The Veritas Forum
by The Veritas Forum
At the Veritas Forum, we believe we were made to seek truth and be changed by it. We are a community of students, faculty, campus ministers, and more, who are pursuing a vision of the university that seeks and stewards truth and invites people of all backgrounds to explore the ideas that shape our lives. Since 1992, we’ve shared lectures and conversations with a firm belief that generous dialogue is essential for universities and the Christian faith alike.In this podcast, we're pulling from our archives of recorded events. Learn more about each episode in the show notes and visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and join us as we explore the ideas that shape our lives.
Episodes
-
Work Hard, Play Hard, Now What? | Charles Lee & Adlai Wertman
In today's episode, two business professors respond to a question they’ve both wrestled with: what does true success look like? You'll hear from Charles Lee, Professor Emeritus at Stanford’s Graduate School of Business, and Adlai Wertman, Professor of Social Entrepreneurship at the USC Marshall...
-
Why Hard Conversations Can Overcome Hate | Daryl Davis & Michah Gottlieb
In today’s episode, our speakers discuss this challenging question: What does it mean to love your enemies? You’ll hear from Michah Gottlieb, a professor of Judaic studies at NYU, and Daryl Davis, an author, speaker, and activist. Daryl has spent years talking to and de-radicalizing members of…
more -
Is Christianity Divisive? | Tim Keller
Today’s episode reckons with a common question about Christianity today: Are its truth claims too exclusive for a pluralistic and democratic society? You’ll hear from the late Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and author of best-selling books like The Reason for...
-
If God is Good, Why is There Pain and Suffering? | Sean McDowell & Paul Rinzler
In today's episode, a Christian professor and an atheist professor grapple with a timeless question: if God is good and all-powerful, why is there so much suffering? You'll hear from Sean McDowell, Professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, and Paul Rinzler, Professor Emeritus at Cal...
-
The "Grind": Meaningful or Meaningless? | Lydia Dugdale & James Valentini
In today's episode, a physician and a former college dean grapple with "grind culture." You'll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a professor of medicine at Columbia, and James Valentini, a chemistry professor and a former dean of Columbia College. In this conversation, moderated by Seth Freeman, they...
-
When Will I Be Satisfied? | Arthur Brooks & Andrew Huberman
In today's episode, our speakers explore this question: How can I live a satisfied life? You’ll hear from Arthur Brooks, a professor at Vanderbilt and author of The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness. He’s in conversation with Andrew Huberman, professor at Stanford…
more -
MIT Professors on Success and What Really Matters | Cullen Buie & Desirée Plata
In today's episode, two MIT professors reflect on this question: In an academic culture obsessed with making a name for yourself, what does it look like to care about something bigger than your own success? You'll hear from Desirée Plata, an environmental engineering professor at MIT, and Cullen...
-
What Science Can (And Can't) Tell Us | David Lahti & Michael Weisberg
In today’s episode, our speakers discuss this question: Is science the only reliable tool for understanding the world? Or for questions about meaning, morality, and ultimate purpose, do we need something more? You’ll hear from David Lahti, a biologist at Queens College, and Michael Weisberg, a...
-
Are We Living in the Best of All Possible Worlds? | Lennox & Lowenstein
The concept of a “multiverse” — formerly an obscure idea in philosophy and theoretical physics — is now mainstream. Movies like best-picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once or Marvel’s Spider Man: Into the Spiderverse invite us into an expansive vision of the cosmos: one where there are...
-
Questioning Christianity: A Professor's Journey from Skepticism to Faith | Molly Worthen
In today’s episode, historian Molly Worthen (UNC-Chapel Hill) discusses the most radical pivot of her life: becoming a Christian after years of religious skepticism. Moderated by psychology professor Thad Polk (University of Michigan), you’ll hear Molly’s story of journeying from doubt to faith....
-
Why the Resurrection Changes Everything (If It's True) | N. T. Wright & Shelly Kagan
In today’s episode, a theologian and a philosopher explore what happens when we die. They discuss questions like, Is death the end, or is it the beginning of something new? And how do Christian claims about Jesus’ Resurrection change the way we think about death today? You’ll hear from N. T....
-
The Messiness of Meaning | Satyan Devadoss & Stuart Firestein
Meaning can be straightforward — a red octagon means “Stop!”, a hand wave with a smile means “Hello,” or adding two and two equals four. But meaning is often more complicated — a friend saying they’ll eat “whatever” for dinner or a significant other texting, “We need to talk.” In this episode…
more -
Do Christians Have a Stronger Claim on Morality than Atheists? | John Hare & Peter Singer
In today’s episode, two moral philosophers explore our everyday ethical choices. Are your gut-level reactions about right and wrong a signal from a higher reality—or just a chemical reaction in your brain? And if God isn’t the foundation for our morality, do our values actually mean anything? In...
-
Lewis, Tolkien, & Friendship | John Hendrix
On today’s episode, our speakers discuss the topic of friendship: what it looks like on a practical level and why it’s so important in our culture today. You’ll hear from John Hendrix, an author, illustrator, and art professor at Washington University in St. Louis. This forum focuses on John’s…
more -
Can Faith Make Sense of Suffering? | Meghan Sullivan & John Stuhr
In today’s episode, two philosophers explore this question: How should we understand suffering? Is it simply the opposite of human flourishing, or is there a deeper meaning? And what does suffering mean for belief in a good God? You’ll hear from Meghan Sullivan, a philosopher at Notre Dame, and...
-
Becoming Alive in a Dehumanizing World | Rowan Williams & Chigozie Obioma
In today’s episode, our speakers explore some core questions about what it means to be human: What are we made for? What is the role of suffering in our lives? And is there something beyond ourselves that can give us purpose? You’ll hear from Rowan Williams, a theologian and the former Archbishop...
-
Is Religion for Everyone? | Ross Douthat & Damon Linker
Talking about religion can feel outdated, close-minded, or just irrelevant. Yet for thousands of years, humans have been a religious species looking beyond ourselves in search of meaning. So should religion still matter today? And is it simply a coping story, or could it point to something real?…
more -
God Might Be Real—But Is He Personal? | Tim Keller & Anthony Kronman
The Christmas season, at its heart, is about giving. We spend days—even weeks—searching for thoughtful, personalized gifts to bring joy to those we love. For Christians, the ultimate gift was given on Christmas: God becoming human in Jesus. This wasn’t an abstract idea, but a deeply personal...
-
That's a Wrap! Best Episodes from 2025 + Sneak Peek at 2026
We’ve reached the end of another amazing year on the podcast — all thanks to you, our listeners! In 2025, we had over 100,000 listens and over 6 million YouTube views across 140 different countries. We’re so grateful for the thousands of you who listen to the podcast and watch our forums online...
-
Beyond Prescriptions: How Physicians Can Help Suffering Patients | Lydia Dugdale & Michael Menchine
In today’s episode, two physicians explore the problem of suffering in medicine. They address questions like: What does it mean to care for those who suffer? And what would it take to restore dignity to every patient interaction? You’ll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a primary care physician and…
more -
Success, Silicon Valley, & Fulfillment | Pat Gelsinger & John Hennessy
In today’s episode, two Stanford leaders open up about the personal costs and course corrections in their professional lives. Is it possible to lead with integrity and still compete at the highest level? And what do you hold onto when you fail? You’ll hear from John Hennessy, the former president...
-
Miracles: How Skeptical Should We Be? | Sean McDowell & Paul Rinzler
In today’s episode, an atheist and a Christian explore the plausibility of miracles. Do miracles actually happen? What kind of evidence supports them? And if they do occur, how should that shape the way we live today? You’ll hear from Sean McDowell, a professor of apologetics at Biola, and Paul...
-
Why Education is About More Than Grades | Angel Adams Parham & Roosevelt Montás
In today’s episode, two professors reflect on what a college education is really for. Is it just about mastering content—or can it shape who we’re becoming and how we live? And what is the role of religious texts in this formative process? You’ll hear from Roosevelt Montás, a professor of…
more -
What Makes Humans Unique? | Praveen Sethupathy & Scott Aikin
In today’s episode, a scientist and a philosopher explore what it means to be human. Is our distinctiveness rooted in biology, consciousness, or something more? And why have humans always been curious about this question? You’ll hear from Praveen Sethupathy, a genomics professor at Cornell, and...
-
How a Philosopher Found Christianity, and Why She Still Believes | Meghan Sullivan
In today’s episode, a philosopher explores this question: Is belief in God irrational? You’ll hear from Meghan Sullivan, a philosophy professor at the University of Notre Dame. In this talk, she explores what led her to become a Christian in college, how she responds to common objections about…
more -
Christianity and the Basic Assumptions All Scientists Make | John Lennox
In today’s episode, we’ll explore some of the most basic questions about science: Why do we do science? Does science rely on any foundational truths? And is it possible to be a scientist and believe in God? You’ll hear from John Lennox, emeritus professor of mathematics at Oxford. He explores the...
-
Politics, Faith, & Hope: Two Perspectives | Michael Wear & Hahrie Han
In today’s episode, our speakers explore the possibilities and limits of politics. How can politics be used as a force for good in society? And when our political systems fail us, where should we look for hope? You’ll hear from Michael Wear, the founder and CEO of the Center for Christianity and...
-
Is Hope Naïve in a World Like Ours? | Esau McCaulley & Gary Saul Morson
In today’s episode, our speakers explore this question: In a world with so much pain, is it naïve to have hope? And where can we find hope when circumstances are out of our control? You’ll hear from Esau McCaulley, a New Testament scholar at Wheaton College, and Gary Saul Morson, a Russian...
-
Suffering, Belief, & the Search for Meaning | Ross Douthat & Frank Bruni
College is a time for searching. For jobs, friends, meaning, and purpose. But when these searches fail us, or when we suffer from things outside our control, where does that leave us? Is there something more — something spiritual or transcendent— that can give us hope? In today’s episode, you’ll...
-
An MIT Professor's Unconventional View of Success | Cullen Buie
In today’s episode, an MIT professor explores the topic of success. How do we deal with the constant pressure to succeed in our careers? And what happens if we fail? You’ll hear from Cullen Buie, a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur. In this talk, Cullen shares his unlikely story of becoming a...
-
Identity, Evil, and Hope: Two Perspectives on Big Questions | Wright & Maibom
In today’s episode, a theologian and a philosopher discuss some of life’s biggest questions, like: Who are we? What’s wrong with the world? And what can make it right? You’ll hear from N. T. Wright, a senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, and Heidi Maibom, a philosophy professor at…
more -
Is Justice Possible in a World Like Ours? | David Skeel
In today’s episode, a law professor explores the topic of law and justice. What are the opportunities and limits of the law? And where does our desire for justice come from? You’ll hear from David Skeel, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He explores the historical challenge of...
-
Beethoven, Faith, & Suffering: A Musical Journey | Mia Chung-Yee
In today’s episode, a concert pianist and Beethoven scholar takes us on a musical journey through the life of one of history’s greatest composers. You’ll hear from Mia Chung-Yee, an accomplished musician and faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music. In this lecture and performance, she…
more -
Two Scientists Share Stories of Awe & Wonder | Sethupathy & Hecht
In today’s episode, two scientists with different spiritual worldviews explore this question: How can science and spirituality co-exist? You’ll hear from Praveen Sethupathy, a genomics professor at Cornell, and Michael Hecht, a chemistry professor at Princeton. In this conversation, they explore...
-
Can We Pick and Choose Our Beliefs? | Muehlhoff & Barrett
In today’s episode, two professors with different approaches to faith discuss the question: Can I be spiritual but not religious? You’ll hear from Tim Muehlhoff, a professor of communications at Biola University, and Elizabeth Barrett, a lecturer in psychology at California Polytechnic State...
-
What to Do With Limited Time | Lydia Dugdale & Timothy Bono
In today’s episode, two professors discuss how we should live when facing limited time. What does it mean to live each day like it’s your last? Is that a bad idea? You’ll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a medical ethicist at Columbia, and Timothy Bono, a psychologist at Washington University in St.…
more -
Looking for More: Two Professors on Religion & Transcendence | Smith & Fischer
In today’s episode, two professors explore questions like: Is there more to life than meets the eye? Or, what do we turn to when we face challenging circumstances? You'll hear from Jamie Smith, a philosophy professor at Calvin University, and Ted Fischer, an anthropology professor at Vanderbilt.…
more -
Christian & Atheist Views on Human Uniqueness | Swamidass & Langland-Hassan
In today’s episode, a Christian and an atheist engage in a wide-ranging discussion about what makes humans special. Are we just advanced animals or part of a larger story with a beginning, middle, and end? You’ll hear from Joshua Swamidass, a professor of biomedical engineering at Washington...
-
That's a Wrap! Best Episodes of 2024
We’ve made it to the end of another amazing year on the podcast — all thanks to you, our listeners! We loved exploring the ideas that shape our lives with you this year! In this episode, Seth (our podcast host and video producer at The Veritas Forum) shares some stats from the podcast in 2024 and...
-
A Case for Believing in Miracles | John Lennox
During the Christmas season, we love experiencing wonder and magic. Santa Claus, presents, Christmas music, and twinkling lights make us feel the “Christmas spirit.” But Christians believe the ultimate Christmas wonder was a baby. A miracle. God became human. Something so unlikely and incredible...
-
Literature, Meaning, & Faith | Lori Branch
In today’s episode, an English professor explores the question of meaning. What compels us to look for meaning? And, is meaning found within ourselves or outside of ourselves? You’ll hear from Lori Branch, an English professor at the University of Iowa. In this talk, she explores why we seek...
-
Why You Should Embrace Being Wrong | Buie & Gleiser
In today’s episode, two professors discuss this question: Why is it so hard to admit when we don’t know something? And why does it matter in the academic environment? You’ll hear from Cullen Buie, professor of biological engineering at MIT, and Marcelo Gleiser, professor of physics and astronomy…
more -
Hey Siri, How Do I Find Myself? A Conversation on Spirituality & Technology | Haidt & Crouch
It’s not hard to figure out what to do with our phones. But what is hard to figure out is what our phones are doing to us. Today’s speakers have written a lot about this topic. The first speaker is Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at NYU and author of, The Anxious Generation, which has…
more -
What's the Point of Pluralism? | Tim Keller
It’s election season in America, and that brings a lot of questions about how we interact in the public square. How do we disagree respectfully across our differences? What do we do with competing truth claims in a pluralistic society? In today’s episode, you’ll hear pastor and author Tim Keller...
-
Physics, Beauty, and God | Ard Louis
In today’s episode, a physicist explores this question: Where do you see beauty in the world, and does it point to a higher purpose? You’ll hear from Ard Louis, a professor of theoretical physics at Oxford. Ard shares why he finds his research beautiful, where he believes the laws of nature come...
-
Changing My Mind: A Skeptical Professor Meets a Surprising God | Molly Worthen
In today’s episode, you’ll hear the story of Molly Worthen. As a journalist and historian at UNC, Molly has written about Christians for years as an outsider. But in this conversation, she shares how something unexpected happened to her recently: she became one. Molly talks with Lorien Foote, a...
-
How Your Worldview Affects Your Life | Dallas Willard
Today’s episode is about worldviews. What is one? Do you have one? And, if so, how does it influence your daily life? You’ll hear from Dallas Willard (1935 — 2013), a philosophy professor from USC. Willard explores how we can identify worldviews, why we should question ours, and how Jesus offers…
more -
Is Science the Only or Best Path to Knowledge? | Sethupathy & Rudge
In today’s episode, you’ll hear from two scientists as they discuss the topic of knowledge. Is scientific knowledge the only true form of knowledge? Or are there other equally valid ways of knowing? You’ll hear from Praveen Sethupathy, professor of physiological genomics at Cornell, and David...
-
What Technology Can (And Can't) Do | Rosalind Picard & Joshua Knobe
Advances in artificial intelligence and computing technology are happening at breakneck speed. Yet even the best A. I. today still falls short. Whether it's a frustratingly unhelpful chatbot, the uncanny valley of immersive virtual reality, or the nonsensical answers of ChatGPT. Are these…
more -
More Than Just Okay? Religion, Purpose & Human Flourishing | Thompson & Strecher
The speakers in today’s forum engage with two main questions: What stories are you telling yourself? And how can you learn to tell better ones? You’ll hear today from practicing psychiatrist Curt Thompson and Health Behavior and Health Education professor Victor Strecher (UMichigan). Curt and Vic...
About this show
At the Veritas Forum, we believe we were made to seek truth and be changed by it. We are a community of students, faculty, campus ministers, and more, who are pursuing a vision of the university that seeks and stewards truth and invites people of all backgrounds to explore the ideas that shape our lives. Since 1992, we’ve shared lectures and conversations with a firm belief that generous dialogue is essential for universities and the Christian faith alike.In this podcast, we're pulling from our archives of recorded events. Learn more about each episode in the show notes and visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and join us as we explore the ideas that shape our lives.
Hosted by
The Veritas Forum
Categories