Episodes

  • The Practice of Repair with Rabbis Danya Ruttenberg and Paul Sidlofsky

    The Practice of Repair with Rabbis Danya Ruttenberg and Paul Sidlofsky
    Jun 29 2026
    QUICK SUMMARY What if our culture's obsession with forgiveness is actually getting in the way of healing? In this rich conversation, award-winning author and Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg challenges popular forgiveness culture, arguing that the real obligation falls on the person who caused harm, not the person who survived it. She walks us through the Jewish framework for repentance, repair, and amends (drawing on Maimonides) and unpacks why "cancel culture" and "forgiveness culture" are two sides of the same broken coin. We also hear from Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky of Temple Israel Tallahassee, who brings a deeply thoughtful perspective on disagreement within Judaism, the living nature of Torah interpretation, and how to hold tradition and change in creative tension. If you've ever wrestled with whether you have to forgive someone or wondered what accountability actually looks like, this episode is for you. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE On forgiveness: Forgiveness is not something a harmed person owes; it may be healing, but it is not obligatory, especially when the person who caused harm has not done the work of repair. Forgiveness and reconciliation are also not the same thing. On repentance (per Maimonides): The person who caused harm must (1) fully own what they did, (2) do deep internal work to become someone who wouldn't repeat the harm, (3) make meaningful amends, and (4) apologize sincerely, up to three times, with an accountability team, before it can be considered their best effort. On Torah: Jewish tradition has always been one of living interpretation. As Rabbi Sidlofsky puts it, "Halakha has a vote, but not a veto." Even Moses, in the famous Talmudic story, sat in Rabbi Akiva's classroom and couldn't understand his own books because the tradition had grown so richly beyond the original text. ABOUT RABBI DANYA RUTTENBERG & RABBI PAUL SIDLOFSKY Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg is the award-winning author of eight books and writes at lifeisasacredtext.com. Named by Newsweek as a "rabbi to watch" and recognized by the Center for American Progress as a faith leader to watch, she has written for The New York Times, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, TIME, and many other major publications. Her commentary has appeared on NPR, CNN, NBC News, and Good Morning America. She led the Network of Rabbis for Repro during and after the landmark 2022 Supreme Court decision on abortion law and has played an active role in shaping Jewish responses to sexual misconduct and systemic injustice. Her book On Repentance and Repair is a must-read for anyone thinking about accountability culture. Rabbi Paul Sidlofsky brings 38 years of congregational experience across the United States and Canada. Currently based in Tallahassee, Florida, he serves Temple Israel and is deeply engaged in interfaith work, including co-chairing the Cap Tallahassee Interfaith Clergy Council and participating in the God Squad with the Village Square. He is a warm and thoughtful voice on Torah interpretation, Jewish-Christian dialogue, and what it means to build an inclusive community. MEMORABLE QUOTE "If you cause harm, you have an obligation to clean it up — to truly own it fully in all the ways. And if you are harmed and your harm-doer has not done the work of repair and amends, you do not owe this person forgiveness at all." — Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg RESOURCES MENTIONED On Repentance and Repair by Rabbi Danya Ruttenberg — her book on the Jewish roadmap for accountability✍️ Rabbi Danya's Substack: Chapters (00:03:00) - Rabbi Danya's spiritual origin story, from self-described teenage atheist to rabbinical school(00:05:30) - How grief over her mother's death cracked her open to mystical experience and Jewish prayer(00:08:00) - Synagogue shopping in San Francisco, and the rabbi (Alan Lew) who changed everything(00:15:30) - The messy, agonizing decision to attend rabbinical school — as a queer woman in 2002(00:20:00) - What rabbinical education actually looks like: Talmud, Midrash, Torah, and "opening the TV set to see the wires(00:25:30) - When Torah was nourishment and when it was the source of harm (sexism and assault inside the seminary walls)(00:31:00) - How years of sacred Talmudic debate reshaped Rabbi Danya's approach to disagreement(00:34:30) - Repentance, repair, and amends: the Jewish roadmap for accountability(00:37:00) - Why "forgiveness culture" protects the powerful and bypasses necessary anger(00:40:30) - Healing without forgiving EMDR, somatic work, and "protecting your own peace"(00:42:30) - Cancel culture vs. rehabilitation: what does doing the work actually look like? (Louis CK as a case study)(00:47:30) - Unhooking shame from mess-ups, and what it looks like to publicly own a mistake(00:50:30) - Maimonides' three-step apology process and why Jewish law answers the question "who decides when it's cleaned up?"(00:53:30) - Good listening as a spiritual practice, and why teenagers are Rabbi Danya's best teachers(00:57:00) - Rabbi ...
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    1 hr and 19 mins
  • The Jewish Jesus with Amy-Jill Levine

    The Jewish Jesus with Amy-Jill Levine
    Jun 22 2026
    QUICK SUMMARY What does it mean to take the Incarnation seriously? According to AJ Levine, one of the most respected scholars of New Testament and Jewish Studies in the world, it means taking seriously the time, the place, and the people who first told those stories, and that starts with understanding the Jewish Jesus. In this episode, hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich sit down with AJ Levine for a conversation that is by turns surprising, funny, and deeply illuminating. Whether you're a lifelong Christian, a curious skeptic, or someone navigating the space between traditions, this episode will change the way you read the Gospels. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE How a seven-year-old Jewish girl decided to attend catechism and why it launched a careerWhy understanding Jesus's Jewish identity is actually a matter of Christian doctrineThe woman at the well: why she's not a sinner, and why that mattersThe Parable of the Prodigal Son, and why making Judaism the villain misses the entire pointWhat "Abba" actually means (and what it doesn't)How the same parable reads completely differently in Russia, Australia, Kenya, and the U.S.Why true interfaith dialogue requires disagreement — not a "kumbaya moment"What AJ does while listening to podcasts (it involves knitting) ABOUT AMY JILL LEVINE AJ Levine is Rabbi Stanley M. Kessler Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies at Hartford International University for Religion and Peace, and University Professor of New Testament and Jewish Studies and Mary Jane Worthen Professor of Jewish Studies Emerita at Vanderbilt University. She is a member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences, recipient of the Seelisberg Prize for Jewish-Christian Relations and the H. Walter Award for Interfaith Cooperation, and the incoming president of the Catholic Biblical Association for 2026–2027. Her books include: The Misunderstood Jew: The Church and the Scandal of the Jewish JesusShort Stories by Jesus: The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial RabbiThe Jewish Annotated New Testament (co-edited with Marc Brettler)The Bible With and Without Jesus: How Jews and Christians Read the Same Stories Differently (with Marc Brettler)Jesus for Everyone: Not Just for ChristiansAnd many more, including the Beginner's Guide series and six children's books with Sandy Sasso AJ describes herself as "an unorthodox member of an Orthodox synagogue", someone who works to counter biblical interpretations that oppress and exclude. MEMORABLE QUOTE "The best outcome of this type of conversation is you become a better you because you're more aware of the strengths and weaknesses of your own tradition. You can interrogate your own tradition with questions that you might not have posed — because they're questions that somebody from the outside would see that you would not see." — AJ Levine RESOURCES MENTIONED The Jewish Annotated New Testament — 3rd edition coming August 2025The Bible With and Without Jesus — AJ Levine & Marc BrettlerShort Stories by Jesus — The Enigmatic Parables of a Controversial RabbiNostra Aetate — The Vatican II... Chapters (00:00:00) - Opening quote: the best outcome of interreligious dialogue(00:03:30) - What AJ is most proud of, and why The Jewish Annotated New Testament tops the list(00:05:50) - AJ's origin story: growing up in a Catholic neighborhood, attending catechism, and "killing God" at age seven(00:10:30) - Why the Gospels "sounded familiar" to a Jewish girl raised on Torah stories(00:17:30) - How AJ's mother quietly made her Conservative synagogue egalitarian(00:18:00) - Jewish pluralism vs. Christian creed: why Jews are more likely to disagree, and why that's by design(00:24:00) - The woman at the well: unpacking the well motif, the marriage template, and why she's the first successful evangelist outside of Jesus(00:33:30) - The Parable of the Prodigal Son and the Parable of the Good Samaritan, correcting the anti-Jewish readings(00:44:30) - Interfaith dialogue done right: disagreeing well and becoming a better version of yourself(00:49:00) - "Abba Isn't Daddy", the scholarship behind calling God Father, and what it actually meant in a Jewish context(00:55:00) - AJ reflects on a half-century of work: the moments of hope, and the moments of despair(00:57:30) - On listening without agenda, and why AJ doesn't think it's actually possible(01:00:00) - Outro and what's coming next week
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    1 hr and 3 mins
  • Gold in the Desert with Frederica Mathewes-Green

    Gold in the Desert with Frederica Mathewes-Green
    Jun 15 2026
    QUICK SUMMARY What does it mean to pray without ceasing? Can ordinary people actually do it? In this episode of Religion to Reality, prolific author and Orthodox Christian writer Frederica Mathewes-Green shares her remarkable spiritual journey: from a devout Catholic childhood to atheistic hippie, to a dramatic conversion in a Dublin church, to 50+ years of daily unceasing prayer. She also opens up about leaving the Episcopal Church, the beauty of Orthodox liturgy, and why she believes spiritual loneliness is one of the great unspoken crises of our time. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE How a young Catholic woman lost her faith, explored Eastern religions, and unexpectedly encountered Christ in Dublin.Federica’s dramatic conversion experience and the voice she believes changed her life.How Federica and Gregory’s marriage became a path back to faith from atheism to the priesthood.Why liberal theology accelerated church decline and weakened belief in core Christian teachings.Gregory’s journey from Episcopal priest to Orthodox priest after leaving an increasingly secular church.Why they left Catholicism for Orthodoxy and what liturgical worship revealed about humanity’s need for transcendence.What God’s detailed instructions for worship in Exodus teach us about icons, beauty, and sacred art today.The difference between liturgy and worship, and why Orthodox worship centers entirely on God.The Jesus Prayer: its origins, spiritual benefits, and Federica’s practical guide to praying it.What nearly 50 years of daily 3:00 AM prayer has taught Gregory about discipline and devotion.Catholic diversity vs. Orthodox unity, and why reunion between the two traditions is more complex than it seems.Federica’s advice on listening well, asking better questions, and meeting the deep human need to be heard. ABOUT FEDERICA MATHEWS-GREEN Frederica Mathewes-Green is one of the most prolific voices in American Christian writing, with over 800 published essays and 11 books to her name. Her work has appeared in The Washington Post, Christianity Today, The Wall Street Journal, First Things, and Smithsonian. She has been a commentator for NPR, a podcaster for Ancient Faith Radio, and a consultant for VeggieTales. A sought-after speaker, she has delivered more than 600 presentations at institutions including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, and Cornell, and has been interviewed over 800 times by outlets including NPR, PBS, Time, Newsweek, and The New York Times. She holds an honorary Doctor of Letters from King University and lives in Johnson City, Tennessee with her husband, the Reverend Gregory Mathewes-Green. They have three grown children and 15 grandchildren. MEMORABLE QUOTE “Stay alive and keep praying. In time, it becomes second nature, and you realize that He is responding when you invoke His name, and you sense that communion with Him.” — Frederica Mathewes-Green RESOURCES MENTIONED The Practice of the Presence of God by Brother Lawrence: The foundational devotional book on unceasing prayer that shaped Frederica’s prayer life. She first read it as a young Christian.The Jesus Prayer (“Lord Jesus Christ, have mercy on me”): Developed by the Desert Fathers from the 2nd century onward; rooted in 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (“Pray without ceasing”).1 Thessalonians 5:17: The scriptural basis for the practice of unceasing prayer, which Paul also addressed to the Romans, Ephesians, and Colossians.Exodus 25: God’s detailed instructions to Moses for building the Tabernacle — gold, embroidery, bells, pomegranates, and carved cherubim — Frederica’s go-to passage on the importance of sacred... Chapters (00:00:00) - I Am Your Life(00:00:27) - Religion to Reality: Listening Across the Faith Spectrum(00:01:42) - Frederica Matthews Green on "This Week in Christian Writing"(00:03:24) - What Really Happened to My Faith(00:12:11) - How a Roman Catholic married with a liberal theology turned to the Orthodox(00:16:50) - Displaced Episcopal Priest speaks out about his ordination(00:19:50) - The Reasons Why the Episcopal Church Should Go(00:25:53) - On the beauty of the Catholic Church(00:33:58) - John the Baptist on the Liturgy(00:42:07) - An Orthodox Priest on the Liturgy(00:47:09) - The Power of the Liturgy(00:51:31) - John Paul on Personal Practices(00:57:50) - The Prayer Life of Saint Lawrence(01:00:34) - Separation of the Orthodox and Catholic Churches(01:06:24) - Jane Fonda on Becoming an Orthodox Priest(01:10:51) - Interviewing Dave Ramsey(01:12:18) - A Question for the Listeners(01:18:03) - Religion to Reality: The Interreligious Conversation
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    1 hr and 20 mins
  • The Practice of Accompaniment with Josh Packard

    The Practice of Accompaniment with Josh Packard
    Jun 8 2026
    QUICK SUMMARY What if listening to someone isn't just a bridge to telling them something, but is itself a formative, sacred act? Sociologist and researcher Josh Packard returns to Religion to Reality to unpack groundbreaking data on the intersection of faith and listening, challenge Catholics to truly live out the concept of accompaniment, and offer an honest outside-in assessment of where the Church is falling short, and where it's quietly thriving. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE Why two-thirds of people say listening shaped their faith, but the Church has invested almost nothing in ministries of listeningThe difference between knowing the Catholic concept of accompaniment and actually doing itHow over-professionalized youth ministry has quietly outsourced the most important relationshipsWhy the digital missionary space may be the most significant untapped opportunity in Catholic outreachWhat "cultural Catholics" might actually be getting right that formal church structures are missing ABOUT JOSH PACKARD Josh Packard is a sociologist of religion and the founder of Future of Faith, a research and consulting organization helping churches move from institutional ministry to relational ministry at scale. He is a former sociology professor and co-founder of Springtide Research Institute, and has also served at the National Catholic Educational Association. His work includes the Sacred Listening Study, to his knowledge, the only research in the world examining the intersection of faith formation and listening, as well as the recently released book Faithful Futures. Josh is a Lutheran who has built his career crossing denominational boundaries to serve Catholic, Protestant, and ecumenical audiences alike. MEMORABLE QUOTE "I don't think you can understand what we mean when we say listening is sacred if you do not feel like you have a God who has listened to you, and that you've also listened to." — Josh Packard RESOURCES MENTIONED Future of Faith — futureoffaith.orgRelational Discipleship White Paper — futureoffaith.org/relationaldiscipleshipSacred Listening Tools (free download) — available at futureoffaith.orgBook: Faithful Futures by Josh PackardEvery Student Sent — ministry connecting high school graduates to campus believers in their first week of college (based in Texas)Springtide Research Institute — springtideresearch.orgReligion to Reality Season 1 with Josh Packard — available in the back catalog and as a bonus episode John Gribowich's Substack: Going Analog — johngribowich.substack.com Chapters (00:00:00) - Return to Religion to Reality: The Sociology of Listening(00:13:00) - The inner voice and the outer call: Is contemplation the same as listening to others? Dave, Josh, and Fr. John explore whether listening to yourself and listening to your congregation are really the same act(00:15:32) - The Sacred Listening(00:16:00) - Sacred Listening Theory: Josh explains the structural tools Future of Faith has developed; why you can't do listening-based ministry by having 500 cups of coffee a week, and how to know which five matter(00:17:15) - "If Protestants Would Understand the Catholic Concept of Accompaniment(00:20:00) - What Pope Francis really means by accompaniment: Removing the time container, moving toward a destination, and why this matches the lived experience of today's young people(00:22:00) - Where the Church gives too much back to modern organizational life: Semesters, confirmation timelines, conveyor belts, and the wide gulf between sacraments that gets left unmarked(00:42:00) - Where is the Catholic Church doing this well? Campus ministry and the digital missionary space, and why the larger institution has been slow to support either(00:46:00) - The global Catholic Church vs. U.S. Catholicism: Todos, encuentro, encuentro; why the rest of the world is far less precious about who gets to share their faith(00:47:00) - In defense of cultural Catholics: Are the people the institution dismisses actually modeling community better than the institution itself?(00:52:00) - The destination fallacy: We trick ourselves into thinking young people can arrive at a final faith state, but the real question is, will you be there when they inevitably keep asking questions?
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    56 mins
  • A Church That Listens with Sebastian Gomes

    A Church That Listens with Sebastian Gomes
    Jun 1 2026
    QUICK SUMMARY What does it actually mean for a 2,000-year-old institution to learn how to listen? In this season premiere of Religion to Reality, multimedia journalist and America Magazine podcast director Sebastian Gomes joins hosts Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich to unpack the Synod on Synodality, Pope Francis's sweeping effort to transform the Catholic Church into a culture of genuine listening. If you've ever wondered whether the Church is really changing, or felt frustrated that it isn't changing fast enough, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE "The message is not getting through, so maybe we should listen instead." Sebastian traces Pope Francis's pivotal shift from speaking to listening, and why it took 12 years of declining church membership to get there. (16:00)Synodality is not a program, it's a culture. Sebastian explains why treating the synodal process like a church initiative is the most common misunderstanding people have, and what it actually means to change how an institution listens. (22:45)What people finally said when they felt safe. From women's voices to LGBT experiences to stories of poverty and marginalization, Sebastian describes the dramatic moments inside the synod hall when people said what they'd never felt free to say before. (30:30)The clergy problem. The most common frustration Sebastian hears from parishioners isn't about Rome, it's about their own pastor. He reflects honestly on why priests and bishops are often the biggest obstacle, and what to do about it. (25:00)Synodality is coming whether you like it or not. Using the analogy of the early internet, Sebastian makes the case that synodal culture will eventually shape every debate in the Church, from liturgy to parish closings to outreach to young people. (38:30)The Gen Z Catholic revival and why it's complicated. Hundreds of new converts entered the Church this Easter, making national news. Sebastian offers a nuanced take: it's real, it's notable, and it doesn't mean what you might think it means. (51:45)You can't become synodal by just reading about it. Sebastian reflects on the personal and spiritual dimensions of synodality, and why you actually have to do it in community before it can transform your prayer life. (46:30) ABOUT SEBASTIAN GOMES Sebastian Gomes is a multimedia journalist and the director of podcast and video production at America Magazine, the Jesuit Review. He holds a BA and MA in theology and history from St. John's University in Minnesota. His media career began in 2012 at Salt + Light Catholic Media in Toronto, where he produced award-winning documentaries, including The Francis Effect and The Francis Impact. In 2022, he wrote and directed People of God, America's first feature documentary on the state of parish life across the United States. Sebastian led America's coverage of the 2023–24 Rome gatherings of the Synod on Synodality and the 2025 papal election of Pope Leo XIV. He oversees America's weekly podcast portfolio, including Jesuitical, Inside the Vatican, and The Spiritual Life with Father James Martin. He is based in Kingston, Ontario, Canada, and contributes regularly to americamagazine.org. MEMORABLE QUOTE "Synodality is not a program. It's a culture. And resistance to synodality is also, in some ways, a resistance to the Holy Spirit — a lack of faith that God is actually present in our midst when we're together as a community." — Sebastian G... Chapters (00:07:00) - Fr. John explains why Sebastian was invited on: the synodal process and listening without agenda(00:09:00) - ebastian's origin story: accidentally falling into media, his first Synod of Bishops in Rome in 2012 under Pope Benedict(00:13:00) - Synodality is not a light switch, it's a process — why people are already "tired of the word"(00:17:00) - Sebastian's firsthand role covering the 2023 & 2024 Rome synod gatherings from the outside(00:23:00) - Synodality is a culture, not a program — the most significant insight(00:34:00) - Fr. John raises the conservative/progressive skew criticism of listening sessions(00:43:00) - Advice for interfaith dialogue: ecumenism was "sneakily important" at the synod; go in to listen, not to correct(00:51:00) - The wave of Easter converts: how should cradle Catholics listen to new members?(00:52:00) - The Gen Z Catholic revival is real but overstated — thousands still leaving for every 200 who arrive
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    58 mins
  • Bonus: CARA Research with Fr. Tom Gaunt, SJ

    Bonus: CARA Research with Fr. Tom Gaunt, SJ
    May 25 2026
    QUICK SUMMARY

    What does the data actually say about how Catholics live their faith today, and who counts as "active"? In this episode, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich sit down with Fr. Thomas Gaunt, SJ, Executive Director of CARA (the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate) at Georgetown University, to dig into 60 years of Catholic research. They explore why inactive Catholics still fiercely identify as Catholic, what a year of volunteer service does to marriage stability and vocations, and why radical listening—not big campaigns—may be the most powerful tool the Church has. If you work in parish ministry, Catholic education, or simply want to understand the real state of the faith in America, this conversation will challenge and inspire you.

    IN THIS BONUS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE
    • Why 30% of self-identified Catholics never attend Mass, yet refuse to stop calling themselves Catholic
    • CARA's consistent finding that "care for the poor" ranks #2 in what Catholics say defines their faith
    • The surprising discovery that 60% of young adult Catholics (18–35) are involved in faith-based activities outside Mass
    • Why the divorce rate among Jesuit Volunteer Corps alumni was 2% vs. ~12% for comparable peers
    • How 10–11% of male Catholic volunteers later entered seminary or religious life
    • The massive demographic churn in the Catholic population, including that 1 in 4 U.S. Catholics is a foreign-born immigrant
    • Why parish revitalization campaigns need to first ask the parish itself to change
    • How radical welcome (e.g., parking lot ministers, easy websites, a real person answering the phone) does more than any grand strategy
    • What Pope Francis's "arm around the shoulder" posture means for pastoral leadership
    • Why listening without an agenda may be the most prophetic Christian witness in an age of polarization
    ABOUT FR. THOMAS GAUNT, SJ

    Fr. Thomas Gaunt is a Jesuit priest with 53 years in the Society of Jesus and 43 years of ordained ministry. He holds a doctoral degree in city planning from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill — making him a proud Tar Heel. He spent his early priesthood as a pastor and Director of Planning for the Diocese of Charlotte, NC, before serving as Formation Director for the Jesuits of the East and Executive Secretary of the Jesuit national office. For the past 14 years, he has served as Executive Director of CARA — the Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate — located at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. His research specialties include priesthood and religious life, the impact of volunteer service on young adults, and international Catholic research.

    RESOURCES MENTIONED
    • CARA — Center for Applied Research in the Apostolate
    • The CARA Report (Substack)
    • CARA Book: Faith and Spiritual Life of Young Adult Catholics
    • Catholic Volunteer Network
    • Jesuit Volunteer Corps
    • Nativity Parish / Rebuilt (Timonium, MD)
    • Vinea Research (Hans Plate)
    • Religion to Reality — DeSales Media Discipleship Study
    MEMORABLE QUOTE

    "The most radical way to live the Christian life right now is to become a listener without an agenda."

    — Fr. John Gribowich

    EPISODE TIMESTAMPS

    Use these timestamps to jump to the moments that matter most to you:

    • [00:00:00] Introducti...
    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Vice President of the Jesuits' Center for Applied Research in the
    • (00:02:16) - CARA Report is 30 years old
    • (00:03:51) - Catholic discipleship study, expressive fruits
    • (00:10:41) - An indelible Catholicism
    • (00:15:28) - Catholic Church Attendance among Millennials
    • (00:21:19) - The Catholic population and its mobility
    • (00:26:17) - Common themes in the Catholic population survey
    • (00:31:33) - The impact of volunteering on the volunteer experience
    • (00:34:19) - The incidence of divorce among Jesuit volunteers
    • (00:41:56) - Volunteers and their activities
    • (00:44:48) - The Future of the Catholic Church
    • (00:55:13) - Father Tom on the Need for Personal Connection
    • (01:02:39) - The Importance of Research in the Church
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • Bonus: The Catholic Project with Stephen White

    Bonus: The Catholic Project with Stephen White
    May 11 2026
    QUICK SUMMARY What does hard data reveal about the state of Catholic life in America—and what does it mean for the future of the Church? In this bonus episode, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich sit down with Stephen White, Executive Director of The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America, for a candid and wide-ranging conversation. Stephen draws on the landmark 2022 National Study of Catholic Priests—the largest priest survey in half a century—to explore trust, identity, community, and what it really takes to renew the Church from within. From the tension between clericalism and lay vocation, to the striking generational shifts among young priests, to the question of how genuine renewal actually happens in Church history, this episode offers both serious analysis and hopeful insight. Whether you’re a priest, a committed lay Catholic, or simply trying to understand where the Church is headed, this conversation will challenge and encourage you. ABOUT STEPHEN WHITE Stephen White is the Executive Director of The Catholic Project at The Catholic University of America in Washington, DC. Founded in 2019 in response to the clerical abuse crisis, The Catholic Project works to foster collaboration and co-responsibility between clergy and laity. Stephen led the production of the acclaimed documentary podcast Crisis: Clergy Abuse in the Catholic Church and oversaw the 2022 National Study of Catholic Priests. His background is in Catholic social teaching and philosophy, and he writes frequently on matters of faith, culture, and Church life. IN THIS EPISODE, WE EXPLORE 1. The Catholic Project and the Crisis Podcast Founded in 2019 at Catholic University of America in response to the McCarrick revelations and Pennsylvania Grand Jury ReportThe Crisis podcast was produced during COVID, featuring deeply reported audio documentary-style episodesGoal: face the Church’s failures honestly while remaining constructive and rooted in love for the ChurchFr. John shares that the podcast was part of his own healing journey as a survivor of clerical sexual abuse 2. The 2022 National Study of Catholic Priests The largest survey of priests in the United States in over 50 yearsKey findings include: Younger priests (ordained post-2000) describe themselves as significantly more theologically orthodox than older cohortsYounger priests are more likely to identify as politically moderate — cutting against simple “conservative priest” narrativesThe youngest cohort is the most racially and ethnically diverseThere has been a dramatic collapse in priests identifying as liberal or progressiveYounger priests experience more isolation: many are sole pastor of a parish from day one of ordination A follow-up longitudinal study is currently in development for spring 2025 3. Clericalism, Authority, and Church Renewal Clericalism is not only a top-down problem — bottom-up clericalism (laity expecting clergy to do everything) is widespread in the USPope Francis has simultaneously called out clericalism and warned against “clericalizing the laity”All authority carries the potential for abuse; the response is vigilance, formation, and accountability — not the elimination of hierarchyThe Church’s vertical (hierarchical) and horizontal (communal) dimensions must work together 4. How Genuine Church Renewal Happens Historically, renewal almost never comes from the top down institutionallyIt begins with one person or small group responding radically to the Gospel (e.g.... Chapters (00:00:00) - Foreign Words with the Catholic Project(00:00:50) - The Catholic Project: Steven White Interview(00:05:21) - The EWTN Podcast and the Study(00:09:19) - The Catholic Project and the Sexual Abuse Crisis(00:12:41) - On the hierarchical structure of the Church(00:18:49) - How does reform and renewal come into the church?(00:25:59) - On clericalism and the danger of it(00:31:18) - The separation of the sacramental life(00:37:30) - A moment of reflection on the family(00:38:40) - Domestic Church(00:43:18) - No More Intentional Discipleship(00:48:59) - Priest social life and the priesthood(00:58:01) - Priests and the challenges of priestly formation(01:01:54) - What Holds You Back from Sharing Your Faith?(01:03:37) - Priests and the need to be more involved in spiritual formation(01:05:43) - The issues of parish life(01:07:18) - The Way to Communication the Study(01:11:57) - The Fix to the Catholic Church: On Podcast(01:15:44) - Questions for priests in the 2020 survey(01:18:04) - What kinds of communities and cultures produce healthy vocations?(01:20:46) - Marriage and the Vocation(01:24:04) - The Catholic Project
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    1 hr and 32 mins
  • Season 2 Teaser: Sacred Listening Across Faith Traditions

    Season 2 Teaser: Sacred Listening Across Faith Traditions
    May 4 2026

    Season 2 of Religion to Reality is on the horizon—and it begins with a simple but urgent question: what does it mean to truly listen?

    In a world marked by noise, division, and constant distraction, Dave Plisky and Fr. John Gribowich return to the heart of the podcast’s mission: living an integrated life where faith isn’t separated from the rest of who we are. Reflecting on Season 1, they explore how one theme kept surfacing again and again—listening as a sacred act.

    This upcoming season builds on that foundation, asking:

    How do we become bridge builders with no agenda?
    How do we recognize God already at work in the person in front of us?

    Inspired by the spirit of Vatican II and the Church’s call to encounter and dialogue, Season 2 features conversations with voices across Christian communities and other faith traditions—not to debate or convert, but to listen.

    New episodes begin June 1, with weekly releases every Monday.

    Chapters
    • (00:00:00) - Season 2: The Integrative Life
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    5 mins