
They That Hope: A Catholic Podcast
Fr. Dave Pivonka, TOR, and Dcn. Bob Rice are friends who see humor and hope in a crazy world. Whether they are talking about sports, movies, politics, the Church, or their own lives, Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob try to find Christ in all things, even in the messiness of today’s culture. “They that hope in the Lord will renew their strength” (Isaiah 40:31). Come be refreshed and renewed!
Latest episodes

Feb 14, 2024 • 34min
Flowers and Ashes
Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob talk about the Super Bowl (which they hadn’t seen yet), the Baseball Hall of Fame, answer questions from listeners (finally!), and share their most effective Lenten fasts.

Feb 7, 2024 • 40min
With Jake and Heather Khym
Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob welcome Jake and Heather Khym into their very crowded studio. They talk about F1 racing, World Cup Soccer, least favorite movies, unpopular opinions, and the retreat on campus last weekend, and share insights on God the Father.
To hear Jake’s podcast, go to restoretheglorypodcast.com
To hear Heather’s podcast, go to abidingtogetherpodcast.com

Jan 31, 2024 • 35min
Birthday Donuts!
Perhaps eating donuts while recording isn’t the best idea, but Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob do it anyway. They talk about the NFL playoffs, argue over who gets to root for the 49ers in the Super Bowl, share what kind of art and music they enjoy, and discuss the pope’s recent comments about hell.

Jan 24, 2024 • 34min
Wide Right
Father Dave shows how insensitive he is by forgetting Deacon Bob’s birthday and that the Buccaneers lost to the Lions. They discuss NFL football, witnessing faith in sports, gambling, the March for Life, the new spring semester, and challenges in parish ministry.

Jan 17, 2024 • 36min
Pardon My French
Dcn. Bob is going to the Buccaneers’ playoff game and hopes they win (they did!). After talking about other NFL playoff games, he and Fr. Dave discuss upcoming elections, Ohio laws about transgender athletes, the upcoming March for Life, surrogacy, and the pain of infertility.

Jan 10, 2024 • 35min
Welcome to 2024!
Deacon Bob is very excited about the Buccaneers getting into the playoffs. He and Fr. Dave talk about sports, the 800th anniversary of the Nativity scene, what they did over the break, books they are reading, finding hope in tragedy, and Father Dave’s new video series, My father’s Father.

Dec 21, 2023 • 33min
Live at The Rink!
Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob brave the frozen tundra of The Rink at Franciscan Square as they do their first (and maybe last) outdoor episode! They discuss the NFL playoff picture, do a deep dive on what the Vatican said about blessing same-sex couples, and conclude with a reflection on Christmas.

Dec 13, 2023 • 36min
The Hamill Camel
Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob talk about the latest sporting news (go Bucs!), ice skating, the State of the University, what happens when you divorce faith from reason, and their homilies from the second week of Advent.

Dec 6, 2023 • 34min
Our Lady of Mt. Caramel
Dcn. Bob is in Florida to root on the Buccaneers (they won)! He and Fr. Dave talk about football in the rain, homemade candy fails, Franciscan athletics, ice skating, and the First Sunday of Advent.
00:00 Welcome to They That Hope!
00:41 Football in the Rain
02:37 College Football Travesties
07:33 Hell is Real (Soccer)
09:20 Homemade Candy Fail
12:26 Franciscan Athletics
15:15 Ice Skating and Hockey
18:32 Shortest Advent Ever
21:26 Ranking the Liturgical Seasons
23:03 Ad Orientem in Advent
24:41 Reflections on the First Sunday of Advent
33:19 Closing Prayer and Goodbye

Nov 29, 2023 • 34min
“He’s Patrick Dempsey!”
Dcn. Bob can’t believe Fr. Dave doesn’t know who Patrick Dempsey is! They talk about how their Thanksgivings went, sports, Scorigami, cruises, pro-life losses in politics, and the media’s narrative on Pope Francis.