Bridge Builder Podcast

This week we speak with Ed Condon, Co-Founder, and Editor of The Pillar a Catholic news and analysis site. He reflects on the role of Catholic Journalism and the U.S. withdrawal from Afghanistan and the failed nation-building attempt there.

This week's action item: How you can get alerts about when your legislators are holding town hall meetings in your area. Plus, the resources you'll get to be equipped for those meetings.

Related links:

www.PillarCatholic.com

This week we're joined by R.J. Snell, Editor-in-Chief of Public Discourse and Director of Academic Programs at the Witherspoon Institute to discuss his recent article, "Lost in the Chaos: The Danger of Total Politics" and his practical tips on how to help end political chaos.

In our action item, we're discussing getting involved in local decision-making through your local school board especially as elections are just around the corner.

This week we’re joined by Patrick Brown of the Ethics and Public Policy Center. He recently wrote a piece for The New York Times entitled, “Why Working-Class Parents Don’t Buy What D.C. Is Selling.” He'll discuss what pro-family economic policies should focus on and what working-class parents across the country are saying about current policy proposals.

This week's action item provides you with ideas on how you can help families in need during Respect Life Month.

Links:

Patrick's NYT article:

https://www.nytimes.com/2021/09/14/opinion/child-tax-credit-biden.html

Follow Patrick on Twitter: @PTBWrites

Ethics & Public Policy Center: EPPC.org

In this week's episode, we speak with Dr. Joseph Capizzi, about human ecology. We dig into what that is and how things like big tech and the emerging security state are impacting it. Dr. Capizzi is the Executive Director of the Institute for Human Ecology at Catholic University.

In this week's action items, we examine what you can do to help promote the dignity of migrants and refugees.

Related links:

Institute for Human Ecology: IHE.Catholic.edu

Our YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MNCathConference

In today’s episode we’re talking about the debate over whether religion is simply a private matter or is it public and what the implications are for religious freedom and the future of civilization.

In our mailbag segment we answer a question about caring for people at the end of life.

And of course, we want to leave you with some practical tips on how you can start to put your faith into action. In our bricklayer segment, an opportunity coming up in September for parishes and communities to reach out to migrants and refugees.

Related Links:

Dr. Scott Hahn's Book ("It is Right and Just"): https://stpaulcenter.com/product/it-is-right-and-just-why-the-future-of-civilization-depends-on-true-religion/

Saint Paul Center for Biblical Theology: https://stpaulcenter.com/

Emmaus Academics: https://www.emmausacademic.com/

MN Alliance for Ethical Healthcare: https://ethicalcaremn.org/

MCC End of Life Decisions Page: https://www.mncatholic.org/advocacyarea/catholic-end-of-life-care-decisions/

Immigration Sunday: https://www.mncatholic.org/immigrationsunday/

In today’s episode we’re talking about living in truth and working ecumenically.

In our mailbag segment we answer a question about a ruling in a Texas court and what it means for DACA recipients here in Minnesota and across the country.

And of course, we want to leave you with some practical tips on how you can start to put your faith into action. In our bricklayer segment, what you can do to help strengthen immigrant families.

Related Links:

Bruderhof Website: https://www.bruderhof.com/

Bruderhof YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/BruderhofCommunities

Plough Magazine: https://www.plough.com/en

Call your legislators to keep families at the center of immigration policy: https://www.mncatholic.org/actioncenter/directory/

In today’s episode we’re delving further in depth on an abortion case out of Mississippi going before the U.S. Supreme Court, “Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization” and what it could mean for the unborn and their mothers across the nation and here in Minnesota.

In our mailbag segment we answer a question about taxpayer funding of abortion.

And of course, we want to leave you with some practical tips on how you can start to put your faith into action. In our bricklayer segment, what you can do to speak out against the use of tax-dollars to pay for abortion.

Related Links:

University of Saint Thomas Prolife Law Center:

https://www.stthomas.edu/prolifecenter/mission/

Sign the Petition to oppose taxpayer-funded abortion:

https://www.notaxpayerabortion.com/

MN Catholic Conference Action Center:

https://www.mncatholic.org/actioncenter/

In today’s episode we’re talking about pro-life apologetics. How you can start to have real dialogue with people who believe women should have a right to abortion.

In our mailbag segment, we answer a question about an upcoming supreme court case that could provide protections against abortion to the unborn as early as 15-weeks gestation.

And of course, we want to leave you with some practical tips on how you can start to put your faith into action. In our bricklayer segment, what you can do to start leading the conversation in your community about what decisions are made.

Related Links:

Equal Rights Institute website:

https://equalrightsinstitute.com/

ERI Blog:

https://blog.equalrightsinstitute.com/what-do-latin-americans-think-about-abortion/

ERI YouTube Channel:

https://www.youtube.com/EqualRightsInstitute

Emily Albrecht's email:

In today’s episode we’re talking about new medical technologies, such as gene editing, and the ability technology gives us to mold our bodies at will. We discuss the principles needed for discerning the use of such technologies.

In our mailbag segment we answer a question about peacetime states of emergency and the role of government.

And of course, we want to leave you with some practical tips on how you can start to put your faith into action. In our bricklayer segment, how you can begin making a difference for your neighborhood or town this summer.

Related Links:

Pater Waldstein's Article, "The Lords of Nature":

https://www.plough.com/en/topics/justice/culture-of-life/the-lords-of-nature

Pater Waldstein's Blogs:

https://sancrucensis.wordpress.com/

https://thejosias.com/

Stift Heiligenkreuz Abbey's "Chant Music For Paradise:

https://open.spotify.com/album/1FJhltPJUcIh7ZhGHeklOo?autoplay=true

-or-

https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=eRyp4QPPc7g&list=OLAK5uy_kTgCDgrmDGmov-2vq5viJX2onx5m9TBno

Locate your legislator:

https://www.mncatholic.org/actioncenter/directory/

In today’s episode we’re talking about the rise in people thinking of themselves not in terms of our physical being but instead placing primary importance on their interior being. What impacts does it have on society if one’s thoughts and feelings define one’s humanity and can the Christians bring a more stable understanding?

In our mailbag segment we answer a question about political controversy and the role of clergy.

And of course, we want to leave you with some practical tips on how you can start to put your faith into action. In our bricklayer segment, tips for connecting with your lawmakers away from the Capitol.

Related Links:

Dr. Trueman's Book: https://www.crossway.org/books/the-rise-and-triumph-of-the-modern-self-hcj/

"The Rise of the 'Psychological Man'" article by Dr. Trueman:

https://www.thepublicdiscourse.com/2020/11/72156/

Find My Legislators:

https://www.gis.leg.mn/iMaps/districts/