Deacons Pod

Questionable trends in the media are the focus of this episode of Deacons Pod. Deacon Mike Hayes (one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates) and Paul Snatchko (the Paulist Fathers' Communications Director) chat about recent instances of media manipulation, odd social media algorithms, AI slop, and the role of Catholic influencers. During their conversation, Deacon Mike and Paul speak about a...

In this episode of Deacons Pod, Deacon Mike Hayes and Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey, both of whom are Paulist Deacon Affiliates, have a conversation about some recent issues in the news. They begin by discussing the failed execution on September 30, 2026, of convicted murderer Christa Pike in Tennessee. "If we ever wanted a case to show that capital punishment is stupid, let's just start h...

"You never know how God is going to work – and the way he is going to use you," says Deacon Greg Kandra. "Every moment of your life is formation." An award-winning journalist, author, blogger, and speaker, Deacon Greg is our special guest on this episode of Deacons Pod. He speaks with Deacon Mike Hayes and Deacon Mike Berstene (both of whom are Paulist Deacon Affiliates) a...

The recent death of legendary musical artist and humanitarian Dolly Parton, as well as this week's 25th anniversary of the September 11 attacks, inspired this episode of Deacons Pod about the experience of collective grief. "It's just a different kind of grief that sort of spills over into the lives of us all," says Deacon Mike Hayes, who co-hosts the episode with Deacon Mike Berste...

Earlier this summer, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates' group chat came alive with a discussion of a thought-provoking essay in Commonweal magazine called "From Summit to Source: On a Eucharistic Dialogue With the World" by Kathryn Muensterman. In her essay, Muensterman, a PhD student in systematic theology at the University of Notre Dame, considers th...

How should Christians respond when Scripture verses are used as tools (and as weapons) in political debates? That question is raised in this episode of Deacons Pod featuring Thomas Bolin, author of the Liturgical Press book "An Inspired Word in Season: Reading the Bible Responsibly in a Polarized World," which received a first-place honor in the Catholi...

Jen Sawyer, Editor-in-Chief of the Paulist Fathers' media ministry Busted Halo, is the guest on this episode of Deacons Pod. She shares details about "Voices From the Back Pew," Busted Halo's new series that features "honest stories of curiosity, struggle, or tension with the Church." "A great story is an honest one. It's when someone isn't afraid to be authentic and share about their li...

Paul McMahon, the President and Publisher of Paulist Press, is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod. Deacon Mike Hayes and Deacon Drew Dickson (both of whom are Paulist Deacon Affiliates) ask Paul about his unique career path from his native Australia to service as the first lay President and Publisher in the 160-year history of the Catholic publ...

In this episode of Deacons Pod, we take note of the United States' 250th anniversary this July 4, and the ways it is being marked by the Paulists. Deacon Mike Hayes, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, also shares memories his father, who immigrated from Ireland to Yonkers, NY.

In this episode of Deacons Pod, we hear from Sr. Susan Francois, CSJP, about the witness and ministry taking place outside Delaney Hall, a facility used for immigrant detention in Newark, NJ. Delaney Hall is managed by the GEO Group under contract for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Deacon Mike Hayes, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, asks Sr. Susan about conditions for the det...

Paulist Fr. Ricky Manalo speaks with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod about Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas." The document addresses the challenges humanity faces due to artificial intelligence. Fr. Ricky has made understanding AI part of his ministry. He is a co-founder of CatholicFaithAI.org. His next book "The Catholic Handbook on AI" will be publi...

Charlene Howard, executive director of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement, is our special guest on this episode of Deacons Pod. "Peace is not a destination. It's a way of life," she tells Deacon Mike Berstene, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, as she describes Pax Christi's work to promote peace, non-violence, and justice in the model of Jesus Christ. Deacon Mike asks Charle...

In this special episode of Deacons Pod, we feature an audio diary created by Deacon Mike Hayes while he attended the 25th anniversary celebrations for the Paulist Fathers' media ministry Busted Halo held April 18 and April 19, 2026, in New York City. Deacon Mike, now one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, was one of the founders of Busted Halo in 2001. In this audio diary, he recalls some of the mi...

This special episode of Deacons Pod brings us a remembrance of athlete and radio broadcaster Marty Glickman (1917 - 2001) at the time of the 90th anniversary of the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany. Glickman was a sprinter on the U.S. team at the 1936 Olympics. It was anticipated that he would run as part of the four-man relay squad. But, on the day of the race, the U.S. Olympic Committe...

What role do Catholic deacons play in the Church during Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum? That is one of the questions that four Paulist Deacon Affiliates addressed in this Deacons Pod episode recorded on Holy Thursday 2026 just as Lent was coming to an end and the Sacred Triduum was about to begin. Deacon Drew Dickson, Deacon Dennis Dolan, Deacon Mike Hayes, and Deacon Patrick Ouellette also shar...

Paulist Productions' new documentary "Baseball: Beyond Belief" is the subject of this special episode of Deacons Pod. Based on the book "Baseball as a Road to God: Seeing Beyond the Game" by former New York University president John Sexton, the documentary explores how baseball and faith intertwine in powerful and surprising ways. In the episode, Deacon Mike Hayes of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates ...

What is our relationship to the Bible as an object? What does it mean for us when the Bible is used as a means of control? Does the Bible become an "accessory" to crimes of violence or exclusion? How do we read the Scriptures in ways that heal rather than harm? These are just some of the questions tackled in this special episode of Deacons Pod in which the Paulist Deacon Affiliates interview our o...

Longtime Catholic writer Mary DeTurris Poust is our guest on this episode of Deacons Pod. A former Director of Communications for the Diocese of Albany, NY, Mary has been a reporter, editor, and columnist for multiple diocesan newspapers. She also is author of several books on spiritual topics, leads retreats, and serves as a spiritual director. Her blog and website are called "Not Strictly Spirit...

Spiritual director, retreat leader, and author Becky Eldredge visits with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this special episode of Deacons Pod. The founder of Ignatian Ministries, Becky accompanies clergy, religious, and lay leaders in monthly spiritual direction and through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius. She also trains spiritual directors, and works with individuals and groups to teach...

Esteemed Catholic author and speaker Lisa Hendey is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod. She speaks with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates about her new book "Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way: A Weekly Devotional" from Loyola Press. The book has 52 weekly entries which readers may begin on any week of the year. Each entry includes prayer, Scripture, a reflection, thought-provoking questio...

Maryknoll Fr. James Kroeger, a longtime missionary and author, speaks with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod. Fr. Kroeger, who was a missionary in Asia for more than five decades, shares details about his life and ministry, and reflects on the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council. Ordained a priest in 1975, he is the author of many articles as well as multiple...

In this "Year In Review" episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates comment on the highs and lows of 2025 for them personally and in their ministries. "Through it all, I have seen the hand of God," reflects Deacon Patrick Ouellette. The deacons also chat about which of our 2025 episodes and guests resonated with them.

In this special Advent episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates welcome two guests: Maggi Van Dorn, host and producer of America Media's Hark! podcast, and Shemaiah Gonzalez, author of the new book "Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight." The deacons speak with Maggi about three of the Christmas carols featured in this Advent's new season of "Hark!," including "C...

Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A., is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod. Like Pope Leo XIV, he is a Chicago native, a member of the Midwest Augustinians, and served for decades as a missionary in Peru. In this conversation with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, Bishop Turley shares memories of Pope Leo and speaks about the pope's gift for listening. He also provides insights into the August...

How does the Church welcome people and express hospitality? How does the Church live out Catholic social teaching? Are our parishes in "maintenance mode" or "mission mode"? These are some of the important questions that Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., discusses with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod. Sr. Donna has served since 2018 as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark in...