The Catholic Laboratory Podcast

Cathlab97 - Egyptology Part 1

Thu, 10 May 2012 21:01:08 +0100

We’re back and we start our mini-series on Egyptology - What is it? What do you need to study to become an Egyptologist?

We look at the contributions of two Catholics to Egyptology - Felix Fabri O.P. and Clause Sicard S.J. (his map is pictured)

Stories on the Cassini mission (again), China’s demography, St Cuthbert’s Gospel, and Thoughts of Death feature in the Lab Report.

Cathlab96 - Archaeology Part 3

Wed, 4 Apr 2012 20:56:44 +0100

We continue our series on the Catholic contribution to Archaeology with the life and works of Anatole von Hügel (pictured)

We also have a packed Lab Report featuring stories on the Cassini mission (again), bio-engineered children, the Mariana Trench, World Down Syndrome Day, news of Pontifical Academy of Science events, and Chocolate - just in time for Easter!

Cathlab95 - Archaeology Part 2

Tue, 20 Mar 2012 20:43:43 +0000

We continue our series on the Catholic contribution to Archaeology with the life and works of Johann Joachim Winkelmann.

We also have a packed Lab Report featuring stories on the Cassini mission, the New Scientist and a lazy editorial, Christian archaeology, drug resistant STDs, and male speech patterns in the presence of fertile women.

Cathlab94 - Archaeology Part 1

Mon, 12 Mar 2012 20:51:10 +0000

We start our series on the Catholic contribution to Archaeology with the life and works of Flavio Biondo and Ciriaco de Pizzicolli ... and did you know there are three patron saints of Archaeology?

We also have a packed Lab Report - look out for Jupiter and Venus, Greed and Class, UK’s Climate Week, and several stories from National Geographic including one about the new game ‘Angry Birds in Space’.

Cathlab93 - Science of TOB (Again)

Sat, 3 Mar 2012 20:42:55 +0000

In this episode we revisit the Science of the Theology of the Body and take a glance at several news stories and research papers that support the Church’s teachings on sexuality and morals.

Cathlab92 - Backwards and Forwards

Thu, 16 Feb 2012 21:45:31 +0000

Yeah - we’re back! In this episode we take a belated look at the top science stories of 2011, and look forward to 2012. We have a packed Lab Report, your feedback and a joke too.

Cathlab91 - The Greatest Story Dawkins Doesn’t Get

Sat, 4 Feb 2012 17:15:51 +0000

In this episode we review Prof Richard Dawkins new book ‘The Magic of Reality: How We Know What’s Really True’.

We explore the meaning of stories & the Biblical creation narratives, what Catholics should make of them, and what science says about creation ... did someone say ‘miracle’?

There’s a contribution from Katie and Michael about a story they love ... and stay tuned for an unexpected Christmas message.

Happy Christmas Everyone!

Cathlab90 - Christmas Presents

Tue, 13 Dec 2011 13:33:25 +0000

Christmas is coming - are you prepared? We have a few ideas for the Catholic Scientist in your life - advent readings, mobile apps, not-so-mobile apps, a book or two and some Lego.

We also have a Lab Report, your feedback and a joke too.

Cathlab89 - Catholic Ecology

Tue, 6 Dec 2011 10:34:19 +0000

What is Catholic Ecology? What is the Biblical basis for caring for creation? What did the Fathers of the Church teach about creation? What does the Church teach about ecology and our environment? And what should we do about the ecology?

We sit down with Bill Patenaude, a Catholic ecologist, blogger, writer and environmental manager to answer these questions and more!

Cathlab88 - Pre-History Part 4

Wed, 23 Nov 2011 17:32:44 +0000

In this episode we continue our examination of the Catholic contribution to the study of pre-history by taking a look at the life and work of Dorothy Garrod (pictured).

In the Lab Report we discuss natural stem cell therapies to mend a broken heart, the new Mars Rover ‘Curiosity’, and those faster-than-light neutrinos are back!

Cathlab87 - Pre-History Part 3

Thu, 17 Nov 2011 10:31:03 +0000

We continue our study of the Catholic contribution to the historical sciences - more priests of pre-history: Abbé Landesque, Abbé Bayol, Fr Cau-Duban, Abbé Bardon, Brothers Abbé Jean and Mgr Amédée Bouyssonie (pictured), Abbo Sierra, Abbo Carbollo and Fr John MacEnery.

The Lab Report has a stem cell related theme - the Vatican hold a conference on the use of adult stem cells, lots of success for adult stem cells therapies, and bad news for embryonic stem cell research ... which is great news for us.

Cathlab86 - Pre-History Part 2

Wed, 9 Nov 2011 12:01:19 +0000

We continue our study of the Catholic contribution to the historical sciences - this time we look at pre-history and the works of Abbé Guibert, Abbé André Glory, Canon Edmond Albe, and Abbé Amédée Lemozi (pictured).

The Lab Report features another misrepresentation of the Church by the BBC; we welcome the 7 billionth baby even if others do not; HPV vaccine for boys; and a movie about faith and science.

And I make an apology, but good comes out of my bad!

Cathlab85 - Pre-History Part 1

Thu, 27 Oct 2011 20:52:33 +0100

We continue our study of the Catholic contribution to the historical sciences - this time we look at pre-history and the work of Abbé Henri Breuil.

The Lab report features several stories with a common theme, but we lighten the mood with a handful of odd stories from the Royal Society archives and a quote from Prof Richard Dawkins.

Cathlab84 - Real Pre-history

Fri, 14 Oct 2011 21:20:35 +0100

We sit back, relax and talk about the historical sciences with listeners Richard and David Clinnick who are paleontologists, pre-historians and archeologists.

They describe their experience of faith and science and pass on some valuable advice for all scientists.

Cathlab83 - CNMC 2011

Mon, 10 Oct 2011 21:12:24 +0100

I’m not in Kansas anymore! We spend this episode reflecting on what happened at the CNMC: the topics, the speakers, the delegates, the prayers, the hopes and the dreams!

We also take a trip to the Waffle House and there is a special appearance from the Trololo Man.

Do Not Be Afraid!

Cathlab82 - Reel Science: Infectious Diseases

Mon, 26 Sep 2011 20:44:28 +0100

In the second of an occasional series on science in movies called ‘Reel Science’ we look at the subject of Infectious Diseases.

Inspired by the movie ‘Contagion’ we will look at the Catholic Scientists who have contributed to this field of scientific endeavour.

Note: I have since learned that Alexander Flemming was not Catholic. I took my information for his life from an online source, but it appears to confuse his marriage to a Catholic with his faith. Sorry!

Cathlab81 - Paleontology Part 6

Mon, 19 Sep 2011 20:53:45 +0100

We conclude our series on paleontology by looking at the life and work of Fr Theodor Verhoeven and Fr Daniel Cargnin.

We discuss more science of the Theology of the Body related research in the Lab Report and have you ever wondered why scientists don’t earn much?

Cathlab80 - Paleontology Part 5

Mon, 12 Sep 2011 20:28:57 +0100

We continue our series on the historical sciences and paleontology by looking at the life and work of Fr Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.

We discuss more adult stem research success, young marriage and facial hair in the Lab Report and a pun-based joke or three for you too.

Cathlab79 - Paleontology Part 4

Mon, 5 Sep 2011 21:22:52 +0100

We continue our series on the historical sciences and make up for lost time with two Catholic Paleontologists - Wilhelm Waagen and Oskar Kuhn.

We also have a packed Lab Report and a joke for you too.

And a big THANK YOU to everyone who nominated the Catholic Laboratory for the Catholic New Media Awards - sadly we didn’t win but thank you for your support

Cathlab78 - Paleontology Part 3

Sat, 20 Aug 2011 07:35:07 +0100

We continue our series on the historical sciences with a look at the subject of marine paleontology and Catholic scientist Pierre-Joseph van Beneden.

We also have a packed Lab Report and a joke for you too.

And a big THANK YOU to everyone who nominated the Catholic Laboratory for the Catholic New Media Awards - voting is now open so please vote for your favourite Podcast, Blog or App

Cathlab77 - Paleontology Part 2

Tue, 9 Aug 2011 21:01:26 +0100

We continue our series on the historical sciences with a look at the subject of micropaleontology and Catholic scientist Abbot Ambrogio Soldani. We also have a packed Lab Report and a joke for you too.

Cathlab76 - Paleontology Part 1

Tue, 2 Aug 2011 21:07:36 +0100

Did you know Paleontology is spelt ‘Palaeontology’ if you’re British?

We start our series on the historical sciences with a look at the subject of paleontology and Catholic scientist Joachim Barrande. We also have a packed Lab Report and a joke for you too.

Cathlab75 - Lab Report

Sat, 16 Jul 2011 08:37:55 +0100

In this episode we catch up on three weeks worth of faith & science news - neuroscience, zoobotics, planets, adult stem cells, lotteries, and more all feature. We have your feedback and a joke too, so please stay tuned.

Cathlab74 - Bioethics

Sat, 9 Jul 2011 21:01:15 +0100

In this episode we discuss bioethics, embryonic stem cell research, euthanasia and vaccines developed using foetal tissue with the Director of the Anscombe Bioethics Centre Dr David Jones.

Cathlab73 - Reel Science: Robotics

Sun, 3 Jul 2011 10:49:44 +0100

In the first of an occasional series on science in movies called ‘Reel Science’ we look at the subject of Robotics.

Inspired by the movies ‘Real Steel’ and ‘Transformers 3’ we will look at the Catholic Scientists who have contributed to this field of scientific endeavour.

Cathlab72 - Your Feedback

Mon, 27 Jun 2011 20:32:19 +0100

In this episode we tackle the back log and growing pile of feedback. We also look at lots of stories in the lab report and enjoy the silence of an empty house.

Cathlab71 - TOB: Conclusion

Mon, 6 Jun 2011 20:44:32 +0100

We conclude our study of the science of the Theology of the Body. There is no Catholic Scientist so we will focus three week’s worth of science related news in the Lab Report. We will save your feedback for the next episode but we two jokes for you!

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab70 - TOB: Pornography

Sun, 15 May 2011 08:59:39 +0100

We continue our study of the science of the Theology of the Body and discuss pornography. There is no Catholic Scientist so we will focus three week’s worth of science related news in the Lab Report. We have some feedback and a joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab69 - TOB: Abortion

Mon, 25 Apr 2011 20:53:29 +0100

We resume our study of the science of the Theology of the Body and discuss abortion. Poalo Frisi (pictured) is our next Catholic Scientist. We have a brief Lab Report, some feedback and a joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab68 - TOB: IVF

Fri, 1 Apr 2011 09:16:17 +0100

We resume our study of the science of the Theology of the Body. To mark the International Year of Forests we run through a ‘family tree’ of Catholic Botanists, including Endlicher who named the Sequoia tree (pictured).

We have the Lab report, your feedback and a special tribute to Mothers everywhere ... from a biologist’s point of view!

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab67 - Genesis of Science

Fri, 25 Mar 2011 07:25:52 +0000

We sit down with James Hannam (pictured) and discuss his books “God’s Philosophers” & “Genesis of Science”, the origins of science and its future.

Cathlab66 - TOB: Condoms and HIV/AIDS in Africa

Thu, 24 Mar 2011 21:44:07 +0000

We resume our discussion on the science of the Theology of the Body. José de Acosta is our next Catholic scientist (pictured) and we have the Lab Report, and a Joke too. Sorry - no time for feedback!

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab65 - Catholics In Space!

Thu, 17 Mar 2011 19:33:46 +0000

Now that the Space Shuttle missions are drawing to a close we take the opportunity to assess the Catholic contribution to space travel.

Astronaut Dr Thomas D. Jones joins me for a chat about the Shuttle, faith and the future of space travel.

Cathlab64 - TOB: Contraception

Fri, 11 Mar 2011 20:13:33 +0000

We continue to look at the science of the Theology of the Body and we have the Lab Report, your feedback and a Joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab63 - TOB: Same Sex Parenting Part 2

Sat, 5 Mar 2011 19:57:10 +0000

We continue to look at the science of the Theology of the Body, Peter Debye (pictured) is our Catholic Scientist and we have the Lab Report, your feedback and a Joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab62 - TOB: Same Sex Parenting Part 1

Sun, 20 Feb 2011 20:00:07 +0000

We continue to look at the science of the Theology of the Body, Sr Francis Xavier Herbert of the Ursuline Order at St Louis (Convent pictured) is our Catholic Scientist and we have the Lab Report, your feedback and a Joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab61 - TOB: Same Sex Attraction

Wed, 16 Feb 2011 20:19:55 +0000

We resume our study of the science of the Theology of the Body. The book ‘Periodic Tales: The Curious Lives of the Elements’ provides the inspiration for our Catholic Scientist segment when we look at all those Catholics who discovered chemical elements. There’s the Lab Report, your feedback and a joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab60 - TOB: Hook Ups and Pre-marital Sex

Sat, 5 Feb 2011 20:27:39 +0000

We resume our study of the science of the Theology of the Body. There is no Lab Report, Feedback or Joke ... instead we make way for a reflection on what it means to be a Catholic Scientist

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab59 - John Sounds Like Tron

Thu, 27 Jan 2011 21:04:55 +0000

In this episode we look to the movie ‘Tron:Legacy’ for the inspiration for our next Catholic Scientist, John von Neumann (pictured)

Cathlab58 - TOB: Child Birth and Child Development

Fri, 14 Jan 2011 21:41:43 +0000

We continue to look at the science of the Theology of the Body, Luigi Galvani (pictured) is our Catholic Scientist and we have the Lab Report and a Joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab57 - TOB: Consummation and Pregnancy

Fri, 3 Dec 2010 20:38:36 +0000

We continue to look at the science of the Theology of the Body, Trotula of Salerno (pictured) is our Catholic Scientist and we have the Lab Report and a Joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab56 - TOB: Compatible Body Chemistry

Mon, 22 Nov 2010 20:47:05 +0000

In this episode we continue to explore the science of the Theology of the Body, Abbe Henri Breuil (pictured) is our Catholic Scientist, and we have the Lab Report and a Joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab55 - TOB: Complementary Natures

Mon, 15 Nov 2010 20:39:01 +0000

In this episode we begin to explore the science of the Theology of the Body, Laura Bassi (pictured) is our Catholic Scientist, and we have the Lab Report and a Joke too.

Warning: In this episode we discuss matters of a sexual nature so please exercise some common sense when listening

Cathlab54 - Intro to TOB

Thu, 4 Nov 2010 21:04:39 +0000

In this episode we introduce the science of the Theology of the Body, Fr Jerome Ricard is still our Catholic Scientist, and we have the Lab Report and a Joke too. We also have the first podcast fireworks display.

Cathlab53 - Catch Up

Thu, 28 Oct 2010 20:55:33 +0100

In this episode we play catch up by taking a look at Prof Hawking’s and Fr Spitzer’s new books with 20/20 hindsight. Our Catholic scientist is Fr Jerome Ricard who is known as the ‘Padre of the Rains’ (an observatory - pictured - is dedicated in his memory). We have the Lab report, your feedback and a joke too.

Cathlab52 - Age of Discovery Pt8: Around the World

Fri, 22 Oct 2010 10:04:28 +0100

In this episode we conclude our exploration of the Great Age of Discovery - a time of Adventure, Catholic Mission, Trade and War.

We travel with Ferdinand Magellan (pictured) as he attempts to access the Spice Islands via a westward route. His expedition however led to the first circumnavigation of the world.

Cathlab51 - Age of Discovery Pt7: East and West

Sat, 16 Oct 2010 19:07:47 +0100

In this episode we continue our exploration of the Great Age of Discovery - a time of Adventure, Catholic Mission, Trade and War.

In this episode we head east and west as de Gama continues to conquer the east, and Amerigo Vespucci (pictured) pushes west.

Cathlab50 - Age of Discovery Pt6: Eastward Bound

Fri, 1 Oct 2010 21:00:52 +0100

In this episode we continue our exploration of the Great Age of Discovery - a time of Adventure, Catholic Mission, Trade and War.

In this episode we head east, toward India and the campaign “in search of Christians and spices” led by Vasco da Gama (pictured)

Cathlab49 - Age of Discovery Pt5: Westward Bound

Fri, 24 Sep 2010 20:30:34 +0100

In this episode we continue our exploration of the Great Age of Discovery - a time of Adventure, Catholic Mission, Trade and War.

In this episode we concentrate on other efforts to conquer the seas and discover & explore new lands to the west by Christopher Columbus (pictured).

Cathlab48 - Age of Discovery Pt4: The Cape of Good Hope

Sat, 11 Sep 2010 20:09:55 +0100

In this episode we continue our exploration of the Great Age of Discovery - a time of Adventure, Catholic Mission, Trade and War.

Prince Henry’s campaign of exploration continues south with the discovery of the Cape of Good Hope by Bartolomeu Dias (pictured).