Swimming Upstream: Recent Episodes
Eric Sammons
Swimming Upstream is a podcast about life, liberty, and the pursuit of holiness. Hosted by Eric Sammons.
In the 100th episode of this podcast, I make a special announcement, plus I also share a talk I recently gave on the Four Last Things.
I recently gave a talk to a women's group on the topic of "Sanctification Through Work." We spend most of our lives working, whether it's paid or not, and so we need to make sure work draws us closer to—rather than farther away from—God. I'm sharing the recording of the talk on this episode of Swimming Upstream.
I recently taught a class for my parish and the topic was marriage. I covered a number of areas related to the sacrament, but in particular I focused on the three purposes of marriage, and their corresponding importance. Topics covered: Origin of marriage Marriage defined Purpose of marriage Essential elements of marriage Christ elevates marriage […]
There’s a lot of in-fighting in the Catholic world, among traditional Catholics, among conservative Catholics, and particularly between traditional and conservative Catholics. In this episode, I go full Rodney King and ask, “Can we all just get along?” Topics covered: A desire to “Unite the Clans” “He that is not against us is for us.” […]
In today's Church, there are many different kinds of Catholics, with three main categories: liberal, conservative, and traditional. I take a look at these labels and what they mean in this episode of "Swimming Upstream".
Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies have left the public spotlight since their highs in late 2017. What is going on in the cryptocurrency industry these days? Is the promise of blockchain technology still possible? Or was it all hype?
With Lent approaching, it's time to re-look at a traditional Christian practice that has been sadly forgotten: fasting.
This week it was announced that the Vatican approved a 2nd miracle attributed to Bl. John Henry Newman, which clears the way for him to be canonized a Saint of the Catholic Church. I have a devotion to this great man, and so I use this announcement as an opportunity to talk about his life […]
I've finally said "enough is enough" and won't be giving to my diocese's annual appeal this year.
Shows like Doctor Who and Star Trek have made time travel a staple of science fiction. And we all dream about time travel as well: can I go back and pick the winning lottery numbers? Can I go forward to see how my life turns out? But is time travel even possible, not just scientifically, but philosophically?
In this episode, I present a lecture I recently gave at my parish on the creation and origin of man. It's obviously a controversial subject, and I tried to present what the Church allows and doesn't allow to be believed, while focusing on how to interpret the Biblical account from Genesis 1.
The Government Shutdown continues, which means that all "non-essential" personnel are currently furloughed. But this raises the question: what functions of government are essential? In this episode, I take a closer look at anarcho-capitalism, which would answer: no government functions are essential.
Today is the March for Life and next week is the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision legalizing abortion. Although legalized abortion has been a tragedy beyond comprehension, God has brought good out of the pro-life movement, including my conversion to Catholicism.
This week two institutions I admire—Opus Dei and the Franciscan University of Steubenville—were hit with separate scandals. This has led me to think about how we typically react to scandal and what our proper reaction should be.
Helping the poor has in modern times become a "liberal" issue. But if you are a Christian, no matter your political leanings, you are obligated to help the poor. But what are the best ways to do that?
t's the end of the year, which means it's time for New Year's Resolutions. In this episode, I discuss my own resolution to live a simpler 2019, which is something Pope Francis also called for in his recent Christmas Eve homily.
In a recent interview, Ben Shapiro asked Bishop Robert Barron, "I’m a Jew. I follow the Law. Can I go to Heaven?" Bishop Barron's response has led to a vigorous debate as to what is necessary for salvation. I tackle this issue in this episode, outlining my main practical and theological criticisms of Bishop Barron's answer.
Today we face massive gender confusion in our culture. Men and women are said to be the exact same, and men can claim to be women, and women can claim to be men. I would argue that one of the best ways to combat this confusion can be found in how we celebrate the Mass.
Recently my pastor asked me to sub for him in our adult catechism class at our parish. The topic to be covered was "faith." I decided to use the class to distinguish between the five different meanings of the word "faith".
Discontent with Pope Francis has led some Catholics to suspect that perhaps he's not the real pope. Instead "Pope Emeritus" Benedict XVI is still the true pope. I look into this assertion in this episode of Swimming Upstream.
A popular song asks the question, "Mary, Did You Know?" Well, what did Mary know, and when did she know it?
The Season of Advent is a wonderful time to grow spiritually. In this episode, I explain three traditional Advent devotions that can help your family prepare for the coming of the Christ Child this Advent.
After years of struggling with health problems, I’ve finally found something that makes me feel better, have more energy, and lifts my brain fog: intermittent fasting. Read about how I came to embrace intermittent fasting here.
With the 2018 midterm elections approaching, I wanted to address the issue of voting. Specifically, what priorities should Catholics consider when voting? My answers might not be what you expect.
The history of the papacy is filled with saints and sinners, good popes and bad popes. Sometimes Catholics want to deny that we can have bad popes, or that the pope they are living under could be a bad pope. In this episode of Swimming Upstream, I take a look at what makes for a […]
For decades there’s been a battle for the soul of the Vatican – will it be faithfully Catholic, or will it conform to the world? For most of that time this battle has been quietly raging behind the scenes, but in recent months it’s come out into the open. What does this mean for the […]
With the end of the 2018 MLB season, I wanted to review some of the highlights (and lowlights) of the season. I decided to bring on a special guest, someone who is an expert on baseball – and also happens to be my son. Topics covered: Review of our 2018 pre-season predictions Best player of […]
The bruising Supreme Court confirmation battle over Brett Kavanaugh is another in a long list of battles dating back to Robert Bork. I take a look at Kavanaugh and this particular battle in this episode of Swimming Upstream. Topics covered include: An analysis of Kavanaugh’s views The sexual assault allegations against Kavanaugh The real issue: […]
Abortion is a contentious issue among libertarians, with the majority saying they are “pro-choice,” while a sizable minority says they are “pro-life.” In this episode of Swimming Upstream, I tackle this issue to try to determine the best libertarian position on abortion. Topics discussed: The divide among libertarians regarding abortion. What makes a person a […]
With the rampant corruption infecting the Catholic hierarchy, it’s time to look to reform. And I don’t mean rejecting the institution of the hierarchy, a la Protestantism. I mean reforming the human elements of how things operate at the highest levels of the Church. In this episode, I give four vital steps I think reform […]
Today is Labor Day, and I want to talk about the primary fruit of our labor: money. Specifically, how government’s control of money makes everyone poorer over time. Topics Covered: The Three Properties of Money Why do some forms of money fail? Why have some forms of money (like gold) succeeded over time? The problem […]
The recent allegation that Pope Francis knew about former Cardinal McCarrick’s immoral activities has sent shockwaves throughout the Catholic Church. Some are calling for the Pope’s resignation. Should he resign? If he doesn’t, can he be forced out? I discuss all this on today’s episode of Swimming Upstream. Resources: Ex-Nuncio Accuses Pope Francis of Failing […]
With the ongoing sex abuse crisis in the Church, it can be hard to be Catholic. But I still love the Church! Why? I give five of my reasons in this episode of Swimming Upstream.
Why is socialism enjoying a surge in popularity in recent years? Why are young people in particular attracted to it? I take a look at this phenomenon in today’s episode of Swimming Upstream.
There hasn’t been this much disgust from lay Catholics toward the Catholic hierarchy since before the Protestant Reformation. The McCarrick scandal has revealed there is rot deep within the episcopacy. Many lay Catholics want to know: What can I do? I give some practical suggestions. Resources: When Bishops Lose Their Authority An Invitation to the […]
It’s common among Catholics to claim that libertarianism is incompatible with Catholicism. Liberal Catholics dismiss it as uncaring toward the poor and needy. Conservative Catholics would say libertarians endorse immorality like abortion and same-sex marriage. But I would argue that these criticism flow from a misunderstanding of libertarianism (and a misunderstanding of Catholicism). Some topics covered in […]
Recently I’ve been under fire for noting that it’s not “pro-life” to endorse every government program under the sun. Some have even gone so far as to call me “anti-Catholic” because they believe Catholics must support such programs. But is this the case? In this podcast I argue that good intentions are not enough – we need to […]
You hear it everywhere now: Immigration is a pro-life issue. Racism is a pro-life issue. Health care is a pro-life issue. It seems that everything is a pro-life issue now. In this episode, I argue that such a promiscuous use of the label threatens to dilute it and fragment the pro-life movement.
What is causing the rise in suicides in our country? Is it simply a case of mental illness? Is it Trump’s fault for cutting various programs? Or is it more of a cultural issue? I look at what I think are some of the causes of his tragic epidemic. Resources: Suicide Rates Are Rising. What […]
This month is “Gay Pride Month,” so of course Fr. James Martin is out there as the pied piper for the gay rights movement. But how should Catholics actually respond to Gay Pride Month? The standard response is “love the sinner, hate the sin.” And this is true, but I think we need to go deeper. […]
This podcast includes a commencement address I recently gave at the graduation ceremonies for a local homeschool association. In my address I noted that many leaders urge our young people to be “counter-cultural,” yet being counter-cultural is now ironically the cultural norm. What is truly counter-cultural? Being a practicing Catholic – being a saint.
More school shootings have occurred recently, which means more calls for gun control. But are guns the problem? Or is it something deeper? I take a look at this issue in this week’s episode. Originally a Facebook Live Video. Resources: There Are Fewer School Shootings Now Than During the 1990s We Don’t Have A School […]
Fr. James Martin has made a career of skirting the fine line between implicitly criticizing Church teaching without explicitly rejecting it. But even when he is explaining Church teaching, as he did in a recent America Magazine article, he’s still undermining it. Resources: What is the official church teaching on homosexuality? Responding to a commonly asked question (by […]
I watched Avengers Infinity War last week so I thought I’d review it here. I also found some religious themes in the movie which I wanted to explore a bit. Note that this review does contain spoilers, so you’re forewarned.
The case of Alfie Evans gripped the world last week. It was a classic case of David (Alfie and his family) against Goliath (the UK government and health system). Sadly, Goliath won this battle. In this podcast, I discuss how the events surrounding Alfie’s death touched on end-of-life medical decisions, parental rights, the role of government in health […]
Recent comments by Pope Francis have called into question the existence of hell, or if anyone is actually there if it does exist. I take a look at the Church’s teaching on hell, as well as what it takes (or doesn’t take) to get there.
Last week President Trump authorized air strikes against Syria, because the Syrian leader had supposedly used chemical weapons against his own citizens. Is this military strike legitimate under Just War Doctrine? Is it constitutional? And does it make sense? Resources: Petition Against the Expansion of the Syrian Conflict A History of American Intervention in the Middle […]
After the news that 30,000 people entered the Catholic Church this past Easter, I thought I’d look at the numbers from previous years to see what I find. I wish I hadn’t. Resources: Article: The Incredibly Shrinking Catholic Convert Rate
There’s a lot to be upset with if you’re a practicing Catholic these days. It seems a day doesn’t go by that some Church teaching isn’t being undermined or denied by Church leaders. What’s a regular Catholic to do? Is it okay to get upset? Or should we just relax? That’s the topic of this […]
Baseball season starts soon, and so I’m giving my predictions for the upcoming year. Spoiler: I don’t think the Reds will come in last! Resources: 2018 Baseball Predictions (Article)
My wife and kids tell me I’m a pessimist, and I prove it in this episode of my podcast. I spend time discussing what I think are the top threats to modern civilization. Cheery, I know. Resources: Article: Top 5 Threats to Civilization You Will Comply: The Rise of the Totalitarian Left
Today is Ash Wednesday, so I thought I’d discuss the season of Lent, including my own disastrous first Lent and what I learned from it. Resources: Catholic Answers: Lent
Controversy surrounds Pope Francis again. This time he allegedly covered up abuse allegations against a Chilean bishop. This has led some (including myself) to openly wonder if he should be removed from office if these allegations are true. But as I think more about it, I realize that there is no (human) way to remove a […]
Today is the 45th anniversary of the Roe v Wade decision that legalized abortion in America. I discuss what I feel is the best way to stop abortion once and for all.
I don’t actually get a vote for the Baseball Hall of Fame, but here’s what my vote would look like if I did. I also discuss why I’m #Never Bonds and #NeverClemens. Resources: Article: My 2018 Hall of Fame Ballot BBWAA Rules for Election Hall of Fame Candidate Stats
In the tech world, there is a lot of talk of the “Singularity” – when technology advancements take over the world. It even has taken on religious connotations. I discuss this phenomenon from a Catholic perspective. Resources: Are You Ready for the Singularity? (article at Catholic Answers) Inside the First Church of Artificial Intelligence
Today is the Solemnity of the Immaculate Conception, so I thought I’d recall how Our Lady took only three days to bring me into the Catholic Church. Resources: Journey Home – 2012-04-23 – Former United Methodist – Marcus Grodi with Eric Sammons Why I’m Catholic – Methodist Convert Eric Sammons
Bitcoin recently went over $9,000, which has led to a new wave of speculation about the future of cryptocurrency. What is the current state of Bitcoin, and where is it going? I discuss my views on the topic in today’s podcast. Resources: My writings on cryptocurrency
Many teachings of the Church are considered offensive to modern ears. Should we, therefore, keep silent about them? I discuss the issue of political correctness and evangelization in this episode. Resources: How to Offend Like Jesus Did (Catholic Answers)
Today I’ll be discussing the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation, which occurs on October 31st, 2017. I’ll address how the Reformation was really a Revolution, and what we need to do to work towards a united Christendom. Resources: The Coming Home Network’s Reformation guide
A botched replay in last week’s NLDS between the Nationals and the Cubs reminded me, yet again, why I hate instant replay in sports so much.
I decided to take a podcast to name my favorite saints, why I like them, as well as discuss the importance of the Communion of the Saints.
My name was recently added to the Filial Correction of Pope Francis, and in this episode I discuss whether it’s even proper for a Catholic to ever “correct” the pope. Resources: Correctio Filialis De Haeresibus Propagatis Why I Signed the Filial Correction
In this baseball-related podcast, I review my pre-season predictions (6 for 6 on division winners!) and discuss the upcoming MLB playoffs – who I think will win, and who I hope will win. Resources: 2017 Baseball Predictions MLB Postseason Schedule
A couple weeks ago ten pro-life activists were arrested in the “Red Rose Rescues.” In this podcast I discuss my own history of rescuing, as well as why I think these Red Rose Rescues imitate our Lord in reaching into the depths of evil to witness God’s love. Resources: Catholic priests, pro-life activists arrested at […]
This past weekend saw the Leader of the Free World initiating a tweetstorm about a few millionaire athletes kneeling during the National Anthem. So of course it was the lead story everywhere. In this podcast I address this issue and probably alienate most of my listeners. Enjoy!
Pope Francis has been called the “Political Pope,” due to his involvement in various liberal political causes. Does that make him unique among popes? Also, what should Catholics do when they disagree with a pope on a political issue? I discuss these issues in today’s podcast. Resources: The Political Pope The Papal Bull Annulling the […]
Today (September 14th, 2017) is the ten year anniversary of the implementation of Summorum Pontificum, the motu proprio of Pope Benedict XVI which liberalized the celebration of the Traditional Latin Mass. I discuss the impact of the motu proprio, as well as the impact of the Mass on the Church in general. Resources: Summorum Pontificum What Benedict […]
Donald Trump, Steve Bannon, the USCCB, and Pope Francis on Immigration: sounds like fun! I discuss some of the latest headlines regarding the Catholic Church and illegal immigration, including the Catholic’s duty to listen to the hierarchy on this issue. Resources: Bannon on Catholic Church’s DACA support: ‘They need illegal aliens to fill the churches’ […]
Cryptocurrencies are so hot right now. Everyone wants to find the next cryptocurrency that’s going to skyrocket. As someone who’s been involved in cryptos since 2013, I’m often asked my opinion about investing in cryptocurrencies. Listen to find out! Resources: Coin Market Cap – updated prices for all cryptocurrencies Coinbase – the easiest way to […]
I recently read an article about “SquishyChurch” – i.e., what the Catholic Church has become today – and I wanted to explore it more in-depth. Resources: Exiting “SquishyChurch”: A Reading List for Redpilled Catholics
My son wanted to know my ranking of every MLB team, from the Reds (favorite) to the Yankees (Satan’s Team). I wrote up my ranking for my website, and decided to make a podcast of it as well. Resources: Ranking All MLB Teams (article)
I discuss the recent controversy over the Charlottesville riots/violence/protests, how Trump responded, Confederate monuments, and mob rule.
In my many years working in Catholic evangelization, I’ve noticed there is one “third rail” no one wants to touch: Vatican II. More accurately, criticism of Vatican II. I explored that phenomenon in a recent article for Crisis Magazine, and I talk about it more in this podcast. Resources: Evangelization, Vatican II, and Censorship
In “The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe” C.S. Lewis gives some sound advice for good government. Unfortunately, it’s the opposite of what most modern governments do. Resources: 6 Rules For Good Government From The World Of Narnia (My article for The Federalist)
It’s been six months since Donald Trump was inaugurated as President – how does this NeverTrumper think he’s doing? I look at the good, the bad, and the ugly and come out with an overall grade. I’ll give a hint: it’s not an A, but it’s also not an F. Resources: Three Reasons Why I […]
On August 1st Bitcoin will be splitting into two separate chains: Bitcoin and “Bitcoin Cash.” What does this mean for Bitcoin and cryptocurrency in general? I’ll be discussing this issue in today’s podcast. Resources: The Bitcoin Blocksize Debate (podcast) Bitcoin Cash vs. Dash: Which Will Fulfill Satoshi’s Vision? Bitcoin Cash Blockchain fork will create new […]
I recently published a short story, and it got me to thinking about the role of fiction in evangelization. Should Christians evangelize through fiction? If so, how best to do that? Resources: My short story The Profession
Recently, the USCCB released a statement regarding the possible repeal and replacement of Obamacare. It reminded me, once again, that most Catholic bishops don’t understand economics and should refrain from speaking about topic. Resources: USCCB Letter To Senate Regarding Affordable Care Act The Church and the Market: A Catholic Defense of the Free Economy by Thomas […]
Last night I went to a Cincinnati Reds game, and in this podcast I’m going to talk about my lifetime love of the Reds. Resources: Cincinnati Reds Official Page Redleg Nation
Last week Pope Emeritus Benedict XVI made some controversial remarks, noting that the “Lord does not abandon His Church, even if the boat has taken on so much water as to be on the verge of capsizing.” Is the Church about to capsize? If so, what can we do about it? Resources: Pope Benedict’s Message […]
During this week’s All-Star festivities, there was a lot of talk asking “Who is the ‘Face of the Game?'” The media wanted to anoint Aaron Judge, but I argue that there is no “Face of the Game,” and that’s okay. Resources: All-Star Game: Yankees’ Aaron Judge could be the next face of baseball Aaron Judge […]
I recently published my first work of fiction, a short story titled “The Profession.” It was a fascinating and fun process to write, and so I thought I discuss what I learned in the process, as well as how it compares and contrasts to writing non-fiction. Resources: Free Download of The Profession Kindle version of […]
The Charlie Gard case has provoked global controversy, with even Pope Francis and Donald Trump getting involved. I’ll be discussing this tragic situation particularly in how it relates to parental rights. Resources: What to Know About Charlie Gard, the Terminally Ill Baby Trump Wants to Help The Vatican’s Statement On UK Baby Condemned To Die […]
What does it mean to be a Catholic patriot? What are the obligations of a Catholic towards his or her country? Are there limitations to our patriotism? If so, what are they? In honor of the upcoming Fourth of July holiday, I’ll be discussing these topics in this podcast. Resources: Patriotism by Fulton Sheen Pious […]
Bitcoin might be the first – and biggest – cryptocurrency, but it isn’t the only one. Other cryptocurrencies are trying to fulfill Bitcoin’s original vision better than Bitcoin itself. Today I’m going to discuss one of those alternative cryptocurrencies: Dash. Resources: Dash Website Fulfilling Satoshi’s Vision An Honest Assessment of Dash, Today’s Hottest Cryptocurrency
How was the New Testament formed? Who decided which books were inspired, and which books were not? What criteria did they use? I’ll be discussing these questions in today’s podcast. Resources: The Formation of the New Testament Canon The Canon of the New Testament: Its Origin, Development, and Significance The Canon of the New Testament […]
In Part 2 of this two-part series, I look at the similarities and differences between Catholicism and Islam. I also discuss the question: “What should be the Catholic response to Islam?” (Hint: see Matthew 28:19-20.) Resources: Catholicism and Islam, Part 1 (The first podcast of this series) Should Catholics Fear Islam? (An article I discuss […]
With the rise of radical Islamic terrorism, everyone’s talking about Islam. Among Catholics exists a wide variety of opinion regarding Islam: from complete acceptance and tolerance to declaring it diabolical. How should a Catholic view Islam and interact with Muslims? This is such a broad topic that I’m taking two episodes to discuss it. Part […]
I recently went on a road trip with my son and daughter to some different MLB ballparks, and so I thought I’d compare the ballparks I’ve visited over the years: the good (Progressive Field, Camden Yards), the bad (Tropicana Field, RFK Stadium), and the boring (Riverfront, Three Rivers).
Millions of people have left the Catholic Church in the past few decades. Why? We all have our guesses, but in this episode I look at some of the actual numbers to see what reasons former Catholics give for leaving the Church. I also give some suggestions on how to bring them back. Resources: Infographic: […]
What is the Bitcoin Blocksize Debate and why should you care? In this episode, I discuss the civil war going on in the Bitcoin community, and how it might impact the future of Bitcoin and all cryptocurrencies. Resources: Fulfilling Satoshi’s Vision Bitcoin is Sick. Will it Heal, Be Amputated, or Die? Is your Cryptocurrency Handicapped? […]
What is the relationship between the liturgy and evangelization? How does an impoverished liturgy harm evangelization efforts? How does a beautiful liturgy help evangelize? I’ll be discussing this in today’s episode: “Mass Evangelization”. Resources: My article on the purpose of the Mass: Making Mass “Relevant” is Irrelevant to Evangelization My article on how the Mass […]
Top 10 List! I reveal my 10 favorite active baseball players in the game today. I’ll give you a hint: neither Brandon Phillips nor any Yankee or Cardinal make the list. Resources: Original Article: My 10 Favorite Active Baseball Players My predictions for the 2017 season: 2017 Baseball Predictions
Everybody is talking about the "New Evangelization," but I want to talk about the "Old Evangelization." What is it? How is it different from the New Evangelization?
A short explanation of Bitcoin, how it works, and how it differs from government-backed currencies like the U.S. Dollar.
I discuss seven myths that surround Catholic evangelization. Resources: Original Article for Catholic Answers: Seven Myths of Catholic Evangelization My book on evangelization: The Old Evangelization: How to Spread the Faith Like Jesus Did