Podcasts: 2008

Fr. Schineller draws on the wisdom of Meister Eckhart, Origen and Francis of Assisi in this Advent reflection.

Former British Prime Minister Tony Blair sat down with religion reporters in New Haven before his final class on "Faith and Globalization" at Yale University, and the America Magazine Podcast was in attendance. The class is among the first initiatives launched by the Tony Blair Faith Foundation, which seeks to promote understanding among religions and show that faith can be a force for good in the modern world. Mr. Blair responded to questions about the rise of the new atheism, Rick Warren, Catholic social teaching and what he has learned from his students.

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At the start of Advent, James T. Keane, S.J., reflects on seasons, liturgical and otherwise.

Controversial peace activist and Jesuit priest John Dear talks about his new book, A Persistent Peace: One Man’s Struggle for a Nonviolent World, which chronicles his conversion from a “spoiled frat boy” at Duke University to a crusading opponent of war who has been arrested over 70 times. A frequent traveler who has visited war zones worldwide, Dear has waged an especially intense campaign against the military activities of the United States, a country he believes is fast on its way to becoming an empire. Dear talks about his commitment to the Beatitudes, why every Catholic should join Pax Christi and why America should stop accepting advertisements for military chaplains. Listen to this episode

Therese J. Borchard of the Beliefnet blog "Beyond Blue" talks about battling depression, and the spiritual resources she turns to in times of need. Listen to this episode.

To celebrate the Year of Saint Paul, and in conjunction with America's special issue on Paul's legacy, Tim Reidy visits with Father Gilbert Martinez at St. Paul the Apostle Church in Manhattan, the motherhouse of the Paulist Fathers. Father Martinez explains how worshippers can obtain a plenary indulgence at St. Paul's, in honor of the Pauline year, and reflects on the artwork in the church inspired by the great apostle. Listen to this episode

Fighting against religious oppression in Mexico and reporting on Irish rebels in Dublin; railing against Prohibition and championing the Civil Rights movement--these are among the many issues covered by America over the years. James T. Keane, S.J., talks about the early history of the magazine, and three of America's most influential editors. Listen to this episode.

Associate editor Matt Malone, S.J., and America blogger Michael Sean Winters analyze the first presidential debate and look forward to the vice presidential contest on October 2. Winters is the author of >Left at the Altar: How the Democrats Lost the Catholics and How the Catholics Can Save the Democrats. Listen to this episode.

Drew Christiansen, S.J., editor in chief of America, previews the Synod on the Word of God, the worldwide gathering of bishops taking place in October to discuss the place of Scripture in the life of the church. America's special issue on the synod covers the meeting from a variety of angles, looking at the Catholic understanding of the Old Testament, lectio divina and the preaching and proclamation of the Word. How can the church make the second reading from Paul better known? Can the revitalization of Scripture help renew the study of moral theology? Fr. Christiansen discusses these and other issues in this wide-ranging interview. font color="#333333" size="-1">Listen to this episode

Matt Malone, S.J., associate editor of America, and Michael Sean Winters, America blogger and author of Left at the Altar: How the Democrats Lost the Catholics and How the Catholics Can Save the Democrats, look back at the two party conventions and asses the candidates’ chances entering the final 60 days of the campaign. Listen to this episode.

Uwe E. Reinhardt, a professor at Princeton University and an expert in health care, describes the different models of universal health insurance, and analyzes the Democrats' health care proposals. Reinhardt also looks at the success of the the mandatory health insurance initiative in Massachusetts, and the challenges of applying that model to the nation. Read Reinhardt's article, "The True Cost of Care." Listen to this episode

Camille D’Arienzo talks about her article in the August 18-25 issue of America, “Mercy Toward Our Fathers.” “Has the church, from top to bottom, determined that those who have sexually abused minors are outside of the circle of those whom God can forgive?” writes D’Arienzo, a Sister of Mercy and regular commentator on 1010 WINS in New York. “Is there no grace left for them?” Listen to this episode

In advance of the Convention for the Common Good in Philadelphia July 11-13, Chris Korzen sat down with Tim Reidy to discuss the gathering and what the Catholic notion of the common good can offer to U.S. society. Chris also talks about the 2004 election, the Catholic Voting Project, and his new book, A Nation for All. Listen to this episode

Karen Sue Smith, editorial director of America, analyzes the Latino vote and its potential impact on the 2008 election. Nearly 18 million Latinos are registered to vote, 4 million more than in 2004, and their numbers are growing in states throughout the country, not just in the Southwest. Interestingly, immigration is not the number one issue for these voters–the war and the economy have taken precedence in recent polls. Read Smith’s article on Latino voters from the June 23-30 issue of America. Listen to this episode

To celebrate the 200th anniversary of the archdiocese of New York, Msgr. Thomas J. Shelley has written a history of the archdiocese from its earliest days to the present. In this interview, Msgr. Shelley tells stories of the colorful bishops, priests and laity who have called the New York church home. Listen to this episode

David Gibson, author of The Rule of Benedict: Pope Benedict XVI and His Battle with the Modern World, discusses the pope's recent visit to the United States, including his private meeting with sexual abuse victims and his address to the U.N. Gibson also offers a first-hand view of the liturgies in Washington and New York, and reflects on how the trip might shape Benedict's papacy and the American church as a whole.

Donna Freitas, author of Sex and the Soul: Juggling Sexuality, Spirituality, Romance, and Religion on America's College Campuses, describes the "hook-up culture" prevalent on both Catholic and non-Catholic campuses, and why students aren't happy about it. Many students yearn for a more traditional romantic culture, Freitas explains, yet they are unsure how to attain it. Only evangelical schools seem to have succeeded in creating an alternative environment, with the cultivation of elaborate courtship rituals. Can such a model be brought to Catholic schools? Maybe not, but Freitas offer advice for young people trying to escape the degrading excesses of the college party culture. Listen to this episode

Filmmaker Martin Doblmeier discusses “The Power of Forgiveness,” his new documentary for PBS. The film tells stories of both individual and group forgiveness, and reports on forgiveness studies, a blossoming field of scientific inquiry. Doblmeier talks about his trip to still-segregated Northern Ireland, where experts are trying to integrate the lessons of forgiveness into the curriculum, and recounts the heated reaction to the proposal to build a “garden of forgiveness” at the Ground Zero memorial in New York City. To see when the film will be playing in your city click here. You can order the film, and “The Power of Forgiveness” book, on the Journey Films Web site. Listen to this episode

March 24 marks the 28th anniversary of the assassination of Archbishop Oscar Romero of El Salvador. Michael E. Lee, a professor of theology at Latin American studies at Fordham University, discusses the life of Archbishop Romero, and his prospects for sainthood. Among the issues addressed is whether Romero in fact experienced a "conversion" shortly after his appointment as archbishop.

Catholic poet Angela O’Donnell talks about her work, including her “saint” series of poems, which includes odes to such unconventional “saints” as Herman Melville and Vincent van Gogh. Features readings of two of her poems published in America. Listen to this episode

Peter Schineller, S.J., new associate editor at America, discusses his years in Nigeria, and the difficulty adjusting to American culture after such an extended time abroad. Read Fr. Schineller's article on the tragic plane crash that killed 60 of his students. Also available: his 1991 article on "Culture Shock on Returning to America." Listen to this episode

James T. Keane, S.J., discusses his article "Vocation and Crisis," about his decision to enter the Jesuits during the height of the sexual abuse crisis. Listen to this episode

Father John Padberg on the legend of St. Guinefort, dog and martyr.