Is faith compatible with the hard sciences? Many folks don’t know that some of the biggest scientific discoveries – including the Big Bang Theory – have been made by people of faith. This week on Catholic Review Radio, Editor Christopher Gunty talks with three Catholics about the intersection of faith and science. The first segment features Michael Menzel, a NASA engineer who has spent more than 20 years working on the James Webb Space Telescope, which launched on Christmas Day. In the second segment, Stephen Barr and Matthew Wiesner, members of the Society for Catholic Scientist, talk about how scientists help us all look at the world through the lenses of wonder and curiosity.

Flannery O’Connor is recognized as one of the most respected writers of the 20th century. Known for her exploration of complex moral questions, O’Connor’s Catholic faith and her own personal experience of suffering often illuminated her work.

Dr. Angela Alaimo O’Donnell, a writer, poet and professor at Fordham University in New York and one of the world’s foremost authorities on Flannery O’Connor, shares her insights on understanding O’Connor.

O’Donnell is a former longtime professor at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and a former parishioner of St. Francis of Assisi in Baltimore.

Father Brian Nolan explores practical ways of strengthening marriages and families that gives hope. His guest is Art Bennett, a licensed marriage and family therapist, a popular speaker and the co-author of a number of books with his wife Lorraine, including “The Temperament God Gave You.” Bennett is also the former director of Catholic Charities for the Diocese of Arlington, a father of four and grandfather of eight.

What are the answers to the big questions of happiness, faith and meaning? Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty talks with philosophers Meghan Sullivan and Paul Blaschko of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, Ind., about their new book, “The Good Life Method.” Hear from the professors about why their intro to philosophy class, “God and the Good Life” became popular and how to apply the insights of great philosophers to your life today.

In this encore episode focused on the year that just ended and the year ahead, Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty sits down with Baltimore Archbishop William E. Lori to discuss the Year of the Eucharist, the worldwide synod, COVID-19, new seminarians and a new school, his new role chairing the U.S. bishop’s Committee on Pro-Life Activities and walks with Bayley, the archbishop’s dog.

Some people go to Mass at the same church every week and sit in the same pew each time. Daniel Markham is on a quest to visit 52 different churches over the course of a little over a year – one in each state plus the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty chatted with Daniel in Millersville during his stop in Maryland at Our Lady of the Fields. Hear about Daniel’s journey and the book that he will be writing about the experience.

Are you making a New Year’s resolution to enhance your spiritual life? Start with sacred Scripture. Catholic Review Editor Christopher Gunty kicks off the new year on Catholic Review Radio talking with two guests about ways to understand and appreciate the Bible better. The first segment features Kassie Manning talking about “Every Sacred Sunday,” a book that contains the Sunday Mass readings with space to write your prayers and reflections. In the second segment, Chris catches up with Mark Hart, known worldwide as the Bible Geek, who talks about how to get into a habit of reading Scripture. Pro tip: Don’t start with the book of Genesis, but with the Gospel of Mark.

John Mulderig, Assistant Director for Media Reviews and Visual Media for Catholic News Service, gives us his insights and recommendations for best Christmas movies that help inspire us to faith and virtue. He shares the lessons we learn from them that can be shared with our families.

It seems that the Christmas season just isn’t complete without Christmas carols and other holiday songs. What is it about this particular music that puts many people in a good mood and why does it have such staying power? Dr. Remi Chiu, a musicologist at Loyola University Maryland in Baltimore and author of “Plague and Music in the Renaissance” talks with George Matysek about Christmas music and the historic power of music in times of plague and pandemic.