Hey Everybody! It's Fr. Edward

Episode 319: Do Catholics Believe in Near-Death Experiences? With Scott L. Smith

March 17th, 2025  |  53 mins 15 secs

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Near-death experiences (NDEs) captivate people across religious and secular backgrounds, but how do they align with Catholic teaching? In this episode, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with Catholic author Scott L. Smith to explore NDEs from a faith-based perspective. They discuss the seven medical stages of NDEs—disembodiment, tunnel experiences, the Being of Light, life reviews, and more—while also diving into biblical accounts, the writings of saints like Bede the Venerable and St. Gregory the Great, and Marian visionaries who’ve had glimpses of the afterlife.

The conversation also highlights the Catholic call to pray for the dead, including insights from Sondra Abrahams' NDE, where she encountered souls in purgatory. Can NDEs help us prepare for our own death? What does the Church say about these experiences? Tune in for a fascinating discussion on faith, science, and the mysteries of the afterlife.

Episode 318: Archbishop Fulton Sheen: The Convert Maker Who Brought 42,000 Souls to the Catholic Church

March 11th, 2025  |  29 mins 35 secs

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At a time when many are preparing to enter the Catholic Church at the Easter Vigil, we explore one of the most influential evangelists of the 20th century—Archbishop Fulton Sheen. Known as a convert maker, Sheen helped bring an estimated 42,000 people into the Church.

In this episode, Dr. Cheryl Hughes joins Fr. Edward Looney to discuss her book on Fulton Sheen and his lasting impact on Catholic converts. Topics include:

🔹 How Sheen Inspired Her Book – Dr. Hughes shares how she came to admire Archbishop Sheen and why she felt compelled to write about him.
🔹 Famous Converts – Learn about Judith Mayo and other individuals whom Sheen helped bring into the Catholic faith.
🔹 Sheen’s Convert Classes – Discover how Fulton Sheen personally taught and guided converts into the Church.
🔹 Treasure in Clay – How reading Sheen’s autobiography deepened Fr. Edward’s appreciation for his writings.
🔹 The Beatification Controversy – The dispute over moving Sheen’s body from New York to Peoria and the unexpected cancellation of his beatification.
🔹 Sheen & Hollywood – Dr. Hughes connects her background in film studies to Sheen’s profound impact on Hollywood.
🔹 Why Sheen Still Inspires – What makes Fulton Sheen’s message timeless and why people continue to be drawn to his teachings today.
🔹 Must-Read Sheen Books – Cheryl’s top recommendations for those wanting to explore Sheen’s works.

Episode 317: How a Priest, Confession, and the Eucharist Saved Kevin & Krista Wells’ Marriage from Addiction

March 3rd, 2025  |  39 mins 41 secs

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Can the power of a priest and sacramental grace truly heal addiction and restore a marriage? In this compelling conversation, author Kevin Wells joins Fr. Edward Looney to share the deeply personal story behind his latest book, The Hermit. After chronicling The Priests We Need to Save the Church and the life of Venerable Aloysius Schwartz, Kevin now opens up about his own marriage—one marked by struggle, faith, and ultimate redemption.

Kevin recounts how his wife, Krista, battled alcohol addiction and how the grace of Confession, the Eucharist, and the spiritual guidance of Fr. Flum played a pivotal role in her healing. Through moments of conversion, deep wounds, and unwavering commitment, their marriage emerged stronger, filled with faith and hope.

Episode 316: The Sinner’s Guide to Holiness – Fr. Basil Cole on Venerable Louis of Granada’s Spiritual Wisdom

February 24th, 2025  |  31 mins 45 secs

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We are all sinners—but Venerable Louis of Granada offers a roadmap to holiness in his classic spiritual work, The Sinner’s Guide. In this powerful interview, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with Fr. Basil Cole, O.P., a Dominican scholar, to explore the wisdom of this TAN Books "Book of the Year."

🔹 Who was Venerable Louis of Granada? Discover his life, influence, and why his writings remain essential today.
🔹 Keys to overcoming sin and growing in virtue – Learn practical steps from The Sinner’s Guide to deepen your spiritual life.
🔹 No theology degree required! Fr. Cole explains how this book is accessible to everyone, no matter where you are in your faith journey.
🔹 Fr. Cole’s biggest takeaway – Hear the insight that transformed his own spiritual life.

Episode 315: Why People Visit Graves: A Saint Hunting Priest & a Presidential Grave Hunter Compare Notes

February 17th, 2025  |  1 hr 1 min

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Fr. Edward Looney and Kurt Deion may have different focuses, but they share a common passion—visiting the final resting places of significant historical figures. Kurt Deion, known as the Presidential Grave Hunter, has visited the graves of nearly every U.S. president and vice president, while Fr. Looney seeks out the burial sites of saints, blesseds, and other holy men and women.

In this episode, Fr. Looney explores the parallels between their unique hobbies, asking: What does visiting a secular grave look like compared to a saint’s grave? What draws someone to visit a historical figure’s final resting place?

🎙️ Topics Covered in This Episode:
✅ How Kurt’s passion for visiting presidential graves began with a childhood CSPAN interview
✅ The meticulous research and preparation that goes into grave hunting
✅ Why visiting a historical figure’s grave fosters a unique personal connection
✅ The most difficult graves to find—and which ones were surprisingly underwhelming
✅ How friends and family react to this unusual but fascinating hobby
✅ Fr. Looney’s insights on making Catholic graves more accessible
✅ The growing trend of grave searching, including finding and recreating recipes from gravestones!

Episode 314: A Catholic Love Story for Valentine’s Day | Rebecca Martin’s Debut Novel Love in the Eternal City

February 10th, 2025  |  27 mins 34 secs

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Looking for a faith-filled romance novel to celebrate St. Valentine’s Day? In this episode of Hey Everybody, It's Fr. Edward, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with Rebecca Martin, author of Love in the Eternal City, to discuss her debut novel published by Chrism Press.

You'll hear:
❤️ Why Catholic romance fiction exists and why it matters.
❤️ The love story of Elena and Benedict, a Swiss Guard, and how a real Swiss Guard helped shape the novel.
❤️ How the book portrays a healthy Catholic dating relationship.
❤️ How Rebecca balances writing with a busy family life.
❤️ The role of NANOWRIMO in fast-drafting her novel.
❤️ Her advice for aspiring Catholic novelists, including Fr. Edward!
❤️ The influence of other clean romance writers like Roseanna M. White, Emma St. Claire, and Katherine Center.

If you love faith-based fiction, Catholic romance, or just a good love story, don’t miss this episode! 🎙✨ #CatholicRomance #ValentinesDay #ChristianFiction

Episode 313: The Vocation Story, Ecclesiastical Career, and False Imprisonment of Cardinal Pell w/Tess Livingsone

February 3rd, 2025  |  41 mins 12 secs

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In this compelling episode, Fr. Edward Looney sits down with Tess Livingstone, acclaimed Australian journalist and biographer of George Cardinal Pell, to explore the remarkable life, ministry, and controversies surrounding one of the most influential Church leaders of our time.

🔹 Inside the Episode:
✅ How Cardinal Pell’s early life and love for soccer nearly led him to a professional sports career
✅ His rise through the Catholic Church in Australia, serving as priest, bishop, and eventually Cardinal
✅ The pivotal role he played in Vatican financial reforms under Pope Francis
✅ The false accusations that led to his imprisonment and how he ministered to fellow inmates through letters of pastoral counseling
✅ The controversy surrounding his death and why he traveled to the USA after his release
✅ Behind the scenes of Tess Livingstone’s biography, Pax Invictis, chronicling decades of interviews and insights into his character
✅ Where Cardinal Pell is buried and his lasting influence on the Catholic Church

📖 Don't miss this deep dive into the life of George Cardinal Pell—a story of faith, resilience, and legacy.

Episode 310: Pro Tips for Traveling Italy in the 2025 Jubilee Year with Teresa Tomeo

January 13th, 2025  |  36 mins 45 secs

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Planning a trip to Italy during the Jubilee Year 2025? Don’t miss this expert guide! Fr. Edward is joined by Teresa Tomeo, a veteran Catholic journalist, Italian heritage enthusiast, and author of Italy's Shrines and Wonders: Discovering Sacred Spaces, Fascinating Places, and Destinations Off the Beaten Path. With over 70 trips to Italy, Teresa shares insider travel tips to make your pilgrimage or vacation unforgettable.

Episode 308: Incorporate Classical Literature Into Your New Year with Dr. Joseph Pearce

December 30th, 2024  |  26 mins 56 secs

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Prolific author and scholar, Dr. Joseph Pearce joins Fr. Edward Looney for a conversation about classical books. If reading more is a goal for 2025, consider adding a classical book or two. What makes a book a classic? Which classic should you begin with? Dr. Pearce answers these questions and more in this episode!

Episode 306: The Importance of the Morning Offering in Your Spiritual Life with Fr. James Kubicki SJ

December 16th, 2024  |  24 mins 34 secs

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Fr. Kubicki's voice is recognizable from his reflections on Relevant Radio. He's been a long time devotee and promoter of the Morning Offering. Today, he joins Fr. Edward Looney to encourage us to make the Morning Offering a part of our daily spiritual life.