Busted Halo Show w/Fr. Dave Dwyer

Father Dave welcomes back Timothy O’Malley to discuss how we can better relate to Mary as our Blessed Mother. O'Malley is associate director at the McGrath Institute for Church Life at the University of Notre Dame, and the author of the new book “A Fierce and Tender Love: 7 Meditations on Mary, Mother of God.”

As Pope Leo XIV begins his pontificate, Father Dave welcomes back Dr. Matthew Bunson to discuss his new biography, “LEO XIV: Portrait of the First American Pope.” Dr. Bunson is Vice President and Editorial Director of EWTN News.

We all feel restless at times, and Father Dave welcomes back Dr. Saundra Dalton-Smith to discuss finding our identity in Christ. Dr. Saundra is a board-certified internal medicine physician, the CEO of Restorasis, and the author of “Being Fully Known: The Joyful Satisfaction of Beholding, Becoming, and Belonging.”

A listener named Matt wonders about the timing of priesthood ordinations. Matt asks, “In different states, why is the ordination of the priests different and not all the same?”

May is Mental Health Awareness Month and also a time we honor Mary as our Blessed Mother. Father Dave welcomes back Scott Weeman, founder of Catholic in Recovery, to discuss his new book, “The Recovery Rosary: Meditations for Those Impacted by Addiction, Compulsions, and Unhealthy Attachments.”

Father Dave and Lino Rulli from SiriusXM's The Catholic Channel share the first moments following the election of Pope Leo XIV while broadcasting from Vatican City.

We are called to share our faith joyfully, and Father Dave welcomes Shemaiah Gonzalez to discuss her new book, “Undaunted Joy: The Revolutionary Act of Cultivating Delight.”

Father Dave welcomes back journalist and papal biographer Austen Ivereigh to discuss the legacy of Pope Francis and what’s next for the global Church. Austen is the author of two biographies of Pope Francis, and he and the pope co-wrote a book called, “Let Us Dream: The Path to a Better Future.”

Father Dave continues his conversation with John Allen, Jr., as the Holy Spirit will soon guide the College of Cardinals in the papal conclave. John is editor of Crux, an independent Catholic news service that aims to be an objective voice in Catholic media, and has written twelve books on the Vatican and Catholic affairs.

Father Dave welcomes film producer Jim Wahlberg to talk about the new movie “Carlo Acutis: Roadmap to Reality,” which is in theaters until May 1st. The movie’s theatrical release was scheduled to coincide with the canonization of Carlo Acutis, though that Mass is now postponed following the passing of Pope Francis.

As we continue to mourn the loss of Pope Francis, Father Dave welcomes back John Allen, Jr. to reflect on the papacy. John is editor of Crux, an independent Catholic news service that aims to be an objective voice in Catholic media. He has written twelve books on the Vatican and Catholic affairs.

Holy Week and Passover coincide in 2025, and Father Dave welcomes back Rabbi Brad Hirschfield to discuss this meaningful time of year.

A listener named Alex asks Father Dave about the Eucharistic Prayer. Alex says, “In the Mass, Eucharistic Prayer I has a lengthy list of saints. How is this list determined, and can the presider add or subtract names to the list?”

Many feel God’s presence while spending time outdoors, and Father Dave welcomes Father John Nepil to discuss his faith connection to hiking the Colorado Trail. Father John is an avid hiker and mountaineer, and he has celebrated Mass atop all 54 of Colorado’s highest peaks. His new book is called “To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail.”

Father Dave answers a question from a listener named Steven about how the Church elects a new pope. Steven asks, “I'm praying for Pope Francis' health every day, but if he passes away, what are the next steps for electing a new pope?”

Many grew up watching the Christian animated series “VeggieTales,” and Father Dave welcomes the show’s co-creator Mike Nawrocki to discuss sharing faith with kids. Mike wrote and directed episodes of the hit show as well as both theatrical-release films, and he served as the voice of Larry the Cucumber. Mike’s latest project is a new kids show called, “The Dead Sea Squirrels,” based on his own book series. 

A listener named Jim asks Father Dave about Sunday Mass readings during Lent. Jim says, “At Mass [on the Third Sunday of Lent], I was expecting the Gospel to be from Luke about the fig tree, but the actual Gospel that was read was from John about [the woman at the well.] Why would that change?”

A listener named Marty asks Father Dave about the presence of Holy Water in churches during Lent. “I was a parishioner at a church that took Holy Water out of the church for Lent and replaced it in the fonts with sand,” Marty says. “I strongly questioned it, and they relented and returned it. It's not right to take Holy Water out of a Catholic church for Lent, correct?”

Fasting is a pillar of Lent, and Father Dave welcomes Sister Nancy Usselmann to discuss how fasting from the digital world can impact our faith. Sister Nancy is a Daughter of Saint Paul, the Director of Pauline Media Studies, and the author of “Media Fasting: Six Weeks to Recharge in Christ.”