Not Your Typical Faith-Based Radio Show Added to SIRIUS Satellite Radio Lineup

“Provoke Radio” Pushes Barriers, Aims for Religious Talk Radio Without “Preaching, Proselytizing or Political Talking Heads”

BALTIMORE – Provoke Radio, the social justice program that took off last year by shaking up faith-based talk radio with its insightful – but never preachy – religious programming, announced today it had been chosen to air twice weekly on SIRIUS Satellite Radio’s Catholic Channel.

The Catholic Channel, which launched Monday, features 24-hour Catholic-themed programming from Sunday mass with Edward Cardinal Egan, archbishop of New York to news commentary through a Catholic lens.

“First and foremost, the Catholic Channel is aiming to be good radio – professional, thought-provoking, and contemporary – all from a Catholic perspective,” said Rob Astorino, program director for The Catholic Channel. “Provoke Radio is just that. It challenges people to think about their religion and becomes much more than what you expect from typical religious talk radio.”

Hosted by Father Steven Spahn, SJ, the show – which is now in its second season – has explored such topics as Muslim-Christian faith relations, embryonic stem cell research and multi-racial adoptions.

“Provoke is not like anything out there,” said Claire Hartman, the show’s producer. “It’s like we took religious talk radio and subtracted the preaching, and proselytizing. We focus on profiling everyday people who do amazing things day in and day out for social justice. More importantly, we give a voice to the voiceless. It’s safe to say this is not your grandmother’s religious programming.”

Provoke will air Saturdays and Sundays at 7:30 a.m. on SIRIUS Satellite Radio’s Channel 159. "The program’s flagship station is in Baltimore, but it also airs weekly in San Francisco, in the St. Louis, Mo., area and on NYWRadio.com. In addition, each program is archived in free podcasts on the show’s website, www.ProvokeRadio.com.