“Brothers Banter” podcast, now in its fifth season, has a new host: Brother Paul Avvento, FSC. Launched in October 2020 by Brother Joseph “JD” Macioce, FSC, and Brother Rafael Rodriguez, FSC, the podcast transitioned in early 2024 to Brother Paul, vocations director for the District of Eastern North America (DENA).
Brothers JD and Rafael founded the Lasallian podcast as “an opportunity to share who we are as Brothers with the world,” Brother Paul said. “It’s something that Brothers talk about quite frequently, that everyone knows the priests, the sisters, but no one really knows the Brothers.”
As “Brothers Banter” continues the evolve and grow in this new season, the goal is to center episodes on three overarching topics: discernment and vocation; Lasallian spirituality and charism; and the greater world of Catholic education.
“We certainly want to highlight the people in our ministries, but we also want to use this as an opportunity to reach those who haven’t heard of us,” Brother Paul said.
In the first episode of the new season, Brother Paul invites Brothers JD and Rafael back to the podcast to talk about their own discernment experiences. Brother Michael Phipps, FSC, spirituality project manager at Christian Brothers Conference, explores Lasallian spirituality in the second episode. The third episode features two Dominican priests who speak about exploring vocations and ways to discern God’s call.
Upcoming episodes include Brothers and Partners who recount their experience at the February Encountering Lasallian Spirituality retreat and share about their own spiritual journeys. Future episodes focused on Catholic education showcase Msgr. James Patrick Shea, president of the University of Mary in Bismarck, North Dakota, as well as John and Tess Lane, who are involved with Seton Education Partners and the Seton Teaching Fellows.
Brother Paul edits the podcast audio with editorial guidance from Chris Swain, director of the Office of Lasallian Vocation Ministry at Christian Brothers Conference. The DENA communications team also provides assistance with graphics and promotion. Some listeners may recognize another voice in the podcast, that of Joe Kolar, former chair of the Lasallian Volunteer advisory board and LV alum, who provides the intro and outro audio for the podcast.
Brother Paul stressed his gratitude to Brothers JD and Rafael for their graciousness and support during the podcast’s transition.
A new episode will drop on March 27 with Father DePorres Durham, OP, former chaplain to Christian Brothers College High School in St. Louis, Missouri, discussing how Saint John Baptist de La Salle’s spirituality and writings are relevant for today’s world.