America Media

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Channel • 11 Shows

Music Commentary

Music Commentary

Updated weekly
Christianity

Christianity

Series
Society & Culture

Society & Culture

Every two months
Christianity

Christianity

Updated weekly
Christianity

Christianity

Every two weeks
Christianity

Christianity

Updated weekly
Christianity

Christianity

Monthly

27/11/2022

Carol of the Bells

We’re ringing in the second season of Hark! with “Carol of the Bells,” or “Shchedryk.” Originally derived from a Ukrainian folk song, this Christmas classic crossed the Atlantic to become a major sensation, debuting at Carnegie Hall in 1922. Since then it has become an enchanting symbol of Christmastime with over 150 versions and recordings worldwide. And to this day the story behind “Carol of the Bells” resonates powerfully with the people of Ukraine. We speak with Ukrainian-American journalist Lydia Tomkiw about these modern-day parallels and music composer, Colin Britt, returns to unpack the musical brilliance of this tune. Lydia’s article for Slate —Toll of the Bells: The forgotten history of nationalism, oppression, and murder behind a Christmas classic. Her report on the 100th Anniversary of “Carol of the Bells”, aired on NPR and affiliates: As war rages at home, Ukrainian choir heads to Carnegie Hall to celebrate 100 years of ‘Carol of the Bells’. Colin Britt is one of four composers involved in an international collaboration called “The Same Word,” which celebrates the commonalities between the world’s religions. This piece will be premiered in Hamburg in February 2023. Listen to Tatyana Yurina “Miss Diki” play “Carol of the Bells” on the bandura Special thanks to GIA Publications, Terre Roche of The Roches, Tatyana Yurina and James Kennerley, the director of Music at St. Paul's Church and Choir school in Cambridge, Mass, for providing much of the music on this episode. Support “Hark!” and subscribe to America today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

27/11/2022

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32 min
01/07/2025

Mary Karr: ‘a black belt sinner’ loved by God

“The Spiritual Life” host James Martin, S.J., talks to Mary Karr, author of New York Times best-selling memoirs The Liars' Club, Cherry, and Lit, as well as the Art of Memoir, and five poetry collections, most recently Tropic of Squalor. Mary Karr shares: How her son and a humble parish priest impacted her conversion to the Catholic faith Her experience doing the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius and coming to know both the depths of her own sinfulness and the abiding love of God Her encounters of extraordinary grace at Mass, on the subway, and in ordinary life. Read Fr. Jim’s spiritual advice article on this episode Link to Fr. Jim’s book, “The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life” Do you have a spiritual question for Fr. Jim? You can write to us at: thespirituallife@americamedia.org Become a subscriber today at Americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

01/07/2025

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1h 2m
30/11/2023

Deep Dive: What happened at the synod in Rome?

The synod delegates have returned home and the round tables have been put away. So now, a month after the first Roman meeting of the Synod on Synodality, many Catholics are left wondering: What just happened? This deep dive episode of “Inside the Vatican” explains the key events and dynamics of the synod, combining recordings from synod events with a diverse selection of interviews, inviting you to “listen in” on this historic meeting. Interviews include: Vimal Tirimanna, C.Ss.R., a synod member and moral theologian from Sri Lanka Dr. Catherine Clifford, an ecclesiologist and member of the synod Bishop Bill McGrattan, president of the Canadian bishops’ conference and a synod member John Thavis, former Rome bureau chief of Catholic News Service Olivier Poquillon, O.P., a member of the synod’s methodology commission and rector of the École Biblique in Jerusalem Find the full episode page and links for further reading about the synod here. Please support these deep dive episodes by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30/11/2023

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56 min
12/06/2025

Roundtable: Pope Leo XIV’s Election, AI Ethics, Sexual Abuse Crisis Reforms, Vatican–China Relations

We pause our usual “Inside the Vatican” weekly format to continue the conversation from America Media’s subscriber-only Conclave Debrief event this past Monday, June 9. Hosts Colleen Dulle, Gerard O’Connell, and producer Ricardo da Silva respond to subscriber questions about Pope Leo XIV and the recent conclave. Gerard compares this conclave with the 2013 election of Pope Francis, highlighting what made it unique. Colleen shares her firsthand experience covering a conclave live from the Vatican for the first time, while Ricardo reflects on the surprising surge in secular media coverage and growing interest in the papacy both in the U.S. and at St. Peter’s. They also answer questions about Pope Leo’s early warnings on artificial intelligence, the urgent need for structural reforms to address the sexual abuse crisis with a focus on survivors, and how his background may shape Vatican-China diplomacy going forward. Find full show notes and related links on our ⁠website⁠ Support our podcast—become a ⁠⁠⁠digital subscriber to America Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

12/06/2025

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37 min
16/06/2025

The Eucharist is more than ritual—it makes us what we receive and contemplate

“We become like the things we contemplate,” the Rev. Hank Hilton says. In this homily for Corpus Christi, Year C, Hank draws on ancient philosophy, childhood boat rides on the Jersey Shore, and his mother’s wisdom to reflect on the transforming power of Christ’s kindness—to friends, enemies and strangers. In this episode of “Preach,” Hank shares the three-step preaching method he’s used for decades: concept, exegesis, application. He explains why he usually starts with a story instead of a quote, and how conversations at the church door shape his message. He also introduces Holy Chow, his parish’s food-truck ministry serving not only meals but the peace of Christ. Guest: Hank Hilton is pastor of St. Joseph Parish in Hillsborough, N.J. A former Jesuit, he holds advanced degrees in theology, philosophy, psychology and economics, including a Ph.D. in land resources. “Preach” is made possible through the generous support of the Compelling Preaching Initiative, a project of Lilly Endowment Inc. Get daily Scripture reflections and ⁠⁠⁠support⁠⁠⁠ “Preach” by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

16/06/2025

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42 min
07/04/2025

Luke Timothy Johnson on how to read the narrative of Jesus’ Passion in Luke and John

Luke’s account of Jesus’ Passion offers a distinctive perspective: “The ordinary people are not only not complicit in the death of Jesus, but they repent of what has been done to him,” says Luke Timothy Johnson, a leading scholar of Luke-Acts and Woodruff Professor Emeritus of New Testament and Christian Origins at Emory University. Unlike the other Gospels, Luke paints a vivid image of repentance in Jesus’ final moments: a great crowd of people turning their backs on the city after his death, beating their breasts—an action that Professor Johnson says is significant because it is the “classic body language of repentance” used throughout the Scriptures. “Luke thereby sets up the conversion of the people in the story of Acts, where thousands of faithful Jews hear the word of the resurrection and join the Jesus movement in Acts,” Professor Johnson argues. Recognizing this, he suggests, offers us “a much more positive view of the people of Israel.” Returning to “Preach” for the second time this Lent, Professor Johnson joins host Ricardo da Silva, S.J., to discuss the Passion narratives in both Luke and John—accounts that we will hear during the principal liturgies of Holy Week, on Palm Sunday of the Lord’s Passion, Year C, and on Good Friday. With liturgies requiring long stretches of attention and involvement from the congregation, the preacher’s role is, as Johnson observes, “fundamentally, to get out of the way.” He adds that, on these days, “preaching should be very succinct, if practiced at all.” Get daily Scripture reflections and support “Preach” by becoming a digital subscriber to America Magazine “Preach” is made possible through the generous support of the Compelling Preaching Initiative, a project of Lilly Endowment Inc. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

07/04/2025

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32 min
29/08/2025

Best of Jesuitical: Everything you’ve ever wanted to know about the Mass

On this last "best of" episode of summer 2025, Zac and Ashley resurrect an interview with the always entertaining Father Dave Dwyer, the executive director of Busted Halo, a media outreach of the Paulist Fathers, and the author of the book “Mass Class: Your Questions Answered.” Is there a question you have about the Catholic Mass that you’ve always been too embarrassed to ask? Like: When we say, “Only say the word and my soul shall be healed,”...what’s “the word”? Well, you’re in luck. Press "play." Mass Class: Your Questions Answered, by Father Dave Dwyer What’s on tap? Pick your poison: Negroni You can follow us on ⁠X⁠ and on ⁠Instagram:⁠ @jesuiticalshow You can find us on Facebook at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠facebook.com/groups/jesuitical⁠⁠⁠⁠ Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a ⁠⁠digital subscriber⁠⁠ to America magazine at⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠https://www.americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

29/08/2025

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35 min
22/11/2024

A Jesuit border priest on Trump and the plight of migrants

This week’s episode of “Jesuitical” features a conversation with Brian Strassburger, S.J., a Jesuit priest who serves as the director of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries in the Diocese of Brownsville, Tex., and a co-host of the Jesuit Border Podcast. In his ministry, Brian not only celebrates Mass in migrant shelters and camps at the U.S.-Mexico border, but he and his team also provide basic orientation and advocacy for migrants navigating the complex U.S. immigration system. Zac, Ashley and Brian discuss: - What the election of Donald J. Trump might mean for migrants and his border ministry - How Brian talks to Catholics who are concerned about chaos at the border and want to see greater immigration restrictions - Brian’s vision of heaven: one where the poor and migrants are welcomed and honored, rather than dismissed and betrayed Links for further reading: The Betrayal of American Border Policy The Jesuit Border Podcast Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministries Donald Trump’s election has brought new fear to immigrant communities As U.S. Catholic bishops meet, Trump looms over their work on abortion and immigration You can follow us on X and on Instagram @jesuiticalshow. You can find us on Facebook at facebook.com/groups/jesuitical. Please consider supporting Jesuitical by becoming a digital subscriber to America Media at americamagazine.org/subscribe Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

22/11/2024

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44 min
30/09/2021

Can women in the Vatican change the church?

Women are rising to new heights in the Vatican, but there is still a long way to go before women’s voices and leadership are satisfactorily integrated in the Vatican. In this deep dive episode based on Colleen Dulle’s cover story in America Magazine’s October issue, Colleen and producer Maggi Van Dorn take a look inside the corporate culture of the Vatican to examine how things have been changing for women—and why it’s difficult to have conversations about women’s empowerment there. You’ll also hear from three prominent women working in or with the Vatican: Cristiane Murray of the Holy See Press Office describes her experience over 26 years working in the Curia’s most female office; celebrity economist Kate Raworth gives voice to a new understanding of women’s contributions that Pope Francis seems to have adopted; and Sr. Nathalie Becquart, undersecretary of the synod of bishops, explains why she sees synodality as the way toward recognizing men and women’s God-given equality. Links from the show: Women are rising to new heights at the Vatican. Could they change the church forever? Read America’s women’s month issue Doughnut Economics Action Lab Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

30/09/2021

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35 min
09/02/2024

Why we love the church, with Bishop Donald Hying

If you’re still Catholic, there are presumably things you love about the church. But it can be tempting to focus on the negatives: the scandals, the boring homilies, the lackluster music. This week, Zac and Ashley are doing something a little different: talking about why they love the church with Bishop Donald Hying of Madison, Wis. at a special live recording at St. Thomas Aquinas parish, they discuss: - How Bishop Hying’s love for the church changed when he became a bishop - The saints, the sacraments and the Catholic imagination - How to balance love and hard truths in pastoral work In Signs of the Times, Zac and Ashley discuss a street artist known for his paintings of Pope Francis (and who now has the Vatican’s official stamp of approval) and a new document from the Dicastery for the Doctrine of the Faith that reminds priests that when it comes to administering the sacraments, they need to stick to the script. Jesuitical is going on the road in 2024! We hope you’ll join us. And if you’d like Zac and Ashley to come to your city, send us an email at jesuitical@americamedia.org Feb. 28: Crystal City Marriott Hotel in Arlington, VA Live interview with Cardinal Wilton Gregory on “A Listening Church in a Divided Nation” from 7-8 p.m. Reception to follow from 8-9 p.m. Please RSVP here. March 18: Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, California. Live interview with American TV Newscaster Carol Costello. Time and venue TBD. Links from the show: - Street artist of ‘Super Pope’ fame gets official Vatican stamp of approval - Vatican to priests: Stick to the script for Sacraments - Bishop Hying: Why I Love the Church What’s on tap? Fernet Branca on ice Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

09/02/2024

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57 min

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