At the start of spring training, with opening day a little more than a month away, it’s time to talk about baseball.On this episode, theologian Carmen Nanko-Fernández, whose work focuses on the surprising connections between religion, politics, and popular culture, helps us do just that. Baseball, Nanko-Fernández explains, is much more than a game. That’s especially true along the U.S.-Mexico border, where sports, race, immigration, labor, and politics are all intertwined.For further reading:·     Béisbol, Baseball, &amp; ‘Bad Hombres,’ Carmen Nanko-Fernández·     Quit Trying to ‘Fix’ Baseball, Gregory K. Hillis·     More than Cricket, Rand Richards Cooper

At the start of spring training, with opening day a little more than a month away, it’s time to talk about baseball. On this episode, theologian Carmen Nanko-Fernández, whose work focuses on the surprising connections between religion, politics, and popular culture, helps us do just that.  Baseball, Nanko-Fernández explains, is much more than a game. That’s especially true along the U.S.-Mexico border, where sports, race, immigration, labor, and politics are all intertwined. For further reading:·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/beisbol-baseball-and-bad-hombres" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Béisbol, Baseball, &amp; ‘Bad Hombres,’</a> Carmen Nanko-Fernández·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/quit-trying-fix-baseball" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Quit Trying to ‘Fix’ Baseball,</a> Gregory K. Hillis·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/more-cricket" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">More than Cricket,</a> Rand Richards Cooper

Ep. 52 - Baseball & Borders

How does great fiction work? Which techniques enable readers to lose themselves in plots and connect with characters?On this episode, celebrated novelist and short story writer George Saunders shares the lessons he’s learned from Russian masters like Chekhov and Tolstoy.The best literary works, Saunders tells Commonweal literary editor Anthony Domestico, are much more than something beautiful or entertaining. Like the liturgy, they’re also a way of loving.For further reading:·     A Kindly Presence of Mind, Anthony Domestico·     A Moralist with an Ear, John Garvey·     Near Occasion, Dominic Preziosi

How does great fiction work? Which techniques enable readers to lose themselves in plots and connect with characters? On this episode, celebrated novelist and short story writer George Saunders shares the lessons he’s learned from Russian masters like Chekhov and Tolstoy. The best literary works, Saunders tells Commonweal literary editor Anthony Domestico, are much more than something beautiful or entertaining. Like the liturgy, they’re also a way of loving. For further reading:·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/interview-george-saunders" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Kindly Presence of Mind</a>, Anthony Domestico·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/moralist-ear" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Moralist with an</a> Ear, John Garvey·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/near-occasion" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Near Occasion</a>, Dominic Preziosi

Ep. 51 - Story as Ceremony 

What kind of Catholic is Joe Biden? And what prospects does his presidency hold for the bitterly divided U.S. Church?On this episode, Commonweal associate editor Matt Sitman speaks with contributing writer Massimo Faggioli about his new book, Joe Biden and Catholicism in the United States. This political moment, Faggioli argues, is different from any other. With public institutions in decline and democracy’s survival no longer assured, Biden’s challenge—like that of Pope Francis—is to unite a center than may no longer exist.For further reading:·     Lots of Politics, Little Legitimacy, Massimo Faggioli·     The One Missing Fact, Paul Moses·     The New Integralists, Timothy Troutner

What kind of Catholic is Joe Biden? And what prospects does his presidency hold for the bitterly divided U.S. Church? On this episode, Commonweal associate editor Matt Sitman speaks with contributing writer Massimo Faggioli about his new book, <a href="http://www.bayardinc.com/press-releases/bayard-inc-to-publish-first-in-depth-exploration-of-joe-bidens-catholicism-in-the-context-of-american-politics/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Joe Biden and Catholicism in the United States</a>. This political moment, Faggioli argues, is different from any other. With public institutions in decline and democracy’s survival no longer assured, Biden’s challenge—like that of Pope Francis—is to unite a center than may no longer exist. For further reading:·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/lots-politics-little-legitimacy" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Lots of Politics, Little Legitimacy</a>, Massimo Faggioli·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/one-missing-fact" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The One Missing Fact</a>, Paul Moses·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/new-integralists" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The New Integralists</a>, Timothy Troutner

Ep. 50 - The Second Catholic President 

Can private corporations provide public goods? Can capitalism contribute to movements for social justice?In her book Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America, Georgetown history professor Marcia Chatelain notes that big companies like McDonald's historically have failed to deliver the social benefits they’d promised.And as racism and white supremacy remain potent forces in American life—and in the Catholic Church—we should harness our power to care for one another, rather than our power as consumers, to bring real change.For further reading:·     Three Cheers for Socialism, David Bentley Hart·     Authentically Black, Truly Catholic, Tia Noelle Pratt·     Many and One, Vinson Cunningham

Can private corporations provide public goods? Can capitalism contribute to movements for social justice? In her book <a href="https://wwnorton.com/books/9781631493942" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Franchise: The Golden Arches in Black America</a>, Georgetown history professor Marcia Chatelain notes that big companies like McDonald's historically have failed to deliver the social benefits they’d promised. And as racism and white supremacy remain potent forces in American life—and in the Catholic Church—we should harness our power to care for one another, rather than our power as consumers, to bring real change. For further reading:·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/three-cheers-socialism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three Cheers for Socialism</a>, David Bentley Hart·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/authentically-black-truly-catholic" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Authentically Black, Truly Catholic</a>, Tia Noelle Pratt·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/many-and-one-0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Many and One</a>, Vinson Cunningham

Ep. 49 - Capitalism Can’t Save Us

In an interview with Commonweal last spring, Pope Francis called on Catholics to meet “this time of great uncertainty” with creativity and grace.On this special end-of-year episode, we’re revisiting four of our favorite conversations with Catholics who’ve inspired us to do just that:-      Susan Bigelow Reynolds on changing parish realities-      Stephen Hough on accepting his own sexuality-      Fr. Bryan Massingale on racism and white supremacy-      Ellen Koneck on the spiritual lives of Gen Z We hope you’ll enjoy hearing from them again as much as we have.

In an <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/time-great-uncertainty" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">interview</a> with Commonweal last spring, Pope Francis called on Catholics to meet “this time of great uncertainty” with creativity and grace. On this special end-of-year episode, we’re revisiting four of our favorite conversations with Catholics who’ve inspired us to do just that: -      Susan Bigelow Reynolds on changing <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/podcast/american-parish-today-part-i" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">parish</a> realities-      Stephen Hough on <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/podcast/musical-life" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">accepting</a> his own sexuality-      Fr. Bryan Massingale on racism and <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/podcast/response-racism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">white supremacy</a>-      Ellen Koneck on the <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/podcast/kids-are-all-right" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">spiritual lives</a> of Gen Z We hope you’ll enjoy hearing from them again as much as we have.

Ep. 48 - How We Found Hope in 2020

Among the things Donald Trump’s presidency will be remembered for is the cruelty of its policies and actions on immigration.While the incoming Biden administration intends to reverse these measures, we should hardly be complacent. The U.S. immigration system is expressly designed to keep people out.On this episode, Commonweal contributing writer Paul Moses speaks with attorney and law professor Michael Kagan, author of The Battle to Stay in America: Immigration’s Hidden Front Line, about the illogic of U.S. immigration law, the need for solidarity, and the prospects for reform.For further reading:-      Collateral Damage, by Paul Moses-      Trapped at the Border, by Joseph Sorrentino-      Progressives Have an Immigration Problem, by Tom Deignan

Among the things Donald Trump’s presidency will be remembered for is the cruelty of its policies and actions on immigration. While the incoming Biden administration intends to reverse these measures, we should hardly be complacent. The U.S. immigration system is expressly designed to keep people out. On this episode, Commonweal contributing writer Paul Moses speaks with attorney and law professor Michael Kagan, author of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/dp/1948908506/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&amp;keywords=kagan+the+battle+to+stay&amp;qid=1586322091&amp;sr=8-1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Battle to Stay in America: Immigration’s Hidden Front Line</a>, about the illogic of U.S. immigration law, the need for solidarity, and the prospects for reform. For further reading:-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/collateral-damage-2" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Collateral Damage</a>, by Paul Moses-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/trapped-border" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Trapped at the Border</a>, by Joseph Sorrentino-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/progressives-have-immigration-problem" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Progressives Have an Immigration Problem</a>, by Tom Deignan

Ep. 47 - The Hidden Cruelty of U.S. Immigration Law

Sr. Simone Campbell, best known as the executive director of the NETWORK social justice lobby and organizer of the Nuns on the Bus tours, has been involved in political advocacy on behalf of the poor and marginalized for decades. Less familiar, though, are the contemplative practices that ground Sr. Simone’s work—and that she describes in her new book, Hunger for Hope: Prophetic Communities, Contemplation, and the Common Good. Speaking with Commonweal assistant editor Regina Munch, Sr. Simone talks about how the courage to confront our own brokenness can bring about personal and political healing in this fractured moment. For further reading:-      Is There a Religious Left? by Kaya Oakes-      American Politics and Social Catholicism by E.J. Dionne, Jr.-      Griever-in-Chief by Paul Moses &amp; Michael Connor

Sr. Simone Campbell, best known as the executive director of the NETWORK social justice lobby and organizer of the Nuns on the Bus tours, has been involved in political advocacy on behalf of the poor and marginalized for decades. Less familiar, though, are the contemplative practices that ground Sr. Simone’s work—and that she describes in her new book, <a href="https://www.orbisbooks.com/hunger-for-hope.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hunger for Hope: Prophetic Communities, Contemplation, and the Common Good</a>. Speaking with Commonweal assistant editor Regina Munch, Sr. Simone talks about how the courage to confront our own brokenness can bring about personal and political healing in this fractured moment. For further reading:-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/go-find-your-people" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Is There a Religious Left?</a> by Kaya Oakes-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/radical-moderate-and-necessary" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Politics and Social Catholicism</a> by E.J. Dionne, Jr.-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/griever-chief" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Griever-in-Chief</a> by Paul Moses &amp; Michael Connor

Ep. 46 - Broken Open

We all know the story of the “nones,” and the dire statistics about the decline of religious affiliation among young people. But these data hardly tell the whole story. On this episode, managing editor Katie Daniels speaks with Ellen Koneck, herself a former Commonweal staffer and now head writer and editor at Springtide Research Institute. Their new report, The State of Religion and Young People, invites us to think differently about the religious practices and spiritual aspirations of Gen Z.Sure, young people are skeptical of institutions and have lower levels of trust in traditional kinds of authority. But they’re also more open than ever to relationships that offer wisdom and support—and that’s exactly where religious leaders can meet them.For further reading-      Further Adrift, Peter Steinfels-      Finding Our Way, Ellen Koneck-      Under Pressure, John Thornton, Jr.

We all know the story of the “nones,” and the dire statistics about the decline of religious affiliation among young people. But these data hardly tell the whole story.  On this episode, managing editor Katie Daniels speaks with Ellen Koneck, herself a former Commonweal staffer and now head writer and editor at Springtide Research Institute. Their new report, <a href="https://www.springtideresearch.org/the-state-of-religion-young-people/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The State of Religion and Young People</a>, invites us to think differently about the religious practices and spiritual aspirations of Gen Z. Sure, young people are skeptical of institutions and have lower levels of trust in traditional kinds of authority. But they’re also more open than ever to relationships that offer wisdom and support—and that’s exactly where religious leaders can meet them. For further reading-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/further-adrift" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Further Adrift</a>, Peter Steinfels-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/finding-our-way" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Finding Our Way</a>, Ellen Koneck-      <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/under-pressure" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Under Pressure</a>, John Thornton, Jr.

Ep. 45 - The Kids Are All Right 

Could rural America become a hotbed of progressive politics? Luke Mayville, co-founder of the grassroots movement Reclaim Idaho and a lecturer of political philosophy at Boise State University’s Honors College, certainly thinks so. His conviction comes from firsthand experience. In 2018, Mayville helped Idaho become the only predominantly rural state in America to approve Medicaid expansion in a statewide referendum. On this episode, he talks with associate editor Matt Sitman about that campaign, arguing that if we want to pass more progressive legislation, we should put our energies into on-the-ground organizing and local persuasion.For further reading·     Do Something Big, Luke Mayville·     Drinking Alone, Jonathan Malesic·     Democracy in America?, The Commonweal Editors

Could rural America become a hotbed of progressive politics? Luke Mayville, co-founder of the grassroots movement <a href="https://www.reclaimidaho.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reclaim Idaho</a> and a lecturer of political philosophy at Boise State University’s Honors College, certainly thinks so. His conviction comes from firsthand experience. In 2018, Mayville helped Idaho become the only predominantly rural state in America to approve Medicaid expansion in a statewide referendum. On this episode, he talks with associate editor Matt Sitman about that campaign, arguing that if we want to pass more progressive legislation, we should put our energies into on-the-ground organizing and local persuasion. For further reading·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/do-something-big" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Do Something Big</a>, Luke Mayville·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/drinking-alone" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Drinking Alone</a>, Jonathan Malesic·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/democracy-america" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Democracy in America?</a>, The Commonweal Editors

Ep. 44 - Local People

We are at a perilous moment in American history, and public Catholicism must rise to the task.So says E. J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post columnist and Commonweal contributor. He joins Commonweal editor Dominic Preziosi to discuss why American Catholicism needs to put aside culture-war rhetoric and return to its rich tradition of social thought—characterized by what he calls “radical moderation”—and how such ideas could play out in the upcoming election and beyond. Suggestions for further reading:·     Radical, Moderate, and Necessary, E.J. Dionne Jr.·     The Faith of Amy Coney Barrett, Matthew Sitman·     Canons &amp; the Candidate, Nicholas P. Cafardi

We are at a perilous moment in American history, and public Catholicism must rise to the task. So says E. J. Dionne Jr., Washington Post columnist and Commonweal contributor. He joins Commonweal editor Dominic Preziosi to discuss why American Catholicism needs to put aside culture-war rhetoric and return to its rich tradition of social thought—characterized by what he calls “radical moderation”—and how such ideas could play out in the upcoming election and beyond. Suggestions for further reading:·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/radical-moderate-and-necessary" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Radical, Moderate, and Necessary</a>, E.J. Dionne Jr.·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/faith-amy-coney-barrett" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Faith of Amy Coney Barrett</a>, Matthew Sitman·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/canons-candidate" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Canons &amp; the Candidate</a>, Nicholas P. Cafardi

Ep. 43 - The Election & Social Catholicism

Conversations at the intersection of politics, religion, and culture: Commonweal Magazine editor Dominic Preziosi hosts The Commonweal Podcast, a regular compendium of in-depth interviews, discussions, and profiles presented by Commonweal’s editors and contributors.

Modern warfare has become an intensely scattered, depersonalized affair. Violence still rages and traumas proliferate, but often remotely, the carnage hidden from public view. So what’s the best way to write about it? How to convey the horror of armed conflict today?Few writers do that as well as Phil Klay, who won the National Book Award for his 2014 short story collection, Redeployment, which is based on his experiences as a marine during the Iraq War. His debut novel, Missionaries, expands those insights through the interlocking stories of four characters living in Colombia, Yemen, and the United States.In conversation with Commonweal critic Anthony Domestico, Klay shares insights into the ways that globalization, capitalism, and technological advances have made warfare both more deadly and less noticeable. A committed Catholic, Klay also discusses the sacramental worldview that undergirds his fiction, in which even death is “charged with the grandeur of God.”

Modern warfare has become an intensely scattered, depersonalized affair. Violence still rages and traumas proliferate, but often remotely, the carnage hidden from public view. So what’s the best way to write about it? How to convey the horror of armed conflict today? Few writers do that as well as Phil Klay, who won the National Book Award for his 2014 short story collection, Redeployment, which is based on his experiences as a marine during the Iraq War. His debut novel, Missionaries, expands those insights through the interlocking stories of four characters living in Colombia, Yemen, and the United States. In conversation with Commonweal critic Anthony Domestico, Klay shares insights into the ways that globalization, capitalism, and technological advances have made warfare both more deadly and less noticeable. A committed Catholic, Klay also discusses the sacramental worldview that undergirds his fiction, in which even death is “charged with the grandeur of God.”

Ep. 42 - Killing Machines

For years, Black churches have worked tirelessly to advance the cause of racial justice in America. In many ways, their white counterparts have done the opposite.White Christians are not simply complicit in racism and white supremacy, argues scholar Robert P. Jones. They’re actually culpable. Without their deliberate consent, white supremacy in America could never have been built.That’s a shocking assertion. But citing historical evidence and contemporary survey data, Jones, in conversation with assistant editor Regina Munch, maps the long road white Christians must travel if they hope to ever atone for their sins.

For years, Black churches have worked tirelessly to advance the cause of racial justice in America. In many ways, their white counterparts have done the opposite. White Christians are not simply complicit in racism and white supremacy, argues scholar Robert P. Jones. They’re actually culpable. Without their deliberate consent, white supremacy in America could never have been built. That’s a shocking assertion. But citing historical evidence and contemporary survey data, Jones, in conversation with assistant editor Regina Munch, maps the long road white Christians must travel if they hope to ever atone for their sins.

Ep. 41 - White Churches & White Supremacy

On August third one year ago, a 21-year-old white man from Allen, Texas, drove across the state to a Wal-Mart in El Paso, alongside the Mexican border, where he shot and killed 23 people and injured 23 others, the majority of them Mexican and Mexican-Americans. The El Paso matanza, or massacre, is considered to be the deadliest anti-Latino attack in U.S. history, and one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.On this two-part episode, we talk with several people from El Paso about that day, about what has transpired in the year that has passed, about how life has and hasn’t changed along the border—politically, culturally, and spiritually.In part two, we’re joined by Dylan Corbett and Marisa Limón Garza of the Hope Border Institute in El Paso, and by Bishop Mark Seitz of the El Paso Diocese.For further reading:  Night Will Be No More, Bishop Mark Seitz  Confronting White Supremacy, John Gehring  Injustice at the Border, a collection of Commonweal pieces Links: The Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States Hope Border Institute Black Catholic Theological Symposium 

On August third one year ago, a 21-year-old white man from Allen, Texas, drove across the state to a Wal-Mart in El Paso, alongside the Mexican border, where he shot and killed 23 people and injured 23 others, the majority of them Mexican and Mexican-Americans.  The El Paso matanza, or massacre, is considered to be the deadliest anti-Latino attack in U.S. history, and one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. On this two-part episode, we talk with several people from El Paso about that day, about what has transpired in the year that has passed, about how life has and hasn’t changed along the border—politically, culturally, and spiritually. In part two, we’re joined by Dylan Corbett and Marisa Limón Garza of the Hope Border Institute in El Paso, and by Bishop Mark Seitz of the El Paso Diocese. For further reading:<ul> <li> <a href="https://www.hopeborder.org/nightwillbenomore-eng" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Night Will Be No More</a>, Bishop Mark Seitz</li> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/naming-sin" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Confronting White Supremacy</a>, John Gehring</li> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/injustice-border" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Injustice at the Border</a>, a collection of Commonweal pieces</li> </ul> Links:<ul> <li><a href="http://achtus.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hopeborder.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hope Border Institute</a></li> <li><a href="https://blackcatholictheologicalsymposium.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Catholic Theological Symposium</a></li> </ul>

Ep. 40 - El Paso: One Year Later (Part 2) 

On August third one year ago, a 21-year-old white man from Allen, Texas, drove across the state to a Wal-Mart in El Paso, alongside the Mexican border, where he shot and killed 23 people and injured 23 others, the majority of them Mexican and Mexican-Americans. The El Paso matanza, or massacre, is considered to be the deadliest anti-Latino attack in U.S. history, and one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history.On this two-part episode, we talk with several people from El Paso about that day, about what has transpired in the year that has passed, about how life has and hasn’t changed along the border—politically, culturally, and spiritually.In part one, we’re joined by Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas, a priest in the diocese of El Paso, and Professor Neomi DeAnda, the current president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States. Look for part two soon.For further reading:  Night Will Be No More, Bishop Mark Seitz  Confronting White Supremacy, John Gehring  Injustice at the Border, a collection of Commonweal pieces Links: The Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States Hope Border Institute Black Catholic Theological Symposium 

On August third one year ago, a 21-year-old white man from Allen, Texas, drove across the state to a Wal-Mart in El Paso, alongside the Mexican border, where he shot and killed 23 people and injured 23 others, the majority of them Mexican and Mexican-Americans.  The El Paso matanza, or massacre, is considered to be the deadliest anti-Latino attack in U.S. history, and one of the deadliest mass shootings in U.S. history. On this two-part episode, we talk with several people from El Paso about that day, about what has transpired in the year that has passed, about how life has and hasn’t changed along the border—politically, culturally, and spiritually. In part one, we’re joined by Monsignor Arturo Bañuelas, a priest in the diocese of El Paso, and Professor Neomi DeAnda, the current president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States. Look for part two soon. For further reading:<ul> <li> <a href="https://www.hopeborder.org/nightwillbenomore-eng" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Night Will Be No More</a>, Bishop Mark Seitz</li> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/naming-sin" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Confronting White Supremacy</a>, John Gehring</li> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/injustice-border" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Injustice at the Border</a>, a collection of Commonweal pieces</li> </ul> Links:<ul> <li><a href="http://achtus.us/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.hopeborder.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Hope Border Institute</a></li> <li><a href="https://blackcatholictheologicalsymposium.org/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Black Catholic Theological Symposium</a></li> </ul>

Ep. 39 - El Paso: One Year Later

While we may experience moments of clarity and insight in our spiritual lives, more often we face struggles as we try to shed old habits and find new ways of thinking about God.On this episode, poet Christian Wiman joins us to read and discuss several poems from his new collection, Survival Is a Style. He also shares insights he’s gleaned from his own grappling with faith and doubt, explaining how poetry not only delights us, but helps us become free.For further reading:·     ‘Eight Distillations,” Christian Wiman·     Issues of Blood, Christian Wiman·     Goaded by Doubt, Paul K. Johnston

While we may experience moments of clarity and insight in our spiritual lives, more often we face struggles as we try to shed old habits and find new ways of thinking about God. On this episode, poet Christian Wiman joins us to read and discuss several poems from his new collection, <a href="https://us.macmillan.com/books/9780374272050#:~:text=Survival%20Is%20a%20Style%2C%20Christian,credibly%20mystical%20and%20savagely%20skeptical." rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Survival Is a Style</a>. He also shares insights he’s gleaned from his own grappling with faith and doubt, explaining how poetry not only delights us, but helps us become free. For further reading:·     ‘<a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/poetry-eight-distillations" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Eight Distillations</a>,” Christian Wiman·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/issues-blood" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Issues of Blood</a>, Christian Wiman·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/goaded-doubt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Goaded by Doubt,</a> Paul K. Johnston

Ep. 38 – A ‘Form for Failure’

Classical pianist and composer Stephen Hough is known as one of the world’s greatest musical performers.He’s also a polymathic writer, with a new book called Rough Ideas. It collects two decades’ worth of short, witty, and perceptive essays, on everything from Lou Reed and Thomas Aquinas to bioethics, sacramentality, and the challenges of living as a gay Catholic.He joins Commonweal editor Dominic Preziosi for a discussion about his writing, his art, and his new life during the coronavirus quarantine.

Classical pianist and composer Stephen Hough is known as one of the world’s greatest musical performers.He’s also a polymathic writer, with a new book called Rough Ideas. It collects two decades’ worth of short, witty, and perceptive essays, on everything from Lou Reed and Thomas Aquinas to bioethics, sacramentality, and the challenges of living as a gay Catholic.He joins Commonweal editor Dominic Preziosi for a discussion about his writing, his art, and his new life during the coronavirus quarantine.

Ep. 37 - A ‘Musical’ Life

Summer’s here, and we’re reading new books from three writers: Molly McCully Brown, Marie Mutsuki Mockett, and Amy Jo Burns. Their work falls into different genres: memoir, first-person reporting, and fiction. But they’re linked by an abiding interest in God, communal religious practice, and the strangeness of American life at the margins. They speak with managing editor Kate Lucky, who also reflects on her time at Commonweal, a place where she has found not just intellectual and literary fellowship but a true sense of community and of “being known.”For further reading, three Commonweal pieces, all by Kate Lucky: Wonderfully Made The Last Shakers The Feminist Wife 

Summer’s here, and we’re reading new books from three writers: Molly McCully Brown, Marie Mutsuki Mockett, and Amy Jo Burns. Their work falls into different genres: memoir, first-person reporting, and fiction. But they’re linked by an abiding interest in God, communal religious practice, and the strangeness of American life at the margins. They speak with managing editor Kate Lucky, who also reflects on her time at Commonweal, a place where she has found not just intellectual and literary fellowship but a true sense of community and of “being known.” For further reading, three Commonweal pieces, all by Kate Lucky:<ul> <li><a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/wonderfully-made" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Wonderfully Made</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/last-shakers" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Last Shakers</a></li> <li><a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/feminist-wife" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Feminist Wife</a></li> </ul>

Ep. 36 - ‘Divine’ Summer Reading

Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police in Minneapolis nearly two weeks ago, American cities have seen protests over racism and police brutality on an unprecedented scale.On this episode we speak with Fr. Bryan Massingale, author of Racial Justice and the Catholic Church and professor of theology at Fordham University in New York. Racism persists in America and the church, Massingale contends, because racist policies and structures benefit white people—and white people assent to it through a kind of perverse “liturgy.”Massingale also tells us what Americans shocked at Floyd’s death, particularly white bystanders, need now: the virtue of courage, motivated by righteous anger. We must move beyond the mere conviction that racism is wrong, and actually begin dismantling it.For further reading:  Police Brutality &amp; Protest, The Editors  A Sign of Contradiction, Gregory K. Hillis  King &amp; His Mentors, Gary Dorrien 

Since the death of George Floyd at the hands of the police in Minneapolis nearly two weeks ago, American cities have seen protests over racism and police brutality on an unprecedented scale. On this episode we speak with Fr. Bryan Massingale, author of <a href="https://www.orbisbooks.com/racial-justice-and-the-catholic-church.html" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Racial Justice and the Catholic Church</a> and professor of theology at Fordham University in New York. Racism persists in America and the church, Massingale contends, because racist policies and structures benefit white people—and white people assent to it through a kind of perverse “liturgy.” Massingale also tells us what Americans shocked at Floyd’s death, particularly white bystanders, need now: the virtue of courage, motivated by righteous anger. We must move beyond the mere conviction that racism is wrong, and actually begin dismantling it. For further reading:<ul> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/police-brutality-protest" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Police Brutality &amp; Protest</a>, The Editors</li> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/sign-contradiction" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">A Sign of Contradiction</a>, Gregory K. Hillis</li> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/king-his-mentors" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">King &amp; His Mentors</a>, Gary Dorrien</li> </ul>

Ep. 35 - A Response to Racism

Donald Trump’s election provoked backlash from many people of faith, with religious leaders taking a highly visible role in protesting the administration’s policies. But does the so-called “religious left” really exist?Indeed, argues religion reporter Jack Jenkins. His new book American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country traces the inspiration, dreams, and demands of the clergy and activists that make up this growing “coalition of coalitions.”Jenkins speaks with Commonweal associate editor Matt Sitman about how the religious left differs from the religious right, the growing influence of Rev. William Barber, and what the Democratic party might do to court religious voters in the upcoming 2020 election.For further reading·     From Catholic Worker to DSA, Gary Dorrien·     Reading Buttigieg, James T. Kloppenberg·     Three Cheers for Socialism, David Bentley Hart·     American Paganism, David Albertson

Donald Trump’s election provoked backlash from many people of faith, with religious leaders taking a highly visible role in protesting the administration’s policies. But does the so-called “religious left” really exist? Indeed, argues religion reporter Jack Jenkins. His new book <a href="https://www.harpercollins.com/9780062935984/american-prophets/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Prophets: The Religious Roots of Progressive Politics and the Ongoing Fight for the Soul of the Country</a> traces the inspiration, dreams, and demands of the clergy and activists that make up this growing “coalition of coalitions.” Jenkins speaks with Commonweal associate editor Matt Sitman about how the religious left differs from the religious right, the growing influence of Rev. William Barber, and what the Democratic party might do to court religious voters in the upcoming 2020 election. For further reading·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/catholic-worker-dsa" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">From Catholic Worker to DSA</a>, Gary Dorrien·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/reading-buttigieg" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Reading Buttigieg</a>, James T. Kloppenberg·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/three-cheers-socialism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Three Cheers for Socialism</a>, David Bentley Hart·     <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/american-paganism" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">American Paganism</a>, David Albertson

Ep. 34 - Is There a Religious Left?

Even as New York City shows signs of progress, the toll of the coronavirus crisis over the past two months has been high. Hundreds of thousands have been infected, and more than half of the city’s residents say they know someone who’s died from COVID-19.On this episode, we hear from three different people who’ve been dealing with the impact of the pandemic in New York City: Paul Saunders, a cardiothoracic surgeon in a Brooklyn hospital; Zach Presutti, SJ, founder of a nonprofit serving the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated in the greater New York area; and Fr. Robert Imbelli, a priest living in a retirement community in the Bronx.Together, they offer a portrait of a city under duress—shaken and afflicted, but not without hope.Further reading:  Privileged &amp; Vulnerable, Fr. Robert Imbelli  Distance, not Desertion, B.D. McClay  The Coronavirus: A Collection, The Editors 

Even as New York City shows signs of progress, the toll of the coronavirus crisis over the past two months has been high. Hundreds of thousands have been infected, and more than half of the city’s residents say they know someone who’s died from COVID-19. On this episode, we hear from three different people who’ve been dealing with the impact of the pandemic in New York City: Paul Saunders, a cardiothoracic surgeon in a Brooklyn hospital; Zach Presutti, SJ, founder of a nonprofit serving the incarcerated and formerly incarcerated in the greater New York area; and Fr. Robert Imbelli, a priest living in a retirement community in the Bronx. Together, they offer a portrait of a city under duress—shaken and afflicted, but not without hope. Further reading:<ul> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/privileged-vulnerable" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Privileged &amp; Vulnerable</a>, Fr. Robert Imbelli</li> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/distance-not-desertion" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Distance, not Desertion</a>, B.D. McClay</li> <li> <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/coronavirus-0" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">The Coronavirus: A Collection</a>, The Editors</li> </ul>

Ep. 33 - A Community Afflicted

Intelligent, informative, and relevant. I’m never disappointed.

Commonweal Podcast

A great mix of editorial personalities and guests.

Religion, politics, art from a very independent Catholic viewpoint

The Commonweal Podcast

Fran Lebowitz

Last winter, we sat down for a conversation with Fran Lebowitz, the writer, speaker, wit, and archetypal New York personality. Here you'll hear an excerpt from that interview, which lasted for more than two hours, in which we discuss the Trump presidency, #MeToo, former President Obama, the contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and the rapidity of change in New York City. 

Last winter, we sat down for a conversation with Fran Lebowitz, the writer, speaker, wit, and archetypal New York personality. Here you'll hear an excerpt from that interview, which lasted for more than two hours, in which we discuss the Trump presidency, #MeToo, former President Obama, the contest between Hillary Clinton and Bernie Sanders, and the rapidity of change in New York City.

Bonus Extended Segment: A Wide-ranging Chat with Archetypal New York Personality Fran Lebowitz 

Sam Adler-Bell

Alberto Giacometti

Micheal O'Siadhail

Jonah Goldberg

Kathleen Sprows Cummings

Massimo Faggioli

In our pilot episode, editor Dominic Preziosi interviews Massimo Faggioli and Kathleen Sprows Cummings about recent developments in the sex-abuse crisis, Matthew Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell discuss Jonah Goldberg's book Suicide of the West, Anthony Domestico interviews Micheal O'Siadhail about his book The Five Quintets, and several Commonweal staff discuss the recent Alberto Giacometti exhibit at The Guggenheim. 

In our pilot episode, editor Dominic Preziosi interviews Massimo Faggioli and Kathleen Sprows Cummings about recent developments in the sex-abuse crisis, Matthew Sitman and Sam Adler-Bell discuss Jonah Goldberg's book Suicide of the West, Anthony Domestico interviews Micheal O'Siadhail about his book The Five Quintets, and several Commonweal staff discuss the recent Alberto Giacometti exhibit at The Guggenheim.

Ep. 1 - Kathleen Sprows Cummings and Massimo Faggioli on the sex abuse crisis, Sam Adler-Bell on Jonah Goldberg, the poetry of Micheal O'Siadhail, and staffers on Alberto Giacometti

Christine Emba

Cole Stangler

Paul Griffiths

In our second installment, the Commonweal staff discusses the shape of future podcasts. Matthew Boudway talks with theologian Paul J. Griffiths about Roger Scruton’s latest book and Brexit. Griffin Oleynick sits down with Christine Emba to talk about the issues raised in "A Moral Economy—Faith and the Free Market in an Age of Inequality," a conversation between Cardinal Tobin and Jeffrey Sachs. And Matthew Sitman speaks with Cole Stangler about the populist turn in French politics.

In our second installment, the Commonweal staff discusses the shape of future podcasts. Matthew Boudway talks with theologian Paul J. Griffiths about Roger Scruton’s latest book and Brexit. Griffin Oleynick sits down with Christine Emba to talk about the issues raised in "A Moral Economy—Faith and the Free Market in an Age of Inequality," a conversation between Cardinal Tobin and Jeffrey Sachs. And Matthew Sitman speaks with Cole Stangler about the populist turn in French politics.

Ep. 2 - Paul Griffiths on Brexit, Christine Emba on a Moral Economy, and Cole Stangler on French Politics

Novelist Alice McDermott, a self-described “contrarian Catholic,” speaks about her forays into op-ed writing. Pulitzer-prize winning author Paul Harding expatiates on his love of Karl Barth and the literary qualities of the Bible. Mockingbird Ministries’ David Zahl diagnoses our modern spiritual malaise and our foolhardy quest for “enoughness.”

Novelist Alice McDermott, a self-described “contrarian Catholic,” speaks about her forays into op-ed writing. Pulitzer-prize winning author Paul Harding expatiates on his love of Karl Barth and the literary qualities of the Bible. Mockingbird Ministries’ David Zahl diagnoses our modern spiritual malaise and our foolhardy quest for “enoughness.”

Ep. 11 - Literature & Longing

Cassandra Nelson

Senior editor Matthew Boudway introduces special feature "Why We Came. Why We Left. Why We Stayed" — with essays by converts, practicing cradle Catholics, and lapsed or ex-Catholics. We speak with three of our contributors: Ross Douthat, Helene Stapinski, and Dorothy Fortenberry. Four editors discuss the books they read in 2018 and recommend to you in our annual Christmas Critics roundup. Plus, a reading of Cassandra Nelson's new essay about the lifeline that the liturgical calendar provides.

Senior editor Matthew Boudway introduces special feature "Why We Came. Why We Left. Why We Stayed" — with essays by converts, practicing cradle Catholics, and lapsed or ex-Catholics. We speak with three of our contributors: Ross Douthat, Helene Stapinski, and Dorothy Fortenberry. Four editors discuss the books they read in 2018 and recommend to you in our annual Christmas Critics roundup. Plus, a reading of Cassandra Nelson's new essay about the lifeline that the liturgical calendar provides.

Ep. 6 - "Why We Came. Why We Left. Why We Stayed.", Christmas Critics Roundup, and Cassandra Nelson on the Liturgical Calendar and Advent

Carolyn Forche

The poet Carolyn Forche is also an editor, translator and human-rights activist. Her most recent book is What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance. Nicole-Ann Lobo, the Commonweal Garvey Writing Fellow, recently spoke with Carolyn about the memoir, about her experiences during the war in El Salvador, and about what it was like to meet, and receive Communion from, St. Oscar Romero.You can read Nicole-Ann and Carolyn's full interview here.

The poet Carolyn Forche is also an editor, translator and human-rights activist. Her most recent book is What You Have Heard Is True: A Memoir of Witness and Resistance. Nicole-Ann Lobo, the Commonweal Garvey Writing Fellow, recently spoke with Carolyn about the memoir, about her experiences during the war in El Salvador, and about what it was like to meet, and receive Communion from, St. Oscar Romero.You can read Nicole-Ann and Carolyn's <a href="https://www.commonwealmagazine.org/interview-carolyn-forche" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">full interview</a> here.

Bonus Extended Segment: Poet and memoirist Carolyn Forche with Garvey writing fellow Nicole-Ann Lobo

Proudly LGBT, and proudly Catholic? Many believers are both. In this episode, journalist Michael O’Loughlin joins associate editor Matt Sitman for a behind-the-scenes conversation about his new podcast series “Plague: Untold Stories of AIDS &amp; the Catholic Church,” out now from our friends at America Media. They discuss the urgency of documenting an understudied period of church history, when priests, nuns, and cardinals in cities like New York and San Francisco responded to the AIDS crisis during the 1980s. Plus, assistant editors Regina Munch and Griffin Oleynick preview the new “Comment” section of the January issue, praising the rise of “progressive DAs” and decrying the Trump administration’s recent cuts to food stamps.  

Proudly LGBT, and proudly Catholic? Many believers are both.  In this episode, journalist Michael O’Loughlin joins associate editor Matt Sitman for a behind-the-scenes conversation about his new podcast series “<a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/plague" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Plague: Untold Stories of AIDS &amp; the Catholic Church</a>,” out now from our friends at America Media.  They discuss the urgency of documenting an understudied period of church history, when priests, nuns, and cardinals in cities like New York and San Francisco responded to the AIDS crisis during the 1980s.  Plus, assistant editors Regina Munch and Griffin Oleynick preview the new “Comment” section of the January issue, praising the rise of “progressive DAs” and decrying the Trump administration’s recent cuts to food stamps.

Ep. 23 - Truth & Dignity

Conversion is never neat and tidy. We like to think of “the new life” as a radical break from the past. But in reality the threads of our prior lives—both good and bad—are woven into our present. Few know this as well as Megan Phelps-Roper, author of the new memoir Unfollow, and a former member of the now-infamous Westboro Baptist Church. She talks with us about her formative early years in that community, as well as her faith journey since, in which she’s discovered spiritual freedom and a growing comfort with uncertainty.﻿Plus, Dominic and the Commonweal staff chat about the new Fall Books issue, which features a profile of Catholic poet Fanny Howe.

Conversion is never neat and tidy. We like to think of “the new life” as a radical break from the past. But in reality the threads of our prior lives—both good and bad—are woven into our present. Few know this as well as Megan Phelps-Roper, author of the new memoir Unfollow, and a former member of the now-infamous Westboro Baptist Church. She talks with us about her formative early years in that community, as well as her faith journey since, in which she’s discovered spiritual freedom and a growing comfort with uncertainty. ﻿Plus, Dominic and the Commonweal staff chat about the new Fall Books issue, which features a profile of Catholic poet Fanny Howe.

Ep. 20 - Before & After

Native Californian (and Catholic writer) Kaya Oakes stopped by our offices a few weeks ago.She spoke with associate editor Matt Sitman about what it’s like to live, think, and write from her perch at the other end of the country. Noting the utopian thrust of California culture, Oakes explains how religion and spirituality continue to lurk beneath the surface of her state’s supposedly laid-back, secular ethos.Plus, Dominic talks with managing editor Kate Lucky about her new feature on the last living Shakers, now online (and forthcoming in the December issue).

Native Californian (and Catholic writer) Kaya Oakes stopped by our offices a few weeks ago.She spoke with associate editor Matt Sitman about what it’s like to live, think, and write from her perch at the other end of the country. Noting the utopian thrust of California culture, Oakes explains how religion and spirituality continue to lurk beneath the surface of her state’s supposedly laid-back, secular ethos.Plus, Dominic talks with managing editor Kate Lucky about her new feature on the last living Shakers, now online (and forthcoming in the December issue).

Ep. 21 - End Times

What is a home? And what happens when old patterns of life break down? In his new book Savage Gods, British writer and former environmental activist Paul Kingsnorth wrestles with these questions. Contemporary threats to nature, he argues, are indicative of a deeper problem: the crisis of culture and language in the West. He joins Commonweal books columnist Anthony Domestico for a wide-ranging conversation on everything from the writings of Annie Dillard to the practice of Zen Buddhism. Plus, December at Commonweal means one thing: the publication of our annual Christmas Critics feature. The staff joins Dominic to talk about their favorite books this year.  

What is a home? And what happens when old patterns of life break down?  In his new book Savage Gods, British writer and former environmental activist Paul Kingsnorth wrestles with these questions. Contemporary threats to nature, he argues, are indicative of a deeper problem: the crisis of culture and language in the West. He joins Commonweal books columnist Anthony Domestico for a wide-ranging conversation on everything from the writings of Annie Dillard to the practice of Zen Buddhism.  Plus, December at Commonweal means one thing: the publication of our annual Christmas Critics feature. The staff joins Dominic to talk about their favorite books this year.

Ep. 22 - Against the Machine

Does capitalism make us bad Christians?Eugene McCarraher thinks so. His new book, The Enchantments of Mammon, explains how money came to replace God in the modern era, seducing us with false promises of profit maximization. But he hasn’t given up hope. We can reverse our “misenchantment” and return to real abundance: beloved community in a world charged with the glory of God.Plus, the Commonweal staff gathers for a conversation about “popes on film,” weighing in on The Two Popes, The New Pope, and that infamous pontifical hand-slap.   

Does capitalism make us bad Christians? Eugene McCarraher thinks so. His new book, The Enchantments of Mammon, explains how money came to replace God in the modern era, seducing us with false promises of profit maximization. But he hasn’t given up hope. We can reverse our “misenchantment” and return to real abundance: beloved community in a world charged with the glory of God. Plus, the Commonweal staff gathers for a conversation about “popes on film,” weighing in on The Two Popes, The New Pope, and that infamous pontifical hand-slap.

Ep. 24 - God & Mammon

Julian Revie

Alan Jacobs

Donald Kerwin

David Wojnarowicz

In our third episode, the editors of Commonweal discuss Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court and the subsequent hearing with Dr. Blasey Ford. Contributing writer Paul Moses chats about U.S. immigration policy with Donald Kerwin, Director of the Center for Migration Studies. Senior editor Matthew Boudway and Alan Jacobs discuss his new book, The Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Humanism in an Age of Crisis. Assistant editor Griffin Oleynick and Julian Revie, a composer of sacred music at St. Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel at Yale, have a wide-ranging conversation about liturgical music. And Commonweal staffers discuss the David Wojnarowicsz retrospective at The Whitney Museum of American Art.

In our third episode, the editors of Commonweal discuss Brett Kavanaugh's nomination to the Supreme Court and the subsequent hearing with Dr. Blasey Ford. Contributing writer Paul Moses chats about U.S. immigration policy with Donald Kerwin, Director of the Center for Migration Studies. Senior editor Matthew Boudway and Alan Jacobs discuss his new book, The Year of Our Lord 1943: Christian Humanism in an Age of Crisis. Assistant editor Griffin Oleynick and Julian Revie, a composer of sacred music at St. Thomas More, the Catholic Chapel at Yale, have a wide-ranging conversation about liturgical music. And Commonweal staffers discuss the David Wojnarowicsz retrospective at The Whitney Museum of American Art.

Ep. 3 - Donald Kerwin on Immigration, Alan Jacobs on Christian Humanism, Julian Revie on liturgical music; the editors on the Kavanaugh hearings, and staffers on artist David Wojnarowicz

Political power doesn’t just “happen.” It has to be built. In this episode we speak with Benjamin Francis-Fallon about his new book, The Rise of the Latino Vote. Tracing the decades-long process of organizing among hispanic immigrant communities in the U.S., Francis-Fallon rebuts the myth of Latino voters as the country’s “sleeping giant.” They constitute not a unified political bloc, but a variegated coalition with a diverse array of concrete interests. It’s the grassroots, not the top, that matters.And members of the Commonweal staff speak about what they witnessed last weekend in El Paso, Texas. There, they participated in the Jornada por la Justicia, a national teach-in and binational action against racism and xenophobia, organized by the Catholic Latinx Leadership Coalition and Hope Border Institute. 

Political power doesn’t just “happen.” It has to be built.  In this episode we speak with Benjamin Francis-Fallon about his new book, The Rise of the Latino Vote. Tracing the decades-long process of organizing among hispanic immigrant communities in the U.S., Francis-Fallon rebuts the myth of Latino voters as the country’s “sleeping giant.” They constitute not a unified political bloc, but a variegated coalition with a diverse array of concrete interests. It’s the grassroots, not the top, that matters. And members of the Commonweal staff speak about what they witnessed last weekend in El Paso, Texas. There, they participated in the Jornada por la Justicia, a national teach-in and binational action against racism and xenophobia, organized by the Catholic Latinx Leadership Coalition and Hope Border Institute.

Ep. 19 - Borderlands & Barrios

Griffin Oleynick

Griffin Oleynick interviews Christine Emba of the Washington Post about ethics and economics in light of Catholic moral and social teachings.

Griffin Oleynick interviews Christine Emba of the Washington Post about ethics and economics in light of Catholic moral and social teachings.

Ep. 2 Long Segment - Griffin Oleynick interviews Christine Emba

Derek Jeffreys

Emily Ruskovich

This episode features a conversation between Meghan O'Gieblyn and Katherine Lucky, a pair of young writers whose essays on the life of faith are already receiving acclaim. Editor Dominic Preziosi and Assistant Editor Griffin Oleynick discuss his coverage from the 2018 Synod on Young People at the Vatican. Contributor Anthony Domestico talks to Emily Ruskovich about her 2017 debut novel. And Derek Jeffreys discusses his new book, America's Jails: The Search for Human Dignity in an Age of Mass Incarceration. 

This episode features a conversation between Meghan O'Gieblyn and Katherine Lucky, a pair of young writers whose essays on the life of faith are already receiving acclaim. Editor Dominic Preziosi and Assistant Editor Griffin Oleynick discuss his coverage from the 2018 Synod on Young People at the Vatican. Contributor Anthony Domestico talks to Emily Ruskovich about her 2017 debut novel. And Derek Jeffreys discusses his new book, America's Jails: The Search for Human Dignity in an Age of Mass Incarceration.

Ep. 4 - Synod 2018, writers Emily Ruskovich and Meghan O'Gieblyn, and Derek Jeffreys on America's Jails

There are some things we'd rather not remember: old wounds, moral lapses, humiliating failures. But there are also things we have a duty to never forget, like historical traumas and present injustices.Cultural critic Lewis Hyde explores this tension—how the hard work of "forgetting" can pave the way to healing and regeneration, touching on Buddhist philosophy, St. Augustine, and Marcel Proust. Plus, the editors challenge the US Bishops to stop mincing words and take concrete action on immigration.

There are some things we'd rather not remember: old wounds, moral lapses, humiliating failures. But there are also things we have a duty to never forget, like historical traumas and present injustices.Cultural critic Lewis Hyde explores this tension—how the hard work of "forgetting" can pave the way to healing and regeneration, touching on Buddhist philosophy, St. Augustine, and Marcel Proust. Plus, the editors challenge the US Bishops to stop mincing words and take concrete action on immigration.

Ep. 14 - Forget-Me-Not

Matthew Sitman

Associate Editor Matthew Sitman interviews Sam Adler-Bell, Senior Policy Associate at the Century Foundation, about Jonah Goldberg's Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy.

Associate Editor Matthew Sitman interviews Sam Adler-Bell, Senior Policy Associate at the Century Foundation, about Jonah Goldberg's Suicide of the West: How the Rebirth of Tribalism, Populism, Nationalism, and Identity Politics is Destroying American Democracy.

Ep. 1 Long Segment - Matthew Sitman interviews Sam Adler-Bell

This month, we delve into courtroom dramas and sanctuary spaces.   Writer Casey Cep explores our growing fascination with true crime, and reveals Harper Lee's struggle with writer's block. Activist Felix Cepeda roots the sanctuary church movement in the history of Catholic civil disobedience.  Plus, the editors discuss HBO's Chernobyl.

This month, we delve into courtroom dramas and sanctuary spaces.  Writer Casey Cep explores our growing fascination with true crime, and reveals Harper Lee's struggle with writer's block. Activist Felix Cepeda roots the sanctuary church movement in the history of Catholic civil disobedience.  Plus, the editors discuss HBO's Chernobyl.

Ep. 12 - Crime & Sanctuary

Though we live in a secular age, we sure seem to like reading about faith.Poet and reporter Eliza Griswold, winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction for her book ‘Amity and Prosperity’ and author of the new poetry collection ‘If Men, Then,’ explains how both genres have helped her tell stories that transcend her ego. She talks with us about writing poetry, reporting from conflict zones, and what the secular media get wrong about religious belief today. Plus, Dominic Preziosi and Matthew Sitman report on the state of the Democratic Primary so far, offering a few prognostications and underscoring the stakes of the 2020 presidential election. 

Though we live in a secular age, we sure seem to like reading about faith. Poet and reporter Eliza Griswold, winner of the 2019 Pulitzer Prize for General Nonfiction for her book ‘Amity and Prosperity’ and author of the new poetry collection ‘If Men, Then,’ explains how both genres have helped her tell stories that transcend her ego. She talks with us about writing poetry, reporting from conflict zones, and what the secular media get wrong about religious belief today.  Plus, Dominic Preziosi and Matthew Sitman report on the state of the Democratic Primary so far, offering a few prognostications and underscoring the stakes of the 2020 presidential election.

Ep. 26 - Reporting Religion

Katie Ford

Dan Barry

Dominic Preziosi and John Gehring wrap-up November's US Bishop's meetings in Baltimore. Our literary columnist Anthony Domestico interviews poet Katie Ford about her new collection If You Have to Go. Dominic Preziosi chats with longtime New York Times writer Dan Barry about his collection of reported essays, This Land. And senior editor Matthew Boudway moderates an exchange on cultural appropriation between contributor Rand Richards Cooper and intern Nicole-Ann Lobo

Dominic Preziosi and John Gehring wrap-up November's US Bishop's meetings in Baltimore. Our literary columnist Anthony Domestico interviews poet Katie Ford about her new collection If You Have to Go. Dominic Preziosi chats with longtime New York Times writer Dan Barry about his collection of reported essays, This Land. And senior editor Matthew Boudway moderates an exchange on cultural appropriation between contributor Rand Richards Cooper and intern Nicole-Ann Lobo

Ep. 5 - The USCCB, the NYT's Dan Barry, poet Katie Ford, and staffers on Cultural Appropriation

What is this?
1 quote, 3 ideas & 1 question from a carefully curated podcast episode.
Every Monday & Wednesday.

Want a 3rd insight and episode every week? Email me at curation@owltail.com.

OwlTail

How our mind explains things:[topic-start]
“The way that the mind works, very frequently, is that we start from a decision, or we start from a belief, and then the stories that explain it come to our mind. Conclusions come first, and rationalizations come later.”[topic-end]
How we come to believe things:[topic-start]
"The real cause of your belief in a political position, the real causes are rooted in your personal history. They’re rooted in who are the people that you trusted and what they seemed to believe in, and it has very little to do with the reasons that come to your mind, why your position is correct and the position of the other side is nonsensical."[topic-end]
Who is Daniel Kahneman:[topic-start]
Nobel prize winning psychologist and economist who helped created the field of behavioural economics.

The Nobel Prize-winning psychologist on why we think and act the way we do — and why facts matter less than we think in forming our beliefs.
With his book Thinking, Fast and Slow, Daniel Kahneman emerged as one of the most intriguing voices on the complexity of human thought and behavior. He is a psychologist who won the Nobel Prize in economics for helping to create the field of behavioral economics — and is a self-described “constant worrier.” It’s fun, helpful, and more than a little unnerving to apply his insights into why we think and act the way we do in this moment of social and political tumult.
Find the transcript for this show at onbeing.org.

On Being with Krista Tippett

Daniel Kahneman — Why We Contradict Ourselves and Confound Each Other

Real scenarios of a hospital during a war:[topic-start]
“... we were hand squeezing his ventilator as we ran out of oxygen" and when we finally found the physician to get more oxygen, he said "We don't have any oxygen left, you're going to have to let him go"[topic-end]
Who is Sheri Fink:[topic-start]
An investigative journalist who won the Pulitzer Prize for her coverage of Memorial Hospital (the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina).

Sheri Fink on the tragedy of being forced to choose who's life to save

When people are dying and you can only save some, how do you choose? Maybe you save the youngest. Or the sickest. Maybe you even just put all the names in a hat and pick at random. Would your answer change if a sick person was standing right in front of you? In this episode, we follow New York Times reporter Sheri Fink as she searches for the answer. In a warzone, a hurricane, a church basement, and an earthquake, the question remains the same. What happens, what should happen, when humans are forced to play god? Produced by Simon Adler and Annie McEwen. Reported by Sheri Fink.  In the book that inspired this episode you can find more about what transpired at Memorial Hospital during Hurricane Katrina, Sheri Fink’s exhaustively reported Five Days at Memorial You can find more about the work going on in Maryland at: www.nytimes.com/triage Very special thanks to Lilly Sullivan.  Special thanks also to: Pat Walters and Jim McCutcheon and Todd Menesses from WWL in New Orleans, the researchers for the allocation of scarce resources project in Maryland - Dr. Lee Daugherty Biddison from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Howie Gwon from the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Emergency Management, Alan Regenberg of the Berman Institute of Bioethics and Dr. Eric Toner of the UPMC Center for Health Security.  Support Radiolab by becoming a member today at Radiolab.org/donate.    

Radiolab

When people are dying and you can only save some, how do you choose? Maybe you save the youngest. Or the sickest. Maybe you even just put all the names in a hat and pick at random. Would your answer change if a sick person was standing right in front of you? In this episode, we follow New York Times reporter Sheri Fink as she searches for the answer. In a warzone, a hurricane, a church basement, and an earthquake, the question remains the same. What happens, what should happen, when humans are forced to play god? Produced by Simon Adler and Annie McEwen. Reported by Sheri Fink.  In the book that inspired this episode you can find more about what transpired at Memorial Hospital during Hurricane Katrina, <a href="http://www.sherifink.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sheri Fink’s</a> exhaustively reported <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Five-Days-Memorial-Storm-Ravaged-Hospital/dp/0307718972/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1471783956&amp;sr=8-1&amp;keywords=five+days+at+memorial" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Five Days at Memorial</a> You can find more about the work going on in Maryland at: <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/triage" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">www.nytimes.com/triage</a> Very special thanks to Lilly Sullivan.  Special thanks also to: Pat Walters and Jim McCutcheon and Todd Menesses from WWL in New Orleans, the researchers for the allocation of scarce resources project in Maryland - Dr. Lee Daugherty Biddison from Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Howie Gwon from the Johns Hopkins Medicine Office of Emergency Management, Alan Regenberg of the Berman Institute of Bioethics and Dr. Eric Toner of the UPMC Center for Health Security. Support Radiolab by becoming a member today at <a href="https://pledge3.wnyc.org/donate/radiolab-it/onestep/?utm_source=wnyc&amp;utm_medium=radiolab-redirect&amp;utm_campaign=pledge&amp;utm_content=show-notes" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Radiolab.org/donate</a>.

Playing God


OwlTail 1-3-1

The best podcasts on investing. For anyone interested in the stories in the investing industry, whether it's an interview with Ray Dalio or Ed Thorp to the writer of The Big Short. This topic includes the most fascinating stories from all the best investors. Add episodes you're interested into your queue below!

 Rahul Moodgal has spent 20 years as a fund raiser across long only strategies, hedge funds, fund of funds, customized solutions, start-ups, and non-profits.  Collectively, Rahul has raised and helped raise $60 billion for firms since 2005.  He started his career in the industry at powerhouse TT International, and later joined The Children’s Investment Fund (TCI) where he led the marketing effort that raised $20 billion in just 3½ years.  Within TCI’s affiliate model, Rahul also was responsible for the largest India fund raise in history ($1 billion for TCI New Horizon Fund), and the largest sector fund launch in history ($1.1 billion for Algebris Investments).  Our conversation covers capital raising lessons learned from teaching, the value of transparency, the gold rush before 2008, the lean times afterwards, modern fee structures, the three key points to effective marketing, the three traits that will kill you, the two biggest issues start-up funds face, the best questions asked by leading allocators, and some of the worst horror stories in attempted capital raising. We close comparing by fund raising for charities and investment firms.   Learn More   Discuss show and Read the Transcript    Join Ted's mailing list at CapitalAllocatorsPodcast.com    Join the  Capital Allocators Forum   Write a review on   iTunes   Follow Ted on twitter at  @tseides    For more episodes go to CapitalAllocatorsPodcast.com/Podcast

Capital Allocators

Rahul Moodgal has spent 20 years as a fund raiser across long only strategies, hedge funds, fund of funds, customized solutions, start-ups, and non-profits.  Collectively, Rahul has raised and helped raise $60 billion for firms since 2005.  He started his career in the industry at powerhouse TT International, and later joined The Children’s Investment Fund (TCI) where he led the marketing effort that raised $20 billion in just 3½ years.  Within TCI’s affiliate model, Rahul also was responsible for the largest India fund raise in history ($1 billion for TCI New Horizon Fund), and the largest sector fund launch in history ($1.1 billion for Algebris Investments). Our conversation covers capital raising lessons learned from teaching, the value of transparency, the gold rush before 2008, the lean times afterwards, modern fee structures, the three key points to effective marketing, the three traits that will kill you, the two biggest issues start-up funds face, the best questions asked by leading allocators, and some of the worst horror stories in attempted capital raising. We close comparing by fund raising for charities and investment firms.  Learn More <a href="http://capitalallocatorspodcast.com/transcripts" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Discuss show and Read the Transcript</a> Join Ted's mailing list at <a href="http://capitalallocatorspodcast.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CapitalAllocatorsPodcast.com</a> Join the <a href="http://capitalallocatorspodcast.com/forum" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> Capital Allocators Forum</a> Write a review on <a href="https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/capital-allocators-with-ted-seides/id1223764016" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> iTunes</a> Follow Ted on twitter at <a href="http://twitter.com/tseides" rel="nofollow" target="_blank"> @tseides</a> For more episodes go to <a href="http://capitalallocatorspodcast.com/podcast" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">CapitalAllocatorsPodcast.com/Podcast</a>

Rahul Moodgal - Master Fund Raiser (Capital Allocators, EP.87)

Bloomberg Opinion columnist Barry Ritholtz interviews Joseph H. Davis, global chief economist at The Vanguard Group. Davis is also head of Vanguard's investment strategy group and a member of the senior portfolio management team for Vanguard's fixed income group, which oversees more than $500 billion in assets under management. He earned his doctorate in macroeconomics and finance at Duke University.

Masters in Business

Bloomberg Opinion columnist Barry Ritholtz interviews Joseph H. Davis, global chief economist at The Vanguard Group. Davis is also head of Vanguard's investment strategy group and a member of the senior portfolio management team for Vanguard's fixed income group, which oversees more than $500 billion in assets under management. He earned his doctorate in macroeconomics and finance at Duke University.

The Commonweal Podcast

Weekly hand curated podcast episodes for learning