

Ignatius Press Podcast
Ignatius Press
Join us every Monday on the Ignatius Press podcast where we talk with our authors to get a behind the scenes look at our books, uncover the riches of our Catholic faith, and integrate the Gospel into our daily lives.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Oct 27, 2025 • 43min
Should Catholics Celebrate Halloween and Read Horror Stories? w/Eleanor Nicholson
With Halloween, All Saints Day, and All Souls Day quickly approaching, Eleanor Nicholson gives her thoughts on how Catholics should approach Halloween and horror stories.
Get your copy of Dracula: https://ignatius.com/dracula-7dp/?searchid=3291085&search_query=dracula
Get Nicholson’s "A Bloody Habit" here: https://ignatius.com/a-bloody-habit-blhp/?searchid=3291600&search_query=bloody+habit
There are a variety of opinions among Catholics when it comes to Halloween and horror stories such as Dracula. Some avoid such things altogether, while others consume such content without hesitation. Eleanor provides a nuanced position as both a mother and the author of the mystery-thriller “A Bloody Habit.” She not only gives guidelines on what kind of things we should avoid, but also how Catholics can use Halloween and gothic novels to enliven their faith.
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You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Music from Pexels, Original Soundtrack: https://pixabay.com/users/original_soundtrack-50153119/

Oct 20, 2025 • 45min
Chesterton’s New Autobiography? w/ Dr. Dale Ahlquist
G.K. Chesterton is one of the great Catholic converts and writers of the 20th century, but much of his personal life has remained obscure until today!
Get Your Copy Here: https://ignatius.com/i-also-had-my-hour-ahhp/?searchid=3228600&search_query=i+also+had+my+hour
Dr. Dale Ahlquist joins Andrew Petiprin to discuss a book he has been working on for over a decade—an alternative autobiography of G.K. Chesterton. It remains an autobiography because he compiles the scatter writings where Chesterton talks about himself. This unique view of Chesterton reveals more of his personal life that even the most diehard devotee knows.
In this episode, they discuss the compilation of a very detailed timeline of Chesterton’s life as well as his conversion, his political philosophy, and his relationship with his wife. These details not only reveal a private side to Chesterton, but highlight the extreme holiness of one of the most insightful thinkers of the 20th century.
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Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal

Oct 13, 2025 • 40min
Abigail Favale’s First Full-Length Novel is Perfect for Spooky Season
Well known for her scholarly work in “Genesis of Gender,” Dr. Abigail Favale has now released her first full-length novel “Our Lady of the Sign.”
Get Your Copy Here: https://ignatius.com/our-lady-of-the-sign-olosp/
Dealing with themes of freedom, temptation, feminism, and spiritual warfare, “Our Lady of the Sign” is a work of suspense and thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat. This haunting book takes place during Advent, when the protagonist Simone returns to her hometown, and not everything is as she remembers.
In today’s episode, Dr. Abigail Favale talks to Andrew Petiprin about her inspiration for writing this book and how both her scholarly work and personal life influenced her writing. If you are looking for a suspenseful and slightly eerie book for “Spooky season,” then this is the book for you!
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Music from Pexels, Oleksii_Kalyna. https://pixabay.com/users/oleksii_kalyna-39191707/

Oct 6, 2025 • 51min
Henri de Lubac is One of the Best Theologians of the 20th Century
Henri de Lubac is not well known by most Catholics, but the upcoming documentary is hoping to change that...
See More of the De Lubac Film Here: https://m9b.185.myftpupload.com/
Purchase Henri De Lubac’s Books Here: https://ignatius.com/authors/henri-de-lubac/
Cardinal Henri de Lubac was a French theologian who lived in Europe during the tumultuous 20th century. He survived the front-line trenches of World War I and participated in the French Resistance of World War II. He lived to see the murder of the last Tsar of Russia, all the way to the fall of the Berlin Wall. During his life, he was known as a controversial theologian who was eventually elevated to a Cardinal by Pope Saint John Paul II and participated in the Second Vatican Council.
Today, we are joined by Geoffrey Zokal and Sam Soruch, who are creating a detailed documentary about Henri de Lubac. In this episode, they not only comment on the extraordinary life of Henri de Lubac, but also touch on some of the more controversial elements of his theology. They remark on both his profound wisdom and theological insight as well as his great personal humility and holiness.
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Watch Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L-vB1HaBsog&t=44s
Lumen Christi Institute: https://lumenchristi.org/
Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal

Sep 29, 2025 • 40min
Celebrating 100 years of St. Thérèse’s Canonization w/ Fr. Tom Hiney
In 1925, St. Thérèse of Lisieux was canonized, and a hundred years later, her prayers and little way are just as important.
Get Your St. Therese Books and Movies Here: https://ignatius.com/saint-therese-of-lisieux-stllh/?searchid=3086238&search_query=therese
https://ignatius.com/saint-therese-of-lisieux-stslp/?searchid=3086238&search_query=therese
https://ignatius.com/miracle-of-st-therese-mstm/?searchid=3086238&search_query=therese
Today, Fr. Tom Hiney, who is currently writing a book about St. Thérèse, joins Andrew Petiprin to celebrate the Little Flower and discuss the great influence of such a young saint. In addition to highlighting some of the key moments in the life of. St. Thérèse, they discuss her response to suffering, the beauty of her face, and why she is fittingly a doctor of the Church. May she continue to intercede for each one of us!
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal

Sep 22, 2025 • 44min
What Tolkien Can Teach Us: Celebrating Hobbit Day with Sr. Orianne Pietra Rene
Today is Bilbo’s birthday! And to celebrate two nerds, Sr. Orianne Pietra Rene and Ben Eriksen, reflect on Tolkien’s myths which are arguably the best literary works of the 20th century.
Delve Deeper into Tolkien’s Works here: https://ignatius.com/the-philosophy-of-tolkien-phtop/?searchid=0&search_query=tolkien
https://ignatius.com/tolkien-man-and-myth-tmanp/?searchid=0&search_query=tolkien
https://ignatius.com/the-hobbit-party-hobph/?searchid=0&search_query=tolkien
It is not often that a religious sister and a philosopher sit down to talk about Tolkien, but in today’s episode, Sister Orianne and Ben have an in-depth conversation about Tolkien’s ability to uncover reality itself through myth. In particular, the highlight the liturgical themes of Tolkien’s myths and the importance of nature in Middle Earth. They also discuss the importance of Tolkien’s female characters and some of the ways that fellow Tolkien enthusiasts misuse Tolkien’s works. If you are a fellow Tolkien nerd, then grab your favorite cup of tea or coffee and celebrate Bilbo’s birthday by listening to this episode of the Ignatius Press podcast.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Sep 16, 2025 • 44min
Celebrating 25 Years of Pope Benedict XVI's Spirit of the Liturgy w/ Archbishop Cordileone
Twenty-five years ago, the future Pope Benedict XVI released his pivotal work “The Spirit of the Liturgy,” and today we are blessed to be joined by Archbishop Cordileone and one of Pope Benedict’s own students, Fr. Fessio.
Get Pope Benedict XVI’s The Spirit of the Liturgy: https://ignatius.com/the-spirit-of-the-liturgy-commemorative-edition-splcep/?searchid=2985996&search_query=spirit+of+the+liturgy
In today’s episode, Fr. Fessio recounts the first time he learned about Cardinal Ratzinger writing “Spirit of the Liturgy” as well as his initial response reading the book. Archbishop Cordileone also outlines how this work has impacted his decisions in his own archdiocese. Finally, they highlight several practices that they believe every Catholic and parish should implement.
Fr. Fessio and Archbishop Cordileone both agree that this is one of Pope Benedict’s greatest works and that it can lead the way for a Liturgical renewal in the Catholic Church.
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Sep 8, 2025 • 57min
Saint John Henry Newman: A Protestant to a Doctor of the Catholic Church w/ Bishop Lopes and Dr. Jennifer Martin
Saint John Henry Newman will be the first English speaker to be declared a Doctor of the Church.
Get Your Copy of his works here:
https://ignatius.com/john-henry-newman-jhnp/
https://ignatius.com/parochial-and-plain-sermons-ppsh/?searchid=0&search_query=newman
https://ignatius.com/loss-and-gain-7lgp/?searchid=0&search_query=newman
It was recently announced that St. John Henry Newman will be the 38th person to be declared a Doctor of the Church. And today, we are blessed to be joined by two guests. First is Bishop Lopes, ordinary of the Personal Ordinariate of the Chair of St. Peter, which is a community within the Catholic Church who celebrate according to the Anglican use. And second is Dr. Jennifer Martin, professor of theology at Notre Dame, who was one of twenty people to personally advocate for John Henry Newman to be declared a Doctor of the Church.
In this conversation, Bishop Lopes and Dr. Martin outline the process of becoming a Doctor of the Church and articulate why Saint John Henry Newman’s teachings make him worthy of such a title.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal

Sep 2, 2025 • 46min
Canonization of Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio: Learn More About Today’s Saints
On September 7th, Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio will be canonized saints of the Catholic Church. Today, we talk to Courtney Mares about the lives of these remarkable saints.
https://ignatius.com/carlo-acutis-updated-edition-sscaup/?searchid=2907778&search_query=carlo+acutis
Courtney Mares is the author of the definitive biography of Carlo Acutis and has written several articles about Pier Giorgio. Therefore, we are delighted to talk to her today about these modern saints. As a Vatican reporter, Courtney reveals many details about Carlo and Pier Giorgio that are not as well known. These details reveal that both men fully integrated their faith into their daily lives and that true sanctity is possible for all people!
Saint Carlo and Saint Pier Giorgio pray for us!
More resources for Carlo Acutis:
Carlo Acutis Comic Book from Magnificat: https://ignatius.com/carlo-acutis-6cah/?searchid=2907778&search_query=carlo+acutis
Carlo Acutis Comic Book from Voyage Comics: https://ignatius.com/miracles-of-the-eucharist-with-carlo-acutis-mecap/?searchid=2907778&search_query=carlo+acutis
More Resources for Pier Giorgio:
Pier Giorgio Comic Book from Magnificat: https://ignatius.com/pier-georgio-frassati-6pgfh/?searchid=0&search_query=pier+giorgio
Cristina Siccardi biography of Pier Giorgio: https://ignatius.com/pier-giorgio-frassati-pgfrp/?searchid=0&search_query=pier+giorgio
Luciana Frassati biography of Pier Giorgio: https://ignatius.com/a-man-of-the-beatitudes-manbp/?searchid=0&search_query=pier+giorgio
Pier Giorgio Movie: https://ignatius.com/pier-giorgio-frassati-pgfrm/?searchid=0&search_query=pier+giorgio
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
Follow us on social media:
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Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal

Aug 25, 2025 • 44min
Dr. Michael Pakaluk: How to Rediscover the Romanticism of Everyday Life
Oftentimes, we overlook the heroic and extraordinary moments in our ordinary lives. But Dr. Pakaluk believes that holiness is much nearer than we may think. . . .
Get Your Copy of his “Shock of Holiness” here: https://ignatius.com/shock-of-holiness-sofhp/
Today, Dr. Pakaluk talks with Andrew Petiprin about his new book “Shock of Holiness.” This approachable and practical book is a series of articles written to show us that true heroism and holiness is found in our everyday life. From the mom taking her kids to Mass, to holy water, and everything in between, Dr. Pakaluk reminds Catholics that God’s grace and presence is imminently in our lives and can bring about an extraordinary change if we allow Him. Dr. Pakaluk calls us to find the true romanticism in our daily activities.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Twitter/X: https://twitter.com/IgnatiusPress
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Music from Pexels, Gregor Quendel. https://www.classicals.de/legal


