Busted Halo is a unique media resource that utilizes a relevant and accessible voice to help people understand the Catholic faith, put it into practice in their everyday lives, and share it with others.
Our vision is for a more joyful and meaningful experience of Catholicism that positively impacts people’s lives.
At Busted Halo, we aim to bring the joy of the Gospel to all people in innovative and creative ways. Through articles, video, podcasts, radio, and social media, we aspire to help Catholics embrace their faith more fully. We value the experiences and questions of people seeking to better understand their faith and offer resources to better comprehend and share the richness of the Catholic faith.
Catholic belief is that all God’s children are “saints in the making,” yet our life’s journey is fraught with imperfections, struggles, and mistakes. Each of us sports a Halo that is either dented, scratched, tarnished… in some way Busted. God loves us despite this and continually calls us to polish our halos up to a nice golden shine.
Busted Halo is a ministry of The Paulist Fathers. The Paulist Fathers are a religious order of Roman Catholic priests — the first to be founded by an American citizen — whose mission territory is the United States. The original founder of the Paulists, Servant of God, Fr. Isaac Hecker, CSP, believed strongly in using the most modern methods of communication to bring to life the ancient message of the Gospel. In their more than 150 years as missionaries to North America, the Paulists have been on the forefront of publishing, radio, TV & film and digital media.
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Honest stories from Catholics who question, struggle, or wrestle with faith and Church — reminding us all that no one sits alone in the pews.
faith
shared
joyfully
Father Dave Dwyer, CSP, is a Paulist priest and Executive Director of Busted Halo Ministries. He is the publisher of BustedHalo.com which has been honored with top awards from the Catholic Press Association and the Associated Church Press, and the host of “The Busted Halo Show with Father Dave,” a call-in radio talk show airing five nights a week on SiriusXM radio on which he answers questions of faith for over thirty million subscribers (6-8 p.m. Eastern time on The Catholic Channel, ch.129). On the same channel, he co-hosts the weekly show, “Conversation with Cardinal Dolan” with New York Archbishop Timothy Cardinal Dolan, which also airs on EWTN and other Catholic television networks. Fr. Dave is also the host of the “Sacraments 101” video series on YouTube and one of the creators of “Young Adult Ministry in a Box”, a digital resource for starting up ministry to those in their 20s & 30s. He has been the recipient of the Catholic Media Association’s inaugural Gabriel Award for Personal Achievement (2021), as well as The Catholic University of America’s Alumni Achievement Award for his innovation in Catholic media, and a Telly Award for best television host. He has offered commentary on NBC Nightly News, “Fox & Friends,” CNN, The New York Times, ABC News, “The Today Show,” “Entertainment Tonight” and “The Daily Show with Jon Stewart” among others. Father Dave served in campus ministry at the Universities of Colorado and Texas, and worked with the Archdiocese for the Military Services to develop a multi-media young adult peer ministry program. Prior to being ordained, he produced and directed TV programs for MTV, HBO and Comedy Central. He holds a Masters of Divinity from the Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Science degree in communication from Syracuse University. @FatherDaveDwyer
Jennifer Sawyer is Editor-in-Chief of Busted Halo. Her work has also appeared in America Magazine, National Catholic Reporter, Verily, Metro, DailyWorth (now HerMoney), New York Post, and Fordham Magazine, among others. She previously produced video for TV and the web, working for the “The Martha Stewart Show,” ABC, Cooking Channel, and Yahoo. She is a member of the Writers Guild of America and has written for “Good Morning America.” Jen is a graduate of Fordham University, and an alum of the Jesuit Collaborative’s Contemplative Leaders in Action program. Originally from New England, she now lives outside of NYC with her husband and two children. She enjoys traveling, cooking, dancing, and playing softball in her spare time. Follow Jen’s writing on her Substack or website Jensawyer.net.
Father Evan Cummings, CSP is a Paulist priest and Associate Director of Busted Halo Ministries. He got his start in media by volunteering for Davis County Channel 17, a local education access channel in his home state of Utah. There, he learned everything from craft services to show production. Throughout college and seminary, he helped to produce multiple podcasts and video projects for himself and the Paulist Fathers. Most recently, Fr. Evan was assigned to the St. Thomas More Newman Center at The Ohio State University where he helped serve the student, young adult, and resident communities. During the pandemic, Fr. Evan led the development of the livestreaming ministry at the St. Thomas More Newman Center, using his television knowledge to help produce a dynamic and engaging experience of the livestreamed Mass. In addition to a love of media, Fr. Evan also loves cooking, Magic the Gathering, and studying the language of Classical Ethiopic (Ge’ez). He holds a Masters of Divinity and Sacred Theology Baccalaureate from Catholic University of America and a Bachelor of Science degree in Philosophy from Utah
Brett Siddell is an on-air personality and co-host of “The Busted Halo Show” on SiriusXM, which he also produced for nine years. He has been an award-winning stand-up comedian for more than a decade. He is an actor (star of Super Bowl ad Happy Grad and several films including Tribeca Film Fest award-winner Stand Clear of the Closing Doors), a voice-over artist (voice of Diet Mountain Dew), and live event host for both companies and charities (Camp Sundown, Our Haven Communities, Shea’s Youth Basketball Association). He was the host of the 2012 TEDxBrooklyn Conference at Brooklyn Bowl to rave reviews from both local and national TED organizers. His website is www.BrettSiddell.com – check out all dates and performances there!
Krista LePard is an on-air personality and producer of “The Busted Halo Show” on SiriusXM. She interned for the show in 2011 before graduating from Syracuse University, and her career came full circle a decade later when she returned as producer! Krista’s background is in sports television, including jobs producing at ESPN and Golf Channel. She also has a deep passion for music ministry at her parish, and loves to serve as singer and accompanist. Krista is a proud northeast Ohioan, and you can probably find her at a Cleveland sports game with her husband and two young daughters.
Alethea Zguta is Busted Halo’s Communications and Development Manager. She is a fundraising professional hailing from Western Massachusetts. She previously managed social media and created content for The Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, and was part of senior program staff at Western Mass CORE, an educational equity initiative. She holds a BA in Art History from the University of Massachusetts Amherst with a minor in Latin Classics, a certificate in nonprofit social media management from the Georgia Center for Nonprofits, and has also worked in restaurants for nearly 15 years. Outside of her professional life, Alethea enjoys cooking, thrifting, and spending time with her husband in their quiet Queens neighborhood.
Emma Colino is Busted Halo’s Editorial Assistant and Social Media Manager. She interned for Busted Halo in 2022 as a Social Media/Editorial Intern and is excited to be back with the team. She received her BA in Journalism and English Literature from Seton Hall University in 2023, and spent the last year in London pursuing an MA in English Language and Literature at the University of Westminster. Emma has also interned and run social media for the New Jersey League of Conservation Voters, “The Italian Tribune,” and Triboro Animal Welfare. In her free time, Emma enjoys playing Dungeons & Dragons, crocheting, and spending time with her cat, Hamlet.