Catholics Across the Aisle
The podcast of the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, Catholics Across the Aisle: Commentary on Public Policy and Civic Life, brings a non-partisan, moral voice to public dialogue on key policy issues of the day and assists listeners to become educated and active participants in civic life. FCCB staff and guests take a deep dive into social concerns, respect for life and dignity, health policy, and education. In-depth conversations are held with civic leaders, insiders, and experts in various fields who share their experience and knowledge in ways that will shed light and promote deeper commitment to the common good for all listeners. In addition, individuals whose lives have been impacted by some of our most debated state or federal policies share their stories. Listeners are also presented with opportunities to participate in political life.
Episodes
56 episodes
Vote No on Amendment 4 with Sara Johnson
Sara Johnson, statewide grassroots director for Vote No on 4 Florida, and Michele Taylor, FCCB's associate director for communications, discuss the extreme and deceptive Amendment 4, which would allow late-term abortions and eliminate ...
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Season 5
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Episode 1
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43:00
Meet Bishop Erik Pohlmeier of the Diocese of St. Augustine
Bishop Erik T. Pohlmeier is Florida’s newest bishop, having just celebrated his first year as shepherd of the Diocese of St. Augustine. In this episode, get to know more about Bishop Pohlmeier, from his upbringing in rural Arkansas,...
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Season 4
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Episode 8
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35:53
A Catholic Response to Immigration and Recent Florida Legislation
Michael Sheedy, FCCB's executive director, and Christie Arnold, associate for social concerns and respect life, discuss a response to immigration that is based in scripture, Catholic teaching, and respect for human dignity. Immigrat...
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Season 4
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Episode 7
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19:07
Legislative Counter to the Harms of Gender Ideology
The Florida legislature passed several bills aimed at countering the harms of gender ideology during the 2023 session. Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, and Michael Barrett, associate for education, explain these bills and the important ...
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Season 4
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Episode 6
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40:49
Recap of the 2023 Florida Legislative Session
FCCB’s policy team debriefs on Florida’s 2023 legislative session. Listen to executive director Michael Sheedy, and policy associates Mike Barrett and Christie Arnold, recap some of the notable bills passed by lawmakers. Significant achievement...
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Season 4
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Episode 5
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30:11
2023 Florida Legislative Session - Mid-Session Update
FCCB executive director Michael Sheedy and policy experts Christie Arnold and Mike Barrett sit down to discuss some of the bills currently being considered by lawmakers at the Florida Capitol, from a pro-life initiative that will limit ab...
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Season 4
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Episode 4
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28:30
Catholics for Freedom of Religion: Interview with Barbara Samuells
Barbara Samuells, president and co-founder of Catholics for Freedom of Religion joins Michael Sheedy to discuss the longstanding history and principle of religious freedom in America. Certain policies and ideas continue to threaten freedom of r...
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Season 4
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Episode 3
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36:28
How Florida Can Be More Pro-Life in 2023
In the wake of Roe v. Wade being overturned, how can the Church renew its commitment to supporting families and mothers in need? What is the state of legal protection for the unborn in Florida, and what further restrictions could we ex...
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Season 4
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Episode 2
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25:32
Legal Battles Behind the Death Penalty - Interview with Maria DeLiberato
Maria DeLiberato, Executive Director of Floridians for Alternatives to the Death Penalty (FADP), joins Michael Sheedy to discuss ongoing efforts to end the death penalty and raise awareness of its injustice. Maria was part of the le...
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Season 4
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Episode 1
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54:01
Human Trafficking: What the Church Can Do
Corporal Alan Wilkett, retired, Pasco County Sherriff’s Department, shares from his years of professional experience working to prevent human trafficking. Florida is the third highest state for reported human trafficking cases. The numbers are ...
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Season 3
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Episode 14
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58:55
A Commitment to Care At the End of Life
Paul Malley, president of Aging with Dignity, shares how Catholics are called to love and care for those near the end of life, providing a tangible vision for building a Culture of Life. Paul draws from personal stories, and the life of St. Ter...
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Season 3
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Episode 13
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46:22
Walking with Moms in Need
Chelsy Gomez, Program Consultant, United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, introduces the USCCB’s new pastoral initiative to increase support for pregnant and parenting mothers in need in our Catholic parishes. She shares how parishes can ...
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Season 3
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Episode 12
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43:44
Called to Something Greater: Renewing our Political Commitments
Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, highlights the key commitments of the Church to address the needs that confront our society. Can Catholics transcend partisanship and polarization and heal our society? It’s not easy, but yes, they can.<...
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Season 3
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Episode 11
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30:23
Gender Ideology & Youth: A Catholic Response
In recent years, gender ideology has pervaded education, athletics, popular culture, politics, and even the workplace. How do we respond to this movement in a way that recognizes the God-given physical reality of being created male or female wh...
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Season 3
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Episode 10
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42:23
Election Edition Part 2: 2022 Voter Guide
FCCB staff, Michael Sheedy, executive director, and Michele Taylor, associate director for communications, discuss the voter guide and several key issues that Catholics should consider as they prepare to cast their ballots.
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Season 3
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Episode 9
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18:41
Election Edition Part 1: 2022 Gubernatorial Candidate Comparison
Listen to FCCB staff Michael Sheedy and Michele Taylor as they talk through the stances of candidates for governor Charlie Crist (Democrat) and Ron DeSantis (Republican) on key issues of concern to the Catholic Church. The information in ...
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Season 3
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Episode 8
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18:37
Disaster Preparedness with Gabe Tischler, Emergency Management Specialist
As hurricane season approaches its peak in Florida, Michael Sheedy speaks with Gabe Tischler, Emergency Management Specialist for the Florida Conference of Catholic Bishops, to hear his real life stories, experience and tips to be prepare...
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Season 3
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Episode 7
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45:24
Interview with Louis Brown: Freedom of Conscience in Modern Health Care
Louis Brown, executive director of Christ Medicus Foundation, joins Michael Sheedy to discuss religious freedom and conscience protection rights within the realm of modern health care. Louis shares the background of Christ Medicus Foundation, t...
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Season 3
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Episode 6
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38:01
Major Pro-Life Developments in Florida
While the nation awaits a monumental Supreme Court decision that could overturn Roe v. Wade, the state of Florida is impacted by several recent victories in pro-life policy. Join Michael Sheedy, FCCB executive director, and Christie...
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Season 3
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Episode 5
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32:01
Interview with Loraine Brown: Catholic Healthcare & the Impact of Covid-19
Michael Sheedy discusses the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on health care in Florida with Loraine Brown, Chief Mission Integration Officer with Ascension Florida & Gulf Coast. Loraine shares stories of how healthcare workers and hos...
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Season 3
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Episode 4
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26:56
Interview with USCCB's David Spicer on Immigration Policy
David Spicer, Senior Policy Advisor at USCCB’s Office of Migration Policy & Public Affairs, joins Michael Sheedy to discuss the immigration challenges facing our nation from a lens of Catholic social and moral teaching.
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Season 3
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Episode 3
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52:32
Transgender Ideology in Sports & Society
Michael Sheedy is joined by Ken Kniepmann, associate for health, and Michael Barrett, associate for education, to discuss how transgender ideology is impacting sports, schools and society. Their conversation considers the background of the tran...
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Season 3
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Episode 2
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1:00:20
2022 Florida Legislative Session Review
Our policy team sits down to discuss an eventful 2022 legislative session and the outcome of bills that were a priority for the FCCB. Christie Arnold analyzes the details of a big pro-life victory for the state. Ken Kniepmann shared the e...
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Season 3
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Episode 1
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38:02
Assisted Suicide Myths: Interview with Matt Vallière of the Patients Rights Action Fund
In this latest episode of Catholics Across the Aisle, FCCB Executive Director Michael Sheedy talks with Matt Vallière of the Patients Rights Action Fund (PRAF), a national organization that works to ensure patients receive the best pos...
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Season 2
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Episode 10
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41:34
Interview on Immigration with Terry Coonan, Executive Director of Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights
In this episode Terry Coonan discusses immigration in FLorida and the United States. He also talks about his role as the Executive Director of Florida State University Center for the Advancement of Human Rights. He talks about how he came into ...
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Season 2
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Episode 9
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33:08