The America Media Podcast

Margaret E. Crahan discusses the complex nature of Cuban society and the greater role the Catholic Church is playing in the country's evolution. She also talks about Latin American policy under President Obama. Professor Crahan is senior researcher at the Institute of Latin American Studies at Columbia University. Read her article on the Cuban Catholic Church from the latest issue of America.

Daniel G. Groody, C.S.C., reports on his visits to camps for Syrian refugees in Turkey, Jordan and elsewhere. Fr. Groody traveled with a delegation from the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ Migration and Refugee Services, which issued this report on their visit. Fr. Groody's article for America on the visit can be found here

Robert Sullivan talks with James Martin, S.J., about his book My American Revolution: Crossing the Delaware and I-78. Sullivan is the author of many books, including Rats, The Meadowlands and The Thoreau You Don't Know.

Luke Hansen, S.J., reports on his visit to Guantánamo Bay, where he witnessed the opening motions in the trial against Khalid Sheikh Mohammed and four other defendants charged in connection with attacks of 9/11. Luke blogged on his visit here, and you can find his photos on our Facebook page

Roger Haight, S.J., and James Martin, S.J., discuss the genius of the Spiritual Exercises. Both priests have written recent books on the Exercises. Fr. Haight's book, Christian Spirituality for Seekers, was published this summer. Fr. Martin's The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything is out in paperback.

Costas Panagopoulos, a political science professor at Fordham University, offers advice on reading the presidential polls. Professor Panagopoulos is director of Fordham's Center for Electoral Politics and Democracy.

Joel K. Goldstein, a respected scholar of the vice presidency, analyzes the debate between Vice President Joe Biden and Rep. Paul Ryan. Goldstein talks about how the debates have shaped the office of the vice presidency, and the history of Catholic vice-presidential candidates. There were 8 in all (if you count Biden twice), and they helped diversify their respective parties, starting with John F. Kennedy in 1956, who didn't win a spot on the ticket but openly campaigned for it at the convention.

What are the origins of human consciousness? Can science and evolution explain human development, or do we need to look to other sources to understand the depths of human intelligence? What role can faith play in this process of discovery? How does one respond to Richard Dawkins and others who argue for an exclusively scientific explanation of human nature? Father Brendan Purcell tackles these questions and many more in his new book From Big Bang to Big Mystery: Human Origins in the Light of Creation and Evolution. He spoke to Tim Reidy during a visit to New York. Father Purcell is Adjunct Professor in the School of Philosophy at Notre Dame University, Sydney, Australia.

Catherine E. Clifford talks about Vatican II as an ecumenical council. Professor Clifford is the author with Richard Gaillardetz of Keys to the Council: Unlocking the Teachings of Vatican II. Read her contribution to America's issue commemorating the 50th anniversary of Vatican II.

Most Rev. Emil A. Wcela, a retired auxiliary bishop from the Diocese of Rockville Center, Long Island, talks about new developments in Rome that may allow for the ordination of women to the diaconate. Associate Editor Kerry Weber spoke to Bishop Wcela from Garden City, New York. Bishop Wcela's article on the subject, "Why Not Women," appears in the October 1 issue.Bishop Wcela served as president of the Catholic Biblical Association in 1989-90. He also served on the Pastoral Practices, Liturgy and Doctrine committees and the Translations subcommittee of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops.

John J. Podsiadlo, S.J., talks about the 40 year history of the Nativity Mission Center in New York City, which closed this spring. Nativity was the inspiration for dozens of schools across the country aimed at educating students from poor backgrounds.

Drew Christiansen, S.J., introduces America's forum on the state of moral theology today, and shares some reflections on the 2012 elections. (His talk to a Milwaukee audience on the subject can be found here.) Fr. Christiansen also looks back on his seven years as editor in chief of America, and explains what's next for him.

First-time author Matt Weber talks about his new book, Fearing the Stigmata: Humorously Holy Stories of a Young Catholic's Search for a Culturally Relevant Faith. Matt is the New and Social Media Officer for the Harvard Graduate School of Education, where he hosts the Harvard EdCast, a podcast featuring interviews with leaders in the field of education. Matt also hosts the popular television segment “A Word with Weber” on CatholicTV’s flagship newsmagazine show “Clearvoice”. He is also the younger brother of our associate editor Kerry Weber

David Van Biema talks about his book Mother Teresa: The Life and Works of a Modern Saint, which has just been published in paperback and in a Spanish language edition. Mr. Van Biema is the former religion reporter for Time magazine.

Stephen Martin is a writer and columnist who lives with his wife and two children in North Carolina. He is the director of public relations for a global nonprofit and the author of the book The Messy Quest for Meaning: Five Catholic Practices for Finding Your Vocation (Sorin books).