AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast

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• Behind the Scenes with CNN's Vatican Correspondent 01.07.2026 36min

  Today, we’re continuing a mini two-episode series on the pontificate of Pope Leo XIV. Last week, host Mike Jordan Laskey spoke with the theologian Anna Rowlands, who was involved in the launch of the Holy Father’s new encyclical Magnifica humanitas. Today, Mike’s guest is Christopher Lamb, a long-time and extremely talented Vatican correspondent who currently works for CNN. Chris recently traveled with the Pope and the Vatican press corps to Spain, where Pope Leo held some huge public events, visited the famous La Sagrada Familia church, and met with migrants on the Canary Islands. Mike asked Chris what stood out about the trip and what it revealed to him about Pope Leo’s approach to his pontificate. They also talked about the encyclical and what he’s thought about its reception. Chris is also the author of a new book called “American Hope: What Pope Leo XIV means for the church and world.” Mike caught up with Chris while Chris was in London doing some events around the book, so if you hear some background noise here and there, that’s because the very full life of an international journalist and author doesn’t always include access to pristine, isolated recording conditions. But you’ll be able to hear everything he has to say just fine. And we think you’ll find it a fascinating look behind the scenes of the work of a journalist covering the Vatican. Christopher Lamb: https://www.christopherlambmedia.com/ Chris' new book, "American Hope": https://bookshop.org/p/books/american-hope-what-pope-leo-xiv-means-for-the-church-and-world-christopher-lamb/add13c5382df6666?ean=9781035440573
• Pope Leo's AI Encyclical is Not (Just) About AI 24.06.2026 49min

  As you probably heard, Pope Leo XIV released his first encyclical letter in May. Titled Magnifica humanitas, the document is a 42,000-word reflection on what it means to be human in our technology-obsessed age of generative artificial intelligence. The Pope officially released the document during a press conference at the Vatican, which the Holy Father himself attended — an unusual move for pontiffs. Sitting at one end of the dais was Christopher Olah, one of the founders of Anthropic, one of the largest AI companies in the world. His presence made a lot of headlines, too. Right next to Olah was a theologian named Anna Rowlands, and she’s our guest today. Professor Rowlands is the St Hilda Professor of Catholic Social Thought & Practice at Durham University in the United Kingdom. At the press conference, she delivered a stirring 10-minute address on how the encyclical offers the church and the world valuable insights into protecting human dignity and the common good in these uncertain times. Professor Rowlands is no stranger to the Vatican. In fact, she was involved in one of these press conference panels for the release of Pope Francis’ encyclical Fratelli tutti, and she has been involved in leading the Synod on Synodality process since 2023. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked her about the press conference itself and how she decided on what she wanted to say in her address. They also talked about how the encyclical has been received and the material in the letter she finds most compelling. Mike also asked her to respond to one of his favorite critiques of the encyclical and of what generative AI is doing to our brains and souls. It was a wide-ranging conversation and we’re sure you’ll see why we think Professor Rowlands is one of the deepest and most brilliant thinkers you could ever hope to meet. Professor Anna Rowlands: https://www.durham.ac.uk/staff/anna-rowlands/ Her full speech at the encyclical launch: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dqapjl7m7V8 The encyclical critique discussed: https://hedgehogreview.com/web-features/thr/posts/should-the-lion-lie-down-with-the-electric-lamb AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/
• The Jesuit "Full Stop:" Understanding Tertianship with Fr. Andrew Laguna, SJ 17.06.2026 36min

  If you know anything about Jesuit formation, you probably know that it takes a long time: two years for novitiate, three years for first studies, three more of regency, and then two or more years of theology studies and then—if a Jesuit has discern the priesthood—ordination. On average, a Jesuit is looking at ten to twelve years before becoming a priest! So, formation takes a long time. But then, once you’re a priest, you’re all set, right? Wrong! There’s another stage of Jesuit formation called tertianship. This is a stage of renewal and recommitment, a period of time that happens years after ordination when a Jesuit returns to some of the foundational documents and experiences of Jesuit life. The Jesuit makes the Spiritual Exercises again, prays with the Constitutions and more. Tertianship takes a Jesuit out of their usual routines, often for an extended period of time, and prepares them for final vows. Tertianship has always been a little mysterious, for host Eric Clayton, at least. That’s why he was so excited to talk to his friend, Fr. Andrew Laguna, who just returned from his tertianship in Salamanca, Spain. And that’s the conversation you’re about to hear today. Andrew breaks down what tertianship is, why it’s important, what graces he experienced while there and, ultimately, why it matters for all of us, whether we’re Jesuits or not. Whether you’re interested in Jesuit life or formation or just want to hear from a wise Jesuit priest eager to share about how God is at work in his own vocation, you won’t want to miss this conversation.
• One Man, One Mission, Three Jesuit Schools: Mark Dushel on Ignatian Mission in Baltimore 10.06.2026 32min

  The cultivation of mission and identity is pivotal to any mission-driven organization. It gets to not only the why of the work, but also the larger context, the history and the people. A shared mission can sustain work across time zones and languages and varied socio-political contexts. Understanding the mission of an organization — how it’s been interpreted and applied and lived out of — is crucial to that organization’s continued success. It’s more than a common language; it’s a shared lifeblood. Jesuit institutions take mission and identity work seriously. You see offices for mission and Jesuit colleges and universities; you meet mission officers in Jesuit apostolates the world over. These are the folks who help you not only remember Latin words like cura personalis; these are the folks who help you understand how to live it out in your particular context based on your particular skills. Mark Dushel stands in the long, storied legacy of Ignatian collaborators entrusted with passing on our Jesuit mission and charism. But Mark has been given a unique role through which to do so. He is the newly minted director of Ignatian Mission and Faith Formation for three different yet interrelated schools in Baltimore, MD: Cristo Rey Jesuit High School, St. Ignatius Loyola Academy and The Loyola School. These schools — all founded by Jesuit priest, Fr. Bill Watters, over the course of several decades — allow children from as early as two years old all the way through high school to pursue a tuition-free Jesuit education. The mission is critical and has been bearing fruit for generations. Mark, for his part, comes to this work well-prepared. He has a Master’s in theology and ministry from Boston College — where he first encountered the Jesuits — and served in campus ministry at St. Joseph’s Preparatory School in Philadelphia and later at Loyola University Maryland. He began his work as director for mission in 2025. There’s a lot we can learn from Mark’s work, from his collaboration across schools to his efforts to introduce the Ignatian charism to children as young as two to the accompaniment his mission-centered role means for the families of his students. That’s why today's host Eric was excited to talk with Mark — and why we know you will enjoy this conversation. Read more about Mark's work here: https://loyolaschoolbaltimore.org/mark-dushel-is-serving-three-jesuit-schools-in-baltimore/
• Pathway to Priesthood: Shane Liesegang, SJ 04.06.2026 48min

  Welcome to the third season — and the final episode — of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood” — a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and we wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks with Shane Liesegang. Shane is a Jesuit of the US West province. Shane’s Jesuit formation has brought him around the world including to Lebanon, Iraq, Jordan and Syria with the Jesuit Refugee Service, as well as to the Philippines where he was ordained a deacon. As you listen to Shane’s stories and reflections, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.
• A Commencement Address for the Rest of Us From Two Jesuit Higher Ed Pros 02.06.2026 36min

  It’s commencement season. Graduates are preparing to step into a new chapter of their lives, to leave familiar faces and places behind and chart a new path. And perhaps one of the most iconic moments of graduation is the commencement speech: a few moments of reflection, inspiration and encouragement before crossing one of life’s many thresholds. Many of us have heard a commencement speech or two in our lives; many of us may have even heard such an address given at a Jesuit institution. But how many of us remember those addresses? More importantly, how many of us continue to live our lives informed by the best hopes and values and encouragement that such an address intends to convey? For many of us, as the daily grind of life churns ever onward, those words fade and are forgotten. That was the worry, at least, of our guests today. Two longtime veterans of Jesuit higher education, Patrick Furlong and Marissa Papula want us to remember what it means to go out and into the world intent in setting it aflame with the fire of the Holy Spirit. Patrick is the director of the Pam Rector Center for Service and Action at—and a two time alum of—Loyola Marymount University. Marissa Papula is now the director of development for Discerning Deacons but spent more than a decade in Jesuit higher education. And they’re here today to offer all of us a commencement address of sorts. Before we get to it, before they share prepared remarks, we wanted to sit down and get to them a little bit, to hear about their journeys and why this time of year is important. So, you’ll hear that first. Then, stay tuned for their full commencement address, words to inspire each of us no matter how far out from a graduation we may be.
• Pathway to Priesthood: Daniel Mascarenhas, SJ 30.05.2026 35min

  Welcome to the third season of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks with Daniel Mascarenhas. Daniel is a Jesuit of the US West province. Originally from Goa, India, Daniel’s Jesuit formation has brought him to the L’Arche community in Tacoma, WA, to Jesuit High School Sacramento and to St. Columbkille Parish in Brighton, MA, where he is finishing his time as a deacon. As you listen to Daniel’s stories and reflections, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.
• How Border Ministry Shaped One Jesuit's Priestly Formation with Joe Nolla, SJ 27.05.2026 52min

  You might remember the Jesuits of Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministry. They have a podcast that we’ve aired episodes of on this very channel. Every week for ten seasons now, Fr. Brian Strassburger the director of the ministry, and Joe Nolla, a Jesuit regent, have been dropping us into their work, sharing with us stories from the US-Mexico border, helping us understand the nuances and lived reality of immigration policies and hosting an array of impressive guests who research, write about or work with immigrant communities. Well, today’s a special episode: Joe Nolla is wrapping up regency and heading to Paris, France to begin theology studies—the next and final stage in Jesuit formation before ordination to the priesthood. So, Brian asked AMDG host Eric Clayton if he’d do a sort of exit interview for Joe as a bonus episode of the podcast. And now we’re airing that episode here for you. It’s a great conversation. Joe’s reflections and experiences give insight into Jesuit formation, Jesuit ministry and the ongoing needs that Del Camino Jesuit Border Ministry is trying to meet in and around Brownsville, Texas. We hope you enjoy the conversation. If you want to learn more, visit delcamino.org.
• Pathway to Priesthood: Jake Braithwaite, SJ 23.05.2026 48min

  Welcome to the third season of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks with Jake Braithwaite. Jake is a Jesuit of the US East province. Originally from Villanova, PA, Jake’s Jesuit formation has brought him to Brooklyn Jesuit Prep where he staged liturgical readings as short plays and slam poetry and to San Quentin Rehabilitation Center where he taught a class on the Old Testament prophets. As you listen to Jake’s stories and reflections, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.
• How Open Should We Be to "Catholic Influencers"? with Kristin Peterson 20.05.2026 49min

  Last summer, the Vatican hosted a big meeting of what it called “digital missionaries and Catholic influencers.” Host Mike Jordan Laskey admits he felt a little queasy when he saw this advertised. It’s not that he’s a Luddite and totally against the internet; we come to you via the internet every week. But there was something about the institutional church gathering and promoting influencers that just didn’t sit well with Mike. To unpack this overall dis-ease with faith-based influencer culture, Mike called up a scholar who studies this exact topic. Dr. Kristin Peterson is an associate professor in the Department of Communication at Boston College, where she teaches courses related to the intersections of media and religion. She’s also the author of a 2022 book titled “Unruly Souls: The Digital Activism of Muslim and Christian Feminists.” Mike asked her about the phenomenon of social media influencers in general and how religious folks have tapped into that trend. They also talked about some of the reasons behind the rise of influencers and what advice she might give to Pope Leo about the dangers and opportunities of encouraging Catholics to take their faith online. Kristin Peterson, Ph.D.: https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/schools/morrissey/departments/communication/people/faculty-directory/kristin-peterson.html AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/
• Pathway to Priesthood: Dan Finucane, SJ & Bryan Galligan, SJ 16.05.2026 1t 1min

  Welcome to the third season of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood this coming June. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation, and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks Bryan Galligan and Dan Finucane. Dan is a Jesuit of the US Central Southern Province. His Jesuit formation has taken him on a weeklong pilgrimage to Rome for the Synod on Synodality, to Belize, where he accompanied prisoners and to St. Patrick’s Church in West Oakland, California, as both a choir member and a deacon. Bryan is a Jesuit of the US East Province. His Jesuit formation has brought him to the border between the Dominican Republic and Haiti, small-scale farming and fishing communities in eastern and southern Africa and to the United Nations. As you listen to these stories and reflections from Bryan and Dan, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.
• A Jesuit Approach to Public Health with Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ 13.05.2026 44min

  What words would you use to describe the American healthcare system? Here are a few: Broken. In need of healing. Confusing. Centered on making money. Enormous. Stressful. But also: full of compassionate professionals. Full of potential. Our guest today would probably agree with these words. He might also add that our healthcare system is a privileged place to find God. The Jesuit priest Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ, is a scholar and professor of public health at Loyola University Chicago. He has a brand-new book out, which is titled “Growing Our Moral Imagination: Approaching Health Care with a New Faith-Based Vision.” It’s published by the Johns Hopkins University Press. The book combines elements of memoir, theological reflection, storytelling and commentary on health care challenges. And perhaps the most interesting part of the volume is how in each chapter, Fr. Rozier reimagines one of Jesus’ parables from the Gospels and applies it to healthcare issues today. This approach leads to chapters in the book with titles like “The Good Death of Lazarus,” “The Demons of Anxiety and Fear,” and the “Public Health Samaritan.” It’s a fascinating read that host Mike Jordan Laskey can’t wait to recommend to the Catholic healthcare professionals he knows. It’s also a compelling read for anyone of faith who’s ever interacted with the healthcare system at all, which means pretty much all of us. You’ll love to hear Fr. Rozier’s passion for public health and the healing ministry of Jesus throughout our wide-ranging conversation. Fr. Michael Rozier, SJ: https://www.luc.edu/parkinson/ourpeople/facultystaffprofiles/michaelroziersj.shtml “Growing Our Moral Imagination”: https://www.press.jhu.edu/books/title/54073/growing-our-moral-imagination AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/
• Pathway to Priesthood: Nathan Krawetzke, SJ 09.05.2026 58min

  Welcome to the third season of our annual series “Pathway to Priesthood”—a special podcast series from the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. In these conversations, host Eric Clayton talks with Jesuits who are in the final days of preparing for ordination to the priesthood. They reflect back on their vocation stories and experience of Jesuit formation and wrestle with some of the biggest questions surrounding priestly ordination. On this episode, Eric talks with Nathan Krawetzke. Nathan is a Jesuit of the Midwest province. Originally from Erie, Michigan, Nathan’s Jesuit formation has brought him to the Red Cloud Indian School, to Hekima University in Nairobi, Kenya and on a variety of backpacking trips across the United States. As you listen to Nathan’s stories and reflections, we invite you to consider whether you or someone you know might be interested in discerning a call to Jesuit life. If so, head over to beajesuit.org.
• The Joy of Discovering New Music with Josh Terry 06.05.2026 55min

  One of host Mike Jordan Laskey’s favorite things to do is to discover that a writer or other creative person whose work he loves has a Jesuit connection that makes them eligible to be a guest here on the show. Today’s guest is the music journalist Josh Terry, and he’s the latest addition to our “surprise Jesuit connection” list. Josh writes the music and culture email newsletter “No Expectations,” which Mike looks forward to receiving in his inbox every Thursday. Based in Chicago, Josh listens to an extraordinary amount of new music and writes about it in a way that’s perceptive, generous and a joy to read. It turns out Josh is a proud alum of Loyola University Chicago, and even more unexpectedly, it turns out his great uncle was Fr. Thomas Terry, SJ, a Jesuit priest who served as president of Santa Clara University from 1968 until 1976. Mike asked Josh about his career in music criticism and journalism and what he thinks the role of the music critic is. They also talked about reasons a lot of people just don’t listen to much new music, and what Josh thinks of the common cultural narrative that music and other art forms just aren’t being made as well now as they used to be. Finally, Josh recommended three of his favorite relatively new artists to you might want to check out yourself. Josh Terry's "No Expectations" newsletter: https://www.noexpectations.fyi/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/
• Brooklyn's Innovative Jesuit Middle School with James Kennedy 29.04.2026 39min

  There’s an old Latin saying about some of the famous male founders of religious orders. In translation, it goes like this: “Bernard loved the valleys; Benedict loved the mountains; Francis the towns; Ignatius loved great cities.” So it’s probably no surprise that in the U.S., no city has more Jesuit schools than New York, which has nine total across all the educational levels. Our guest today, James Kennedy, is an alum of one of these schools – Regis High School, where he also taught and led fundraising efforts – and the current president of another. James is in his third year leading Brooklyn Jesuit Prep, which is a middle school serving low-income families of diverse races, ethnicities and faiths in the East Flatbush neighborhood of Brooklyn. BJP currently serves 100 students, both boys and girls, in grades 5 through 8. The entire student population is composed of students of color and 74% of them are either immigrants or first-generation Americans. Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked James to talk about the school’s history and what makes it a special place. James also discussed how anti-immigrant polices and attitudes across our country today are affecting the BJP community and how they’re responding. It was a fascinating conversation about both Brooklyn Jesuit Prep and urban pre-secondary education more broadly. You’ll be struck by James’ passion and depth of insight. Brooklyn Jesuit Prep: https://www.brooklynjesuit.org/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/
• What We Can Learn From Tolkien's Catholic Imagination with Kaitlyn Facista 22.04.2026 41min

  J.R.R. Tolkien is considered by many to be the father of modern fantasy. The vast world he created in Middle-earth is full of elves and orcs, magic and mystery, lore and legend, and more than a few pieces of troublesome jewelry. In addition to “The Lord of the Rings,” “The Hobbit” and “The Silmarillion,” Tolkien left a trove of hand-drawn maps and scribbled notes and half-started plotlines that have enchanted both casual reader and literary scholar alike. It is well-known, too, that Tolkien was a serious Catholic; his faith inevitably affected his work. But unlike his contemporary, C.S. Lewis — the master and maker of other fantastical lands, most notably Narnia — Tolkien was loathe to thrust upon the reader his own allegorical message. He wanted readers to find their own way and their own meaning in his words. All to say, Tolkien was still a man of profound faith. His Catholic imagination was still very much alive and well as he peopled Middle-earth, as he wove in themes of hope and redemption and mercy. The reader is not forced to adhere to a Catholic worldview while engaging Tolkiens’ writing; but for a Catholic — or Christian — with a desire to see it, there are spiritual insights to mine that can inform the workings of a Catholic life. That is what Kaitlyn Facista set out to do in her new book from Ave Maria Press, “Into the Heart of Middle-Earth: Exploring Faith and Fellowship in J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings.” And she’s well equipped to do it — she’s the founder of the online community Tea with Tolkien. She’s our guest today. In our conversation — and in her book — Kaitlyn ferrets out key spiritual themes of Tolkien’s life and work and offers them to us for our own reflection. If you’re a fan of Tolkien, fantasy or just interested in applying a Catholic imagination to pop culture and literature, you’re going to enjoy today’s conversation. If you’re interested in learning more about the book or Tea with Tolkien, check out the links below: Tea with Tolkien: https://www.teawithtolkien.com/ Get the book: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/into-the-heart-of-middle-earth?srsltid=AfmBOoqAaxWrmwgG-H2PdFx4yAQPaK7eevhX5A_lyuvESJ8EKhXyHUkJ
• Matters of Life and Death with Liz Bruenig 14.04.2026 48min

  In December 2020, after the journalist Liz Bruenig witnessed an execution for the first time, she threw up on the pavement outside the federal prison in Terre Haute, Indiana. “The idea of execution promises catharsis,” she wrote in The New York Times after the experience. “The reality of it delivers the opposite, a nauseating sense of shame and regret.” That initial experience of witnessing the death of a man named Alfred Bourgeois led Liz to what has now become a yearslong journalistic project of covering capital punishment in America. Most of her writing on the subject has appeared in The Atlantic Magazine, where Liz is a staff writer. She was a finalist for the 2023 Pulitzer Prize in feature writing for this work. Host Mike Jordan Laskey has been a fan of Liz’s work since the beginning of her career, and I was excited to ask her about her reporting and other topics she has covered for the magazine, which include vaccinations and the relationship between Pope Leo XIV and the US government. In addition to being a renowned journalist, Liz is an adult convert to Catholicism, which she recently wrote about in another Atlantic article. If you haven’t come across her work before, this conversation will give you a good sense of the depth of her intellect and compassion. Liz Bruenig at the Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/author/elizabeth-bruenig/ Liz’s essay about the first execution she witnessed: https://www.nytimes.com/2020/12/17/opinion/federal-executions-trump-alfred-bourgeois.html AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/
• How This Lawyer Fights for the Common Good with Kevin Walsh 08.04.2026 45min

  Here’s a fun lawyer joke: Why does New Jersey have so many toxic waste dumps and Washington, DC have so many lawyers? Because New Jersey got the first pick. The stereotype about dishonest, soulless, ambulance-chasing lawyers who put their own wallets ahead of the needs of their clients might have some basis in reality. But the legal profession can be a great way to promote justice and work for the common good. This episode’s guest is one of these sorts of lawyers who has dedicated his whole career to making the world a more just place. Kevin Walsh is the former acting state comptroller for the state of New Jersey. In that role, to which he was appointed by Governor Phil Murphy, Kevin’s job was to lead a team that investigated fraud and abuse within government systems and government-funded programs. Before that job, Kevin led a public interest nonprofit that fought for the construction of more affordable housing in the state. And while doing that job, he was one of the lawyers who spearheaded the successful movement to get rid of the death penalty in New Jersey. Kevin’s Jesuit connection is that he is a proud alumnus of the Jesuit Volunteer Corps. After his first year of law school, he took a year off to serve with JVC in Richmond, Virginia, where he worked as a volunteer with legal aid. His experience that year set him on his path of using a legal career for public service, work he’s now been at for more than a quarter century. Host Mike Jordan Laskey first met Kevin when Mike worked for the Diocese of Camden in southern New Jersey, where Kevin served on the board of the local Catholic Charities agency and on a bunch of other committees. And as Kevin just finished his term working as a state government watchdog, Mike wanted to ask him about the experience and if fraud and corruption in government are as bad as they sometimes seem. Mike also asked him to reflect on the other good fights he’s been part of as an attorney. Kevin’s doggedness and total commitment to using the law for the public interest are hugely inspiring, and we think you’ll notice his passion and energy come through clearly throughout the interview. More about Kevin Walsh: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/10/12/kevin-walsh-new-jersey-political-class-00181187 AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. www.jesuits.org/ www.beajesuit.org/ twitter.com/jesuitnews facebook.com/Jesuits instagram.com/wearethejesuits youtube.com/societyofjesus www.jesuitmedialab.org/ Programming note: Two Jesuits Talking will now appear on its own dedicated feed: https://open.spotify.com/show/4pynrnM6MPZBWANbpkOyfa
• Two Jesuits Talking | Episode 7: Home! 04.04.2026 1t 5min

  A conversation that begins with Girl Scout Cookies and sweet cereal slowly finds its way to something deeper: what home really means. Father Damian and Father Eric reflect on hometowns, family houses, Jesuit communities and the places that shaped them,, while wondering how those places still live in them. Somewhere between nostalgia, laughter and prayer, this episode asks a tender question: Where is the place, or who is the presence, that lets you breathe differently and be fully at rest? About the show: Two Jesuits Talking is a Catholic podcast hosted by Fr. Eric Immel, SJ, and Fr. Damian Torres-Botello, SJ. Through candid, unscripted conversations, they explore Ignatian spirituality, Catholic life, ministry, culture, prayer and the everyday questions that shape modern faith. This isn’t a lecture. It’s not a debate show. It’s two Jesuit priests talking honestly about what it means to follow Jesus today, with humor, depth and real friendship. Whether you're a practicing Catholic, spiritually curious, returning to the Church, or just interested in authentic conversations about faith, you're welcome here. During Lent, Two Jesuits Talking episodes will appear here on the AMDG feed every Saturday. After Easter, we'll move the show onto its own dedicated feed. You can also watch episodes of the show on YouTube: www.youtube.com/societyofjesus Two Jesuits Talking is a production of the Jesuit Media Lab, which is a project of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Learn more: jesuitmedialab.org/
• Chemistry is a Long, Loving Look at the Real with Michelle Francl 01.04.2026 36min

  This is the second episode in our little two-part miniseries featuring Catholic scientists. Be sure to check out last week’s conversation with Deacon Matthew Pinson, SJ, who has a Ph.D. in theoretical physics from MIT. Today’s guest is Dr. Michelle Francl, a professor of chemistry at Bryn Mawr College outside Philadelphia. In addition to being one of the 1000 most-cited chemists in academic literature, Michelle writes about both science and faith for a broad audience. She also serves as an adjunct scholar at the Vatican Observatory, where she has worked with Jesuit astronomers like Brother Guy Consolmagno. (She actually worked with Br. Guy on an audio book series highlighting various Catholic scientists through the ages: https://www.audible.com/pd/Great-Catholic-Scientists-Discoveries-and-Lives-of-Faith-Audiobook/1632517213?srsltid=AfmBOopuQZ9bq8EJ-PDGWMewb2E1OwaNfACWNbBphFE5blNnOUuWp7up) Host Mike Jordan Laskey asked Michelle about how faith and science go together for her and how she responds to popular arguments about how faith and science are totally incompatible. Mike also asked her about wonder and awe in science, and they talked a bit about the book she wrote on the chemistry of brewing tea. You’ll learn once and for all on this episode if those fancy pyramid-shaped tea bags are worth it. We’re sure you’ll love Michelle’s perspective and depth of insight. Dr. Michelle Francl: https://www.brynmawr.edu/inside/people/michelle-francl Michelle's spirituality writing: https://www.michellefrancldonnay.com/ "Steeped: The Chemistry of Tea": https://www.amazon.com/Steeped-Chemistry-Tea-Michelle-Francl/dp/183916591X