The Podcast

New episodes every Tuesday!

New: Church History Shows Us How Much We’ve Changed. Navigating Catholicism for Future Crises.

Last week: Diving deep into the theology behind Fiducia Supplicans, the Vatican document allowing blessings for couples in “irregular unions.”

Podcast: Theology for the Unwanted

Join Dan and Jon as they explore Catholic moral theology as two guys who both love being Catholic but haven’t always felt 100% welcome. Theology for the Unwanted shares touching stories from countless who have felt this way about some aspect of their life. We dive into what moral theologians working on these complex issues have to say. You might be surprised at just how much Catholic cultures vary country by country. Yet we still find a way to stay unified and deeply devoted to Christian life.

Particularly in the modern world, faith is often filtered through a cultural lens or religious discipline. But through hearing these stories, we create a sense of unity among Catholics, even those who have different opinions. If we think of theology as reality, pointing us toward God, then we come to understand it as a lived experience. This helps us all live out our faith in a more concrete sacramental way.

All of us, including non-practicing and former Catholics, have something in common. The Father desires to see you in heaven, Jesus died on that Cross for you, and Mary our mother deeply cares for you as her own child. By putting on that lens we can finally start doing serious theology and making everyone feel wanted.

A special thank you to each guest that has come on the show. They come from many backgrounds with diverse views. Their contributions are never considered an endorsement of Theology for the Unwanted. But Dan and Jon believe that each guest has an important and unique message that can help Catholics overall further discern how to recognize Christ in their lives.

Host

Formerly known as “Liturgy Nerd”

Dan is a cradle Catholic and full-time political nerd, having knocked on many thousands of doors for local conservative candidates. He got his start working in foreign relations during an internship for the Holy See (Vatican) at their embassy in Switzerland. Since then, he completed a B.S. in Conflict Analysis and Resolution and a master’s in Political Science.

Through continued volunteer work for the Holy See, he was able to see how different Catholic cultures responded very differently to the complex and messy problems of the world. Yet we still remain unified as a family.

Dan still plays rec soccer and spends much of his free time volunteering for the Catholic Church, and with people who feel unwanted. He is a member of the Community of Sant’Egidio.

Co-Host and Executive Producer
Aka ”The Talent”

Jon first encountered the Catholic faith through his university’s Catholic Campus Ministry, ultimately converting in 2013. After a period of discernment with the Franciscans, he discovered his true passion lies in social media and broadcasting. A proud Navy Brat, Jon spent much of his childhood in South Korea, which sparked a lifelong love for travel and exploring diverse cultures.

He’s a dedicated sports fan—sometimes passionately opinionated—and always up for a good debate about football (soccer, for those in the U.S.). Jon met Dan during their university years, bonding over their shared love for the Church and the beautiful game. He's honored to support Dan’s mission to reach out to Catholics who may feel unwelcome or disconnected, and is committed to helping build a more inclusive Church community.