Belief and Ballots: An American podcast on faith and the public sphere

In this episode, we are joined by Marc Rugani, Assistant Professor of Theology at Saint Anselm College and Interim Director of the college’s Center for Ethics in Society. Dr. Rugani is a Catholic social ethicist. His research is most often interdisciplinary, exploring intersections among theology, development theory, economics, and political philosophy. His main interest is fostering mutually critical engagement between the Capabilities Approach and Catholic social teaching on integral human development and ecology.

The Belief and Ballots Podcast hosts Nichole M. Flores, Associate Professor of Religious Studies at the University of Virginia, where she researches the constructive contributions of Catholic and Latinx theologies to notions of justice and aesthetics to the life of democracy. Her research in practical ethics addresses issues of democracy, migration, family, gender, economics (labor and consumption), race and ethnicity, and ecology. A widely published author, she has recently published The Aesthetics of Solidarity: Our Lady of Guadalupe and American Democracy from Georgetown University Press.

Director of the Center for the Study of Religion and Public Life Professor R. Ward Holder and his Research Assistant Michael Hanna reintroduce the Belief and Ballots podcast in its new iteration. Now hosted by the Center for the Study of Religion and Public Life at Saint Anselm College,

Fr. Mark Massa S.J. unpacks Catholic Fundamentalism, tracing its origins and key figures while exploring why it appeals to some Catholics and its impact on American culture and politics. Looking ahead, he delves into the future of Catholic Fundamentalism in a pluralistic world.

Professor ⁠Erik Cleven⁠ discusses the importance, prerequisites, and limits of dialogue and introduces transformative dialogue, an approach to conflict transformation that he co-developed. Professor Cleven emphasizes the importance of doing the needed work before starting a dialogue and how that affects the process and expected outcome.

Professor Cathleen Kaveny explores the complex relationship between legislation and morality in the U.S. This episode offers a thought-provoking journey through the challenges of integrating religious voices in public debate, navigating the influence of personal convictions on judicial rulings, and exploring the implications of executive orders and Supreme Court rulings on the discussion surrounding divisive issues.

Our guest, ⁠⁠Professor Ward Holder provides a comprehensive analysis of President Joe Biden's Catholic faith and its profound impact on his political ideology. Professor Holder delves into the evolution of the president's faith while highlighting his emphasis on conscience and social justice and how they align closely with the principles of Catholic social teaching.