They That Hope: A Catholic Podcast

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...

As Lent begins, Deacon Bob and Father Dave turn to the Gospel of Luke and the image of Jesus being led into the wilderness by the Holy Spirit. From fasting and temptation to spiritual dryness and surrender, the hosts reflect on how the desert becomes a sacred space of encounter and transformation. 

This week’s episode moves from the spiritual to the political, as Father Dave shares his experience at the Catholic Prayer Breakfast in...

This week’s episode swings from dodgeball chaos at Franciscan University to international hockey heartbreak as Team USA falls to Canada. Father Dave and Deacon Bob also unpack the Yankees’ shocking decision to allow facial hair—and ponder whether robot umpires and AI-controlled baseball are the future of America’s pastime. Oh, and Juan Soto buys a teammate a $92,000 SUV for a jersey number. All-star moves, indeed. 

In entertainment...

It’s an All-Star weekend—from the NHL to the NBA to the 50th Anniversary of Saturday Night Live—and Father Dave and Deacon Bob are here for all of it. 

In this episode, they dive into the revamped All-Star formats (including USA vs. Canada on ice), heated hockey fights, and the quirky charm of watching sports evolve. They also unpack the latest SNL celebration, share some Marvel movie hot takes, and reflect on deep questions raised...

This week on They That Hope, Deacon Bob Rice and Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, tackle the rising tide of anxiety affecting young people—and all of us!  From Super Bowl surprises to shocking NBA trades, it’s a whirlwind of headlines, but the heart of this conversation is deeper: Why are so many teens (and adults) overwhelmed, and what can we do about it? 

Drawing from Dr. Greg Bottaro’s new “In Focus” series, alongside insights from The...

Football frustration, birthday celebrations, and a million-dollar baseball card?

This week, Deacon Bob Rice and Father Dave Pivonka, TOR, bounce between sports, sacraments, science, and serious social issues—starting with the Super Bowl matchup they didn’t want but expected: Chiefs vs. Eagles. 

Along the way, they dig into the nuances of wearing clerics, honor a kid’s courage in turning down the Pirates, and highlight a new series ...