Explore every episode of the podcast Visitation Sessions (A Podcast)

This week, we dive head-first into the controversy over Christopher Nolan’s Odyssey, and the importance of Homer, Shakespeare, and modern interpretations of their work.

We also FINALLY debut our long-awaited podcasting studio, where you can watch all of our facial expressions and see Emily’s interior decorating decisions by accessing the link to our brand-spanking new Youtube channel. Give us a follow!

Special thanks to Select International tours, and Kara Patrowicz, whose work will be displayed in August at the Worcester Art Museum. Learn more about Kara’s work at https://www.karapatrowicz.com/, and on Instagram here.

Show notes:

* Bookmarx Bookstore in Steubenville, OH

* Plato's Allegory of the Cave in cartoon form — the 70’s-esque cartoon that Casey referenced

* One Second After, a novel

* The Inner Sea by Kate Stapleton

* Why you need more poetry in your life — our previous podcast on the subject

This week, we talk about the complicated moral quandaries posed by IVF—including the topic of embryo adoption. What does the Magisterium of the Church have to say on this subject? And how should we respond to the Church whenever we’re told No?

Show notes:

* Does the Catholic Church Approve of Embryo Adoption?

* Donum Vitae

* Dignitas Personae

* The Vatican's Orphans from 60 minutes

* IVF is Not the Way by Stacy Trasancos, PH.D.

Why do Christians celebrate Holy Week? What is the point of it all? How have we done it in the past? How are we doing it now? And how does it shape us as Christians? Talking about all that and more this week, on Visitation Sessions.

P.S. Special thanks to Select International Tours for sponsoring this week’s episode. Select does many things very, very well, and one of those things is pilgrim formation. Through their online pilgrim formation program, Stella Pelegrina, they offer all those traveling with them the chance to prepare spiritually and practically for all the graces and challenges that pilgrimages have to offer. Learn more by visiting their website today.

P.P.S. Please forgive the lack of show notes this weel! We’ll try to come back and get them up in the next few days, but this week, due to time, family, and travel constraints, it was a choice between posting without show notes or not posting at all. We chose no show notes!

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For the past two months, one of us (Chris) has been teaching a class on the history of Black Catholics in the United States. This week, we’re talking about some of that history and the consequences it has for the life of the Church in America today.

Show Notes

* The History of Black Catholics in the United States by Cyprian Davis

* A Black Patriot and a White Priest by Stephen J. Ochs

* Desegregating the Altar: The Josephites and the Struggle for Black Priests by Stephen J. Ochs

* The 272: The Families Who Were Enslaved and Sold to Build the American Catholic Church by Rachel Swarns

* From Sharecropper to Scientist: The Memoir of Thomas Wyatt Turner, Ph.D. edited by Marilyn Wenzke Nickels

* The Autobiography of Frederick Douglas by Frederick Douglas

* The Whitney Plantation Museum (Louisiana)

* Mansfield Plantation Story (South Carolina)

* Nottoway Plantation (Louisiana)

* Pope Nicholas V

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It’s Saint Joseph’s feast day, and we are celebrating this very special solemnity by taking a break from all our Lenten fasts and diving into the Scriptural and theological foundations of building a relationship with Saint Joseph (and all the other saints). Note: This relationship should not include burying a statue of Saint Joseph upside down in your yard, thinking that will somehow get your house sold.

Show Notes:

Joseph, Keeper of the King by Emily Stimpson Chapman and Scott Hahn

Redemptoris Custos (“Guardian of the Redeemer)” by Pope Saint John Paul II

The Visitation (painting by Mattia Preti)

Ottumwa International Film Festival

Beloit International Fim Festival

We’ve had a slew of new listeners since the New Year, and that was reflected in the questions you all sent for this week’s Q&A. So, this week, we’re sharing all about Casey’s time as monk (technically “canon”), Emily’s year cleaning toilets for world leaders, Kate’s plumbing free, electricity free mountain cabin, and Chris’s fall from grace. Hope you don’t regret asking!

Show Notes:

Reclaiming Quiet by Sarah Clarkson

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone by JK Rowling

The Meaning of Grace by Charles Journet

The History of Black Catholics by Cyprian Davis

The Habit of Being by Flannery O’Connor

Letters and Papers from Prison by Dietrich Bonhoffer

The Collected Letters of C.S. Lewis, Volumes 1, 2, and 3

John Henry Newman: A Life Sacrificed by Ida Friederike Görres

Paper Girl by Beth Macy

Dope Sick by Beth Macy

Timebends: A Life by Arthur Miller

Alexander the Great by Phillip Freeman

The Art of the Deal by Donald Trump

The Church in the Seventeenth Century by Daniel Rops

This week we’re circling back to actually answer the questions we asked last week: Is feminism the root of all evil and can Catholics call themselves feminists? We’re also tackling the sticky wicket of who gets to define feminism, why women need the vote, and why tutus are not the wisest choice of attire for hog tying competitions.

Show Notes:

Spiritual Theology by Jordan Aumann

Women in the Days of the Cathedrals by Regine Pernoud

Letter to Women by John Paul II

Evangelium Vitae by John Paul II

Feminist Pope Inspires Doctor’s Labor of Love by Helen Alvare

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What is feminism? Is it really rotten root and branch? Can Christians call themselves feminists? What do proponents and opponents of feminism get right? What do they get wrong? Why does Emily know so much about Mary Wollstonecraft? And why is it so important to never respond to an email when Casey is talking?

All this and more in the first part of our conversation about feminism.

Show Notes:

The Feminist Question by Father Francis Martin

The Rights of Woman: Reclaiming a Lost Vision by Erika Bachiochi

The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto by Leah Libresco Sargeant

Who Stole Feminism by Christina Hoff Summers

A Vindication of the Rights of Men by Mary Wollstonecraft

A Vindication of the Rights of Women by Mary Wollstonecraft

Thoughts on the Education of Daughters by Mary Wollstonecraft

“Steelman or Strawman: Carrie Gress’ Something Wicked” by Angela Franks

“Something Wicked Leaves Readers Unprepared to Evangelized” by Leah Libresco Sargeant

Something Wicked by Carrie Gress

The End of Woman by Carrie Gress

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Hey folks, we’re taking a break this week to allow the Chapmans to catch up on work, life, and everything after their unexpected week away. But, if you’re a full subscriber, we do have that promised bonus episode for you on our various dating wins and disasters before and after marriage. Enjoy! (And if you’re not a full subscriber, now is a great time t…

This week, we’re talking about why it’s so hard for Catholics to find love, marriage, and that baby carriage, and how so much of the current conversation around dating is missing the mark.

P.S. We recorded this talk before the Chapmans left town both for a family funeral and to spend time with Emily’s mom, who is not doing well. Please keep them in your prayers.

A Word from Our Sponsor

This week’s episode is brought to you by Select International Tours, who is excited to be offering a new pilgrimage for homeschooling mothers. Hosted by Sally Clarkson and Ainsley Arment, you’re invited to spend 10 wonder-filled days, journeying through Normandy, Rouen, and Parish. To learn more visit SelectInternationalTours.com.

Show Notes:

“She’s Probably Not Delaying Marriage” by Cartoons Hate Her

The Dating Project

Marty

Sacred Spark

National Catholic Singles Conference

“Scarcity of College Men and the Decline in Marriage Among Non-College Americans”

“The Illusion of Many Options”

“Men on Dating Apps Are Aiming Too High, and Science Says It’s Time to Stop”

Visitation Sessions is a listener-supported publication. If you don’t want to miss a minute of the conversation upgrade your subscription today.

How are Chris and Casey doing working from home with their wives? How do you reconnect with your spouse after a slew of babies in quick succession? How do you explain to your kids that your family can’t afford everything their classmates’ families can? On this week’s podcast, we’re answering these questions and more, sent to us by you.

Show Notes:

Mystic Monk Coffee

New Melleray Abbey (Dubuque Trappists)

What Do People Do All Day by Richard Scarry

The Book of Five Rings by Miyamoto Musashi

Those Who Can’t Teach Anymore podcast

Wings of Desire

My Life as a Dog

City of Angels

The Interior Castle by Saint Teresa of Avila

Summa Theologiae I-IIae Q.2 a.1 (Does happiness consist in wealth?)

Ariane Lydon

Arthur Brooks on “Reconnecting with your spouse”

Insane story told by Casey

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Social media was supposed to bring the world closer together. It was supposed to make it easier for us to understand each other, grow in knowledge, and make more informed judgements about current events. Instead, it’s often done the opposite. This week, in the wake of events in Minnesota, Switzerland, Venezuela, and Washington, DC, we’re walking through minefields as we discuss how the changing nature of journalism and the ascent of social media has contributed to confusion, chaos, political polarization, and apathy. We also hunt around for some answers about how Christians are called to navigate the whole ungodly mess.

This week’s episode of Visitation Sessions is brought to you by Select International Tours. The leader in Catholic pilgrimages for 35 years, Select is also now the only Catholic Pilgrimage company to offer a comprehensive pilgrim formation program to help you prepare spiritually, physically, mentally, and financially for the unique experience of going on pilgrimage. Learn more at pilgrimformation.com

Show Notes

Abuse of Language, Abuse of Power by Joseph Pieper

Irreversible Damage: The Transgender Craze Seducing Our Daughters by Abigail Shrier

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Are we living in the twilight of the American empire? Was the American Revolutionary war a Just War? Is Donald Trump quint-essentially American? This week, we tackle all of these issues with the grace of someone doing pirouettes in a minefield.

Show notes:

* The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher

* The Advent of Salvation by Jean Daniélou S.J.

* Rick Monday saves the American flag

* John Adams quote

This week, we’re talking to You Tube sensation, small town mortician, and (most importantly) Catholic dad of four, Victor Sweeney.

Over the past five years, Sweeney (33) has unexpectedly built a loyal following online for his penetrating insights about about death, dying, and the moments of grace made possible by both. He first began sharing that wisdom during Covid, in a series of uber viral videos for Wired. Since then, he has launched a You Tube channel, a podcast (“Death And …”), and written a book with Simon and Schuster, Now Departing: A Small Town Mortician on Death, Life, and the Moments in Between. Now, he’s sharing his wisdom with us in a fantastic conversation that we hope you enjoy as much as we did.

Show Notes

Now Departing

Victor Sweeney on Wired

“Death And” Podcast

You Tube Channel

Nick Cave and the Red Hand Files

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As the Church moves from Christmas back into Ordinary Time, we’re talking about what that transition means in our own lives. We also talk about the Chapman’s pilgrimage to Rome, Patti Smith, Bruce Springsteen, the Clarks, “The Pitt,” Christmas gifts, detective fiction, and the direction snow blows (Emily was jet lagged, folks, really jet lagged).

Show Notes:

Born to Run

Bread of Angels by Patti Smith

Russia, OH

With a Daughter’s Eye: A Memoir of Margaret Mead and Gregory Bateson

Cormoran Strike Mysteries by Robert Galbraith (aka J.K. Rowling)

Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere

The Clarks

Joy Clarkson: “Not Everyone is Everything”

Ordinary Time: Lessons Learned While Staying Put

“On ‘The Pitt,’ ER Doctors Try to Fix This Broken World”

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Christmas is three days away, and for our final podcast of 2025, we’re talking about memory: how the Church understands it, what it gives to us, how it defines us, and how, especially this time of year, it shapes the way we understand and celebrate Christmas.

As a special Christmas bonus, the end of the episode features one of the Stapleton’s Christmas carols: their version of “What Star Is This?” Links to all their carols are included in the shownotes.

We are taking the next two weeks off, but are praying you have the very merriest of Christmases and the happiest of New Years. Thanks for listening!

This episode of Visitation Sessions is brought to you by Select International Tours. The Chapmans are leaving for their pilgrimage in Rome on December 26, and taking all your intentions with you. They chose Select to organize their pilgrimages because of their excitement about accommodating families with young children, their decades of experience, their faithfulness, and their professionalism. To learn more about the pilgrimages and cruises Select offers, visit selectintenationaltours.com.

Show Notes

Confessions by Saint Augustine

Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind

Ikiuru

Living

“What Star is This” (Stapleton Version)

“What Child is This” (Stapleton Version)

“Huron Carol” (Stapleton Version)

It's cold and grey and the wind is a blowin' here in the Ohio Valley, so both the Stapletons and Chapmans are doing what families have always done in such times: gathering around the fire. For us, making space for fire in our homes has been, quite literally, life-changing, making winter warmer and life more human. Today, we're reflecting on why this is, examining what fire teaches us about God and ourselves, man and woman, and who we are as a people.

Recently, one of Emily’s readers sent her a message, expressing her frustration over her fiancee’s enjoyment of video games and asking for advice. She thought the men needed to weigh in as well, so we recorded a special bonus episode focused on the question.

We do these bonus episodes about once a month, to thank those of you who make this podcast possi…

Before Emily and Chris headed off to Illinois, we sat down to chat about the good, the bad, and the necessary of Thanksgiving. Kate shared stories, Casey cracked jokes, Emily wept, and Chris philosophized. So, pretty much your typical episode, only this time with a side of gravy.

This episode of Visitation Sessions was brought to you with the help of Select International Tours, who is not only our favorite pilgrimage company because of their faith-filled tours, but also because of their work with Select to Give, a non-profit run by volunteers of Select International which provides material support to Christians living in the Holy Land. To learn more, visit selecttogive.org.

Yes, Emily wrote another book. Yes, it’s getting obnoxious. And yes, we’re talking about it anyways. But, we’re also talking about aging and traveling and beer and Puritans and holiness and toxic teas and a whole lot more. It’s a great conversation, and we’re happy to have you join us for another episode of Visitation Sessions.

This episode of Visitation Sessions is brought to you by Select International Tours, winner of an innovation award from the Faith Travel Association for their Food and Faith pilgrimages. If you are a foodie or a wine connoisseur, who is looking to make a pilgrimage, check out the pilgrimages offered by Select International Tours.

Show Notes:

Sacred Wine: The Holy Heritage and History of Catholic Vintners

“Why Doesn’t Anyone Want to Make French Wine Anymore” by Josephine de La Bruyère

“Why the Germans Are Falling Out of Love With Beer” (The Economist)

Franciscan University Austrian Summer Experience

Shop the Chapman’s Online Bookstore

Today, is the Feast of the Saint Frances Xavier Cabrini, an Italian religious sister who came to the United States to serve the Italian poor and ended up becoming one of the greatest forces for good in American history, founding dozens of orphanages, hospitals, and schools, during her 29 years in the States.

It’s also National Adoption Month, and we could think of no way better of honoring Mother Cabrini and furthering the conversation about adoption, than bringing in our good friend Dr. Kimberly Henkel, to talk with us about the importance of changing the adoption conversation in the Catholic Church today.

As the co-founder of two apostolates, Springs in the Desert and Springs of Love, which serve couples struggling with infertility and discerning/pursuing adoption, Kimberly is doing incredible work to serve families that are often forgotten about in the Church today. We loved talking with her and hope you find our conversation as helpful as we did.

Show Notes

Kimberly’s Story

Building Belonging

Springs in the Desert

Springs of Love

Sound of Freedom

Sound of Hope

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This week, we’re chatting about the pop culture phenomenon du jour, K-Pop Demon Hunters, plus the toxic culture of pop princesses, boy band fever, and cotton candy theology.

Show notes are few and far between, but here are the videos of the Ambiguous Dance Company that Chris used to show the kids when they were toddlers on the daily.

Higher Power (official dance video)

Higher Power/Extraterrestrial Transmission

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Today, we're talking about the Catholic origins of Halloween, how the holiday has been corrupted by Wiccans and consumerism alike, and how much darkness is good for all of us.

Mentioned on today's show:

"The Truth About Exorcists & Demons: A Conversation with Dave VanVickle"

"The Goodness and Glory of All Hallow's Eve" by Emily Stimpson Chapman

We’re BAAAaaack! The gang is back together again, and share stories and insights of their travels abroad. Emily & Chris return from the green pastures of Austria and the English moors, and regale us with tales the motherland, and how our souls are really pining for something beyond this world. Hear how Kate produced a Shakespeare production, and how Casey rescued a stranger on hot day.

Show notes:

* Select International Tours

* Franciscan University's Austria Abroad program

* Born to be Wild by Steppenwolf

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What makes a movie Catholic? What makes a movie great? And why, so often, are movies that call themselves Catholic, not great? Those are the questions on the table today, on Visitation Sessions.

Also, a special thanks to this episode’s sponsor, Select International Tours. For 38 years, Select has been arranging group pilgrimages for Catholics to some of the holiest sites in Christendom and beyond. To learn more about the pilgrimages mentioned on today’s episode—a pilgrimage to Poland, next August, with Anthony D’Ambrosio and his parents, Marcellino and Susan D’Ambrosio, and a trip to Catholic France, next April, with Chicago radio legend Kevin Williams—visit SelectInternational.com

Show Notes

I Confess

On the Waterfront

Cabrini

Wildcat

Baahubali

The Passion of the Christ

Paul, Apostle of Christ

Therese

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We kept the conversation on Catholic movies going to ask the question: Is Nudity in films ever okay?

Show Notes

Amelie

Akiru

Lives of Others

Schindler’s List

Father Thomas Loya on Porn Versus Art

Today, we’re talking all things Sacred Scripture, from how the Historical Critical Method of Scripture Scholarship destroyed Scripture study to how Catholic parents can raise kids who know their Bibles better than the Protestants down the street.

Special thanks to our sponsors, Select International Tours, the only Catholic tour company that offers a comprehensive online pilgrim formation program. Just as Bible stories prepare your children for a deeper dive into their faith as they grow, Select’s pilgrim program, called Stella Peregrin (“the pilgrim star”), will help you better prepare spiritually and practically for your next pilgrimage. Learn more about this program and all the great pilgrimages Select offers at www.selectinternationaltours.com.

Show Notes:

The Story of All Stories: A Children’s Bible for Young Catholics

The Ignatius Catholic Study Bible

The Word on Fire Bible

Return to the Heart: The Biblical Spirituality of Saint Augustine’s Confessions by Shane Owens

Valerie Lueth

Kate and Casey are up in Wisconsin this week, making a documentary about a Catholic doctor who rides on horseback to serve the Amish (I think that’s how it goes), but before they left we chatted about all God’s creatures, great and small. Not the books. Not the tv shows. The actual animals: pigs, cows, chickens, dogs, cats. Does a love of animals make you happier and holier? Or can it sometimes make you crazier?

Show Notes:

The Business of Being Born

Brother Sun, Sister Moon

The Wolf of Gubio

Saintly Creatures: 14 Tales of Animals and Their Holy Companions by Alexi Sargeant

Leisure: The Basis of Culture by Joseph Pieper

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Are any of us professional poets? No. Are any of us poetry professors? No. Are any of us poetry publishers? One more time, no. But who cares. Poetry is part of our human patrimony. It’s the language of love, the language of war, the language of fear, despair, and human longing. Writing poems is what humans do—all humans, in every age—and this week, in perhaps our most favorite conversation ever, we’re talking about why that matters … and why poetry isn’t something to be scared of or left to the “experts” but rather something that can make us more deeply human in an increasingly less human age.

Show Notes:

“Can Poetry Matter,” Dana Gioia

Mike Aquilina

Jane Greer

Beatrice Institute

The Always Broken Plates of Mountains by Rose McClarney (Poem: “Gather”)

“Dichoso el corazón enamorado” by Saint Teresa of Avila

City Nave by Betsy Brown ( Poem: “To a Ripe June Strawberry”)

“All the World” by Liz Garton Scanlon

Emily’s Children’s Books

Mary, Mother of All The Supper of the Lamb Lord, Have Mercy Joseph, Keeper of the King (forthcoming Spring 2026)

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This week, we’re talking about one of the most glorious teachings of Catholicism: the saints! We also explore the Church’s teachings on relics, how grace transforms the material world, and how a relationship with the saints is meant to strengthen your relationship with Christ, not be a substitute for it.

Show Notes:

Saints:

* Saint Gabriel Possenti

* Saint Jude

* Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity

* Saint Helena

* Saint Padre Pio

* Saint Brigid of Ireland

* Saint Therese of Lisieux

* Saint Edith Stein

* Saint Hildegard of Bingen

* Saint John Paul II

* Saint Philip Neri

* Saint John Henry Newman

* Saint Bernadette Soubirous

Books:

* Essays on Woman by Edith Stein

* Parochial & Plain Sermons by John Henry Newman

* Theology of the Body by John Paul II

* Saint Hildegard of Bingen: Discovering the Doctors by Emily Stimpson Chapman

* Story of a Soul by Therese Martin

Rosary Bracelets: Humble Mission Beads

Thin Places

“Making Christianity Weird Again” by Tracy Rowland

Therese (1986 French movie)

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In this month’s bonus episode for full subscribers, we reflect on the events of last week, including the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, the initial responses in the culture, and how Christians should respond to chaos and hatred in the world.

Note: This conversation was recorded prior to the arrest of Tyler Robinson.

Show Notes:

The Last Battle: On Hatred, …

What are some practical ways men (and women) can overcome the habit of using pornography? Why is doing penance for pornography use so helpful? How can grace, over time heal our hearts and minds? And why is it so important for single people to take action now, before they are married, to begin that healing process. That’s what we are having a conversation about this week, on Visitation Sessions.

Show Notes:

Spiritual Passages: The Psychology of Spiritual Development By Father Benedict Groeschel

The Family Man

Three Colors Trilogy: Blue

The Porn Myth: Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography by Matt Fradd

Covenant Eyes

Saint Mark Ji Tianxiang

“The Porn Habit: How Porn Effects Marriage” (a podcast) with Sheila Gregoire

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The Stapletons convinced the Chapmans to go to their first ever Renaissance Fair in Pittsburgh and the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly of it all sparked quite the conversation about community and Catholicism. Also, Emily has a new cookbook out. It’s called Around the Catholic Table, and if you like good food, Catholicism, and community, you should buy it.

Show Notes:

The Surprisingly Radical Roots of the Renaissance Fair

Saint Conrad

Blessed Solanus Casey

Brideshead Revisisted

Saint Andre Bessette

The Catholic Table (Not a cookbook)

Around the Catholic Table (the cookbook)

Today, we’re talking about California, the Chapman’s adventures there, the reason Kate is sharing her story as a birth mother in her documentary The Inner Sea, and why the conversation around adoption and abortion in pro-life circles needs to deepen.

Show Notes:

The Inner Sea

Springs of Love

Building Belonging: Six Steps for Fostering and Adopting in Faith (An Adoption Education Curriculum)

The Chapman’s Adoption Story (produced by Springs of Love)

Leah Outten (birth mom support from a Protestant perspective)

Cradled in Grace (ethical adoption consultants)

Abiding Love Adoptions (birth mom centered adoption agency)

M Train: A Memoir by Patti Smith

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The ever-reaching tentacles of AI are EVERYWHERE these days, and Pope Leo has finally given us some insights and moral considerations in his recent Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas.

All of us on the far-flung corners of the globe currently are pouring through his writings, preparing for a future episode. This week, Emily is busily lecturing in the kitchen of a medieval monastery, and has assigned her students the same article we’re sharing with you.

The topic: a man whose mother is in love with an AI-Chatbot.

Show notes:

* Magnifica Humanitas

* Lanterns on the Levee by William Alexander Percy

* Melania by Melania Trump

* My Mother gave up on Love. Then she met Chat GPT

Earlier this month, The Church Life Journal ran an article by Michael Rota and Stephen Bullivant sharing some rather grim data on Catholic parents’ ability to raise Catholic children who stay Catholic as adults. In short, even with a little help from Catholic immigrants, the Church in America is essentially losing 9 out of 10 Catholics, once they become adults. “Rather grim” was a bit of an understatement, I suppose.

Regardless, since all four of us have seemingly defied the odds by growing up Catholic and remaining Catholic, we thought we’d parse that data through the lens of our own (wildly) different experiences in (wildly) different Catholic homes. What did our parents do that helped? What didn’t they do that might have helped more? And how much of it has nothing to do with our parents and much more to do with temperament, community, and grace?

That’s what we’re talking about today, on Visitation Sessions, which thanks to all of you wonderful listeners has now well surpassed 200,000 downloads! That is crazy. And amazing. Thanks so much for spending an hour of your week with us! And, don’t forget, if you want even more content, the very best way to get it is to become a full subscriber to the podcast today. Not only do our full subscribers help keep the podcast coming, but they also have access to subscriber only content and regular behind-the-paywall Q&A’s.

Show Notes:

Religious Transmission: A Solution to the Church’s Biggest Problem by Michael Rota and Stephen Bullivant

The Village Nobody Wants, Cartoons Hate Her

The Inner Sea Film

Marc Barnes is one of the coolest, smartest, most impressive guys we know. As one of the founders of both New Polity and the Harmonium Project, a professor at St. Joseph the Worker College, and the owner of a local farm to shelves grocery store, The Grocery Box, he has been putting Catholic Social Teaching into action in the streets of Steubenville for over a decade now. So, we thought we would pick his brain about where Catholics often go wrong in their pursuit of the goals of Catholic social teaching and why simply loving the place where you live and serving it well is one of the best things you can do to bring about a more just society.

Show Notes:

Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIII

The Church Against the State by Andrew Willard Jones

Being Consumed: Economics and Christian Culture by William Cavanaugh

The 401K Story (New Polity Podcast)

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Last week, the Vatican welcomed thousands of Internet evangelists to Rome for the Jubilee for Digital Missionaries and Influencers. Why would they do this? Why does it matter? What are the dangers of Catholics entangling themselves in Influencer Culture? And what does Emily really think about the word “Influencer”? We’re tackling all that and more this week, on Visitation Sessions.

(Also, after we recorded this episode, Emily got word that a problem at the printers will be delaying the release of Around the Catholic Table by a few weeks. The new launch date is now set for Tuesday, September 3. It’s still coming soon, though, so apologies for the wrong info in the show. It was right at the time we recorded!)

Show Notes:

Jesus and the Jubilee: The Jewish Roots of the Year of the Year of God’s Favor by John Bergsma

Address of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, to Influencers and Digital Missionaries

Around the Catholic Table: 100+ Simple Recipes for Family and Friends by Emily Stimpson Chapman

The Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics by Emily Stimpson Chapman

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The Chapmans are back in Illinois this week, so Emily can spend some time with her mom, whose Alzheimer’s continues to worsen. There wasn’t time before they left to record a new episode, but after we recorded our last episode, we did manage to record a quick bonus episode for our full subscribers. We’re sharing that here today. The topic: Anxiety.

A read…

Emily and Chris are still recovering from the Worst Mass With Kids Ever, so we thought this week we would swap a few horror stories about parenting little kids during the Mass, discuss why we think it’s important for them to be in church even when they’re misbehaving, and go over a few possible survival strategies for getting through the seasons of littles and Liturgy.

A big thank you to Beata Home for sponsoring this episode of Visitation Sessions. Be sure to check out Beata Home’s beautifully curated collection of fine art prints on their website and Instagram page, and make sure to use the code Emily15 to save 15 percent on your order.

Show Notes

Guidelines from the Church on Bringing Young Children to Mass (Catholic Answers)

“Learning How to See Again,” by Joseph Pieper

Beauty for Truth’s Sake: On the Re-enchantment of Education by Stratford Caldecott

Beauty in the Word: Rethinking the Foundations of Education by Stratford Caldecott

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We’re back! After a few weeks on the road, we’re catching up on everyone’s adventures, talking about what it means to honor our parents even when our parents are profoundly broken, and having heat stroke while we’re at it. We literally had to stop recording halfway through to keep Emily from passing out. All rambling, imprecise speech, and bad opinions we blame on a certain un-air-conditioned attic.

Show Notes:

“Secret Baptisms, Toxic Parents, & Prayer During the Single Years” by Emily Chapman"

“Honoring Our Parents, Ethical Adoptions, & Meatless Meals” by Emily Chapman

“The No Contact Epidemic That is Tearing Families Apart,” (The Lila Rose Show)

“Why Are So Many Young People Going No Contact With Their Parents” by Anna Russel (The New Yorker)

“A Shift in American Family Values Is Fueling Estrangement” by Joshua Coleman (The Atlantic)

Don’t Forget

It’s not too late to shop and save with some of our wonderful episode sponsors.

Ignatius Press: You can still save 15 percent off all novels at Ignatius Press with the code VISITATIONNOVELS. They have wonderful classic and contemporary fiction, including the Father Gabriel Mystery series that Emily is loving.

Beata Home: Beata Home offers a stunning collection of fine art prints for every room in your home. Choose from digital downloads, prints, and framed art, and save 15 percent on your purchase with the code Emily15.

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The Stapletons are rolling back into town this week and will be heading to Steuebenville on Friday to record a new episode. Until then, enjoy this fiery discussion about the marital debt, which we had with Renzo and Monica Ortega last March, when they visited us to discuss their book Lovemaking: How to Talk About Sex with Your Spouse.

This episode originally aired as a bonus episode for full subscribers, but today, we’re sharing it with everyone. To unlock more bonus content like this and receive future bonus episodes, all you have to do is click on the little button below. And if you missed our full discussion with the Ortegas, you can listen to it here: “Let’s Talk About Sex.”

Happy (almost) Fourth of July!

The Stapletons are still out on tour, but before they hit the road, we recorded this special bonus episode. One of our listeners asked us to address the quagmire of gentle parenting and parental discipline. Which we did, after much debate and with much more fear and trembling. But only for full subscribers. Some things just…

Before we all headed out of town, we got together at the fruit fly infested Visitation House to talk about summer and what it teaches us about the life of both Heaven and earth.

This episode was brought to you by Beata Home, The word Beata is derived from the Latin word for Blessed, and the mission of Beata Home is to bless your home with beautiful art that lifts your mind and heart (and your children’s minds and hearts) to God. Beata offers a large, but carefully curated collection of fine art prints, available as digital downloads, prints, and framed art.We love the work they do, and are so excited that one of their prints will be hanging in our new studio, and we know you will love having their art hanging in your home. Visit Beatahome.com and use the code Emily 15 to save 15 percent.

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We’re all getting ready to hit the road for vacations and/or tours, so we thought we would spend an hour analyzing our own particular form of crazy: traveling with small children. Why do we do it? When don’t we do it? And what’s the very worst that can happen? (Hint, it involves starving children and diesel fuel).

In our luggage this week, are some of the really wonderful novels for children and adults published by Ignatius Press. We’re so grateful for the care and attention Ignatius devotes to publishing contemporary (and classic) Catholic fiction, and love recommending their books to others. Right now, you can save 35 percent on all Ignatius novels (and 65 percent on e-versions) with the code VisitationNovels. Some of our favorites that we mentioned on the show include: Charis in the World of Wonders, If You Can Get It, The Spear, The Vanishing Woman, and the Louipo series.

Let’s Meet in Person

If you’re in the Dayton/Columbus/Cincinnati area, pencil in July 19 on your calendar. Chris and I will be speaking in Russia, Ohio that night from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Russia School Local Gym (100 School Street). Admission is free. Reach out to Kathryn Francis with questions.

See The Inner Seas

Kate’s documentary about adoption, music, and God’s surprising plans is showing at the Red Cedar Film Festival in Menomnie, WI on Saturday, July 19, at 2:00 p.m.

Show Notes:

“You’re Crazy for Taking the Bus” by Jonathan Richman

Thieves and Dreamers by the Stapletons

Taffy Nivert (I can’t find the issue from Franciscan Way magazine online because it is too old, but I swear on my life it exists!)

Taliesen Nightmare

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How Not to Save the Planet

Letters from Austria

Steubenville Warming Center

This week we talk to Catholic author and Word on Fire Votive editor, Haley Stewart, about what makes stories good (for children and adults), why good stories matter, and how they shape us. We also put together a fantastic summer reading list that is not AI generated!

Haley Stewart is the author of seven books: three books for adults, a series of books for children (the Sister Seraphina Mysteries), and most recently, The Catholic Kids C. ookbook: Holy Days and Heavenly Food. She also hosts the Votive podcast, where she explores the world of writing for children, and writes here on Substack. A mother of four, she lives with her children in Tallahassee, Florida.

The Catholic Kids Cookbook: Holy Days and Heavenly Food by Haley Stewart and Clare Sheaf

The Pursuit of the Pilfered Cheese: A Sister Seraphina Mystery by Haley Stewart

Strange Sound by the Sea: A Sister Seraphina Mystery by Haley Stewart

The Curious Christmas Tale: A Sister Seraphina Mystery by Haley Stewart

Books by Tommy dePaola

Books by Jan Brett

The Ox Cart Man by Donald Hall

Barbara Cooney

Demi

Little House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien

Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling

The Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary Schmidt

The Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel Naveri

Everything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Naveri

“On Fairy Stories” by J.R.R. Tolkien

The Way Things Work by David Macaulay

Past Watchful Dragons R. J. Sheffler

The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie Barrows

Jane Austen novels

Brideshead Revisited by Evelyn Waugh

River of Darkness by Buddy Levy

American Legend: The Real Life Adventures of David Crockett by Buddy Levy

Tom Lake by Ann Patchett

Charis and the World of Wonders by Marly Youmans

Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferris

Piranesi by Susanna Clark

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Kate, Casey, Chris, and Emily hash out out the difference between discerning the will of God and overthinking every life decision.

Also, special thanks to the Catholic Balm Company, for sponsoring this week’s episode. Their thoughtfully curated bundles of all natural balms, lotions, soaps, and colognes are safe from harmful toxic ingredient, smell great, and work just as great as they smell. They’re also 15 percent off (and come with a free peppermint lip balm) with the code Visitation15.

Show Notes:

“School’s Out Forever”

Authenticity: A Biblical Theology of Discernment by Father Thomas Dubay

Discerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making by Father Timothy Gallagher

The Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Father Timothy Gallagher

“A Vocational Primer” by Emily Stimpson Chapman

Summa Contra Gentiles by Saint Thomas Aquinas

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Next week, after 29 years in Catholic education (17 in the classroom, 12 in diocesan administration), Chris is (mostly) leaving teaching behind to work with Emily and take over the business side of all she does. This week, after 17 years in the classroom, Casey is also leaving teaching behind to work with Kate on a host of different creative projects, from their music to theatre camps for kids. So this week, we’re talking a little about those decisions and a lot about what they have learned about education during their years in the classroom, from how education has changed over the years to how it needs to continue to change as AI looms large.

P.S. Making huge life transitions is scary, but a whole lot less scary when you’re doing it with friends.

Show Notes

“The Effect of Commuting Time on Quality of Life”

The History of Black Catholics in the United States by Cyprian Davis

African Founders: How Enslaved People Expanded American Ideals byDavid Hackett Fischer

Desegregating the Altar: The Josephites and the Struggle for Black Priests: 1871-1960 By Stephen J. Ochs

“How the Ivy League Broke America” by David Brooks

The Underground History of American Education by John Taylor Gatto

“Will the Truth Survive Artificial Intelligence? A Free Press Debate”

“Everyone’s Using AI to Cheat at School: That’s a Good Thing” by Tyler Cowen

Homeschool Connections Classes with Chris Chapman

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Today, we’re talking to our good friends from the American Catholic History Podcast, Tom and Noelle Crowe, about the saints, sinners, and movements that have made American Catholics who we are and why that matters to the global Church, especially in the wake of Pope Leo XIV’s election.

Show Notes:

Matt Fradd’s Note

The American Catholic History Podcast

American Catholic History Pilgrimages

The American Catholic Almanac by Emily Stimpson Chapman

Longinqua oceani (1895)

Testem Benevolentiae (1899)

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