Whole Life Rising

Episode 7 - Fr. James Martin, SJ

Fr. James Martin is a Jesuit priest and editor at large at America magazine. A prominent figure on social media, Fr. Martin can frequently be found on various platforms defending the life and dignity of all people, particularly the marginalized and vulnerable. He is the author of many popular books, including his latest, Learning to Pray, The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything, This Our Exile: A Spiritual Journey With the Refugees of East Africa, and Building a Bridge: How the Catholic Church and the LGBT Community Can Enter into a Relationship of Respect, Compassion, and Sensitivity. In this episode, he discusses the threats faced by members of the LGBT community and why this constitutes a life issue, the seamless garment, the plight of refugees and his time in East Africa, the culture of vitriol on social media (and beyond), and the different approaches taken by Pope Francis and the US Catholic Bishops on life issues. Co-hosts Kristen Day and Millennial editor Robert Christian discuss the War in Ukraine, a recent Supreme Court ruling on the death penalty and religious liberty, and pro-life efforts at the state level, while offering their responses to the question of the month: how did you become a pro-life Democrat? You can support the show here: https://dflaef.givecloud.co/product/49FCC0C/whole-life-rising-podcast

Episode 6 - Marcus Mescher

Marcus Mescher, one of the top millennial theologians in the country, is an associate professor of Christian ethics at Xavier University. He is the author of The Ethics of Encounter: Christian Neighbor Love as a Practice of Solidarity (Orbis, 2020). A writer for Millennial since its inception, he has also written for numerous academic journals and popular periodicals, including America Magazine and National Catholic reporter. In this episode, he discusses "the divided states of America", partisanship, rising levels of isolation and despair, Pope Francis, the globalization of indifference, and more. Co-hosts Kristen Day and Robert Christian discuss abortion and the class divide, Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization, the March for Life, the common good, and support for pregnant women. You can support the pod here: https://support.democratsforlife.org/product/2EFF09A/whole-life-rising

Episode 5 - Chris Butler

Chris Butler, a Chicago native and Christian pastor, has worked in community and political organizing, helped to launch the AND campaign, and is a published author and podcaster. He is currently running for Congress in the Democratic primary in Illinois’ 1st District. In this episode, he describes why he is running for Congress, his vision for the Democratic Party, ways we can strengthen our democracy, how Christians should approach politics and engage with secular voters, and more. Co-hosts Kristen Day and Robert Christian discuss the expanded child tax credit and its potential impact, the latest with the Hyde Amendment, whole life victories in Louisiana, and the Whole Life Revolution conference. They also discuss this month’s question of the month: If you’re a feminist, don’t you have to be pro-choice?