Fr. Edward Looney

Episode 339: Pope Leo’s Chicago Roots | Rob Kaczmark of Spirit Juice Studios on Faith, Film, and Catholic Art

September 17th, 2025  |  26 mins 49 secs

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with Rob Kaczmark, CEO of Spirit Juice Studios, to talk about his unique connection to Pope Leo XIII’s Chicago roots and how Catholic media continues to inspire today.
Rob shares his experience visiting the Chicago neighborhood where Pope Leo grew up, filming on location, and reflecting on how Catholic art and media may be entering a new renaissance.

Episode 338: Behind the Kolbe Film: Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio on New Movie Triumph of the Heart

September 12th, 2025  |  18 mins 48 secs

#movieinterview

In this episode, I talk with Dr. Marcellino D’Ambrosio, executive producer of the new Catholic film Triumph of the Heart and father of the film’s director, Anthony D’Ambrosio. He shares the story of his family’s influence on Anthony, the journey from a short film on St. Maximilian Kolbe to a full-length feature, and what they hope this project will contribute to Catholic cinema.

Episode 337: He Battled Fires and Culture: A Catholic Firefighter’s Story with Benjamin O'Brien

September 11th, 2025  |  25 mins 43 secs

#bookinterview

Hear from Benjamin O'Brien, a former firefighter, share his story about fighting fires and the culture of the workplace.

Episode 336: Country Music Meets Catholicism: Bradley Banning’s Faith-Filled Songs

September 2nd, 2025  |  32 mins 6 secs

music

Country music and Catholicism come together in this inspiring episode of Hey Everybody, It’s Fr. Edward! Fr. Edward sits down with country music singer and songwriter Bradley Banning, whose songs are infused with faith and storytelling. Bradley shares how St. Paul inspired one of his tracks, and unpacks the spiritual depth behind his popular song “Be a Kid”, which reflects the spiritual childhood of St. Thérèse of Lisieux.

Episode 335: Fr. Robert Bradley’s “Love Letter” to Mary – Dr. Betty Bosarge on Our Lady’s Psalter

August 13th, 2025  |  40 mins 20 secs

#bookinterview

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with Dr. Betty Bosarge to explore the life, legacy, and writings of Fr. Robert Bradley, S.J., with a special focus on Our Lady’s Psalter (Angelico Press). Dr. Bosarge, who served as Fr. Bradley’s editor, offers a behind-the-scenes look at his writing process—often on a simple yellow notepad—and shares how his meditations on the Rosary can renew the heart of anyone who prays them.

Episode 334: St. Michael’s Lent Explained: From St. Francis to Exodus 90 with Dr. Jared Staudt

August 5th, 2025  |  17 mins 46 secs

Did you know that St. Francis of Assisi observed a special season of prayer, fasting, and penance starting on the Feast of the Assumption and ending on the Feast of St. Michael the Archangel? It’s called St. Michael’s Lent, and it’s making a powerful comeback among Catholics seeking spiritual renewal.

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Dr. Jared Staudt, theologian and formation leader with Exodus 90, about the history, spirituality, and modern revival of St. Michael’s Lent.

Episode 333: A Sister Remembers — Cardinal Nguyen Van Thuan Through the Eyes of Élisabeth Nguyen

July 29th, 2025  |  32 mins 27 secs

#bookinterview

Servant of God Cardinal Francis Xavier Nguyen Van Thuan is remembered for his unwavering faith in the face of years of imprisonment. In this moving conversation, I speak with his sister, Élisabeth Nguyen, who shares intimate stories about their family upbringing, his path to the seminary, and his early years in the Church.

She recalls his arrest and long years in prison—and a moment involving medicine for his stomach that meant more than it seemed. What could that mean? You’ll have to listen to find out.

Hear a sibling’s unique insight into her brother’s sanctity, his cause for canonization, and why his story still inspires so many around the world today.

Episode 332: Bl. Stanley Rother, Satanists on the Highway, A Mormon in Nauvoo, & a Slovakian Marian Apparition

July 23rd, 2025  |  40 mins 5 secs

#soloepisode

Fr. Edward does a solo episode talking about his trip to Oklahoma City, following a Satanist's car, meeting a Mormon at Joseph Smith's grave, and he unpacks the most recently approved for devotion Marian apparition in Slovakia.

Episode 331: Catholic Shrine Road Trip & Chastity Mission | Eve Rosemary of The Everyday Saint Shares Her Story

July 10th, 2025  |  45 mins 6 secs

#pilgrimage

Eve Rosemary, host of The Everyday Saint Podcast, joins Fr. Edward Looney to share her inspiring journey of faith—from working at the National Shrine of Our Lady of Champion to visiting major Catholic shrines across the country.

In this episode, Eve opens up about her ministry as a chastity speaker, her favorite shrine experiences (including the Blessed Stanley Rother Shrine and Mother Cabrini’s shrines), and the spiritual impact of intercessory prayer.

Whether you’re passionate about Catholic pilgrimages, chastity outreach, or growing in your spiritual life, this conversation is full of wisdom, humor, and grace.

Episode 330: How “Fighting Spirit” Can Make You More Patriotic and Faith-Filled — A Conversation with Fr. Thomas Gibbons

July 1st, 2025  |  14 mins 47 secs

#movieinterview

In this episode, Fr. Edward welcomes Fr. Thomas Gibbons, executive producer of the new documentary Fighting Spirit, now available on VOD. This powerful film explores the heroic lives of military chaplains—both Catholic and non-Catholic—who served with courage, conviction, and deep faith.

Episode 329: Everyday with Jesus, Mary & Joseph: How Daily Prayer Transforms Your Life with Dr. Mary Amore

June 23rd, 2025  |  27 mins 40 secs

#catholicbooks #bookinterview

In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Dr. Mary Amore of Mayslake Ministries about the spiritual power of daily devotionals and the importance of spiritual direction in the Christian life. They discuss three of her devotional books—Everyday with Jesus, Everyday with Mary, and Everyday with Joseph—and how these can help believers grow in faith one day at a time.

Episode 328: Is The Life of Chuck Worth Seeing? A Catholic Priest’s Honest Reaction

June 14th, 2025  |  15 mins 42 secs

#moviereview

Is The Life of Chuck worth seeing? Catholic priest and film reviewer Fr. Edward Looney gives his honest reaction to this mind-bending, deeply human film based on Stephen King’s short story.

Fr. Looney had early access to a pre-screening but still went to the theater to watch it again—and in this video, he explains why. He shares why this film struck a deep emotional chord and why he thinks it's one of the most thought-provoking movies in recent years.

He also shares that two audience members walked out of the theater after the first 30 minutes, calling the movie “stupid”—a sentiment Fr. Looney firmly refutes. Stay tuned to hear why he believes they missed the entire point of the film.

Episode 327: Desperate for Friendship? How to Be a Better Friend – with Kristen Strong

June 9th, 2025  |  34 mins 15 secs

#bookinterview

What is real friendship—and why is it so hard to find today? In this honest and heartfelt conversation, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with Kristen Strong, author of Desperate Woman Seeks Friends (Thomas Nelson Books), to talk about the beauty, complexity, and spiritual depth of friendship in the modern world.

Episode 326: Two Catholic Priests React to New Exorcism Movie The Ritual

June 4th, 2025  |  18 mins 52 secs

#theritual #exorcismmovie #movieinterview

What happens when a Catholic priest lets a horror movie be filmed in his church? 🎬 Fr. Aaron Williams from Mississippi joins me to talk about hosting the filming of The Ritual, a new exorcism thriller set in the 1920s. We dive into why exorcisms continue to fascinate audiences, whether the movie is historically accurate, and what Catholics should know before watching.

In this powerful conversation, Fr. Williams gives pastoral insight into spiritual warfare, how the Church views exorcism today, and why The Ritual might be one of the more respectful portrayals of exorcism in modern cinema.

Episode 325: Travel Updates, Health Journey, the Billy Graham Library, and Hopes for Pope Leo XIV

May 20th, 2025  |  36 mins 37 secs

Fr. Edward Looney shares personal and spiritual reflections while on the road—offering an update on his latest travels, the academic paper he's presenting, and his new commitment to better health through diet and exercise. He recounts his visit to the Billy Graham Library in Charlotte, drawing parallels between evangelical reverence for Graham and Catholic devotion to saints and shrines. He closes the episode by sharing his hopes and prayers for the papacy of Pope Leo XIV.

Episode 324: Mountain Grace: Fr. John Nepil on Hiking, Prayer, and His New Book

May 6th, 2025  |  18 mins 6 secs

#bookinterview

What does hiking the Colorado Trail teach you about God, failure, and fatherhood? In this episode, Fr. Edward interviews Fr. John Nepil from the Archdiocese of Denver about his new book To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail. They discuss the beauty of 14ers, Scripture on mountains, spiritual lessons from hiking, and why Fr. Nepil chose to write the book as a series of letters. From biscuit wisdom to wild encounters and soul-searching reflections, this episode invites listeners to see nature as a path to deeper faith.