The America Media Podcast

America's contributing writer, Nathan Schneider, joins Kerry Weber and Matt Malone, S.J., to talk about Catholic activism under President Trump. In discussion of the boycotts of Uber and Nordstrom, Schneider questions the usefulness of reactionary protests. Chief correspondent Kevin Clarke joins to offer his perspective. "Is it Christian enough to just respond to each thing as it comes, to react? Or is there a calling to set a different kind of agenda, and to direct our attention elsewhere?"

America's contributing writer, Nathan Schneider, joins Kerry Weber and Matt Malone, S.J., to talk about Catholic activism under President Trump. In discussion of the boycotts of Uber and Nordstrom, Schneider questions the usefulness of reactionary protests. Chief correspondent Kevin Clarke joins to offer his perspective. "Is it Christian enough to just respond to each thing as it comes, to react? Or is there a calling to set a different kind of agenda, and to direct our attention elsewhere?"

In this week's podcast, Arthur C. Brooks joins hosts Matt Malone, S.J., and Kerry Weber this week to talk about his provocative article, "Confessions of a Capitalist Convert." Associate Editor Robert David Sullivan joins to contribute his expertise on economics. In conversation, Matt Malone raised Pope Francis' well known critiques of free enterprise, which Brooks endorses, and asked if this critique is compatible with Brooks' perspective and moral concerns. "It's mixed, as you'd expect," said Brooks. "I look at a lot of these issues from the point of view of an American.... The greatest exemplar of free enterprise has been in the United States and it has not been in Argentina. So I understand that people come from a background that's not the same as mine that I have to be sympathetic to. That's a basic question of empathy."

In this week's podcast, Arthur C. Brooks joins hosts Matt Malone, S.J., and Kerry Weber this week to talk about his provocative article, "Confessions of a Capitalist Convert." Associate Editor Robert David Sullivan joins to contribute his expertise on economics. In conversation, Matt Malone raised Pope Francis' well known critiques of free enterprise, which Brooks endorses, and asked if this critique is compatible with Brooks' perspective and moral concerns. "It's mixed, as you'd expect," said Brooks. "I look at a lot of these issues from the point of view of an American.... The greatest exemplar of free enterprise has been in the United States and it has not been in Argentina. So I understand that people come from a background that's not the same as mine that I have to be sympathetic to. That's a basic question of empathy."

On this week's podcast, America's contributing writer Eve Tushnet joins hosts Matt Malone, S.J., and Kerry Weber. Following the publication of her feature article on the subject, Tushnet discusses the value of relationships that don't necessarily fall into traditional categories like marriage and religious life. Eric Sundrup, S.J. joins to offer an additional perspective.

On this week's podcast, America's contributing writer Eve Tushnet joins hosts Matt Malone, S.J., and Kerry Weber. Following the publication of her feature article on the subject, Tushnet discusses the value of relationships that don't necessarily fall into traditional categories like marriage and religious life. Eric Sundrup, S.J. joins to offer an additional perspective.

On this week's podcast poet Christian Wiman describes the power of poetry to hosts Matt Malone, S.J., and Kerry Weber. America's poetry editor Joe Hoover, S.J., joins to offer his perspective. In conversation with our editors, Wiman described how his ability to write poetry was affected by a period of illness. "It's dangerous if you're an artist and the medium through which you process the world is taken away from you. Everything becomes dammed up in you. I met the woman who is now my wife and got sick shortly after that it jolted me into speech. All of those poems [published in Hammer is the Prayer by Farrar, Straus & Giroux]  came directly out of that experience."

On this week's podcast poet Christian Wiman describes the power of poetry to hosts Matt Malone, S.J., and Kerry Weber. America's poetry editor Joe Hoover, S.J., joins to offer his perspective. In conversation with our editors, Wiman described how his ability to write poetry was affected by a period of illness. "It's dangerous if you're an artist and the medium through which you process the world is taken away from you. Everything becomes dammed up in you. I met the woman who is now my wife and got sick shortly after that it jolted me into speech. All of those poems [published in Hammer is the Prayer by Farrar, Straus & Giroux]  came directly out of that experience."

Cokie Roberts, who wrote about the role of women in Washington in our Jan. 23 issue, is this week's guest. Hosts Matt Malone, S.J., and Kerry Weber chat to her about the state of journalism under President Donald J. Trump, in addition to his announcement that he is planning to build a border wall. Associate Editor Ashley McKinless joins to offer her perspective on the immigration crisis.

Cokie Roberts, who wrote about the role of women in Washington in our Jan. 23 issue, is this week's guest. Hosts Matt Malone, S.J., and Kerry Weber chat to her about the state of journalism under President Donald J. Trump, in addition to his announcement that he is planning to build a border wall. Associate Editor Ashley McKinless joins to offer her perspective on the immigration crisis.

This week Matt Malone, SJ., and Kerry Weber chatted to Robert David Sullivan about the role of Catholics in Congress across party lines. This topic is particualrly timely given that almost one third of Congress' membership is Catholic in 2017.

This week Matt Malone, SJ., and Kerry Weber chatted to Robert David Sullivan about the role of Catholics in Congress across party lines. This topic is particualrly timely given that almost one third of Congress' membership is Catholic in 2017.

As National Migration Week concludes, Jill Marie Gerschutz-Bell, a senior policy and legislative specialist for Catholic Relief Services, discusses the conflicts and crises that are forcing people from their communities in the Middle East, Africa and Central America.

As National Migration Week concludes, Jill Marie Gerschutz-Bell, a senior policy and legislative specialist for Catholic Relief Services, discusses the conflicts and crises that are forcing people from their communities in the Middle East, Africa and Central America.

On this week's podcast Rob Weinert-Kendt chats to Matt Malone, S.J., and Tim Reidy about the best shows he's seen in New York City recently, as well a list of exciting plays coming up in the future. Highlights include "Dear Evan Hansen" and "The Present," as well as a movie: "La La Land." Rob Weinert-Kendt also reflects on what makes theater special; namely, its churchlike ability to bring people together.