Deacons Pod

The deacons speak with Deacon Bill Ditewig, a retired U.S. Navy Commander, linguist, professor, and author of several Paulist Press books about the diaconate. His most recent book is "Courageous Humility: Reflections on the Church, Diakonia, and Deacons." A deacon of the Archdiocese of Washington, D.C., he lives today in Florida. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s esp...

The deacons speak with Gerard Straub, an author, former television producer, and Secular Franciscan who leads the Santa Chiara Children’s Center in Haiti. On September 28, 2023, he is slated to deliver the Annual Gallagher Talk at the Catholic Information Center in Grand Rapids, MI.  ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to peo...

The deacons speak with Deacon Kevin Martin, a permanent deacon of the Archdiocese of Boston, and author of "All Is Well: Life Lessons from a Preacher's Father." The book is a memoir of a parent’s sudden passing from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease), recalling life lessons learned, and regaining faith in the process. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to i...

The deacons speak with Dr. Carmen Acevedo Butcher, translator of a "revolutionary" new translation of the spiritual classic "The Practice of the Presence of God" by French Carmelite Brother Lawrence of the Resurrection (c. 1614 - 1691). Dr. Acevedo Butcher teaches at the University of California, Berkeley. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspi...

The deacons speak with Dr. Kevin Ahern, a theological ethicist and public theologian. He is an associate professor of religious studies at Manhattan College in Bronx, NY. Dr. Ahern is author of "Structures of Grace: Catholic Organizations Serving the Global Common Good" and co-editor (with Paulist seminarian Chris Malano) of "God’s Quad: Small Faith Communities on Campus and Beyond." He is a past...

The deacons speak with Stephanie Clary, editor of "Earthbeat," the faith and climate project of the National Catholic Reporter. Their conversation looks at the environmental challenges our world faces and what people of faith can do to help address them. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith...

The deacons speak with Bob Carini, a one-time supervisor of counselors in a Connecticut prison. They speak about the Twelve-Step program, addiction, and more. Deacon Dennis and Deacon Tom met Bob when they served as prison ministers. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thin...

The deacons speak with Paulist Fr. Joe Ciccone, a veteran pastor and campus minister, about listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit when life takes us out of our comfort zones. Fr. Joe shares the story of his recent treatment for lymphoma and its impact on his ministry. A Brooklyn native, Fr. Joe worked in advertising on Madison Avenue before entering the seminary. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons P...

The deacons speak with Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda, author of "The Shepherd Who Didn't Run: Fr. Stanley Rother, Martyr from Oklahoma." It's the story of Blessed Stanley Rother (1935 - 1981), a priest from Oklahoma who served as a missionary with the Tzʼutujil people in Santiago Atitlán, Guatemala. He was murdered by gunmen on July 28, 1981. In 2016, Pope Francis confirmed that Fr. Stanley died a martyr...

Why do Catholics leave the Church? What is the best way to accompany Catholics thinking about leaving? How should Catholics be present to those who leave because of the sexual abuse crisis? The deacons consider these questions in this installment of Deacons Pod. Deacon Drew, Deacon Tom and Deacon Dennis are joined by Deacon Mark Asselin, another Paulist Deacon Affiliate, for this challenging conve...

The Deacons talk about what they read and do on a regular basis to deepen their spirituality, and offer practical advice for listeners about how to deepen their own spiritual lives. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinkin...

The deacons have a great conversation with Kate Williams, Vice President of Sacred Music at GIA Publications, Inc., and a Music Minister at Old St. Mary's Church in Chicago. The deacons ask Kate about the impact of liturgical music on the faith lives of Mass-goers. She also shares what gives her hope in the Church today. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially c...

The deacons speak with Dr. Jessica Coblentz, author of "Dust in the Blood: A Theology of Life with Depression." She argues for (and contributes to) an expansion of Christian ideas about what depression is, how God relates to it, and how Christians should understand and respond to depression in turn. Dr. Coblentz is an assistant professor in the Department of Religious Studies and Theology at St. M...

The deacons speak with Mike Hayes, director of young adult ministry in the Diocese of Cleveland, OH, about discernment, what's working today in young adult ministry, and more. Mike shares how he left a career in New York City radio to help start Busted Halo, a Paulist Fathers media ministry. (Mike's lackluster response to a late-night interview with basketball great Michael Jordan figures in the s...

The deacons speak with Paulist Fr. Frank Desiderio about letting go of grudges, extending mercy, and how exploring mysticism might help Catholics who are struggling with the Church. Fr. Frank preaches parish missions, writes poetry inspired by scripture, and serves as vice president of the Paulist Fathers. He previously was president of Paulist Productions, director of the Paulist Center in Boston...

The deacons speak with Paulist Fr. Mark David Janus, president of Paulist Press, about his new book "Mercy Not Sacrifice: Lenten Daily Reflections." They also ask Fr. Mark-David, who is a psychologist, about the impact of stress caused by COVID. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those...

The deacons speak with Diana Macalintal, co-founder and co-director of TeamRCIA, a resource for parishes and ministers working with adults who are becoming Catholic. She also is an author and speaker on topics related to liturgy, music, prayer, and intercultural ministry. Diana is an alumna of the University Catholic Center at UCLA. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s...

The deacons speak with Claire Henning, D.Min., co-founder of Parish Catalyst, a non-profit organization that supports innovation in Catholic parishes through peer collaboration and research. She is a parishioner at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Community in Los Angeles. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “th...

The deacons speak with Dawn Eden Goldstein, author of the new book "Father Ed: The Story of Bill W.’s Spiritual Sponsor." It is the first biography of Jesuit Fr. Edward Dowling (1898 - 1960), whose guidance transformed Alcoholics Anonymous founder Bill Wilson’s life and deepened the spirituality of the twelve-step movement.  ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especial...

Deacon Drew interviews Deacon Tom and Deacon Dennis about their years as prison ministers in Connecticut. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church. Deacons Pod is hosted by Deacon Tom Casey, Deacon Dr...

In this new episode of "Deacons Pod," the deacons interview Dr. Eric Vanden Eykel, author of "The Magi: Who They Were, How They’ve Been Remembered, and Why They Still Fascinate." ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking a...

In this new episode of Deacons Pod, the deacons interview Kevin Tuerff, the real-life "Kevin T." portrayed in the Broadway musical "Come From Away" about the thousands of airplane passengers stranded in Gander, Newfoundland, on September 11, 2001. Kevin also is the founder of Pay It Forward 9/11, an annual initiative that encourages people to carry out acts of kindness. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod...

Deacon Dennis, Deacon Tom and Deacon Drew share the stories of why they became permanent deacons in the Church. ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church. Deacons Pod is hosted by Deacon Tom Casey, Dea...

The Deacons talk with Paulist Fr. Frank DeSiano ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church. Deacons Pod is hosted by Deacon Tom Casey, Deacon Drew Dickson, and Deacon Dennis Dolan, all permanent deacons...

The Deacons speak with Heidi Schlumpf, Executive Editor and Vice-President of National Catholic Reporter ABOUT THE SHOW: Deacons Pod is a podcast for everyone. But, it’s especially created to inspire and give hope to people on the “threshold of faith”: Those who are thinking about going to Church and those who are thinking about leaving Church. Deacons Pod is hosted by Deacon Tom Casey, Deacon Dre...