AMDG: A Jesuit Podcast

Perhaps you're the kind of person who consumed a lot of science fiction and fantasy stories growing up. Stories like the Chronicles of Narnia and the Lord of the Rings have overt Christian themes. Others – Star Wars and Marvel movies, for example – might if you squint at them the right way. Regardless of spiritual intent, these stories can shape us, shape our imagination. We continue to return to them - maybe in surprising ways. These imaginative stories may even lay the groundwork for an encounter with Scripture, priming our minds to see the world as a big, fantastical place where miracles are just around the corner, where epic things can and do happen, and where themes of justice and good versus evil really matter. Brent Gordon, a Jesuit brother in his first year of studies, can relate. He wrote a wonderful essay for the Jesuit Post a several weeks ago where he explored exactly these themes. And he's here today to share some of those reflections – how these seemingly otherworldly stories could lead us to our very real and present God today, in our world, in this moment. You can read his article here: https://thejesuitpost.org/2021/01/fantasy-literature-imagination-and-christian-life/

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent.

Musician and author John Darnielle is the creative force behind the Mountain Goats, the critically acclaimed and deeply loved indie rock band he has led (sometimes as its only member) since 1991. He's also a deeply spiritual person with incredible religious literacy -- each song on the Mountain Goats' 2009 album "The Life of the World to Come" is named after a different Scripture verse, for instance. Darnielle joined hosts Mike Jordan Laskey and MegAnne Liebsch to discuss everything from the church in Latin America to the spiritual experience of live music to the Book of the Prophet Jonah. It's a whirlwind of a conversation and unlike any other AMDG episode you've heard before. Learn more about the Mountain Goats here: https://www.mountain-goats.com/ AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Special guest Pádraig Ó Tuama. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.

Joanna Williams has the kind of energy that sucks you in. Just talking to her is like getting a jolt of motivation. She’s passionate about social change and justice, but she’s also pragmatic. Williams recently became the executive director of Kino Border Initiative, a Jesuit-run ministry that accompanies migrants on both sides of the U.S.-Mexico border. She views her work at Kino like a global invitation. It’s not just her work—or the work of 22 staff members. Everyone has a responsibility, a share in the mission. On this episode of AMDG, Williams talks guest host MegAnne Liebsch about conditions at the border right now and how we can build a more welcoming society for migrants and asylum seekers. Learn more about KBI: https://www.kinoborderinitiative.org/ Join KBI's 100 Days Campaign here: bit.ly/kbileads Learn about migration advocacy at the Jesuit Conference: https://www.jesuits.org/our-work/justice-and-ecology/migration-and-immigration/

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Special guest Fr. James Martin, SJ. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.

Mark Kennedy Shriver has spent a lot of time with incredibly impressive people. His father was Sargent Shriver, who founded the Peace Corps, was the architect of Lyndon Johnson’s War on Poverty, and ran for vice president of the United States in 1972. Sargent Shriver was married to Mark’s mother, Eunice Kennedy Shriver -- sister of JFK and RFK -- for 56 years. She, in turn, founded the Special Olympics, among many other accomplishments. The public service values Mark learned from his parents have taken root in his own life. Mark served as a Maryland state delegate for eight years and has been leading the Save the Children Action Network for the last seven. He knows what it means to be a servant leader. And he shares those lessons with a fresh generation in his brand-new children’s book “10 Hidden Heroes,” published by Loyola Press. The book is a vividly illustrated “Where’s Waldo?”-style collection of people serving their communities in big and small ways, meant to show kids that they don’t need a lot of money or superpowers to be a hero in their own communities. Mark talked to AMDG host Mike Jordan Laskey about why he wrote the book, how his Catholic faith and Jesuit education shape his values, and what today’s leaders navigating the coronavirus pandemic might learn from the example of his parents. Get your copy of "10 Hidden Heroes" here, written by Mark K. Shriver and illustrated by Laura Watson: https://store.loyolapress.com/10-hidden-heroes Mark's other two books: https://www.amazon.com/Mark-K-Shriver/e/B006LTJ19A AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.

If you have a Hulu subscription or the DVDs of "Seinfeld," pull up episode 16 of the eighth season. It’s called "The Pothole." A few minutes in to the episode, Elaine, played by Julia Louis-Dreyfus, is waiting for Chinese food delivery on the sidewalk. The delivery man approaches. A hilarious interaction ensues that we don’t want to spoil for you. The actor playing the delivery man is named Radmar Jao, who was an up-and-coming actor back then in 1997 and would go on to appear in shows like "ER" and "General Hospital" and the Steven Spielberg movie "Minority Report." But he left that career path about 20 years ago for something just a little bit different: Actor Radmar Jao is now Father Radmar Jao, a Jesuit priest and the director of vocations for the USA West Province. He talked with host Mike Jordan Laskey about his acting career, his entrance into the Jesuits, how he uses his acting talents in his ministry, and so much more. There’s no better way to get ready for the Golden Globe Awards this Sunday and the start of our delayed awards season than this incredibly fun conversation. AMDG is a production of the Jesuit Conference of Canada and the United States. Subscribe wherever you get podcasts.

Matt Wooters, SJ, and Damian Torres-Botello, SJ, are back to journey with us along the way this Lent. Tune in on Saturdays for new episodes.