Vanity Fair goes inside the White House and delivers a piece that has us all wondering, "Why?" Meanwhile, a controversial “Lost Generation” essay ignites debate over merit, identity, and who’s been left behind in modern America. And finally, the Church enters a pivotal moment as a new bishop is named for New York. All this and more on the LOOPcast.

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Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
05:25 Vanity Fair “Inside the Trump Admin”
18:10 The Lost Generation
56:02 Good News
1:05:29 New Bishop for NY
1:10:50 Twilight Zone
1:21:19 Closing Prayer

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We Pray O Lord, for the United States of America. We pray for our leaders, that they be inspired to lead according to your will. Most especially, we pray that every Catholic in America will be inspired to live out the truths of our faith in public life, and that it will lead to the renewal of our Church and country.

St. Thomas More, Pray for us.
St. Fidelis, Pray for us.
Our Lady of Guadalupe, pray for us.
Amen.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

Recent acts of violence shake the nation and the world: what we know so far, and what critical questions remain unanswered. Meanwhile, President Trump signs a sweeping executive order on artificial intelligence and signals a major shift in U.S. cannabis policy. And finally, the U.S. Army cancels a wide range of religious support contracts, leaving Catholic soldiers without access to Mass, sacraments, and pastoral care. All this and more on the LOOPcast.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
02:55 Violence Shakes the Nation - What We Know
33:52 Trump Signs Executive Order on AI and Signals Change in U.S. Cannabis Policy
54:37 Good News
1:04:00 U.S. Army Cancels Catholic Chapel Contracts
1:07:12 Twilight Zone
1:22:07 Closing Prayer

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org
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O Almighty everlasting God, who, by the cooperation of the Holy Ghost, didst prepare the body and soul of Mary, glorious Virgin and Mother, to become the worthy habitation of thy Son; grant that we may be delivered from present evils and from everlasting death by her pious intercession, in whose commemoration we rejoice. Through the same Christ our Lord.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

A Boston parish openly defies its bishop over a controversial ICE-themed Nativity display. Meanwhile, the Indiana Senate rejects a GOP-backed redistricting plan after weeks of intense debate. And finally, The Daily Pennsylvanian shines a spotlight on some of its most unexpected and controversial alumni. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
01:35 Boston Parish Openly Defies Bishop over ICE-Themed Nativity Display
11:23 Indiana Redistricting Update
36:32 Good News
44:45 ACA Plans Fail
55:50 Twilight Zone
1:03:05 Closing Prayer

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Dearest Lady of Guadalupe, fruitful Mother of Holiness, teach me your ways of gentleness and strength. Hear my prayer offered with deepfelt confidence to beg this favor…. O Mary, conceived without sin, I come to your throne of grace to share the fervent devotion of your faithful Mexican children who call to you under the glorious Aztec title of “Guadalupe” the virgin who crushed the serpent. Queen of Martyrs, whose Immaculate heart was pierced by seven wounds of grief, help me to walk valiantly amid the sharp thorns thrown across my pathway. Queen of Apostles aid me to win souls for the Sacred Heart of my Savior. I plead this through the merits of your merciful Son, Our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

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Why do middle-class Americans feel poor in the “best economy ever?" From $140K poverty lines to the death of the middle class, we dig into the K-shaped economy. If you’ve ever wondered why the American Dream feels out of reach, this episode of The Deep is for you!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Is the middle class disappearing?
4:54 - What gets missed in the poverty line calculation
7:47 - Critics respond: “But Americans have never had it better!”
10:08 - The mandatory participations fees of modern society
11:42 - The American dream is broken
17:31 - Conclusion: So what should you do?

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Australia becomes the first country to enact a nationwide social media ban for kids—will the U.S. follow their lead? Meanwhile, dynamic pricing is here, and you should be concerned. And finally, Rep. Jasmine Crockett announces her Senate run in Texas. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

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TIMESTAMPS:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
04:18 Australia Bans Social Media for Kids
22:23 Dynamic Pricing is Here
41:50 Good News
57:30 Jasmine Crockett for Senate?!
01:07:50 Twilight Zone

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org

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All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

The Supreme Court has agreed to hear President Trump’s challenge to birthright citizenship. Meanwhile, another MAHA win: RFK Jr.’s CDC votes to drop the Hepatitis B shot for newborns. And finally, President Trump marks the Feast of the Immaculate Conception with a striking presidential message honoring Mary’s role in American history. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

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Father,
The image of the Virgin is found in your Church.
Mary had a faith that your Spirit prepared and a love that
never knew sin,
for you kept her sinless from the first moment of
her conception.
Trace in our actions the lines of her love,
in our hearts her readiness of faith.
Prepare once again a world for your Son who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, forever and ever.
Amen.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

What is going on with the rise of online "prediction markets?" One company, Kalshi is the fastest growing company outside of AI. Let's take a closer look! VA governor selects former head of Richmond FBI office as Secretary of Public Safety, Virginia man arrested over Jan. 6 pipe bombs, and Vatican rules out female deacons. All this and more on today's LOOPcast!

Timestamps:

0:00 - Welcome back LOOPcast! Hope you’re enjoying the cold!
2:05 - What’s going on with prediction markets?
28:17 - WHO did VA governor select as Secretary of Public Safety?
33:09 - Questionable story about J6 pipe bomb suspect
41:47 - Good News
51:47 - Vatican rules out female deacons
1:04:56 - Twilight Zone
1:14:16 - A CatholicVote special announcement!

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org
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Daily Prayer:

Heavenly Father, your son, Jesus, is your greatest gift to us, a great sign of your love. Guide us as we strive to walk in that love together as a family this Advent. As we prepare our hearts for Christmas, bring us closer to each other and to your son. Give us the grace and strength we need every day. Help us to always trust in you. Come, Lord Jesus, lead all people closer to you. Come and dispel the darkness of our world with the light of your love. Amen.

Heavenly Father, I come before you seeking your calming presence to bring peace to my troubled heart. My soul feels like a restless sea, tossing and turning with worries. I place my trust in your boundless love, knowing that you will heal the stress and anxiety that weights me down and burdens me. Light up the darkness Lord and let your light shine the way for me. Amen.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

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AI guilt is real – and it’s spreading fast. From AI tutors to “dead-grandma” tech, here are the Catholic non-negotiables for navigating AI without losing your mind, your soul, or your humanity. Amish vs. Optimist starts now.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Should we feel guilty using AI?
4:41 - NO AI JESUS!
4:50 - Non-negotiable 1: Education
9:59 - Non-negotiable 2: Childhood
12:03 - Non-negotiable 3: Writing
13:50 - Non-negotiable 4: Coping with grief
15:54 - Non-negotiable 5: AI companions
18:50 - Non-negotiable 6: Art
20:36 - Conclusion: Drawing the line

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Sources:

Inskeep, Steve. “Bill Gates Is Going Nuclear: How His Latest Project Could Power U.S. Homes and AI.” NPR, June 14, 2024. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.npr.org/2024/06/14/nx-s1-5002007/bill-gates-nuclear-power-artificial-intelligence.

“AI-2027.com.” Accessed December 4, 2025. https://ai-2027.com/.

Dr. Chad Engelland. “‘Dare Students Go Amish on the Topic of AI?’ — Word on Fire.” Word on Fire (blog). Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.wordonfire.org/articles/dare-students-go-amish-on-the-topic-of-ai/

(No author). “About 1 in 5 U.S. Teens Who’ve Heard of ChatGPT Have Used It for Schoolwork.” Pew Research Center, November 16, 2023. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2023/11/16/about-1-in-5-us-teens-whove-heard-of-chatgpt-have-used-it-for-schoolwork/. Pew Research Center

Sidoti, Olivia; Eugenie Park; and Jeffrey Gottfried. “About a Quarter of U.S. Teens Have Used ChatGPT for Schoolwork — Double the Share in 2023.” Pew Research Center, January 15, 2025. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2025/01/15/about-a-quarter-of-us-teens-have-used-chatgpt-for-schoolwork-double-the-share-in-2023/. Pew Research Center

“Children Today Far Less Likely to Play Outside Than Their Grandparents.” Save the Children UK. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.savethechildren.org.uk/news/media-centre/press-releases/2022/children-today-far-less-likely-to-play-outside-than-their-grandparents#:~:text=One%20in%20four%20children%20who.

Kashmir Hill. “ChatGPT Lawsuit, Suicides, Delusions.” The New York Times, November 6, 2025. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/technology/chatgpt-lawsuit-suicides-delusions.html.

Kashmir Hill and Jennifer Valentino-DeVries. “OpenAI ChatGPT Users’ Risks.” The New York Times, November 23, 2025. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/23/technology/openai-chatgpt-users-risks.html?unlocked_article_code=1.3U8.3A1u.ZAX9W46WWg-A&smid=url-share.

“Superintelligence AI Pause — Yoshua Bengio.” Axios, October 22, 2025. Accessed December 4, 2025. https://www.axios.com/2025/10/22/superintelligence-ai-pause-yoshua-bengio.