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January 29, 2015 – Fr. Joseph Fessio and Regina Doman

Ken talks with Ignatius Press founder Fr Joseph Fessio on St Pope Paul VI’s encyclical “On Human Life” (Ignatius Press) and Regina Doman about the 10th anniversary edition of “Angel in the Waters” (Sophia Institute Press) The papal encyclical Humanae Vitae (On Human Life) made headlines worldwide. Many talked about the encyclical when it was issued in 1968, but few actually read it. Why is it perhaps the most controversial document in modern Church history?

This Ignatius Press edition combines Humanae Vitae with commentary by popular and respected Catholic authors Mary Eberstadt, James Hitchcock, and Jennifer Fulwiler in order to address this question and to shed light on the document’s enduring wisdom. On Human Life is available at: www.ignatius.com

Since its first release in 2004, “Angel in the Waters” has been a best-selling, life-transforming children’s book. It has been carried in countless hospital gift shops, pro-life centers, and Catholic book stores. In just ten years, over 130,000 copies have been sold. The 10th Anniversary, hardcover edition is a simple, non-confrontational book that makes young children decidedly pro-life long before they ever hear the word “abortion.” In its mother’s womb, a tiny baby grows, explores the waters, and talks with the angel who is there. A story that will delight all young children, because the journey from conception to birth is their story, too. “Angel in the Waters” is available at: shop.sophiainstitute.com Visit Regina at: www.reginadoman.com

October 9, 2014 – David Scott and Sherry Boas

Ken talks with Scott “The Love That Made Mother Teresa: How Her Secret Visions and Dark Nights Can Help You Conquer the Slums of Your Heart” (Sophia Institute Press) and Sherry Boas “Billowtail”(Caritas Press)
In considering Mother Teresa, her private visions, and her secret sufferings, David Scott has discovered scores of early episodes and chance encounters that point to later, larger meanings. These remarkable patterns, he suggests, show that Mother Teresa’s life was choreographed from above, as if a divine script had been written for her from before her birth. Davids’s book can be purchased at: shop.sophiainstitute.com Visit his website: www.davidscottwritings.com

“Billowtail” is Sherry Boas’s first young adult fiction novel. It is the year 1214. A baby squirrel falls from the nest and lands in the passing saddlebag of a 13-year-old boy. Still blind, deaf, hairless and unable to eat solid food, there is little hope for Puttermunch’s survival. Moved by the persistent pleading of his distraught mother, a selection of five squirrels set out to find Puttermunch, launching a perilous and life-altering journey on the Way of St. James in Spain. Sherry’s book can be purchased at: www.catholicword.com To learn more about Sherry visit: www.caritaspress.org

September 04, 2014 – Patricia Treece

Ken talks with Patricia Treece, author of “Nothing Short of a Miracle: God’s Healing Power in Modern Saints” (Sophia Institute Press). You’ll read vivid but sober accounts of the lives and of the miracles wrought by some of the greatest 19th and 20th century saints, with details of a host of authenticated healings by Andre Bessette, John Bosco, Frances Cabrini, Solanus Casey, John Paul II, Padre Pio, Elizabeth Seton, Francis Xavier Seelos, Fulton Sheen, Mother Teresa, and other good men and women blessed by God. The healings documented here are not hasty judgments made by gullible, overwrought believers; they’re instantaneous, complete, and permanent cures for which scientific medicine still has no explanations – cures that also meet the Vatican’s stringent seven-part test of authenticity. Patricia’s book can be purchased at:  shop.sophiainstitute.com

To learn more about Patricia Treece visit: www.patriciatreece.com

August 07, 2014 – Susan Conroy

August 7th, Ken talks with author Susan Conroy. Susan is responsible for getting an English translation published of Father Charles Arminjon’s classic “The End of the Present World and the Mysteries of the Future Life” (Sophia Institute Press). St. Therese of Lisieux was so taken by this book that it spurred her entry into the convent. “Reading this book was one of the greatest graces of my life,” she says in her autobiography. “The impression I received from it is too sweet to express. All the great truths of religion and the mysteries of eternity plunged into my soul a happiness not of this earth.”

The book is available at shop.sophiainstitute.com

Visit Susan’s website: www.susanconroy.com

June 12, 2014 – Clayton Barbeau

Ken talks with Clayton Barbeau author of The Father of the Family: A Christian Perspective (Sophia Institute Press) Here’s the award-winning classic that for over forty years has shown Christian men how to be the loving husbands and gentle fathers that Christ calls them to be. Rooted firmly in Scripture, these pages call on husbands to stop thinking of themselves simply as bosses and breadwinners. Rather, husbands should see themselves as co-creators with God, imitators of Christ’s love for His people, high priests in the domestic Church, teachers of their children, witnesses to society, providers of spiritual and material goods, and models of holiness. Good fathers are the secret to happy homes. Mr. Barbeau’s book is available at: shop.sophiainstitute.com Visit his website: www.claytonbarbeau.com

June 5, 2014 – Dena Hunt & Jason Evert

Ken talks with Dena Hunt Treason: A Catholic Novel of Elizabethan England (Sophia Institute Press) and Jason Evert Saint John Paul the Great: His Five Loves (Ignatius Press) Joseph Pearce says this about Dena Hunt’s novel
“Treason is one of the most powerful historical novels I’ve ever read. It brings to vivid and shocking life the age in which Shakespeare lived and in which the English martyrs died.” This novel won the Gold medal in the Religious Fiction category of the 2014 Independent Publisher Book Awards. Dena’s book is available at: shop.sophiainstitute.com

In Jason’s new book discover the five great loves of St. John Paul II through remarkable unpublished stories on him from bishops, priests, students, Swiss Guards, and others. Jason has uncovered these many gems, offering a treasure chest brimming with the jewels of the saint’s life. After a brief overview of John Paul’s life, Evert explores in depth his five great loves: Young People, Human Love, The Eucharist, Our Lady, The Cross. Jason’s book is available at: www.ignatius.com To learn more about Jason visit: www.chastityproject.com

April 10, 2014 – Dr Aaron Kheriaty and Dr. Christopher Kaczor

Ken talks with Dr Aaron Kheriaty editor of True or False Possession: How to Distinguish the Demonic from the Demented (by Jean Lhermitte and published by Sophia Institute Press) and Dr. Christopher Kaczor author of The Seven Big Myths About Marriage: What Science, Faith, and Philosophy Teach Us about Love and Happiness (Ignatius Press). Genuine demonic possessions, admits Lhermitte, evade the explanations and exceed the competence of even the wisest physicians. Skilled physicians and trained clergy must discern whether they’re dealing with real possession, or only pathology, mental or physical. You can purchase Dr Kheriaty’s book at: shop.sophiainstitute.com Dr Kaczor explores the nature of marriage, and the love they promise to each other, which is agape, a self­giving love that is the choice to do good for the other. He also examines alternatives to covenant marriage, such as polygamy and same­sex marriage, as well as cohabitation. Finally the book explores the value of children. To make sense of Catholic teaching on contraception, he says that we must first reconsider the value of fertility and having children. Kaczor’s book is available at www.ignatius.com

March 6, 2014 – Ryan Topping

Ken talks with Ryan Topping author of Rebuilding Catholic Culture: How the Catechism Can Shape Our Common Life (Sophia Institute Press) Rarely does a book come along that so succinctly explains the decline of modern culture, articulates a defense of the Church’s teachings, and offers a hope-filled path for building a civilization grounded in Catholic truth. In these pages, Dr. Ryan Topping does all three, pulling back the curtain on the false philosophies of the secularists and showing that in the West today the most formidable threat to freedom is not failing economies or Islam, but secularism. You can purchase Ryan’s book at: http://shop.sophiainstitute.com

February 27, 2014 – Fr. Dwight Longenecker and comments on three devotion books for Lent

Ken talks with Fr. Dwight Longenecker author of “The Romance of Religion: Fighting for Goodness, Truth, and Beauty” (Thomas Nelson) Former Anglican priest and now Catholic priest Fr. Dwight Longenecker argues that the Christian story is the greatest story ever told. Fr. Longenecker calls for the return of the romantic hero—the hero who knows his frailty and can fight the good fight with panache, humor, and courage. You can purchase Fr. Longenecker’s book at: www.thomasnelson.com If you would like an autographed copy of Fr. Longenecker’s book: dwightlongenecker.com. They should make sure they add a note in the comments section so Father can sign it for them. Fr. Dwight Longenecker blogs at: www.patheos.com Ken also reviews three books for Lent: “Bringing Lent Home with St. Therese of Lisieux” by Donna-Maria Cooper O’Boyle, “The Living Gospel” by Theresa Rickard, O.P. (both by Ave Maria Press), and “Meditations for Lent” by Jacques-Benigne Bossuet (Sophia Institute Press)

June 17, 2013 – Charlie McKinney, Sophia Institute Press

Host Kathleen Beckman dialogues with Charlie McKinney, President of Sophia Institute Press, Crisis Magazine and Catholic Exchange about his vision for the New Evangelization. Charlie shares his personal conversion from a Southern Baptist to Catholicism, and how his family is involved in the work of the apostolates. They discuss some of the most popular releases by Sophia Institute Press.

March 7, 2013 – Dr. Diane Moczar

Ken talks with his guest Dr. Diane Moczar, author of Converts and Kingdoms-How the Church Converted the Pagan West and How We Can Do It Again (published by Catholic Answers) and Islam at the Gates – How Christendom Defeated the Ottoman Turks (published by Sophia Institute Press) Dr Moczar tells the story of how early Christianity was able to spread to entire regions and countries. We also discuss the 500-year long siege of Europe by the Ottoman Turks. In both cases you will hear about brave saints who helped spread and defend the Gospel. You can purchase Dr Moczar’s books at http://shop.catholic.com/ and http://shop.sophiainstitute.com

February 7, 2013 – Dr. Kevin Vost

Ken talks with his guest Dr. Kevin Vost, author of Memorize the Faith (and Most Anything Else) and Fit for Eternal Life –A Christian Approach to Working Out, Eating Right, and Building the Virtues of Fitness in Your Soul (both published by Sophia Institute Press). In his memory book, Dr. Vost describes a memory technique that anyone can use to improve their faith knowledge (He helped an 11 year old boy recite, in order, the names of all 265 popes from memory!) In his fitness book he tells us why it is important for Christians to be fit and provides advice gleaned from his 30+ years of bodybuilding and fitness experience. Visit his website: www.drvost.com Purchased his books at: shop.sophiainstitute.com

January 31, 2013 – Colleen Carroll Campbell and John Desjarlais

In the first half hour Ken talks with guest Colleen Carroll Campbell, author of My Sisters the Saints – A Spiritual Memoir (published by Image, an imprint of Random House). The author is the well know host of EWTN’s Faith & Culture program. Her new book chronicles her fifteen year quest to understand the meaning of her life and identity in light of her Christian faith and contemporary feminism. Visit her website: colleen-campbell.com Purchase her book at www.amazon.com

In the second half of the program Ken talks with Catholic mystery writer John Desjarlais author of Bleeder and sequel Viper (published by Sophia Institute Press) Bleeder is the gripping mystery of the death of a stigmatic priest on Good Friday. In the sequel, Viper, Selena De La Cruz investigates the murder of parishioners whose names have been entered in her parish’s Book of the Dead. Visit is website: www.johndesjarlais.com Purchased his books at: shop.sophiainstitute.com

January 17, 2013 – Dave Armstrong

On January 17th Ken talks with his guest Dave Armstrong, author of more than thirty books, about The Quotable Newman – A Definitive Guide to His Central Thoughts and Ideas and The Catholic Verses (both published by Sophia Institute Press). John Cardinal Newman — the 19th century British Cardinal recently pronounced “Blessed” by Pope Benedict XVI preached thousands of sermons, wrote scores of books, and published countless articles explaining our Catholic faith. Dave Armstrong, himself drawn forth from Protestantism by the power of Cardinal Newman’s words, shares Newman’s wisdom with others.In The Catholic Verses Armstrong shows that a fair-minded reading of these Bible passages supports the Catholic position on key issues that divide Protestants from Catholics. To learn more about Dave Armstrong visit www.biblicalcatholic.com His book can be purchased at http://shop.sophiainstitute.com

August 30, 2012 – Art & Laraine Bennett

Ken talks with Art & Laraine Bennett about The Temperament God Gave You (Sophia Institute Press) and The Temperament God Gave Your Kids (Our Sunday Visitor) Gaining insight into our unique temperaments can improve all our relationships, including our relationship with God. You may also want to check out their other books which include The Temperament God Gave Your Spouse and The Emotions God Gave You. Visit their web site: temperaments.sophiainstitute.com Their books are available at shop.sophiainstitute.com and www.osv.com.

February 16, 2011 – Claudia Cangilla McAdam

 Ken talks with author Claudia Cangilla McAdam author of the novel Awakening (Sophia Institute Press) In this novel you will meet fourteen year old Ronnie who is struggling with the loss of her father and brother. She falls asleep and finds herself waking up in Jerusalem – just days before the crucifixion. Claudia also talks about the presentations she makes to classrooms either in person or over the internet. Visit Claudia’s website www.claudiamcadam.com where you can read the first four chapters, and download the study guides for teachers and book clubs. Her book can be purchased at: http://shop.sophiainstitute.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=409

October 27, 2011- Dr. Diane Moczar

October 27, 2011 Dr. Diane Moczar Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know

Ken talks with historian & author Dr. Diane Moczar about her book Ten Dates Every Catholic Should Know (published by Sophia Institute Press) Here are the saints and sinners, popes and kings that God used to shape his Church and change the world. You’ll meet Clovis and Charlemagne, Luther and Pope Leo, and St. Francis, the Arians, and others whose sins or sacrifices altered the course of history. Here, too, are the wars and plagues, the ideas and institutions – and, yes, the miracles — that gave birth to our Christian civilization and often threatened to doom it. Her book can be purchased at http://www.sophiainstitute.com/productdetails.cfm?PC=311