Immigration attorney Rachel Davis—self-proclaimed “Dairy Queen” and mom of a yogurt-obsessed 4-year-old—joins lawyer and gay Catholic writer Chris Damian to pull back the curtain on the hidden immigrant labor behind America’s food supply. They talk TN visas for animal breeders, how COVID border shutdowns almost broke major dairies, the chaos of the $100,000 H-1B fee, and why current immigration policy feels less about safety and more about cruelty. Rachel shares her perspective as a Jewish lawyer reading Project 2025, draws unsettling parallels to 20th-century history, and explains why targeting “grandmas and farmworkers” instead of violent criminals is bad ethics and bad economics. It’s a deep dive into immigration, economics, faith, and what it really means to show up when a system turns dehumanizing.00:00 Introduction and Catching Up04:13 Rachel's Dairy Law Specialization11:58 Impact of COVID-19 on Immigration and Agriculture18:50 Immigration Policies and Challenges28:58 The Impact of H1B Visa Changes30:52 The $100,000 Fee Panic33:38 The Broader Implications of Immigration Policies34:45 Comparisons to Historical Regimes38:54 The Human Cost of Deportations43:01 The Role of Public Perception and Misinformation48:22 The Importance of Advocacy and Action

draft

Meg Hunter-Kilmer has become “the Catholic saints lady” for a reason. In this conversation, she joins Chris to talk about how the lives of the saints can anchor us in an anxious, polarized, and often unjust world—especially for immigrants, the undocumented, and those who feel like they don’t belong in the Church or in the heart of God.

Meg shares stories of saints and blesseds who protested fascism, slept in migrant camps as bishops, were arrested dozens of times, or were literally undocumented immigrants killed in part for their legal status. She also highlights saints who struggled with illness, suicidal ideation, infertility, and bad personalities—reminding us that holiness doesn’t erase our rough edges.

00:00 The Importance of Saints

03:49 Saints as Models in Challenging Times

05:00 Examples of Saints in Oppression

06:28 Saints and Privilege

16:45 Saints in Unjust Imprisonment

23:44 Jewish Solidarity and Empowerment

24:09 Catholic Communities and Empowerment

31:05 Diverse Personalities of Saints

32:56 Community and Ingroup Dynamics

36:00 Responding to Suffering with Action

41:02 Connecting with Saints

The ex-gay movement never really went away—it just rebranded. From “reparative therapy” to “healing ministries,” Catholic leaders continue to promote the same discredited ideas about homosexuality under new names. In this episode, I dig into how these theories shape Catholic seminaries, influence pastoral care, and fuel ongoing harm in the Church. We’ll explore why conversion therapy bans don’t go far enough, how ex-gay narratives slip under the radar, and what LGBTQ+ Catholics need to watch for when seeking support. I discuss the work of Courage International, Joseph Nicolsoi, Elizabeth Moberly, Timothy Lock, NARTH, Richard Cohen, and more!00:00 The Ex-Gay Movement's Influence on Catholicism00:43 Understanding Conversion Therapy vs. Reparative Therapy02:16 The Ex-Gay Narrative and Its Psychological Underpinnings05:34 Controversial Practices and Legal Challenges08:16 Rebranding and Subtle Continuation of Harmful Theories12:30 A Healthier Approach for LGBTQ+ Catholics

I’ve spent years digging into the Catholic Church’s approach to sexuality, and in this episode I take a hard look at the work of Dr. Bob Schuchts and the John Paul II Healing Center. From conferences costing up to $1,100 per week, to seminary workshops that push bizarre ex-gay theories, to gaslighting clients who challenge his methods—this story reveals how Catholic psychology has been twisted into pseudoscience. Along the way, I connect Schuchts’s work to the abuse crisis, conspiracy thinking, and the Church’s ongoing struggle with sexuality.

Danny Peterson, ordained in 2016 in Newark and now a therapist in Salt Lake City, walks through the real mechanics of ex-gay culture inside Catholic spaces: chastity “support” groups that were conversion therapy / SOCE, Journey Into Manhood weekends, minor exorcisms, and diocesan referrals to therapists using unscientific, often unethical methods. He unpacks the “double bind” (“God loves you… but change first”), how parent-blaming scripts fractured families, and why institutional loyalty can normalize incompetence. We talk about leaving ministry, rebuilding community, dating with values, living sober and ordered (8 hours of sleep, prayer, hikes, drag shows and dancing), and practicing therapy with informed consent and boundaries—supporting clients’ own ethics without coercion. If you’ve been told your only choices are secrecy or sin, Danny offers a third path: integrity, friendship, and a faith that isn’t at war with reality.00:00 Danny's Background and Journey to Priesthood02:40 Experiences with Conversion Therapy Camps05:04 Critique of Conversion Therapy Practices13:22 Personal Reflections and Moving Forward21:51 Navigating Traditional Christian Sexual Ethics23:10 The Double Bind of Conversion Therapy26:03 Embracing Queer Life and Joy29:41 Reflections on Conversion Therapy's Impact32:47 Professional Boundaries and Therapy39:24 Looking Forward: Personal and Professional Growth41:27 Concluding Thoughts on Faith and Identity

The Catholic Church uses the word “sexuality” without ever clearly defining it. In this conversation, I explore four competing ways Catholics understand sexuality—from gendered complementarity to the erotic desire that fuels saints and mystics. What does it mean to live a flourishing sexual life as a celibate gay Christian? And why does the catechism’s language cause so much confusion?00:00 Defining Sexuality in Catholic Context01:15 Four Perspectives on Sexuality01:48 Gendered Understanding of Sexuality02:41 Genital Understanding of Sexuality03:13 Pathological Understanding of Sexuality03:53 Erotic Understanding of Sexuality05:13 Conclusion: Integrating Perspectives on Sexuality

Father Bryan is a Catholic priest and registered psychologist serving clergy and seminarians in Vancouver. He shares how depth psychology reshaped his ministry, why “start with behavior” backfires in sex conversations, and how evidence-based therapy, informed consent, and clear boundaries protect religious clients. We dive into same-sex attraction in formation, conversion-therapy debates, self-acceptance without shame, and what real accompaniment looks like.00:00 Father Brian's Unexpected Path to Psychology01:28 Role and Responsibilities in the Archdiocese03:14 Impact of Psychological Training on Ministry09:56 Challenges in Addressing Sexuality within the Church16:59 Approaches to Same-Sex Attraction in the Church23:38 Self-Acceptance and Support for LGBTQ Catholics28:35 Navigating Professional Ethics in Therapy31:40 Balancing Dual Identities: Priest and Therapist34:18 Therapeutic Boundaries and Client Autonomy44:52 Concerns About Unlicensed Counseling Practices48:41 Reflecting on Institutional Accountability50:59 Finding Hope and Gratitude in Challenging Work

Let's take a deep dive into the contradictions of modern Catholic sexual teaching. From Augustine’s negative views on sex to John Paul II’s Theology of the Body, Chris explains how straight Catholics are told they’ve entered a “new era” of sexual positivity while LGBTQ+ Catholics are left behind. We also unpack the harmful influence of conversion therapy on Catholic popularizers like Christopher West and Jason Evert, and why their stories and teachings continue to damage young queer Catholics today.00:00 A New Era in Catholicism and Sexuality00:16 Personal Journey: Struggles and Conversations01:29 Theology of the Body: A New Perspective?04:31 Critique of Conversion Therapy and Popular Narratives11:49 A Call for Change: LGBTQ+ Catholics' Voices