Drew and Dr. Joseph Capizzi addressed a major moral headache for modern Christians: Should we be supporting massive corporations like Amazon, Walmart, and Apple? Or are we just feeding a beast that crushes small businesses, mistreats workers, and funds causes that oppose our beliefs? 😬

 

Catch the whole hour of conversation and insight here. 

 

The Convenience vs. Conscience Battle

 

Drew starts by laying out the issue: Amazon (and other corporate giants) are everywhere. You don’t even have to think; just click "Buy Now", and boom 💨, your package arrives. Is that convenience making us complicit in unethical practices? Amazon has been accused of:

 

-Harsh warehouse conditions (basically an American sweatshop, as one caller put it)

 

-Driving small businesses out of existence

 

-CEOs making more money than entire countries

 

Yet… people still shop there. Why? Because it's easy, sometimes necessary (especially for single moms juggling two jobs!), and often cheaper.

 

Boycotts: Do They Even Work? 🛑✋

 

Dr. Capizzi and Drew talk about boycotts as a tool for change. Some have worked: Bud Light felt the sting of a recent boycott. But Amazon? Walmart? These companies are so massive that skipping a purchase feels like throwing a pebble at a tank.

 

Dr. Capizzi warns against an extreme, scrupulous mindset where you’re constantly questioning every purchase:

 

-Can’t buy chocolate? 🍫 (Because child labor)

 

-No iPhone? 📱 (Because questionable labor practices and Apple's progressive agenda)

 

-No big-box stores? 🏬 (Because low wages for workers)


If you start drawing the ethical line, where do you stop?

 

What Does Catholic Social Teaching Say? ⛪🧐

 

Dr. Capizzi brings up subsidiarity, a key principle of Catholic social teaching:

 

Problems should be solved at the lowest possible level—by local communities, families, and small businesses rather than distant, centralized powers.

 

So, in a perfect world, we’d all shop local and support small businesses. Real life isn’t that simple. Capizzi makes a huge point: people want connection. That’s why small, local businesses still matter.

 

So… What’s the Right Answer? 🤷🏽‍♂️

 

Drew and Dr. Capizzi don’t give a black-and-white rule, but they do suggest a balanced approach:


✅ Be aware of what businesses support and how they treat workers.


✅ Support local businesses whenever it’s practical.


✅ Listen to your conscience: if something really bothers you, maybe it’s a sign.


✅ Don’t go crazy trying to boycott everything, or you’ll end up living off the grid.

 

 (It's pretty hard to grow your own coffee beans☕.)

 

The "Little Way" of Shopping

 

Maybe we can’t tear down corporate giants overnight, but small, intentional choices matter. Supporting your neighborhood coffee shop ☕, shopping at the local bookstore 📚, or choosing an ethical brand when possible... all add up. Catholic social teaching isn’t about guilt; it’s about wisdom and balance.

 

So, next time you click "Buy Now"… maybe pause for a second. That’s a good start. 😊

 

The best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It’s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out here.

Drew and Dr. Joseph Capizzi addressed a major moral headache for modern Christians:&nbsp;Should we be supporting massive corporations like Amazon, Walmart, and Apple? Or are we just feeding a beast that crushes small businesses, mistreats workers, and funds causes that oppose our beliefs? 😬
&nbsp;
Catch the whole hour of conversation and insight <a href="https://relevantradio.com/2025/03/is-it-ethical-for-catholics-to-shop-at-amazon/">here</a>.&nbsp;
&nbsp;
The Convenience vs. Conscience Battle
&nbsp;
Drew starts by laying out the issue: Amazon (and other corporate giants) are everywhere. You don&rsquo;t even have to think; just&nbsp;click "Buy Now", and boom 💨, your package arrives. Is that convenience making us complicit in unethical practices? Amazon has been accused of:
&nbsp;
-Harsh warehouse conditions (basically an American sweatshop, as one caller put it)
&nbsp;
-Driving small businesses out of existence
&nbsp;
-CEOs making more money than entire countries
&nbsp;
Yet&hellip; people still shop there. Why? Because it's easy, sometimes necessary (especially for&nbsp;single moms juggling two jobs!), and often cheaper.
&nbsp;
Boycotts: Do They Even Work? 🛑✋
&nbsp;
Dr. Capizzi and Drew talk about boycotts as a tool for change. Some have worked: Bud Light felt the sting of a recent boycott. But Amazon? Walmart? These companies are so massive that skipping a purchase feels like throwing a pebble at a tank.
&nbsp;
Dr. Capizzi warns against an&nbsp;extreme, scrupulous mindset where you&rsquo;re constantly questioning every purchase:
&nbsp;
-Can&rsquo;t buy chocolate? 🍫 (Because child labor)
&nbsp;
-No iPhone? 📱 (Because questionable labor practices and Apple's progressive agenda)
&nbsp;
-No big-box stores? 🏬 (Because low wages for workers)
 If you start drawing the ethical line, where do you stop?
&nbsp;
What Does Catholic Social Teaching Say? ⛪🧐
&nbsp;
Dr. Capizzi brings up&nbsp;subsidiarity, a key principle of Catholic social teaching:
&nbsp;
<blockquote data-start="1875" data-end="2029">
Problems should be solved at the lowest possible level&mdash;by local communities, families, and small businesses rather than distant, centralized powers.
</blockquote>
&nbsp;
So, in a&nbsp;perfect world, we&rsquo;d all shop local and support small businesses. Real life isn&rsquo;t that simple. Capizzi makes a huge point: people want connection. That&rsquo;s why&nbsp;small, local businesses still matter.
&nbsp;
So&hellip; What&rsquo;s the Right Answer? 🤷🏽&zwj;♂️
&nbsp;
Drew and Dr. Capizzi don&rsquo;t give a black-and-white rule, but they do suggest a balanced approach:
 ✅ Be aware of what businesses support and how they treat workers.
 ✅ Support local businesses whenever it&rsquo;s practical.
 ✅ Listen to your conscience: if something really bothers you, maybe it&rsquo;s a sign.
 ✅ Don&rsquo;t go crazy trying to boycott everything, or you&rsquo;ll end up living off the grid.
&nbsp;
&nbsp;(It's pretty hard to grow your own coffee beans☕.)
&nbsp;
The "Little Way" of Shopping
&nbsp;
Maybe we can&rsquo;t tear down corporate giants overnight, but small, intentional choices matter. Supporting your neighborhood coffee shop ☕, shopping at the local bookstore 📚, or choosing an ethical brand when possible... all add up. Catholic social teaching isn&rsquo;t about guilt; it&rsquo;s about wisdom and balance.
&nbsp;
So, next time you click "Buy Now"&hellip; maybe pause for a second. That&rsquo;s a good start. 😊
&nbsp;
The&nbsp;best way to listen to the Best of the Week is on our #1 Free Catholic App. It&rsquo;s free and always will be! To get and share the Relevant Radio app, check it out <a href="https://relevantradio.com/listen/get-the-app/">here</a>.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

Life can get busy, and it's easy to miss out on the captivating moments from your favorite Relevant Radio shows. But now, we've got you covered! "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" brings you the crème de la crème of Relevant Radio's programming. We carefully curate and compile the most engaging and relevant content from the past week, just for you! Get ready to catch up on faith, culture, current events, and personal growth, all in one convenient and easily accessible podcast. It's like having a front-row seat to the most compelling moments from Relevant Radio's diverse range of shows. So, whether you're an active Relevant Radio listener or new to our programming, "The Best of the Week - Relevant Radio Podcast" is your passport to a world of knowledge, growth, and inspiration.

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