The Crab and The Cross

Dr. Joseph Arias is an Associate Professor of Theology at the Christendom College Graduate School of Theology. He earned a Doctorate in Sacred Theology as well as a Licentiate in Canon Law from The Catholic University of America.

We discuss what constitutes the Magisterium of the Church, what levels of doctrine exist, and when a teaching is considered infallible.

Stay tuned for Part 2!

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Mike Tenney is a speaker, worship leader, and host of the Pop Culture Catechism podcast. His writing has also been featured in numerous Catholic publications.

We discuss his origin story as a musician and Catholic speaker, what makes ministry fruitful, and his take on the current pop culture trends!

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Joni Seith has a Masters in Psychology from the Institute of Psychological Sciences, now Divine Mercy University. She is the author of two children's books as well as her memoir, “The Pain of Grace: Living and Suffering with Dignity." She has been married for 38 years and has 4 children. Together, she and her husband Bob work as Team leaders for Unbound Ministry.

We discuss her conversion from Judaism, how she met her husband, her battle with Ehlers Danlos Syndrome, whether husbands are to be the spiritual head of the household, and how she and her husband cultivate spiritual intimacy in their marriage.

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Fr . Brent Bowen O.P. is a presenter for the Catherine of Siena Institute and an administrator of the Institute's "Called and Gifted Process" for the diocese of Lafayette, IN. Currently, he is a student in the Doctorate of Ministry and Evangelization program at The Catholic University of America.

We discuss what charisms are and how they are discerned, their relationship to the Charismatic renewal, whether the charisms are evenly distributed, and how to evangelize more like St. Andrew rather than St. Peter.

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Maureen McNeill is the Associate Director of the Catholic Entrepreneurship and Design Experience at The Catholic University of America's Busch School of Business. She has her Masters in Theology from Providence College where her thesis focused on the philosophy of Christian friendship.

We discuss the differences between pagan and Christian philosophical concepts of friendship, whether one can truly be friendships with someone who holds different beliefs, whether social media is ruining friendship, and how to make friends in adulthood.

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Joseph and Crystal Gruber are the hosts of the "Love your Marriage Podcast" and run a marriage mentorship apostolate called "Our Outpost." They have been married for 11 years and live in Michigan with their six children.

We discuss what to look for in a potential spouse, practical ways to navigate conflict, and wisdom from the challenges they've faced in their own marriage including miscarriages, missionary life, and losing a parent. Lastly, they share quick takes on whether spouses should

• Share passwords
• Have separate bank accounts
• Be best friends
• + How to navigate different levels of sexual desire.

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Mary Lenaburg is a Catholic speaker, podcaster, and the author of "Be Brave in the Scared" and "Be Bold in the Broken." She and her husband, Jerry, host a marriage and relationship advice called the "Mary and Jerry Podcast."

Over their 35 years of marriage, they have dealt with caring for and losing a child with disabilities, pornography addiction, military deployments, religious differences, and many more challenges. Mary shares the story and how they healed and strengthened their marriage.

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Natalie Peters is a wife, homemaker, and the owner of District Color Studio. Three months into her marriage, her husband, Thomas, suffered a spinal cord injury that left him paralyzed. She shares how they navigated this challenge as a new couple, what their marriage looks like today, and the miracles God has given them along the way.

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Where is God? It’s the question of every philosopher and the cry of every heart. Is God hidden, or do we just not know how to recognize Him? In this reflection on the 6th Beatitude, Blessed are the pure of heart, MaryRose considers how to know if Catholic media personalities really know God.

IT'S HERE!!!! Just in time for Christmas, exclusive Crab and The Cross Podcast merch is available now!

Caleb Payne grew up in Phoenix Valley, AZ and served as a youth minister for two years before becoming a missionary in China and Tibet. There, he met his wife, Kate, and they continued to serve together for 8 years. They currently reside in Greenville, SC with their three children. Caleb now works as a team leader for the St. Paul Street Evangelization Team and in local pro-life ministry.

We discuss the legal and cultural barriers to sharing the Gospel in China, the history and characteristics of the underground church, and his eventual conversion to Catholicism.

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Leonard Wathen is a husband, father, youth minister, Director of Religious Education, AND a secular Carmelite.

We discuss his journey to marriage, ministry, and the Carmelites, as well as what the Carmelite tradition teaches us about mental prayer, detachment, and the secret to holiness. Plus, we discuss how to pray with the Trinity and whether you and your spouse need to have the same spirituality.

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We're back with Part 2! Andy models his coaching process in this live session. Exclusive access to my inner-most thoughts, feelings, and aspirations. Work along with us, or simply enjoy this display of my weaknesses.

Fr. Aquinas Guilbeau O.P. is the University Chaplain and Director of Campus Ministry at The Catholic University of America. He entered the Domincan Order in 2005 and completed is doctoral studies in Moral Theology at the University of Fribourg in 2016. He also serves as an Assistant Professor of Moral Theology at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C.

We discuss whether belief based on rational verification is true faith, what sort of faith is possessed by baptized infants, whether we can be blamed for lack of faith since it is a gift from God, if scandal can ever destroy faith, and how to evangelize in a way that leaves room for the Holy Spirit.

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Sister Mary Grace S.V. is the Director of the Evangelization Mission for the Sisters of Life and the co-host of the Sisters of Life Podcast, "Let Love."

Sister Mary Grace shares how the heart of pro-life work is so much more than simply preventing abortions. We discuss the unfolding of her vocation, what the Sisters of Life actually do, and how they are able to serve women in situations so vastly different from their own experiences.

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My interview with Dr. Rocha continues. He explains the origins of Critical Theory and Critical Race Theory and whether they pose a threat to children in public school. We also discuss some of the roots and repercussions of inequality surrounding the educational system in America. Lastly, Dr. Rocha gives his hot takes on the Montessori model, classical education, Chesterton Academies, homeschooling, school choice, and more!

Dr. Sam Rocha is an Associate Professor of Philosophy of Education at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He is the author of "A Primer for Philosophy and Education," "Folk Phenomenology: Education, Study, and the Human Person," and "The Syllabus as Curriculum: A Reconceptualist Approach."

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Dr. Sam Rocha is an Associate Professor of Philosophy of Education at The University of British Columbia in Vancouver, Canada. He is the author of "A Primer for Philosophy and Education," "Folk Phenomenology: Education, Study, and the Human Person," and "The Syllabus as Curriculum: A Reconceptualist Approach."

We discuss his journey to academia, the nature of tradition, and the flaws of educational psychology. Rocha touches on numerous thinkers including Plato, Augustine, Aquinas, John Dewy, and William James. He also gives the best correction of Dr. Jordan Peterson I've ever heard.

This is Part 1 of our interview. Part 2 discusses Critical Theory, inequality, and Dr. Rocha's educational "hot takes."

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My interview with Dr. Hanby continues. He shares the origin story of St. Jerome's Academy and St. Jerome's Institute, two classical schools in the Catholic tradition. He gives an overview of their curriculum and explains how it achieves the aims of classical learning. We also discuss how to avoid the trap of elitism that characterizes Catholic education today.

Dr. Michael Hanby is an associate professor of Religion and Philosophy of Science at the John Paul II Institute in Washington D.C. He was deeply involved in the creation of the St. Jerome Educational Plan for St. Jerome's Academy, a classical learning K-8 Catholic school, and was a founding board member of the St. Jerome's Institute, a liberal arts high school in the Catholic tradition. Check out Part 1 of this interview for an overview of classical education.

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Dr. Michael Hanby is an associate professor of Religion and Philosophy of Science at the John Paul II Institute in Washington D.C. He was deeply involved in the creation of the St. Jerome Educational Plan for St. Jerome's Academy, a classical learning K-8 Catholic school, and was a founding board member of the St. Jerome's Institute, a liberal arts high school in the Catholic tradition.

We discuss the pitfalls of the modern educational system, how a classical model offers a unifying vision of the human person in the context of history, and whether a curriculum focused on Western culture unfairly excludes the contributions of the East.

This is Part 1 of our interview. Part 2 discusses the founding of St. Jerome's Academy and what a classical curriculum entails.

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Mercy is for sinners, but it is also for victims of the sins and mistakes of others. In this fifth installment of an 8-week mini-series on The Beatitudes for Online Engagement, MaryRose shares what she learned about mercy from witnessing a trial for the wrongful death of a dear friend, and how we can turn our anger to mercy.

The internet is the easiest place to "signal" one's virtue, but just how deep can the mask of morality go? MaryRose shares two dark tales of internet frauds and shows what they teach us about the fourth Beatitude: Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness.

Why on earth would anyone want to be "meek"? (Perhaps because Jesus said they would inherit it?) But what does meekness mean, what does it look like display meekness online, and who IS the meekest man on the internet? In this third installment of an 8-week mini-series on The Beatitudes for Online Engagement, MaryRose explores the practical and spiritual meaning of meekness.

How can Jesus call those who mourn "blessed"? And how can a posture of mourning inform the way we engage with the online world? In this second installment of an 8-week mini-series on The Beatitudes for Online Engagement, MaryRose explores the spiritual and practical meaning of mourning.

What does it mean to be "poor in spirit"? And how can it inform the way we engage with the online world? In this first installment of an 8-week mini-series on The Beatitudes for Online Engagement, MaryRose explores the spiritual and practical implications of being poor in spirit.

Dr. Henry Miller is an historical archeologist and Maryland Heritage Scholar at Historic St. Mary's City. He obtained his Ph.D. in Anthropology from Michigan State University, specializing in Historic Sites Archeology. Much of Dr. Miller's career has been devoted to exploring 17th and 18th century American sites such as Jamestown, St. Mary's City, and Colonial Williamsburg, and converting them into public exhibits.

An English expedition, led by Cecil Calvert, reached the shores of the Potomac River in 1634. On board was Fr. Andrew White S.J. and several other Catholics. This envoy negotiated a settlement with the Yaocomico tribe and established St. Mary's City, the first European colony in Maryland, and the first English colony to include Catholics.

We discuss the history of this settlement, the recent excavations of these sites, the reconstruction of the historic Brick Chapel, and the early history of religious tolerance in Maryland.

This is the last episode of Season 2.

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Veronica Marrinan is a graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology and the co-founder and creative director of Litany, a women's clothing line that strives to provide women with beautifully crafted, ethically made, and sustainably functional pieces. We discuss how she got her start in the fashion industry, the moral principles that guide her business practices, and the oh-so-controversial topic of modesty. Many approaches to modesty reduce the body to its parts, but Veronica offers insights that ground modesty in a much deeper reverence for the human person.

Kevin Wells is a former Major League Baseball writer, award-winning journalist, and author of "Burst: A Story of God’s Grace When Life Falls Apart," "The Priests We Need to Save the Church", and "Priest and Beggar: The Heroic Life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz."

We discuss the life of Fr. Aloysius Schwartz, a 20th century American priest, whose cause is open for beatification. Like his contemporary, Mother Teresa, Fr. Al founded a religious community to serve the poorest of the poor. His first mission was to post-war Korea where he founded orphanages, hospitals, schools, and more. He continued his work in The Philippines and Mexico before succumbing to ALS in 1992. He gave all credit to the "Virgin of the Poor" --a title of Mary from an obscure Belgian apparition. Drawing from the example of Fr. Al, Kevin Wells shares his thoughts on the state of the Church today.

Fr. Christopher J. Seith is the Director of Spiritual Formation at St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington D.C. He completed his doctoral studies at The Catholic University of America in 2020, and recently published his first book, "Rekindling Wonder: Touching Heaven in a Screen Saturated World."

We discuss the vice of acedia, Josef Pieper, and how to experience God's "rest."

If you've ever felt enslaved by your device or burdened by your addiction to technology this episode will fill you with hope! Fr. Seith breaks through the productivity v. laziness paradigm and re-centers the conversation on God's love.

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Dr. Carleara Weiss is a post-doctoral fellow at the University of Buffalo School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Her research focuses on Geriatrics, Behavioral Sleep Medicine, and Circadian Rhythms.

She gives insights on the relationship between sleep and aging, gender differences in sleep, and how to modify one's circadian rhythm. We also discuss the moral and spiritual dimensions of sleep. Can you fast from sleep? Is it selfish to prioritize your sleep? Why did some saints sleep so little? What does the example of Jesus reveal to us sleeping habits?

Fr. Mark Ivany is the Vocations Director and Director of Seminarians for the Archdiocese of Washington. We discuss the pursuit of holiness in the 21st century. Should I dump all of my possessions? Can I care about my appearance? Should I be doing more penances? We also touch on unanswered prayers, the "narrow way," and what it means to go to margins of society.

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Patrick O'Hearn is an editor at Tan Books and the author of "Nursery of Heaven: Miscarriage, Stillbirth, and Infant Loss in the Lives of the Saints and Today's Parents" and "Parents of the Saints: The Hidden Heroes Behind Our Favorite Saints."

We discuss the way the saints were parented, the relationship between suffering and holiness, and what children need most from their parents in order to remain in the Church.

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Clare McCallan is a spoken word artist, author, podcaster, and co-host of CatholicTV's morning show, "This is the Day." We discuss how she discovered spoken word poetry on a mission trip in Calcutta and her life as a traveling artist.  We also talk about dating as Catholic women.  Spoiler alert: no one is having fun...

Randy Schwab is the animator and YouTube creator behind IMBeggar.  He makes videos exploring the answers

Fr. Richard Whitney CSP is a priest with the Paulist Fathers and works in college campus ministry in Knoxville, TN. He spent 20 years as a stage hand in the D.C. area before getting sober, becoming an addictions counselor, and eventually, a priest.  He shares his journey to sobriety and priesthood after 18 years of alcohol addiction.

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Dr. Robert J. Matava is the Dean of Christendom Graduate School of Theology in Front Royal, VA. He obtained his doctorate in Theology from St. Andrew’s University in Scotland in 2010. He is the author of “Divine Causality and Human Free Choice: Domingo Báñez, Physical Premotion, and the Controversy de Auxiliis Revisited.”

We discuss broad characterizations of the Domincan and Mollinist views on the relationship between God’s knowledge, grace, and human free will. We also discuss the practical implications of this question with regard to the problem of evil and individual discernment of God’s will.

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Fr. Matthew Schneider LC is a priest with the Legionaries of Christ. He obtained a doctorate in Moral Theology from The Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, and currently teaches theology at Belmont Abbey College in North Carolina. Early in his priesthood, he was diagnosed with Autism Spectrum Disorder. He recently published his first book, "God Loves the Autistic Mind: Prayer Guide for those on the Spectrum and those who Love Us."

We discuss his experience being diagnosed with autism as a priest, how it affects his daily life, and how autistic prayer might differ from typical prayer. We also discuss his doctoral thesis on the nature of privacy, the limits of government surveillance, and how he navigates online polarization in Church.

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Fr. Ryan Braam, Fr. Kyle Vance, and Fr. Alex Wyvill were ordained to the priesthood in July 2022.  They share their experiences at ordination, what it was like performing the sacraments for the first time, and what charisms they bring to their ministry.  Spoiler alert: someone says "spreadsheets" which just goes to show that the Holy Spirit is full of surprises.

This is the last episode of Season 1! 

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Mother Asterone Dodeka is a member of the Sister Servants of the Lord and the Virgin of Matera.  She currently teaches Theology at Mount St. Mary's University and assists with liturgies at the National Shrine of the Grotto of Our Lady of Lourdes in Emmitsburg, MD.  She grew up in a non-religious household in Portland, Oregon, but converted to Catholicism as a senior in high school. Shortly after college, she entered religious life. We discuss her conversion story, the nature of faith, and power of personal witness. 

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Fr. Carter Griffin is the rector of the St. John Paul II Seminary in Washington, D.C. He shares some trends he's noticed among incoming seminarians and he answers tough questions about what disqualifies men from being accepted to the seminary. We also discuss the concepts of masculinity and femininity, the role of women in the Church, and the feminine dimensions of the Catholic faith! 

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Santonio Hill is the assistant director of recruitment for Vagabond Missions.  He has almost a decade of experience ministering to teens, college students, and young adults.  We discuss the blessings and challenges of his current job serving at-risk youth in the Hill District of Pittsburg.  Plus, he drops top secret slang he's not supposed to share.

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Fr. Matt Fish is a priest of the Archdiocese of Washington.  Formerly big on Twitter, he has vacated the den of iniquity to appear on my podcast.   We discuss his discernment to the priesthood, the decision-paralysis affecting young people, and God's inscrutable yet marvelous providence.

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Eve Tushnet is a writer, blogger, and speaker. In addition to two novels, she is the author of "Gay and Catholic: Accepting My Sexuality, Finding Community, Living My Faith," and "Tenderness: A Gay Christian’s Guide to Unlearning Rejection and Experiencing God’s Extravagant Love."

We discuss her journey to the Catholic faith, the needs of gay Christians, and what paths are open to them in the life of the Church.

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