Kresta in the Afternoon

Apple co-founder Steve Jobs once observed that his company didn’t “stand a chance of advertising with features and benefits and charts and comparisons. The only chance we have of communicating is with a feeling.” Using this mindset, Jobs even employed apple “evangelists” to spread the word about his products. It’s been 10 years since he died – what do we make of the Gospel of Steve Jobs?

An independent report released today in Paris finds that more than 216,000 children were abused by French priests and other religious between 1960 and 2020. The report estimates that there are around 2900 abusers among France’s clergy and monks, implying an extraordinarily high number of victims per aggressor. We look at the details with JD Flynn.

It’s never been done: One million people, praying the Rosary, every day, for a month. Now it’s going to happen, from October 1 to October 31 – all for the sake of protecting the unborn. EWTN, the Napa Institute, and Relevant Radio are partnering in this initiative; Tim Busch explains more.

When we think of St Paul and the Law, it’s easy to understand him as opposed to the Law, citing passages such as Romans were he writes that a person is justified by faith apart from works of the Law. Understood in context, however, the law prepares the way for Christ. We talk more with Dr Robert Fastiggi.

Late last month China's central bank declare all cryptocurrency-related transactions illegal, reinforcing the country's tough stance against digital rivals to government-issued money. It does bring to mind the problems that can arise when people lose confidence in the state's ability to ensure the stability of the currency. Dr Robert Whaples joins us with more.

New research from PEW finds that government restrictions on religion are at a global high, while social hostility towards religion is at its lowest level since ISIS. We take a closer look with Ed Clancy

EWTN, Relevant Radio and the NAPA Institute have joined forces for promote praying the Rosary this month for the end of abortion. Doug Keck joins us the the details and we look to Mother Angelica for advice on Living the Scriptures.

St Francis of Assisi is the most popular saint outside of the biblical figures. What makes him so popular? Al looks at some stories from his life.

Many people today, especially younger generations, have stopped going to Mass because they don't "get anything out of it." But we don't go to Mass to get a good feeling - we got to worship God. And when we understand this, our approach to the Mass changes. We talk with David Seitz David Seitz, OFS, is a professed Secular Franciscan and the author of Come, Let Us Worship: Reflections on the Words a...

Why should Catholic orient their lives to the calendar of the Catholic Church?  Al explains and looks at the Roman Martyrology and the liturgical seasons.

 The collapse of liberal moral and political order has led to a welcome revival in Catholic political thought. So says Andrew Jones in an essay examining peace and the problem of power. What does he mean? What has led to these collapses? Andrew joins us. Andrew W Jones is Assistant Professor of Theology at Franciscan University of Steubenville, where he directs the Catholic Studies Program. H...

Al shares his thoughts on what the Church's role is in the world and where we can see examples of that in the Bible.

St Jerome is well known as a doctor of the Church, for his many writings on the Christian Moral Life, and especially for his work to translate the Old Testament from Hebrew. He was also a highly complex character who often clashed with his contemporary thinkers. On his feast day, we look at his life and writings with Dr Thomas Scheck. Dr Tom Scheck is Associate Professor of Theology at Ave Maria U...

In an appearance before the Senate on Tuesday, General Frank McKenzie said he had recommended to President Biden that the US leave a few thousand ground troops in Afghanistan, contradicting Biden's interview with George Stephanopoulos this summer. We discuss the situation with James Carafano. James Carafano is the Vice President of the Kathryn and Shelby Cullom Davis Institute for National Securit...

Fr. Emil Kapaun was a priest of the Diocese of Wichita who served as a military chaplain during both the Second World War and the Korean War. After he was taken prisoner, he served and ministered to other soldiers in a prison camp, where he died May 23, 1951. His remains were finally returned to his hometown in Kansas this week for a funeral Mass. We talk about him as well as other Church news wit...

In a recent ABC News interview, President Joe Biden said he didn't recall that his top military advisers recommended he leave troops in Afghanistan.  General Mark Milley and Kenneth McKenzie contradicted that on Tuesday.  What should we do when we can't trust our leaders?  Al explains.

Inflation is currently high, with energy prices soaring. Will these trends last? How will the Fed respond? Chadd Garcia joins us. Chadd Garcia is Vice President & Lead Portfolio Manager for Ave Maria Focus Fund (AVEAX) and co-Portfolio for Ave Maria Growth Fund (AVEGX). Visit avemariafunds.com or call toll-free 1-866-AVE-MARIA

Three years ago, Lynda Rozell sold her house, quit her job, bought an Airstream Trailer, and hit the road. In the time since then, she has gone from the life of a corporate lawyer to the life of a Tin Can Pilgrim. She seeks to live our her faith in her ordinary, everyday life and share it with the friends she makes along the way. Lynda joins us. Lynda Rozell is the author of Journeys with a Tin Ca...

Elizabeth Holmes’s Theranos corporation promised a groundbreaking new type of blood test that could rapidly perform a wide variety of tests using only a few drops of blood. Investors rushed to be on the ground floor of this surefire winner. But it was all based on a lie. Holmes is now standing trial for fraud; we’ll talk about the business ethics of the case with Marianne Jennings. Professor Maria...

Fr. David Huneck of the Diocese of Ft. Wayne-South Bend was removed from ministry last week after the diocese had learned of a credible allegation of sexual abuse with a minor.  Al shares parts of Bishop Kevin Rhoades' press conference and his thoughts.

In ancient mythology, the hydra was a many-headed monster that regrew two heads for every one it lost, making it nearly impossible to fight. We sometimes find ourselves fighting our own hydra today, combating a seemingly unending series of arguments against God. Fr Dwight Longenecker joins us. Fr Dwight Longenecker is the author most recently of Beheading Hydra: A Radical Plan for Christians in an...

Al shares his thoughts about why some intellectuals turn away from conservative Catholicism and Christianity.  Often times it has to do with a rejection of divine revelation, the doctrine that God reveals Himself to us through things like Sacred Scripture.  

The new film The Green Knight is based on the 14th-century epic poem Sir Gawain and the Green Knight and was directed by David Lowery, son of a devoutly Catholic theology professor. The poem is rich in Christian themes and, while some themes do appear in the film, it largely rejects its Catholic inspirations. Is there a place for Christian imagery in mainstream Hollywood? Steven Greydanus joins us...

The Texas abortion law has energized pro-abortion supporters all over the nation, and they will be gathering for nationwide protests on October 2. Monica Miller joins us to invite you to a counter-protest. Dr. Monica Miller is the Director of Citizens for a Pro-Life Society and the author of many books including The Authority of Women in the Catholic Church, Abandoned: The Untold Story of the Abor...

In our discussions on the New Evangelization much has been said about how the Clergy can lead and the laity can take co-responsibility for the Church. But what of the deacons? Deacons occupy a special place in the Church and are in a unique position to evangelize. How can they, in the words of St. John Paul II, be “apostles for the New Evangelization?” We talk about it with Deacon Steve Hilker. De...