Bottom Gun
They That Hope: A Catholic Podcast
There’s nothing like landing fighter jets on a moving ship… unless you count watching Vanderbilt fans carry a goalpost three miles to a river. In this episode, Father Dave Pivonka and Deacon Bob Rice cover a lot of ground—starting with Father Dave’s 26 hours aboard a U.S. Navy aircraft carrier and somehow ending up in a debate over the MLB playoffs—with plenty of stops in between for college football’s biggest upset, Pete Rose’s Hall of Fame hopes (and his knack for stirring up controversy). They weave in hurricane updates, election-season frustrations, and how to keep hope anchored in Christ when the headlines and commercials make it hard. At the heart of the episode is a challenge to engage the world with charity and courage. Whether it’s honoring military service, keeping politics civil, or discussing parish life, the conversation stays rooted in what it means to be “radically Catholic and genuinely normal” —echoing the wisdom of upcoming Franciscan University guest speaker Arthur Brooks. Naturally, there are tangents, from debating Dodgers vs. Guardians, to the questionable safety of glass mugs in Deacon Bob’s online store, to daydreaming about recording a future episode live at a Savannah Bananas game (because why not add “banana ball” to the podcast bucket list?). Highlighted Sections (00:00) Little Carl from Up and Listener-Centric Podcasting The show kicks off with banter about Father Dave’s resemblance to the Pixar character and a new focus on speaking directly to listeners. There’s also a sheepish admission of forgetting to mention the Feast of St. Francis in a recent episode. (02:00) Hurricanes, Helena, and Power Outages Prayers and updates for friends and parishes in Tampa and the Carolinas following recent storms. Some still without power, but grateful the damage wasn’t as bad as feared. (03:36) NFL and College Football Upsets Bucs beat the Saints, Lions crush the Cowboys, Notre Dame dominates, Ohio State falls to Oregon, and Vanderbilt takes down Alabama for the first time in half a century—prompting fans to rip out the goalposts and parade them through town. (07:13) MLB Playoffs and the Pete Rose Debate Guardians still alive, Dodgers, Mets, and Yankees in the mix. The hosts remember Pete Rose—celebrated for his record-breaking hits, banned for betting on baseball. Should he be in the Hall of Fame? Father Dave offers his verdict (with an asterisk). (14:40) 26 Hours on an Aircraft Carrier Father Dave recounts his once-in-a-lifetime visit: watching night landings, meeting 19-year-old sailors steering the ship, and hearing stories of sacrifice. Reflections on gratitude for the military, especially in light of global tensions. (22:39) Political Ads, Candidate Fatigue, and True Hope Frustrations over divisive campaign commercials in battleground states. Honest conversation about voting with conscience, media-driven anxiety, and remembering that our hope must be in Christ—not political figures or parties. (29:35) Arthur Brooks, “Radical Catholicism,” and Civil Conversations Preview of an upcoming Franciscan University event with Brooks, who encourages Catholics to be boldly faithful yet approachable. Examples from campus life of students disagreeing charitably on liturgy without division. (33:36) Prayer for Peace, Unity, and Hope The episode closes with a prayer for charity in conversation, peace in political discourse, and renewed hope for anyone struggling with national or personal anxieties. Resources & Mentions Franciscan University of Steubenville – Learn more about upcoming conferences and events. Franciscan Magazine Online – Stories from campus and beyond. Arthur Brooks – Author, Harvard professor, and upcoming Franciscan University guest speaker. Savannah Bananas – The “banana ball” team Father Dave wants to see live. Listen to more They That Hope episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason.