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The Pillar Podcast

The Pillar Podcast
Catholic Church
Pope Francis
The Pillar Podcast
Rome
Canon Law
Pope Leo XIV
Venezuela
Pillar Catholic
Synodality
Conclave
Pope Leo
Cub Scouts
Lent
China
Vatican
USCCB
Chaldean Catholic Church
Candlegate
Polygamy
Evangelization

Great Catholic Conversation, each week. www.pillarcatholic.com

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes435Founded6 years ago
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Religion & SpiritualityNews

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Latest Episodes

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit www.pillarcatholic.com

Ed recaps the FBI memo about “radical traditionalist Catholics.”

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JD and Ed get sucked into some Little League chat.

Then, Pope Leo XIV is widely expected to name some new cardinals in the coming weeks. JD and Ed debate Pope Leo’s most likely and least likely picks.

Cardinals in the Sistine Chapel. Credit: Vatica... more

Luke is joined by Dr. Sebastian Ostritsch to talk about the development of the Alternative for Germany (AfD) party, its formal condemnation in 2024 by the German bishops’ conference, and expectations ahead of elections in the German state of Saxony-A... more

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Ed is so happy!

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Recent Guests

Sebastian Ostritsch
Philosopher and journalist
Die Tagesspiegel? Die Tagesspost (Die Tagespost)
Episode: The German Church and the AfD, with Sebastian Ostritsch
David Frost
Lord Frost, prominent UK politician and convert to Catholicism
British politics, Catholic convert
Episode: Ep. 274: Middle-aged Men Yell at the Cloud
Andrew Cozzens
Bishop of Crookston, Minnesota
USCCB, National Eucharistic Congress
Episode: Stoking the flames of revival, with Bishop Cozzens
Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
Archbishop of San Francisco, guest introducing Reverent Liturgy Project
Archdiocese of San Francisco
Episode: Ep. 264: 'Does it count?' and the rise of the celebrity exorcist
Edgar Beltrán
Rome correspondent and Venezuelan expert
Episode: Ep. 241: China, Venezuela, and a slick transition
Lucy Spence
Editor-in-Chief of the Irish Rover and a piano performance major
The Irish Rover
Episode: Bonus: Live from Notre Dame!
Jenny Martin
Director of de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture
de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture
Episode: Bonus: Live from Notre Dame!
Emma Boyle
Runs the Leonine Forum
Episode: Ep. 193: Live from Orlando!
Fran Maier
Author and former chancellor of the Archdiocese of Denver
Author of True Confessions
Episode: Bonus: A conversation with Francis X. Maier

Hosts

Ed Condon
Pillar co-founder and podcast partner; host with extensive canon-law expertise
John (JD) Flynn
Host and Pillar Editor-in-Chief; frequent on-air canon-law commentator

Reviews

4.8 out of 5 stars from 1k ratings
  • No Canon Lawyer, But Avid Listener

    I am just a mom in the pews. For years, this podcast has been what I look forward to every Friday. (I admit to throwing a little temper-tantrum when they take a week off ;) Everyone in the Catholic world has an opinion about everything, but when I listen to The Pillar, I know the hosts and correspondents are trying to be steadfastly faithful to Church teaching as well as asking the hard questions, (that honestly, people in the pews are ordering but too afraid to ask). Thank you!!!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    SmilingAcorn875
    United States2 months ago
  • Too much inane banter

    The news and commentary is great, the endless banter gets old really fast. I just skip the first 8 minutes. Guys, you are smart (no doubt), but you are not funny or cool, and I am not your friend. I want news and value your commentary, not the rest. I am not the only one. Read your reviews.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Star Gazer 11
    United States9 months ago
  • Soothing

    I often listen to this podcast when I’m trying to fall asleep, and it does the trick every time. Except for the episodes recorded in front of an audience. Those get pretty raucous! Overall, though, JD and Ed have a pleasant rapport that makes for a palatable program.

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Maire 2003
    United States9 months ago
  • Disrespectful to our Pontiff

    To imply that people use Pope Francis’ ideas out of fear…. So disrespectful to imply that so soon after his death. Had it occurred to you that his ideas were well-liked, or would that notion only ever apply to popes you approve of? You could just say you don’t like him. Be honest: that’s what’s going on. You don’t have to neg on the legacy of a great man, a great pastor, and, yes, a great theologian. That implication is calumny. You don’t have to go there. I don’t listen as much as I used to, bu... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Sean The Theologian
    United Statesa year ago
  • What is this?

    Came to listen to informed news and smart commentary, what I got was 20 minutes of mindless banter about Halloween candy.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    addrac
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Some fans crave more straightforward news and less personal banter.
Listeners praise the show for thoughtful, faith-aligned news and deep canon-law insight.
A sizable minority appreciates the rigorous, investigative approach to church governance and finances.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 274: Middle-aged Men Yell at the Cloud
Q: What are the immediate practical changes the church might need to consider regarding AI in canon law and church governance?
The discussion suggests acknowledging AI existence, enforcing strict prohibitions on AI-generated tribunal content, labeling AI-made ecclesiastical materials, and exploring an overarching regulatory framework complemented by procedural instructions to adapt as technology evolves.
The German Church and the AfD, with Sebastian Ostritsch
Q: I wondered if we could begin, Sebastian, by talking about what the AfD is and where it sits in Germany's wider political landscape.
The AfD started around 2013 as eurosceptic, then shifted focus to migration and national identity, becoming a major anti-establishment force with significant regional support, especially in the East.
The consequences of Christianity, with Lord Frost
Q: What was your RCIA experience like and how did you decide on Catholicism?
He had a positive RCIA experience with a supportive priest and found the liturgical and intellectual depth of Catholicism compelling, leading to a formal entry into the Church and a broader engagement with Catholic thought.
The consequences of Christianity, with Lord Frost
Q: What happened between 2021 and 2025 that led you to convert to Catholicism?
Frost describes a gradual spiritual rekindling influenced by university faith, discussions with dissident Christian voices, and the pandemic's social disruptions, culminating in a move toward RCIA and formal baptism in 2025.
Ep. 257: Leo in Africa, and questions without answers
Q: What is the Pope stressing about evangelization in minority contexts?
That evangelization should be incarnational and communal, involving the whole church and shaped by a living witness that communicates the Gospel through action and presence, not just proclamation.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Pillar Podcast

What is The Pillar Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A thoughtful Catholic-issues podcast focusing on canon law, governance, and church finance, often tying current events to institutional practices and doctrine. Episodes blend investigative reporting with sharp analysis of Holy See diplomacy, episcopal appointments, and Vatican finances, along with ongoing coverage of scandals, reform efforts, and liturgical-life topics such as Eucharistic revival. The show stands out for its expert hosts—two canon-lawyers who ground debates in church law and policy, plus correspondents who provide global Catholic perspective—and it frequently pairs hard-hitting inquiries with accessible conversation. It's probably most compelling for listeners who want rigorous, faithful discussion of how the Church operate... more

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Which podcasts are similar to The Pillar Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Pillar Podcast:

1. Sunday School; A Pillar Bible Study
2. Pints With Aquinas
3. The Counsel of Trent
4. Godsplaining
5. The Thomistic Institute

How many episodes of The Pillar Podcast are there?

The Pillar Podcast launched 6 years ago and published 435 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Pillar Podcast?

Recent guests on The Pillar Podcast include:

1. Sebastian Ostritsch
2. David Frost
3. Andrew Cozzens
4. Archbishop Salvatore Cordileone
5. Edgar Beltrán
6. Lucy Spence
7. Jenny Martin
8. Emma Boyle

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