Deacons Pod

The Paulist Deacon Affiliates consider questions of faith and life.

Religion & Spirituality
Christianity
Spirituality
1
Taking Note and Catching Up
In this episode of Deacons Pod, three of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates take note of some of the things happening in the United States, including the federal government shutdown; the demolition of the White House's East Wing; the banishment of the Pentagon press corps; and more. They also report on happenings in their own ministries and reflect on some of the topics in our recent episodes.
51 min
2
When Your Mom Passes Away
In this special episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠, Deacon Patrick Murphy-Racey and Deacon Mark Asselin remember their moms, ⁠Sheila Murphy⁠ and ⁠Julienne Asselin⁠, who both passed away earlier this year.
63 min
3
Compassion in a Divided World – Gloria Purvis
In this thought-provoking episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠, the ⁠Paulist Deacon Affiliates⁠ speak with esteemed Catholic speaker and broadcaster Gloria Purvis. On Wednesday, October 15, 2025, at 6 p.m. Eastern, Gloria will deliver the ⁠2025 Gallagher Talk⁠ at the ⁠Catholic Information Center⁠, a Paulist Fathers ministry in Grand Rapids, MI, on the topic "The Role of Compassion in a Divided World."
42 min
4
Three Catholic Deacons on "The Friendship Reces...
In this special episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠, the ⁠Paulist Deacon Affiliates⁠ discuss "the friendship recession" – the possible change in the way adults today experience and maintain friendships, notably due to workplace changes sparked by the COVID pandemic.
57 min
5
Women Responding to the Spirit: Selections from...
The new ⁠Paulist Press⁠ book "⁠Women Responding to the Spirit: Selections from the Madeleva Lectures⁠" is the topic of this special episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠.
43 min
6
Our Language is God. Our Accent is Catholic. – ...
In this "Back to School" episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠, the ⁠Paulist Deacon Affiliates⁠ have a wonderful conversation with ⁠Marissa Papula⁠, the Director of ⁠Campus Ministry⁠ at ⁠Loyola Marymount University⁠ in Los Angeles.
51 min
7
Meet the Three New Paulist Deacon Affiliates
In this special episode of Deacons Pod, learn about the lives and ministries of our three brand new Paulist Deacon Affiliates. They are Deacon Mike Berstene of Tollan, CT; Deacon Mike Hayes of Cleveland, OH; and Deacon Dennis Rybicki of Grand Rapids, MI.
37 min
8
When the Saints Go Flying In – Rev. Joseph Yoo
Rev. Joseph Yoo⁠ is an Episcopal priest in Texas with a dynamic presence on ⁠Instagram⁠ and ⁠TikTok⁠. He has a wonderful conversation with the ⁠Paulist Deacon Affiliates⁠ in this thought-provoking episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠.
53 min
9
Consequences to Real People – Hilary Chester of...
In this episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠, Deacon Drew Dickson of the ⁠Paulist Deacon Affiliates⁠ has a conversation with ⁠Hilary Chester⁠, Ph.D., JRS/USA's Vice President for Domestic and Acting Vice President for International Program Operations.
53 min
10
Do Not Judge Anyone: Desert Wisdom for a Polari...
Could "radical non-judgement" be a balm for polarization?Isn't "judging" a necessary part of everyday life? The ⁠Paulist Deacon Affiliates⁠ consider these questions in this thought-provoking episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠ featuring an interview with ⁠Fr. Isaac Slater, OCSO⁠, author of the new ⁠Liturgical Press⁠ book "⁠Do Not Judge Anyone: Desert Wisdom for a Polarized World⁠."
60 min
11
Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offer...
⁠Daryl Russell Grigsby⁠, author of the new ⁠Paulist Press⁠ book "⁠Catholics for the Common Good: An Eternal Offering⁠" is the guest on this episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠.
60 min
12
Staying Catholic When the Church Seems Stuck - ...
48 min
13
Everyone Has a Place Inside the Church - Deacon...
"You will find your place in the Church. Everyone has one. It may not seem obvious at first where that place is. But everyone has a place inside the Church," says ⁠Paulist Deacon Ben Chisholm⁠ in this episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠.
45 min
14
Serve the People Well - Deacon Chris Malano, C....
In this episode of ⁠Deacons Pod⁠, the ⁠Paulist Deacon Affiliates⁠ have a wonderful conversation with ⁠Paulist Deacon Chris Malano⁠.
53 min
15
In Celebration of Pope Francis' Life and Legacy
In this special episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates celebrate the life and legacy of Pope Francis, who entered eternal life on April 21, 2025.
34 min
16
Hope in the Easter Season
The Paulist Deacon Affiliates recorded this episode of Deacons Pod on Holy Saturday to discuss their consolations and desolations in Lent, 2025, and about how to continue nurturing hope in the Easter season.
41 min
17
Having Hope When Optimism Dims
Deacon Dennis and Deacon Drew Dickson, two of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates, host this episode that looks at both a memorable Gospel reading of Lent and troubling issues raised by recent actions of the U.S. federal government.
58 min
18
Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement W...
60 min
19
What Happens After You Die? - Fr. Robin Ryan, CP
In this episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates speak with Fr. Robin Ryan, CP, author of the new Paulist Press book "Life is Changed, Not Ended: An Introduction to Christian Eschatology."
57 min
20
Signs of Hope in the Sundays of Lent
Three of the Paulist Deacon Affiliates (Deacon Drew, Deacon Dennis, and Deacon Mark) discuss the Gospel readings for the Sundays of Lent 2025 in this episode of Deacons Pod.
58 min
21
When Politics Hurts Your Church Life - Paulist ...
Paulist Fr. Bruce Nieli is the guest on this episode of Deacons Pod about how threshold Catholics are dealing with issues ignited by the new presidential administration in Washington, D.C. Fr. Bruce discusses the status of refugees and migrants in the United States; the abrupt federal funding cuts for Catholic Relief Services; and how believers in non-violence should react when faced with political violence.
47 min
22
Dorothy Day: Radical Devotion - Jeffry Odell Ko...
Paulist Press' new graphic biography "Dorothy Day: Radical Devotion" is the subject of this special episode of Deacons Pod. This colorful, visual narrative tells the story of Servant of God Dorothy Day (1897 - 1980), founder of the Catholic Worker movement.
58 min
23
Centering Prayer: Opening Minds, Opening Hearts...
The Paulist Deacon Affiliates' guest is Colleen Thomas, a spiritual director trained in the monastic arts of discernment, spiritual companionship, and retreat leadership, and a long-time practitioner of centering prayer.
64 min
24
Our 2024 Year In Review
In this special "Year In Review" episode of Deacons Pod, the Paulist Deacon Affiliates take a look back at how 2024 went for them personally, for their parish ministries, and for our podcast.
47 min
25
Comfort and Joy: Christmas for the Soul - Fr. M...
Paulist Fr. Mark-David Janus joins the Paulist Deacon Affiliates for this special episode of Deacons Pod. They speak about Fr. Mark-David's wonderful new Paulist Press book "Comfort and Joy: Christmas for the Soul." The book provides a reflection for each day of the season of Advent and the 12 days of Christmas.
49 min