For over a century, the College Board has shaped who gets into college – and what “success” even means to American kids. In this episode of The Deep, Erika traces how a nonprofit testing company became a billion-dollar gatekeeper, why standards have quietly shifted, and why elite universities are now scrambling back to testing after going test-optional. Is the system ensuring merit – or masking its own decline? Let’s look at the data.

Timestamps:
0:00 - College Board: The gatekeeper of American education
1:06 - College Board’s unsettling origin
4:35 - College Board takes over universities
6:47 - “Aptitude” controversy
8:49 - College Board cashes in (big time)
10:00 - Becoming the gatekeeper
12:24 - How do we escape the College Board matrix?

Watch The Deep on Zeale: https://zeale.co/podcasts/the-deep

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EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org
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Daily Prayer for America 250
By Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth,
I place today my nation, the United States of America,
into Your Heart pierced for love of us.
On the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,
I acknowledge that true liberty is Your gift,
and that our lasting homeland is the eternal Kingdom of God.

Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas,
and through the intercession of her Immaculate Heart,
bless my homeland anew,
purify her from sin,
and guide her leaders in truth, justice, and peace,
so that she may safeguard all human life,
respect the integrity of marriage and the family,
and honor the practice of religion.

Reign in my home and in my nation.
Draw every heart into communion with You,
that Your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may triumph
in America and throughout the world.

Amen.

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

Catholic bishops call Trump’s birthright citizenship push “immoral” — but what does Catholic teaching actually say about borders and citizenship? Meanwhile, there is major beef between the Pentagon and Anthropic. And finally, Pope Leo issues a warning to priests about using AI for homilies. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
02:30 USCCB and Trump’s EO
23:55 Notre Dame Update
29:44 Anthropic vs. Pentagon Beef
40:43 Good News
47:06 War Imminent?
01:00:20 Twilight Zone
01:18:45 Closing Prayer

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org
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All opinions expressed on LOOPcast by the participants are their own and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of CatholicVote.

Scott Hahn joins Erika for a very special episode on politics, religion, and what it means to live well in our American “Babylon.” If you’ve ever felt torn between pursuing Christian holiness and the mess of politics, if you’ve ever felt uncomfortable being “too obviously Catholic” in public, this conversation is for you.

Books & Resources:

The First Society: The Sacrament of Matrimony and the Restoration of the Social Order, by Scott Hahn https://stpaulcenter.com/store/the-first-society-the-sacrament-of-matrimony-and-the-restoration-of-the-social-order
It Is Right and Just: Why the Future of Civilization Depends on True Religion, by Scott Hahn and Brandon McGinley https://stpaulcenter.com/store/it-is-right-and-just-why-the-future-of-civilization-depends-on-true-religion
Catholics in Exile: Biblical Wisdom for the Journey Home, by Scott Hahn and Brandon McGinley https://stpaulcenter.com/store/catholics-in-exile-biblical-wisdom-for-the-journey-home
The St. Paul Center: https://stpaulcenter.com

Watch The Deep on Zeale: https://zeale.co/podcasts/the-deep

Trump’s 2026 State of the Union was the longest ever — packed with political traps, hero moments, and viral chaos. We break down the highlights, the Democrat reactions, and the memes that took over the internet. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

Get your FREE PHONE as a new Charity Mobile user with every new line — and FREE SHIPPING — with promo code LOOPCAST at https://bit.ly/LOOPcast-CharityMobile

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
06:57 Trump’s 2026 SOTU Address
39:09 Democrat Reactions
48:06 Good News
57:56 Twilight Zone
1:14:14 Closing Prayer

Watch Tom Across America Minnesota ice fishing episode: https://youtu.be/OC3FsI84s60

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

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

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Daily Prayer for America 250
By Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth,
I place today my nation, the United States of America,
into Your Heart pierced for love of us.
On the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,
I acknowledge that true liberty is Your gift,
and that our lasting homeland is the eternal Kingdom of God.

Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas,
and through the intercession of her Immaculate Heart,
bless my homeland anew,
purify her from sin,
and guide her leaders in truth, justice, and peace,
so that she may safeguard all human life,
respect the integrity of marriage and the family,
and honor the practice of religion.

Reign in my home and in my nation.
Draw every heart into communion with You,
that Your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may triumph
in America and throughout the world.

Amen.

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

The Supreme Court strikes down Trump's tariffs. What did the Court actually say, what happens to all that tariff money, and where does the Trump Admin go next? Meanwhile, Mexico plunges into chaos after the Mexican army kills a major cartel leader. And finally, Team USA hockey wins its first gold since the Miracle on Ice era. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast
03:54 SCOTUS and Tariffs
19:54 Chaos in Mexico
28:54 Good News
41:43 SOTU Predictions
51:17 Twilight Zone
1:13:10 Closing Prayer

Subscribe to Tom Across America and watch the new episode where Tom goes ice fishing in Minnesota! https://www.youtube.com/@Tom-Across-America

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

Daily Prayer for America 250
By Raymond Leo Cardinal Burke

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth,
I place today my nation, the United States of America,
into Your Heart pierced for love of us.
On the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,
I acknowledge that true liberty is Your gift,
and that our lasting homeland is the eternal Kingdom of God.

Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas,
and through the intercession of her Immaculate Heart,
bless my homeland anew,
purify her from sin,
and guide her leaders in truth, justice, and peace,
so that she may safeguard all human life,
respect the integrity of marriage and the family,
and honor the practice of religion.

Reign in my home and in my nation.
Draw every heart into communion with You,
that Your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may triumph
in America and throughout the world.

Amen.

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

Follow Tom Across America on YT! https://www.youtube.com/@Tom-Across-America

Former Prince Andrew has been arrested on suspicion of misconduct in public office, marking the most serious legal escalation yet in the Epstein saga’s British chapter. Meanwhile, the SSPX confirms it will move forward with episcopal consecrations despite Vatican warnings of possible schism. And finally, are aliens real? A White House post has the internet spiraling. All this and more on the LOOPcast!

00:00 Welcome to the LOOPcast

03:-- Prince Andrew Arrested

31:09 Board of Peace Meeting

42:04 Good News

52:16 Church Corner

1:03:02 Twilight Zone

EMAIL US: loopcast@catholicvote.org

SUPPORT LOOPCAST: www.loopcast.org

Subscribe to the LOOP today!

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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:

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Tom: https://x.com/TPogasic

Erika: https://x.com/ErikaAhern2

Josh: https://x.com/joshuamercer

Daily Prayer for America 250

By Cardinal Raymond L. Burke

O Sacred Heart of Jesus, King of Heaven and Earth,

I place today my nation, the United States of America,

into Your Heart pierced for love of us.

On the 250th Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence,

I acknowledge that true liberty is Your gift,

and that our lasting homeland is the eternal Kingdom of God.

Under the mantle of Our Lady of Guadalupe, Patroness of the Americas,

and through the intercession of her Immaculate Heart,

bless my homeland anew,

purify her from sin,

and guide her leaders in truth, justice, and peace,

so that she may safeguard all human life,

respect the integrity of marriage and the family,

and honor the practice of religion.

Reign in my home and in my nation.

Draw every heart into communion with You,

that Your truth, love, justice, mercy, and peace may triumph

in America and throughout the world.

Amen.

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

We finance everything now – even burrito delivery. Americans closed 2025 with $1.233 trillion in credit card debt. Nearly half of cardholders carry balances. One in five thinks they’ll never pay it off. This isn’t just “bad budgeting” – it’s an economy built on revolving debt and minimum payments. How did we normalize installment plans for lunch? And is modern credit a convenience… or a quiet form of slavery?

Timestamps:
00:00 - The Debt Economy
2:45 - The Rise of Buy Now, Pay Later
5:50 - How We Got Here
10:58 - Is It Just A Self Control Problem?
14:32: - A Way Out?

Watch The Deep on Zeale: https://zeale.co/podcasts/the-deep