Christopher Closeup

Sister Nancy Usselmann, FSP, a Daughter of St. Paul and author of “Media Fasting: Six Weeks to Recharge in Christ,” explores how a break from media can help us reconnect with God, our loved ones, and our greater purpose.

Clint Hurdle, the former baseball player and manager of the Pirates and Rockies, discusses the reasons that accepting God into his life helped him deal with his alcoholism and relationship problems, the blessing of having a daughter with special needs, and why he prays daily, “Lord, help me become a simple person in a complex world.”

Maria Morera Johnson, the author of “A Beautiful Second Act,” explores how a stroke at age 49 led her to look to the saints and other notable women for lessons on aging with grace, finding joy even in times of hardship, and discerning God's will in the process.

Gary Jansen, the author of “The Healing Power of Praying the Rosary,” discusses how an encounter at the gym led him to new insights about the rosary, how meditative prayer can improve our physical and spiritual well-being, and why a good prayer life can help us make the kingdom of God more present to others.

“American Mother” co-author Diane Foley reveals how her Catholic faith helped her in the aftermath of her son's murder by terrorists – and how she handled it when one of her son's torturers and killers offered to meet with her.

Diane Foley, co-author of the book “American Mother” discusses the life and legacy of her son, journalist James Foley, who was taken hostage by terrorists in Syria and murdered in 2014. She explores the dangers faced by journalists in war zones, the quest for truth which motivated James' work, and the faith in God that guided him through difficult times.

Sister Orianne Pietra René Dyck – the author of “Dive Deep: 40 Days with God at Sea” discusses how this book can help young people discern God's presence in their lives, better  understand Scripture, and grow spiritually.

Christopher Award-winning author Kathy Izard discusses her new book “Trust the Whisper,” which shares stories about individuals who listened for God's still, small voice in their lives and wound up making a positive difference in the lives of the homeless, the mentally ill, and many more.

Singer-songwriter Sarah Hart discusses her new Advent and Christmas album “All the Earth Alive Rejoicing,” how performing at a prison enabled her to see Jesus in all the inmates, and what it felt like to be adopted by her stepfather as an adult.

Author and counselor Sister Ave Clark discusses her books “Joy is Blooming” and “Alleluia: A Grace to Hold Life's Interruptions,” how beholding God in everything and everyone can lead us towards joy, the power of lightheartedness, and what Jesus on the cross can teach us about grace.

Gary Jansen, the author of “Saints, Angels, and Demons: An A-to-Z Guide to the Holy and the Damned,” discusses the seeds of his interest in the saints, why we need to remember the saints were “imperfect individuals,” how actor Bill Murray is linked to St. Catherine of Siena, and the enduring legacies of the two Francises: de Sales and of Assisi.

Inspired by her sister with intellectual disabilities, writer Delaney Coyne discusses the Catholic Church's ministries for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities – and how more can be done to lovingly welcome this sometimes-overlooked community into the family of faith.

Actor and author Jonathan Jackson discusses his return to the ABC TV series “General Hospital,” in the role of Lucky Spencer (the character he originated at age 11 in 1993), what it was like having Tony Geary and Genie Francis as his TV parents, and what he learned about fame at an early age. He also further explores his book “the Harrowing of Hell” and why mercy is the path to heaven.

Actor, author, and singer Jonathan Jackson discusses the best ways that parents can pass on their religious faith to their children, the book he's written titled “The Harrowing of Hell,” the love and mercy that God extends to us, how our free will fits into that equation, and why he remains completely in awe of Jesus's radical acts of humility.

José M. Hernández, the subject of the Christopher Award-winning Amazon Prime film “A Million Miles Away," discusses the work ethic, family support, and religious faith that led him from being a migrant farmworker as a child to becoming a NASA astronaut who traveled to space as an adult.

Author Jean Duffy discusses her Christopher Award-winning book “Soccer Grannies,” which profiles the South African grandmothers, ranging in age from 40s to 80s, who created their own soccer league to benefit their physical, mental, and spiritual health.

Television legend and best-selling author Kathie Lee Gifford discusses her book “Herod and Mary,” in which she explores the historical evils committed by King Herod – and contrasts them with the humble and holy life of Mary, the mother of Jesus.

Two-time Christopher Award-winning author Torrey Maldonado discusses his latest novel,  "Hands,” which shares a semi-autobiographical story about a 12-year-old boy torn between using his hands to fight his abusive stepfather or using them to create art and fulfill his mother's wishes for him to have a better life.

John J. York, the longtime “General Hospital” star who portrays Mac Scorpio, discusses his recent battle with two blood and bone marrow cancers, the stem cell transplant that helped him find healing, and the family, colleagues, and Catholic faith that supported him through the experience.

Sister Julia Walsh, FSPA, discusses her memoir “For Love of the Broken Body,” her fall off a cliff which resulted in major injuries, and how her experience of brokenness has increased her love for God and humanity.

Brian Bird, the Christopher Award-winning writer and producer of the Hallmark Channel series “When Calls the Heart,” discusses the show's 11th season, how he integrates God and faith into his work, how TV can not only entertain, but also inspire us to be better people, and how he held on to his faith in a skeptical world.

Author Jeff Gottesfeld discusses his Christopher Award-winning children's book “Food for Hope,” in which he profiles Catholic hero and role model John van Hengel, who created food banks for the hungry, inspired by his faith and the hardships of his life.

Christopher Award-winning author Gary Jansen discusses his latest book “Meditations at Midnight,” in which he creatively explores the many ways he has encountered God through the years – and in which he uses poetry to revisit Jesus's passion and crucifixion.

Eric Clayton, the author of “Cannonball Moments” and “My Life with the Jedi” further discusses the connection between Ignatian spirituality and Star Wars, how we can all learn to be contemplatives in action, and how we can integrate the wounds we have endured to find wholeness and healing.

Eric Clayton, the author of “Cannonball Moments” and “My Life with the Jedi” discusses the influence St. Ignatius of Loyola has had on his life and faith, how we can respond to cannonball moments in our lives, and why Eric finds great value in the spirituality of "Star Wars."

Joy Marie Clarkson, the author of “You Are a Tree,” explores what exactly that title means, why it was inspired by Scripture, and how the words and images we use to describe ourselves can improve our lives and relationship with God.

Award-winning journalist Meg Kissinger discusses her memoir “While You Were Out,” which addresses the ways that mental illness and suicide affected her large Catholic family. Meg also talks about reducing the stigma around mental illness so people can work towards a more hopeful future.

Author and speaker Sister Ave Clark explores ways that we can make the Advent and Christmas seasons "a pilgrimage of light" by embracing stillness in a variety of ways, and by looking for God's presence in challenging times. She also offers thoughts on how the infirm and homebound can grow closer to God.

Beloved chef, author, and restaurateur Lidia Bastianich discusses her 25th anniversary as a cooking show host on PBS, the blessings that grandparents bring to a child's life, immigrating to the United States with the help of Catholic Charities, how her mother taught her the virtue of helping those in need, and how she continues to live out her Catholic faith.

Deacon Ed Shoener, the co-founder of the Association of Catholic Mental Health   Ministers, reveals the heartbreak of his daughter Katie's suicide (brought on by   bipolar disorder), the need to reduce the stigma and dispel myths around mental   illness in church circles, and the ways he hopes to bring Christ to those living with   mental health issues and their families.

Sister Caroline Tweedy, RSM, the Executive Director of St. John's Bread and Life food pantry, discusses the ways in which the program helps thousands of food insecure people every week, her longtime passion for serving society's poor and marginalized, and how working at a home for the developmentally disabled helped her see God's presence in all people, regardless of their physical conditions or circumstances.

Stephanie Saldaña, the author of “What We Remember Will Be Saved,” shares the story of the Syriac Catholics who were forced to flee their Iraqi homeland after ISIS attacked, as well as the stories of other refugees from the wars in Iraq and Syria who managed to maintain their faith and kindness towards others in the most horrific circumstances. 

Award-winning author Lisa Hendey discusses her new children's book “I Am Earth's Keeper,” as well as her recent battle with breast cancer and how her faith and parish community gave her the strength to get through some difficult days and months.

Christopher Award-winning author Marcy Cottrell Houle discusses her latest book “The Gift of Aging: Growing Older with Purpose, Planning, and Positivity” and shares the mental, emotional, and spiritual insights that can help people live fulfilling lives well into their 80s, 90s, and 100s.

CNN writer/producer John Blake discusses his memoir “More Than I Imagined: What a Black Man Discovered About the White Mother He Never Knew,” how his white relatives moved beyond racism after getting to know him, and how he himself grew beyond his own prejudices after realizing how much his mother had suffered due to her mental illness.

Emmy Award-winning journalist Luke Russert discusses his memoir “Look For Me There,” which was inspired by the unexpected death of his father, NBC News legend Tim Russert, in 2008. Luke reveals how traveling helped him process his grief, and how prayer and the communion of saints brought him a sense of peace to move forward with his life.

Christopher Award-winning filmmaker Martin Doblmeier discusses his documentary “Sabbath,” which explores the Judeo-Christian tradition of disconnecting from work for one day a week to instead connect with our deeper selves, our families and friends, and our God.

Ted Green further discusses his Christopher Award-winning documentary “The Best We've Got: The Carl Erskine Story,” the former Brooklyn Dodgers' star's decision to raise his son with Down syndrome at a time when children with special needs were often institutionalized – and how that decision continues to have positive effects for children with special needs today.

Filmmaker Ted Green discusses his Christopher Award-winning documentary “The Best We've Got: The Carl Erskine Story” about former Brooklyn Dodgers' star Carl Erskine, a humble man of faith whose actions led to greater racial equality in baseball and wider inclusion of children with special needs in our society.

Elizabeth Humphreys, the founder of Mind What Matters shares the specifics of how she helps dementia caregivers through the organization, how just a little bit of support can bring light into the difficult lives of caregivers, and why she believes her mom left her a roadmap through grief in a writing of hers that she found just recently. 

Elizabeth Humphreys, the founder of the nonprofit Mind What Matters, discusses her organization's mission to assist people who are caregivers for loved ones with Alzheimer's or dementia, how her own caregiving experience with her mom shaped that mission, and how she overcame her anger at God because of her mom's illness to find faith again.

Broadcast journalist Marie Coronel from ABC 10 News in San Diego discusses the incident that left her with a broken neck while she was out reporting a story, the ways that her family and Catholic faith gave her hope and strength during the rehabilitation as well as during her father's long illness, and where she finds joy today. 

Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Sarah Hart discusses her devotional booklet about the lyrics of “Amazing Grace,” the places she sees grace in the world today, the reasons she feels drawn to Mary, the mother of Jesus, and St. Mary Magdalene, and why she is able to trust in God even in times of darkness.

Former ABC News anchor Paula Faris discusses her advocacy for working mothers through the organization Carry Media and new book “You Don't Have to Carry It All,” what businesses can do to create a more family-friendly environment that benefits working parents, and the conflict she felt as a Christian who was taught that mothers shouldn't work outside the home.

Author and pastoral counselor Sister Ave Clark discusses the strength it takes to live a life of peace and compassion, why she believes that “compassion walks the road to Calvary,” how a long ago experience with an eight-year-old girl who had cancer still affects her today, and how we can each serve as angels in each other's lives.

Leticia Ochoa Adams, the author of “Our Lady of Hot Messes: Getting Real with God in Dive Bars and Confessionals” reveals the traumas she has endured in her life (including being sexually abused as a child and losing a son to suicide), the mistakes she has made, and the ways that God has led her toward healing.

John J. York, the actor who has played Mac Scorpio on “General Hospital” for more than 30 years discusses the Catholic faith in which he was raised, why he drifted away from practicing it for many years, and how his daughter eventually led him to re-embrace his faith.

Nikki DeLoach, the star of the Hallmark Movies & Mysteries Christmas movie "The Gift of Peace,” discusses the experience of losing her father to dementia, how that affected her celebration of the Christmas season, and what it's like journeying through grief to find joy again. 

Megan Alexander, the “Inside Edition” correspondent and Christopher Award-winning children's book author discusses her UPtv series “Small Town Christmas,” in which she visits communities across America to highlight their unique traditions and stories of faith. Megan also talks about the ways she maintains the religious meaning of Christmas for herself and her family. 

Dawn Eden Goldstein, the author of “Father Ed: The Story of Bill W's Sponsor,” discusses her biography of Jesuit priest Father Ed Dowling, whose ministry to the suffering and marginalized, especially in the early days of Alcoholics Anonymous, left a lasting spiritual impact on many.

Amanda Ripley, the Christopher Award-winning author of “High Conflict: Why We Get Trapped and How We Get Out” further explores ways in which people with profound differences in beliefs can still learn to respect each other, disagree in a civil manner, and build human connections. She also discusses “the exhausted majority,” who are tired of the anger and division so prevalent today.