The Walkup
The Walkup is a bold exploration of ideas featuring a wide range of experts — from scientists, philosophers, artists, and musicians — and everyday truth-seekers. Walk up to the table of thought-provoking conversations, hidden insights, and struggles that impact more people than you might think. With no agenda but the pursuit of truth, The Walkup invites listeners to question, learn, and engage with the world in a deeper way. No topic is off-limits — just honest dialogue filled with wonder and laughter.
Episodes
21 episodes
Mysticism, Memory, and the Making of History (Bronwen McShea) | Ep. 20
Historian, author, and artist Bronwen McShea joins The Walkup for a sweeping conversation on women in the Church, mysticism, biography, and the hidden forces that shape historical memory. A Yale and Harvard-trained scholar,...
•
1:26:37
Chant, Community, and the Call to Worship (Father Keith O’Hare) | Ep. 19
In this episode of The Walkup, guest host Will Bower sits down with Father Keith O’Hare, pastor of St. Louis Catholic Church in Alexandria, VA. From the haunting beauty of Gregorian chant to the challenges and triumphs of b...
•
1:57:31
Humor, Holiness, and a Seinfeld Writer’s Journey (Tom Leopold) | Ep. 18
From writing iconic episodes of Seinfeld, Cheers, and Will and Grace, to penning award speeches for Tina Fey and Will Ferrell, comedy legend Tom Leopold brings decades of showbiz stories to The Walkup. In this episode, Tom ...
•
1:57:49
Jazz, Grit, and Groove (Nick Hempton) | Ep. 17
What does it take to become a world-traveling jazz saxophonist with a sound that grooves as hard as it swings? In this episode of The Walkup, Sean sits down with Nick Hempton – Australian-born, NYC-based jazz artist – to ta...
•
1:28:20
Mary, Misconceptions, and the Rosary (Father Louis Merosne) | Ep. 16
In this episode of The Walkup, guest host Will Bower sits down with returning guest Father Louis Merosne, Haitian priest and founder of Mission of the Beloved, for a personal and powerful conversation on devotion to Mary, the Rosary, a...
•
1:28:11
Wall Street, Caravaggio, and the Search for God (Dony MacManus & Steve Auth) | Ep. 15
In this episode of The Walkup, Sean sits down with artist Dony MacManus and Stephen Auth, CIO of Federated Global Equities and author of The Missionary of Wall Street, to discuss the soul of Catholic art, the crisis of cultura...
•
1:16:53
Addiction, Recovery, and the Power of Surrender (Tom Williams) | Ep. 14
Tom Williams is the CEO of Came to Believe Recovery, a global movement reviving the original spiritual roots of the 12 Steps. In this episode of The Walkup, Tom shares his path from addiction and Army service to becoming a ...
•
1:20:53
Faith, Beauty, and Haiti’s Saints (Father Louis Merosne) | Ep. 13
In this stirring return to The Walkup, Father Louis Merosne shares stories from the frontlines of spiritual and social renewal in Haiti. From surviving natural disasters and rebuilding faith communities, to his encounters w...
•
1:23:47
Art, Industry, and the Algorithm (Kate Maberly & Dony MacManus) | Ep. 12
In this episode of The Walkup, actress-producer Kate Maberly and artist Dony MacManus explore the deep roots of creativity—from childhood imagination to classical training, and from faith to futurism. They discuss the dark ...
•
1:34:44
Art, Identity, and the Theology of the Body (Dony MacManus) | Ep. 11
Irish sculptor and educator Dony MacManus returns to The Walkup for a sweeping conversation on artistic calling, faith, and embodiment. He shares how overcoming dyslexia and finding purpose through art transformed his life,...
•
2:00:14
Paintings, Politics, and the Power of Memory (Richard Brookhiser & Dony MacManus) | Ep. 10
What does art remember that politics forgets? In this episode of The Walkup, host Sean O’Hare is joined by Richard Brookhiser, historian and senior editor at National Review, and Dony MacManus, sculptor, painter, and founder of the Sac...
•
1:09:31
India, Dignity, and the Fight to End Human Trafficking (Father Don Bosco Darsi) | Ep. 09
Father Don Bosco Darsi joins The Walkup from Vijayawada, India, where he leads Talitha Cumi Unnati—a grassroots organization fighting human trafficking and empowering vulnerable girls through education and dignity-based outreach. ...
•
1:20:02
The Drama of Belief: Atheism, Theater, and Christian Faith (Jonathan Leaf & Father Rick Riccioli) | Ep. 08
Can an atheist and a priest find common ground? In this episode of The Walkup, playwright and author Jonathan Leaf joins returning guest Fr. Rick Riccioli, pastor at Most Holy Trinity–St. Mary Church in Brooklyn. Together t...
•
1:34:13
Performance, Theology, and the Power of Story (Christopher Domig & Father George Drance) | Ep. 07
What happens when theater becomes a form of prayer? In this episode of The Walkup, actor Christopher Domig (Sea Dog Theater) and Jesuit priest Fr. George Drance (Magis Theatre Company) explore the deep interplay between spirituality an...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 7
•
1:35:46
Addiction, Faith, and Recovery in Motion (Grant Wheeler) | Ep. 06
In this episode of The Walkup, Sean O’Hare is joined by Grant Wheeler, Director at The Phoenix—a sober living community using movement and connection to help people rebuild after addiction. Grant shares his raw and redempti...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 6
•
1:43:34
Tech, Justice, and the Fight Against Trafficking (Kim Thompson) | Ep. 05
In this episode of The Walkup, Sean O’Hare sits down with Kimberly Thompson, a development leader and anti-trafficking advocate with decades of experience at A21, the Human Trafficking Institute, and beyond. Together, they ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 5
•
59:57
Hope, Vocation, and the Global Church (Colm Flynn & Colin Nykaza) | Ep. 04
In this episode of The Walkup, Sean O’Hare is joined by Colm Flynn, Vatican correspondent for EWTN, and Colin Nykaza, Director of Outreach at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City. Together, they explore the Church’s response to ...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 4
•
1:11:55
Church, Conflict, and Community (Iris Bahr, Father Rick Riccioli & Rob Long) | Ep. 03
In this episode of The Walkup, Sean O’Hare brings together an unexpected trio: award-winning actress and writer Iris Bahr, Brooklyn-based priest Fr. Rick Riccioli, and Hollywood veteran Rob Long (Cheers, George and Leo). To...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 3
•
1:31:14
Faith, Sexuality, and the Fog of War (Iris Bahr & Father Rick Riccioli) | Ep. 02
In this episode of The Walkup, Sean O’Hare sits down with two deeply thoughtful voices—comedian, writer, and cultural critic Iris Bahr (Curb Your Enthusiasm, X-Rae) and Father Rick Riccioli, a Franciscian friar and pastor serving in Br...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 2
•
1:29:29
Faith, Hollywood, and Haiti (Doug Liman & Father Louis Merosne) | Ep. 01
In this premiere episode of The Walkup, host Sean O’Hare brings together two fascinating guests from very different worlds: Hollywood director Doug Liman (Mr. & Mrs. Smith, Road House) and Haitian Catholic priest Father Louis Meros...
•
Season 1
•
Episode 1
•
1:46:16