PODCAST · society
Magnus Podcast: Conversations from the Catacombs of Liberal Education
by Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc.
Welcome to Magnus Podcast - a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc. Imagine an academy deeply rooted and committed to the classical liberal arts, stocked to the brim with well-known, world-class faculty, and universally accessible. Now imagine it being completely affordable, even free. This was the vision of St. Albert the Great, father of classical education: an education that is at once freeing and free. A true and human liberation has always been the promise of an education in the liberal arts. Indeed, for the better part of the last 3,000 years, it was no mystery where one could learn how to cast off the shackles of the world and what to study to achieve that liberated state. In no uncertain terms, the classical liberal arts undoubtedly served as the intellectual foundation of Western Civilization. However, we are no longer a society of free men. The tradition of the liberal arts was left behind in favor of a more “practical” alternative. Many were promised a “liber
-
100
Ep. 122 – Mythology Makes the Best Metal Songs: Mythology, the Classics, and Progressive Metal with Mike LePond of Symphony X
Explore the intersection of classical music, mythology, the Great Books, and progressive metal with Symphony X's bassist Mike LePond. Discover how complex musical structures and timeless stories like the Odyssey and Paradise Lost inspire artistic expression and intellectual curiosity. Listen to how heavy metal music has gotten people to read classic literature and led to spiritual conversions. Key topics: Storytelling through music: The Odyssey and Paradise Lost The role of mythology and classic literature in inspiring art Music as an educational tool and intellectual journey The influence of classical music on progressive metal Join the FREE Magnus Fellowship: https://magnusinstitute.org/fellowship/ Support AMI: https://magnusinstitute.org/give/ SUBSCRIBE where Podcasts are available: Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/magnus-podcast-conversations-from-the-catacombs/id1475793300 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/3SuJ0ZDVLrh19Vq1rg6nKK? si=d6ffd631e49b46b3 PodBean: https://magnuspodcast.podbean.com/ Fio: https://www.play.fio.fm/show/MagnusPodcast Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCV00wegjCFjw49tc0y_AMQA
-
99
Ep. 121 – AI and the Amputation of Human Expression with John Johnson
Magnus Podcast Episode 121 Does AI Dream of Electric Consciousness?: AI and the Amputation of Human Expression with guest (host?) John Johnson. Executive Director Emeritus and former host of the Magnus Podcast John Johnson joins Joshua Mazrin to discuss AI and our lessening ability to do things for ourselves. Is AI an inherent enemy? A necessary evil? Is it morally neutral of itself? Can the human mind be boiled down to ones and zeroes? You can guess the answer, but AI probably can't. Tune in for more. For those of you who are interested in the Albertus Magnus Institute, particularly our fellowship, you can go to www.magnusinstitute.org slash apply. We would love to have you in our conversations going through these great texts. So thank you all and God bless. The Magnus Podcast is a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute. To learn more, visit magnusinstitute.org.
-
98
Ep. 120 - The Household Academy: Raising Your Children in the Liberal Arts with David Arias
Join Joshua and David Arias as they discuss raising your children in the liberal arts. Is homeschooling worth it? Is it easy? Join the FREE Magnus Fellowship: https://magnusinstitute.org/fellowship/ Support AMI: https://magnusinstitute.org/give/ SUBSCRIBE where Podcasts are available
-
97
Ep. 119 - Liberal Arts, What Are They Good For? with Steven Cortright
Join Joshua Mazrin and Professor Steve Cortright as they discuss what the name "liberal arts" actually means. Are they worthless? Are they tools? What's the point?
-
96
Ep. 118 - Philosophy is More Valuable in Business than an MBA
Join Joshua and Eric Black as they discuss how each of their spiritual conversions came in a time in their lives when exploration of classical texts opened their minds to truth in deeper ways. They further their discussion sharing their experience in the private sector and how an education in the liberal arts with an understanding of philosophy and theology is more beneficial for successful business than any business degree could be.
-
95
Ep. 117 - Purgatorio and Love? with Dr. Anthony Esolen
When one thinks of Purgatory, especially as described in Dante's Purgatorio, love is not the first thing that comes to mind. In this episode, Dr. Anthony Esolen leads a seminar from his Magnus Fellowship course "Into the World Beyond, With Dante" on the theme of love through the purification in Dante's Purgatorio, much like our own purging that purifies our love during the season of Lent.
-
94
Ep. 116 - An Introduction
We are closing the year with a big introduction: meet our new Executive Director: Joshua Mazrin! Join John and Joshua as they discuss the excellent experience that Joshua is bringing to AMI, authentic Liberal Arts education, and the exciting future we have ahead of us. Join the Fellowship today: It's free and always will be. Will you please consider making a gift to AMI as we close out our end of year fundraiser: The Great Campaign? With your help, we can continue to offer courses that are as free as they are freeing.
-
93
Ep. 115 - Where Did We Go Wrong?: A Mediocre and Sentimental Education
Alec Bianco of the CiRCE Institute joins John to discuss the state of higher education. Where did colleges go wrong? Why are colleges choosing to drop their humanities programs in favor of niche degrees? What is the future of institutions who choose a mediocre and sentimental education over an education rooted in rigor and truth? Learn more about Alec Bianco and the CiRCE Institute. Follow Alec on X @alecmbianco At AMI, we are in the midst of the Great Campaign: our end of year fundraiser where we are seeking to raise $100,000, funds that go directly towards our courses that are as free as they are freeing. Can you help us reach our goal? Magnusinstitute.org/give
-
92
Ep.114 - On René Girard and Mimetic Desire
Producer Sam Sorich joins us to discusses his documentary Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard, an award-winning and full length production about the French- American philosopher and historian. John and Sam discuss the importance of Girard’s work, mimetic theory, and the implications for the world today. Watch the documentary for free on youtube: Want to learn more about René Girad? The Magnus Fellowship offered an 8 week course on the philospher with Dr. Patrick Downey. Watch the first class on our YouTube channel: Join the Magnus Fellowship today for more great courses.
-
91
Ep. 113 - Introductory Seminar: The Iliad and the Odyssey
Please enjoy listening in on the first seminar of the first Magnus Cohort! The 2027 Cohort began their three year journey with Dr. David Arias in September of 2024, and they will finish their third year in the summer of 2027! The 2028 Cohort will begin this September. Do you want to be apart of something like this? Find out how you can join the 2028 Cohort this Fall!
-
90
Ep. 112 - On A Midsummer Night's Dream
Dr. Travis Cooper recently facilitated this lively discussion on Shakespeares classic, A Midsummer Night's Dream. If you weren't there live, here is your chance to listen! At AMI, we believe in the power of great questions that lead to more questions, in an education that focuses on discernment and freedom. Senior Fellow, Dr. Jospeh Hattrup sums it up beautifully, "In our culture nowadays... there's just so much of a reality where you're being fed ideas. This is what you're supposed to think about the world. This is what you're supposed to think about all sorts of human issues- whatever they might be, political, moral, religious. There's so many questions. And it really is a serious question... in developing yourself as a person in your education... Am I really developing myself into somebody who sees truth as independent of fashion, independent of fads, independent of current events? Can I see it... as timeless and everlasting, but as something that I can really possess with other people as a common good through the discipline of my own mind? Do you want this form of education for yourself? See how the Magnus Fellowship can provide just such an education.
-
89
Ep. 111 - Ad Fontes: Latin, Tradition & Faith
What is the value of Latin, really? John Johnson joins Father Peter Hannah to discuss why all the cool people are studying Latin, as well as the Novus Ordo vs traditional Latin mass; Father Peter reminds us how latin is a time honored way to return our culture to the traditions we have discarded. They also discuss his experience in the Magnus Fellowship teaching the Latin course that broke the internet. Watch the first of 8 classes from Introduction to Ecclesial Latin here: Join the Fellowship today!
-
88
Ep. 110 - History: The Liberal Art
Happy 4th of July! Celebrate our country’s independence with this extra special discussion with Dr. Richard Ferrier, tutor at Thomas Aquinas College. John Johnson and Dr. Ferrier discuss the complex question of, “Is history a liberal art?” They discuss this question by looking closely at American rhetoric, creeds, conspiracies, great people and cornerstone events from our founding until now. If you can’t listen in one go, break it up. You don’t want to miss the end. Calvin Coolidge’s speech on the 150th anniversary of our country’s independence: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/address-the-celebration-the-150th-anniversary-the-declaration-independence-philadelphia You can find his book here:https://tanbooks.com/products/declaration-statesmanship-a-course-in-american-government-course-book/?gc_id=17487855346&gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=17496032570&gbraid=0AAAAADyykAyarNMii1oK9uRemCTQYR5cu&gclid=Cj0KCQjw953DBhCyARIsANhIZobmrCDpOj6t0IwqRpbk7LY4LYx4vlHvK_dEkkT6OSxge2TBhrqdo7gaAnT0EALw_wc Join the Magnus Fellowship today!
-
87
Ep. 109 - AI and the Free Mind Part II
John is back to discuss AI and the digital world, this time with AI thought leader and entrepreneur, Drago Dimitrov. They discuss how binary AI fits into our symbolic world and continue to tackle the difficult question, “How should Catholic Christians and liberal artists respond to this instrumental end of AI?” Follow Drago on X: @Dragodimitrov holyhabits.app
-
86
Ep. 108 - AI and the Free Mind Part I
Ryan Khurana, AI technologist, strategist, and thought leader, joins John Johnson to discuss AI and the digital world. They compare the personhood, creativity, and relationships gifted to man to the counterfeit personhood of AI. They begin to tackle the difficult question, “How should Catholic Christians and liberal artists rightly respond to the instrument that is AI?” Stay tuned for Part II of the AI conversation with another special guest. Join the Fellowship today! magnusinstitute.org/fellowship
-
85
Ep. 107 - A Community of Learning for Liberal Education
“Of all the forms of education, there is one that is best and most perfected and that education has come to be known as liberal education.” - Dr. David Arias The Magnus Podcast season 5 has arrived! We open with the recording of our recent webinar where we discussed our Cohort Program and the value of liberal education with Dr. Joseph Hattrup, Dr. David Arias, and AMI's Larissa Bianco. Magnusinstitute.org/institute to learn more!
-
84
Ep. 106 - What is Knowing?
How do we know that what we know is true? What does it mean to participate in the truth? What is the object of the will? Dr. Thaddeus Kozinki joins John to discuss Plato’s divided Line and the levels of being and knowledge. Read his article Plato and Participation Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute! Learn more about Father Owen Carroll
-
83
Ep. 105 - Consecration of Self: Understanding the Order of Techne and Technology
Are digital tools inherently bad? How should we respond to the problem of tech? How do we know if what we are building is good? Don't be a tool...just use one. Join John Johnson and Austin Klise, the founder of Klise Consulting as they discuss techne and technology and the implications therein. You can find Austin @ kliseconsulting.com Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute! Learn more about Father Owen Carroll
-
82
Ep. 104 - The Dignity of a Liberal Artist
Join John Johnson and Angel Adams Parham as they have a discussion about race befitting the dignity of a liberal artist. Angel Adams Parham is Associate Professor of Sociology, senior fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, and Associate Director for the major in Political and Social Thought at the University of Virginia. Through her research in historical sociology, she engages in inquiry that examines the past in order to better understand how to live well in the present and envision wisely for the future. Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute! Learn more about Father Owen Carroll
-
81
Ep. 103 - Relationship Without Remainder
Dr. Ryan Messmore of the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education joins John to talk about the foundation of the Catholic Faith, the nature of God, and the doctrine of the Trinity. Listen and hear about the good work of ICLE, the pillars of the Catholic Faith, and Christ's relationship with His creation. Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute! Learn more about Father Owen Carroll Read Dr. Messmore's book
-
80
Ep. 102 - From Tragedies to Comedies: The Journey of a Hero
Dr. Tiffany Schubert of Wyoming Catholic College joins Larissa to discuss the idea of the hero. From Virgil’s company of heroes and heroines to Jane Austen’s many female heroines, Dr. Schubert guides us to understand them in light of tragedies and comedies, fate and providence, and epics and novels. Join the Magnus Fellowship today! Check out Dr. Schubert's book Jane Austen's Romantic Medievalism: Courtly Love and Happy Endings
-
79
Ep. 101 - Refining the Renewal
Alex Lessard of Adeodatus joins John Johnson to talk about the ongoing Classical education renewal. Join them in this lively conversation where they discuss issues facing the movement and explore unique solutions and ideas to refine the renewal even more. Learn more about Adeodatus here! Learn more about the Magnus Fellowship today!
-
78
Ep. 100 - The Nous and the Polis
Grab a beer and celebrate our 100th episode with us! John Johnson discusses the soul, the city, and the citizen in this Three Beers Episode with Senior Fellow Palvos Papadopoulos and special guest Ryan Hammill of the Ancient Language Institute. Albertus Magnus Institute: https://magnusinstitute.org/ The Ancient Language Institute: https://ancientlanguage.com/ Wyoming Catholic College: https://wyomingcatholic.edu/
-
77
Ep. 099 - To Build and Behold: Recovering from Architectural Suicide
Who is man, what is he building, and why does this matter? Alan Cornett of Cultural Debris joins John Johnson to discuss mans relationship with architecture and both the worldly and eternal implications therein. Listen as they explore the architecture behind majestic Italian Cathedrals, bold American Art Deco and oppressive modern urbanism. Follow Alan @ @culturaldebris or @alancornett Learn more about Cultural Debris Excursions! Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute!
-
76
Ep. 098 - The Best and Most Noble Things
The Magnus Podcast is BACK and better than ever. If you’re a returning listener, you’ll notice that this season premiere is a change of pace from previous episodes as we announce a tier of courses in the Magnus Fellowship: The Cohort: A Community of Learning for Liberal Education. This three-year program is at the heart and soul of the Albertus Magnus Institute; it’s an attempt to make concrete what we have been aiming to do since the beginning — to give our Fellows the principle parts of liberal education and unite them as they seek to discover the truth together. This episode is the recording of our recent Q & A webinar where we answered questions from participating Fellows and shared our vision for liberal learning. Now we’re sharing it with you. Whether you’re a returning or new listener, we hope you enjoy, and we hope to see you in the Cohort! Learn more about the Cohort Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute
-
75
Ep. 097 - Victory Has Defeated You
Today we bring you the 20th and final episode of season 3. This season we talked about all things liberal arts from music and monarchy to Plato and Socrates to freeing minds and humanizing humans. It only seemed right then, to finish this season with a return to our first guest, Professor Steven Cortright, who opened the show with an episode appropriately titled, “The Liberal Arts". He returns now to discuss the current state of higher education and a sneak peak into coming things for AMI. Thank you to those of you have come back week after week and given us your support. Please consider giving a donation to the Great Campaign today!
-
74
Ep. 096 - Boethius and Business
“You creatures of earth, don’t you stop to consider the people over which you think you exercise authority?” This conversation between two ‘non- serial’ entrepreneurs, Christof Meyer and AMI’s own John Johnson, will change the way you view entrepreneurship and management, and give you a vision of a rightly ordered, God honoring way to run a business that finds it’s roots in the Liberal Arts tradition. Learn more about Hildegard College Will you consider giving to our annual fundraiser, the Great Campaign? It is through the support of our generous donors that we are able to make a liberal arts education both free and freeing. Magnusinstitute.org for more.
-
73
Ep. 095 - A Harmonious Home
Mother, grandmother, and author, Leila Lawler joins Larissa to talk about raising children faithfully. She explains how we can escape the traps of the modern world and provide something beautiful for our children to imitate, thus creating sacred spaces and harmonious homes. Read her blogs Like Mother Like Daughter and Happy Despite Them to learn more. Interested in her books, Summa Domestica and The Little Oratory? Learn more here. Will you consider giving to our annual fundraiser, the Great Campaign? It is through the support of our generous donors that we are able to make a liberal arts education both free and freeing. Magnusinstitute.org for more.
-
72
Ep. 094 - What is Man?
Enjoy the first half of the first lecture in Senior Fellow, Dr. Arias' course, "Philosophy of Man." Building on Aristotle and St. Thomas's philosophical account of the human person, this class focused on St. Thomas's teachings on man's natural and supernatural ends and the means proportioned thereto. Find out how you can learn more about the final cause of man AND access all archived courses- over 40 hours of exceptional classes with some of the top educators in liberal learning. Subscribe to our e-mail list today and stay up to date on all courses, articles, and podcasts!
-
71
Ep. 093 - The Light of Fidelity
Today, we are offering you another glimpse into the Magnus Fellowship; this time with Senior Fellow, Dr. Helen Freeh's course, "Friendship and Freedom in the Lord of the Rings." This is the first half of the first class of the final 8- week course on The Lord of the Rings, offered over three rounds of 8- week courses. This Fall, Fellows have been finishing the seminar with The Return of the King. They have discussed closely how the power of friendship achieves the Ring’s destruction; they have looked at the extreme limitations of the individual acting alone against superior physical and spiritual force, the unseen hand of Providence coordinating the consequences of many characters’ choices, and the despair that results from the modernist claim to autonomy. Find out how you can catch the rest of this course AND access all archived courses- over 40 hours of exceptional classes with some of the top educators in liberal learning. Subscribe to our e-mail list today and stay up to date on all courses, articles, and podcasts!
-
70
Ep. 092 - Freedom from the Shackle
Blessed Feast of St. Albert the Great! On this special day, we spoke with Leigh Bortins of Classical Conversations who, like St. Albert the Great before us, shares our love for a liberating education. Education is never free, and, like all good things, the higher the quality of education, the higher the cost. She joins John and Larissa to discuss how to give our students a high quality education that is a better kind of free- free from the shackles and snares of our world. Learn more about Classical Conversations, educational independence and Leigh Bortins Educator, mother, grandmother, and daughter of the King, Leigh Bortins is best known for creating lifelong learners through her educational support program, Classical Conversations, which organizes classical academic communities for homeschooling families. Leigh founded Classical Conversations (or CC) in 1997 to know God and to make Him known through the power of community. After receiving a bachelor of science in aerospace engineering from the University of Michigan, Leigh went on to write her Doctor of Ministry thesis on church-based global education for Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. Join us as we attempt to make quality education accessible to all, despite the cost.
-
69
Ep.091 - Rousseau and the Imagination
Once again, we are offering you a quick glimpse into the Magnus Fellowship; this time with Senior Fellow, Dr. Finley's class, “Rousseau and the Diabolical and Moral Imagination." This course explores the moral dimensions of the imagination through an examination of literature and philosophy. The aim of the course is to define and understand the concept of “imagination” and to be able to assess its role—for good or ill—in thought, action, and politics. Eighteenth-century philosopher Jean-Jacques Rousseau was a pioneer of the Romantic movement and helped to shape the heart and mind of the West, both politically and in more subtle, but no less profound, ways. This course seeks to uncover some of the ways in which Rousseau’s imagination serves as a touchstone for what has perhaps been the dominant moral sensibility in the West for the past two centuries. Find out how you can catch the rest of this course AND access all archived courses- over 40 hours of exceptional classes with some of the top educators in liberal learning. Subscribe to our e-mail list today and stay up to date on all courses, articles, and podcasts!
-
68
Ep. 090 - Freeing Minds
Dr. Amir Sabzevary has spent the last thirty years teaching philosophy and religion. Today, he joins John to talk about the journey of both teaching and studying philosophy– how to trek through complicated lives as students and how to reach the unreachable students as teachers. Discover ever so much more on his Youtube Channel. Don't forget! Free Fall courses in the Magnus Fellowship start next week.
-
67
Ep. 089 - On Moral Conundrums
This week on the Magnus Podcast, John and Larissa talk moral theology with high school teacher, Rocky Brittain and attempt to answer difficult moral questions according to Catholic Theology and Thomas Aquinas, such as when is it permissible to kill? How should a priest respond when he hears a life changing confession? How should we respond when we disagree with authority? Do you have thoughts that you’d like to share after listening to this discussion? Post your answers on twitter to @amifellowship P.S. Enrollment is open for Fall courses in the Magnus Fellowship! Register today!
-
66
Ep. 088 - On How to Communicate Rhetorically
In this fast paced world full of echo chambers and outrage machines, we are fooled into believing a misguided view of justice and rhetoric. Dr. Joshua Phillips joins us to talk about how we can properly understand the connection between justice and humility and the distinction between thinking wonderfully and thinking critically. Joshua Phillips received a Ph.D. in Speech Communication from Southern Illinois University in 2014. His academic focus is rhetoric and intercultural communication with particular interests in civil rights, free speech, media, and poverty. As a Ph.D. student, Dr. Phillips published 15 academic manuscripts, received 4 top paper awards from academic conferences, and presented over 50 keynotes at colleges and universities throughout the United States and Canada. His book, Homeless: Narratives from the Streets derives from his dissertation research and was published by McFarland in 2016. You can follow him on twitter @Joshphillipsphd
-
65
Ep. 087 - On The Idea of a University
AMI exists because we, like so many, see a problem with the current university system. What is the modern university providing to its students in comparison to what it ought to be providing? What is the purpose of a university? We just completed an 8 week summer course on John Henry Newman's, "The Idea of a University," to grapple with these questions and come to understand what a university ought to look like. As promised, here is a sneak peek into the first of 8 classes from this course. Become a fellow and learn how you can access the entire course and attend more for free!
-
64
Ep. 086 - On Plato’s Republic
"What is the best way of life for a human being?" The Republic is the most complete attempt by Plato to articulate and answer this question. It is characteristic of Plato that, in the Republic, questions about human happiness ultimately cannot be separated from questions of education, of the nature of the city, of the various forms of government, of the structure of the human soul, and of the character of the gods and being itself. . This week, we wrapped up an 8 week summer course on this very topic with Sr. Fellow Dr. Pavlos Papadopoulos. We now present you with the first lecture from this excellent course. Become a fellow and learn how you can watch the rest of the course and attend more for free!
-
63
Ep. 085 - On Music & Ratio
Musician and composer, Greg Wilbur of New College Franklin contemplates music within the quadrivium; he explains why music ought to be ordered rightly in education and how it rests in harmony with the other Liberal Arts. He even discusses a little bit of conspiracy theories. Gregory Wilbur is President and Dean of the College, permanent Trustee, and Senior Fellow at New College Franklin. Over the past years at New College, he has taught courses or sections of Music, Geometry, Cosmology, Moral Philosophy, Poetics, and numerous preceptorials such as The Art of Film, 20th-Century Literature, Hospitality and Cooking, and the Quadrivium. Mr. Wilbur has composed award-winning works for choir, orchestra, film, and corporate worship as well as various commissions. He recently released his fifth CD of congregational hymns called Praise Your Maker.
-
62
Ep. 084 - Opening the Eyes to See
“Take courage daughter, the world is not as strong as it seems.” From the diary of Maria Faustina Brian Fink has returned to the Magnus Podcast to discuss what it means to see reality as it is: to see oneself in order to better understand the enemy, to see the hope in the midst of losing, to see the truth in a poisoned culture, and, ultimately, how to actualize a vision for oneself that is more clear than the illusions of the world. Find Brian on Twitter @b_fink Find Brian on Substack @ bfink.substack.com
-
61
Ep. 083 - A Prudent Education
This conversation with Dr. Gary Hartenburg looks at education from a bird’s-eye view before zooming into talk about virtue, specifically the virtue of prudence, according to Aristotle, and ends with little bit of theology. Dr. Gary Hartenburg is the Director of the Honors College and an Associate Professor of Philosophy at Houston Christian University. His primary research interests are in ancient philosophy, especially Plato and his student, Aristotle. He enjoys thinking about the history and philosophy of education and recently completed a book on Aristotle’s philosophy of education, Aristotle: Education for Virtue and Leisure. Check out the Honor's College at Houston Christian University.
-
60
Ep. 082 - A Magnus Webinar: The Nun’s Priest’s Tale of Chanticleer and the Fox
Earlier this spring, we hosted a lovely webinar on one of the most playful of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales, The Nun's Priest's Tale of Chanticleer and the Fox. Now we're releasing it as a podcast so you too can enjoy it! Listen as Dr. Shannon Valenzuela of UD guides us through this delightful introduction to the poet's quirky (and sometimes shocking) combination of the modes of "ernest and game." Combining barnyard antics with a serious exploration of the purpose of storytelling and approaches to reading, this animal fable is a perfect springtime medley of high spirits and seriousness. Shannon K. Valenzuela, Ph.D., is an Affiliate Assistant Professor of Humanities and English at the University of Dallas. She received her B.A. in English and Classics from the University of Dallas, and her Ph.D. in literature from the University of Notre Dame, where she specialized in the medieval period. She is also an award-winning screenwriter and a novelist, and she is the writer, director, and narrator of the limited television series The Quest, which is produced by the University of Dallas and distributed by EWTN.
-
59
Ep.081 - How Does One Know?
How does man know? What are the roles of signs in knowing? What does “meaning” mean? What does man want to know? What are the objects to knowing? In this episode, Dr. Brian Kemple of the Lyceum Institute discusses these questions and opens the door to many, many more. Come join us down this rabbit hole of discovery. Dr. Brian Kemple holds a PhD in Philosophy from the University of St. Thomas, in Houston TX. He has written two scholarly books (Ens Primum Cognitum in Thomas Aquinas and the Tradition and The Intersection of Semiotics and Phenomenology: Peirce and Heidegger in Dialogue), two public-oriented books (an Introduction to Philosophical Principles and Linguistic Signification: A Classical and Semiotic Course in Grammar & Composition), a number of scholarly articles and a few public-oriented ones, as well. Check out the Lyceum Institute. Join the Fellowship today!
-
58
Ep. 080 - Humanizing Humans
“We can’t teach the humanities unless the students have been humanized." In this episode, Dr. Jared Staudt discusses the text, Newman’s Idea of A University, and begs the question, ”What does it mean to explore reality?” He challenges educators and teachers to not become complacent, classical educators, but to seek the beautiful alongside their students and provide them with an education that grounds them in both tradition and reality. Dr. Jared Staudt is teaching a course in the Magnus Fellowship this summer on Newman's Idea of a University, the book that is the fruit of Newman's difficult venture as an Englishman creating a University in Ireland. Learn more, join the Fellowship, and register for the free 8 week course. Check out his recently published book.
-
57
Ep. 079 - Much Ado about a King
Across the sea, Charles III has just been coronated King of England and much ado was made in his and his country’s honor. On our homeland, America is, as always, in the throes of her own democratic controversies. Now on the podcast, we asked Dr’s Pavlos Papadopoulos and Joseph Pearce to discuss this question: Democracy or Monarchy: Is one the better form of government? You will want to listen to this conversation. Just announced: Dr. Papadopoulos will be teaching a course for us this summer on Plato’s Republic! Learn more! More from Dr. Pearce here. Enjoying the podcast? Please rate and review!
-
56
Ep. 078 - The Restless Soul
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Zena Hitz; tutor at St. John’s College, author of Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life, and Co-founder and President of the Catherine Project. Listen as she discusses what it means to live the good life. Learn more about St. John's College & check out their own podcast, Continuing the Conversation
-
55
Ep. 077 - To View the Cheerful Skies
“The gates of hell are open night and day; Smooth the descent, and easy is the way: But to return, and view the cheerful skies, In this the task and mighty labor lies.” - from The Aeneid of Virgil The Magnus Podcast returns with Dr. Matthew Bianco of the CiRCE Institute. Listen to this enlightening discussion on Plato and the allegory of the cave, and wonder and the demise of a vacuous society. Dr. Matthew Bianco is the Chief Operations Officer for the CiRCE Institute, where he also serves as a head mentor in the CiRCE apprenticeship program. He is married to his altogether lovely high school sweetheart, Patricia. Dr. Matt Bianco has a PhD in Humanities from Faulkner University's Great Books Honors College. He is the author of Letters to My Sons: A Humane Vision for Human Relationships. Learn more about CiRCE! Join the Fellowship now! It’s free and always will be.
-
54
Ep. 076 - In the End Was the Word
We now bring you Spy Wednesday Bonus Episode 2, continuing in the theme of Holy Week. This is an excerpt from our own John Johnson’s course in the Magnus Fellowship: In the end was the word: Eschatology, Mimesis, and the Beloved Disciple. Remember that all donors giving just $25/month have access to the recordings for the rest of this course, and all the rest of the courses in the Magnus Fellowship. Join the Magnus Fellowship today; it's free and always will be.
-
53
Ep. 075 - Tradition and Betrayal: Responding to the Scandal
In honor of Spy Wednesday, we are bringing you two back to back episodes today, both lectures by your favorite podcast host, the Founder and Executive Director of our own institute, John Johnson. The first comes from a talk John delivered at a recent convocation of Catholic leaders in New Jersey sponsored by the Diocese of Camden:Tradition and Betrayal: Responding to the Scandal Enjoy, share, and stay tuned for the second lecture! Remember: 20 % off The Sufferings and Glory of Christ! Magnusinstitute.org for more!
-
52
Ep. 074 - Descartes and the Search for Certainty
"Wherever he can find any possibility of doubt, he is going to call it downright false." Up now: Descartes and The Search for Certainty with Fr. Owen Carroll. Enjoy these lectures given by Fr. Owen Carroll to a small group of retired religious in his private retirement home. Purchase Fr. Carroll’s book, The Sufferings and Glory of Christ: A Meditation on Holy Week to Ascension today and get 20% off now through Ascension! Head to the website to learn more!
-
51
Ep. 073 - Omnes Gentes
"We see that Abraham is chosen, Abraham this one man with his clan around him... it’s promised to him that in him all nations, that is, all the rest of humanity... will find their blessedness in him." We now bring you Omnes Gentes, with Fr. Owen Carroll. Enjoy these lectures given by Fr. Owen Carroll to a small group of retired religious in his private retirement home. Purchase Fr. Carroll’s book, The Sufferings and Glory of Christ: A Meditation on Holy Week to Ascension today and get 20% off now through Ascension! Head to the website to learn more!
No matches for "" in this podcast's transcripts.
No topics indexed yet for this podcast.
Loading reviews...
ABOUT THIS SHOW
Welcome to Magnus Podcast - a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc. Imagine an academy deeply rooted and committed to the classical liberal arts, stocked to the brim with well-known, world-class faculty, and universally accessible. Now imagine it being completely affordable, even free. This was the vision of St. Albert the Great, father of classical education: an education that is at once freeing and free. A true and human liberation has always been the promise of an education in the liberal arts. Indeed, for the better part of the last 3,000 years, it was no mystery where one could learn how to cast off the shackles of the world and what to study to achieve that liberated state. In no uncertain terms, the classical liberal arts undoubtedly served as the intellectual foundation of Western Civilization. However, we are no longer a society of free men. The tradition of the liberal arts was left behind in favor of a more “practical” alternative. Many were promised a “liber
HOSTED BY
Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc.
CATEGORIES
Loading similar podcasts...