Heidi Schlumpf

NCR Connections: Although private institutions are not legally compelled to offer free speech rights, they could do so voluntarily. Denying students' freedom of expression is no way to educate.

Listen: Heidi, David and Father Daniel discuss what they did during winter break; the life of Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh; and the impact of state bills and diocesan policies on the dignity of transgender persons.

NCR Connections: It's become regular fare on our pages — the attempt to bring some light to connections among conservative Catholic individuals and organizations, and the sources of their often-extravagant funding.

NCR Connections: Archbishop Gomez ended 2021 with a speech that denigrated justice movements, but perhaps he could instead learn from such activists — some of whom were runners-up in our Newsmaker of the Year brainstorm.

Listen: In this episode, hosts Father Daniel, Heidi and David talk about Dorothy Day's canonization process; developments with Pope Francis, New Ways Ministry and the Vatican; and the best and worst of 2021.

Listen: In this episode, hosts Father Daniel, Heidi and David discuss the takeaways from the recent U.S. bishops' meeting, the continuing dangers of COVID-19, and verdicts in killings in Wisconsin and Georgia.

NCR Connections: If bishops or other pro-life Catholics want to promote adoption as an alternative to abortion, they should educate themselves about the reality of adoption and avoid painting it in "rainbows and sunshine" language.

NCR Connections: If the synod on synodality is to have any value, it must provide a safe space where all Catholics can speak of their experiences, without others demanding that they "get out of my sight."

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David about the U.S. bishops on the Eucharist, comments by Los Angeles' archbishop about social justice, and the Madison Diocese forbidding parishes to be used as vaccination sites.

NCR Connections: If not for Fr. Bill Kenneally, I would not be executive editor of the National Catholic Reporter. I would not even be Catholic. At his wake and funeral, I was one of dozens who told the same story: "Father Bill changed my life."

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David discuss the start of COP26, President Joe Biden's audience with Pope Francis, and the slow steps toward approving a COVID-19 vaccine for 5- to 11-year-olds.

NCR Connections: Pope Francis made a thinly veiled criticism about EWTN. Why aren't more media professionals concerned about this? Perhaps because journalists are committed to the truth, and the pope speaks the truth about EWTN.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David discuss Pope Francis' recent remarks about "social poets"; the dustup over Pete Buttigieg and paternity leave; and COP26, the upcoming U.N. climate change summit.

NCR Connections: "Happens all the time," I told my sister when she shared news that a Catholic school had rescinded a job offer to a woman with a wife. What doesn't happen all the time: The school reversed its decision.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David look at the world's largest Catholic media empire, the recent clashes between Church Militant and the city of Baltimore, and talk about what they've been watching recently.

NCR Connections: In an attempt to bring more racial, ethnic, gender, age, geographic and ideological diversity to the publication, we are excited to announce a group of 13 new regular contributing writers.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David explore synodality, look at U.S. policy playing out with Haitian migrants, and welcome guest Christopher White to talk about the pope's recent visit to Hungary and Slovakia.

Listen: Heidi, Father Daniel and David recap the big changes that happened over the summer, as well as reviewing the fallout from Traditionis Custodes, and the continuing battles over COVID-19 mitigation.

NCR Connections: Activist Kathy Kelly has been to Afghanistan nearly 30 times. She spoke with me about the U.S. withdrawal from the country, her perception of what's happening on the ground, and what responsibilities Catholics have now.

NCR Connections: I asked about readers' favorites, and nearly 50 of you shared Catholic reading recommendations. Curiously, I did not define what constitutes a Catholic novel, nor did any of you.