Paulist Productions' new documentary "Baseball: Beyond Belief" is the subject of this special episode of Deacons Pod.

Based on the book "Baseball as a Road to God: Seeing Beyond the Game" by former New York University president John Sexton, the documentary explores how baseball and faith intertwine in powerful and surprising ways.

In the episode, Deacon Mike Hayes of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates speaks with Sexton, documentary director John Scheinfeld, and Paulist Fr. Tom Gibbons, president of Paulist Productions.

“Baseball: Beyond Belief” is scheduled to air nationally on television on Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, at 4 p.m. Eastern / 1 p.m. Pacific on Fox Sports 1.

What is our relationship to the Bible as an object?

What does it mean for us when the Bible is used as a means of control?

Does the Bible become an "accessory" to crimes of violence or exclusion?

How do we read the Scriptures in ways that heal rather than harm?

These are just some of the questions tackled in this special episode of Deacons Pod in which the Paulist Deacon Affiliates interview our own Dr. David Dault, our technical producer and editor, about his thought-provoking new book "The Accessorized Bible" from Yale University Press.

David is an associate professor of Christian Spirituality at the Institute of Pastoral Studies at Loyola University Chicago.

In addition to his work on Deacons Pod, he assists with the creation of multiple podcasts and is one of the hosts of "The Francis Effect."

Longtime Catholic writer Mary DeTurris Poust is our guest on this episode of Deacons Pod.

A former Director of Communications for the Diocese of Albany, NY, Mary has been a reporter, editor, and columnist for multiple diocesan newspapers.

She also is author of several books on spiritual topics, leads retreats, and serves as a spiritual director.

Her blog and website are called "Not Strictly Spiritual."

"Life Lines" is the name of her column and podcast.

In this episode, Deacon Mike Hayes (one of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates) speaks with Mary about several topics, including a column and retreat day she created called "You Can't Fail Lent."

"Sometimes, maybe where we are being called to go in our Lent is somewhere different than what our agenda was. Maybe God has a different plan for us," says Mary.

Spiritual director, retreat leader, and author Becky Eldredge visits with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this special episode of Deacons Pod.

The founder of Ignatian Ministries, Becky accompanies clergy, religious, and lay leaders in monthly spiritual direction and through the Spiritual Exercises of St. Ignatius.

She also trains spiritual directors, and works with individuals and groups to teach Ignatian prayer, discernment, and the art of accompaniment.
Becky is the author of the books "The Inner Chapel" and "Busy Lives and Restless Souls," both from Loyola Press.

Her new book is "Encounter Grace: Moments of Hope, Joy, and Peace."

Esteemed Catholic author and speaker Lisa Hendey is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod.

She speaks with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates about her new book "Jesus Every Day, Jesus Every Way: A Weekly Devotional" from Loyola Press.

The book has 52 weekly entries which readers may begin on any week of the year. Each entry includes prayer, Scripture, a reflection, thought-provoking questions, and space for readers to write their own reflections and responses.

Lisa also is the founder of CatholicMom.com (from which she is now retired) and a parishioner at St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Community, which the Paulist Fathers serve in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles.

She also writes at Substack.

Note: This episode was recorded on January 9, 2026.

Maryknoll Fr. James Kroeger, a longtime missionary and author, speaks with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod.

Fr. Kroeger, who was a missionary in Asia for more than five decades, shares details about his life and ministry, and reflects on the 60th anniversary of the Second Vatican Council.

Ordained a priest in 1975, he is the author of many articles as well as multiple titles from Faith Alive Books including "A Joyful Journey with Pope Francis: Exploring Twelve Pivotal Documents" and "Exploring Vatican II Treasures: Actors, Events, Insights."

His new book is "Living in Joyful Hope: Insights, Models, Challenges."

Maryknoll is the Catholic Foreign Mission Society of America

In this "Year In Review" episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates comment on the highs and lows of 2025 for them personally and in their ministries.

"Through it all, I have seen the hand of God," reflects Deacon Patrick Ouellette.

The deacons also chat about which of our 2025 episodes and guests resonated with them.

In this special Advent episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates welcome two guests: Maggi Van Dorn, host and producer of America Media's Hark! podcast, and Shemaiah Gonzalez, author of the new book "Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight."

The deacons speak with Maggi about three of the Christmas carols featured in this Advent's new season of "Hark!," including "Coventry Carol," "Angels We Have Heard on High," and "The First Noel."

Maggi also was a guest on Deacons Pod in December, 2024.

The deacons chat with Shemaiah about the importance of prayer and more. She also shares her Advent poem "Out of Sight."

Bishop Daniel Turley, O.S.A., is our guest on this special episode of Deacons Pod.

Like Pope Leo XIV, he is a Chicago native, a member of the Midwest Augustinians, and served for decades as a missionary in Peru.

In this conversation with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, Bishop Turley shares memories of Pope Leo and speaks about the pope's gift for listening.

He also provides insights into the Augustinian charism and what it might mean for the Church in the coming years.

Bishop Turley was bishop of the Diocese of Chulucanas in Peru from 2000 to 2020 (and coadjutor bishop from 1996 to 2000). During his time as bishop, he faced death threats after standing in solidarity with people who were endangered by the actions of mining companies.

Bishop Turley returned to Chicago in 2020 and, this year, became rector of the National Shrine of St. Frances Xavier Cabrini in the city's Lincoln Park neighborhood.

How does the Church welcome people and express hospitality?

How does the Church live out Catholic social teaching?

Are our parishes in "maintenance mode" or "mission mode"?

These are some of the important questions that Sr. Donna Ciangio, O.P., discusses with the Paulist Deacon Affiliates in this episode of Deacons Pod.

Sr. Donna has served since 2018 as Chancellor of the Archdiocese of Newark in New Jersey.

One of the Sisters of Saint Dominic of Caldwell, she has extensive experience in the areas of parish vitality and pastoral direction, congregational and leadership development, faith formation, Small Christian Communities, and more.

Sr. Donna previously served with RENEW International.