Newman on Tap Presents

This is a podcast conversation between host Ron Snyder and Dr. Mark Fulk, a 19th-century British literature scholar at Buffalo State University, discussing John Henry Newman's 1842 sermon The Christian Church an Imperial Power . Dr. Fulk shares how his Anglican faith journey and literary interests led him to Newman, and describes his current book project arguing Newman's Anglican sermons...

In this episode of Newman on Tap , host Ron Snyder interviews Father Byron Hagan , a priest and former Nashville musician who came to Catholicism largely through the influence of John Henry Newman. Father Hagen explains how Newman served as an intellectual and spiritual bridge for evangelicals seeking deeper roots, ultimately drawing many — including himself — into full communion with the Catholic...

Ron Snyder hosts a conversation with Lynn Tursich on his podcast Newman on Tap Presents , exploring John Henry Newman's 1835 sermon on intercessory prayer. Newman argues that Christians have a unique privilege and responsibility to pray — first for themselves, then for others, the Church, and even their enemies — as an expression of their faith and adopted place in Christ. Lynn connects Newma...

Episode 14 Season 4 – Righteousness, Not of Us, But in Us. Host Ron Snyder and guest Dale Carlson discuss St. John Henry Newman's 1840 sermon "Righteousness, Not of Us, But in Us," exploring how all spiritual gifts — wisdom, righteousness, sanctification — come from Christ dwelling within us, not from our own nature. Dale shares his personal journey from a faithful Lutheran upbringi...

This episode features English scholar Dr. Bernadette Waterman Ward - a Newman and Hopkins expert from the University of Dallas. The discussion centers on Newman's sermon " Obedience without Love, as Instanced in the Character of Balaam,” using the biblical figure of Balaam as a case study in a subtle but dangerous spiritual failure: obeying God outwardly while remaining self-centered at...

In this episode of Newman on Tap , host Ron Snyder discusses Newman's 1828 sermon "Religion, A Weariness to the Natural Man" with guest Callie McDonald, a nurse and member of the forming Benedictine Oblates of Mary at the University of Mary in Bismarck. Newman's central argument is that religion feels burdensome not because it is lacking, but because the human heart is not yet...

In this episode host Ron Snyder interviews Dr. Peter Daly — orthopedic surgeon, co-founder of One World Surgery, and lifelong devotee of St. John Henry Newman. Together they explore Newman's sermon "The Yoke of Christ" (1839), examining how suffering, the Beatitudes, and the narrow way of the cross lead to true freedom and righteousness. Dr. Daly shares a deeply personal account of...

Host Ron Snyder and Patrick Reilly discuss St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Intellect, the Instrument of Religious Training" (1857). Patrick, founder of the Cardinal Newman Society ( https://cardinalnewmansociety.org/ ) discusses how Newman argued that Catholic education must unite faith and intellect — that forming only the "gentleman" through liberal arts is insufficient...

In this episode of Newman on Tap, host Ron Snyder discusses St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Faith and Private Judgment" with Dr. Glen Cowan , a retired orthodontist and lifelong Methodist who recently joined the Newman study group. Glenn shares how Newman's writings have transformed his faith by revealing the richness of Catholic tradition, the Church Fathers, and the importanc...

Host Ron Snyder discusses St. John Henry Newman's sermon "The Crucifixion" with 16-year-old Charlotte Walter from St. Rose Philippine Duchesne parish in Anthem, Arizona. Together they explore how to develop authentic faith beyond superficial feelings by examining Newman's concept of "dwelling" in Christ's sufferings through contemplative prayer, using vivid analo...

In this episode, Ron Snyder welcomes Paul Lorie from Erie, Pennsylvania to discuss St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Self-Denial: The Test of Religious Earnestness" (March 25, 1842). They explore Newman's challenge to examine whether we're truly awake in our faith or merely going through the motions, caught up in cultural Christianity rather than genuine spiritual commitment...

In this episode host Dr. Ron Snyder discusses St. John Henry Newman's sermon "Christian Reverence" with Joe O'Sullivan, editor of the Bayou Catholic Magazine. Joe brings a unique perspective shaped by his formative experience in Dr. Don Briel's Newman course at the University of St. Thomas, which he credits as the most faith-solidifying class of his education. Throughout t...

In this episode, host Dr. Ron Snyder welcomes Dr. Michael Adkins to discuss Newman's 1831 sermon "Scripture, A Record of Human Sorrow." Dr. Adkins, Director of Academics at St. Agnes School in St. Paul, Minnesota, explores how Newman challenges the Enlightenment's denial of the fall by revealing scripture's solemn character as a divine mercy—a remedy against the fleeting v...

Our guest today is Fr. Anthony Andreassi is a native of White Plains, NY, who was ordained a priest of the Brooklyn Oratory in 2007. Holds a doctorate in history from Georgetown University with a specialization in American Catholic history. Fr. Anthony spent 25 years in Catholic secondary education as a teacher and administrator.  He is author of Teach Me to Be Generous: A History of Regis High Sc...

James Libbey , a young adult, active parishioner at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minnesota looks at Newman’s sermon “The Visible Church an Encouragement to Faith.” Here Newman reminds us that God never leaves His faithful ones to walk alone; the visible Church surrounds us with living signs of His presence and the steady witness of His saints. Even when we feel scattered or alone, w...

Greg Aitchison —a father of four, former middle school theology teacher, and now a Catholic health coach and Catholic religion curriculum planner—reflects on St. John Henry Newman’s sermon “The Power of the Will.” Greg highlights Newman’s central conviction: unless we labor for sanctity, our projects amount to nothing. Newman insists that we must firmly set our will on loving God; without this int...

Fiona Muir, a physician’s assistant graduate student, former Fellowship of Christian Athlete leader, and collegiate All-American swimmer finds “God the Way maker “ in Newman’s sermon “The Work of the Christian.” Here we discover that God’s plan is bigger than we can image allowing us to actively participate in His providence while letting go of our own control - a surrender to Divine Providence. N...

As a priest of the St. John Society—a community that honors St. John Henry Newman as its intellectual patron— Fr. John Poodts reflects on Newman’s sermon “A Particular Providence Revealed in the Gospel,” which profoundly influenced his vocation to the priesthood. The sermon exemplifies the power of Newman’s prose, moving hearts through his deep understanding of Scripture and his ability to reveal...

Raymond Mitchell, director of liturgy and Sunday experience at Our Lady of Grace Catholic Church in Edina, Minnesota investigates Newman’s sermon, “The World’s Benefactors.” With Newman, Raymond sees that the beauty of the liturgy helps us rehearse for eternal life. It is in the liturgy where we find the living Christ; in the Eucharist, The Word, preaching, each other, music, and architecture. New...

Dr. Paul Shrimpton from Oxford, England discusses a sermon offering a central claim of the Oxford Movement. Newman opens by moving from a wide seep of Christian history to the particulars of personalism showing us that ultimately truth is propagated over time by the sharing of lives. The directives of scripture must be lived to have influence on others. Errors in defining truth readily take the up...

Fr. Ignacio Llorente, a priest of the Saint John’s Society (a society of apostolic life with St. John Henry Newman as their intellectual father) discusses Newman’s Oxford University sermon “Wisdom, Contrasted with Faith and with Bigotry.”  This sermon is one of the last three sermons (of the 15-sermon series) which together are a preparation for Newman’s classic, An Essay on the Development of Chr...

As a mental health therapist and mother of three young boys Hannah Rangel (my daughter) reflects on Newman’s realism that appears in the sermon “Christ Hidden from the World.” Newman shows us that Christ dwells in the ordinary where we are called to carry Him to the world in our “earthly tabernacle.” Since true religion is a hidden life in the heart, our secret, deep desire for God is our call to...

Patrick Freese , sacristan and administrator at Our Lady of Grace parish in Edina, Minnesota begins this Eucharistic episode with a reflection on the parish wide support for the families of neighboring Annunciation Parish following the horrific all school mass shooting. Patrick opens his reflection of Newman’s sermon “Gospel Feast” by appropriately noticing the tension found in God’s created world...

Fr. Scott Karl , vice rector of St. Paul Seminary in St Paul, Minnesota describes their innovative priestly formation program considering Newman’s seminary opening sermon, “The Infidelity of the Future.” Like Newman the seminary is focused on human and spiritual formation. For instance, most of the seminarian’s time is without cell phones so that they can focus on their encounter with The Lord, th...

Dr. Zach Meckley , PhD, brings G. M. Hopkins’ insights into his discussion of Newman’s sermon, “Sincerity and Hypocrisy.” Dr. Meckley sets the tone by affirming that faith is not a suspension of reason, but rather its fulfillment. Hopkins, for instance, seeks to give nature its proper praise as a means of fully praising God—a recognition of God’s presence and an invitation to welcome Him into one’...