Wiser Than Me with Julia Louis-Dreyfus Julia Gets Wise with Sister Helen Prejean
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Jan 7, 2026 Sister Helen Prejean, an 86-year-old Catholic nun and fierce advocate against the death penalty, shares her journey from a joyful Southern childhood to becoming a moral voice in the fight for justice. She discusses the impact of Vatican II on her life, her political awakening influenced by liberation theology, and her experiences accompanying death row inmates. With humor and warmth, she emphasizes the importance of listening to victims' families and advocates for a more inclusive role of women in the church. Julia even invites her mom for a lighthearted chat!
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Card Games And Simple Joys
- Sister Helen plays a Louisiana card game called Beat Your Ass with friends to relax and stay social.
- She wishes they would bet money because it would add zest to the game.
Facts Plus Story Win Arguments
- Louis Prejean's father taught her argument needs facts and persuasive storytelling.
- Sister Helen says story draws people in more than statistics alone when discussing justice issues.
Waking Up To Racial Reality
- Sister Helen grew up in Jim Crow Louisiana and only knew Black people as household servants.
- Moving into the inner city of New Orleans exposed her to peers and awakened her social conscience.
