Health Calls, the official podcast of the Catholic Health Association, addresses timely issues that promote the common good and a more just, healthy society. Season Six centers around the theme, "United for Change," highlighting partnerships and collaborations that work to elevate human flourishing both inside and outside the Catholic health ministry.
Season 6: Episode 5 - Telling the Story of Catholic Health Care on Social Media
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 5 explores the power of storytelling and social media in sharing the mission of Catholic health care. Host Brian Reardon and Executive Producer Josh Matejka welcome Stephanie Hampton, a St. Louis-based content creator known for her Instagram account @explorestlparks.
Stephanie shares her family's experience with Mercy Hospital’s NICU and how that inspired her to highlight the healing presence of Catholic health care online. Stephanie’s reflections on vulnerability, faith, and positivity offer a compelling reminder of the impact Catholic health care has on families—and how sharing those stories can inspire and connect communities.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Season 6: Episode 4 - Collaborating in Caring for the Whole Person
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 4 explores the transformative power of Whole Person Care in the context of palliative care, with guest Lori Dangberg, Executive Vice President of the Alliance of Catholic Health Care in California.
Lori shares the origins and impact of a statewide initiative that brings together dioceses, parishes, and health systems to support patients and families through serious illness and end-of-life care. The episode highlights how collaborative education—through a five-module curriculum — empowers parish leaders and clinicians to engage in meaningful conversations around palliative care, Catholic moral teaching, and advanced care planning. With resources available in multiple languages and formats, the initiative fosters dignity, compassion, and informed decision-making. Hosts Brian Reardon and Josh Matejka reflect on the importance of this work as the population ages and the need for holistic care grows.
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Season 6: Episode 3 - Igniting Souls and Making a Difference: A Conversation with John O'Leary
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Season 6: Episode 2 - United in Addressing Youth Mental Health Needs
Health Calls Season 6, Episode 2 continues the "United for Change" theme with a focus on youth mental health in Chicago. Host Brian Reardon and executive producer Josh Matejka speak with Dr. Anoop Takher, Interim Chair of Behavioral Health at Saint Anthony Hospital, about the hospital's SPARK Program. Designed to eliminate long wait times for psychiatric evaluations, SPARK offers integrated care—including speech and occupational therapy—under one roof. Dr. Takher shares how collaboration with partners like the Carol Robertson Center and local schools has expanded access and improved outcomes for children and families. SPARK’s model offers a blueprint for other systems seeking to meet behavioral health needs with compassion, efficiency, and equity.
Resources
- Learn more about Saint Anthony Hospital's SPARK program
- Watch CHA's This is Catholic Health Care video on the SPARK program
Health Calls is available on the following podcast streaming platforms:
Season 6: Episode 1 - Sharing Encounters and Caring for Immigrant Communities
Host Brian Reardon and executive producer Josh Matejka welcome Sister Norma Pimentel, President and CEO of Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley, to discuss her work serving immigrant communities at the U.S.-Mexico border. Sister Norma shares moving stories of families fleeing violence and hardship, emphasizing the importance of restoring human dignity through compassion and encounter. The episode explores how Catholic health care and faith communities can collaborate to support vulnerable populations, regardless of legal status. Sister Norma encourages listeners to act with love, guided by faith, and to welcome immigrants into their communities. Her message is clear: healing begins with presence, understanding, and the courage to care.
Subscribe to Health Calls on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube or chausa.org.