What if Jesus is the greatest leadership model of all time—and modern leadership theory has been overlooking Him?

Fr. Daniel Brandenburg, LC joins Fr. Edward to discuss how his academic study of leadership led him to a surprising realization: at Catholic institutions, Jesus was rarely studied as a leadership model at all. Yet no leader has shaped history more profoundly.

In this conversation, Fr. Brandenburg compares Jesus to the top secular leadership frameworks and thought leaders, explains why asking for the “best leadership model” misses the point, and shares how leading like Jesus leads to flourishing—while failing to do so leads to breakdown.

He also reflects on Pope Leo XIV’s leadership style, offers encouragement for those suffering under poor leadership (including a powerful story involving Padre Pio), and explains who his book is written for and why it matters today.

Fr. Edward also shares how this discussion challenged and refined his own thinking about leadership.

Whether you’re a priest, educator, manager, or parish volunteer, this episode will reshape how you think about leadership—and discipleship.

Buy his book: https://www.amazon.com/Leader-Like-No-Other-Leadership/dp/B0DYJJBKMD/

What do priests and funeral directors have in common? According to Bishop Robert Barron, “The priest goes where most don’t want to go”—and the same could be said of funeral directors.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with funeral director Victor Sweeney for a candid and thoughtful conversation about death, funerals, and what lies beyond this life. Fr. Edward shares stories from death calls—including one time when he simply made a pot of coffee for a grieving family in the midst of chaos. Victor reflects on his own experiences, including leading a Latin prayer when he encountered a deeply Catholic home and family.

They explore how Victor’s Catholic faith informs his work, why he is careful with the word “love” in obituaries, and how he helps his parish observe All Souls’ Day and remember the dead. The conversation also touches on Purgatory, Catholic and non-Catholic funeral rites, what Victor has learned from preachers, and why he once made homemade graves for the poor.

Fr. Edward and Victor discuss contemporary funeral culture—why fewer families are holding funerals today, the rise of cremation, and how Catholics can better understand the importance of reverently burying ashes. Victor also shares about his secular book, which invites readers of all backgrounds to reflect on life, death, and eternity.

Whether you’ve recently lost a loved one, work in ministry, or simply want to think more deeply about mortality and hope, this conversation offers wisdom, honesty, and faith-filled perspective.

Buy Victor Sweeney's book- https://www.amazon.com/Now-Departing-Small-Town-Mortician-Moments/dp/1668062119

Fr. Edward Looney welcomes author Anthony DeStefano back to the podcast to discuss his new children’s book, Your Valentine, which reclaims the true Christian meaning of Valentine’s Day.

Anthony shares the real story of St. Valentine—a 3rd-century priest and martyr whose witness to Christian marriage and sacrificial love reminds us that love is stronger than death. They explore how Valentine’s Day became commercialized, why it’s important to teach children the Catholic roots of the holiday, and how themes of empathy, friendship, and self-giving love are woven into the story.

This episode is a timely conversation for parents, teachers, and anyone who wants to rediscover the faith-filled origins of Valentine’s Day.

Your Valentine is available from Sophia Institute Press. Buy here: https://sophiainstitute.com/product/your-valentine/?oid=816&affid=203

Devotions in the Church often rise and fall in popularity, but some are providentially renewed for a particular moment in history. In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney and Fr. Lawrence Carney explore the devotion to the Holy Face of Jesus—its origins, spiritual depth, and relevance today.

Fr. Edward shares how he was first introduced to the Holy Face devotion after leaving seminary in 2008 and how it quietly shaped his spiritual life. Fr. Carney traces the history of the devotion, explains why he believes it deserves renewed attention—especially among diocesan priests—and recounts how he personally encountered it.

Together, they discuss what the devotion looks like in daily life, from the simple prayer “Lord, show us Thy face and we shall be saved” to the importance of enrollment and consecration. The conversation also explores St. Martin of Tours’ surprising connection to the Holy Face, the sainthood cause of the religious sister instrumental in spreading the devotion, and why consecrating oneself to the Holy Face remains meaningful amid so many other consecrations.

Finally, they unpack the Purgative, Illuminative, and Unitive stages of the spiritual life that shape the consecration, drawing on great 20th-century spiritual theologians, and clarify the relationship between the Veil of Manoppello, the Shroud of Turin, and the Veil of Veronica—what they share and how they differ.

A rich conversation for anyone seeking to deepen their prayer and gaze more intentionally upon the Face of Christ.

Buy the book: https://tanbooks.com/products/books/preparation-for-total-consecration-to-the-holy-face-of-jesus-how-god-draws-the-soul-into-the-purgative-illuminative-and-unitive-ways/?srsltid=AfmBOorPX-h-1605TDIsVzZM-UGbE23INOZMscfA-zwehgto-kno6AQ4

In this conversation, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with actor and filmmaker David Henrie about his new EWTN+ series, Seeking Beauty, a show that invites viewers to rediscover the meaning of beauty through art, history, and faith.

David shares his understanding of beauty as something deeply misunderstood in today’s culture, and explains the purpose behind Seeking Beauty, which he describes as something like a “Catholic Rick Steves”—but with a spiritual depth rooted in the saints and the Church’s artistic heritage.

Together, they reflect on Italian history and how what was built centuries ago continues to endure, especially in Rome. Fr. Edward shares his own experience of traveling to Rome for the first time and how encountering sacred art in person changed the way he sees and prays.

The conversation touches on the saints featured in the series, including a powerful moment involving an unfinished Pietà by Michelangelo, and the moving experience of hearing a poem read that brought the sculpture—and its meaning—to life. Fr. Edward offers insight into the importance of appreciating beauty rather than merely taking pictures of it.

David also shares why the show exists, recounting how Edmundo Reyes was inspired. He reveals which place in Italy truly blew him away, explains St. Mark’s connection to Venice, and how viewers can watch Seeking Beauty streaming now on EWTN+.

Fr. Edward closes by inviting viewers to go on a pilgrimage from their recliner, allowing sacred art, history, and faith to form their hearts through this new series.

📺 Seeking Beauty is streaming now on EWTN+

Fr. Edward Looney interviews Fr. Rich Kunst, the priest and curator of the Vatican Unveiled exhibit currently on display at the Mall of America in Minnesota. Part of the 175th anniversary of the Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis, Vatican Unveiled features rare Catholic artifacts, Vatican documents, relics of saints, papal items, and historical manuscripts — all drawn from Fr. Rich’s personal collection.

In this conversation, Fr. Rich explains how he began collecting Catholic and Vatican artifacts, how rare Church items are discovered and preserved for decades — even centuries — and what it means to serve as a curator of sacred history. He also discusses why signatures and autographs of saints and popes matter, how visitors experience an aura of holiness while walking through the exhibit, and what people are saying as they make their way through the display.

Fr. Rich shares how the Archdiocese invited him to curate the exhibit, how he selected the items on display, his favorite artifact, one piece he wished he could have included, and an item he hopes to acquire in the future. This episode offers a unique look at how Catholic history, beauty, and evangelization meet in an unexpected place — the Mall of America.

Learn more and buy your tickets at: https://www.archspm.org/vaticanunveiled/

Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Michael Lichens, spokesperson for a new book by Wincenty Laszewski, published by Sophia Institute Press, which examines the apparitions of Jesus to mystics and visionaries throughout history.

The conversation explores how apparitions of Jesus brought hope to people imprisoned or sent to work camps, especially through the witness of Maria Teresa Carloni. Together, they discuss the recurring themes found in Jesus’ messages — with particular attention to suffering, redemptive suffering, and trust in Divine Mercy.

They also reflect on the types of prayers Jesus has requested, how the book helps jog our Catholic memory by rediscovering devotions and holy figures such as the Broken Arrow Prayer and St. Leopold Mandić, and whether Divine Mercy stands as one of the most significant modern devotions to Jesus.

The episode briefly touches on Venezuela, including Our Lady of Coromoto (17th century) and Betania (20th century), before addressing important questions:
How should the devotional lives of mystics shape our own spiritual lives? Are we meant to imitate their practices, or should we approach them with discernment? And why does Russia appear so frequently in discussions of private revelation?

A thoughtful conversation on what Jesus has already revealed — and what He may still be saying to us today.

Buy the book, The World of Jesus's Apparitions: https://sophiainstitute.com/?product=world-of-jesus-apparitions&oid=801&affid=203

Buy the book, The World of Mary's Apparitions: https://www.sojolk8trk.com/B72FJ8/FKPCX7/

--

Fr. Edward Looney speaks with John Krueger about Gen Z and the surprising resurgence of Catholic faith and devotion among young people today — what John calls America’s Catholic Comeback.

John shares his own testimony of returning to the practice of the faith and how a Newman Center community helped draw him back. The conversation explores how the digital landscape and social media are aiding evangelization (despite their pitfalls), the role of the saints in inspiring young Catholics, and why so many young people are increasingly drawn to tradition, reverence, and beauty.

We also discuss:

• why John wanted to write this book as a twenty-something year old
• whether revival is happening more in urban vs. rural areas
• where the “pockets of revival” are
• the key ingredients of renewal among Gen Z
• the perceived tension between tradition and social justice
• what John hopes readers will take away from the book

Learn more about his book Dwelt Among Us: America’s Catholic Comeback here:
https://www.dweltamongus.com