COMMUNICATING ABOUT
COMMUNICATION
If you’re interested in how communication shapes our lives — and in this increasingly wired world you ought to be — give a listen to my radio show, “Free Expression.”
It’s produced by Good Shepherd Catholic Radio (an EWTN affiliate serving south-central Michigan), and is available worldwide on the PodBean podcasting platform…
“Free Expression” touches on writing, media, online communication, preaching, evangelization — all the various ways in which messages about life (especially religion and morality) are conveyed.
In terms of subject matter, the show covers a lot of ground, demonstrating how we’re impacted by mass media, politics, science, technology, pop culture, and more.
As the title, “Free Expression,” suggests, a special focus of the show is defending First Amendment rights. That’s certainly a timely concern in the current atmosphere of censorship, cancel culture, and anti-religious bigotry — a world where faith and virtue have been turned upside down.
Here are thumbnails of episodes currently posted on PodBean:
Episode 76 — (1) Attorney and author Mark Lanier discusses his new book comparing world faiths, “Religions on Trial”; (2) Catholic evangelist Jesse Romero warns about the disturbing growth of Satanism.
Episode 75 — (1) Jonathan Feldstein of the Israel-based Genesis 123 Foundation talks about strengthening relations between Christians and Jews; (2) Joe Condit of the Catholic Speakers Organization urges men to attend the upcoming National Men’s Conference in Cincinnati.
Episode 74 — (1) Adam Husing of Decided Excellence Catholic Media discusses producing parish magazines; (2) Marilyn Santos of the USCCB announces a new liturgical music competition; (3) YouTuber Ray Grijalba talks about online evangelization of skeptical young people.
Episode 73 — (1) Notre Dame social scientist Daniel Hungerman discusses research that shows church attendance has a positive impact on mental health; (2) Catholic author Ruth Apollonia talks about her “Annabelle of Anchony” fantasy novels.
Episode 72 — (1) Former Michigan Congressman Thaddeus McCotter warns of the spreading danger of cancel culture; (2) architect Eric Bootsma describes a Catholic urban village planned around a historic Detroit church.
Episode 71 — (1) Jeff Myers of Summit Ministries reflects on a survey suggesting most young people reject the idea that there is truth; (2) educator Jennifer Nolan describes a planned Catholic university based on a blending of science and faith.
Episode 70 — (1) Robert Nalewajek of CAPP-USA corrects misconceptions about Catholic Church teaching on social justice; (2) Troy Miller of National Religious Broadcasters warns about threats to free speech posed by the so-called Respect for Marriage Act.
Episode 69 — (1) Paul Kengor of Grove City College discusses his new book about Communist-to-Catholic convert, Bella Dodd; (2) writer Patrick Novecosky shares his experiences developing and promoting a book about Pope St. John Paul II.
Episode 68 — (1) Author Paul Thigpen on mystical visions of St. Joseph; (2) artist Frank Lingel examines cartoons and caricatures in evangelization; (3) James Matthew Wilson of the University of St. Thomas describes UST’s “Great Big Christmas Show.”
Episode 67 — (1) David Acevedo from the National Association of Scholars describes how NAS tracks free speech infringements on campuses; (2) Ann Gundlach talks about Embodied, her new magazine that helps Catholics understand Saint Pope John Paul II’s Theology of the Body.
Episode 66 — (1) Terry Jones of Issues & Insights examines a threat to freedom of speech on podcasts; (2) Dave Plisky of DeSales Media discusses a survey that shows Catholics are reluctant to talk about faith.
Episode 65 — (1) Catholic activist Joe Rigi reflects on the first annual March for Catholics, an event intended as a public defense of the Faith; (2) Cathy Gilmore of Mater Media discusses “Buzzin’ About Cousins,” the latest in her “Tiny Virtue Heroes” children’s book series.
Episode 64 — (1) Journalist Casey Chalk discusses his book, “The Persecuted,” which documents the suffering of Christians in Muslim countries; (2) Sociologist Phil Davignon proposes that the reasons people leave the Church are different from what we usually assume; (3) Titania Jordan of Bark Technologies discusses an app that helps parents protect their kids from online predators and other dangers.
Episode 63 — (1) Pro-Life activist Monica Miller lays out the evils of Proposal 3, a ballot initiative that would legalize abortion in Michigan right up to birth, and open the door to sex-change procedures for children without parental consent; (2) singer-songwriter and music entrepreneur Burke Ingraffia, talks about the second annual Catholic Song Contest; (3) Bill Kassel offers a song of his own, which won the Best Country Gospel award in last year’s contest.
Episode 62 — (1) Philosophy Professor John Finley discusses “Sexual Identity,” the book he edited exploring current conflicts and confusion over gender and sexuality; (2) journalist Sarah Weaver examines how media and civil liberties groups are ignoring the medical harm being done to gender-conflicted young people.
Episode 61 — (1) Attorney Ron London, of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, warns about the legal consequences of online posting of video shot on government property; (2) author and entrepreneur Matt Pinto discusses a conference he’s organized on how electronic currency will impact churches, Catholic businesses, and individual believers.
Episode 60 — (1) Motion picture devotee Analee McGraw explains how her organization, the Educational Guidance Institute, uses classic films to help young people understand moral principles; (2) Catholic scholar, author and blogger, Leila Lawlor discusses helping children develop their moral imaginations.
Communication is the thread that connects these varied topics. But as you can see, the show covers a wide range of concerns — all of which have spiritual and moral implications.
So please, tune in to “Free Expression.”
If you’re located in the south-central Michigan broadcast area, catch the show on FM-93.3 or AM-1510 Saturday and Sunday evenings at 9:00 p.m., or Mondays at 12:30 p.m.
Anywhere in the world — any time of the day or night — you can stream or download from PodBean at…
https://billkassel.podbean.com/
Good listening!
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After you’ve had the chance to tune in, please let me know what you think of “Free Expression.” I’d also appreciate your suggestions on topics we might cover, interesting people we might speak with, concerns that touch the lives of believers.
Leave a comment below, or use the Contact page. I look forward to hearing from you…
https://www.billkassel.com/contact/
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