The Religion and American Life Podcast

The Protests in Iran: An Interview with Natana Delong-Bas and Kristin Peterson

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/.

The Future of American Religion: An Interview with Pew Research Center’s Stephanie Kramer

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/.

Charting the ’Way Forward’: An Interview with David Gibson, Mark Massa, S.J., and Michael Murphy

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/.

 

The Consequences of Roe and the Leaked SCOTUS Opinion: An Interview with M. Cathleen Kaveny

In May 2022, a draft Supreme Court opinion authored by Justice Samuel Alito was leaked to the public. The opinion would overturn the holding in Roe v. Wade that afforded the constitutional right to an abortion within the umbrella right to privacy. If the leaked opinion is final, the impact on American society, women, Catholics, and the Supreme Court itself would be seismic. Join Mark Massa, S.J. as he discusses with M. Cathleen Kaveny the legal and religious consequences of the leaked opinion.

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/.

 

Gender, Sexuality, and the Church: An Interview with Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas and James Martin, S.J.

Historically, the Roman Catholic and Episcopal Churches have responded quite differently to the movements of the LGBTQ community and the voices of women. Yet, the concerns of both groups have been the same and persistent. The Rev. Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas and James Martin, S.J. have been powerful voices in the fight for these marginalized groups to be heard in their respective denominations. Join Mark Massa, S.J. as he discusses with Douglas and Martin the history, theology, ongoing challenges, and hopes for the LGBTQ community and women in these two branches of the Jesus Movement.

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/.

Boston’s Catholic Nazis: An Interview with Charles Gallagher, S.J.

In his recently published book, Nazis of Copley Square, Charles Gallagher, S.J. tells the story of the Christian Front, a Catholic organization of men crusading to cleanse the United States from the perceived influence of Communism. It is a dark chapter of history that includes anti-Semitism, practiced marksmanship, and bomb-making--all under the unofficial umbrella of Catholicism--and the desire to install a "temporary dictatorship" in the U.S. Join Mark Massa, S.J. as he discusses the remarkable story with Gallagher as well as its lessons for our contemporary political moment.

 

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/.

The Famous Evangelical Editorial: An Interview with Mark Galli

Prior to his resignation as editor of Christianity Today, Mark Galli wrote a now-famous editorial calling for the end of Donald Trump's presidency: "Trump Should Be Removed from Office." As expected, the backlash from Evangelicals supportive of the president was fierce. But Galli stood by his decision. In this episode, Mark Massa, S.J. discusses with Galli the circumstances of and response to his editorial, the politics of Evangelicals, and Galli's own move to Roman Catholicism. 

 

Credits

Podcast Host: Mark Massa, S.J.

Podcast Production: John Sage and Boston College Media Technology Services 

Music: Nova Wang (Boston College '21)