Advertise on podcast: Busted Halo Show w/Fr. Dave Dwyer

It is a sadly common phenomenon for parents to become estranged from their adult children, and Father Dave welcomes Dr. Kathy Koch for tips on nurturing these relationships. Dr. Koch is a Christian speaker, author, podcast host and the founder of Celebrate Kids, Inc. Her new book is called, "Resolve Conflict and Find Peace and Hope with Adult Children: Strategies and Conversations that Work."

A listener named Brenda asks Father Dave about the content of a homily. "One Sunday, a priest was giving his homily and began to explain something. He added, 'The homily should not be academic,'" Brenda says. "I thought that 'academic' meant 'instructional.' Am I wrong to think that it is fine for a homily to be teaching us something? I really appreciate it when the priest gives us background information such as common practices in biblical times. The more I can learn, the happier I am."

As the War in Iran continues, Church leaders including Pope Leo XIV have voiced strong messages for peace. This past Sunday evening, President Donald Trump posted disparaging words about Pope Leo XIV on social media, who then responded to those criticisms aboard the papal plane on Monday. Father Dave unpacks what events led to these tensions and what the Church teaches about war.

As we continue in the Octave of Easter, Father Dave welcomes speaker and author Laura Kelly Fanucci to discuss how we can celebrate all 50 days of this season. Laura is the founder of "Mothering Spirit," and her new devotional is called, "Living Easter: 50 Days to Practice Resurrection."

We are all made in the image and likeness of God, and Father Dave welcomes author Ginny Kochis who ministers to Catholic families with neurodivergent children. Ginny's online community provides practical support and prayerful encouragement to Catholic parents raising exceptional children, and her new book is called "Quirky Catholic Kids: Navigating Neurodivergence with Faith and Joy."

Father Dave welcomes veteran filmmaker and Catholic René Echevarria to discuss his latest project called "The Faithful: Women of the Bible." René is a television writer and producer best known for his work on "Star Trek," "Castle," "Dark Angel," and more. "The Faithful" is a three-part series on Fox that centers on five well-known matriarchs of the Old Testament.

A listener named Peg asks Father Dave about the Gospels. "While listening to or reading the Gospel readings during the Lenten season, I wonder about the actual time between the stories. Is it months, weeks or days? Can you help us understand the timeline?"

Service is a cornerstone of our Christian lives, and Father Dave welcomes Kerry Robinson, President and CEO of Catholic Charities USA, to discuss a new museum that showcases this virtue. "People of Hope: Faith-Filled Stories of Neighbors Helping Neighbors" is a traveling storytelling museum that highlights the impact of being present for others. The mobile museum begins its three-year journey around the United States starting this week in New York City.

A listener named Kelly asks Father Dave a question about receiving the Eucharist from lay ministers.

A listener named Carol asks Father Dave about the Sacrament of Anointing of the Sick. She says, "As someone with an autoimmune disease called lupus, every couple of months when the Anointing of the Sick is offered after Mass, I go up for the anointing. Am I abusing the Sacrament by doing this because I'm not critically ill?"  

Father Dave welcomes Anthony P. Carter to discuss living out his faith throughout decades of work in corporate communications. Anthony worked in senior roles for two Fortune 100 healthcare companies as well as Chief Diversity Officer for Johnson & Johnson. He also served as press secretary for New York City Mayor David N. Dinkins and U.S. Congressman Edolphus Towns. He details these experiences and more in his new book, "This I Know: Principles for a Life of Faith and Optimism."

A listener named Theresa asks about different postures at Mass. She asks, "How many times do we kneel and stand at Mass, and why?"

While broadcasting from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Father Dave welcomes Anne Kertz Kernion to help us better understand the connection of body, mind and soul. Anne is a former college professor with a graduate degree in theology and a background in science, engineering, and neuroscience. She writes about these topics in her latest book "The Four Connections: How to Flourish by Aligning Your Beliefs, Body, Brain, and Bonds."

While broadcasting from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Father Dave welcomes Catholic composers and musicians Sarah Hart and Steve Angrisano. Steve, Sarah, and fellow Catholic composer Curtis Stephan recently set 220 antiphons to contemporary music in a new project called, "Let Us All Rejoice."

While broadcasting from the Los Angeles Religious Education Congress, Father Dave talks with the event's keynote speaker, Alessandro DiSanto. Alessandro is a co-founder of the Hallow prayer and meditation app, although he began his career on Wall Street and later worked as a private equity investor. His keynote at LA Congress was called, "The Currency of Mercy: Renewing Hope Through Faith and Prayer."