PODCAST · society
Spe Salvi Institute Podcast
by Spe Salvi Institute
The Spe Salvi Institute draws on the legacy of Christian hope in Europe to refocus the Church and society in North America.
Episodes
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Looking back at 9/11 and Pope Benedict XVI's Regensburg Address
In this episode, Bobby Mixa and Andrew Petiprin look back at 9/11 after 25 years and try to understand this horrific event by also looking at Pope Benedict XVI's controversial Regensburg Address, delivered exactly five years after the terrorist attacks. Pope Benedict got into trouble for quotiing…
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Liberalism and the Odyssey with Patrick J. Deneen
In this episode, we're joined by Patrick J. Deneen, professor of political science at Notre Dame and author of Why Liberalism Failed and the new book American Odyssey: What an Ancient Story Reveals About Our Divided Souls. We explore how the ancient Greek epic speaks to our current…
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Why We Need Aesthetic Reinvigoration: Fen de Villiers
In this conversation, Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin talk with artist Fen de Villiers about the nature of artistic creation and the state of contemporary art. We explore his artistic practice and sculptural work, tracing the lineage from early 20th century art movements and their radical...
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Markets, Corporations, and Political Economy with Mark Hoipkemier
Is a business a community, or just a bundle of contracts between self-interested strangers? And is "the common good" anything more than a pious slogan when it comes to the economy? In this conversation, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa are joined by Mark Hoipkemier, author of The Price of the…
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The Odyssey: At home in the West?
In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa explore one of Western literature's most enduring texts—Homer's Odyssey—through the lens of Christopher Nolan's recent film adaptation. Together, they investigate how the early Church Fathers read the epic as a proto-Christian narrative of…
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America at 250: A Time for Hope
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute podcast, Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin sit down to explore what it truly means to be American as the nation marks its 250th anniversary. Taking their cue from historian Wilfred McClay's acclaimed work Land of Hope, Robert and Andrew dig into the…
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On Pope Leo XIV's Encyclical Magnifica Humanitas
Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical Magnifica Humanitas does not just address artificial intelligence but the essence and dignity of our humanity. Like his papal predecessors, Leo XIV sees the age of A.I. as not merely being about technology but more fundamentally about us. What are we? What is...
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The American Idea: A Response to Justice Gorsuch
Supreme Court Justice Neil Gorsuch has claimed that America is a "creedal nation" — that what unites us is not a common culture, heritage, or religion, but a set of ideas alone. In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa take that claim seriously and ask whether it tells the whole story.…
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The Metaphysical Cinema of Krzysztof Kieślowski
What does a secular Polish filmmaker have to teach us about the soul? More than you might expect. In this episode, Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin sit down to explore the life and work of Krzysztof Kieślowski — one of the most quietly profound filmmakers of the twentieth century — and ask why his...
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Bishop Erik Varden: The Post-Secular West
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Bishop Erik Varden, O.C.S.O. — Trappist monk, Bishop of Trondheim, and one of the most compelling Catholic voices in the world today. Born into a non-practising Lutheran family in Norway, Bishop…
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Pope Benedict XVI on Revelation with Richard DeClue
In commemoration of Pope Benedict XVI’s birthday on April 16, Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin sit down with Dr. Richard DeClue, Professor of Theology at the Word on Fire Institute and author of The Mind of Pope Benedict XVI: A Theology of Communion, to explore Pope Benedict XVI’s profound...
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Pope Leo XIV on the Value of Sport
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, founders Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin discuss Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic letter "Life in Abundance: On the Value of Sport", released ahead of the 2026 Milano-Cortina Winter Olympics. Drawing on John 10:10 (“I came that they may have life and…
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Rage Against the AI Chatbot with Marc Barnes
In this episode, Robert Mixa welcomes Marc Barnes, editor of New Polity, for a conversation about the sudden rush to insert AI chatbots into our lives without much consideration of what we are really doing. Even Catholics have come to love AI. From Catholic Answers’ “Fr. Justin” AI app to...
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The Political Philosophy of the European City with Ferenc Hörcher
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa chat with renowned Hungarian philosopher Ferenc Hörcher, author of "The Political Philosophy of the European City: From Polis, through City-State, to Megalopolis?" to discuss his work on the European city,...
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Trinity in Aquinas: Psychological Analogy as Social Analogy with Michael J. Higgins
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Bobby Mixa welcome Dr. Michael Joseph Higgins, Professor of Humanities at St. Jerome Institute and author of the groundbreaking new book Giving One’s Word: Psychological Analogy as Social Analogy in Aquinas's Trinitarian...
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Are NATO and the West Obsolete?
Despite headlines filled with transatlantic friction—President Trump's comments on Greenland, questions about allies' commitments in Afghanistan, Ursula von der Leyen's calls for greater EU "independence" at Davos 2026, and J.D. Vance's 2025 Munich critique of deviations from NATO's founding...
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My Dinner with Andre: The Greatest Film of Our Meaning-Starved Age
Why does a 40-year-old + film about two men talking feel like the cinematic antidote we need most in 2025? In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, hosts Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into Louis Malle's 1981 masterpiece My Dinner with Andre—a film consisting almost entirely of…
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The Crisis of Authority with D.C. Schindler
This is an in-depth conversation with philosopher D.C. Schindler, author of the forthcoming article "The Crisis of Authority" in Communio. In this episode, Robert Mixa and D.C. Schindler discuss the profound erosion of authority in Western society, its ties to liberalism's promises and pitfalls,...
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Crisis of Young Men 2025: A Catholic Response to Nick Fuentes, Andrew Tate & Fatherlessness
The numbers are brutal and undeniable: 60 percent of Gen Z men are single, and suicide rates among young males have quadrupled since 1980. Scott Galloway’s new book, Notes on Being a Man, sounds the alarm on purpose and fatherlessness, while desperate young men drift toward Nick Fuentes’ rage and...
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What is the Church? On Eucharistic Ecclesiology with Richard DeClue
In this episode, we interview Dr. Richard DeClue about his article “Eucharistic Ecclesiology” in the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology. We discuss how the Eucharist defines the Church’s identity, unity, and mission, and explore key points from his work. Topics Covered: 1. What is Eucharistic...
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On Pope Leo XIV’s first magisterial document, Dilexi Te, with Larry Chapp
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, we welcome Dr. Larry Chapp—theologian, author, and founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm—to discuss his recent Catholic World Report article on Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”). Dr. Chapp unpacks the...
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The Disturbing Return of Antisemitism
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, we confront a troubling reality: the resurgence of antisemitism in our world today. From violent attacks to subtle cultural prejudices, antisemitism is on the rise across Europe, the United States, and beyond. Why is this ancient hatred...
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Great Awakening vs. Great Awokening
What happens to a culture that forgets its roots? In his Advent homily Memory Awakens Hope, Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) warned that when a people lose the memory of God’s saving acts, they also lose hope for the future. Memory and hope belong together; without memory, we drift into...
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On the Assassination of Charlie Kirk: A Turning Point for the West?
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute podcast, we reflect on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about our society and culture. Beyond the headlines, we explore the deeper questions: What does this moment say about the state of public life, political polarization,...
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Cracks in Postmodernity with Stephen G. Adubato
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Stephen G. Adubato—host of Cracks in Postmodernity, editorial assistant at Compact Magazine, and contributor to National Catholic Reporter—to explore the Cracks in Postmodernity Manifesto 2.0. What...
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Theology of the Family with Joseph C. Atkinson
In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Dr. Joseph C. Atkinson, renowned theologian and author of Biblical and Theological Foundations of the Family: The Domestic Church. Drawing from years of biblical scholarship, Dr. Atkinson shares...
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Artificial Ignorance with Michael Hanby
In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Dr. Michael Hanby, philosopher and theologian at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute, to discuss his recent address: "Artificial Ignorance" — a powerful critique of the metaphysical and anthropological assumptions underlying...
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City Baseball Magic with Philip Bess
Why do baseball fans love “retro” parks—and what went wrong with the concrete donuts of the 1960s and '70s? In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa are joined by Professor of Architecture Philip Bess to explore the deeper connections between urban design, civic life, and the magic of...
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Pope Leo XIV and Tech’s New Anti-human ‘Disruption’ with Charlie Camosy
In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa are joined by ethicist and theologian Charlie Camosy to delve into his recent article, "A New Pope Leo Appears to Answer Tech’s New Anti-Human ‘Disruption’". We explore how Pope Leo XIV draws inspiration from Pope Leo XIII's response to the...
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A Vision for Europe: Exploring the Legacy of John Paul II and Robert Schuman
What unites a saint-pope from Poland and a French statesman now on the path to sainthood? In this thoughtful episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa speak with Georgia Giholy about her Catholic Herald article on the new exhibition in Warsaw that brings together the legacies of St. John Paul II…
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Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pope & Catholic Social Teaching in the Age of AI
In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into the remarkable election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope — a native of the South Side of Chicago and a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan. But this papacy is more than historic; it’s deeply symbolic and theologically rich. They…
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Pope Francis: A Critical Appreciation with Nathan Pinkoski
In this insightful episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa welcome Nathan Pinkoski, Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America and columnist for Compact Magazine. In this discussion, Pinkoski delves into his recent article, "Pope Francis’s Managerial...
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"Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard" with Trevor Cribben Merrill and Sam Sorich
On this week’s episode of the "Spe Salvi Institute Podcast," Andrew and Bobby chat with Trevor Cribben Merrill (producer) and Sam Sorich (producer and director) to discuss their compelling new documentary, "Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard." We encourage listeners to view the...
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The Legacy of St. John Paul II: A 20-Year Retrospective
April 2, 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II. In commemoration of this great saint, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa reflect on his life and enduring legacy—particularly his engagement with Europe. They also explore the Christian Humanism expressed in his writings and...
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Henri de Lubac and the Legacy of Vatican II with Fr. Robert P. Imbelli
In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Fr. Robert Imbelli to discuss his recent article in Catholic World Report, "Henri de Lubac: Pilgrim of Hope, Witness to Jesus Christ." Fr. Imbelli shares his experiences as a seminarian in Rome during Vatican II and reflects on its...
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JD Vance’s Warning to Europe: The Threat From Within
In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into Vice President JD Vance’s provocative speech at the 2025 Munich Security Conference, where he challenged Europe’s leaders on free speech, immigration, and internal threats—while sidestepping Ukraine and Russia. They unpack the…
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Travels in Radical Christianity with Roy Peachey
Roy Peachey joins Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin to discuss his new book Travels in Radical Christianity which explores various communities, movements, and religious orders that seek to live out the radicality of the Gospel. Additionally, they discuss Roy’s work on Catholic education and…
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Michel Houellebecq’s “Annihilation” with Joshua Hren and Trevor C. Merrill
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...
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Józef Tischner’s Philosophy of Drama with Artur Rosman
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…
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Theology of Work: Theology of the Body, Part II with D.C. Schindler
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…
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The Synod, the Election, & the Beauty of Rome with Larry Chapp
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”...
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European Catholicism, Bl. Cardinal Wyszyński, and JP2’s Legacy in Poland with Filip Mazurczak
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...
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The Novel and the Real with Joshua Hren
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...
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Death and Eschatology with Andrew T.J. Kaethler
"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...
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Secularism and Catholic higher education in America with Rodney Howsare
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...
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On Nationalism and the West with Nathan Pinkoski
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...
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Catholicism and the Crisis of Identity with John Milbank
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…
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Theology of the Body: A Deep Dive into John Paul II’s Teachings
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...
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A Defense of Christian Humanism with Tracey Rowland
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...
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The Theology of Pilgrimage with Fr. Piotr Roszak
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…
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Spe Salvi Institute Podcast have?
Spe Salvi Institute Podcast currently has 81 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Spe Salvi Institute Podcast about?
The Spe Salvi Institute draws on the legacy of Christian hope in Europe to refocus the Church and society in North America.
How often does Spe Salvi Institute Podcast release new episodes?
Spe Salvi Institute Podcast has 81 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.
Where can I listen to Spe Salvi Institute Podcast?
You can listen to Spe Salvi Institute Podcast on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Spe Salvi Institute Podcast?
Spe Salvi Institute Podcast is created and hosted by Spe Salvi Institute.
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