This premiere of In the Shadow of the Holy Land lays the foundation for the series; a commitment to good-faith conversation grounded in the equal dignity of every life.

Our guest is Br Peter Bray FSC, former Vice-Chancellor of Bethlehem University. He traces the modern history of the conflict, explains the differences between the West Bank and Gaza, and shows how occupation is lived through movement, checkpoints, and economic control. We also hear directly from Bethlehem University students about crossing the wall each day and why being listened to matters. Peter reflects on his goal to make education “an oasis of peace” and on the discipline of nonviolence. He shares how a solidarity Camino shaped his hope, and why telling the truth need not humiliate or hate.

Subscribe on YouTube or your favourite podcast app to catch next week’s episode with Hanna Bendcowsky of the Jerusalem Center for Jewish–Christian Relations.

It’s been a while since you’ve heard from us, and when you hear what we have been up to you’ll understand why we needed the time to get things right

We’re excited to share our new four-part mini-series, in Questions for the Modern World In the Shadow of the Holy Land: Identity and War. In this mini series we speak with:

• Brother Peter Bray, a New Zealander who spent years leading Bethlehem University
• Hanna Bendcowsky, an Israeli peace educator working in Christian-Jewish dialogue;
• Sami El-Yousef, a Palestinian Christian and CEO for the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem;
• Fr David Neuhaus, an Israeli Jesuit born into a Jewish family in South Africa who has devoted his life to understanding between faiths.

If you’d like to watch the full version, it’s available now on our website and socials.

Thanks for listening. We look forward to sharing this journey with you.

The word “witch” might sound like something from the past, buried in history books or brought up on Halloween. But for thousands of women around the world today, being called a witch can mean violence, exile, or even death.

In this episode, we speak with Sister Lorena Jenal, a Swiss-born Franciscan who has spent over 40 years in Papua New Guinea. She walks alongside women who’ve been accused of sorcery, offering not only rescue, but healing, dignity, and hope. Sister Lorena’s story is not one of charity from afar, but of deep solidarity, standing with those whose lives are in danger and creating spaces for healing when the unthinkable happens. We hope you enjoy SHOW NOTES: Donate to Catholic Mission at: https://www.missio-hilft.de/informieren/wofuer-wir-uns-einsetzen/menschenrechte/internationaler-tag-gegen-hexenwahn/ Atlantic Break (Music) https://linktr.ee/Atlantic.Break Redemptorist Youth Congress highlights: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100087243649746

In this episode, we explore one of the most surprising and inspiring intersections of faith and economics. Our guest is Mr. Haryanto Solichin — a devout Catholic and the Commissioner of Menara Syariah, a landmark Islamic finance project rising on the reclaimed shores of PIK 2, Jakarta.

At the heart of Indonesia’s boldest Islamic financial development is a vision that transcends religious boundaries. Mr. Solichin believes that Syariah economics isn’t just for Muslims — it’s an ethical model for all: inclusive, transparent, equality-oriented, and purpose-driven.

How does a Catholic become a leading voice in Islamic finance? What shared values unite these traditions? And what can we learn from his interfaith approach to leadership?

Join us as we unpack the ethical principles of Syariah finance — and meet the Catholic helping make them a global reality.

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.