Bridge Builder Podcast

In today’s episode we’re talking about Christopher Columbus, the expansion of Christendom to the New World, and how history is memorialized. We are joined by Dr. Robert Royal, the founder and President of the Faith & Reason Institute in Washington, D.C. and Editor-in-Chief of The Catholic Thing. Dr. Royal is the author of many fine books including “1492 and All That” which discusses the journey and life of Christopher Columbus from a political and unbiased approach. He also wrote an article this summer for The Catholic Thing entitled Seattle, Columbus, and Historical Fictions.

In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about helping bring calm to conversations about politics especially in these last weeks before the election.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment what you can do to begin to inform your vote ahead of the election.

In today’s episode we’re talking about religious liberty – its roots, and the relationship it has with the state. We are joined by Dr. Robert Louis Wilkin. Robert Louis Wilken is a Distinguished Fellow of the St. Paul Center for Biblical Theology and Professor of the History of Christianity at the University of Virginia. Dr. Wilken is the author of 10 books, including “Liberty in the Things of God: The Christian Origins of Religious Freedom”.

In our mailbag segment we have a question from a student about getting involved in politics even when we might not feel up to the task.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment where we preview an important day of prayer for creation and how you can get friends or fellow parishioners involved.

Resources mentioned in the episode: www.MNCatholic.org/Election, www.MNCatholic.org/LessonsinAdvocacy, www.MNCatholic.org/OurCommonHome

In today’s episode we’re talking about stewarding God’s creation and diving into the concept of integral ecology ahead of the upcoming World Day of Care for Creation on September 1st. We are joined by Bill Jacobs, Founder and Executive Director of the Saint Kateri Conservation Center. In his day job, Bill is the co-founder and program manager of the Long Island Invasive Species Management Area. Bill also served as an interim director of the Saint Kateri National Shrine and Historic Site in New York. Bill holds a Master of Science degree in forest resources management.

In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about what parishes can do in order to help Catholics prepare for the election.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment we have a guide that you can use to begin to put into action our call to be stewards of all of God’s Creation.

Learn more here: https://www.kateri.org/,www.MNCatholic.org/Election, www.MNCatholic.org/OurCommonHome

In today’s episode we are joined by by Dr. Michael Hanby Associate Professor of Religion and Philosophy of Science at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family at The Catholic University of America. We talk about the intersection of philosophy, science, and technology and the moral dilemmas our culture is creating, and how Christians can respond both in politics and culture.

In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about voting when it seems there is no good option.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment we have a great opportunity for listeners especially clergy and lay ministry leaders to hear from leading Catholic voices on how the Church can confront racism.

In this episode we are joined by Dr. Gladden Pappin, assistant professor of politics at the University of Dallas. Dr. Pappin frequently writes on the contemporary political situation, especially as it relates to Church. He earned his bachelor’s in history and doctorate in government from Harvard before co-founding the journal American Affairs which examines public policy and political thought.

In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about an anti-Catholic amendment in Minnesota’s constitution and how a recent Supreme Court ruling could impact Catholic education.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment where we discuss the Supreme Court ruling on the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. We have details on what you can ask of your US Senators to help keep immigrant families together.

In today’s episode we’re talking about school choice, anti-Catholic Blaine Amendments, and the recent Supreme Court ruling that allows for religious schools to participate in government programs that are open to everyone.

We are joined by Ray Domanico, a senior fellow and director of education policy at the Manhattan Institute. Domanico began his career in research positions in the New York City school system, and he has taught graduate-level courses in educational research and policy analysis. Domanico holds an MPP (Master of Public Policy) from the University of California, Berkeley.

In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about the Paycheck Protection Program and why churches are able to access this COVID relief funding.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment when we’ll be discussing the upcoming anniversary of the bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

For more information: https://www.manhattan-institute.org/,

In this episode we are joined by Christine Emba a columnist for the Washington Post’s Opinions section where she focuses her writing on ideas and society. Before writing for The Post, Christine was the Hilton Kramer Fellow in Criticism at the New Criterion and a deputy editor at the Economist Intelligence Unit, focusing on technology and innovation. She grew up in Virginia and holds an A.B. in public and international affairs from Princeton University. We discuss racism and the role that faith plays in responding to racism.

In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about a bill that would help prevent people from losing their driver’s license if they cannot afford to pay tickets.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment… where you can find Catholic resources to learn more about the impacts of racism, how to help bring about an end to racism, and ways for communities to heal.

Resources mentioned: http://usccb.org/issues-and-action/human-life-and-dignity/racism/

In today’s episode we’re talking about the Supreme Court decision in the case Bostock v. Clayton County in which the court decided that sex discrimination in the workplace extends to include discrimination on the basis of sexual orientation and identity. We’ll be speaking with Ryan Anderson of The Heritage Foundation who has written on the far-reaching impacts of this decision.

In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about voting and why some issues, such as Minnesota’s marriage amendment, get put to a public vote.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment… we’re talking about the impact of COVID-19 on Catholic schools and how you can help ensure students across the country are able to continue attending the school that best meets their needs.

In this episode we are joined by Dr. David Cloutier, associate professor of theology in the School of Theology and Religious Studies at the Catholic University of America. We discuss his recent article in which he talks about the need for practical wisdom – also known as prudence – in the face of the uncertainties of COVID-19.

In our mailbag segment we’re covering a question about recent protests intentionally damaging monuments across the nation including those of Catholic Saints.

And stick around for the bricklayer segment… we’re talking about St. Kateri Tekakwitha – patroness of Native Americans, integral ecology, and the environment.

Resources mentioned in the show: https://www.kateri.org/ , https://www.mncatholic.org/ourcommonhome/

In this episode we’re talking about the United States’ Supreme Court case examining the legality of ending the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program.

We are joined by Ashley Feasley, the Director of Policy for Migration and Refugee Services at the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops. Prior to working at USCCB, Ashley worked as the Director of Advocacy for the Catholic Legal Immigration Network (CLINIC). She has taught at Fordham Univeristy School of Law and at the Columbus School of Law at Catholic University of America.

In our mailbag segment we discuss a question about advocating for clean water, especially important to Minnesotans around the 4th of July. And in our Bricklayer segment we discuss how you can help build relationships with your neighbors, local community, and local law enforcement by spending time together and getting to know each other.

Additional resources mentioned in the episode: http://www.mncatholic.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/20.0311-Making-Sure-Our-Water-Works-Capital-Budget-Final.pdf , http://www.usccb.org/about/migration-policy/justice-for-immigrants.cfm, https://natw.org/, https://www.familyfuntwincities.com/national-night-out/