read Francis Effect podcast podcast reviews

4.5 out of 5

170 reviews

★☆☆☆☆

BarryFitz49 2026/10/01

Barron the spokesman for Barron

Please, please, please do not invite this FM Trump apologist on the podcast ever again, no matter the topic. He is as polarizing a figure as there is ...

★★★★★

Rustycard 2025/09/20

One of best in series

Each segment was so contemporary. Life from a Catholic perspective.

★★★★★

emes091099 2025/04/05

Totally Recommend It!

I’ve been listening to this podcast since 2022. I’m an Episcopalian Christian, but very Catholic-at-heart. Listening to Heidi, Dan, and David’s take o...

★★★★★

littlegale 2025/03/16

Relevant and Engaging

As a person of faith considering Catholicism, I resonate with this podcast as well as Jesuitical, Inside the Vatican, Third Space, Everything Belongs,...

★★★★★

SSJ Rochester 2024/06/03

Culture conscious

I enjoy the conversations, and am especially fond of the coverage of the hosts’ reading, viewing, and listening. I believe that catholic believers n...

★★★☆☆

927vko 2024/02/19

On the fence

While lamenting polarization in the church the hosts regularly use labels such as conservative, right wing, and traditional (= bad). As a post-Vatican...

★☆☆☆☆

L. Blownapart 2024/02/16

Catholic or just Progressive?

I would love to hear them spend an entire episode on why trans women are women and give the Catholic case for it. Then send the episode to the local ...

★★★★★

Mr. Odub 2023/02/06

Thank you!

I so appreciate you!

★★★★★

Gkhbh 2023/02/05

Best Catholic Podcast

Well, it’s in the top two, along with Jesuitical. Fr. Dan, David, and Heidi provide a balanced and spirit-filled approach to our culture and our poli...

★★★★☆

frissjan 2022/02/09

Great Podcast

Love this podcast. As an educated Catholic woman, I really appreciate Heidi’s contributions. Other Catholic podcasts tend to include very few women o...

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