Habemus papam! We have a Pope! And not just any pope, we have an American pope, and an Augustinian one at that. Robert Francis Prevost, a priest of the Augustinian order, born and raised on the south side of Chicago, was elected to the Papacy on May 8, 2025. He took the name Pope Leo XIV, and some have wondered whether he took this name because he was inspired by the work of the last Pope Leo (XIII), who addressed modernism. And indeed, one of Pope Leo XIV’s first public comments introduced his thoughts on the dangers of AI. But the ladies of the Mosaic Ark were more interested in whether he would be influenced by the founder of his order, St. Augustine of Hippo, the most influential teacher of teachers in church history. Will Pope Leo XIV govern his church in an Augustinian way — a way that teaches how to be a Christian? And what does that mean? Watch as the ladies discuss on this week’s episode of the Mosaic Ark.—Streamed May 23, 2025

Augustine of Hippo, “On Catechizing the Uninstructed” https://www.newadvent.org/fathers/1303.htm

A killer is stalking Hollywood, and it is up to the hunchback to hunt him down. But where in the Getty’s manuscripts can he find the clue to the killer's identity? In David Angsten’s The Medievalist, a noir style murder mystery set around Hollywood, a Catholic monk’s life has taken a long and winding path to Los Angeles, from farm boy to university professor to Uber driver/ aspiring script writer. While working on a script of Dante’s Divine Comedy, the monk finds himself caught in the middle of a murder investigation and is surrounded by suspects, detectives and bystanders. Everyone looks guilty, including the monk, in this city’s hedonistic atmosphere. In this week’s Mosaic Ark, the ladies welcome the author and speak with him about his inspirations for this story, including his own path to becoming a script writer and novelist. —Streamed May 16, 2025

“I’ve got a jar of dirt! And guess what’s inside it!” Captain Jack Sparrow seemed to think that he had the key to controlling his fate with the contents of a jar of dirt. He wasn’t entirely wrong! The jar was holding the heart of Davy Jones, and he who held it controlled the oceans; he who controlled the oceans controlled the whole earth. This week the ladies of the Mosaic Ark discuss the connections between ocean ports, a trade war with China, and control of the Earth’s trade in literal earth — lithium, cobalt, rare earth minerals and silicon — that may be fueling its current and future wars. They also discuss time and our perception of events that have surrounded us for the past decade. Does history repeatedly repeat itself or are we just noticing more? —Streamed May 2, 2025

He is Risen! Alleluia! Alleluia! No matter what is going on in the world this week, nothing will be more important than this, that Jesus Christ is risen — Alleluia! Despite this most significant of Christian seasons, there were many other things going on in the world, too. There was the death of a pope and preparations for the election of another, the potential end to a bloody war in Ukraine, but the sad continuation of another bloody war in Gaza. And the pro-Palestinian encampments are inching their way back towards university campuses, even as those universities are already feeling the effects of a rapidly changing political landscape. On this week’s Mosaic Ark, Professor Rachel Fulton Brown continues talking on some of these themes that she discussed with Evita Duffy-Alfonso on Bongino Report: Morning Edition on Monday, and the ladies report back from the empty tomb. —Streamed April 25, 2025

What do these things have in common: the American Revolution, Goofball Jim Carrey movies, 19th-century economic policy, and Penguins? Surprisingly more than you think! This week, the ladies of the Mosaic Ark discussed the current meme mockery of President Trump’s tariffs being applied to several islands south of Australia, the only residents of which are penguins, and whose only product would seemingly be guano. Some say that this is proof that the POTUS is dumb or crazy. But what is really going on in the world of high-stakes geopolitics? The ladies think that it’s the same thing that’s been going on since the 17th century. (Spoiler alert: It’s not about the penguins.)—Streamed April 4, 2025

What are the Rules of civility for persons of quality? Are they an outdated holdover from the Ancien Régime? Archaic manners designed for Lords and Ladies, obsequiously bowing before their King? Or if you prefer a more American, egalitarian example: are these rules for civility only followed by wealthy people in gated mansions and country clubs as a means of social exclusion? The ladies of the Mosaic Ark take a look at the etiquette lessons of the 17th century and discuss which manners have been lost, which seem to have been retained, and which should definitely be brought back. —Streamed March 28, 2025

What makes good poetry? Is it rhyme, meter, meaning, resonance? Maybe it’s alliteration. Then again maybe it’s imagery or story or emotion. Could it be all of these things? And does a good poet come by inspiration through luck, or blessings from God? Carl Winderl, author of the poetic books The Gospel According to…Mary and The Lost Parables of Jesus, joined the ladies on this week’s Mosaic Ark, and provided wonderful food for thought. Join us as we discuss his creative process and read selections of his poetry about the life of Christ told through the eyes of his Mother. —Streamed March 22, 2025

Buy Carl's books! The Gospel According...to Mary: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-gospel-according-to-mary-by-carl-winderl/ The Lost Parables of Jesus: https://www.finishinglinepress.com/product/the-lost-parables-of-jesus-by-carl-winderl/

Happy Pie Day! Tonight the Ladies of the Mosaic Ark hijacked International Pi day to discuss how one defines things such as pie, or people, or nations. Specifically we discussed the English nation and wondered where they went and what defined them as a people. They are one of the best examples to show how difficult it is to define a nation. Is it blood? Borders? Language? Songs? Stories? In the case of the English, it is all anchored Christ the King, who inspired their stories and songs; He was the very beginning of their founding myth. —Streamed March 14, 2025