Christopher Closeup

Hayley Arceneaux, the author of "Wild Ride: A Memoir of I.V. Drips and Rocket Ships" discusses being diagnosed with bone cancer at age 10, the help and healing she found at St. Jude Children's Research Hospital, her road to becoming a physician's assistant at St. Jude's, her recent trip to space as an astronaut on SpaceX's Inspiration4 mission, the reason she takes part in medical mission trips, a...

Anitra Rowe Schulte, the Christopher Award-winning author of the children's book "Dancing with Daddy," shares her mission to make the world more inclusive for children with disabilities because of her experiences with her own daughter. Schulte also reveals the role that faith plays in her own and her daughter's life.

Chief Joseph Pfeifer, the retired FDNY fire chief and Christopher Award-winning author of "Ordinary Heroes: A Memoir of 9/11," recalls the courage and devastation he saw on September 11, 2001, along with his own journey, from pursuing the priesthood to becoming a firefighter to becoming a teacher of crisis leadership and disaster preparedness. 

Amy Julia Becker, the author of "To Be Made Well: An Invitation to Wholeness, Healing, and Hope" explores Jesus's healings in the gospels and what they can teach us about restoring our health in physical, emotional, and social ways. She also discusses how having a daughter with Down syndrome opened her up to a richer and more full experience of love and the power of inclusion. 

Tony Cordero, the founder of "Sons and Daughters in Touch" reveals how the isolation he felt after his father was killed in the Vietnam War led him to start this organization which connects others who lost their dads during that conflict, allowing them to build bonds of unity, support, and friendship. He also discusses the ways his Catholic faith and a trip to Vietnam helped him move past the rese...

Critical care doctor Wes Ely discusses his groundbreaking and life-saving work changing the way patients are cared for in the Intensive Care Unit – and he reveals the simple message he got from his mom that built the foundation of his Catholic faith.

Dr. Wes Ely, the Christopher Award-winning author of "Every Deep-Drawn Breath: A Critical Care Doctor on Healing, Recovery, and Transforming Medicine in the ICU" discusses the ways in which his Catholic faith has guided his vocation as a physician – and about his mission to return humanity to doctoring.

1) Noreen Madden McInnes, Part 2 – the author of "Keep At It, Riley!" in which she chronicles the experience of caring for her elderly parents, explores the new perspective on faith she gained from her mother during her senior years, as well as the dignity and graces that her father displayed during his dying days. 2) Deacon Greg Kandra – the popular blogger and author discusses his book "Befriend...

Noreen Madden McInnes, the author of "Keep At It, Riley! Accompanying My Father Through Death Into Life" discusses caring for her father during his senior years and how her family's faith and the sacraments gave them all strength and hope during some dark days.

Joy Marie Clarkson, the author of "Aggressively Happy: A Realist's Guide to Believing in the Goodness of Life," shares her insights on finding beauty in the world, even in dark times—and how relying on God can strengthen and guide us through those dark times.

1) Linsey Davis – the ABC News anchor, correspondent, and Christopher Award-winning author reveals how her son's request to see his grandmother in heaven inspired her new children's book. She also discusses her own daily spiritual practices that keep her grounded in faith.   2) Tribute to Father John Catoir – a tribute to the former Director of The Christophers who passed away recently at age 90....

Susan Hood and Greg Dawson, the co-authors of the middle grade book "Alias Anna: A True Story of Outwitting the Nazis" share the history of Greg's Jewish grandmother, Zhanna, who survived the Holocaust in Ukraine due to her musical talents and the help of some Christian families.

Grammy Award-winning singer Mandisa discusses her memoir "Out of the Dark," why she wants to destigmatize talk about mental health and race in the Christian community, and how she finds God's joy, even in challenging times.

Sister Larraine Lauter, the co-founder of the charity Water With Blessings, recalls her mission trip to Honduras in which the death of a child from drinking dirty water inspired her successful efforts to provide mothers in impoverished countries with water filters that save lives. She also reveals how the people she serves have acted as reflections of Christ in her life. 

Author, speaker, and radio host Katie Prejean McGrady discusses how to make Lent a life-changing experience for teens, and the ways in which she held onto her faith in God while having to evacuate her home while nine months pregnant due to a hurricane.

Don Tate, the Christopher Award-winning author and illustrator of "Poet: The Remarkable Story of George Moses Horton" discusses the stories of hope and faith he shares in his children's books, the role of faith in his own life, and the positive difference he is making for both African American authors and readers.

Author David Davis discusses his Christopher Award-winning book "Wheels of Courage: How Paralyzed Veterans from World War II Invented Wheelchair Sports, Fought for Disability Rights, and Inspired a Nation." He also touches on the role that Pope John XXIII played in making the Paralympics a success.

1) Deanna Witkowski – the musician and author of "Mary Lou Williams: Music for the Soul" discusses the jazz legend's road to musical success and her conversion to the Catholic faith. 2) Kelly Starling Lyons and Torrey Maldonado, Part 2 – the Christopher Award-winning authors discuss the ways they approach prayer and struggle in their lives.

Christopher Award-winning authors Kelly Starling Lyons and Torrey Maldonado discuss the power of faith and literature in their lives – and the ways they use their writing to bring light into the lives of young people, especially African American young people looking for characters they can relate to.

Patricia Heaton, the Emmy Award-winning actress ("Everybody Loves Raymond," "The Middle") and author of "Your Second Act" discusses surrendering to God's will and redirecting your life after unexpected challenges occur, how sacrificial living can redeem suffering, why she gave up alcohol, and what traveling the world on behalf of the anti-poverty organization World Vision has taught her about life...

Becky Eldredge, author of "The Inner Chapel: Embracing the        Promises of God," shares her insights on how we can discern God's will in our lives, why receiving God's love can be a challenge for some people, and what spiritual lessons she learned from watching her grandmother make Crawfish Étouffée.

Spiritual director and author Becky Eldredge discusses the family crisis that inspired  her book "The Inner Chapel: Embracing the Promises of God" and offers suggestions on ways that we can find the sacred space inside ourselves that allows us to connect with God during both good and turbulent times.

Broadcaster Paula Faris discusses how she reacted to ABC News not renewing her contract, creating her own Faith and Calling podcast, and founding the company Carry Media, which aims to celebrate and advocate for working moms.

Author Jeanne Bishop discusses her Christopher Award-winning book "Grace From the Rubble," which details the unexpected friendship that developed between Bud Welch, the father of Julie Welch who was one of the people killed in the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing – and Bill McVeigh, the father of Timothy McVeigh, who perpetrated the domestic terror attack.

Attorney and author Jeanne Bishop discusses her memoir "Change of Heart," in which she details the story of how she came to extend forgiveness to the man who murdered her sister, her brother-in-law and their unborn child – and what the convicted killer's response to that act of mercy was.