722: Colbert & the Problem of Public Faith plus Karen Swallow Prior

Last week, Stephen Colbert ended his tenure as the host of The Late Show on CBS. Along with witty political commentary and comedy, Colbert was also open about his Catholicism at a time when many were growing skeptical of faith. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss Colbert, the criticism public Christians receive, and how to discern which examples of public faith to emulate. It's graduation season, and Karen Swallow Prior is back to discuss her new book, "You Have a Calling." She says our culture has narrowed our understanding of calling to paid work, but finding our calling is not a matter of following a formula. Also this week, new data on what the cutting of USAID is doing to the most vulnerable parts of the world, more reflections on Rededicate 250, and remora fish take brown-nosing to new depths. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/159315601/   0:00 - Show Starts 1:25 - Theme Song 1:45 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Get the AG1 $76 Welcome Pack for free when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST   3:06 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order   4:12 - Sponsor - PolicyGenius - Secure your family's tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 6:44 - Sucker Fish and Manta Butts!   10:45 - Is the Nation Rededicated to God?   15:56 - Is Association Endorsement?   19:24 - USAID Cuts Consequences   34:26 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Use code HOLYPOST for 30% off sitewide for a great night's sleep! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/HOLYPOST   35:30 - Sponsor - Feeding America - Feeding America, led by neighbors! Give now to end hunger at https://www.feedingamerica.org   36:17 - Colbert's Public Christianity   53:07 - Interview   55:33 - What's a "Calling?"   1:06:50 - "Author" as Unpredictable Calling   1:12:44 - Children and Vocation   1:25:14 - End Credits   Links Mentioned in News Segment: The National Catholic Reporter on Rededicate 250: https://www.ncronline.org/opinion/religion-display-trumps-dc-rally-was-not-gospel-jesus-christ Sucker Fish Hiding in Manta Ray Butts! https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/sucker-fish-are-hiding-in-manta-rays-buttholes-new-study-reveals/  Effects of Defunding USAID: https://www.thelancet.com/article/S0140-6736(25)01186-9/fulltext New York Times on the USAID cuts: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/09/opinion/foreign-aid-cuts.html   Other Resources: You Have a Calling: Finding Your Vocation in the True, Good and Beautiful (The Perfect High School or College Graduation Gift for 2026) by Karen Swallow Prior: https://a.co/d/07W6Tn7P   Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop   The Holy Post