Kris McGregor Archives

IP#107 John Mueller – Redeeming Economics on Inside the Pages

“Redeeming Economics: Rediscovering the Missing Element”, boy do we need this now! John Mueller, of the Ethics and Public Policy Center, does an extraordinary job of pointing out what we are missing in all the discussions about economics…the fundamental productive unit – the family. He helps us to leap forward by looking backwards, by looking at the error in Adam Smith’s theory which has had no way to account for a fundamental aspect of human experience: the social relationships that define us, the loves (and hates) that motivate and distinguish us as persons.

In trying to reduce human behavior to mere exchanges, modern economists have lost sight of how these essential motivations are expressed: as gifts (or their opposite, crimes). Mueller makes economics whole again, masterfully reapplying economic thought as articulated by Aristotle, Augustine, and Aquinas.

Contrarian and compelling, Redeeming Economics covers everything from unemployment, to inflation, to the economics of parenthood, to the greatest geopolitical challenge facing the United States, to flaws in the mega-bestseller Freakonomics, to the author’s illuminating exchange with the controversial philosopher Peter Singer.

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Learn more about the book here

IP#106 Lorene Hanley Duquin – Recovering Faith on Inside the Pages

“Recovering Faith: Stories of Catholics Who Came Home” contains the stories of 17 Catholics who returned to the practice of their faith. Lorene Hanely Duquin gathers stories that demonstrate how, eventhough our lives take many twists and turns, God is always reaching out to the heart and waiting to bring peace and healing.

You ll be encouraged by the way Christ touched each of them to bring them home. The compelling stories include:

—Martin Sheen, actor
—Dean Koontz, best-selling novelist
—Clarence Thomas, U.S. Supreme Court Justice
—Dr. Francis Beckwith, Former President of the Evangelical Theology Society
—Barbara Curtis, Author
—Leah Darrow, America s Next Top Model Finalist
—Janet Morana, Director of Priests for Life
—Teresa Tomeo, Catholic Radio Personality

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Check out the book here

IP#105 J. Budziszewski – What We Can’t Not Know on Inside the Pages

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What a fascinating subject: The Natural Law! It’s made utterly exciting when talking with Prof. J. Budziszewski. He is such a great thinker, and, what’s even better, he helps us to become better thinkers as well. In “What We Can’t Not Know: A Guide“, Prof. Budziszewski makes the argument for the existence of absolute values of right and wrong and that are embedded in the conscience of every human being. And he uses the Ten Commandments as a spring board for various aspects of the discussion. His book is highly readable and just as HIGHLY recommended! I can’t wait for his next book.

Find out more here

IP#104 Fr. Ronald Rolheiser – Our One Great Act of Fidelity on Inside the Pages

“Our One Great Act of Fidelity: Waiting for Christ in the Eucharist” is a wonderful reflection on the many aspects the Eucharist touches our hearts and our lives. I have read Fr. Ronald Rolheiser for many years in our local diocesans newspaper…what a delight to finally have the opportunity to speak to him, especially about this deeply personal book which is not only offers theological insights, but is a also spiritual and a personal statement of how Fr. Rolheiser understands the Eucharist and why he celebrates it every day.

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You can find Fr. Rolheiser’s book here

IP#101 Joseph Pearce – Solzhenitsyn: A Soul in Exile on Inside the Pages

The revised and updated version of what I think is a classic work, “Solzhentisyn: A Soul in Exile”, is a tremendous gift to us all. With all of the impressive clarity and tender insight you have come to expect from Joseph Pearce, this biography of the great Russian writer covers the lifespan of this incredible figure of the 20th century. Joseph goes to the “heart” of the man, his Christian faith. With that illumination, he sheds a whole new understanding of his contribution to literary thought, Catholic Social Doctrine, and the value and dignity of each human person. He allows Alexander Solzhenitsyn to speak for himself, and what he has to say is so important it shouldn’t be missed.

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You can find the book here

IP#99 Susan Vogt – Parenting Your Adult Child on Inside the Pages

In “Parenting Your Adult Child”, Susan Vogt has offers solid advice and counsel on how to address the challenges of spiritually parenting our adult children.: how to respect and nurture the faith that lies deep within each young adult, no matter what it looks like on the surface. Susan draws form the virtues to help along the sometimes bumpy path. The virtues she identifies are not the only ones that can help parents deepen their own spirituality, but they are especially relevant to forming new relationships with those you love.

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You can find more about Susan’s book here.

IP#98 Mark Brumley – St. Paul by Pope Benedict XVI Part 2 on Inside the Pages

Part 2…It just gets better when discussing our Holy Father’s teachings with Mark Brumley! It’s hard to find an equal to our Holy Father when you combine his gifts and talents as a theologian and biblical scholar! As a profound teacher and spiritual leader, Pope Benedict XVI, through his Wednesday audience catechesis, brings us the life and legacy of St. Paul. Mark Brumley joins us once again to discuss the richness of this work and offers us insights on this extraordinary saint. Warning: Mark will inspire you to race out and pick up a copy (you’ll be so glad you did).

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Check out more on the book here

IP#97 Mark Brumley – St. Paul by Pope Benedict XVI Part 1 on Inside the Pages

Part 1…It’s hard to find an equal to our Holy Father when you combine his gifts and talents as a theologian and biblical scholar! As a profound teacher and spiritual leader, Pope Benedict XVI, through his Wednesday audience catechesis, brings us the life and legacy of St. Paul. Mark Brumley joins us once again to discuss the richness of this work and offers us insights on this extraordinary saint. Warning: Mark will inspire you to race out and pick up a copy (you’ll be so glad you did).

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Check out more on the book here

IP#96 Julie Davis – Happy Catholic on Inside the Pages

What a joy to talk with Julie Davis, not just “a” happy Catholic, but “the” Happy Catholic! Julie is the creator of one of the most interesting sites in the blogosphere. Her insights, musings and all around thought-filled ponderings on everything from Alice Cooper to St. John Vianney make her must reading for anyone living in today’s culture…pop or otherwise. Julie has taken some of the best from her blog, along with a little more, and complied it in “Happy Catholic: Glimpses of God in Everyday Life”.

Check out Julie’s book here

Be sure to visit Julie’s blog “Happy Catholic”

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IP#95 Monsignor Paul Tighe – The Pontifical Council for Social Communications on Inside the Pages

While in Rome, I had the opportunity to speak with a very busy, but extraordinarily gracious, Mons. Paul Tighe who serves as the Secretary for The Pontifical Council for Social Communication. The Council was hosting a gathering of bloggers from around the world in order to begin a dialogue concerning the varied aspects of the new media, and in particular the role of the blogger in the new evangelization. This meeting was held on May 2 in Rome, the day after the beatification of Blessed John Paul II, the herald of this “New Evangelization”. What will this “New Evagnelization” look like in the light of technological advancements? How will the various forms of “traditional” media converge to effectively communicate the message? Who is the “Catholic blogger” and what is the hoped for behavior of the new evanglizer? How can those seeking find Truth on the internet? What (or better yet Who) is Truth? These questions and so many more are discussed with Mons Tighe in this special edition of “Inside the Pages”.

Learn more about the work of the Ponitfical Council for Social Communication at www.pccs.va

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