Avoiding Babylon

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Warning: Some F-Bombs were dropped in this sectionStart with a careful read of the room: families are stretched thin, culture is noisy, and the heart still aches for God. We sat down and opened a fresh Church document on charity and the poor, then asked a hard question—why does the guidance we hear so often miss the pain points we face each week? Caring for the poor is essential; the Beatitudes aren’t optional. But parents are also navigating social media modesty battles, identity confusion, and a five-hour Sunday just to reach the sacraments. Where is the pastoral help that speaks to those fires?We dig into the difference between moral teaching and prudential policy, especially around immigration. Compassion matters, and human dignity isn’t up for debate. Yet the on-the-ground strain—parish distance, stretched budgets, cultural fragmentation—rarely earns direct acknowledgment. We argue for a both/and: real charity and a realistic defense of community life, parish stability, and the spiritual formation of children. That requires leaders who will name the demons of our moment—pornography, contempt, factionalism, and despair—along with the corporal needs we already know by heart.Along the way, we wrestle with our own tone. Social media rewards scorn, but the Gospel commands love of the person in front of us—even when we disagree. We talk about reverence for the Eucharist, when not to receive, and how to keep Sundays from souring into resentment for teens. Underneath it all is a plea for shepherds to meet spiritual hunger with supernatural hope: clear teaching, reachable sacraments, and courage that transcends politics.If this resonates—if you’ve felt unseen while trying to hold your family together in a loud age—press play. Then tell us what help you most need from your parish and your leaders. Subscribe, share with a friend who’s on the same road, and leave a review so more families can find the conversation.Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!Forget the safe take. We go straight at the knot that ties American power, Israeli policy, media gatekeeping, and the Catholic conscience—and why so many big voices choose silence when the stakes are highest. The conversation contrasts a clean non‑intervention case with a thornier identity lens and then brings in the missing third rail: theology. That’s where the ground shifts—Scripture’s patterns of elder and younger brothers, covenant faithfulness and rupture, and the Church’s self-understanding after Christ illuminate why this debate won’t stay “just politics.”We talk candidly about incentives in conservative media, the “I don’t care about Israel” cop‑out, and how American funding and weapons erase neutrality. Clips from Dave and Nick frame the battle lines; our take argues that morals don’t disappear because a topic risks your job. We press on papal rhetoric and immigration, not to harden hearts, but to ask whether sweeping statements replace prudence and ignore those of us who serve immigrants and the poor up close. Compassion needs order; pastoral care needs the parish and the Eucharist, not only headlines and hashtags.There’s a cultural spine here too: how post‑WWII trauma shaped public life and even Church tone; how the old TV gatekeepers collapsed; how suburbs, highways, and the melting‑pot myth atomized communities that once anchored faith and duty. If America is only ideas, no one belongs anywhere. If America is people and places, stewardship demands honesty about borders, aid, and the costs we export and import. Through it all, we call for courage without hatred—love of enemy, willingness to suffer, and the resolve to tell the whole truth even when it burns.If this conversation challenged you—or gave you language for what you’ve felt—share the episode, leave a review, and hit follow. Your support helps honest talk outpace strategic silence.Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!A calendar date can feel like a footnote—until you realize it’s a battle cry. October 7 isn’t just ink on the liturgical page; it’s the Feast of Our Lady of the Rosary, born from the battle of Lepanto, when a divided Europe found the courage to row into the wind. We sat down with historian and translator Ryan Grant to unpack how a six-year Dominican papacy, a “nobody” commander, and a sea full of galleys redirected history—and why the story still reads like a map for our moment.We start with Pope Pius V: a reformer forged by Trent who promulgated the Roman Missal, backed real clerical renewal with St Charles Borromeo, and refused to flatter power. Against a backdrop of French gamesmanship, Protestant pressure, and Spain’s global overreach, he formed the Holy League and handed command to Don John of Austria, an illegitimate son with legitimate nerve. Ryan breaks down the fight the way it actually happened: tercios turning decks into battlefields, matchlocks hissing through smoke, Venetian galleasses doing less than legend says, and Ali Pasha betting the center at the wrong time. When El Sultana fell and the standard changed hands, morale cracked and the tide turned.But does Lepanto “matter” if the Ottomans rebuilt a fleet in six months? We tackle the revisionism head-on. Strategy and psychology shifted: no amphibious assault on Italy, no march on Rome, a Mediterranean suddenly contested. Bells rang in hostile lands, and the Church enshrined the memory as Our Lady of Victory—later Our Lady of the Rosary—cementing a devotion that would shape lay prayer for centuries. We explore the rosary’s Dominican roots without forcing a neat origin story and get practical about devotion: pray on the commute, love Mary first, learn a saint well enough to ask for help often.Most of all, we take the human lesson home. Don John didn’t wait for the perfect hierarchy; he went. If you’re looking for permission to begin—prayer, study, service, leadership—consider this your signal. Learn the feast. Know the history. Pick up your beads and move. If this conversation gives you something to chew on, follow the show, share it with a friend, and leave a review so more people can find thoughtful, faith-filled history that speaks to right now.Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The cavalry isn’t coming—and that’s not a doomsday slogan, it’s the lived reality in towns cutting police hours and cities where 911 stalls. We take that uncomfortable truth and turn it into a plan: how to build a small, Catholic mutual assistance group that actually holds under stress. No cosplay, no fantasy—just clear roles, shared skills, and a prayer life that anchors everything.We start by puncturing the lone-wolf myth and mapping the real constraints: unpredictable platform rules around firearms, DAs who change the stakes by zip code, and emergency services that prioritize institutions over families. From there we get practical. Family buy-in comes first and it’s won with everyday examples—water when mains break, heat when the grid falters, first aid when minutes matter. Then we go find people where seriousness congregates: USPSA and IDPA matches, ham radio clubs, CERT and volunteer rescue, 4-H, homestead circles, and Knights of Columbus councils ready for renewal. Skills beat swagger—medics, electricians, welders, growers, and comms nerds are the backbone; rifles are the tip of a much larger spear.Leadership gets one chair. We outline a lean structure, redundancy across roles, simple comms plans, on-paper inventories, and an intel habit that shrinks the fog of war. We keep it legal and layered—cookouts before carbine days, no shortcuts, no stunts. Spiritual life isn’t a bolt-on; we pray the Rosary, read, and keep Sundays, because order in the soul builds order in the street. On gear and training, we favor standardization, sustainable ammo budgets, and drills that sharpen judgment over ego. Fitness becomes logistics you wear: walking, rucking, lifting—the quiet work that lets fathers carry children upstairs when it counts.If you’ve wondered how to move from anxiety to action, this conversation is your blueprint. Subscribe, share with someone who should be on your team, and tell us: what skill will you bring to your group this month?Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The fights are loud; the fixes are quiet. We open with a hard look at how Catholics talk about the Pope—prudence vs. fear, why “seamless garment” rhetoric detonates in trad circles, and what we learned from mistakes under Francis. Then the conversation drops from theory to battle: a sudden wave of despair, the urge to relapse, and the shock of deliverance prayers that cut through the darkness in minutes. No theatrics. Just binding, sealing, and mercy that holds.From there, we trace the slow road back to reverence. A wife resists the Latin Mass, refuses a veil, and breaks into tears mid-liturgia; a father stops arguing and starts praying the rosary with his kids; families watch baptism in the old rite wake up something deep and ancient. We ask why anyone would restrict the one thing setting young hearts on fire—and we name motives without denying the spiritual stakes. Outrage is easy; building is harder. So we get practical: chant where you can, add vespers, catechize at home when programs fail, invite a Novus Ordo friend to High Mass and lunch for four Sundays in a row.Callers sharpen the edges. When does venting become gossip? How do you start a Catholic channel without becoming an apologist clone? What lines do you draw around invalid marriages when little eyes are watching? We offer simple rules that keep charity intact: love widely, scandal never, and let the holiness of your home do the talking. We also face Canada’s euthanasia slide and what real honor for aging parents looks like when it hurts.Along the way, we detour through Augustine, Israel, and typology—not as trivia, but as ballast for the soul. If you’re tired of online shots and hungry for what actually works—deliverance, confession, Latin Mass, fatherhood that keeps its vows—this is your map back to clarity.If this resonates, share it with a friend, subscribe for more honest conversations, and leave a review to help others find the show. Then tell us: what will you build this week?Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!A single viral moment can do what a shelf of encyclicals can’t—and that’s exactly what we unpack. A papal quip about the death penalty, a glossy “ice blessing” clip, and days of Twitter crossfire reopened old wounds about the “seamless garment” and whether the Church is speaking with a clear voice. We talk frankly about why many Catholics who lived through John Paul II and Benedict bristled at the language of “inadmissible,” how prudential judgments differ from absolute moral norms, and why it matters for trust in the Magisterium. No strawmen, no gotchas—just the real stakes underneath the noise.We also get honest about the rift between trads and normies. Converts often defend the papacy out of genuine gratitude for authority after Protestant fragmentation. Trads speak with urgency that can read as judgment, especially online. We explore how form shapes faith—why the quiet gravity of the Latin Mass naturally invites reverence, dress, and silence—and how Novus Ordo communities can cultivate the same without culture wars. Along the way, we ask hard questions about optics: when Catholic leaders cozy up to climate theater, do we risk laundering ideology that sidelines the unborn, the family, and subsidiarity? Stewardship of creation is good; ceding our moral voice to technocratic agendas is not.What do we do next? Steelman the other side. Drop the labels. Seek clarity from Rome that upholds the unique horror of abortion while acknowledging legitimate debate on the death penalty. Build locally—beautiful liturgy, solid catechesis, and real friendship travel further than hot takes. If authority wants trust, it must choose precision over vibes. If we want renewal, we must choose reverence over rage. Hit play, then tell us where you stand and why—we’ll read and respond. And if this conversation helped you think more clearly, subscribe, share the show, and leave a review so more people can find it.Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Fr. Chad Ripperger, a traditional Catholic priest and skilled exorcist, dives into the chilling connection between demonic activity and recent violent acts, explaining the nuances of obsession versus possession. He discusses the societal impact of malformed consciences and the cultural shifts leading to spiritual confusion. Ripperger highlights Generation Z's pull towards both the occult and traditional Christianity, while emphasizing the urgency of preserving sacramental life to combat demonic influences. He also tackles the spiritual implications of tattoos and the efficacy of curses.

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!There’s no soundtrack when a room erupts—just noise, panic, and seconds that matter. We brought in Christopher, a paramedic with 30 years of experience, to walk us through what actually saves lives before an ambulance arrives. This is a clear, no-drama guide to the tools and decisions that work under pressure.We start with tourniquets: which ones to buy (CAT, SOFT-T, etc), how to spot counterfeits, and why the initial strap pull matters more than endless windlass turns. We cover when to apply a TQ (think bright, pulsing arterial bleeds), why legs often need two, and how to improvise using wide cloth and a rigid windlass if you’ve run out of commercial gear. Then we shift to the “box”—chest and torso—where pressure isn’t enough. You’ll learn to find every hole, use chest seals (and their packaging) to manage sucking chest wounds, and “burp” a seal if breathing worsens. For non‑tourniquet bleeds (groin, shoulder, neck), we get hands-on with wound packing and explain why hemostatic gauze beats powder.The small details save lives. Hypothermia ruins clotting, so we talk warming casualties even in summer with space blankets and layers. We unpack a lean IFAK you’ll actually carry: real tourniquets, compressed gauze, chest seals, serious tape, shears, and an elastic wrap. On the meds front, we keep it simple and strong: Tylenol for pain and fever, ibuprofen for inflammation, and diphenhydramine for nausea, anxiety, and spasm—plus how to dose when someone can’t swallow. We also get practical about triage: move people out of danger first, then treat. The OODA loop gives you a mental map to make a decision fast when your hands shake and your heart pounds.This isn’t theory. It’s the stuff a parent, usher, or bystander can do in a church, a parking lot, or on a road shoulder and feel confident they made the right call. You’ll use a med kit before a gun; and if you ever use a gun, you’ll need the med kit. Build yours, train your hands, and be ready to act. If this episode helped, share it with someone you’d want next to you on a bad day, and subscribe so you never miss a life-ready conversation.Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!The Catholic world stands at a crossroads following Pope Leo's election, with traditional Catholics debating the best path forward. Should they maintain the same vocal criticism that characterized the Francis era, or adopt a more measured approach that might secure broader access to traditional liturgy? This tension has sparked heated debate within Catholic media circles.Matt Gaspers joins the conversation, expressing his growing skepticism about Pope Leo. Despite the new pontiff's improved aesthetics and more dignified demeanor, Gaspers argues Leo appears substantively aligned with his predecessor on doctrinal matters. This observation leads to a profound discussion about the nature of the Church in our time - is she experiencing her Passion, much like Christ after His scourging?The hosts examine Chris Jackson's recent article criticizing what he terms the "indult for quiet" strategy - the notion that traditional Catholics should soften their criticism in exchange for liturgical permissions. This debate reveals deeper divisions about effective resistance in an era where doctrinal confusion seems to reign, while the traditional Latin Mass faces increasing restrictions.The conversation takes on apocalyptic dimensions as the hosts consider whether we're witnessing the culmination of Christian history. References to unfulfilled aspects of the Fatima message, particularly regarding Russia's conversion, suggest divine intervention may be necessary where human solutions fall short. Yet, amid these sobering reflections, a call for personal sanctity and faithful witness remains.What emerges is a thoughtful exploration of how to preserve authentic Catholicism when the visible structures appear compromised. Is strategic prudence the wisest approach, or does it risk surrendering essential truths? The answers aren't simple, but the questions deserve our serious consideration as we navigate these unprecedented waters together.Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss

Want to reach out to us? Want to leave a comment or review? Want to give us a suggestion or berate Anthony? Send us a text by clicking this link!What you carry every day speaks volumes about your priorities and preparedness. In this deep-dive exploration of everyday carry philosophy, we break down the essential components of a thoughtful EDC system that goes far beyond just firearms.The modern preparedness mindset requires careful consideration of what deserves space in your pockets and on your person. We unpack the logic behind carrying specific items, from quality flashlights that see daily use even in daylight hours, to reliable folding knives, medical equipment, and spiritual items that provide protection on multiple levels. Through practical demonstrations and candid discussion, we reveal our personal carry setups while explaining the reasoning behind each choice.Firearms selection takes center stage as we debate carry positions, holster designs, and why most shooters don't need to modify their carry guns. The conversation extends to off-body options like fanny packs (aesthetic concerns aside) and vehicle preparedness considerations that might make the difference in a crisis situation. We tackle tough questions about family acceptance of firearms, bugging in versus bugging out, and maintaining spiritual readiness in increasingly turbulent times.Whether you're new to self-reliance or a seasoned veteran looking to refine your system, this episode provides actionable insights on balancing practicality with preparedness. The world isn't getting safer—your everyday carry decisions today could determine your options tomorrow. Join our growing community through the Telegram link in the comments and connect with like-minded individuals committed to thoughtful preparation.Support the showNeed seafood for Lent? Check out https://shoplobster.com/ and use code AB10 to get 10% from Maine's ONLY Catholic lobster company.Check out our new sponsor, Nic Nac, at www.nicnac.com and use code "AB25%" for 25% off of your first order!********************************************************Please subscribe! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCKsxnv80ByFV4OGvt_kImjQ?sub_confirmation=1https://www.avoidingbabylon.comMerchandise:  https://avoiding-babylon-shop.fourthwall.comLocals Community: https://avoidingbabylon.locals.comFull Premium/Locals Shows on Audio Podcast:  https://www.buzzsprout.com/1987412/subscribeRSS Feed for Podcast Apps:  https://feeds.buzzsprout.com/1987412.rss