Going Big with Fr. Robert Sirico: Faith, Freedom, and the Formation of a Life’s Calling

In this episode of Going Big, host Kevin Gentry sits down with Fr. Robert Sirico — priest, thinker, and co-founder of the Acton Institute — to explore a remarkable life shaped by bold ideas, unexpected turns, and an unwavering commitment to the dignity of the human person. Fr. Sirico reflects on his early years in Brooklyn, his immersion in the social movements of the 1970s, and the intellectual journey that ultimately led him back to faith and into the priesthood. He shares how thinkers like Michael Novak, Cardinal Avery Dulles, and others helped him integrate theology, human freedom, economics, and moral reasoning into a unified vision. Together, Kevin and Fr. Sirico dive into the founding of the Acton Institute, the risks involved in challenging prevailing assumptions within religious institutions, and the decades-long effort to move global conversations about faith and economics toward a deeper understanding of freedom and virtue. This conversation also explores the role of mentors, the meaning of humility, lessons from serving as a hospital chaplain, and how suffering, truth, and compassion all shape the pursuit of one’s calling. Whether you're interested in leadership, intellectual formation, personal transformation, or the intersection of faith and free societies, this episode offers a rare window into a life devoted to Going Big with purpose.