Podcasts

James Martin, S.J., America‘s culture, editor, looks at the first few seasons of the AMC television show “Mad Men” and the literary and philosophical themes it invokes, from Jean-Paul Sartre and Richard Yates to Flannery O’Connor.

Ethicist Thomas Massaro, S.J., considers the legacy of Ted Kennedy and Robert McNamara, and explores the complexities of bringing the church’s social tradition to bear on political decisions.

Jesuit ethicist Thomas Massaro considers the legacy of Ted Kennedy and Robert McNamara, and explores the complexities of bringing the church’s social tradition to bear on political decisions.

Karen Sue Smith, editorial director of America, reports on obstacles to health care reform and why despite growing opposition the passage of a bill is more likely today than 1994. Also, a closer look at the uninsured. For more on this subject read Karen Smith’s blog posts on the path to health care reform.

Alon Ben-Meir of New York University analyzes U.S. strategy in Afghanistan under President Barack Obama and offers commentary on the upcoming Afghan election. Read Professor Ben-Meir’s article, “Obama’s Long War,” from the August 17-24 issue.

Now the dean of Fordham Law School in New York, William Michael Treanor served for three years in the president’s Office of Legal Counsel, a branch of the executive that was little-known to the general public until legal advisers to President George W. Bush released the infamous “torture memo” in 2002. Treanor, who served under […]

America‘s Book Club reviews Colm Toibin’s Brooklyn, a new novel that chronicles a young Irishwoman’s journey to adulthood in an unfamiliar country. Purchase Brooklyn from amazon.com.

Julie Irwin Zimmerman discusses the difficulties facing Catholics encountering infertility. Too often, she argues, Catholics feel bewildered by the moral implications of the choices offered by the fertility industry. In this environment, the church should do more to reach out to couples weighing these difficult matters, to listen and guide them to a life-affirming decision. […]

Jim McDermott, S.J., describes the terrible beauty of Australia, a country that he experienced as both exotic and familiar. Father McDermott spent seven months down under as part of the final stage of his Jesuit formation. Read his article, “Gone Walkabout,” from the June 22-29 issue of America.

Dave Nantais, a frequent contributor to America‘s pages and a Detroit native, reports on the mood of the Motor City as the American auto industry continues to shrink, what the church is doing to help the unemployed and why the city’s cultural scene continues to hum despite the troubles.