Welcome to Questions for the Modern World, a podcast by Common Home TV where faith meets the challenges—and possibilities—of our time.

In this episode, we’re joined by Bishop Shane Mackinlay, Bishop of Sandhurst and a key figure in the global Synod on Synodality. As the Church enters a new chapter following the death of Pope Francis, now is the moment to reflect on the vision he leaves behind—a Church that listens, journeys together, and engages with the world rather than retreating from it.

We talk with Bishop Mackinlay about the deep need to reconnect faith with modern culture, how synodality offers an antidote to apathy, and the questions being raised around women’s ordination.

This is an honest and hopeful conversation that points to a Church not of the past, but of possibility.

As Ukraine continues its fight for survival, the world watches with shifting allegiances and wavering commitments. In this episode of Questions from the Modern World, we sit down with Father Kolisnyk, a Ukrainian Redemptorist priest, to discuss what a just peace truly means for Ukraine and how faith sustains people in the face of war.

🔹 How has the war changed Ukraine’s spiritual landscape? 🔹 What lessons from history shape Ukraine’s approach to diplomacy? 🔹 How does political fatigue in the West impact Ukraine’s struggle? 🔹 What role do global Catholic communities play in standing in solidarity?

Father Ihor speaks candidly about the cost of justice, the weight of global inaction, and why, for many Ukrainians, this is not just a political fight—it is a fight for survival. He challenges Western leaders, including former U.S. President Donald Trump, on their rhetoric and highlights the deep historical wounds that make negotiations with Russia fraught with danger.

💬 “The Russians came, as they have before, to cancel our culture, our language—even our faith.”

This is a conversation about faith, resilience, and the global responsibility to stand for truth.

📺 Watch the full interview on Common Home TV 🎧 Available now as a podcast – subscribe and listen on your favourite platform!

Welcome to Questions for the Modern World. In this episode, we’re thrilled to be joined by Kathryn Joyce, a renowned investigative journalist and adjunct lecturer in political science at Brooklyn College. Formerly a reporter with Type Investigations and Salon, Kathryn has served as a contributing editor at The New Republic and a contributing writer at Highline. Her work has appeared in acclaimed publications such as Vanity Fair, The New York Times Magazine, Mother Jones, The Marshall Project, Pacific Standard, Wired, The Nation, and many others.

Today, we explore the intersection of faith, fame, and influence, dissecting her recent Vanity Fair article, Behind the Catholic Right’s Celebrity-Conversion Industrial Complex. We examine the rise of celebrity conversions, the role of well-funded American Catholic media ministries, and their profound impact on the Church in the United States and globally.

We also reflect on her book, The Child Catchers: Rescue, Trafficking, and the New Gospel of Adoption, and discuss the lasting impact of evangelical adoption practices ten years after its release.

In an era where artificial intelligence continues to reshape every aspect of our lives, from how we work and communicate to how we think and interact, the question of ethics, morality, and human dignity remains more important than ever. Dr. Ziggy Zdziarski, a leading researcher in Artificial Intelligence with a background in both philosophy and theology, is at the forefront of these discussions, exploring how faith can inform and guide the future of AI.

With a PhD in AI and recent participation in the Vatican’s AI Forum, Dr. Zdziarski brings a unique perspective on balancing technological progress with a commitment to the common good. In this exclusive interview, Dr. Ziggy shares insights into the ethical implications of AI, how his Catholic faith shapes his approach, and why dialogue between science and spirituality is crucial in today's rapidly evolving digital world.

For more from Dr. Ziggy, check out his blog at zbigatron.com and visit his new YouTube channel, @Zbigatron, where he dives deeper into the intersections of AI, philosophy, and faith.

In this Bite Size episode of "Questions for the Modern World," we welcome Dr. Phyllis Zagano, a leading expert on women deacons in the Catholic Church. As the Global Synod on Synodality unfolds, Dr. Zagano sheds light on the history and current debates surrounding women's roles in church leadership.

This episode addresses critical questions about women's ordination, clericalism, and the broader implications for women's dignity and inclusion in the Church and society. Tune in for an insightful conversation that challenges conventions and envisions new possibilities for women in the Catholic Church. For those interested in a deeper comparison of Cardinal Fernández’s written justifications and the comments he presented to the Synod, as mentioned in the podcast, Hendro Munsterman’s transcriptions offer an insightful look into the varying ways the Vatican communicates on this critical issue.

On the tenth anniversary of the rise of ISIS, Common Home TV looks back with the release of its latest short documentary, "Learning to Serve in the Face of Terror," which focuses on the remarkable actions of Chaldean Catholic Archbishop Bashar Warda, CSsR, in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by the rise of ISIS in Iraq. The documentary is available as both a video and podcast.

ISIS’s invasion and capture of Mosul triggered one of the largest displacements of people in recent history. The documentary examines the critical period when thousands of Christians, Yazidis, and Muslims were forced to flee their homes to escape violence and persecution. As Erbil became a sanctuary for the displaced, Archbishop Warda leaned on his Catholic faith and Redemptorist charism to lead and provide essential aid, shelter, and hope to those in desperate need.

Reflecting on the rapid and unexpected takeover by ISIS, Archbishop Warda said, “It was a surprise to everyone. We knew the dangers of sectarian violence, but no one expected that one day the entire province of Mosul would be hijacked by ISIS in such a short time.” He added, “People walked for over 12 hours to reach safety because they were completely unprepared for what happened. We had to respond with whatever resources we had, offering help to all in need, regardless of their faith.”

"Learning to Serve in the Face of Terror" provides an in-depth look at how Archbishop Warda, faced with overwhelming challenges, mobilised resources to care for vulnerable communities. His leadership ensured that the displaced received both essential aid and spiritual support during their darkest hours, serving as a powerful testament to Catholic social teaching in action.

For those interested in the full visual experience, the video documentary is available on commonhome.tv.

Welcome to another episode of Questions for the Modern World here on Common Home TV, where we dive deep into the challenges, questions, and hopes shaping our global community.

Today, we're honored to have with us Fr. Patrick Kelly, SJ, PhD—a distinguished scholar and author whose work explores the intersection of faith, sport, and spirituality. Fr Kelly has authored several influential books, including Catholic Perspectives on Sports: From Medieval to Modern Times and Play, Sport and Spirit. He also served as editor for Youth Sport and Spirituality: Catholic Perspectives. His expertise has led him to collaborate with Vatican offices on the topic of sport, contributing to the revision of the Catholic Church's first-ever document on sports, Giving the Best of Yourself, published in June 2018.

In addition to his academic achievements, Fr. Kelly brings personal experience to his work, having served as captain of the football team and been an All-Conference free safety at Grand Valley State University.

We hope you enjoy this conversation as we look at the rich connections between faith, sports, and the common good.

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Welcome to the Common Home TV podcast, a new series from Common Home TV where we explore topics important to the emerging inclusive Church. Many of these podcasts are also available as videos on our website, so please check them out at Common Home TV. This podcast is a space for meaningful conversation and insights, where we discover healthy ways to relate to God, ourselves, and each other. Join us as we journey together towards a more compassionate and interconnected world.

In our inaugural episode, we are honoured to speak with Felix Corley, a distinguished religious rights activist, journalist, and editor at Forum 18, an organisation dedicated to documenting and advocating for religious freedom in Central Asia, Russia, Russian-occupied Ukraine, government-held Ukraine, Belarus, and the South Caucasus particularly Azerbaijan. With decades of experience in reporting on religious persecution and freedom, Felix has an in-depth understanding of the challenges faced by religious communities, particularly in countries with oppressive regimes. His work has been instrumental in bringing international attention to issues of religious freedom and human rights violations.

We hope you enjoy our conversation with Felix as we explore the vital topic of religious freedom, exploring its importance and the current state of affairs in Ukraine and Russia.