In his provocative new novel Annihilation, celebrated and controversial French author Michel Houellebecq brings readers to a France in 2027, grappling with economic collapse and moral decline. In this episode, novelists Joshua Hren and Trevor C. Merrill join the podcast to dive into Houellebecq’s darkly insightful world, exploring why he is hailed …

Józef Tischner, a Polish priest, philosopher, and chaplain for the Solidarność trade union, remains a relatively unknown figure outside of Poland. However, thanks to Artur Rosman’s translation of his major work, The Philosophy of Drama, Tischner’s profound insights are beginning to reach a broader audience. As a student of Karol Wojtyła (Pope John …

In this episode, D.C. Schindler elaborates on why he sees a theology of work as the second part of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Perceptions of work are not theologically neutral. The Greeks and Jews had different perceptions of work. Schindler claims Christianity is a synthesis of both but sees modernity as a distortion of the Christian syn…

Larry Chapp spent the last month in Rome commentating on the Synod on Synodality. His letters on the Synod were published at First Things. In this episode, Larry shares his thoughts on the Synod and his experiences in Rome. Near the end of the episode, he explains why we need to “re-weird” Christianity and the importance of enchantment.…

The Church has a long legacy in Europe. It is a legacy mixed with triumphs and trials, particularly in 20th century Poland. In this episode, historian and translator Filip Maczurach introduces the life of Bl. Cardinal Wyszyński who boldly stood up to the Communists and became a national hero. We discuss of Filip’s translation of Wyszyński’s book “L…

In this episode, we are joined by novelist and critic, Joshua Hren, to discuss his new novel Blue Walls Falling Down. The novel has already received much praise. Publisher Angelico Press describes the novel as follows: “Written with a style and sensibility that have been compared to David Foster Wallace and Dostoevsky, James Joyce and Saul Bellow, …

"The last things all hinge on death. Death is the passage that leads to judgment, purgatory, resurrection, and so forth,” writes theologian Andrew T.J. Kaethler, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Theology at Catholic Pacific College, in his recent article “Eschatology: Dying to Live.” In this episode, we discuss with Prof. Kaethler this arti…

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Rodney Howsare, a professor of theology, to discuss his recent thought-provoking article in Catholic World Report titled "Secularism and Catholic Higher Education in America.” Dr. Howsare explores the challenges facing Catholic universities and colleges in the U.S., as they navigate an increasingly secular cultu…

Nathan Pinkoski delves into his thought-provoking perspectives on the intersections of religion, culture, and politics. Pinkoski discusses his recent talk, “Catholicism and the Necessity of Nationalism,” where he explores the crucial role of Catholicism in shaping national identity and its potential to revitalize a sense of community and purpose in…

In this interview, we sit down with renowned theologian and philosopher, John Milbank, to discuss his recent article in the Catholic Herald, "Taking Stock of the UK Riots: Catholicism and the Crisis of Anglo-Celtic Identity." Milbank delves into the underlying cultural and spiritual crises that he believes have contributed to the social unrest and …

Check out our in-depth exploration of Theology of the Body! In this video, we take a deep dive into the profound teachings of Pope John Paul II on the Theology of the Body. This series of lectures, delivered between 1979 and 1984, offers a revolutionary understanding of human sexuality, love, and the human body through a theological lens. Whether y…

In this episode, Tracey Rowland, a prominent theologian and winner of the prestigious Ratzinger Prize (2020), discusses her book Beyond Kant and Nietszche: A Munich Defence of Christian Humanism, where she explores the limitations of modern philosophy and the contributions of six Christian humanists. She also reflects on her extensive work on Pope …

Theologian and expert on the Camino de Santiago Fr. Piotr Roszak explores with us the nature of pilgrimage and its significance in religious history. In recent years, making pilgrimage on the Camino de Santiago has become very popular. Fr. Roszak explains why pilgrimage unveils our humanity and is an expression of hope. Pilgrimage just might be the…

Join us for an insightful discussion on the current state of European politics! In this episode, François Valentin delves into various political landscapes, starting with an in-depth analysis of France. He explores the nuances of French politics and extend their conversation to broader European political themes. Key Topics Discussed: - Overview of …

In this podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into a thought-provoking discussion about the books that have profoundly influenced their lives and why they believe these works are essential reading for our times. Join us as we explore the timeless wisdom found in these literary masterpieces.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

Dr. Jared Zimmerer, the Content Marketing Director and Great Books adjunct professor for Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, joins us to discuss the value of studying the Humanities, especially the Great Books, and the formation of the moral imagination. Additionally, we discuss the significance of Russell Kirk and Christian humanists who were…

In this episode, Kathleen Carr, founder of the Catholic Art Institute, joins us to discuss a pressing issue in the world of art education – the decline of teaching great art in contemporary art schools. Join us as we explore the rich legacy of classical art education, the skills and techniques that defined masterpieces, and why these traditional me…

Dr. Richard DeClue, Professor of Theology at the Word on Fire Institute, joins Bobby Mixa and Andrew Petiprin to discuss his new book The Mind of Benedict XVI: A Theology of Communion. Richard’s systematic presentation of Benedict’s thought demonstrates why Benedict should be considered one of the great theological minds of the last century.…

In this conversation, Bobby and Andrew talk to Philip Bess, Professor of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame, about his recent article "Buildings, Polis, Landscape, Cosmos: Two Counter-Cultural Christian Humanist Academic Case Studies” and the basics of classical humanist urban design. Professor Bess introduces Our Lady’s Plan of Chicago 2…

Bobby and Andrew talk to Dr. Kenneth Craycraft about his new book Citizens Yet Strangers: Living Authentically Catholic in a Divided America. Dr. Craycraft explains why Catholics in the United States today are liberal Protestants before they are anything else and why Catholic Social Doctrine matters for healing the divisions in contemporary America…

Robert and Andrew discuss the fight over the restoration of Cathédral Notre-Dame de Paris and why traditional architecture matters with Michael Diamant, the founder of New Traditional Architecture (https://newtrad.org/). In this interview, Michael helpfully explains the recent revival of interest in the robust classical tradition of architecture th…

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa recall their travels in Europe. Unlike Europeans who might take the beauty of embodied Catholicism for granted, Andrew and Robert are convinced that Americans might be in a special position to recognize the Catholic culture still present in many parts of Europe.…

Cinephiles will love this episode. Writer and director Nathan Douglas and Andrew introduce listeners to the films of Éric Rohmer and the French New Wave. The discussion also covers the importance of film as art and how cinema can unveil human experience better than most mediums. And, of course, Bobby does not miss an opportunity to mention his love…

In this episode, Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin talk to Zac Crippen (host of the Creedal Podcast - https://www.creedalpodcast.com/) about finding freedom from screen addiction and how we should think about technology. Additionally, they discuss Ted Gioia’s popular post “State of the Culture, 2024”, which describes the new dopamine culture and how …

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa talk to writer and art critic William Newton about his latest piece in The Spectator, “The divine Dalí and his ‘Christ’”, Newton’s fascination with Spain and Spanish art, Dalí’s wrestling with the faith, and his return to traditional painting. For more about William Newton, please visit his website (…

In this episode, Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin talk to Professor Ewa Thompson about key moments in European history when Poland came to the defense of Christendom, how non-Germanic Central Europe seemed to be excised by historians of various empires from the annals of history, the Polish literature that shaped the Catholic imagination and spiritu…

Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin talk to James Matthew Wilson about poetry, his book 'The Vision of the Soul: Truth, Goodness, and Beauty in the Western Tradition,' Conservatism, Christian Platonism, Catholicism in the Americas, and Catholic Modernism.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

In this episode, Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin talk to Dr. Larry Chapp about Part III of his article “The Falsification of the Good: Mr. Cogito's Monster and the Prolepsis of Heaven and Hell” and his conviction that now is the time of monsters. We discuss Alain Besançon's conviction that the end of the world is palpable, Antón Barba-Kay’s 'Web of…

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Bobby Mixa talk to Fr. Brian Graebe of the Archdiocese of New York about the backstory to the Break Fast podcast, the goodness and beauty in creation, and the allure of New York City.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

Jennifer Newsome Martin, the new director of the de Nicola Center for Ethics and Culture and a Notre Dame theologian, joins Andrew Petiprin and Bobby Mixa to discuss Charles Péguy and his writings on hope and modernity.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

Andrew and Bobby talk to Dr. Michael Hanby about technocratic totalitarianism, the fate of truth in the Modern Age, and why we need the French poet Charles Péguy.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

Andrew and Bobby talk to the Cultural Debris podcast host and writer, Alan Cornett, about cultural renaissance, the connection between culture and agriculture, Russell Kirk’s conservatism, and abstraction as the enemy of the real.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

In this episode, Andrew and Bobby talk to theologian Rodney Howsare about leisure, festivity, and work. The conversation covers Josef Pieper’s Leisure: The Basis of Culture, Matthew B. Crawford’s The World Beyond Your Head: How to Flourish in an Age of Distraction, Neil Postman’s Amusing Ourselves to Death: Public Discourse in the Age of Show Busin…

In this episode, Andrew and Bobby discuss Andrew’s new book Popcorn with the Pope: A Guide to the Vatican Film List and why cinema needs to be upheld as an art. They talk about some of the great luminaries in film history, such as Andrei Tarkovsky, Ingmar Bergman, Krzysztof Kieślowski, Terrence Malick and more.…

Andrew and Bobby talk to philosopher D.C. Schindler about the nature of liberalism, its rejection of reality, technology and habits of attention, the importance of Hegel, the Catholic affirmation of reality, and his new book God and the City: An Essay in Political Metaphysics.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

In this episode, Andrew and Bobby talk to Carl E. Olson, editor of Catholic World Report and Ignatius Insight and author of many books such as Did Jesus Really Rise from the Dead? and Will Catholics Be "Left Behind”?, about the Rapture, Eschatology, Theosis, and the Eucharist.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

In this episode, Konrad Milewski, author of Escape from the American Cage: How to Regain Life, Liberty, and Happiness and Gain Truth, Dignity, and Love, describes what he sees in America and how Americans can regain their lost independence by living in accordance with “The New Declaration”, which not only is focused on helping Americans regain thei…

In this episode, Andrew and Bobby discuss Ayaan Hirsi Ali’s recent UnHerd article “Why I now a Christian” and why she went from Islam and atheism to Christianity. They also discuss her claim that atheism cannot sustain a civilization. But can Christianity? All these themes and more are covered in this episode. Read Ali’s essay at UnHerd to see why …

In this episode, Andrew and Bobby talk to Flagg Taylor about Florian Henckel von Donnersmarck’s 2006 film The Lives of Others (Das Leben der Anderen) and anti-Communist dissidents in Czechoslovakia and Poland (e.g. Vaclav Benda and Czesław Miłosz).Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

Bobby and Andrew talk to theologian Dr. Larry Chapp about his experience at the Synod on Synodality and what gives him hope in the Church. Learn more about Dr. Chapp’s important work at Gaudium et Spes 22 (https://gaudiumetspes22.com/)Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

In this episode, Bobby and Andrew talk to special guest Prof. Michał Łuczewski (Warsaw University) about the situation in Poland, the legacy of John Paul II in Poland, the Polish intellectual milieu, and putting Christian hope into practice.Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

Dostoevsky wrote, "Man can live without science, he can live without bread, but without beauty he could no longer live, because there would no longer be anything to do to the world." We agree. Do you?Oleh Spe Salvi Institute

In this episode, Robert and Andrew tell the story behind the creation of the Spe Salvi Institute and discuss future endeavors.Oleh mixarm