Swimming Upstream

Discontent with Pope Francis has led some Catholics to suspect that perhaps he's not the real pope. Instead "Pope Emeritus" Benedict XVI is still the true pope. I look into this assertion in this episode of Swimming Upstream.

A popular song asks the question, "Mary, Did You Know?" Well, what did Mary know, and when did she know it?

I address the allegations that Franciscan University is becoming "liberal".

The Season of Advent is a wonderful time to grow spiritually. In this episode, I explain three traditional Advent devotions that can help your family prepare for the coming of the Christ Child this Advent.

After years of struggling with health problems, I’ve finally found something that makes me feel better, have more energy, and lifts my brain fog: intermittent fasting. Read about how I came to embrace intermittent fasting here.

With the 2018 midterm elections approaching, I wanted to address the issue of voting. Specifically, what priorities should Catholics consider when voting? My answers might not be what you expect.

The history of the papacy is filled with saints and sinners, good popes and bad popes. Sometimes Catholics want to deny that we can have bad popes, or that the pope they are living under could be a bad pope. In this episode of Swimming Upstream, I take a look at what makes for a […]

For decades there’s been a battle for the soul of the Vatican – will it be faithfully Catholic, or will it conform to the world? For most of that time this battle has been quietly raging behind the scenes, but in recent months it’s come out into the open. What does this mean for the […]

With the end of the 2018 MLB season, I wanted to review some of the highlights (and lowlights) of the season. I decided to bring on a special guest, someone who is an expert on baseball – and also happens to be my son. Topics covered: Review of our 2018 pre-season predictions Best player of […]

The bruising Supreme Court confirmation battle over Brett Kavanaugh is another in a long list of battles dating back to Robert Bork. I take a look at Kavanaugh and this particular battle in this episode of Swimming Upstream. Topics covered include: An analysis of Kavanaugh’s views The sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh The real issue: […]

Abortion is a contentious issue among libertarians, with the majority saying they are “pro-choice,” while a sizable minority says they are “pro-life.” In this episode of Swimming Upstream, I tackle this issue to try to determine the best libertarian position on abortion. Topics discussed: The divide among libertarians regarding abortion. What makes a person a […]

With the rampant corruption infecting the Catholic hierarchy, it’s time to look to reform. And I don’t mean rejecting the institution of the hierarchy, a la Protestantism. I mean reforming the human elements of how things operate at the highest levels of the Church. In this episode, I give four vital steps I think reform […]

Today is Labor Day, and I want to talk about the primary fruit of our labor: money. Specifically, how government’s control of money makes everyone poorer over time. Topics Covered: The Three Properties of Money Why do some forms of money fail? Why have some forms of money (like gold) succeeded over time? The problem […]

The recent allegation that Pope Francis knew about former Cardinal McCarrick’s immoral activities has sent shockwaves throughout the Catholic Church. Some are calling for the Pope’s resignation. Should he resign? If he doesn’t, can he be forced out? I discuss all this on today’s episode of Swimming Upstream. Resources: Ex-Nuncio Accuses Pope Francis of Failing […]

With the ongoing sex abuse crisis in the Church, it can be hard to be Catholic. But I still love the Church! Why? I give five of my reasons in this episode of Swimming Upstream.

Why is socialism enjoying a surge in popularity in recent years? Why are young people in particular attracted to it? I take a look at this phenomenon in today’s episode of Swimming Upstream.

There hasn’t been this much disgust from lay Catholics toward the Catholic hierarchy since before the Protestant Reformation. The McCarrick scandal has revealed there is rot deep within the episcopacy. Many lay Catholics want to know: What can I do? I give some practical suggestions. Resources: When Bishops Lose Their Authority An Invitation to the […]

It’s common among Catholics to claim that libertarianism is incompatible with Catholicism. Liberal Catholics dismiss it as uncaring toward the poor and needy. Conservative Catholics would say libertarians endorse immorality like abortion and same-sex marriage. But I would argue that these criticism flow from a misunderstanding of libertarianism (and a misunderstanding of Catholicism). Some topics covered in […]

Recently I’ve been under fire for noting that it’s not “pro-life” to endorse every government program under the sun. Some have even gone so far as to call me “anti-Catholic” because they believe Catholics must support such programs. But is this the case? In this podcast I argue that good intentions are not enough – we need to […]

You hear it everywhere now: Immigration is a pro-life issue. Racism is a pro-life issue. Health care is a pro-life issue. It seems that everything is a pro-life issue now. In this episode, I argue that such a promiscuous use of the label threatens to dilute it and fragment the pro-life movement.