The Martin Sheen Podcast | Storytelling, Human Interest & Conversations

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 &nda...

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?”

Both Mary and Melissa share their journey in the creation of their book. With over a hundred interviews of the cast, crew, writers and producers, it’s an amazing account of how the historic ...

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 o...

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...

Martin takes the listener back to his early days at Holy Trinity Grade School where he fondly remembers his teachers, all nuns of the order of the Sisters of Notre Dame. As his story unfolds he reveals that the greatest lesson he learned from them throughout the years while in their care was compassion.

This is followed by a rich tapestry of quotes and poetry, spanning from Dickinson to Whitman and beyond. It’s an episode bri...

In an episode exploring the vitality of youth and the wisdom that accompanies age, Martin opens the program with a stirring passage from Walt Whitman’s book “Leaves of Grass” giving listeners a grounding start that feels ageless and immediate. He then welcomes back to the mic his great granddaughters Luna, Sara & Jade for a little chat, some poetry and a lot of laughter.

The show continues with inspiring and h...

In this episode Martin offers a bittersweet and touching reflection on his first year at Holy Trinity School in 1946. He brings to life the people and places that left an indelible impression on him, recalling friendships formed and loss encountered. All at the tender age of 6-year-old, these experiences created lasting memories for him and form the core of this beautiful reverie.

This story is followed with the humor of Mark Twain...

Being the seventh of 9 boys, Martin knows a thing or two about brothers as a lifelong lived experience. In this episode he reflects on the bonds that have shaped his life, beginning with a beautiful reading of Keats and culminating in an intimate conversation at the mic with his younger brother, Joe Estevez. Along the way, family stories are shared, long-held truths come to light and listeners are invited into a side of Martin&rsqu...

In this episode, Martin shares a deeply moving account of his time on the London stage in Larry Kramer’s landmark play “The Normal Heart.” More than a personal artistic challenge, the experience placed him at the heart of a pivotal moment in history, as the AIDS epidemic was just unfolding.

From receiving the unexpected offer from Joe Papp to his time in England, Martin recounts the remarkable journey that culmina...

In this follow-up to his previous story about working on the epic “Apocalypse Now” Martin transports listeners back to the jungles of the Philippines, where an exhilarating yet relentless filming schedule tested everyone involved. Accompanied by his family and buoyed by long awaited supplies shipped from the United States, he recalls how the film’s raw, unforgettable opening sequence was captured almost entirely b...

Please join me each Sunday for a beautifully crafted 20-minute journey of personal exploration. I am proud to say “The Martin Sheen Podcast” is now in its 4th season!

For more information please visit themartinsheenpodcast.com

For more information about the writers and poets in this episode please visit us at: themartinsheenpodcast.com

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In this special episode Martin steps back from storytelling and poetry and joins his production team at the mic instead to have an informal chat and answer the burning question, “Whose idea was this podcast?”

Listeners are invited to a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the origins of Martin’s podcast, how it evolved and where it’s all going. 

A complete list of writers & poets the special episode &ldqu...

This episode is full of literary works, speeches and poems by American authors and American public figures. A letter to America, if you will, the country we love, the one we criticize and the one we know can always be better, the one we are dreaming of.

Join Martin as he wishes a happy 250th birthday to America through the recitation of “America the Beautiful” and other beloved poetry. The episode concludes with a passi...

Martin recounts how after many years of searching an inner voice led him to a true turning point in his spiritual life and his return to the Catholic church. With the help of an old friend while in Paris on location for the filming of “Enigma” Martin follows his heart and discovers a revitalized and more compassionate church under the reforms of Vatican II, where he experiences peace and the joy that comes from uniting ...

While in India in 1981, immersed in the sweeping production of the iconic film Gandhi, Martin finds himself profoundly altered by what unfolds both before the camera and behind it. Amid the grandeur of the production and under the guidance of acclaimed director Richard Attenborough, he witnesses not only the making of a heroic and deeply human story but also the stark realities of poverty, inequality, and suffering surrounding him ...

In this episode Martin recounts his journey through Spain alongside his closest friend and his grandsondiscovering along the way that the Camino can offer far more than a spiritual pilgrimage - it can become a journey of the heart itself.

What began as an adventure across ancient roads unfolded into a story of connection, fate and enduringlove.

The episode continues with an intimate conversation featuring his grandson Taylor and Ta...

In a heartfelt tribute marking the centennial of his mother’s birth, Martin reflects on a journey to Ireland with his surviving siblings - a pilgrimage that unfolded into something far more profound and transformative than he ever anticipated.

His story is accompanied by poetry and literary works that mirror the solemnity, grace and quiet reverence woven throughout this deeply personal episode.

A complete list of the writers ...

Martin shares a powerful story of resistance in the face of corporate environmental destruction, bringing a deeply human perspective to those on the front lines battling toxic pollution in a rural community. He explores the extraordinary lengths he and local residents are willing to go in their fight for justice and accountability.

His story is followed by a moving collection of poems and literary works celebrating that same indomi...

Martin reflects on the origins of his theatrical name change and the lasting ripple effect it carried into the next generation, especially for his sons Emilio and Charlie. 

He is later joined at the mic by his daughter Renee for an open and sincere conversation exploring the heart of their relationship, the bond they share, and the joy that continues to connect them.

A complete list of the writers and poets from Episode 4 Iden...