Your hosts, David Dault, Heidi Schlumpf, and Fr. Daniel Horan, OFM
Two theologians and a reporter walk into a bar...
No, seriously: This podcast is about the real world of politics and current events, seen through the lens of Catholic teaching and spirituality. We release eight episodes during each season, with a new one available every two weeks (for now, but we're hoping to go weekly, if listeners like what we do).
Speaking from their own experience and perspectives, your hosts, Heidi, Daniel, and David bring you their take on issues, as theologians and thinkers within the Church.
Daniel P. Horan, PhD is Professor of Philosophy, Religious Studies and Theology at Saint Mary’s College in Notre Dame, Indiana. A columnist for the National Catholic Reporter, he is the author or editor of sixteen books, including Catholicity and Emerging Personhood: A Contemporary Theological Anthropology, A White Catholic’s Guide to Racism and Privilege, and The Way of the Franciscans: A Prayer Journey Through Lent.
Prof. Horan’s most recent books are titled Engaging Thomas Merton: Spirituality, Justice, and Racism and Fear and Faith: Hope and Wholeness in a Fractured World. He is currently working on a book on Christology tentatively titled, Not Because of Sin: Reconsidering the Reason God Became Human.
His academic research, writing, and teaching focuses on medieval and contemporary spirituality, theological anthropology, Christology, antiracism and LGBTQ issues, and theologies of creation.
Prof. Horan regularly lectures around the United States and abroad; and serves on several university, academic, and publication editorial boards, including the Board of Directors of the Catholic Theological Society of America and the Society for the Study of Christian Spirituality. He is recipient of numerous awards for his writing and service and is co-host of The Francis Effect Podcast.
Heidi Schlumpf is an award-winning journalist and podcaster, currently serving as senior correspondent at Commonweal Magazine. She also is a co-host of the Francis Effect Podcast and a part-time faculty member in theology at Loyola University Chicago.
She previously spent 16 years at the National Catholic Reporter as a columnist, correspondent and executive editor/vice president. Schlumpf has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Notre Dame and a master’s in theological studies from Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois. She is based in Chicago. Follow her on Twitter @HeidiSchlumpf, Instagram heidi_schlumpf, Threads, and Bluesky
David Dault, PhD is an Emmy-nominated writer, producer, and educator. Through his company, Sandburg Media, he has spent more than fifteen years creating award-winning faith-focused programming for radio, television, and the web.
He is the executive producer and host of Things Not Seen: Conversations about Culture and Faith. He also helps produce podcasts for Commonweal Magazine, the Paulist Fathers, and GIA Music Publications.
He is the author of The Accessorized Bible (Yale 2026) and The Covert Magisterium (Bloomsbury, forthcoming 2026).
David is also an assistant professor of Christian spirituality at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago. Follow him on twitter here: @DaultRadio and @NotSeenRadio