Episodes

All Good Things...

Two twenty-something saints, mountaineering, and Nike sneakers. Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati prove that holiness doesn’t mean leaving normal life behind—it means living it to the fullest with Christ. Father Dave and Deacon Bob reflect on Pope Leo’s homily at the canonization Mass for these two young Italians and explore why so many saints begin saying “yes” to God in their youth. True to They That Hope form, they take a lap through the weekend in sports, from NFL openers to US Open sto...

Hope in Tragedy

Nicknames

What do typhoon evacuations, koala selfies, and second breakfast in Hobbiton have in common? They’ve all been part of Deacon Bob’s adventurous month. After a few weeks apart, Father Dave and Deacon Bob are back, swapping globe-trotting tales, ministry moments, and a surprisingly full slate of sports updates. Bob’s recent trip took him from the typhoon-swept Philippines to Singapore, Perth, Sydney, and a bucket-list stop in New Zealand’s Hobbiton (yes, complete with hobbit holes, the Green Dra...

The July Episode

There’s nothing like the NBA and NHL Finals… unless you count professional pillow fighting. In this episode, Father Dave and Deacon Bob celebrate the end of the sports season with a rundown of the Stanley Cup, the NBA Finals, and the rise of summer’s strangest athletic events, including the Pillow Fighting Championship (yes, it’s real). But the heart of the episode is hope—the kind that doesn’t come from scores or summer plans, but from Christ. They reflect on the Eucharist, the Sacred and Imm...

What happens when you pray the Divine Mercy Chaplet in St. Faustina’s backyard? This week, Father Dave shares powerful moments from his recent pilgrimage to Poland—visiting sacred sites tied to St. Maximilian Kolbe, St. Faustina, and St. John Paul II. From celebrating Mass at Kolbe’s friary to walking through Auschwitz and Birkenau, it’s a glimpse of God’s mercy amid some of history’s darkest places. While Father Dave walked in the footsteps of saints, Deacon Bob found hopeful witness in t...

There’s a new pope—and he’s an Augustinian! In this episode, Father Dave and Deacon Bob discuss the election of Pope Leo XIV, the first member of the Order of St. Augustine to lead the Catholic Church. They explore why St. Augustine’s Confessions remains a spiritual masterpiece and how his vision of community, conversion, and interior prayer speaks to the Church’s call for renewal today. Naturally, they go off on many tangents, starting with a chilly trip to Cedar Point, detouring through ...

Thursday on Sunday

The NBA playoffs may be unpredictable, but at least summer blockbusters deliver. In this episode of They That Hope , Father Dave and Deacon Bob unpack the Cleveland Cavaliers’ devastating playoff collapse (RIP hope), debate baseball scandals from Pete Rose to steroid-era legends, and preview the biggest summer movies hitting theaters. From Marvel’s new Thunderbolts to the return of Mission: Impossible and a much-anticipated Fantastic Four reboot, they break down what’s worth watching and what mi...

Habemus Papam! The Church has a new pope—and he’s from Chicago. In this episode, Fr. Dave and Deacon Bob react with joy, awe, and a healthy dose of disbelief to the election of Pope Leo XIV, a South Side Chicago native and fellow “Bob.” The first American pontiff, Leo XIV is a former Augustinian missionary, canon lawyer, and lifelong baseball fan with deep roots in both Villanova and Peru. His election is already making waves—and memes. Before diving into Vatican news, the hosts process a differ...

(00:00) Kentucky Derby, Star Wars, and Finals Week Fr. Dave and Deacon Bob kick off with sitcom nostalgia, university finals, and a wholesome Star Wars Day at PNC Park—complete with Sith Lords and pierogi races. Sports fans will also appreciate their thoughts on the NBA playoffs and a surprising stat from the Kentucky Derby. (07:26) Honoring Catholic Leaders Graduation at Franciscan University is coming up and will features honorary degrees for Bishop Andrew Cozzens and religious liberty advocates Seamus and Mary Hasson, co-founders of The Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. Fr. Dave and Deacon Bob discuss the Hassons’ work defending pro-life and parental rights cases, including a recent Supreme Court challenge. (10:45) The Eucharist in Space Fr. Dave recounts his conversation with astronaut and retired Air Force General Kevin P. Chilton, who received the Eucharist aboard a NASA mission. The hosts also share how Buzz Aldrin took communion on the moon, making for a remarkable intersecti…

Father Dave and Deacon Bob discuss the excitement of the NBA playoffs and NFL draft—and Franciscan University’s Night of Joy. Deacon Bob shares what it was like to watch Star Wars in the theater again in celebration of its 20th anniversary. They also touch on the Holy Father’s funeral, the ongoing preparations for the next pope's conclave, and the significance of St. Joseph the Worker and the value of work.

Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob reflect on their Easter celebrations and awakening to the news of Pope Francis’ passing on April 21. They reflect on the pope’s humility, his heart for the marginalized, and his unshakeable love for Jesus as well as liturgical celebrations initiated by him and significant moments in his pontificate. They conclude by sharing Pope Francis' last Easter blessing.

Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob discuss Rory McIlroy's thrilling victory at the Masters and their failed attempt to attend a baseball game. They also reflect on the profound beauty of Holy Thursday, Good Friday, and the Easter Vigil, encouraging everyone to participate fully. They also touch on Franciscan University alumni events, inspiring student stories, and the role of priests and deacons. They conclude with an invitation to support Franciscan University's Giving Day and Dcn. Bob's excitement about pr...

Join Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob on They That Hope as they celebrate Alex Ovechkin breaking Wayne Gretzky's goal-scoring record and discuss the thrilling conclusion of the college basketball season. They share humorous anecdotes about meeting famous people, the Haribo sugar-free gummy bear reviews, and the Minecraft movie. They also reflect on the beauty of Palm Sunday and explore how we can integrate faith in everyday life with insights from Arthur Brooks. Plus, don't miss out on their plans for a li...

Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob discuss the start of the baseball season, March Madness, role-playing games, and Dcn. Bob’s son receiving a hockey puck from Sidney Crosby. Fr. Dave shares some beautiful things he experienced in Austria last week. They also delve into a profound discussion on Jesus' encounter with the woman caught in adultery, meditating on his merciful response.

Father Dave and Dcn. Bob discuss March Madness, Bob's Mission Trip to Belize, Fr. Dave's Pilgrimage to Rwanda, and look ahead to this Sunday's Gospel reading of the Prodigal Son. Tune in to find out if Bob actually went in - or at least near - the ocean!

Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob discuss their upcoming mission trips to Belize and Rwanda, reflecting on the impact of missions on students and communities. They delve into a light-hearted critique of the worst sports teams to cheer on as a fan, recounting frustrating fan experiences. They pay tribute to the late actor Gene Hackman and reflect on President Trump’s recent speech and the challenges of bipartisan politics. They close They That Hope with the Transfiguration Gospel reading, emphasizing the imp...

In this episode of They That Hope, Father Dave and Deacon Bob delve into various topics, starting with Father Dave's experience at the Catholic Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. They discuss the attempt to banish the “tush push” in the NFL and mention the rising popularity of phone booth boxing. Much of this episode is spent talking about the recent Trump-Zelensky conflict at the White House and the reinstatement of the federal death penalty with personal reflections of Father Dave and Deacon...

In this episode of They That Hope, Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob start with updates on hockey and baseball, including the Yankees' new grooming policy and the adoption of “robo umps.” They also humorously tackle the greatest James Bond villain ever—Amazon Alexa—following Amazon's acquisition of Bond rights. They touch on Trump's executive order on IVF and its implications from a Catholic perspective. They pray for Pope Francis' health and address the challenges of Lent and fasting. Finally, they share s...

It was an all-star weekend! Fr. Dave and Dcn. Bob discuss the Four Nations Tournament (former NHL All-Star Game), NBA All-Star Weekend, Saturday Night Live’s 50th Anniversary, the new Captain America movie, Rwanda, and the meaning of "ordo amoris."

Fr. Dave turned 60! He and Dcn. Bob talk about the Super Bowl, NBA trades, anxiety in young people, and the importance of Christian unity.