The Big Tech Trends for 2024

What are the big tech trends we can expect in 2024? Dom Bettinelli, Pat Scott, and Fr. Andrew Kinstetter look at what was big at the Consumer Electronics Show (and on product that wasn’t there) to see what we can expect to see more of in the coming year and beyond.

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The Secrets of Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny

What does the final Indiana Jones movie have to tell us about getting older and facing our mortality? Dom Bettinelli, Shelly Kelly, and Thomas Salerno also discuss the real life Dial of Destiny, what makes a great Indy movie, and the beauty of love and forgiveness.

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The Ratings War

The 6th Doctor meets Beep the Meep in this audio story. Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this pre-2023 appearance of the villain; the story’s commentary of television media and especially reality TV in the early 2000s; and how appearances can be deceiving.

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The Force and Spirituality: Free Will and the W(h)ill(s) of the Force

What is the will of the Force? Robert King, Kathryn Laffrey, and Angela Sealana discuss the Force’s nature, relating it to spirituality, free will, and destiny, drawing parallels between the Force and the Holy Spirit. Plus, the balance of the Force and its parallels to Christian faith.

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Ghent Altarpiece, Part 1 – The Artists

The Ghent Altarpiece, also known as the Adoration of the Mystical Lamb, is an incredible piece of sacred art. Kathryn Laffrey and Alix Murray tell us about the brothers who painted the altarpiece, Hubert and Jan van Eyck, their world, their other works, and religious themes in their art.

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Nemesis (VOY)

Nullified! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss this Chakotay story in all its weird alien word choice, its “don’t judge a book by its cover” morale, and the themes of courage, indoctrination, and cross-cultural understanding.

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Birthright

Female Jaffa! Jack Baruzzini, Fr. Cory Sticha, and Victor Lams discuss this story that includes Teal’c’s romance, Jaffa patriarchal structures, and Daniel’s moral dilemmas. They also highlight the essentially pro-life message and themes of freedom, sacrifice, and rebellion.

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The Holy Fire? (Miracle, Jerusalem, Hagion Phos)

Each Holy Saturday, the Orthodox Patriarch of Jerusalem emerges from the tomb of Christ with the Holy Fire that goes out around the world. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli ask if the fire is lit by God or does it have a natural source and what we can learn about this historic rite.

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Our Favorite Tech of 2023

Every year, tech geeks get new software and gadgets, so Dom Bettinelli, Fr. Joseph Sund, and Victor Lams discuss their favorite tech from 2023, including retro gaming, home appliances, and more. Plus the problems of zombie scientific studies and other headlines.

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Peter Jackson’s The Fellowship of the Ring

Focusing on Peter Jackson’s Fellowship of the Ring, Jeff Haecker, Thomas Salerno, and Alix Murray share their experiences of the film; highlights, including Boromir’s redemptive death; its cultural impact; controversies about changes from the books; and more.

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Progress (DS9)

Eminent domain! Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss DS9’s “Progress,” including themes of societal good vs. individual rights; the limits of governmental authority, and Kira’s transition from rebel to government official and her ethical and moral dilemmas.

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Avenger 2.0

Dr. Felger is back! Jack Baruzzini, Lisa Jones, Fr. Cory Sticha, and Victor Lams discuss the story’s humor, the on-set ad libs, and character dynamics, as well as speculate why fans initially panned this episode. Plus how close to a real computer coding environment it gets.

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Back from Hell? Negative Near-Death Experiences (NDEs)

Many reports of near-death experiences sound positive and uplifting and blissful. Jimmy Akin and Dom Bettinelli discuss those that are reported as distinctly negative and distressing. What happens in them, what do they mean, and what are their implications?

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Your Devices Aren’t Listening to You

A marketing company has claimed it can listen in on people’s smartphones and digital assistants. Dom Bettinelli and Joanne Mercier discuss why it is likely untrue, but also how we can all do more to protect our privacy and be aware of how we “leak” data about ourselves all the time.

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The Secrets of Avatar: The Last Airbender

The animated series Avatar: The Last Airbender is known for its rich mythology and profound themes. Robert King, Kathryn Laffrey, Jeff Haecker and Thomas Salerno discuss how it appeals to all ages, and the themes of unity, balance, and the journey toward self-awareness and acceptance.

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The Church on Ruby Road

The 15th Doctor starts his run and Dom Bettinelli, Jimmy Akin, and Fr. Cory Sticha discuss everything, including what they think of the new Doctor, his new Companion, the fairytale shift, the themes of family and goodness of babies, and who is Mrs. Flood?

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LEGO Star Wars Droid Tales

Dive into LEGO Star Wars animated series Droid Tales, as Robert King, Kathryn Laffrey, and Thomas Salerno discuss its humor, nostalgia, and deeper emotional connections with the Star Wars universe. Explore themes of friendship, loyalty, and ethics and the character development of C3PO.

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Space Race

It’s a standard scifi plot of a dangerous race in space, but Jack Baruzzini, Lisa Jones, Fr. Cory Sticha, and Victor Lams each find something they like about it, from the interesting aliens to the comedic elements to the character chemistry.

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Life Day 2023 Livestream

We’re celebrating Life Day during Christmas. Angela Sealana, Thomas Salerno, Kathryn Laffrey, Patrick Mason, and special guest Fr. Andrew Kinstetter discuss their Star Wars Christmas gifts, take SW-themed quizzes, and have a SW-themed party in a video livestream!

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Can You Marry an Alien? (& More Weird Questions)

It’s almost New Years, so Cy Kellett of Catholic Answers Live is asking Jimmy Akin weird questions from listeners, about topics like can you marry an alien; baptizing faeries or unborn babies; what the Soul Gem or the Borg do to your soul; time travel and alternate universes; and more weird questions.

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