Best C.S. Lewis Institute Podcasts (2025)

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Our Faithful Departed, special episode 27:14

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3d ago27:14

27:14

Hi everyone. For today’s episode I do not have a guest joining me; instead, I am just going to share with you directly. You see, my dad died a few weeks ago and just last week we celebrated his funeral Mass. I’ve written a few books over the years and I dedicated one of those books to my dad, who raised me. That book is about fostering communion wi…

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Chasing Proof, Finding Faith – Dr. Tom Rudelius’ Story 1:07:00

14d ago1:07:00

1:07:00

By Jana Harmon

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Working for the Inklings, with Three Belmont University Students 32:12

17d ago32:12

32:12

In our previous episode of Church Life Today, I was joined by Professor Christie Kleinmann of Belmont University, who talked with me about her fascinating and truly original course on Strategic Public Relations for the Inklings (specifically, C. S. Lewis, J. R. R. Tolkien, and Dorothy Sayers). This is a follow up to that previous excellent episode …

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Why Am I Not Getting the Love I Want? 50:13

21d ago50:13

50:13

In this insightful episode of What We Can't Not Talk About, Dr. Matthew Breuninger joins us to unpack the complexities behind why many individuals struggle to find lasting love, despite their deep desire and determination. Hosted by the Austin Institute, this conversation delves beyond societal critiques to explore personal obstacles rooted in fami…

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Habemus Papam, with John Cavadini 28:53

25d ago28:53

28:53

“Habemus Papam.” We have a pope. We have a papa. We have a father. The announcement of a new pope is a startlingly joyous and even spellbinding moment, when not just the faithful but also many who seemingly have no interest in the Church stop and cheer together. What is being proclaimed? What is the significance of the pope for the Church and, thro…

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Leaving Deception Behind – Vince Revo’s Story 56:01

27d ago56:01

56:01

“If there is a God… I’ll follow. I’ll serve. I’ll give my life to you.” Vince Revo is a former atheist who, like many, walked away from the faith of his childhood after encountering religious hypocrisy, unanswered questions, and deep personal pain. Raised amid church culture but overwhelmed by contradictions, Vince found atheism to be a more ration…

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Literature, Philosophy, and the Mystery of the Human Person: Dostoevsky and Plato Revisited 49:51

28d ago49:51

49:51

In this thought-provoking lecture, Dr. Scott Roninger explores the profound connections between literature, philosophy, and our understanding of human nature, focusing especially on Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov and Plato’s philosophical dialogues. Through Mark Twain’s reflections on mastering the Mississippi River, Roninger introduces the di…

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Public Relations for C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, and Dorothy Sayers, with Christie Kleinmann 25:27

1M ago25:27

25:27

Have you ever thought about becoming a brand expert for C. S. Lewis or J. R. R. Tolkien? On the one hand, these seem like authors who need no introduction. On the other hand, how many people today really know the work of these towering 20th Century authors, beyond what made its way onto the silver screen? And what about one of the authors closely a…

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Believing is Seeing, A Scientist’s Journey to God – Dr. Michael Guillen’s Story 1:01:41

1M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Can science and faith truly coexist? In this compelling episode of eXskeptic, Dr. Michael Guillen—Harvard physicist, former ABC News science editor, bestselling author, and once-devout atheist—shares his unexpected journey from scientific certainty to Christian faith. With three PhDs in physics, mathematics, and astronomy from Cornell, Dr. Guillen …

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Why Education Matters: Lessons from C.S. Lewis and the New School of Civic Leadership 41:20

1M ago41:20

41:20

In this episode of What We Can't Not Talk About, Marianna Orlandi continues exploring education, joined by Professor Justin Dyer, Dean of the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. Together, they discuss the profound ideas of C.S. Lewis in his influential book, The Abolition of Man, and explore how modern educational insti…

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The Evangelizing Brilliance and Errors of Matteo Ricci, with Anthony Clark 27:40

2M ago27:40

27:40

When we say the name “God”, have we assumed too quickly that we know what we mean? We use that word quite regularly, without much strain or prolonged consideration, as if the meaning of the word were self-evident. But what if you had to explain – indeed, translate – the word “God” into a language that had no such concept? That would force you, I th…

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Natural Law as Hermeneutical, A Lecture with Dr. R.J. Snell 47:49

2M ago47:49

47:49

This episode is a recording of the lecture delivered on February 21st by Dr. R.J. Snell at Robert Rowling Hall at UT Austin. The natural law is generally presented as highly certain and universal in its first principles, as essentially known by all rational personals, even though the specifications of those principles to concrete actions is far les…

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The Heroism of Forgiveness: What We Learn from Dolly in Anna Karenina 1:11:40

2M ago1:11:40

1:11:40

In this powerful episode of What We Can't Not Talk About, host Marianna Orlandi welcomes Dr. Anna Bonta Moreland, theologian and professor at Villanova University, to explore the radical, uncomfortable, and ultimately redemptive virtue of forgiveness. Drawing on the character of Dolly from Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, Dr. Moreland shows how literature …

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Resisting God – Dr. John W. Taylor’s Story 1:10:24

2M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Dr. John Taylor, a former atheist, once ardently dismissed the very concept of God, fearing it would cost him his autonomy. Growing up, John was exposed to the traditions of the Methodist church but found himself increasingly at odds with its teachings. As a teenager, he embraced atheism, fueled by skepticism towards religion and a belief that Chri…

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Healing Wounds, with Bishop Erik Varden 37:39

2M ago37:39

37:39

By his wounds. His wounds are the source of healing. Our wounds are the wounds that are healed by his wounds. Our wounds may even become the source of healing for others because we have been healed by his wounds. What an unimaginable mystery. Wounds heal. Healing from wounds. Have we considered the magnificence or the near-unbelievability of this r…

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Education Can’t Be Neutral: A Discussion of Parental Rights in Education with Dr. Melissa Moschella 46:09

2M ago46:09

46:09

As parent-centric and state-centric visions of education do battle in American politics and academia, it is easy to lose sight of the fundamentals that underlie this conflict. In this episode, our host is joined by Dr. Moschella, fellow of the Austin Institute and champion of parental rights. Aiming at the center of this divisive topic, they discus…

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Living in Wonder – Rod Dreher’s Story 54:28

2M ago54:28

54:28

After transitioning from cultural Christianity to agnosticism, author Rod Dreher experienced profound encounters with the divine that reshaped his spiritual journey. In this episode, Rod shares pivotal moments that reignited his sense of wonder and enchantment, despite facing disillusionment and crises within the church. His quest for spiritual dep…

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Edge of Belief: UFO’s, Technology, and the Catholic Imagination, with Brett Robinson 23:14

3M ago23:14

23:14

How should Catholics think about UFOs? How can the Church respond to evolving scientific discoveries? What are the boundaries for Catholic belief? These are the kinds of questions at the heart of a new documentary short film produced by The McGrath Institute for Church Life. "Edge of Belief: UFOs, Technology & The Catholic Imagination," explores th…

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Episode 133: Christina Bieber Lake: C.S. Lewis, American Literature and How Storytelling Reveals God 1:19:04

3M ago1:19:04

1:19:04

Dr Christina Bieber Lake is an American author. Now retired, she was the Clyde S. Kilby professor of English at Wheaton College in Wheaton, Illinois, where she taught classes in contemporary American literature and literary theory. Her books include Prophets of the Posthuman: American Fiction, Biotechnology, and the Ethics of Personhood (University…

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From Addiction to Freedom – Bill Scott’s Story 51:56

3M ago51:56

51:56

Raised in a politically charged, largely non-religious household in Kentucky, Bill found himself embracing atheism through his teenage years, driven by hedonistic pursuits and a disdain for religious beliefs. His life appeared to follow a promising path in political activism until it spiraled into drug addiction and legal troubles, culminating in a…

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Metaphysical Boredom in an Empire of Desire, with Dr. RJ Snell 41:08

3M ago41:08

41:08

This episode is a recording of the lecture delivered on February 20th by Dr. R.J. Snell at the University Catholic Center of UT Austin. While the term acedia may be unfamiliar, the vice, usually translated as sloth, is all too common. Sloth is not mere laziness, however, but a disgust with reality, a loathing of our call to be friends with God, and…

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Can We Prove that God Exists? 9:59

3M ago9:59

9:59

By C.S. Lewis Institute

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Marian Preaching Competition, with Msgr. Michael Heintz 28:42

3M ago28:42

28:42

The McGrath Institute for Church Life, together with the John S. and Virginia Marten Program in Homiletics and Liturgics, is hosting a homily contest on preaching the Blessed Virgin Mary. We invite ordained Catholic bishops, priests, and deacons to submit a five-to-seven-minute homily (in either English or Spanish) for one of three Marian solemniti…

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Truth Exists, Einstein Wasn’t a Genius, and Trump May Not Be the Devil with Dr. Alberto Martínez 49:24

3M ago49:24

49:24

In this episode, Dr. Alberto Martínez, a distinguished professor of history at The University of Texas at Austin, joins Dr. Orlandi to discuss myths in the history of science and the distortion of truth in modern media. In particular, they focus on the myth of Einstein's genius and the media’s distortion of President Trump’s words. Throughout, they…

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Jeremy Begbie and Abundantly More 39:52

3M ago39:52

39:52

Our world has been shaped by reductionism, the view that everything can be reduced to something - matter, molecules, or motives. So nothing is sacred. Our Christian faith says the exact opposite. And the arts can fight against reductionism.By C.S. Lewis Institute

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Truth Seeker – Dr. Larry Sanger’s Story 1:12:56

3M ago1:12:56

1:12:56

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, esteemed philosopher, and passionate advocate for truth-seeking. Raised in a religious environment, Larry’s journey evolved from childhood faith to agnosticism, fueled by his dedication to reason, evidence, and philosophical exploration. Through rigorous philosophical study…

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Different Kinds of Indoctrination or Truth-Seeking? On Education and Its Essence, with Dr. Rachel Alexander Cambre 49:48

3M ago49:48

49:48

In this episode, Dr. Orlandi and Dr. Alexander Cambre get together to discuss the differences between that “indoctrinations” that too many schools have been accused of forcing upon students, and liberal education. What’s the essence of the latter, if any? And what did Solzhenitsyn, Tocqueville, and Aristotle have to say on this matter to help us, a…

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Pippa Cramer and The Hymns We Love 38:33

3M ago38:33

38:33

Many people grew up singing Christian hymns - but they don’t know what they’re singing about. What a great opportunity to tell them what these famous words mean. Pippa Cramer has built an entire outreach ministry around that premise. And God is blessing it immensely.By C.S. Lewis Institute

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True Genius: The Mission of Women in Church and Culture, with Abigail Favale 25:19

4M ago25:19

25:19

Thirty years ago, in both Evangelium Vitae and his Letter to Women, John Paul II issued a clear call for the genius of women to be “more fully expressed in the life of society as a whole, as well as in the life of the Church” (Letter to Women 10). Throughout his papacy, in fact, JPII emphasized women’s “prophetic character,” calling on them to be “…

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Heather and Ashley Holleman and the Greatness of Conversation 37:54

4M ago37:54

37:54

We live in a conversation-starved time when loneliness is at epidemic levels. One way we can love people in the midst of this difficult age is to develop good conversation skills. Heather Holleman’s book The Six Conversations shows us how and, perhaps more importantly, why.By C.S. Lewis Institute

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Doubting after Faith – Dr. Bobby Conway’s Story 52:45

4M ago52:45

52:45

Dr. Bobby Conway shares with us as he talks about his tumultuous path, describing his former lifestyle marked by addiction, self-doubt, and relentless questions about existence and morality. Despite being academically inclined and climbing the ladder of theological education, he faced severe waves of skepticism that brought him to the brink of desp…

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Church Life Today Rewind: C.S. Lewis's ‘The Great Divorce’: a discussion with Josh McManaway 59:37

4M ago59:37

59:37

You can’t take a souvenir from Hell into Heaven; likewise, you can’t fit the realities of Heaven into Hell. That is Gospel truth for C. S. Lewis, especially as he imagines the separation between Heaven and Hell, vice and virtue, corrupt loves and the fullness of joy in his brief, brilliant eschatological novel, The Great Divorce. As we make the tur…

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Episode 132: Kevin Vanhoozer: C.S. Lewis, Mere Christian Hermeneutics and the Adventure of the Bible 1:04:39

4M ago1:04:39

1:04:39

Dr Kevin Jon Vanhoozer is an American theologian and current research professor of Systematic Theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) in Deerfield, Illinois. Much of Vanhoozer's work focuses on systematic theology, hermeneutics, and postmodern theology.I've been a fan of Kevin's for many years and was delighted to finally speak to hi…

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Finding God through Science – Dr. Michael Houts’ Story 48:41

4M ago48:41

48:41

Dr. Michael Houts is an esteemed scientist with a rich background in mechanical and nuclear engineering and advanced propulsion systems for space exploration. Dr. Houts shares his journey of growing up outside the church with a strong belief in science, questioning the limitations of naturalistic explanations, and ultimately finding belief in God t…

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Praise Her in the Gates: Telling the Pro-Life Story, with Brian Kennedy 28:59

5M ago28:59

28:59

“The Gospel is not some vague palliative, it’s a man raised from the dead.” The Pro-Life Movement has, for several decades now, remembered the dead, principally those children lost to abortion, with a hope for a new culture of life raised from those tragedies. And yet the story of the Pro-Life Movement is primarily told by its enemies, who regularl…

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From Anti-Christian to Pastor – Brian Smith’s Story 55:31

5M ago55:31

55:31

Brian grew up in a small Georgia town where religion wasn’t part of his upbringing, though he was surrounded by churches. Angry at the concept of God, he viewed religious beliefs as a way to escape the fear of death. In high school, he became an atheist but befriended a popular group of Christians. Although he criticized their beliefs to fit in and…

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The Next Wave of Artificial Intelligence and Our Humanity, with Stephanie DePrez 41:36

5M ago41:36

41:36

Agentic AI is a term that will be new to many people. If we were to think of artificial intelligence in waves, the first wave was about making predictions and the second wave was about generating content. This third wave, known as Agentic AI, is far more sophisticated. It is about AI agents performing complex tasks and making decisions. That might …

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Faith and Reason – Henare Whaanga’s Story 59:08

5M ago59:08

59:08

Former skeptic Henare Whaanga grew up with an ex-gang member father and a mother who was an ex-Jehovah's Witness. His father supernaturally encountered God in prison, and he took Henare with him to preach the Gospel. However, Henare became frustrated with the evangelical church's emphasis on blind faith. His questions were met with shallow response…

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Episode 131: Jonathan Pageau and Jason M. Baxter: Dante's Divine Comedy and Christian Civilisation 52:07

6M ago52:07

52:07

I'm delighted to be joined in this episode by my friends, Jonathan Pageau and Jason M. Baxter. Jonathan Pageau is a French Canadian icon carver, public speaker and YouTuber exploring the symbolic patterns that underlie our experience of the world, how these patterns emerge and come together, manifesting in religion, art and in popular culture. He's…