They That Hope: A Catholic Podcast

Two young saints, one who loved mountaineering and the other rocked Nike sneakers: Carlo Acutis and Pier Giorgio Frassati prove 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...

Father Dave and Deacon Bob come to this episode with heavy hearts, reflecting on the recent church shooting in Minnesota. They share Archbishop Bernard Hebda’s moving words of hope, grapple with the reality of evil, and talk about the call to persistent prayer. It’s a sobering reminder of the world’s brokenness—and of the hope Christians cling to when sorrow feels overwhelming. 

Yet, even in hard weeks, these two help listeners fin...

From Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh (“The Big Dumper”) to Cracker Barrel pancakes to mother-son saints, Father Dave and Deacon Bob serve up another classic mix of sports, pop culture, and faith. This week’s wide-ranging conversation moves from baseball nicknames and Ryder Cup golf to the Solemn Blessing of Christ the King Chapel and Franciscan University’s theme for the year: keeping Jesus at the center.  Along the way, they ...

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 Zea...

What happens when the world’s top golfer says faith—not golf—is his top priority? 

Father Dave and Deacon Bob kick off this episode with that headline-grabbing story, plus summer sports updates, movie reviews, and a powerful look at how God is moving through this year’s youth conferences. 

They cover everything from the MLB All-Star Game and Father Dave’s baseball “betrayal” (attending games without Bob) to a heartfelt reflection ...

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, b...

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 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,...

Why does the Ascension of Jesus—one of the great feasts of the Church—end up celebrated on a Sunday in most dioceses, while others keep it on Thursday? And what does that tell us about our faith, traditions, and the challenges of Holy Days of Obligation? Father Dave and Deacon Bob unpack the significance of the Ascension within the Paschal Mystery, showing why it’s more than just a “tag-on” after Easter, but a powerful reminder of ...

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 Fantas...

Habemus Papam! The Church has a new pope—and he’s from Chicago.

In this episode, Father 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 an Augustinian, missionary, canon lawyer, and lifelong baseball fan with deep roots in both Villanova and Peru. His election is already making waves—and me...

What does it feel like when the eyes of the world turn to the Sistine Chapel, as everyone waits for white smoke? In this episode, Father Dave and Deacon Bob explore the sacred mystery—and human drama—of a papal conclave. But first: baseball, astronauts, Marvel movies, and pierogies. 

 Father Dave shares a powerful conversation with retired astronaut and U.S. Air Force General Kevin P. Chilton, who received the Eucharist in space. T...

The Chair of St. Peter is empty, the world is watching, and the Church is praying. 

In this episode of They That Hope, Father Dave and Deacon Bob reflect on the death of Pope Francis and the moving events surrounding his funeral in Rome. From the emotional procession through the streets—past landmarks like the Colosseum and the TOR friars’ house—to the intimate ceremony at St. Mary Major, they recount moments that highlighted the l...

Pope Francis has passed into eternal life—and Father Dave and Deacon Bob take time to remember him with reverence, gratitude, and a few good stories. 

In this episode, recorded shortly after the announcement of his death, the hosts reflect on the Holy Father’s legacy: his love for the marginalized, his embrace of simplicity, and his tireless call to joy. They recall his early days as a pope who rode the subway, paid his own hotel b...

This episode was supposed to be Live from PNC Park… Until wind, hail, and freezing temps benched those plans.  

Instead, Father Dave and Deacon Bob recap what didn’t happen at the Pirates game—and what did happen at Petco Park, Jackie Robinson Day, and the Pierogi Race. They also cheer for Rory McIlroy’s long-awaited Masters win, reminisce about $300 Air Jordans and train robbers, and share a touching moment from an alumni visit to...

What happens when you celebrate Palm Sunday and break a historic NHL record in the same week—then try to plan a live podcast at a ballgame? 

This week, Deacon Bob Rice and Father Dave Pivonka, reunite after time on the road to talk sports, saints, and the start of Holy Week. They celebrate Alex Ovechkin surpassing Wayne Gretzky’s all-time goal record, reflect on the highs and heartbreaks of March Madness, and make ambitious plans f...

"Neither do I condemn you." These powerful words from John 8 echo through this week’s episode, as Deacon Bob and Father Dave reflect on Jesus’ radical mercy and the call to transformation. The Gospel story of the woman caught in adultery takes center stage, prompting a rich conversation about sin, dignity, and the scandal of grace. 

From there, the hosts weave this message of mercy into stories from real life—on the field, in the c...

What do a prodigal son, a Belize beach revival, and Marian apparitions in Rwanda have in common? 

They all point us back to the mercy of the Father. This week on They That Hope, Deacon Bob Rice and Father Dave Pivonka reflect on powerful journeys of repentance, healing, and homecoming—from the Gospel of Luke to the real-life stories unfolding in mission fields and pilgrimage sites. 

Recording from opposite sides of the globe, the h...

What does God’s glory look like in your everyday life? 

This week on They That Hope, Father Dave and Deacon Bob reflect on the Gospel account of the Transfiguration, exploring how moments of divine glory give us strength and perspective during life’s hardest trials. They share how Christ reveals his presence both in the extraordinary—like mountaintop encounters—and the ordinary rhythms of daily life. 

As Deacon Bob prepares to lead...