Bridge Builder Podcast

In today’s episode we’re talking about school choice, anti-Catholic Blaine Amendments, and the recent Supreme Court ruling that allows for religious schools to participate in government programs that are open to everyone. We are joined by Ray Domanico, a senior fellow and director of education policy at the Manhattan Institute. Domanico began his career in research positions in the New York City s...

In this episode we are joined by Christine Emba a columnist for the Washington Post’s Opinions section where she focuses her writing on ideas and society. Before writing for The Post, Christine was the Hilton Kramer Fellow in Criticism at the New Criterion and a deputy editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit, focusing on technology and innovation. She grew up in Virginia and holds an A.B. in pub...

In today’s episode we’re talking about the Supreme Court decision in the case Bostock v. Clayton County in which the court decided that sex discrimination in the workplace extends to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and identity. We’ll be speaking with Ryan Anderson of The Heritage Foundation who has written on the far-reaching impacts of this decision. In our mailbag segm...

In this episode we are joined by Dr. David Cloutier, associate professor of theology in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America. We discuss his recent article in which he talks about the need for practical wisdom – also known as prudence – in the face of the uncertainties of COVID-19. In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about recent protests...

In this episode we’re talking about the United States’ Supreme Court case examining the legality of ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program. We are joined by Ashley Feasley, the Director of Policy for Migration and Refugee Services at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Prior to working at USCCB, Ashley worked as the Director of Advocacy for the Catholic Legal Immigra...

In this episode, we are joined by Montse Alvarado, the Vice President and Executive Director of the Becket Fund for Religious Liberty. In addition to her work at the Becket Fund, Alvarado is also a lay consultant to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops (USCCB) Religious Liberty Committee. We discuss the need and importance of religious liberty for all, as well as the work of the Becket...

In this episode, we are joined by Fr. Tom Knoblach, a health care ethicist from the Diocese of St. Cloud. We discuss COVID-19 and the impacts of a pandemic on health care ethics. Fr. Tom Knoblach has served many parishes across the St. Cloud diocese in addition to having his P.h. D. in healthcare ethics. Fr. Knoblach serves as a consultant for healthcare ethics for the St. Cloud diocese and serves...

In today’s episode, we’re talking about the legalization of recreational marijuana both nationally and the efforts being made right here in Minnesota and the many concerns surrounding its legalization. We speak with Dr. Kevin Sabet is a veteran drug policy advisor, having served in the Clinton, Bush, and Obama White House Administrations. He founded Smart Approaches to Marijuana in 2013, alongside...

In today’s episode, we speak today with Terry Forliti, CEO of Breaking Free an organization that helps hundreds of women escape systems of prostitution and sexual exploitation. Breaking Free directly serves people impacted by trafficking and prostitution through advocacy, housing, education, and immediate action. In our mailbag segment, we’re covering a question about a recent phone call between C...

In today’s episode, we speak with Sr. Helen Prejean, known around the world for her tireless work against the death penalty. Sr. Helen Prejean has been instrumental in sparking national dialogue on capital punishment. She is a Sister of St. Joseph and the force behind the organization “Ministry Against the Death Penalty”. Many of our listeners will be familiar with her book, which was later turned...

In today’s episode, we discuss assisted suicide and how the COVID-19 pandemic is shedding new light on the way patients are treated. We speak with Matt Vallière the Executive Director of the Patients' Rights Action Fund whose mission is to protect patients’ civil rights and oppose efforts to make suicide a legal medical treatment option. Matt is also an emergency medical services first responder....

In today’s episode, we continue our Catholics at the Capitol segment. Today we are featuring Santo Cruz Vice President of Government and Community Relations & Associate General Counsel at CentraCare Health. We discuss the role of the Catholic faith in health care and the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on caring for those in need. In our mailbag segment, we’re covering a question about making end...

In today’s episode, we’re discussing how COVID-19 is impacting Catholic schools and what is being done to help at the national and state levels. In our mailbag segment, we’re covering a question about COVID relief efforts that may be well-intentioned but could negatively impact students attending non-public schools. And stick around for the bricklayer segment for details on how you can join with o...

In today’s episode, we continue our Catholics at the Capitol segment. Today, we are featuring Emily Piper who has worked both within the Capitol and is now an advocate for individuals, families, and communities affected by substance abuse. Emily is the Executive Director of Government Relations & Contracting at the Hazelden Betty Ford Foundation which provides hope and healing for individuals, fam...

In today’s episode, we’re discussing the economics of justice and charity through the lens of Catholic Social Teaching and what that looks like for bringing our faith into the public arena. We are joined by Thomas Storck a prolific writer on Catholic Social Teaching, Catholic culture, and a variety of theological and philosophical topics. He has authored three books, The Catholic Milieu, Foundatio...

In today’s episode, we’re discussing the concept of political hobbyism – what that means, why it is fueling division in our society, and how we can begin to truly engage in politics instead of just talking about politics. Our guest, Dr. Eitan Hersh is an associate professor in the political science department at Tufts University in Massachusetts where he focuses on American politics, civic partici...

In today’s episode, we are speaking with James Chappel, an assistant professor of history at Duke University and author of Catholic Modern: The Challenge of Totalitarianism and the Remaking of the Church. We’re discussing the Church’s political engagement, particularly in Europe, during the 20th Century and the historical events and times that have shaped it. In our mailbag segment, we’re covering...

In today’s episode, we're joined by Stacy Manning, general editor at Them Before Us an organization that advocates policies that put children's right before adults' desires. We're discussing the political movement to try to normalize polygamy and how advocates are using the same language as advocates for redefining marriage. Plus we discuss the role of enacting policies that put children first. In...

In today’s episode, we’re discussing interfaith advocacy and specifically, the collaborative efforts between Catholics and Jews. Steve Hunegs, the executive director of the Jewish Community Relations Council of Minnesota and the Dakotas (JCRC) joins us in the studio. The JCRC is a great partner with the Minnesota Catholic Conference. Together the Catholic Conference and JCRC are part of the Joint...

In today’s episode we’re discussing education and the role of faith and family in addressing the achievement gap. We speak with Dr. William Jeynes a Professor of Education at California State University, Long Beach who has graduate degrees from Harvard University and the University of Chicago. He has written for many academic publications and 14 books along with writing for the White House for bot...

The decline of the family and the household and the impacts that has on greater society. In our mailbag segment, we answer questions about how to help bridge the partisan divide especially here in Minnesota where our legislature is split. In the bricklayer segment, we’ve got details on a great opportunity at the Capitol for Catholics to come together with people of other faiths to advocate togethe...

In today’s episode, we’re discussing ethics of surrogacy, egg donation, and beyond plus we delve into specific actions you can take at the Minnesota Capitol to help protect women and children from becoming products that are bought and sold. In our mailbag segment, we continue the conversation about infertility and what options there are for Catholics struggling to conceive a child. In our Bricklay...

Christianity and paganism are the focus of this episode's discussion. We examine the conflicts between them both in ancient times and in today’s society. We have a great interview with Dr. Steven Smith the author of “Pagans and Christians in the City”. Dr. Smith is the co-executive director of the Institute for Law & Philosophy along with the Institute for Law & Religion at the University of San D...

Today we have a great interview with Dr. Carlo Lancellotti a professor at the College of Staten Island where he is the chair of the Mathematics department. Not only is he a brilliant mathematician but he is also the translator of the works of 20-century Italian political philosopher Augusto Del Noce. Augusto Del Noce grew up in Turin, Italy which between the two World Wars was one of the main cent...

Our Catholics at the Capitol series continues with an interview with an attorney and lobbyist Reid Lebeau who represents Native American tribes in Minnesota and South Dakota. He is a Minnesota Catholic and member of the Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe. Reid helps us understand what it is that lobbyists do at the Capitol, recent issues he's worked on for Minnesota's tribes, and the relationship between...