Talking Catholic

What does Catholic life look like on a secular college campus—and how does God meet young adults right where they are?

On this episode of Talking Catholic, hosts Kari Janisse and Mike Walsh begin with a conversation with Fr. Thomas Piro, newly ordained priest and parochial vicar at Saint Bridget University Parish, about his first months accompanying students at Rowan University’s Newman House. Fr. Piro reflects on the joy of campus ...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic, hosts Kari Janisse and Mike Walsh welcome national pro-life speaker Jannique Stewart for a powerful and candid conversation following her recent presentation at Rowan University titled “Abortion: Is it a black and white moral issue, or is there a gray area?” Drawing from science, personal testimony, and years of experience speaking to high school and college students across the country, S...

How does the Church continue to engage the youth of today? By meeting them where they are at!

So says Tim Poole and Jeff Siedlecki of Live Vertical (https://www.livevertical.org/), as they stop by Talking Catholic to explain how this grassroots, nationwide ministry evangelizes high school students through Adoration, conversation, working with campus ministers – and so much more.

Tim and Jeff sit down with cohosts Mike Bress a...

Roman soldier, courageous witness and fearless martyr, St. Sebastian kicks off a new year of Talking Saints with Pete and Laurie.  On this episode, you'll learn how this third century Christian boldly defied the Roman emperor to remain loyal to Christ and why he  became the patron saint of athletes and protection against the plague. 

Listen to Talking Saints with Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez everywhere podcasts can be found and...

How is a school like an organism? Or human body? What role does the administration play in the health of a school vs. the students themselves?

This week, cohosts Pete Sanchez and Mike Bress sit down with Camden Catholic High School’s new president, James Hozier to explore these questions and more.

Hozier starts by sharing his journey to the new role, from studying science (hence the organism question) in college and graduate school t...

New Year's resolutions: You either love ‘em or hate ‘em. 

This week, Deacon Dean Johnson stops by Talking Catholic to take some of the pressure off by suggesting we ground our New Year goals in faith.

Want to stress less? Turn to Saint Teresa of Ávila, who said: “Let nothing perturb you, nothing frighten you. All things pass. God does not change. Patience achieves everything.” 

Looking to exercise more? “Remember that bodily exerc...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic, we bring together some hosts and some communications colleagues to recap what we loved about 2025 and what we’re looking forward to in 2026. Enjoy this chat with Mike Walsh, Maria Toci D’Antonio, Jennifer Mauro, Mike Bress, Pete Sanchez and Andrea Herrera. 

Listen to Talking Catholic everywhere podcasts are found or at talking.catholicstarherald.org/talking-catholic. And, catch us on D...

After a time of intense persecution, with a steady hand and fervent faith, Pope St. Sylvester led the Church out of the catacombs into a time of great flourishing. On this episode of Talking Saints, Pete and Laurie dive into the facts and legends surrounding this early 4th century saint who laid the foundations for the Christian Rome that we know today.  

Listen to Talking Saints with Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez everywhere pod...

On this week’s episode of Talking Catholic, cohosts Marianela Nuñez and Mike Bress step into the Advent and Christmas spirit with a visit to St. Peter School in Merchantville, where they sit down with music and religion teacher - and choir director - Sarah Duvall Pearson.

Ms. Pearson shares her journey to becoming a full-time educator at St. Peter, her deep love for teaching music (especially Catholic hymns and sacred songs) and...

It’s a full triumvirate of Mikes on this week’s episode of Talking Catholic as hosts Michael Bress and Michael Walsh welcome Michael Chambers, President of Paul VI High School, in Haddonfield, NJ.

Mr. Chambers – the longest current serving president of any Catholic high school in the Diocese of Camden – reflects on his more than 30 years at Paul VI as a student, parent, teacher, and administrator. He shares insights into the sch...

Catholic Star Herald fan-favorite columnist Deacon Dean Johnson steps into the co-host chair on this week’s episode of Talking Catholic!

He’s joined by Deacons Barry Steele and Doug R. Stetser, newly ordained this fall, for a thoughtful and hope-filled conversation on Advent.

“We prepare for Christmas… but what are we doing to prepare for eternity?” Deacon Barry reflects, as the trio dives into what it means to actively wait during t...

This week on Talking Catholic, we welcome a long overdue guest: Robin Strough, Director of the Office of Child and Youth Protection for the Diocese of Camden. Robin joins us to share important updates from her department and to explain her mission — ensuring that every child entrusted to the Diocese is protected, supported, and surrounded by a safe environment. She also walks us through how the Diocese works to remain fully complia...

As host Mike Walsh shuttled colleagues from Atlantic City to Philadelphia International Airport, he fired up the podcast gear and captured a conversation while criss-crossing New Jersey.

Riding along in the passenger seats are:
• Janelle Gergen, Chancellor and COO of the Diocese of Crookston
• Montie Chavez, Director of Communications for the Archdiocese of Las Vegas
• Paul Schratz, Editor of The B.C. Catholic in Vancou...

“Now let me fight for God.”  With these words, St. Martin of Tours, officer in the Roman Emperor's cavalry, put down his sword to follow Christ.  Join us for this episode of Talking Saints, as Pete and Laurie explore the life of this soldier turned monk, then bishop, who's act of charity toward a beggar ultimately changed the course of his life.   

Listen to Talking Saints with Laurie Power and Pete Sanchez everywhere po...

This week on Talking Catholic, host Mike Walsh sits down with Joanna McGill-Gardner, Esq., an immigration attorney and former Catholic Charities of South Jersey colleague. Joanna shares how her early experiences in service and journalism led her to a vocation in immigration legal work, where she now accompanies individuals and families navigating some of the most complex and emotional legal challenges in our communities.

Togethe...

“So I have a meeting at the Vatican…”

That’s how this week’s episode begins — as members of the Diocese of Camden’s leadership reflect on their pilgrimage to Rome from Oct. 23–28 for the Jubilee of Synodal Teams and Participatory Bodies at the Vatican.

Joining us to share stories from this extraordinary experience are most of the delegation that included: Bishop Joseph Williams, Father Jon Thomas, Vicar General, and the Dioce...

“Your life has meaning.”

That’s one of the important messages this week’s guests have for Talking Catholic’s listeners.

On this week’s episode, Father Tom Piro and Father Stephen Robbins – who are both associate directors for the Office of Vocations – talk about the Diocese’s newest initiative: “Called by Name.”

This November, every parishioner is being asked to prayerfully consider young men, from high school through age 39, who s...

This week on Talking Catholic, Marianela Núñez and cohost Mike Bress celebrate a century of faith, family, and Ram pride at Gloucester Catholic High School. They’re joined by Tom Iacovone, Principal, and Kathy Dougherty, Director of Marketing, to reflect on 100 years of tradition, community, and Catholic education in South Jersey.

From the halls that shaped generations to the alumni who carry Ram spirit far and wide, it’s a conv...

Each year, the Office of Catholic Education for the Diocese of Camden brings together elementary and high school principals for a two-day conference in Ocean City. The gathering covers a range of important topics while also providing opportunities for fellowship among colleagues.

On this week’s episode, cohosts Marianela Nuñez and Mike Bress speak with two new elementary school principals — Bill Hennessy of Holy Angels Catholic ...