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.