Spe Salvi Institute Podcast

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 resurfacing in our time, and how should Christians respond? We explore the historical roots of antisemitism, its modern expressions, and the urgent moral and spiritual call to stand in solidarity with our elder brothers and sisters in faith. Drawing from Scripture, Catholic teaching, and contemporary events, we consider how Christian humanism and authentic witness can push back against scapegoating and violence. Join us for a thoughtful and challenging conversation on what it means to defend human dignity and foster true solidarity with our elders in the faith in an age of rising hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against the Jews.

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 despair or construct false hopes that cannot endure. In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew and Bobby explore how Ratzinger’s insight sheds light on the contrast between the historic Great Awakenings—moments of spiritual renewal that re-centered communities on God—and today’s so-called Great Awokening. Our contemporary West has wandered into a “land of forgetfulness,” where moral fervor often masks amnesia of the transcendent. What do we risk when memory of the Christian story is erased? And what does authentic awakening look like in an age hungry for meaning but suspicious of tradition? Join us as we consider how recovering living memory—of Scripture, of the Church, of the saints—can reawaken true hope and chart a path beyond the illusions of our age.

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, and the fragility of civil discourse? How should Christians think about violence in the public square, and what are the cultural forces driving us toward such extremes? Join us as we examine the spiritual, cultural, and philosophical implications of this event, and consider how the Christian humanist tradition might help illuminate a path toward renewal and hope in a time of division

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 does it mean to seek transcendence in an age marked by irony, fragmentation, and digital overstimulation? How can beauty, tradition, and vulnerability challenge the flattening forces of postmodern life? Stephen shares the vision behind Manifesto 2.0: a bold call to live meaningfully in the midst of cultural exhaustion and spiritual longing. We discuss the origins and evolution of the Cracks in Postmodernity project, the themes that shape the manifesto, and how younger generations are both critiquing and reclaiming tradition in surprising ways. This episode offers a fresh take on the Church’s role in a secular age—one that embraces paradox, embodiment, and beauty rather than retreating into ideology or nostalgia. Subscribe to the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast for more conversations at the crossroads of Christian humanism, culture, and renewal. Learn more about the Spe Salvi Institute: https://www.spesalviinstitute.com/ Read the Manifesto 2.0: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com/p/c... Follow Stephen’s work: Cracks in Postmodernity – https://cracksinpostmodernity.substac... Compact Magazine – https://compactmag.com National Catholic Reporter – https://ncronline.org

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 profound insights into the theology of marriage and family, offering a vision of the family not merely as a private institution, but as a domestic church—a vital locus of grace, mission, and covenantal identity. The conversation explores the biblical foundations of the family, including the concept of corporate personality in the Old Testament and the unique role of the family as the carrier of the covenant across generations within Judaism. Dr. Atkinson also unpacks how a renewed theology of the domestic church can help restore the dignity and mission of the family in contemporary culture.

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 artificial intelligence.

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 baseball. They discuss his provocative and insightful book, City Baseball Magic: Plain Talk and Uncommon Sense About Cities and Baseball Parks, where Bess offers a powerful critique of modern stadium planning and makes the case for beauty, tradition, and neighborhood-centered design. Professor Bess also shares the story behind his visionary Armour Field plan, a proposal he presented in the late 1980s as an alternative to the new stadium the Chicago White Sox eventually built to replace historic Comiskey Park. More than just a ballpark, Armour Field was a proposal for a better kind of urbanism—one rooted in human scale, local character, and architectural meaning. Whether you're a baseball fan, an urbanist, or simply interested in the soul of American cities, this conversation offers a rich blend of sports, culture, architecture, and civic imagination. New copies of City Baseball Magic (1999 edition, at original price) are available from publisher Knothole Press on eBay through "TG Sports Enterprises" https://www.ebay.com/itm/256950044085 for $8.95 plus $4.65 shipping.

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 Industrial Revolution, addressing the challenges posed by today's AI-driven technological upheaval. Camosy discusses the Pope's concerns about the dehumanizing effects of artificial intelligence, the commodification of human life, and the erosion of authentic relationships. He emphasizes the Church's role in guiding society through these disruptions by reaffirming human dignity and promoting ethical considerations in technological advancements.

Georgia Gilholy, a writer for notable publications like The Critic and The Spectator, dives into the intertwined legacies of St. John Paul II and Robert Schuman. She discusses a new exhibition in Warsaw, highlighting their visions for a united Europe grounded in Christian heritage. The conversation touches on nationalism and identity, and how historical misunderstandings of migration still influence contemporary Europe. Gilholy calls for rekindling cultural and spiritual ties to tackle modern challenges, emphasizing unity amid diversity.

Dive into the fascinating election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope from Chicago, blending baseball fandom with a rich theological heritage. Discover the symbolism behind his name and its ties to Catholic Social Teaching. Explore his insights on the challenges posed by artificial intelligence and how he might guide humanity through these modern dilemmas. The conversation also touches on the importance of authenticity in today's digital age and the hope he brings to the Church and community aspirations.