Busted Halo Show w/Fr. Dave Dwyer

In light of Pope Leo XIV publishing the first encyclical of his pontificate, "Magnifica Humanitas," Father Dave welcomes church historian Mike Aquilina to unpack the importance of papal encyclicals through the years.

As stories of immigration top the national and world news headlines, Father Dave welcomes author Mary Fontana to share her experience with a unique Catholic resource that serves the vulnerable at the border. Mary spotlights Annunciation House, a migrant shelter in El Paso, TX in her new book called "Strangers in the Province of Joy: Practicing Radical Hospitality on the US - Mexico Border."

A listener named Barbara asks Father Dave about the Parable of the Lost Sheep. She says, "In the Gospel Parable of the [Lost Sheep], Jesus says there will be more joy in heaven over one sinner who repents than over 99 righteous people who have no need of repentance. Who is he referring to when he says righteous people, and what makes them righteous?" 

This year commemorates 800 years since the death of Saint Francis of Assisi, and Father Dave welcomes Jon Sweeney to discuss this saint's lessons for the modern world. Jon is Religion Editor and Associate Publisher at Monkfish Publishing, as well as the author of many books on Franciscan spirituality including his latest, "Experiencing God: 36 Ways According to Saint Francis of Assisi."

On Pope Leo's first international trip last year, he shared that the book "The Practice of the Presence of God" by Brother Lawrence helped shape his spirituality. Father Dave welcomes Father Gregory Pine and Rebecca Dougherty as they dive into this work in the latest season of Ascension's "Catholic Classics" podcast.

Can Catholics attend a gay wedding? Father Dave explains that neither the Catechism nor official Church teaching prohibits Catholics from attending, while also discussing how the Church understands marriage, conscience, and family bonds. 

Following Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical entitled Magnifica Humanitas, Father Dave welcomes back friend of the show and ethicist Dr. Charles Camosy to discuss humanity in the age of artificial intelligence. Dr. Camosy teaches moral theology and bioethics at The Catholic University of America.

On May 25, Pope Leo released the first encyclical of his pontificate entitled Magnifica Humanitas, and Father Dave and Team Busted Halo delve into its contents.

The Vatican recently noted a "remarkable increase" in the number of Catholics in Africa, and Father Dave welcomes Nigerian priest Father Ken Amadi to discuss how catechists there are keeping up with this growth. Father Ken is the director and co-founder of Church Life Africa, which is a non-profit apostolate dedicated to forming lay Catholic leaders and educators across the continent. They recently announced a partnership with the Augustine Institute in the United States to further grow this mission.

A listener named Becca asks Father Dave about how to approach an interfaith interaction. Becca says, "[Sometimes] Mormons come to my property; I ask them to leave and they get a bit bothered. They ask if they can pray with me, and I say 'No, thank you.' Am I wrong for saying no?"

May is National Mental Health Awareness month, and Father Dave welcomes Catholic psychologist Dr. Greg Bottaro to discuss how we can improve our relationships through better listening. Dr. Bottaro is the founder of the CatholicPsych Institute and author of "The Power of Listening Well: How Holy Curiosity Can Build Trust and Restore Relationships." 

Father Dave welcomes Ann Koshute to discuss how we can support Catholic couples facing the hardship of infertility. Ann is the co-founder & executive director of Springs in the Desert, a Catholic ministry dedicated to accompanying those experiencing infertility and loss through community, spiritual resources, and faith-based support. Springs in the Desert and Ascension also collaborated on a new prayer and reflection series called "Scripture and Saints for the Path of Infertility" now available on the Ascension app.

A listener named Mark asks Father Dave about the Easter season in the Catholic Church. "I'm a new Catholic. How long is the Easter season?" Mark asks.

In April, Busted Halo ministries celebrated its 25th birthday with a show in front of a live audience in New York City! As part of the festivities, Father Dave welcomes NBC veteran journalist Anne Thompson to discuss covering religious affairs in the last quarter century.

The Church celebrates Saint Catherine of Siena's feast day on April 29, and Father Dave welcomes Scripture teacher and veteran tour guide Joan Watson to discuss how this doctor of the Church can inspire us today. Joan is the pilgrim formation manager for Verso Ministries and the author of the new book "Coached by Saint Catherine: Lessons of Charity."

It is a sadly common phenomenon for parents to become estranged from their adult children, and Father Dave welcomes Dr. Kathy Koch for tips on nurturing these relationships. Dr. Koch is a Christian speaker, author, podcast host and the founder of Celebrate Kids, Inc. Her new book is called, "Resolve Conflict and Find Peace and Hope with Adult Children: Strategies and Conversations that Work."

A listener named Brenda asks Father Dave about the content of a homily. "One Sunday, a priest was giving his homily and began to explain something. He added, 'The homily should not be academic,'" Brenda says. "I thought that 'academic' meant 'instructional.' Am I wrong to think that it is fine for a homily to be teaching us something? I really appreciate it when the priest gives us background information such as common practices in biblical times. The more I can learn, the happier I am."

As the War in Iran continues, Church leaders including Pope Leo XIV have voiced strong messages for peace. This past Sunday evening, President Donald Trump posted disparaging words about Pope Leo XIV on social media, who then responded to those criticisms aboard the papal plane on Monday. Father Dave unpacks what events led to these tensions and what the Church teaches about war.

As we continue in the Octave of Easter, Father Dave welcomes speaker and author Laura Kelly Fanucci to discuss how we can celebrate all 50 days of this season. Laura is the founder of "Mothering Spirit," and her new devotional is called, "Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection."

We are all made in the image and likeness of God, and Father Dave welcomes author Ginny Kochis who ministers to Catholic families with neurodivergent children. Ginny's online community provides practical support and prayerful encouragement to Catholic parents raising exceptional children, and her new book is called "Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence with Faith and Joy."

Father Dave welcomes veteran filmmaker and Catholic René Echevarria to discuss his latest project called "The Faithful: Women of the Bible." René is a television writer and producer best known for his work on "Star Trek," "Castle," "Dark Angel," and more. "The Faithful" is a three-part series on Fox that centers on five well-known matriarchs of the Old Testament.

A listener named Peg asks Father Dave about the Gospels. "While listening to or reading the Gospel readings during the Lenten season, I wonder about the actual time between the stories. Is it months, weeks or days? Can you help us understand the timeline?"

Service is a cornerstone of our Christian lives, and Father Dave welcomes Kerry Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, to discuss a new museum that showcases this virtue. "People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors" is a traveling storytelling museum that highlights the impact of being present for others. The mobile museum begins its three-year journey around the United States starting this week in New York City.

A listener named Kelly asks Father Dave a question about receiving the Eucharist from lay ministers.

A listener named Carol asks Father Dave about the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. She says, "As someone with an autoimmune disease called lupus, every couple of months when the Anointing of the Sick is offered after Mass, I go up for the anointing. Am I abusing the Sacrament by doing this because I'm not critically ill?"

Father Dave welcomes Anthony P. Carter to discuss living out his faith throughout decades of work in corporate communications. Anthony worked in senior roles for two Fortune 100 healthcare companies as well as Chief Diversity Officer for Johnson & Johnson. He also served as press secretary for New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins and U.S. Congressman Edolphus Towns. He details these experiences and more in his new book, "This I Know: Principles for a Life of Faith and Optimism."

A listener named Theresa asks about different postures at Mass. She asks, "How many times do we kneel and stand at Mass, and why?"

While broadcasting from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Father Dave welcomes Anne Kertz Kernion to help us better understand the connection of body, mind and soul. Anne is a former college professor with a graduate degree in theology and a background in science, engineering, and neuroscience. She writes about these topics in her latest book "The Four Connections: How to Flourish by Aligning Your Beliefs, Body, Brain, and Bonds."

While broadcasting from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Father Dave welcomes Catholic composers and musicians Sarah Hart and Steve Angrisano. Steve, Sarah, and fellow Catholic composer Curtis Stephan recently set 220 antiphons to contemporary music in a new project called, "Let Us All Rejoice."

While broadcasting from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Father Dave talks with the event's keynote speaker, Alessandro DiSanto. Alessandro is a co-founder of the Hallow prayer and meditation app, although he began his career on Wall Street and later worked as a private equity investor. His keynote at LA Congress was called, "The Currency of Mercy: Renewing Hope Through Faith and Prayer."

As Lent begins this week, Father Dave welcomes back friend of the show Father Patrick Mary Briscoe to discuss his new devotional, "Witness: A Guided Lent Journal for Prayer and Meditation." Father Patrick is a Dominican friar now serving in Rome, and he was recently appointed General Promoter for Social Communication for the Order of Preachers.

We all walk through different seasons of life, and Father Dave welcomes Sister Colleen Gibson to discuss accompanying those in times of grief. Sister Colleen belongs to the Congregation of the Sisters of Saint Joseph, and co-hosts the "Beyond the Habit" podcast. She currently serves as the Coordinator of Pastoral Care at St. John-St. Paul Catholic Collaborative in Wellesley, MA, where among many things she helps run a bereavement ministry called "Seasons of Hope."

As Lent begins next week, Father Dave welcomes back Catholic speaker and author Mary Lenaburg to discuss a new program and challenge for this penitential season. Mary is an ambassador for Ascension's "Crux: A Lenten Journey of Surrender" program, which invites participants to surrender to God through the adoption of four daily challenges.

A listener named Lisa asks Father Dave about music during Mass. She says, "I was at a different Catholic Church last weekend, and during communion, the hymn was by an evangelical Christian. Can this happen? I was really disappointed."

Father Dave welcomes Academy Award-nominated filmmaker Rian Johnson to discuss his latest movie "Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery," whose fictional story takes place in a Catholic parish. Rian's directing credits include "Star Wars Episode VIII: The Last Jedi," "Looper," "Poker Face," episodes of "Breaking Bad," and many more. The latest film in the "Knives Out" murder mystery series, "Wake Up Dead Man," stars Daniel Craig as Detective Benoit Blanc who teams up with a priest (Josh O'Connor) to investigate a crime at the small-town church.

A caller named Tammy asks Father Dave about attending Mass at different parishes in her area. She asks, "If I go to different parishes for convenience's sake — say, this Mass time works better for me at this other church instead of the parish that I belong to — and it seems like the majority of the time I'm attending Mass at a different church than my parish that I belong to, is that a sin? Is that something I need to confess, that I need to be at my own parish more often?"

We often feel God's presence in a breathtaking sunset or magnificent cathedral, and Father Dave welcomes actor, director, and producer David Henrie to discuss how beauty can be a path to the divine. David leads viewers across Italy to find the intersection of faith and culture in the new series, "Seeking Beauty," streaming now on EWTN+.

We all experience times of uncertainty in our lives, and Father Dave welcomes Matt Kresich to discuss his new book "The Path of Discernment: Hearing God's Call."

As many struggle to stick to their New Year's resolutions, Father Dave welcomes back friend of the show Kathryn Whitaker to help him overcome roadblocks to cleaning out his office. Kathryn is the co-host of the weekly show "Strong Voices" on the Catholic Channel, host of the "NICU Babies Parent Support" podcast, and author of "Live Big, Love Bigger: Getting Real with BBQ, Sweet Tea and a Whole Lotta Jesus." She is also in the midst of her annual "Purge and Reset," where she cleans out her entire home with her husband and six children.

In an exciting Team Busted Halo announcement, Brett Siddell surprises Father Dave and Krista with news that his wife Brittany is expecting their first child. For more than 19 years, Brett has served the show in a variety of roles, including phone screener, producer, and now co-host. Father Dave, Brett, and Krista reflect on his growth over the years and excitement about becoming a father.