Crossed Wires
Airing saturdays at 1 P.m. – Encores Sundays at 2 p.m.
Real Talk, Real Faith
Crossed Wires is a bold, informative, 30-minute radio show on AM 1160 The Quest that integrates the news into your faith life. Hosted by everyday Catholic Chris McDonald and Fr. Daniel Brandenburg, LC, it’s where headlines meet honest, unscripted conversations. Together, they help you make sense of what’s happening in the world through the lens of faith.
Crossed Wires Speaks Your Language
- Puts a Catholic lens on today: When the headlines feel overwhelming, this show helps you process what’s happening through your faith.
- Makes faith approachable: Big questions don’t require big words. You’ll hear ideas that are insightful, not intimidating.
- Feels fresh and authentic: It’s a new kind of Catholic talk — relevant, courageous, and refreshingly unpolished.
Casual, Candid, and Catholic Discussions
- Timely conversations that matter: Chris brings up recent news stories each week, and Fr. Daniel shares spontaneous Catholic insights.
- A format that feels like friends talking: Authentic conversations. No scripts. No sermons. Just a smart, back-and-forth dialogue between two people who see things from different but faithful perspectives.
- Your voice in the mix: Listeners will be able to submit questions or discussion ideas for future episodes.
- Listen anytime, anywhere: Catch the show live on AM 1160, on our website, or via the app – or listen anytime via podcast.
Fr. Daniel Brandenburg, LC
Fr. Daniel grew up in rural Iowa, entered the novitiate of the Legionaries of Christ in 1993 after high school, and was ordained a priest on December 22, 2007. He currently serves as chaplain of three organizations in Atlanta, GA: The Lumen Institute, Legatus, and Holy Spirit Preparatory School. He is also the chairman of the board of directors for Catholic World Mission and Sacred Heart Apostolic School. He holds summa cum laude licentiate degrees in philosophy and theology from the Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, Italy, and attained a doctorate in education (EdD) from Creighton University’s Interdisciplinary Leadership Program in 2023.
In 2016, Fr. Daniel survived a heart attack and in 2018 was diagnosed with multiple myeloma cancer. The experience of suffering and brushes with death has colored his outlook on life. He strives to live each day as a gift from God.
Fr. Daniel is the author of eight published books, plus his doctoral dissertation: The New Fundamentalists (2007), Better with God? (2012), Until Christ be Formed in You (2017), Journey to Joy: Reflections on the Seven Sorrows of the Blessed Virgin Mary (2019), Now and Forever (2021), The Way of St. Joseph (2021), Lessons from the Workshop of Saint Joseph (2022), and his latest book on the leadership of Jesus Christ entitled Leader Like No Other (2025).
Chris McDonald
Chris is a longtime parishioner of St. Jude the Apostle Catholic Church in Sandy Springs where he has volunteered in many capacities including as past president of St. Vincent de Paul, Pastoral Council, Jaguar Sports, and most recently in the St. Joseph Cafasso prison ministry.
Married for 30 years to his wife Cathy, he has five children. One of five children himself, Chris is a cradle Catholic born in New Jersey; he lived for several years in Pittsburgh, Pa., but considers Houston, Tex., his hometown.
Educated at the University of Texas at Austin, Chris also obtained a law degree from South Texas College of Law. He spent many years in the commodities trading business, specifically in the energy industry, but currently owns his own real estate investment firm. His real estate expertise has been in multifamily housing, and for a time Chris was a brewpub and restaurant owner.
Chris enjoys golf, tennis, running, and traveling with his family.