How should Christians respond when Scripture verses are used as tools (and as weapons) in political debates?

That question is raised in this episode of Deacons Pod featuring Thomas Bolin, author of the Liturgical Press book "An Inspired Word in Season: Reading the Bible Responsibly in a Polarized World," which received a first-place honor in the Catholic Media Association's 2026 Book Awards in the "Religion in the Public Square" category.

Dr. Bolin joins Deacon Mark Asselin and Deacon Patrick Ouellette (both of whom are Paulist Deacon Affiliates) for this timely conversation.

Jen Sawyer, Editor-in-Chief of the Paulist Fathers' media ministry Busted Halo, is the guest on this episode of Deacons Pod.

She shares details about "Voices From the Back Pew," Busted Halo's new series that features "honest stories of curiosity, struggle, or tension with the Church."

"A great story is an honest one. It's when someone isn't afraid to be authentic and share about their lives – the good, the bad, and the ugly," says Jen. "When I work with writers, I always tell them to think narrow and deep instead of wide and shallow."

In her conversation with Deacon Mike Hayes and Deacon Mike Berstene (both of whom are Paulist Deacon Affiliates), Jen also details her career path from the secular media in New York City to a Catholic media ministry.

In addition to her work with Busted Halo, you can find Jen at Substack.

Paul McMahon, the President and Publisher of Paulist Press, is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod.

Deacon Mike Hayes and Deacon Drew Dickson (both of whom are Paulist Deacon Affiliates) ask Paul about his unique career path from his native Australia to service as the first lay President and Publisher in the 160-year history of the Catholic publishing company.

During their conversation, Paul speaks about several Paulist Press books, including:

Deacon Mike also asks Paul what he learned from his predecessors at Paulist Press: Paulist Fr. Kevin Lynch (1925 - 2022), Paulist Fr. Larry Boadt (1942 - 2010), and Paulist Fr. Mark-David Janus, who now serves as Publisher Emeritus.

In this episode of Deacons Pod, we take note of the United States' 250th anniversary this July 4, and the ways it is being marked by the Paulists.

Deacon Mike Hayes, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, also shares memories his father, who immigrated from Ireland to Yonkers, NY.

In this episode of Deacons Pod, we hear from Sr. Susan Francois, CSJP, about the witness and ministry taking place outside Delaney Hall, a facility used for immigrant detention in Newark, NJ.

Delaney Hall is managed by the GEO Group under contract for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).

Deacon Mike Hayes, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, asks Sr. Susan about conditions for the detainees inside the facility; the ministry of hospitality with family members outside the facility; the diverse coalition of people present outside the facility; and the Gospel challenge posed by this moment in U.S. history.

Sr. Susan is a member of the Congregation of the Sisters of St. Joseph of Peace. You may follow her short videos from outside Delaney Hall on TikTok and YouTube.

Religion News Service recently produced a report and a video about her ministry.

During her conversation with Deacon Mike, Sr. Susan also describes how she returned to the practice of her Catholic faith through Landings (a one-time Paulist reconciliation ministry) at St. Philip Neri Church in Portland, OR, and the ministry of Paulist Fr. Dick Chilson (1943 - 2026).

She also recalls how Paulist Fr. Steve Bossi encouraged her to consider a vocation as a religious sister.

Paulist Fr. Ricky Manalo speaks with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod about Pope Leo XIV's new encyclical "Magnifica Humanitas."

The document addresses the challenges humanity faces due to artificial intelligence.

Fr. Ricky has made understanding AI part of his ministry. He is a co-founder of CatholicFaithAI.org.

His next book "The Catholic Handbook on AI" will be published by Liturgical Press.

Fr. Ricky also is a composer of liturgical music and co-director of the Communion Project, a ministry that seeks to heal the wounds of polarization in the Church and in society.

Charlene Howard, executive director of Pax Christi USA, the national Catholic peace movement, is our special guest on this episode of Deacons Pod.

"Peace is not a destination. It's a way of life," she tells Deacon Mike Berstene, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, as she describes Pax Christi's work to promote peace, non-violence, and justice in the model of Jesus Christ.

Deacon Mike asks Charlene what she hopes Catholics are considering now about the war with Iran.

He also asks her about growing up Catholic in Washington, D.C., her previous work as a teacher, and her Easter Sunday reflection at Catholic Women Preach.

Pax Christi USA has chapters around the United States, individual members, and a young adult caucus. It is a section of Pax Christi International.

In this special episode of Deacons Pod, we feature an audio diary created by Deacon Mike Hayes while he attended the 25th anniversary celebrations for the Paulist Fathers' media ministry Busted Halo held April 18 and April 19, 2026, in New York City.

Deacon Mike, now one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, was one of the founders of Busted Halo in 2001. In this audio diary, he recalls some of the ministry's early days, including the origin of the name "Busted Halo."

He also chats with Paulist Fr. Frank DeSiano, who was president of the Paulists when Busted Halo launched.

This special episode of Deacons Pod brings us a remembrance of athlete and radio broadcaster Marty Glickman (1917 - 2001) at the time of the 90th anniversary of the 1936 Olympic Games held in Berlin, Germany.

Glickman was a sprinter on the U.S. team at the 1936 Olympics. It was anticipated that he would run as part of the four-man relay squad.

But, on the day of the race, the U.S. Olympic Committee removed him and runner Sam Stoller from the race because they were Jewish.

During this episode, we hear audio from an event called "Catholic-Jewish Bridgebuilders: Running and Speaking Against Hate" held on April 16, 2026, at the Maltz Museum in Beachwood, OH.

The keynote address is given by Dr. Jeffrey Gurock, author of "Marty Glickman: The Life of an American Jewish Sports Legend" and a professor at Yeshiva University in New York City.

The Catholic respondent at the event was our own Deacon Mike Hayes, one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates.

Deacon Mike poses the question: "Where was the Catholic Church during this time? And, more importantly, what has the Catholic Church learned from moments like this?"

What role do Catholic deacons play in the Church during Holy Week and the Sacred Triduum?

That is one of the questions that four Paulist Deacon Affiliates addressed in this Deacons Pod episode recorded on Holy Thursday 2026 just as Lent was coming to an end and the Sacred Triduum was about to begin.

Deacon Drew Dickson, Deacon Dennis Dolan, Deacon Mike Hayes, and Deacon Patrick Ouellette also share reflections on their Lenten journeys, and comment on the large number of new Catholics who entered the Church this year at the Easter Vigil Mass.