Best Chris Motz Podcasts (2024)

1
South Dakota’s Pivotal Moment on Abortion 39:38

1y ago39:38

39:38

South Dakota’s 2023 legislative session marked the first time that state lawmakers had gathered since the U.S. Supreme Court handed down its June 24, 2022 decision in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which overturned Roe v. Wade and restored to the states the ability to set their own public policy on abortion. Host Michael …

1
Obscenity and the First Amendment 43:10

1+ y ago43:10

43:10

During the 2023 legislative session, South Dakota lawmakers introduced five different bills that sought to regulate the spread of obscenity, especially by limiting the access of minors to harmful materials. Despite a growing public awareness of the harms caused by obscene material and programs, not one of the anti-obscenity bills made it through th…

1
The abortion pill on trial 49:16

1+ y ago49:16

49:16

In the year 2000 the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the drug mifepristone (also known as RU-486 or Mifeprex) as part of a regimen for chemically induced abortions. But on April 7, 2023—late on Good Friday—a federal judge in Texas issued a preliminary injunction that suspended the FDA’s approval of mifepristone, pending a trial on …

1
Marijuana, addiction, and South Dakota’s future 50:39

1+ y ago50:39

50:39

In 2022 voters rejected a measure to legalize recreational marijuana in South Dakota. Yet in the 2023 session of the state legislature, a dozen bills were introduced related to marijuana, and in 2024 yet another ballot measure on marijuana is likely to come before voters. Why is this issue still so unsettled? To answer this question, host Michael P…

1
Sex, gender, and surgery: a Catholic doctor’s perspective 53:10

1+ y ago53:10

53:10

Host Michael Pauley is joined by Dr. Alfonso Oliva, a physician specializing in plastic and reconstructive surgery, and a member of the Executive Board of the Catholic Medical Association. Dr. Oliva and Michael discuss the various controversies surrounding the use of drugs and surgeries as “treatment” for persons experiencing gender dysphoria. What…

1
The abortion threat in South Dakota 42:50

2y ago42:50

42:50

Michael Pauley is joined by Jon Hansen for a discussion of a proposed amendment that would create a right to abortion in the South Dakota state constitution. Hansen is the Speaker Pro Tempore of the South Dakota House of Representatives and also serves as Vice President of South Dakota Right to Life. Hansen and Pauley discuss the implications of th…

1
Marijuana: Panacea or Poison? 38:19

2y ago38:19

38:19

Chris Motz and Michael Pauley welcome Dr. Bonnie Omdahl for a conversation about marijuana, Initiated Measure 27, and public health. Dr. Omdahl explores what medical science says about the effects of marijuana on brain development, mental health, and physical health. Chris and Mike share thoughts on the huge gap between the scientific reality of ma…

1
Marijuana and Crime 46:33

2y ago46:33

46:33

Co-host Michael Pauley is joined by Pat West, Sheriff-elect of Meade County, for a discussion of marijuana and its association with criminal behavior. Michael and Pat examine a number of questions relevant to Initiated Measure 27, a proposal in the November 8, 2022 election to legalize the possession, use, and distribution of marijuana in South Dak…

1
The Pitfalls of Legalizing Marijuana 50:39

2y ago50:39

50:39

Co-hosts Michael Pauley and Chris Motz welcome guest Emily Leedom, Executive Director of the Lourdes Center in the Diocese of Sioux Falls, for a discussion of Initiated Measure 27, a ballot measure that would legalize recreational marijuana in South Dakota. The bishops of South Dakota have taken a stand against marijuana legalization, because of th…

1
Catholics and the Two Cities 41:33

2y ago41:33

41:33

Michael Pauley welcomes Fr. Henry Stephan, O.P., of Notre Dame University to the program for a far-reaching conversation on how Catholics should engage with politics (the City of Man) without losing sight of the eternal home we are called to (the City of God). Michael and Fr. Henry discuss the thinking of Augustine and Aquinas on politics, examine …

1
Protecting the Vulnerable: Children with Down Syndrome 32:29

2y ago32:29

32:29

Chris Motz and Michael Pauley welcome to the show Lauren Costabile, founder and executive director of Hearts of Joy International, an organization that helps babies with Down Syndrome gain access to needed care, especially open-heart surgery. The ongoing debate about abortion after the Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision frequently revolves around so-ca…

1
Dobbs Case: A Closer Look 27:58

2y ago27:58

27:58

Michael Pauley and Chris Motz take a deeper look at the Supreme Court’s landmark decision in Dobbs vs. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, this time focusing on three concurring opinions written by justices who voted to uphold the pro-life law in Mississippi that was challenged. While all three justices agreed that Mississippi’s statute limiting a…

1
Catholics and "Pride Month" 33:39

2y ago33:39

33:39

Michael Pauley and Chris Motz tackle the political and cultural phenomenon known as "Pride Month." Governmental bodies and America's largest corporations loudly celebrate this event every June, but what exactly is the message that's being promoted? Michael and Chris explore the sexual ideology that underlies Pride Month, and contrast it with the Ca…

1
Supreme Court Decision on Dobbs Case 26:26

2y ago26:26

26:26

On this episode Michael Pauley, Executive Director of the South Dakota Catholic Conference, and Chris Motz, Chief of Staff for the Diocese of Sioux Falls, provide an initial overview of the momentous decision released June 24, 2022 by the U.S. Supreme Court in the case of Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization. They discuss the court's decisi…

1
Introducing the new SDCC Executive Director 39:18

2y ago39:18

39:18

The bishops of SD are pleased to announce the appointment of Michael Pauley as the executive director of the South Dakota Catholic Conference. Mr. Pauley previously worked as a consultant specializing in government affairs and public communication. His clients have included several non-profit organizations that advocate for public policies to defen…

1
Labor and Leisure in a Fragmented World 27:58

2y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris hosts Dr. Michael Naughton professor of Catholic Studies at the University of St. Thomas and author of Getting Work Right: Labor and Leisure in a Fragmented World. They discuss 'leisure'....and no, they're not talking about polyester wide-lapeled suits from the 70's. Drawing from the definition articulated by the 20th century…

1
SCOTUS Dobbs Leak 32:14

2y ago32:14

32:14

Chris welcomes back Katie Glenn, Government Affairs Counsel and Americans United for Life, to discuss the recent unprecedented leak of a draft opinion in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health. First reported by news outlet Politico, lead author Justice Samuel Alito and four of his colleagues appear poised to completely and unequivocally overturn Roe v. W…

1
Virtue, Law, and Community 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

Chris welcomes back Dr. Chris Burgwald. First, they discuss Pope Francis's recent invitation to the bishops of the world to join him in consecrating Ukraine and Russia to the Immaculate Heart of Mary. They then discuss a book they're reading together, After Virtue, by philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre. They specifically dive into the themes of Chapter…

1
Hey, What's the Problem?! 39:57

2+ y ago39:57

39:57

The Problem of Evil. Chris is joined again by Dr. John Schaff, Professor of Government and Director of the Center for Public History and Civic Engagement at Northern State University. They discuss the problem of evil, what evil "is" (or rather, "is not"), historical errors in understanding it, natural evil and moral evil, and why God might permit i…

1
Evangelicals & Catholics Together 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris welcomes back Norman Woods, executive director of the Family Heritage Alliance. Chris announces his departure from the helm of the Catholic Conference and gives Norman a book as a parting gift, Evangelicals & Catholics Together: Toward a Common Mission, a 1995 book co-edited by Evangelical leader Chuck Colson and Catholic pri…

1
Catholic Microschools 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris is joined by Dr. Kevin Baxter, former superintendent of Catholic schools for the largest U.S. archdiocese, Chief Innovation Officer for the National Catholic Education Association, and current director of the Mary Ann Remick Leadership Program at the Alliance for Catholic Education at the University of Notre Dame. They discus…

1
Chris & Chris talk politics 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

Airing for this week's installment of F&P is a segment from Catholic Views, the weekly broadcast of the diocese of Sioux Falls. Guest host Dr. Chris Burgwald interviews SD Catholic Conference director Chris Motz on bills that he's tracking in the state capitol. Chris (Motz) rounds out the half-hour with late-breaking updates on several bills. Find …

1
Marijuana Policy 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

Chris is joined by Luke Niforatos, Executive Vice President at Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM). Luke shares SAM's position on marijuana policy, unpacks who is driving the push to legalize marijuana across the nation and in South Dakota, and describes what science has told us about legalization efforts. He also reveals some of the failed promise…

1
God, Country, and Grace 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

Chris gives a legislative update to open this episode, and then welcomes Fr. Joe Forcelle, a priest of the diocese of Sioux Falls. Fr. Forcelle recently directed a one-day retreat titled, "God and Country: Prayer in the Midst of Conflict and Grace," which they discuss. He offers reflections on love of country through the lens of the 19th century sh…

1
Week 3 Legislative Update 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

Your road-weary host gets a chance to relax in the studio with Dr. Chris Burgwald, for a conversation on the moral implications of a number of bills currently in the legislative process. They discuss prayer in schools, tax-credit scholarships, intoxication and marijuana, the death penalty, the power of humor, and more.…

1
The Science of Chemical Abortions 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

This week, Chris is joined by Dr. Glenn Ridder a family practice doctor, medical director at the Alpha Center, state director of the Catholic Medical Association, and a permanent deacon for the diocese of Sioux Falls. Dr. Ridder explains how chemical abortions function in depriving a child of it's needed environment in the uterus, resulting in deat…

1
2022 Legislative Preview 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

This episode, Chris is joined by Norman Woods, director of Family Heritage Alliance for a preview of the 2022 legislative session. They talk about sexual identity and compassion, pro-life, education, surrogacy, and marijuana. Plus, the SD Catholic Conference is now on Twitter (in addition to Instagram and Facebook). Follow us at @SDCatholicConf…

1
Family policy is what our nation needs 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris is joined by Dr. Scott Yenor, professor of political science at Boise State University, where he teaches political philosophy. He is the author of The Recovery of Family Life: Exposing the Limits of Modern Ideologies, published in 2020. Chris and Scott discuss modern ideological trends that cut against the formation of family…

1
Vaccines and Bioethics 45:20

2+ y ago45:20

45:20

On this episode Chris is joined by Cameo Anders, a South Dakota lawyer and bioethicist, and Dr. John DiCamillo, a staff ethicist at the National Catholic Bioethics Center. They take up the topic of vaccines, which have remained prominent in national and state political conversations. They discuss the moral analysis used when a vaccine has a connect…

1
Catholic Teaching & Parent Choice in Education Policy 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

Chris is joined this episode by Shawn Peterson, president of Catholic Education Partners, an organization founded by US bishops in 2017 in order to provide a Catholic voice in education choice policy discussions. Chris and Shawn walk through Catholic teaching on this topic, including Vatican Council II, which exhorted civil authorities to empower p…

1
Strong Towns - Cultivating a Human Habitat 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

As Catholics, we know the importance of intentionality in church design. Beauty matters, layout matters, elements of proportionality and ratio matter. Taking this as a metaphor for city planning, the design of our homes, neighborhoods, and cities matter too. Engineer and city planner Chuck Marohn joins the show to talk about his book Strong Towns: …

1
Children's Rights & Surrogacy 37:46

2+ y ago37:46

37:46

On this episode, Chris is joined by Katy Faust, Founder and Director of Them Before Us, an organization formed to advance and defend the primacy of children's rights above adult desires. Chris and Katy unpack the issue of surrogacy, a process by which a child is deliberately subjected to mother-loss. Katy shares that only 7% of children created in …

1
"Woke" Pseudo-Religion and Christianity 37:46

2+ y ago37:46

37:46

Regular guest Dr. Jon Schaff returns to the show to unpack a new address given by Archbishop Jose Gomez, president of the USCCB, titled, "Reflections on the Church and America's New Religions," in which he proposes that Marxist secular ideologies must primarily be understood in spiritual terms in their quest to displace Christianity and authentic c…

1
The Solemnity of Christ the King and Religious Liberty 27:58

2+ y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris is joined by past guest Dr. Aaron Weldon, program director for the USCCB Committee on Religious Liberty. Aaron explains why this great feast is linked to our religious freedoms. Instituted in 1925, the 16th centenary of the Council of Nicea, by Pope Piux XI, the feast of Christ the King is a spiritual response to an atheistic…

1
Who was Fr. DeSmet? 27:58

3y ago27:58

27:58

Fr. John Paul Trask joins the show to share about the life of Fr. Pierre Jean DeSmet, a Belgian Jesuit who dedicated his life to mission among the native peoples of the west. Fr. DeSmet's nineteenth century missionary journeys took him from Belgium to St. Louis, up the Missouri, and as far as the Pacific. Spending much time in present-day South Dak…

1
South Dakota Pro-Life Litigation 45:59

3y ago45:59

45:59

On this episode, we get a front row seat to an interview by Dale Bartscher with Harold Cassidy, the attorney representing Alpha Center as intervenor in the state of South Dakota's lawsuit with abortion giant Planned Parenthood. The facts of this case are incredible! Most South Dakotans don't know the role our state and our laws are playing in the a…

1
The South Dakota Right to Life Update 27:58

3y ago27:58

27:58

Chris is joined by Dale Bartscher, executive director of SD Right to Life. Dale recaps SDRTL's recent 50th Anniversary Convention in Sioux Falls, shares about the process for reviewing legislation in the lead up to the winter legislative session, and updates us on the growth of local RTL chapters throughout the state.…

1
Pro-Abortion Policies at Health and Human Services 31:23

3y ago31:23

31:23

On this episode, Chris is joined by Rachel Morrison, a lawyer from the Ethics and Public Policy Center and member of its HHS Accountability Project. Rachel unpacks recent moves by the federal HHS department to give Title X dollars to Planned Parenthood, disregard a separate-payment for abortion requirements for health insurers, abandon pro-life hea…

1
Respect Life Month: Alpha Center 27:58

3y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris is joined by Leslee Unruh, founder of Alpha Center, a pregnancy help center based in Sioux Falls. Leslee shares Alpha's mission to "clear the confusion with a message of hope." Founded in 1984, Alpha offers warm, loving counseling to women and men in crisis pregnancy situations. Alpha introduces its clients to mentor relation…

1
The Formative Power of Music 38:35

3y ago38:35

38:35

On this episode, Chris is joined by music-lover, Fr. Tony Klein. They discuss the South Dakota state anthem, singing the Mass, how to discern beauty in music, music's role in shaping the heart and mind, sacred music, the common music of a people (think Hobbit songs), what's on Fr. Tony's playlist these days, and music in family life.…

1
F&P Mini 16:57

3y ago16:57

16:57

Chris Motz gives a news round-up (SD education policy, federal "Women's Health Protection Act," and call to prayer on the Dobbs case) and shares "Doing the Truth," an excerpt on the virtue of prudence from the Josef Pieper book being read by the SDCC study group.By Chris Motz

1
A Spiritual Biography of Marx 27:58

3y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris is joined by Dr. Paul Kengor, Senior Director and Chief Academic Fellow for The Institute for Faith & Freedom and Professor of Political Science at Grove City College. They discuss his recent book, "The Devil and Karl Marx: Communism's Long March of Death, Deception, and Infiltration", published by Catholic bookseller TAN Boo…

1
Individualism & Unity 33:20

3y ago33:20

33:20

On this episode, Chris is joined by thinker and writer Jack Gist (ft. on Ep. 25, Disputatio and the 1619 Project) to discuss a new essay from Jack, "Individualism, relativism, and the most extreme form of idolatry." Jack unpacks the thought of Nietzsche and Duns Scotus, and helps us understand the "both/and" of the amazing beauty of being an indivi…

1
Just War Theory 37:46

3y ago37:46

37:46

On this episode, Chris is joined once again by Dr. Jon Schaff, professor of political science at Northern State University. Dr. Schaff unpacks the traditional teaching on the conditions for a just war, first articulated by St. Augustine. He walks through jus ad bellum (justice before making war) and jus in bello (justice while making war), and offe…

1
The Political Path Forward: Get Married and Have Kids 37:44

3y ago37:44

37:44

Jessica Kramer joins the show to discuss a recent article she authored on politics and family formation. After briefly sharing her conversion story, she shares her observations from a recent policy conference she reported on, and describes several pro-family policies concerning pornography, contraception, a one-income family wage, and more. In her …

1
Vaccine Mandates and Religious Exemptions 27:58

3y ago27:58

27:58

Cameo Anders a graduate of the Ave Maria School of Law, has a Masters in Theology and a certificate in Bioethics, joins us this week to take on this hot topic of religious exemptions surrounding the growing concern of COVID vaccine requirements with employers. To read the statement from our bishop's in South Dakota, visit our website. https://sdcat…

1
Unpacking Fulton, and a Half Page of Trouble in the Infrastructure Bill 32:28

3y ago32:28

32:28

Chris is joined on this episode by David Trimble, Vice President for Public Policy and Director of the Center for Religious Freedom Education at the Religious Freedom Institute. David breaks down the 9-0 Supreme Court decision in Fulton v. Philadelphia, and then shares some religious freedom concerns with the infrastructure bill presently in the Se…

1
Catholic Adoption in South Dakota 27:58

3y ago27:58

27:58

This episode, Chris is joined by Kelli Whartman, the executive director of Trinity Pregnancy and Adoption, a Catholic agency serving the whole state. Kelli shares her own witness to faith and passion for serving the adoption "triad" -- adoptive parents, birth parents, and kids! Kelli mentions these links: https://www.davethomasfoundation.org/our-pr…

1
Individualism, the Decline of Institutions, and Friendship 27:58

3y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris is joined by Fr. Justin Brophy, O.P., professor of political science at Providence College, Rhode Island. In a short diagnosis of our present moment as Americans, Fr. Brophy points to (among other points not discussed) a tension between Lockean individualism and a Puritan ethic, and a decline in our traditional institutions a…

1
Taxpayer Funded Abortions? What??! 27:58

3y ago27:58

27:58

On this episode, Chris is joined by Kat Talalas, the associate director for communications at the Secretariat for Pro-Life Activities at the USCCB. For those who haven't been closely following the debate over the Hyde Amendment, and its enormously significant consequences even at the state level, Kat brings us all up to speed with what it is, why i…

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