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”The Religion and American Life Podcast” is an initiative of the Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life at Boston College. Dedicated to the Center’s mission, the podcast is committed to fostering rigorous, civil, and constructive conversations about religion in American public life in pursuit of the common good of a religiously diverse society. Seeking to produce meaningful exchanges that inform, challenge, and inspire, this podcast brings exceptional scholarship into dialogue with engaged citizenship and the creative arts through the voices of central figures who are in or who study closely the most important issues in religion and public life in the United States today.
Episodes

Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Thursday Apr 24, 2025
Join us for an engaging conversation between Mark Massa, S.J., and acclaimed conflict expert, Bob Bordone, as they discuss insights from Bordone’s recently published book, Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement without Giving Up or Giving In. In the episode, Bordone, a lifelong Catholic, unpacks the ways that these insights might apply to parish life and help us navigate polarization in the Church.
Bordone is an internationally-recognized expert, author, speaker, and teacher in negotiation, conflict resolution, mediation, and facilitation, recently selected as one of the Top 30 Negotiation Professionals by Top Global Gurus. A Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, and the USA Today best selling author of Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In (HarperCollins 2025), he served on the full-time faculty at Harvard Law School for more than twenty years as the Thaddeus R. Beal Clinical Professor of Law, Director, and Founder of the Harvard Negotiation & Mediation Clinical Program before launching his full-time consulting, advisory, speaking, and training practice. He also serves as the Director of the Consensus Building Institute Professional Development Academy and as an Adjunct Professor at Georgetown University Law Center. Bob has also been a Visiting Clinical Professor of Conflict Transformation at Boston University’s School of Theology.
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: Madeline Jarrett
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
A Conversation with BC Head Football Coach, Bill O’Brien
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
This episode is a recording of a live event we hosted with Bill O’Brien, the head coach of the Boston College football team, for a conversation about faith and football. Join us as Mark Massa, S.J., interviews Coach O’Brien about Jesuit culture, cultivating his vision for the program, his hopes for the team, and what made him decide to take the position at BC.
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: Madeline Jarrett
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Fr. James Martin’s Reflections on the 2024 Synod
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
Wednesday Nov 20, 2024
In this episode of Religion and American Life, James Martin, S.J., discusses his experiences at the 2024 Synod gathering in Rome. Host Mark Massa, S.J., engages Fr. Martin on the differences between the 2023 and 2024 meetings, the topics that were (and were not) discussed, moving moments, the process of implementing the Synod, and even the best Synod jokes. After giving this episode a listen, and to hear more of Fr. Martin’s Synod experiences, check out the recording of an event we hosted on the 2023 Synod last spring.
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: Madeline Jarrett
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Thursday Oct 03, 2024
Thursday Oct 03, 2024
In this episode of Religion and American Life, Mark Massa, S.J. interviews the theologian and Episcopal priest, Dr. Daniel Joslyn-Siemiatkoski, on the rise of Christian nationalism in the United States. Joslyn-Siemiatkoski discusses the roots of Christian nationalism, the complex ways that it appears in our culture, and what it might mean for the 2024 election. Join us for this important and timely conversation.
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: Madeline Jarrett
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
- Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Monday Dec 11, 2023
Monday Dec 11, 2023
In this episode of Religion and American Life, Mark Massa, S.J., interviews the first non-Jesuit and female President of Fordham University, Tania Tetlow. Join us as President Tetlow discusses the gifts and challenges of entering her leadership position, the benefits of a Jesuit education, and the unique obstacles and opportunities presented to Catholic universities in our political era.
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: Madeline Jarrett
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Barbie and the Loss of Paradise - A Conversation with Theologian Cathleen Kaveny
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
Tuesday Dec 05, 2023
The Barbie movie has taken the world by storm since its release in July 2023. The movie, directed by Greta Gerwig and starring Margo Robbie and Ryan Gosling, follows “stereotypical Barbie” as she moves through an existential crisis and toward self-discovery. Join Mark Massa, S.J. as he engages Dr. Cathleen Kaveny about the theological themes of the Barbie movie.
The Boisi Center for Religion and American Public Life also hosted a panel with Dr. Kaveny and two other scholars on the theological themes of the Barbie movie. Find the recording of the event here.
See also Dr. Kaveny’s article in the National Catholic Reporter that inspired the on-campus even and the podcast conversation: https://www.ncronline.org/culture/barbie-land-and-losing-paradise-theologian-muses-summers-blockbuster
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: Madeline Jarrett
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Monday Apr 03, 2023
Art as Spiritual Practice: An Interview with Stuart Hobbs
Monday Apr 03, 2023
Monday Apr 03, 2023
For more information on the Seven Last Words installation, see http://ststephens-columbus.org/seven-last-words-of-jesus-a-lenten-art-show-in-the-sanctuary-beginning-ash-wednesday/.
And to learn more about the artist and see his other works, visit https://www.columbusmakesart.com/artist/8962-stuart-d-hobbs.
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: R. Zachary Karanovich
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
The Protests in Iran: An Interview with Natana Delong-Bas and Kristin Peterson
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
Tuesday Dec 20, 2022
In September of this year, Mahsa Amini was found dead after having been taken into custody by Iran's "morality police." This sparked national and global outrage, leading to large protests in the streets of Iran, pressure from the rest of the world on Iran's government and religious leaders, and what appeared to be the dissolution of the morality police. Join Mark Massa, S.J. as he discusses with Boston College professors Natana Delong-Bas and Kristin Peterson the circumstances of Amini's death, the solidaristic protests of Muslim women around the world, and what the future holds (or should hold) for Iran.
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: R. Zachary Karanovich
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Friday Dec 02, 2022
Friday Dec 02, 2022
In September of 2022, the Pew Research Center published a study that indicated that religious switching is changing the face of American politics. The report concludes that if the trends continue as they are, Christianity in the United States will fall below 50%. And regardless whether this exact scenario continues or another one emerges, the report concludes that the Christian population in the US will continue to decline. Join Mark Massa, S.J. as he discusses with senior Pew researcher, Stephanie Kramer, the causes and consequences of this projection.
Credits:
Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.
Production: R. Zachary Karanovich
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.

Wednesday Aug 31, 2022
Wednesday Aug 31, 2022
In March 2022, the Boisi Center, Fordham's Center on Religion and Culture and the Hank Center for the Catholic Intellectual Heritage at Loyola University Chicago hosted the conference, "Pope Francis, Vatican II, and the Way Forward." In attendance were cardinals, archbishops, bishops, academics, and Catholic journalists--all gathered to discuss some of the most pressing issues facing the American Church. Join R. Zachary Karanovich, the Boisi Center's graduate research assistant, as he discusses with David Gibson, Mark Massa, S.J., and Michael Murphy (the three centers' directors) the process and challenges in developing the conference, the insights and outcomes from the conference, and their hopes for the future of the conference.
Credits:
Podcast Host: R. Zachary Karanovich
Production: R. Zachary Karanovich
Music: • Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.
• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Bourree 4th Lute Suite; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.• Double Violin Concerto 1st Movement; Exzel Music Publishing (freemusicpublicdomain.com); Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0; http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/.