Benedictine Thought & Action is a conversational podcast exploring what it means to live, teach, and lead in the spirit of the Benedictine tradition today. Hosted by librarian John Badley and theology professor Jason Heron, the show dives into the intersection of prayer, study, and work — tracing how faith, intellect, and practice shape the life of the university and the wider world. Through lively, often humorous dialogue, the hosts connect ancient monastic wisdom with modern questions of education, theology, community, and culture. From John Chrysostom to John Dewey to John Denver, no idea is too lofty or too local to be part of the conversation. Grounded in the Benedictine values of Awareness of God, Community, Hospitality, and Lifelong Learning, each episode invites listeners to think deeply, act intentionally, and rediscover the balance between contemplation and engagement — between thought and action.
In this episode, hosts John and Jason continue their study of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, focusing on Catholic social doctrine and human dignity in the age of AI. They unpack the core concept of the common good, breaking down the philosophical distinction between divisible physical items and indivisible relational goods using examples from sports teams, music, and poetry.
The conversation then turns to the universal destination of goods, examining how Christian theology views creation, private ownership, and resource stewardship. To close, the hosts apply these principles to modern technology through a thought experiment on artificial intelligence, questioning whether harvesting intellectual property truly serves human flourishing.
23 Oct 2026
Pope Leo & Catholic Social Teaching | Benedictine Thought & Action #17
In this episode of Benedictine Thought and Action, co-hosts John and Jason explore 135 years of Catholic Social Teaching (CST). Beginning with a look at the authority of papal encyclicals versus conciliar documents, the hosts establish a clear framework for understanding Church doctrine in its proper theological context.
Their dynamic conversation traces Catholic Social Teaching across three key eras: early foundational documents like Rerum Novarum addressing industrial labor, Vatican II's emphasis on religious liberty and integral human development, and modern responses to global finance, tech, and AI.
Ultimately, John and Jason highlight how Social Teaching provides a moral framework for faithful discernment rather than a rigid partisan playbook.
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25 Sept 2026
Intro to the Pope's AI Letter
Welcome to Season 2 of Benedictine Thought in Action! Hosts John Badley and Jason Heron kick off the new season by setting their sights on Pope Leo XIV’s landmark encyclical, Magnifica humanitas ("Magnificent Humanity"), a document dedicated to safeguarding human dignity in the age of artificial intelligence.
The hosts explore why this letter carries vital importance within higher education and Benedictine academic communities, while sharing their own personal and professional work with AI—including Jason’s research projects connected with the Vatican's Dicastery for Culture and Education. They unpack the historical context of papal encyclicals and explain how Catholic social teaching brings the wisdom of the gospel to bear on modern technological shifts.
Finally, Jon and Jason break down the core theme of "magnificent humanity," challenging rigid definitions of the image of God that rely solely on human rationality. Join the conversation for an engaging look at theology, technology, and human purpose, along with a roadmap of what to expect across Season 2.
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11 Sept 2026
Interview: Sarah J. Barton, pt. 2 | Benedictine Thought & Action #15
In part two of this interview on Benedictine Thought in Action, hosts Jon and Jason welcome back Dr. Sarah J. Barton, Assistant Professor of Occupational Therapy and Theological Ethics at Duke Divinity School. Shifting from methodology to practical application, the conversation examines how Rule of Benedict Chapter 36 interfaces with modern understandings of disability, contrasting acute illness with lifelong conditions to show how expectations of quick cures can undermine sustained hospitality. Dr. Barton also re-evaluates resurrection theology, highlighting how Christ’s wounds validate diverse human bodies rather than erasing particularity in the eschaton.
The discussion deepens as Dr. Barton positions baptism as an antidote to ecclesial exclusion, emphasizing that the Holy Spirit endows every individual with unique gifts regardless of cognitive or physical support needs. Addressing the healing of the blind man in John 9, she disconnects divine glory from physical cure, framing Jesus's ministry as a call for broader community transformation rather than simple bodily remediation. The episode concludes with practical pastoral reflections alongside curated recommendations spanning theology, fiction, and neurodiversity.
17 Apr 2026
Interview with Sarah J. Barton
In part one of a two-part conversation, John and Jason are joined by Dr. Sarah Jean Barton, a theologian and occupational therapist at Duke University, to discuss her book, "Becoming the Baptized Body: Disability and the Practice of Christian Community." The episode kicks off with fond memories of John and Sarah’s divinity school days and their shared experience walking the Camino de Santiago.
Sarah opens up about her unique career journey, explaining how her early experiences working as a caregiver for children with complex medical needs revealed a heartbreaking pattern of exclusion from faith communities. This led her to merge her occupational therapy training—which focuses on what people do to occupy their time, including worship—with a deep theological inquiry. The trio discusses the problems with traditional theological responses to disability (which often rely on sin, pity, or superficial inspiration), the need to stop "footnoting" disabled bodies in theological anthropology, and the importance of recognizing the actual, lived discipleship of people with intellectual disabilities.
3 Apr 2026
Interview with Larry Chapp
In this episode, John and Jason sit down with Dr. Larry Chapp, a retired theology professor and the current owner and manager of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm near Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania. Larry shares his fascinating background—from growing up as a "nerdy" fireman's son and a "fire-breathing atheist" in Lincoln, Nebraska, to becoming a prominent theologian specializing in Hans Urs von Balthasar.
The conversation dives into Larry's midlife discernment to leave a successful 20-year academic career at DeSales University to literally "walk the walk" of Dorothy Day and Peter Maurin by starting a farm. Larry helps clear up common misconceptions about the Catholic Worker movement, explaining Dorothy Day's deep orthodox faith, her nuanced critique of capitalism, and why the movement is often mistakenly categorized as purely leftist. The guys also explore the differences between urban houses of hospitality and rural agronomic farms, how to become a "YouTube farmer," and wrap up with book and guest recommendations.
20 Mar 2026
Interview with Roberto de la Noval | Part 2
In part two of a two-part conversation, John and Jason are joined by Rob De La Noval, a theology professor at Boston College. The guys connected with Rob after reading three of his articles on teaching theology published in the University of Notre Dame's The Church Life Journal. The discussion centers around the art of teaching introductory theology to modern college students and the necessity of moving away from the traditional "salvation history" approach.
Rob, drawing on Lonerganian philosophy, argues that introductory theology classes shouldn't just be an introduction to an academic discipline, but an introduction to oneself that addresses fundamental human questions—such as "Why do I suffer?" and "Is there an ultimate meaning?". The trio explores the concept of "awareness of God" as discovering one's own seeking and self-presence. They also discuss the need for teachers to have the "smell of the sheep," the necessity of intellectual conversion and returning to a childlike wonder for educators, and how the current cultural zeitgeist of relativism affects the modern classroom.
6 Mar 2026
Interview with Roberto de la Noval | Part 1
In part one of a two-part conversation, John and Jason are joined by Rob De La Noval, a theology professor at Boston College. The guys connected with Rob after reading three of his articles on teaching theology published in the University of Notre Dame's The Church Life Journal. The discussion centers around the art of teaching introductory theology to modern college students and the necessity of moving away from the traditional "salvation history" approach.
Rob, drawing on Lonerganian philosophy, argues that introductory theology classes shouldn't just be an introduction to an academic discipline, but an introduction to oneself that addresses fundamental human questions—such as "Why do I suffer?" and "Is there an ultimate meaning?". The trio explores the concept of "awareness of God" as discovering one's own seeking and self-presence. They also discuss the need for teachers to have the "smell of the sheep," the necessity of intellectual conversion and returning to a childlike wonder for educators, and how the current cultural zeitgeist of relativism affects the modern classroom.
20 Feb 2026
Interview with Anathea Portier-Young
In this episode, "Just John" flies solo to interview his favorite professor from Duke Divinity School, Dr. Anathea Portier-Young. They discuss her groundbreaking book, "The Prophetic Body: Embodiment and Mediation in Biblical Prophetic Literature," which challenges the traditional "logocentric" view that prophets are merely mouthpieces for a divine message. Instead, Thea argues that prophecy is a deeply embodied experience—involving eating, sleeping, healing, and even the prophet's bones.
The conversation covers a wide range of "nerdy" topics, from Thea’s background as a Latin-loving classicist to the "ferocious" reality of biblical Cherubim (who are definitely not chubby babies). They explore how the physical bodies of prophets like Moses and Isaiah mediate God's presence, the connection between the Old Testament prophets and the Incarnation of Jesus, and how Benedictine asceticism might itself be a prophetic act. John also fondly recalls auditing Thea's "Biblical Bodies" class, which featured memorable discussions on everything from Metatron to Dead Sea Scrolls toilets.
6 Feb 2026
Interview with William Portier
In this episode, John and Jason are joined by Dr. William Portier, a renowned theologian, historian of American Catholicism, and the academic mentor who originally guided Jason into his doctoral program. As the author of "Tradition and Incarnation," a textbook used by nearly every Mount Marty student for the last several years, Dr. Portier helps the hosts unpack the complex relationship between faith and culture.
The conversation begins with Portier’s colorful biography—from entering seminary at age fourteen in Alabama to navigating the chaotic, desk-less classrooms of 1970s high schools, and finally finding his home at Mount St. Mary’s University. They dive deep into the central thesis of his work: the challenge of "Americanism," which reduces religion to a private hobby rather than a shared, public reality. The discussion touches on the loss of external judgment in modern society, the "prophetic body," and the work of his daughter, biblical scholar Anathea Portier-Young.
23 Jan 2026
Exit Interview with Marc Long
In this special "exit interview," John and Jason sit down with Marc Long, the President Emeritus of Mount Marty University, just days before his retirement. Reflecting on his ten-year tenure, Marc shares his unlikely journey from a traffic-enforcement police officer to a higher education leader, revealing how he navigated the public demands of university presidency. The conversation delves into the Benedictine roots of his leadership style — specifically how the Rule of St. Benedict informs tough decisions like supervision, hiring and firing — and his "people-first" philosophy. They also discuss his spiritual transition from the Disciples of Christ to Catholicism, his post-retirement reading list (including a 46-hour Mark Twain biography), and John’s sudden, impulsive desire to buy a floor loom and a kiln.
9 Jan 2026
Book Review: Aflame
In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into a book club discussion on "Aflame" by travel writer Pico Iyer. They explore why this book—written by a non-religious "pilgrim" who has visited a Benedictine monastery for forty years—is a valuable resource for anyone interested in silence, solitude, and the art of being a guest in another’s tradition. The conversation unpacks the book's central metaphor of fire, contrasting the destructive threat of California wildfires with the Desert Fathers' call to "become aflame" of inner spiritual life. They also discuss the "new monk" perspective and the modern struggle to endure true silence without the distraction of technology.
26 Dec 2025
Lifelong Learning
In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's fourth and final core value: Lifelong Learning. Far from being a simple endorsement of continuing education or accruing degrees, they reveal that this value is actually a translation of the obscure Benedictine vow conversatio morum—the commitment to the continual transformation of one's life. The hosts discuss the Benedictine "rule for beginners," emphasizing that true learning requires the humility to admit you are never finished and the willingness to "read" reality—nature, relationships, and oneself—with the same intensity as scripture (Lectio). They also touch on the tension between intellectual elitism and true wisdom in American culture.
12 Dec 2025
Hospitality
In this episode, hosts John and Jason explore Mount Marty University's third core value: Hospitality. Moving far beyond simple politeness or "being nice," they dig into the radical Benedictine instruction to "treat every guest as Christ." They discuss the inherent difficulty of this command—noting that historically, welcoming Christ got people crucified—and share a striking story about how true intimacy and being "known" can sometimes be terrifying. The conversation covers the "germs" of community life, the necessity of conflict for "sharpening iron," and how real hospitality means holding space for others even when it is difficult.
28 Nov 2025
Community
In this episode, hosts John and Jason dive into Mount Marty University's second core value: Community. The conversation begins with a deep dive into the etymology of the word, tracing it to the Latin munus, which fascinatingly means both "responsibility" or "role" and "gift." They use this dual meaning to explore the central tension of community life: balancing the needs of the group with the unique, irreplaceable "gift" of the individual. They share personal stories about feeling truly "received as a gift" at their university, contrasting it with other environments where people are merely "tolerated."
14 Nov 2025
Awareness of God
Hosts John and Jason begin their series on Mount Marty University's four core values by tackling the first and most foundational: Awareness of God. They discuss how this value, derived from the 10 Benedictine Hallmarks, is far more than just a religious checkbox. The conversation centers on the Benedictine practice of Lectio (reading), expanding the concept of Lectio Divina (holy reading of scripture) to include a "Lectio of life"—learning to "read" all of reality, including nature, relationships, and personal experience, to find and contemplate the divine presence. Sharing personal stories from monastic life, a pilgrimage on the Camino, and theological touchstones, they explore what it truly means to practice awareness of God.
31 Oct 2025
What is Benedictine Thought & Action?
This conversation delves into the phrase 'thought and action,' exploring its origins, significance, and implications within the context of the Benedictine tradition and broader theological discourse. John and Jason reflect on their personal experiences in seminary, the intersection of philosophy and action, and the influence of certain thinkers on contemporary thought. They also discuss the role of AI in theological discussions and common critiques of monastic life, ultimately emphasizing the importance of integrating thought and action in both personal and communal practices.
17 Oct 2025
Introducing John & Jason
In the very first episode of the Benedictine Thought & Action pod, John Badley and Jason Heron introduce themselves and recount their friendship, their education, and the winding road that brought them to live out their vocations as beginners at a rural Catholic Benedictine university in South Dakota.
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