Episodes

In this episode of Messy Jesus Business, Sister Julia Walsh talks with Father Adam Bucko about contemplation, action, new monasticism and the messiness that permeates it all.

Sister Julia Walsh talks with author Jon Sweeney about his journey from Evangelical Christianity and Moody Bible Institute to writing about saints, becoming Catholic and marrying a rabbi. They also explore his thoughts on what Christians need to know and respect about Judaism. And they discuss Jon Sweeney's new book about Nicholas Black Elk.

What does it mean to be a peacemaker in a heavily-armed country? And is church a country club for saints, or is there room for the rest of us? Best selling author Shane Claiborne discusses these issues and more in this episode of Messy Jesus Business. Check it out!

In this episode of Messy Jesus Business, host and Sister Julia Walsh has a conversation with Michael Okinczyc-Cruz about the integration of mystical life into public life, and why that's essential to addressing social issues we face today. In addition, this episode also touches on the Archdiocese of Chicago's 50th Anniversary Catholic Campaign for Human Development: what it is, and how you can be a part of the important work of this initiative to create vital systemic change.

In this episode, we talk about the challenges of prayer and polarities in the Church, as well as vocation discernment. As an author, Priest and editor at large for America Media, Father James Martin discusses facing these challenges while remaining true the Gospel.

Wherever you are in the messiness of faith, there is a community to be found. Author Stina Kielsmeier-Cook shares her journey to finding her own community of disciples in mixed-faith marriages. She details the experience in her book: Blessed are the Nones: Mixed Faith Marriage and My Search for Spiritual Community.

In Season 2, Episode 2, Sister Julia Walsh talks with Steven P. Millies about the believer's role in our highly-politicized ecosystem. We also dive down into the interplay of sin and polarities, the importance of trusting in Divine timing and our jobs as Catholics working on the assembly line on the project of building God's reign.

Season 2, Episode 1 of Messy Jesus Business, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh LISTEN HERE: IN THIS EPISODE: In Season 2, Episode 1, we explore the following question: what does building a Church of Oneness really mean? The answer is messy. "I think a lot of people think heaven is the suburbs. And I'm very clear that's not true," explains our guest, Father David A. Jones, who explores the intersection of church and oneness versus rugged individualism. Father Jones also shares his unique vocation stor...

In episode ten, Sister Julia speaks with Ellen Walsh-Rosmann, a farmer, a Food Service director in a rural school district, and an owner of food hub and a farm-to-table restaurant. They discussed the systemic challenges of feeding the hungry during the COVID19 pandemic and how the ordinary person can eat in a way that helps builds justice and cares for creation.

Marlena Graves: The dangers of money, power and influence Season 1. Episode 9 of Messy Jesus Business, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh LISTEN HERE: IN THIS EPISODE: In episode nine, Sister Julia speaks with Marlena Graves the author of The Way Up Is Down. They discussed her new book and its message about downward mobility and discipleship, how justice and righteousness go together, and how the hungers for money, power, and influence tend to complicate faithful Christian living. ABOUT THE GUEST: Mar...

Jason Odhner and Laura Ankeny: Nursing as a Work of Mercy and Justice Season 1. Episode 8 of Messy Jesus Business, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh LISTEN HERE: IN THIS EPISODE: In episode eight, Sister Julia speaks with two nurses who are serving during the coronavirus pandemic. Jason Odhner is nursing on a COVID ICU and thinks about the medical system through the lens of the marginalized and oppressed. Laura Ankeny was diagnosed as a presumed case of COVID at the start of the pandemic. She works i...

Kateri Boucher / Geez magazine: Contemplative Cultural Resistance Season 1. Episode 7 of Messy Jesus Business, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh LISTEN HERE: IN THIS EPISODE: In episode six, Sister Julia speaks with guest Kateri Boucher from Geez magazine. Together they discuss contemplative cultural resistance, prophetic voices, composting, urban gardening and how the United States is an empire. ABOUT THE GUEST: Kateri Boucher grew up in a suburb of Rochester, NY, and moved to Detroit, MI in the fal...

"If we're really doing the Gospel work, our work is not to be loved by everyone. If we're really challenging the status quo in the way that Jesus did we're not going to make everyone happy. It is uncomfortable. It also means taking risks, it also means putting your body on the line." -Sister Alison McCrary SFCC

In episode five, Sister Julia speaks with guest D.L. Mayfield. Together they discuss prayer, White American Evangelicalism, Catholic Social Teaching, lament, Dorothy Day and the Common Good.

"Fundamentally prisons are not broken; they are designed to do something that is wrong." --Hannah Bowman, Founder of Christians for the Abolition of Prisons In episode four, Sister Julia speaks with guest Hannah Bowman about how Chrisitans are called to work for Prison Abolition.

In episode three, Sister Julia speaks with guest Jessican Mesman about the arts and the struggle discipleship. The conversation explored how art and literature can feed one's faith, writing as a form of spiritual practice, and how complicated and messy it can be to be in a relationship with the Church.

In episode two, Sister Julia speaks with guest Sister Mary Perez OP about the network of women religious under age 50 that they both belong to called Giving Voice, what it means that God is a border crosser, how Christians are called to engage in inter-religious relationships and why listening is an essential part of discipleship.

Season 1. Episode 1 of Messy Jesus Business, hosted by Sister Julia Walsh In this Episode: In the pilot episode, Sister Julia introduces the podcast and offers a contemplative moment related to Adoration. She also speaks with guest Sister Sarah Hennessy about vocation, the mystery of the Eucharist and the charism of their community--Franciscan Sisters of Perpetual Adoration. About the Guest: Sister Sarah Hennessy a member of the Franciscan Sister of Perpetual Adoration. A native of Fayetteville,...