Pints With Aquinas

Sister Mary Grace, a pastoral minister who accompanies women, and Sister Magnificat Rose, who walks with women in crisis pregnancies, share short vocation stories. They talk about wearing the habit and how it sparks honest encounters. They describe community life, prayer, mercy, and why more young women are saying yes to religious life today.

A close look at what people mean by "extraordinary" and how that changes what counts as evidence. A Bayesian-style take on how prior beliefs shape what persuades someone. A comparison of rare scientific events and historical claims. A focused review of the historical case for the resurrection and what counts as sufficient evidence.

Dr. Trent Dougherty, philosopher and theologian who defends Christian apologetics, lays out the historical case for the Resurrection. He explains the 'Three E's' framework: Empty Tomb, Eyewitnesses, and Early Creeds. Short, sharp discussions cover why theft or conspiracy theories fail, why awkward eyewitness details boost credibility, and how early creedal dating strengthens the historical claim.

Fr. Simon Esshaki, a Chaldean Catholic priest from San Diego known for pastoral ministry and a huge social media reach. He talks about vocation and why he became a priest. He explores Marian devotion, liturgy and the beauty of Eastern worship. He discusses confession, celibacy, and practical spiritual formation for everyday holiness.

Celebrates a decade of conversations and milestone memories. Plays listener voicemails about conversions, faith renewals, and leading large youth groups. Highlights stories tied to the Shroud discussion, homeschooling, and reconciling faith with reason. Notes gratitude for supporters and major moments along the journey.

Joe Heschmeyer, Catholic apologist known for sharp critiques of other religious movements, provides a lively analysis of Latter-day Saint claims. He tackles Joseph Smith's plural marriage, contrasts biblical polygamy with Smith's practices, explores restorationism and apostasy arguments, examines Christology and the Trinity, and addresses controversial LDS historic teachings. The conversation ends with tips for charitable dialogue.

Dr. Trent Dougherty, Catholic philosopher and epistemologist known for work on evidentialism and philosophy of religion, joins to explore what it means to know something. The conversation hits Descartes, Gettier puzzles, degrees of belief, and how experience grounds knowledge. Personal struggles, burnout, recovery, and faith weave through rigorous philosophical debate.

Sr. Mary Rachel Capets, a Dominican sister active in retreat ministry, offers guidance on discernment and religious vocation. She discusses how God often calls through relationships and scripture. Practical steps like prayer, taking the next right step, visiting communities, and healing wounds before vows are highlighted. The conversation also touches on restlessness as a prompt and handling unsupportive parents.

Dr. Martin Shaw, mythologist, storyteller, and bestselling author who leads wilderness rites-of-passage, discusses the power of fairy tales and the hunger for heroic quests. He recounts a 101-night forest vigil that changed his life. Short takes on rites, attention to small wonders, and recovering romance over emptiness.

Dr. Brant Pitre, Catholic biblical scholar and New Testament expert, tackles skeptical TikTok takes with sharp historical and textual perspective. He discusses reliability and genre of the Gospels. He examines claims about Jesus' words, divinity, resurrection accounts, manuscript evidence, and why Jesus prayed. Short, lively, and unapologetically scholarly.