The SSPX announces plans to ordain its own bishops, breaking with Rome. We break down what happened and what it means for the Church. Meanwhile, a landmark legal win for detransitioners in New York could reshape gender medicine nationwide. And finally, what is going on at the University of Notre Dame? All this and more on the LOOPcast.

Families can now find over 100 faithful Catholic schools, colleges, and graduate programs that meet The Cardinal Newman Society's high standards of fidelity and formation in The Newman Guide. Request your FREE eBook copy of the 2025-2026 Newman Guide here: https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/loopcast

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
06:43 What’s going on with the SSPX?
34:00 Landmark Detransitioning Case
42:35 Good News
57:10 The GOV Shutdown… AGAIN
59:37 Epstein File Drop
1:09:04 Twilight Zone
1:24:26 Closing Prayer

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org
SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.org

Check out the LOOPcast on Zeale: https://zeale.co

Subscribe to the LOOP today!
https://catholicvote.org/getloop

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744

FOLLOW LOOPCast:
https://x.com/the_LOOPcast
https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/
https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast
https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast

Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic
Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2
Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer

Lord God, you are the source of everlasting light.
Your son, our beloved Lord Jesus
was presented in the temple 40 days after his birth.
He was recognised by Simeon and Anna,
and welcomed as the promised Messiah.
May we like them, behold the glory of the Lord Jesus.
Grant that we may stand before you
with hearts cleansed by your forgiving love.
May we serve you all our days
and make your name known
as we worship you as our Lord.
So may we come by your grace
to eternal life .
Amen.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

Don Lemon is arrested in Los Angeles. How did this happen, and what charges is he facing? Meanwhile, Tom McClusky joins us to break down what’s really going on inside the Trump administration and how new data could reshape the 2026 and 2028 elections. And finally, President Trump meets with the “Queen of Rap.” All this and more on the LOOPcast!

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast

01:50 Don Lemon ARRESTED

09:00 Insider Scoop on the Trump Admin + Pro-Life Cause

27:06 Census Projection for 2030

40:32 Good News

55:59 Twilight Zone

1:06:20 Closing Prayer

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org

SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.org

Subscribe to the LOOP today!

https://catholicvote.org/getloop

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744

FOLLOW LOOPCast:

https://x.com/the_LOOPcast

https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/

https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast

https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast

Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic

Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2

Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer

Prayer for the Seven Gifts of the Holy Spirit:

O Lord Jesus Christ Who, before ascending into heaven did promise to send the Holy Spirit to finish Your work in the souls of Your Apostles and Disciples, deign to grant the same Holy Spirit to me that He may perfect in my soul, the work of Your grace and Your love. Grant me the Spirit of Wisdom, that I may despise the perishable things of this world and aspire only after the things that are eternal; the Spirit of Understanding, to enlighten my mind with the light of Your divine truth; the Spirit of Counsel, that I may ever choose the surest way of pleasing God and gaining heaven; the Spirit of Fortitude, that I may bear my cross with You and that I may overcome with courage all the obstacles that oppose my salvation; the Spirit of Knowledge, that I may know God and know myself and grow perfect in the science of the Saints; the Spirit of Piety, that I may find the service of God sweet and amiable; and the Spirit of Fear, that I may be filled with a loving reverence towards God and may dread in any way to displease Him. Mark me, dear Lord, with the sign of Your true disciples and animate me in all things with Your Spirit.

Amen

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

Watch the short film "The Space Between Ages" on Zeale: https://zeale.co/video/in-the-space-between-ages

After Notre Dame unveiled its new, modernist stained-glass windows and reignited an old debate, Erika sat down with sculptor Dony MacManus to ask why modern art is so ugly – and what sacred beauty still demands of us. A bracing conversation on art, suffering, freedom, and faith.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Why is modern art so ugly?
1:45 - Sculpting a monument for the U.S. Navy
3:25 - Becoming an artist, turning towards the light
6:24 - Creativity and freedom is found within constraints
9:39 - Drawing is contemplating reality visually
12:50 - How smartphones kill creativity
14:32 - AI art = anti incarnational
15:07 - Art history: how did we get to modern art that’s so ugly?
18:54 - Ugly art comes from ugly thought (truth leads to beauty)
23:31 - Why are we not allowed to criticize modern art?
28:00 - Western tradition created beautiful art because it was centered on Jesus Christ (the mass)
30:38 - Childlike delight in God’s creation
37:28 - Conclusion: watch the film on Zeale!

Links:

Short film “In the Space Between Ages”: https://zeale.co/video/in-the-space-between-ages

Dony’s show on Zeale.co: https://zeale.co/shows/clash-of-the-masters

Roger Scruton’s “Why Beauty Matters”: https://vimeo.com/549715999

Want more Deep? Check out our new home! https://zeale.co/podcasts/the-deep

Subscribe to the LOOPcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theLOOPcast

President Trump makes a major reset in Minnesota, putting Tom Homan in charge. We walk through the timeline, what triggered the shake-up, and what it signals about the administration’s next phase on immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, a landmark TikTok addiction lawsuit moves forward, making major threats to Big Tech’s business model. And finally, there's a new reading list for Texas, sparking debate and discussion online. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

Get your FREE PHONE as a new Charity Mobile user with every new line plus a FREE power bank while supplies last, now through February 2, with promo code LOOPCAST at https://bit.ly/LOOPcast_CharityMobile.

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
10:00 Timeline of Trump’s MN Reset
32:05 Landmark TikTok Addiction Case
39:50 Good News
58:44 Twilight Zone
1:19:05 Closing Prayer

Families can now find over 100 faithful Catholic schools, colleges, and graduate programs that meet The Cardinal Newman Society's high standards of fidelity and formation in The Newman Guide. Request your FREE eBook copy of the 2025-2026 Newman Guide here: https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/loopcast

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org
SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.org

Subscribe to the LOOP today!
https://catholicvote.org/getloop

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744

FOLLOW LOOPCast:
https://x.com/the_LOOPcast
https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/
https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast
https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast

Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic
Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2
Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer

Pray today’s prayer with us on Zeale: https://zeale.co/prayer/d4512c7d-5e81-4dbc-b970-776bf1ee1bc7

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

A generation is searching for meaning – and Catholics are stepping into the moment.

Studies confirm: Gen Z is searching for God.
But this moment is bigger than one generation.

To meet this moment, Zeale, a new digital platform from CatholicVote, launches today with a bold mission: to bring faith into daily life by placing high-quality Catholic content, community, and prayer directly into the hands of people formed online.

But Zeale is not exclusively for Gen Z.

Zeale is for everyone who wants to live their faith more fully, including the way we consume media.

Inside Zeale, users will find:

Seamless access to The LOOP, CatholicVote’s flagship daily news roundup
The new Morning LOOPcast, a video roundup of the day’s most compelling headlines
A growing library of high-quality podcasts, documentaries, and special programs
Content spanning fashion to food, sports to travel, prayers and spirituality, human-interest stories, culture, deep dives into complex issues, and even games

All of it – together in one Catholic digital home.

Zeale is also a digital community of prayer, where users can:
Access daily Mass readings,
Submit prayer intentions, and
Respond together when urgent news calls Catholics to collective prayer.

Zeale is the hub for Catholics who want to stay informed and respond thoughtfully, collectively, and prayerfully when moments matter most.

Best of all, Zeale is free to use.
No one has to pay to pray, stay informed, or be inspired by content that reflects the beauty, truth, and goodness of the Catholic faith.

👉 Visit Zeale now: https://zeale.co

📲 Available on desktop, the App Store, and Google Play

Minneapolis erupts after another ICE shooting. What do we know, what still remains unclear, and why is this causing a national divide? We break down the facts, the response from the Trump administration, and what comes next as tensions continue to rise. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
03:23 Minneapolis Erupts
43:35 Good News
52:23 Twilight Zone
1:03:27 Closing Prayer

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org
SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.org

Subscribe to the LOOP today!
https://catholicvote.org/getloop

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744

FOLLOW LOOPCast:
https://x.com/the_LOOPcast
https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/
https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast
https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast

Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic
Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2
Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer

Saint Michael the Archangel,
defend us in battle.
Be our defense against the wickedness and snares of the Devil.
May God rebuke him, we humbly pray,
and do thou,
O Prince of the heavenly hosts,
by the power of God,
thrust into hell Satan,
and all the evil spirits,
who prowl about the world
seeking the ruin of souls.

Amen.

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

JD Vance headlines the March for Life, and pro-lifers are split—what should supporters make of the Trump administration’s abortion record so far? Meanwhile, Attorney General Pam Bondi moves decisively, arresting leaders of the anti-ICE mob who invaded a church in St. Paul, Minnesota. And finally, U.S. tennis players shut down loaded political questions from reporters in the best way possible. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
03:22 Special Announcement Incoming
04:30 March for Life 2026
26:49 Minnesota Rioters ARRESTED
45:41 Good News
57:45 Listener Q&A
1:05:09 Twilight Zone
1:15:00 Closing Prayer

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org
SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.org

Subscribe to the LOOP today!
https://catholicvote.org/getloop

Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-loopcast/id1643967065
Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/08jykZi86H7jKNFLbSesjk?si=ztBTHenFR-6VuegOlklE_w&nd=1&dlsi=bddf79da68c34744

FOLLOW LOOPCast:
https://x.com/the_LOOPcast
https://www.instagram.com/the_loopcast/
https://www.tiktok.com/@the_loopcast
https://www.facebook.com/LOOPcastPodcast

Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic
Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2
Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer

A Prayer to Saint Joseph:

O blessed Joseph, faithful guardian of my Redeemer, Jesus Christ, protector
of thy chaste spouse, the virgin Mother of God, I choose thee this day to
be my special patron and advocate, and I firmly resolve to honor thee all
the days of my life. Therefore, I humbly beseech thee to receive me as thy
client, to instruct me in every doubt, to comfort me in every affliction,
to obtain for me and for all the knowledge and love of the Heart of Jesus,
and finally to defend and protect me at the hour of my death. Amen

All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

“For faster service, try our customer service portal.” Big Tech’s AI rush is the next step in stripping humanity from customer service – promising speed and efficiency. But the data shows something darker: collapsing trust, rising customer rage, and dehumanized systems people can’t escape. In this episode of The Deep, Erika breaks down why we all hate AI customer service, who benefits, and why monopolies are betting you have nowhere else to go.

Timestamps:

0:00 - Intro: Customer service is broken
2:33 - Why is customer service worse than ever?
5:19 - Corporations sacrifice human touch for scalability
8:43 - A race to the bottom
10:03 - Surveys show customers despise AI support
12:06 - The psychology behind why customers hate it
14:48 - Conclusion: Resisting fatalism

Subscribe to the LOOPcast on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@theLOOPcast

Sources:

Banks, Alex (@alexbanks). “Note on AI and Attention.” Alex Banks (Substack), June 2, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://substack.com/@alexbanks/note/c-192787692?utm_source=notes-share-action&r=1htswx.

Customer Experience Dive. “Klarna Reinvests in Human Talent for Customer Service as AI Chatbot Use Grows.” Customer Experience Dive, April 15, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://www.customerexperiencedive.com/news/klarna-reinvests-human-talent-customer-service-AI-chatbot/747586/.

HBR Editors. “Fixing Chatbots Requires Psychology, Not Technology.” Harvard Business Review, May 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://hbr.org/2025/05/fixing-chatbots-requires-psychology-not-technology.

StoryBoard18 Staff. “Human Touch Trumps AI: 88% of Consumers Prefer Human Agents for Customer Service.” StoryBoard18, October 22, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://www.storyboard18.com/digital/human-touch-trumps-ai-88-consumers-prefer-human-agents-for-customer-service-78916.htm.

The Agent Architect (@theagentarchitect). “AI Customer Service Con: Customer Abandonment.” The Agent Architect (Substack), November 11, 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://theagentarchitect.substack.com/p/ai-customer-service-con-customer-abandonment.

Unknown Author. “Title Not Provided.” Substack, (p-171273784), 2025. Accessed January 5, 2026. https://substack.com/home/post/p-171273784.