Swimming Upstream

What is causing the rise in suicides in our country? Is it simply a case of mental illness? Is it Trump’s fault for cutting various programs? Or is it more of a cultural issue? I look at what I think are some of the causes of his tragic epidemic. Resources: Suicide Rates Are Rising. What […]

This month is “Gay Pride Month,” so of course Fr. James Martin is out there as the pied piper for the gay rights movement. But how should Catholics actually respond to Gay Pride Month? The standard response is “love the sinner, hate the sin.” And this is true, but I think we need to go deeper. […]

This podcast includes a commencement address I recently gave at the graduation ceremonies for a local homeschool association. In my address I noted that many leaders urge our young people to be “counter-cultural,” yet being counter-cultural is now ironically the cultural norm. What is truly counter-cultural? Being a practicing Catholic – being a saint.

More school shootings have occurred recently, which means more calls for gun control. But are guns the problem? Or is it something deeper? I take a look at this issue in this week’s episode. Originally a Facebook Live Video. Resources: There Are Fewer School Shootings Now Than During the 1990s We Don’t Have A School […]

Fr. James Martin has made a career of skirting the fine line between implicitly criticizing Church teaching without explicitly rejecting it. But even when he is explaining Church teaching, as he did in a recent America Magazine article, he’s still undermining it. Resources: What is the official church teaching on homosexuality? Responding to a commonly asked question (by […]

I watched Avengers Infinity War last week so I thought I’d review it here. I also found some religious themes in the movie which I wanted to explore a bit. Note that this review does contain spoilers, so you’re forewarned.

The case of Alfie Evans gripped the world last week. It was a classic case of David (Alfie and his family) against Goliath (the UK government and health system). Sadly, Goliath won this battle. In this podcast, I discuss how the events surrounding Alfie’s death touched on end-of-life medical decisions, parental rights, the role of government in health […]

Recent comments by Pope Francis have called into question the existence of hell, or if anyone is actually there if it does exist. I take a look at the Church’s teaching on hell, as well as what it takes (or doesn’t take) to get there.  

Last week President Trump authorized air strikes against Syria, because the Syrian leader had supposedly used chemical weapons against his own citizens. Is this military strike legitimate under Just War Doctrine? Is it constitutional? And does it make sense? Resources: Petition Against the Expansion of the Syrian Conflict A History of American Intervention in the Middle […]

After the news that 30,000 people entered the Catholic Church this past Easter, I thought I’d look at the numbers from previous years to see what I find. I wish I hadn’t. Resources: Article: The Incredibly Shrinking Catholic Convert Rate

There’s a lot to be upset with if you’re a practicing Catholic these days. It seems a day doesn’t go by that some Church teaching isn’t being undermined or denied by Church leaders. What’s a regular Catholic to do? Is it okay to get upset? Or should we just relax? That’s the topic of this […]

Baseball season starts soon, and so I’m giving my predictions for the upcoming year. Spoiler: I don’t think the Reds will come in last! Resources: 2018 Baseball Predictions (Article)

My wife and kids tell me I’m a pessimist, and I prove it in this episode of my podcast. I spend time discussing what I think are the top threats to modern civilization. Cheery, I know. Resources: Article: Top 5 Threats to Civilization You Will Comply: The Rise of the Totalitarian Left  

Today is Ash Wednesday, so I thought I’d discuss the season of Lent, including my own disastrous first Lent and what I learned from it. Resources: Catholic Answers: Lent

Controversy surrounds Pope Francis again. This time he allegedly covered up abuse allegations against a Chilean bishop. This has led some (including myself) to openly wonder if he should be removed from office if these allegations are true. But as I think more about it, I realize that there is no (human) way to remove a […]

Today is the 45th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion in America. I discuss what I feel is the best way to stop abortion once and for all.  

I don’t actually get a vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but here’s what my vote would look like if I did. I also discuss why I’m #Never Bonds and #NeverClemens. Resources: Article: My 2018 Hall of Fame Ballot BBWAA Rules for Election Hall of Fame Candidate Stats  

In the tech world, there is a lot of talk of the “Singularity” – when technology advancements take over the world. It even has taken on religious connotations. I discuss this phenomenon from a Catholic perspective. Resources: Are You Ready for the Singularity? (article at Catholic Answers) Inside the First Church of Artificial Intelligence

Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, so I thought I’d recall how Our Lady took only three days to bring me into the Catholic Church. Resources: Journey Home – 2012-04-23 – Former United Methodist – Marcus Grodi with Eric Sammons Why I’m Catholic – Methodist Convert Eric Sammons

Bitcoin recently went over $9,000, which has led to a new wave of speculation about the future of cryptocurrency. What is the current state of Bitcoin, and where is it going? I discuss my views on the topic in today’s podcast. Resources: My writings on cryptocurrency