Avoiding Babylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The cavalry isn’t coming—and that’s not a doomsday slogan, it’s the lived reality in towns cutting police hours and cities where 911 stalls. We take that uncomfortable truth and turn it into a plan: how to build a small, Catholic mutual assistance group that actually holds under stress. No cosplay, no fantasy—just clear roles, shared skills, and a prayer life that anchors everything.We start by puncturing the lone-wolf myth and mapping the real constraints: unpredictable platform rules around firearms, DAs who change the stakes by zip code, and emergency services that prioritize institutions over families. From there we get practical. Family buy-in comes first and it’s won with everyday examples—water when mains break, heat when the grid falters, first aid when minutes matter. Then we go find people where seriousness congregates: USPSA and IDPA matches, ham radio clubs, CERT and volunteer rescue, 4-H, homestead circles, and Knights of Columbus councils ready for renewal. Skills beat swagger—medics, electricians, welders, growers, and comms nerds are the backbone; rifles are the tip of a much larger spear.Leadership gets one chair. We outline a lean structure, redundancy across roles, simple comms plans, on-paper inventories, and an intel habit that shrinks the fog of war. We keep it legal and layered—cookouts before carbine days, no shortcuts, no stunts. Spiritual life isn’t a bolt-on; we pray the Rosary, read, and keep Sundays, because order in the soul builds order in the street. On gear and training, we favor standardization, sustainable ammo budgets, and drills that sharpen judgment over ego. Fitness becomes logistics you wear: walking, rucking, lifting—the quiet work that lets fathers carry children upstairs when it counts.If you’ve wondered how to move from anxiety to action, this conversation is your blueprint. Subscribe, share with someone who should be on your team, and tell us: what skill will you bring to your group this month?Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The fights are loud; the fixes are quiet. We open with a hard look at how Catholics talk about the Pope—prudence vs. fear, why “seamless garment” rhetoric detonates in trad circles, and what we learned from mistakes under Francis. Then the conversation drops from theory to battle: a sudden wave of despair, the urge to relapse, and the shock of deliverance prayers that cut through the darkness in minutes. No theatrics. Just binding, sealing, and mercy that holds.From there, we trace the slow road back to reverence. A wife resists the Latin Mass, refuses a veil, and breaks into tears mid-liturgia; a father stops arguing and starts praying the rosary with his kids; families watch baptism in the old rite wake up something deep and ancient. We ask why anyone would restrict the one thing setting young hearts on fire—and we name motives without denying the spiritual stakes. Outrage is easy; building is harder. So we get practical: chant where you can, add vespers, catechize at home when programs fail, invite a Novus Ordo friend to High Mass and lunch for four Sundays in a row.Callers sharpen the edges. When does venting become gossip? How do you start a Catholic channel without becoming an apologist clone? What lines do you draw around invalid marriages when little eyes are watching? We offer simple rules that keep charity intact: love widely, scandal never, and let the holiness of your home do the talking. We also face Canada’s euthanasia slide and what real honor for aging parents looks like when it hurts.Along the way, we detour through Augustine, Israel, and typology—not as trivia, but as ballast for the soul. If you’re tired of online shots and hungry for what actually works—deliverance, confession, Latin Mass, fatherhood that keeps its vows—this is your map back to clarity.If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more honest conversations, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: what will you build this week?Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!A single viral moment can do what a shelf of encyclicals can’t—and that’s exactly what we unpack. A papal quip about the death penalty, a glossy “ice blessing” clip, and days of Twitter crossfire reopened old wounds about the “seamless garment” and whether the Church is speaking with a clear voice. We talk frankly about why many Catholics who lived through John Paul II and Benedict bristled at the language of “inadmissible,” how prudential judgments differ from absolute moral norms, and why it matters for trust in the Magisterium. No strawmen, no gotchas—just the real stakes underneath the noise.We also get honest about the rift between trads and normies. Converts often defend the papacy out of genuine gratitude for authority after Protestant fragmentation. Trads speak with urgency that can read as judgment, especially online. We explore how form shapes faith—why the quiet gravity of the Latin Mass naturally invites reverence, dress, and silence—and how Novus Ordo communities can cultivate the same without culture wars. Along the way, we ask hard questions about optics: when Catholic leaders cozy up to climate theater, do we risk laundering ideology that sidelines the unborn, the family, and subsidiarity? Stewardship of creation is good; ceding our moral voice to technocratic agendas is not.What do we do next? Steelman the other side. Drop the labels. Seek clarity from Rome that upholds the unique horror of abortion while acknowledging legitimate debate on the death penalty. Build locally—beautiful liturgy, solid catechesis, and real friendship travel further than hot takes. If authority wants trust, it must choose precision over vibes. If we want renewal, we must choose reverence over rage. Hit play, then tell us where you stand and why—we’ll read and respond. And if this conversation helped you think more clearly, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find it.Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

Fr. Chad Ripperger, a traditional Catholic priest and skilled exorcist, dives into the chilling connection between demonic activity and recent violent acts, explaining the nuances of obsession versus possession. He discusses the societal impact of malformed consciences and the cultural shifts leading to spiritual confusion. Ripperger highlights Generation Z's pull towards both the occult and traditional Christianity, while emphasizing the urgency of preserving sacramental life to combat demonic influences. He also tackles the spiritual implications of tattoos and the efficacy of curses.

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!There’s no soundtrack when a room erupts—just noise, panic, and seconds that matter. We brought in Christopher, a paramedic with 30 years of experience, to walk us through what actually saves lives before an ambulance arrives. This is a clear, no-drama guide to the tools and decisions that work under pressure.We start with tourniquets: which ones to buy (CAT, SOFT-T, etc), how to spot counterfeits, and why the initial strap pull matters more than endless windlass turns. We cover when to apply a TQ (think bright, pulsing arterial bleeds), why legs often need two, and how to improvise using wide cloth and a rigid windlass if you’ve run out of commercial gear. Then we shift to the “box”—chest and torso—where pressure isn’t enough. You’ll learn to find every hole, use chest seals (and their packaging) to manage sucking chest wounds, and “burp” a seal if breathing worsens. For non‑tourniquet bleeds (groin, shoulder, neck), we get hands-on with wound packing and explain why hemostatic gauze beats powder.The small details save lives. Hypothermia ruins clotting, so we talk warming casualties even in summer with space blankets and layers. We unpack a lean IFAK you’ll actually carry: real tourniquets, compressed gauze, chest seals, serious tape, shears, and an elastic wrap. On the meds front, we keep it simple and strong: Tylenol for pain and fever, ibuprofen for inflammation, and diphenhydramine for nausea, anxiety, and spasm—plus how to dose when someone can’t swallow. We also get practical about triage: move people out of danger first, then treat. The OODA loop gives you a mental map to make a decision fast when your hands shake and your heart pounds.This isn’t theory. It’s the stuff a parent, usher, or bystander can do in a church, a parking lot, or on a road shoulder and feel confident they made the right call. You’ll use a med kit before a gun; and if you ever use a gun, you’ll need the med kit. Build yours, train your hands, and be ready to act. If this episode helped, share it with someone you’d want next to you on a bad day, and subscribe so you never miss a life-ready conversation.Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The Catholic world stands at a crossroads following Pope Leo's election, with traditional Catholics debating the best path forward. Should they maintain the same vocal criticism that characterized the Francis era, or adopt a more measured approach that might secure broader access to traditional liturgy? This tension has sparked heated debate within Catholic media circles.Matt Gaspers joins the conversation, expressing his growing skepticism about Pope Leo. Despite the new pontiff's improved aesthetics and more dignified demeanor, Gaspers argues Leo appears substantively aligned with his predecessor on doctrinal matters. This observation leads to a profound discussion about the nature of the Church in our time - is she experiencing her Passion, much like Christ after His scourging?The hosts examine Chris Jackson's recent article criticizing what he terms the "indult for quiet" strategy - the notion that traditional Catholics should soften their criticism in exchange for liturgical permissions. This debate reveals deeper divisions about effective resistance in an era where doctrinal confusion seems to reign, while the traditional Latin Mass faces increasing restrictions.The conversation takes on apocalyptic dimensions as the hosts consider whether we're witnessing the culmination of Christian history. References to unfulfilled aspects of the Fatima message, particularly regarding Russia's conversion, suggest divine intervention may be necessary where human solutions fall short. Yet, amid these sobering reflections, a call for personal sanctity and faithful witness remains.What emerges is a thoughtful exploration of how to preserve authentic Catholicism when the visible structures appear compromised. Is strategic prudence the wisest approach, or does it risk surrendering essential truths? The answers aren't simple, but the questions deserve our serious consideration as we navigate these unprecedented waters together.Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!What you carry every day speaks volumes about your priorities and preparedness. In this deep-dive exploration of everyday carry philosophy, we break down the essential components of a thoughtful EDC system that goes far beyond just firearms.The modern preparedness mindset requires careful consideration of what deserves space in your pockets and on your person. We unpack the logic behind carrying specific items, from quality flashlights that see daily use even in daylight hours, to reliable folding knives, medical equipment, and spiritual items that provide protection on multiple levels. Through practical demonstrations and candid discussion, we reveal our personal carry setups while explaining the reasoning behind each choice.Firearms selection takes center stage as we debate carry positions, holster designs, and why most shooters don't need to modify their carry guns. The conversation extends to off-body options like fanny packs (aesthetic concerns aside) and vehicle preparedness considerations that might make the difference in a crisis situation. We tackle tough questions about family acceptance of firearms, bugging in versus bugging out, and maintaining spiritual readiness in increasingly turbulent times.Whether you're new to self-reliance or a seasoned veteran looking to refine your system, this episode provides actionable insights on balancing practicality with preparedness. The world isn't getting safer—your everyday carry decisions today could determine your options tomorrow. Join our growing community through the Telegram link in the comments and connect with like-minded individuals committed to thoughtful preparation.Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Have you noticed the seismic shift happening in Catholic media? The comfortable patterns established during the Francis papacy have been utterly disrupted by Pope Leo's different leadership style, leaving content creators scrambling to adapt.For ten years, Francis provided a steady stream of controversial statements and actions that united conservative and traditional Catholics in shared concern. As Anthony observes, "Francis made normal Novus Ordo conservative Catholics feel like they had more in common with trads than they did with the Pope." This environment spawned an entire industry of Catholic media outlets that thrived on daily papal headlines.Enter Pope Leo, who speaks in what Anthony calls "squishy platitudes that allow everyone to hear what they want." This dramatic change has exposed the unsustainable nature of outrage-driven content. We're witnessing former allies taking shots at each other not because they disagree on substance, but because they're struggling to find new approaches in this changed landscape.Christian challenges fellow Catholic content creators to examine their mission: "The call of the Catholic is to take over the world, is to say that Christ has died, Christ has risen, Christ is coming again." He argues that many talented people in Catholic media have been wasting their gifts on sensationalizing papal news rather than creating content that advances Christ's kingdom.The conversation extends beyond just traditional Catholic circles, touching on how liberal Catholic media outlets like "Where Peter Is" are similarly affected. Both hosts advocate for a return to substance over sensation, relationship-building over viral moments, and reconciliation between Catholic media figures who found temporary unity under Francis.Whether you're a content creator yourself or simply a consumer of Catholic media, this episode offers crucial insights into the changing dynamics of faith communication in the digital age. How will Catholic media evolve in the Pope Leo era? What strategies will prove sustainable? Join us as we explore these questions and more.Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Pope Leo XIV's first major interview since his historic election as the first American pontiff raises more questions than it answers. Released through veteran Vatican correspondent John Allen Jr.'s Crux media platform (albeit with surprisingly poor production quality), the conversation offers fascinating insights into Leo's vision for his papacy.Leo strikes a delicate balance throughout the interview, emphasizing his desire to reduce polarization while hopefully upholding Catholic teaching. "I'm trying not to continue to polarize," he states plainly, acknowledging the tensions that have characterized recent years in Catholic life. This approach becomes particularly evident when addressing hot-button issues like LGBT concerns and liturgical preferences.Perhaps most anticipated by many Catholics was Leo's discussion of the Traditional Latin Mass, which had faced restrictions under Pope Francis. Significantly, he mentions upcoming opportunities to meet with advocates for the Tridentine rite, signaling an openness to dialogue that many felt was missing under the previous papacy.What emerges is a portrait of a pontiff attempting to be a bridge-builder during extraordinarily polarized times – recognizing that the Catholic Church, like society at large, stands at a precarious crossroads. Leo appears keenly aware of his challenging position, seeking to prevent further fragmentation within Catholicism while hopefully maintaining the Church's distinctive voice in a rapidly changing world.Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The assassination of Charlie Kirk has shattered America's political landscape, leaving many wondering how to process the tragedy and what comes next. As our nation grapples with this shocking act of violence, the most revealing aspect isn't just who pulled the trigger—it's how half the country responded.While grief and outrage have united many conservatives, disturbing celebrations from certain corners of the political left expose the dangerous division at America's core. Can a nation survive when political opponents see each other not just as wrong, but as enemies deserving elimination? This question looms over every aspect of this tragedy.The fog of conflicting narratives exemplifies what military strategists call "fifth generation warfare"—a battle for information that creates such confusion that citizens become paralyzed, unable to determine what's true. "You don't know what to believe, so you sit there and don't act," as one host explains. "You don't unite with the people you should unite with. You don't fight against the people you should fight against." This information chaos serves those who benefit from a fractured, inactive populace.Equally concerning is how some conservative figures have responded by adopting progressive frameworks they once opposed. When ex-Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi declared "There's free speech and then there's hate speech," she undermined long-standing conservative principles—the same principles that protected religious liberty in cases like the famous wedding cake controversy. This inconsistency suggests a troubling opportunism that could backfire dramatically when political winds shift.As Catholics and people of faith navigate this tragedy, we face profound questions about balancing free expression with moral imperatives. While absolute free speech may not align with traditional Catholic teaching, defining boundaries requires wisdom to avoid partisan traps that ultimately harm everyone.Support the showGoFundMe for Catholic couple in need: https://gofund.me/314382e0dCheck out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off!Want the best potato chips in the world? Head over to fatthins.com and use code AB10 for 10% off!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise: https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast: https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps: https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rssRumble: https://rumble.com/c/AvoidingBabylon🎙️ New to streaming or looking to level up? Check out StreamYard and get $10 discount! 😍 https://streamyard.com/pal/d/6029316625530880