Show Notes
Martin pens a tender, moving story of being faced with a difficult challenge in his career and how he was inspired to take a leap of faith into the unknown.He tells of a brief encounter with renowned artist Elaine de Kooning as she recounted her extraordinary experience of creating the official portrait of President Robert F. Kennedy.
This show also features a supporting cast of writers and poets whose works address the struggles and difficulties of life with grace, humanity and words of hope. A complete list of the writers and poets from Episode 4 Challenges The story “de Kooning, Jaquie & JFK” by Ramon Gerard Estevez AKA Martin Sheen is included here by granted copyright permission. Consider This JFK quote “one heart with courage…” The poem “Who Are These People” by Ramon Gerard Estevez AKA Martin Sheen is included here by granted copyright permission.
“Blessed Among Us: Marc Chagall” by Robert Ellsberg is included here by granted copyright permission. And we thank the author for this opportunity to share his work.
Consider This Mother Teresa quote “I know that God will not give me…”
“My Father at 85” Robert Bly is included here in this podcast by granted copyright permission of his daughter, Mary Bly, who we thank for this opportunity to share his poetry.
“The Sound of the Sea” Henry Wadsworth Longfellow
“Some” by Daniel Berrigan is included in this podcast with granted permission and remains the property of the Daniel Berrigan Literary Trust, who we thank for this opportunity to share his writings.
“Where the Mind is Without Fear” Rabindranath Tagore
More from The Martin Sheen Podcast | Storytelling, Human Interest & Conversations
For more information about the writers and poets in this episode please visit us at: themartinsheenpodcast.com
As the old expression goes, “Once a Catholic, always a Catholic.” In this episode, Martin takes the listener back to when he was seven years old and preparing for his First Communion at Holy Trinity in Dayton, Ohio. Through the eyes of a child, he revisits that early encounter with the mystery of faith, as he and his classmates struggled to comprehend the wonderous and sometimes bewildering lessons of the catechism – from the astonishing idea of Jesus entering the tiny Communion wafer to the weighty question of what constituted a moral sin and how one might make a good confession. What emerges is an endearing and often humorous glimpse into Martin’s childhood and his first attempt to make sense of faith, morality, and an ever-changing world around him. The episode then closes with a brief poem by William Blake, whose words awaken a poignant sense of wonder at the beauty and mystery in the world.
In this truly momentous episode Martin is joined at the mic by two very dear friends and West Wing series alum Melissa FitzGerald and Mary McCormack to talk all things West Wing with their best-selling book “What’s Next?”
Martin shares an unscripted moment at the mic and recalls his early days in New York in 1959 where he found acting work at the Living Theater for $5 a week, free meals at the Catholic Worker and a place to stay with whoever would take him in. Years later he returned to the city to perform with his friend and idol, George C. Scott in the play “Death of a Salesman” and he recounts extraordinary memories from both on and off stage. The episode then culminates with poems and works by various artists that highlight the beauty, hardship and wonder of big city life.
Martin welcomes Reverend John Dear to join him at the mic for a deeply moving episode centered on a life devoted to social justice, faith, and non-violence. Together, they reflect on the remarkable journey of a friendship and shared commitment spanning more than four decades – years marked by courageous stands against injustice, personal sacrifice, and an unwavering belief in a world free from war, violence and poverty. Their conversation offers a rare glimpse into the faith that had guided them, the risks they have taken for what they believe in, and the enduring friendship that has carried them through it all. Their conversation is followed by a daily reflection on the life of Jesuit priest and poet Gerard Manley Hopkins, and the poignant words of French philosopher Voltaire that still echo through history to this day. A complete list of the writers and poets from Episode 7 Faith & Friendship Consider This Voltaire “Absurdities & Atrocities” “Blessed Among Us: Gerard Manley Hopkins” Robert Ellsberg “Where the Mind is Without Fear” Rabindranath Tagore