Fr. Edward Looney
Host of Hey Everybody! It's Fr. Edward
Fr. Edward Looney was ordained a priest for the Diocese of Green Bay on June 6, 2015. Fr. Looney quickly became known for his excellent writings and inspiring talks and homilies. Fr. Looney's writings have been featured in the pages of Catholic Digest and Missio Immaculatae, in addition to the web on Catholic Exchange, Aleteia, Church Pop, and Homiletic and Pastoral Review. He is a member of the Mariological Society of America and serves on their Administrative Council. Additionally, he is the author of the best-selling books A Heart Like Mary’s: 31 Daily Meditations to Help You Live and Love as She Does (Ave Maria Press) and A Rosary Litany (OSV) and A Lenten Journey with Mother Mary (Sophia Institute Press).
Fr. Edward Looney has hosted 380 Episodes.
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Episode 345: Anthony DeStefano’s Spooky Catholic Story for Kids: All Hallows’ Eve
October 21st, 2025 | 20 mins 49 secs
#bookinterview
Author Anthony DeStefano joins Fr. Edward Looney to share a delightful and faith-filled take on Halloween through his newest children’s book, All Hallows’ Eve.
In this conversation, Anthony discusses the inspiration behind the story, including the memorable character Hulga May, and how he skillfully weaves Catholic tradition into a tale that helps reclaim Halloween for the faith. Together, Fr. Edward and Anthony explore how this story can help children—and families—rediscover the Christian roots of All Hallows’ Eve, while remembering to pray for the holy souls in Purgatory.
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Episode 344: What Cardinal Marc Ouellet Thinks About Synodality
October 8th, 2025 | 30 mins 22 secs
#bookinterview
Fr. Edward Looney speaks with Cardinal Marc Ouellet about his new book from Ignatius Press, Word, Sacrament, Charism. Their conversation explores a word that’s become central in Catholic dialogue — synodality.
What exactly is synodality? Is it an effort to modernize the Church, or something deeper? Cardinal Ouellet shares what he believes is the key to authentic synodality, what he wishes had gone differently during the Synod, and how this experience has shaped his understanding of the Church today.
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Episode 343: Meet Kevin Matthews: The Radio Legend Behind the New Documentary Broken Mary | In Theaters Oct 7
October 2nd, 2025 | 20 mins 38 secs
In this episode of Hey Everybody, It’s Fr. Edward, Fr. Edward Looney welcomes radio legend Kevin Matthews, whose incredible journey is featured in the new documentary Broken Mary: The Kevin Matthews Story, coming to theaters October 7.
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Episode 342: What to Expect from Bernadette The Musical in U.S. Theaters (Sept 28–29)
September 27th, 2025 | 16 mins 9 secs
#movieinterview
On September 28 & 29, 2025, Bernadette The Musical comes to U.S. theaters for a special two-day release. But how did this French production about St. Bernadette make its way to American screens?
Fr. Edward Looney talks with Thierry Fontaine, the international distributor who brought the musical to the U.S. Thierry shares his personal journey — growing up near Lourdes but knowing little about Bernadette, discovering the musical, and being moved to help share her story worldwide.
Together they discuss the impact of musicals, how American audiences embrace them, the reception in France, and why this story matters today. -
Episode 341: A Priest & Influencer React to New Movie Bau: Artist at War (In Theaters Now)
September 26th, 2025 | 15 mins 17 secs
#movieinterview
Join Fr. Edward Looney and Liv Harrison as we react to the new movie Bau: Artist at War, now in theaters. Liv attended the film’s red carpet premiere and shares her first-hand experience, including what the daughters of Joseph and Rebecca Bau told her that night.
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Episode 340: Padre Pio Appeared to Mary O'Regan, Now She Shares Stories and Insights About the Saint
September 23rd, 2025 | 43 mins 18 secs
#bookinterview
In this episode of Hey Everybody, It’s Fr. Edward, I speak with Mary O’Regan, author of the new Sophia Institute Press biography of Padre Pio. Mary shares the incredible story of how Padre Pio appeared to her in a mystical experience that changed her life and set her on the path of researching and writing about one of the Church’s most beloved saints.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.