ICAN Podcast: Recent Episodes
Indiana Catholic Conference
ICAN Podcast
The Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) is the principal communication network of the Indiana Catholic Conference (ICC), forming and updating the faithful on the Church’s social teachings and legislative priorities to advance the common good in Indiana.
The ICC serves as the official public policy voice of the Catholic Church in Indiana on behalf of the five bishops of the state.
Join the Catholic Conference staff members Angela Espada and Alexander Mingus every week during the Indiana General Assembly for brief reflections on policy issues at the Statehouse from a Catholic perspective.
The Conference’s official positions are rooted in the Gospel and formed by the Church’s social doctrine.
Visit indianacc.org for more information.
Season 5, Episode 12
Roarke provides an update on HB1174-Payday Lending and HB1125 Earned Wage Access. Next, she overviews the “Zombie Bill,” a new amendment to SB197 that criminalizes homelessness in the state of Indiana.
Season 5, Episode 11
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
This week in Roarke’s first solo podcast she covers the movement of universal school choice, immigration, and earned wage access legislation in the second half of session.
Season 5, Episode 10
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
This week, Alexander covers some history of Catholic healthcare and bills moving through the Statehouse that could affect the Catholic hospitals in Indiana.
Season 5, Episode 9
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
This week, Alexander and Roarke discuss recent issues at the federal level, including refugee resettlement and foreign aid.
Season 5, Episode 8
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
Alexander discusses a bill that is moving through the general assembly that affects the way we care for the dead.
Season 5, Episode 7
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
Alexander discusses more immigration legislation from this week, the crossover process, and the latest on refugee resettlement programs.
Season 5, Episode 6
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
This week, Roarke and Alexander discuss the state budget budget process and several issues that continue to move through the legislative process.
Season 5, Episode 5
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
2025 Indiana General AssemblyThis week, with so much moving on immigration, we discuss the ICC's work, a statement from Archbishop Thompson, and highlight the Church's responses to immigration through her teaching and policy recommendations.
Season 5, Episode 4
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
2025 Indiana General Assembly
This past week the Church remembered the anniversary of Roe v Wade with prayer for the protection of human life. In addition to discussing the Indiana March for Life, we cover some legislation being considered by the Indiana General Assembly that could help advance the cause of protecting life.
Season 5, Episode 3
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
2025 Indiana General Assembly
This week ICC staff discuss SB122, nonprofit loans for state employees, and why the Church is interested in policies like this one in the first place.
Season 5, Episode 1
Indiana Catholic Action Network Podcast
2025 Indiana General Assembly
This week we discuss the bills heard in the first days of session that were of interest to the ICC, including SB11 and SB142.
Season 5, Episode 1
2025 Indiana General Assembly
This week we meet the newest staff member at the ICC, Roarke LaCourisere! Alexander and Roarke also discuss the top priorities for the ICC in the upcoming 2025 session, which begins on January 8.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
This week the ICC staff discuss assisted suicide legislation: what has happened in Indiana and how many states are grappling with this issue in 2024.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
The ICC staff do a quick roundup of where bills are this session, offer a deeper analysis of HB1426 on LARCs, and discuss the implication of HB1284 on deposit account agreeements.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
This week, Angela and Alexander discuss continued advocacy on driving card legislation and opposition to a bill that would change enforcement of a 2011 ban on "sanctuary" policies in Indiana.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
Angela and Alexander discuss legislation that aims to protect kids online, including age verification bills that protect minors from online pornography, federal policy efforts to protect kids, and other bills that aim to improve parental oversight of social media.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
Angela and Alexander discuss housing habitability issues before the legislature.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
This week's podcast episode includes an overview of the Indiana March for Life, an overview of abortion statistics, and highlighting the Child Tax Credit under consideration in Congress.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
After a busy week of session, Alexander summarizes two issues the ICC is following closely: disaster relief and nonprofit loans.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
The 2024 session kicks off. This episode includes a brief reintroduction of the ICC's work and some of the issues expected in the 2024 session.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN Podcast)
In this final episode covering the 2023 session, Angela and Alexander discuss the final outcomes of the ICC’s legislative interests and offer an overview of the ICC’s activities throughout the remainder of the year.
Indiana Catholic Action Netowrk (ICAN) Podcast
In this episode, Alexander gives some updates on funding levels in the final version of the state’s budget. These budget areas include mental health funding, school choice, conservation, tax credits, pregnancy and parenting support, and food banks.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
Angela and Alexander discuss new budget projections and the ICC's hopes for funding in the final version of the budget.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
This week Angela and Alexander discuss a bill that was recently amended to include a controversial change in the state regulation of wetlands. They also cover the recently released Senate budget proposal and how that effects policy areas the Church is interested in this session: namely, education and mental health funding.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
Angela and Alexander discuss movement on the TANF bill, SB265, and take some time to talk about the moral responsibility to participate in public life (with a well-formed conscience).
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
This week, Angela and Alexander discuss movement on the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families Program expansion bill, a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives, and the importance of grassroots efforts and ICAN liaisons around the state.
SB265
HB1568
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
In this episode, we discuss the latest on SB1 (mental health infrastructure) and the National Eucharistic Revival.
Bills mentioned in this episode:
SB1
HB1001
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Angela and Alexander do a quick review of the bills the ICC is tracking this session and where they are in the legislative process.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
In this episode, Angela and Alexander discuss "crossover", where bills begin to move from one chamber to the next, and environmental bills the ICC is watching in the 2023 session.
Bills discussed this week:
SB335
HB1138
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
The ICC staff give an update on the lending bill discussed last week and a housing bill that gained little traction in this year's session.
Bills discussed this week:
HB1547
SB202
HB1009
In the ICAN Podcast this week, Angela and Alexander discuss the bills the ICC followed most closely this week. These include a bill that would expand subprime lending and a bill that would allow pharmacists to prescribe contraceptives.
Bills mentioned in this podcast:
HB1547
HB1568
SB248
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
This week, Alexander shares exciting news about a new partnership with Catholic Radio Indy alongside discussing efforts to expand the TANF program this session.
Bills discussed this week:
SB265
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Angela and Alexander discuss a popular mental health funding bill and various bills that affect low-income Hoosiers.
Legislation mentioned during this podcast:
SB1
SB265/HB1160
1137
1192/1394
1237
1243
1290
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
As the 2023 session gets into full swing, the ICC is reviewing and working to support/oppose legislation. This week’s ICAN Podcast covers an issue that has been on the ICC’s radar for several years: driving cards.
Listeners are also reminded of the upcoming anniversary of Roe v. Wade and the national and statewide March for Life.
Legislation mentioned during this podcast:
SB 248
What is Faithful Citizenship? Why does the Church not endorse specific candidates before an election? What resources does the Church offer for faithful participation in politics? We'll answer these questions and more in the latest episode of our ICAN Podcast.
A couple weeks after the conclusion of the special session, Angela and Alexander sit down to talk about the results of the special session, including the passage of SEA 1 and SEA 2.
On this first episode of the Indiana special session, Angela and Alexander talk about the movement of abortion restrictions and increases in support for women and families passing through the statehouse.
Indiana Catholic Action Network (ICAN) Podcast
For this final podcast of the 2022 session, Angela and Alexander share updates on the last bills to clear the calendar, plans for ICC activities this summer, and a few federal action alerts from the US Conference of Catholic Bishops.
This week, Angela and Alexander discuss several education-related bills at the Statehouse as well as the latest on the handgun permits issue. Bills discussed in this podcast: HB 1077 SB 331 HB 1134 HB 1041
This week was the last week of committee hearings on bills, and the remaining two weeks of session will see work between the Senate and the House to reconcile differences in bills.
Angela and Alexander cover the much-discussed HB 1134, which deals with various education issues including school curriculum, parental rights, divisive concepts, and more. Bills mentioned in this podcast: HB 1134 SB 251 HB 1217
This week, Angela and Alexander talk about a criminal justice bill and a medical license bill making their way through the Statehouse.
Bills mentioned in this podcast: SB 8 SB 251 SB 352
This week, Angela and Alexander discuss a few issues that pertain to human life, abortion, and the death penalty. This episode also includes an update on the subprime lending bill the ICC has been following this session.
Bills mentioned in this episode: HB 1217 SB 352
ICAN (Indiana Catholic Action Network) Podcast
This week the ICC staff covers bills affecting TANF (Temporary Assistance for Needy Families) and SNAP (Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program) benefits for our most vulnerable neighbors. We also cover updates on bills related to predatory lending and carrying a handgun.
Bills mentioned in this podcast: HB 1361 HB 1354 SB 14 SB 352
Alexander and Angela talk about the highlights of the past week in the Indiana General Assembly, including two press conferences and a flurry of bill filings.
Legislators gathered on January 4th to begin debating legislation for 2022. This week, ICC staff chat about the flurry of bill filing during the first week of the session and one of the issues before lawmakers this week: repealing the state requirement to obtain a license before carrying a handgun.
The 2022 session starts in a few short weeks. Angela and Alexander sit down to talk about what to expect and how to get involved.
This week we talk about the last week of the session, including the passing of a historic budget and an ICC request for the Governor's veto.
ICAN Podcast (Indiana Catholic Action Network)
The ICC took a podcasting break for a couple weeks, but now we’re back with the latest from the Statehouse. With one week left in the 2021 session, we cover the status of bills we’ve been following throughout the session. Here is a summary:
Active Bills:
HB1001 State Budget HB1009 TANF Program SB373 Carbon Credit Market
Passed Bills: (*not yet signed by Governor)
SB204 Health Care Advance Directives SB263 Religious Activities as Essential Services SB389 Wetlands HB1309 Pregnancy Accommodation HB1577 Telemedicine and Abortion Related Services*
This week, with limited movement on bills we are tracking, we take some time to discuss some of the commonly heard talking points from the opposition to school choice.
School choice is often framed as anti-public education. Not only does data not support that claim, but many students will move between public and private schools throughout their education. This false dichotomy only harms our ability to work together.
ICAN Podcast (Indiana Catholic Action Network)
After a slow start to the second half of the Indiana General Assembly, Angela and Alexander turn the discussion to some recent federal policy issues.
Policy discussed: US Citizenship Act of 2021 The Equality Act American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 Death Penalty Prohibition Act of 2021
Visit https://www.indianacc.org/icanpodcast/ep-10-federal-issues for links to action items mentioned in this episode.
ICAN Podcast (Indiana Catholic Action Network)
This week is crossover week in the Indiana General Assembly. That means we are halfway through the session…but what does it mean for the legislation we’re following? Alexander and Angela discuss crossover and movement on pro-life and environmental bills in this podcast.Bills Discussed in this Podcast:
373 Carbon Credits 1577 Telemedicine and Abortion Services
ICAN Podcast (Indiana Catholic Action Network)
Angela and Alexander talk about the movement of important bills through the legislative process, share promising news for the Church’s efforts to protect the unborn, and discuss a recent announcement of federal COVID relief for rental and utility assistance.
Legislation Mentioned in this Podcast: SEA148 Veto Override HB1005 Education Matters SB204 Health Care Advance Directives HB1577 Telemedicine and Abortion Related Services
ICAN Podcast (Indiana Catholic Action Network)
A few weeks into the session, the legislature takes up some education bills which would positively impact Catholic schools. Alexander and Angela chat about these and other important bills this week on the ICAN Podcast.
To view our full ICAN Report, visit indianacc.org/icanreports
ICAN Podcast (Indiana Catholic Action Network)
This week, the General Assembly moves bills rapidly after a slow start. The ICC covers three of the most relevant issues this week: TANF Expansion (SB233) Cemeteries (SB357) Deregulation of Wetlands (SB389)
Visit indianacc.org for the full ICAN Report.
ICAN Podcast (Indiana Catholic Action Network)
Alexander and Angela talk for a few minutes after a week of cancelled legislative activity. Pregnancy accommodations (HB1358 and SB246) comes up again, as well as contacting legislators and a new presidential administration.
ICAN Podcast (Indiana Catholic Action Network) At the end of the second week of the 2021 General Assembly, Alexander and Angela discuss three issues the ICC is watching closely. Now is the time during the session when many bills have been filed--the ICC is now waiting to see which bills make it to a committee hearing and which will not. For more in-depth information about bills we are following, check out our latest ICAN report at indianacc.org/icanreports.
After the first week of Indiana General Assembly, Angela sits down with Alexander to talk about the issues the ICC is watching closely.
The ICC published an Action Alert this week, sharing information about a potential vote to override Governor Holcomb’s veto of SEA 148 during the 2020 General Assembly. The ICC is asking Senators to vote “no” if a veto override vote comes up. For more information from the ICC Action Center, click here.
Other issues mentioned during the podcast:
Assisted Suicide (End of Life Options) Legalization of Recreational and Medical Marijuana Use
The very first Indiana Catholic Conference Podcast. Alexander mentions a few key pieces of information about the upcoming session and what to expect for future episodes in January.
Music from musopen.org