Podcasts

Matt Malone, S.J., talks about the first in the history of America: an interview with the pope.

James McCann, S.J., talks about the work of the Pontifical Oriental Institute and how the school's students have been affected by the turmoil in the Middle East. This interview was recorded in May 2013.

Kevin Spinale, S.J., the moderator of the Catholic Book Club, discusses Francis of Assisi: The Life and Afterlife of a Medieval Saint, with Rev. Michael Cusato, the book's English translator. Francis of Assisi is the Catholic Book Club selection for July and August, 2013.

J.P. speaks about why her family moved from South Korea to the United States, the challenges she faced as an undocumented immigrant and how gaining temporary legal status changed her life. She also discusses immigration reform legislation, the subject of this week's editorial in America.

Andrea Vicini, S.J., of the Boston College School of Theology and Ministry discusses the ethics of the National Insitute of Health's BRAIN Initiative. The initiative promises the possibility for medical breakthroughs in the field of neuroscience, but who will benefit from these technologies? And could they be put to questionable purposes?

Hans Zollner, S.J., the director of the Centre for Child Protection at the Gregorian University, talks about the Vatican's efforts to stop sexual abuse and the challenges of adapting Vatican policy in different cultures worldwide. For more on the centre's e-learning curriculm, visit www.elearning-childprotection.com.

William T. Cavanaugh, discusses his article, "The Root of Evil: Does Religion Promote Violence?" Cavanaugh is the author of The Myth of Religious Violence (Oxford University Press) and the director of Center for World Catholicism and Intercultural Theology at DePaul University.

Mark Naison, a professor of history and African American studies at Fordham University, talks about the tragic death of Trayvon Martin and the state of race relations in the United States today.

Tim Reidy, America's digital editor, and James Martin, S.J., editor at large, meditate on the Catholic themes in this season of their favorite series, "Mad Men." Take a look at Don, Peggy, Betty, Roger, Betty, Pete, Bob and Joan through the lens of confession, fidelity, family, honesty, poverty and redemption.