Visitation Sessions (A Podcast)

Today, we’re talking all things Sacred Scripture, from how the Historical Critical Method of Scripture Scholarship destroyed Scripture study to how Catholic parents can raise kids who know their Bibles better than the Protestants down the street. Special thanks to our sponsors, Select International Tours, the only Catholic tour company that offers a comprehensive online pilgrim formation program. Just as Bible stories prepare your children for a deeper dive into their faith as they grow, Select’s pilgrim program, called Stella Peregrin (“the pilgrim star”), will help you better prepare spiritually and practically for your next pilgrimage. Learn more about this program and all the great pilgrimages Select offers at www.selectinternationaltours.com.Show Notes: The Story of All Stories: A Children’s Bible for Young CatholicsThe Ignatius Catholic Study Bible The Word on Fire BibleReturn to the Heart: The Biblical Spirituality of Saint Augustine’s Confessions by Shane OwensValerie Lueth This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

Kate and Casey are up in Wisconsin this week, making a documentary about a Catholic doctor who rides on horseback to serve the Amish (I think that’s how it goes), but before they left we chatted about all God’s creatures, great and small. Not the books. Not the tv shows. The actual animals: pigs, cows, chickens, dogs, cats. Does a love of animals make you happier and holier? Or can it sometimes make you crazier? Show Notes:The Business of Being BornBrother Sun, Sister MoonThe Wolf of GubioSaintly Creatures: 14 Tales of Animals and Their Holy Companions by Alexi SargeantLeisure: The Basis of Culture by Joseph Pieper Support sane(ish) Catholic conversation on the Internet by becoming a subscriber today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

Are any of us professional poets? No. Are any of us poetry professors? No. Are any of us poetry publishers? One more time, no. But who cares. Poetry is part of our human patrimony. It’s the language of love, the language of war, the language of fear, despair, and human longing. Writing poems is what humans do—all humans, in every age—and this week, in perhaps our most favorite conversation ever, we’re talking about why that matters … and why poetry isn’t something to be scared of or left to the “experts” but rather something that can make us more deeply human in an increasingly less human age. Show Notes:“Can Poetry Matter,” Dana GioiaMike AquilinaJane GreerBeatrice InstituteThe Always Broken Plates of Mountains by Rose McClarney (Poem: “Gather”)“Dichoso el corazón enamorado” by Saint Teresa of AvilaCity Nave by Betsy Brown ( Poem: “To a Ripe June Strawberry”)“All the World” by Liz Garton ScanlonEmily’s Children’s Books Mary, Mother of All The Supper of the Lamb Lord, Have Mercy Joseph, Keeper of the King (forthcoming Spring 2026)Support Catholic conversations that matter and become a supporter today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

This week, we’re talking about one of the most glorious teachings of Catholicism: the saints! We also explore the Church’s teachings on relics, how grace transforms the material world, and how a relationship with the saints is meant to strengthen your relationship with Christ, not be a substitute for it. Show Notes:Saints:* Saint Gabriel Possenti* Saint Jude* Saint Elizabeth of the Trinity* Saint Helena* Saint Padre Pio* Saint Brigid of Ireland* Saint Therese of Lisieux* Saint Edith Stein* Saint Hildegard of Bingen* Saint John Paul II* Saint Philip Neri* Saint John Henry Newman* Saint Bernadette SoubirousBooks:* Essays on Woman by Edith Stein* Parochial & Plain Sermons by John Henry Newman* Theology of the Body by John Paul II* Saint Hildegard of Bingen: Discovering the Doctors by Emily Stimpson Chapman* Story of a Soul by Therese MartinRosary Bracelets: Humble Mission BeadsThin Places“Making Christianity Weird Again” by Tracy RowlandTherese (1986 French movie)Help keep sane(ish) Catholic conversation on the Internet. Become a subscriber today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit visitationsessions.substack.comIn this month’s bonus episode for full subscribers, we reflect on the events of last week, including the tragic death of Charlie Kirk, the initial responses in the culture, and how Christians should respond to chaos and hatred in the world. Note: This conversation was recorded prior to the arrest of Tyler Robinson.Show Notes:The Last Battle: On Hatred, …

What are some practical ways men (and women) can overcome the habit of using pornography? Why is doing penance for pornography use so helpful? How can grace, over time heal our hearts and minds? And why is it so important for single people to take action now, before they are married, to begin that healing process. That’s what we are having a conversation about this week, on Visitation Sessions.Show Notes:Spiritual Passages: The Psychology of Spiritual Development By Father Benedict GroeschelThe Family ManThree Colors Trilogy: BlueThe Porn Myth: Exposing the Reality Behind the Fantasy of Pornography by Matt FraddCovenant EyesSaint Mark Ji Tianxiang“The Porn Habit: How Porn Effects Marriage” (a podcast) with Sheila GregoireHelp support the show and receive free bonus content monthly. Become a full subscriber today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

The Stapletons convinced the Chapmans to go to their first ever Renaissance Fair in Pittsburgh and the good, the bad, the beautiful, and the ugly of it all sparked quite the conversation about community and Catholicism. Also, Emily has a new cookbook out. It’s called Around the Catholic Table, and if you like good food, Catholicism, and community, you should buy it. Show Notes:The Surprisingly Radical Roots of the Renaissance FairSaint ConradBlessed Solanus CaseyBrideshead RevisistedSaint Andre BessetteThe Catholic Table (Not a cookbook)Around the Catholic Table (the cookbook) This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

Today, we’re talking about California, the Chapman’s adventures there, the reason Kate is sharing her story as a birth mother in her documentary The Inner Sea, and why the conversation around adoption and abortion in pro-life circles needs to deepen. Show Notes:The Inner SeaSprings of LoveBuilding Belonging: Six Steps for Fostering and Adopting in Faith (An Adoption Education Curriculum)The Chapman’s Adoption Story (produced by Springs of Love)Leah Outten (birth mom support from a Protestant perspective)Cradled in Grace (ethical adoption consultants)Abiding Love Adoptions (birth mom centered adoption agency)M Train: A Memoir by Patti SmithShow your support for sane Catholic conversation on the Internet by becoming a subscriber today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

Earlier this month, The Church Life Journal ran an article by Michael Rota and Stephen Bullivant sharing some rather grim data on Catholic parents’ ability to raise Catholic children who stay Catholic as adults. In short, even with a little help from Catholic immigrants, the Church in America is essentially losing 9 out of 10 Catholics, once they become adults. “Rather grim” was a bit of an understatement, I suppose. Regardless, since all four of us have seemingly defied the odds by growing up Catholic and remaining Catholic, we thought we’d parse that data through the lens of our own (wildly) different experiences in (wildly) different Catholic homes. What did our parents do that helped? What didn’t they do that might have helped more? And how much of it has nothing to do with our parents and much more to do with temperament, community, and grace?That’s what we’re talking about today, on Visitation Sessions, which thanks to all of you wonderful listeners has now well surpassed 200,000 downloads! That is crazy. And amazing. Thanks so much for spending an hour of your week with us! And, don’t forget, if you want even more content, the very best way to get it is to become a full subscriber to the podcast today. Not only do our full subscribers help keep the podcast coming, but they also have access to subscriber only content and regular behind-the-paywall Q&A’s. Show Notes:Religious Transmission: A Solution to the Church’s Biggest Problem by Michael Rota and Stephen BullivantThe Village Nobody Wants, Cartoons Hate HerThe Inner Sea Film This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

Marc Barnes is one of the coolest, smartest, most impressive guys we know. As one of the founders of both New Polity and the Harmonium Project, a professor at St. Joseph the Worker College, and the owner of a local farm to shelves grocery store, The Grocery Box, he has been putting Catholic Social Teaching into action in the streets of Steubenville for over a decade now. So, we thought we would pick his brain about where Catholics often go wrong in their pursuit of the goals of Catholic social teaching and why simply loving the place where you live and serving it well is one of the best things you can do to bring about a more just society. Show Notes:Rerum Novarum by Pope Leo XIIIThe Church Against the State by Andrew Willard JonesBeing Consumed: Economics and Christian Culture by William CavanaughThe 401K Story (New Polity Podcast)Do you think the Internet needs more sane(ish) Catholic Conversation? Then subscibe to Visitation Sessions today and help us keep the chats coming. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

Last week, the Vatican welcomed thousands of Internet evangelists to Rome for the Jubilee for Digital Missionaries and Influencers. Why would they do this? Why does it matter? What are the dangers of Catholics entangling themselves in Influencer Culture? And what does Emily really think about the word “Influencer”? We’re tackling all that and more this week, on Visitation Sessions. (Also, after we recorded this episode, Emily got word that a problem at the printers will be delaying the release of Around the Catholic Table by a few weeks. The new launch date is now set for Tuesday, September 3. It’s still coming soon, though, so apologies for the wrong info in the show. It was right at the time we recorded!)Show Notes:Jesus and the Jubilee: The Jewish Roots of the Year of the Year of God’s Favor by John BergsmaAddress of His Holiness, Pope Leo XIV, to Influencers and Digital MissionariesAround the Catholic Table: 100+ Simple Recipes for Family and Friends by Emily Stimpson ChapmanThe Story of All Stories: A Story Bible for Young Catholics by Emily Stimpson ChapmanSupport sane Catholic conversation on the Internet and unlock exclusive content by becoming a full subscriber to Visitation Sessions today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit visitationsessions.substack.comThe Chapmans are back in Illinois this week, so Emily can spend some time with her mom, whose Alzheimer’s continues to worsen. There wasn’t time before they left to record a new episode, but after we recorded our last episode, we did manage to record a quick bonus episode for our full subscribers. We’re sharing that here today. The topic: Anxiety.A read…

Emily and Chris are still recovering from the Worst Mass With Kids Ever, so we thought this week we would swap a few horror stories about parenting little kids during the Mass, discuss why we think it’s important for them to be in church even when they’re misbehaving, and go over a few possible survival strategies for getting through the seasons of littles and Liturgy.A big thank you to Beata Home for sponsoring this episode of Visitation Sessions. Be sure to check out Beata Home’s beautifully curated collection of fine art prints on their website and Instagram page, and make sure to use the code Emily15 to save 15 percent on your order. Show NotesGuidelines from the Church on Bringing Young Children to Mass (Catholic Answers)“Learning How to See Again,” by Joseph PieperBeauty for Truth’s Sake: On the Re-enchantment of Education by Stratford CaldecottBeauty in the Word: Rethinking the Foundations of Education by Stratford CaldecottDon’t miss a single sane(ish) Catholic conversation by becoming a full subscriber today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

We’re back! After a few weeks on the road, we’re catching up on everyone’s adventures, talking about what it means to honor our parents even when our parents are profoundly broken, and having heat stroke while we’re at it. We literally had to stop recording halfway through to keep Emily from passing out. All rambling, imprecise speech, and bad opinions we blame on a certain un-air-conditioned attic. Show Notes:“Secret Baptisms, Toxic Parents, & Prayer During the Single Years” by Emily Chapman"“Honoring Our Parents, Ethical Adoptions, & Meatless Meals” by Emily Chapman“The No Contact Epidemic That is Tearing Families Apart,” (The Lila Rose Show)“Why Are So Many Young People Going No Contact With Their Parents” by Anna Russel (The New Yorker)“A Shift in American Family Values Is Fueling Estrangement” by Joshua Coleman (The Atlantic)Don’t ForgetIt’s not too late to shop and save with some of our wonderful episode sponsors.Ignatius Press: You can still save 15 percent off all novels at Ignatius Press with the code VISITATIONNOVELS. They have wonderful classic and contemporary fiction, including the Father Gabriel Mystery series that Emily is loving. Beata Home: Beata Home offers a stunning collection of fine art prints for every room in your home. Choose from digital downloads, prints, and framed art, and save 15 percent on your purchase with the code Emily15.To support more sane Catholic conversation online, consider becoming a subscriber today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

The Stapletons are rolling back into town this week and will be heading to Steuebenville on Friday to record a new episode. Until then, enjoy this fiery discussion about the marital debt, which we had with Renzo and Monica Ortega last March, when they visited us to discuss their book Lovemaking: How to Talk About Sex with Your Spouse. This episode originally aired as a bonus episode for full subscribers, but today, we’re sharing it with everyone. To unlock more bonus content like this and receive future bonus episodes, all you have to do is click on the little button below. And if you missed our full discussion with the Ortegas, you can listen to it here: “Let’s Talk About Sex.” This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit visitationsessions.substack.comHappy (almost) Fourth of July!The Stapletons are still out on tour, but before they hit the road, we recorded this special bonus episode. One of our listeners asked us to address the quagmire of gentle parenting and parental discipline. Which we did, after much debate and with much more fear and trembling. But only for full subscribers. Some things just…

Before we all headed out of town, we got together at the fruit fly infested Visitation House to talk about summer and what it teaches us about the life of both Heaven and earth. This episode was brought to you by Beata Home, The word Beata is derived from the Latin word for Blessed, and the mission of Beata Home is to bless your home with beautiful art that lifts your mind and heart (and your children’s minds and hearts) to God. Beata offers a large, but carefully curated collection of fine art prints, available as digital downloads, prints, and framed art.We love the work they do, and are so excited that one of their prints will be hanging in our new studio, and we know you will love having their art hanging in your home. Visit Beatahome.com and use the code Emily 15 to save 15 percent.Become a supporter of Visitation Sessions and you’ll receive exclusive bonus content monthly. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

We’re all getting ready to hit the road for vacations and/or tours, so we thought we would spend an hour analyzing our own particular form of crazy: traveling with small children. Why do we do it? When don’t we do it? And what’s the very worst that can happen? (Hint, it involves starving children and diesel fuel). In our luggage this week, are some of the really wonderful novels for children and adults published by Ignatius Press. We’re so grateful for the care and attention Ignatius devotes to publishing contemporary (and classic) Catholic fiction, and love recommending their books to others. Right now, you can save 35 percent on all Ignatius novels (and 65 percent on e-versions) with the code VisitationNovels. Some of our favorites that we mentioned on the show include: Charis in the World of Wonders, If You Can Get It, The Spear, The Vanishing Woman, and the Louipo series.Let’s Meet in PersonIf you’re in the Dayton/Columbus/Cincinnati area, pencil in July 19 on your calendar. Chris and I will be speaking in Russia, Ohio that night from 6:30 to 8:30 in the Russia School Local Gym (100 School Street). Admission is free. Reach out to Kathryn Francis with questions.See The Inner SeasKate’s documentary about adoption, music, and God’s surprising plans is showing at the Red Cedar Film Festival in Menomnie, WI on Saturday, July 19, at 2:00 p.m.Show Notes:“You’re Crazy for Taking the Bus” by Jonathan RichmanThieves and Dreamers by the StapletonsTaffy Nivert (I can’t find the issue from Franciscan Way magazine online because it is too old, but I swear on my life it exists!)Taliesen NightmareWnat to support Catholics having sane and semi-intelligent conversations online? Then consider becoming a free or paid subscriber. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

This week we talk to Catholic author and Word on Fire Votive editor, Haley Stewart, about what makes stories good (for children and adults), why good stories matter, and how they shape us. We also put together a fantastic summer reading list that is not AI generated!Haley Stewart is the author of seven books: three books for adults, a series of books for children (the Sister Seraphina Mysteries), and most recently, The Catholic Kids C. ookbook: Holy Days and Heavenly Food. She also hosts the Votive podcast, where she explores the world of writing for children, and writes here on Substack. A mother of four, she lives with her children in Tallahassee, Florida. The Catholic Kids Cookbook: Holy Days and Heavenly Food by Haley Stewart and Clare SheafThe Pursuit of the Pilfered Cheese: A Sister Seraphina Mystery by Haley StewartStrange Sound by the Sea: A Sister Seraphina Mystery by Haley StewartThe Curious Christmas Tale: A Sister Seraphina Mystery by Haley StewartBooks by Tommy dePaolaBooks by Jan BrettThe Ox Cart Man by Donald HallBarbara CooneyDemiLittle House on the Prairie by Laura Ingalls WilderLord of the Rings by J.R.R. TolkienHarry Potter by J.K. RowlingThe Labors of Hercules Beal by Gary SchmidtThe Many Assassinations of Samir, the Seller of Dreams by Daniel NaveriEverything Sad is Untrue by Daniel Naveri“On Fairy Stories” by J.R.R. TolkienThe Way Things Work by David MacaulayPast Watchful Dragons R. J. ShefflerThe Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society by Mary Ann Shafer and Annie BarrowsJane Austen novelsBrideshead Revisited by Evelyn WaughRiver of Darkness by Buddy LevyAmerican Legend: The Real Life Adventures of David Crockett by Buddy LevyTom Lake by Ann PatchettCharis and the World of Wonders by Marly YoumansJayber Crow by Wendell BerryThe 4 Hour Work Week by Tim FerrisPiranesi by Susanna ClarkSupport sane Catholic conversation on the Internet by becoming a subscriber today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe

Kate, Casey, Chris, and Emily hash out out the difference between discerning the will of God and overthinking every life decision.Also, special thanks to the Catholic Balm Company, for sponsoring this week’s episode. Their thoughtfully curated bundles of all natural balms, lotions, soaps, and colognes are safe from harmful toxic ingredient, smell great, and work just as great as they smell. They’re also 15 percent off (and come with a free peppermint lip balm) with the code Visitation15.Show Notes:“School’s Out Forever”Authenticity: A Biblical Theology of Discernment by Father Thomas DubayDiscerning the Will of God: An Ignatian Guide to Christian Decision Making by Father Timothy GallagherThe Discernment of Spirits: An Ignatian Guide for Everyday Living by Father Timothy Gallagher“A Vocational Primer” by Emily Stimpson ChapmanSumma Contra Gentiles by Saint Thomas AquinasHelp support sane Catholic conversation online. Subscribe today. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit visitationsessions.substack.com/subscribe