
Catholic Theology Show
Presented by Ave Maria University, Dr. Michael Dauphinais, Chair and Professor of Theology, sits down with colleagues and friends to discuss Catholic theology. Ave Maria is a Catholic University located in Southwest Florida. This Catholic podcast covers themes such as the value of a Catholic higher education, religious liberty, how to pray, the philosophies of Thomas Aquinas and more!
Latest episodes

Jan 28, 2025 • 58min
Sharing the Catholic Faith with Generation Alpha w/ Ambrose Bean
How can today’s youth rediscover faith amidst a culture of secularism and distraction?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Ambrose Bean, Ave Maria University alumnus, BA and MA in Theology, teacher, and author of Catholic Revival: A Rallying Cry to the Rising Generation in the Church. They discuss the personal nature of faith, the joy of knowing Jesus Christ, and how Catholics can renew the Church by inspiring the next generation to embrace their mission. Ambrose shares practical insights from his teaching and his work with the Bethlehem Society.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteAmbrose Bean’s faculty page on the Mount Royal Academy Faculty websiteAmbrose Bean’s lectures compiled on the Bethlehem Society website
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Jan 21, 2025 • 48min
How To Stay Faithful as a Catholic Theologian w/ Fr. Joseph Fessio
How can Catholics navigate modern theological challenges while staying true to the Church's tradition?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. Joseph Fessio, founder of Ignatius Press, about the enduring relevance of Catholic theology in addressing modern challenges. They discuss the influence of theologians like Ratzinger, von Balthasar, and de Lubac, the role of liturgy, and the importance of recovering tradition in a secular age. Fr. Fessio also highlights Ignatius Press’s efforts to foster orthodoxy through projects like the Catholic Study Bible and Ignatius Book Fairs.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University websiteFr. Fessio’s profile on Catholic Answers websiteIgnatius Press’ website, the Catholic publishing house founded by Fr. FessioFr. Cornelius Buckley’s biography on Fr. Fessios’s life and achievements on Amazon
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Jan 14, 2025 • 55min
The Gospel in the Cosmos: Out of the Silent Planet by C. S. Lewis w/ Joseph Pearce
How can we recover a vision of the cosmos as a place filled with divine wonder and purpose?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais welcomes Joseph Pearce, Visiting Professor of Literature at Ave Maria University, to explore C.S. Lewis’s Out of the Silent Planet. Together, they discuss his vision of a cosmos filled with divine wonder and order. They examine Lewis’s critique of scientism, the harmony of creation, and the role of imagination in understanding humanity’s place within God’s design.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteLearn more from Joseph Pearce on his websiteDiscover Joseph Pearce’s works on AmazonListen to our previous episode featuring Joseph Pearce here
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Jan 7, 2025 • 1h
The Bible in an Hour w/ Jeff Cavins
How does understanding the overarching story of Scripture deepen our faith?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Jeff Cavins, creator of the Great Adventure Bible Study and co-host of the incredibly popular Bible in a Year podcast with Fr. Michael Schmitz, about understanding the Bible’s overarching narrative. They discuss how the Bible Timeline helps Catholics grasp salvation history, the role of the Psalms in prayer, and how Scripture deepens faith and unites us with Christ. Perfect for anyone seeking to rediscover God’s Word and grow in their spiritual life.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University websiteJeff Cavin’s official websiteJeff Cavins’ Author Page on AmazonThe Jeff Cavins Show podcast website
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Dec 31, 2024 • 57min
Why You Should Read Augustine’s Confessions Today w/ Fr. Kevin Grove
What can St. Augustine teach us about grace, memory, and our search for identity in a restless world?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Fr. Kevin Grove, a Holy Cross priest and theology professor at Notre Dame, to discuss Augustine’s timeless insights. They explore themes from Confessions, including grace, the whole Christ, and recovering our identity in God, offering practical and spiritual takeaways for navigating today’s challenges.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) Ave Maria University websiteFr. Grove’s faculty page on the University of Notre Dame websiteFr. Grove’s biography and publications on Ave Maria Press website
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Dec 24, 2024 • 54min
Are There Good Reasons to Have Children Today? w/ Dr. Catherine Ruth Pakaluk
How can Catholics uncover the profound meaning and purpose found in family life and childbearing?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Dr. Catherine Ruth Pakaluk about her book Hannah’s Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth. They discuss the meaning and purpose found in family life, the challenges of modern parenting, and the profound stories of mothers who embrace their faith and calling amidst societal pressures.Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteDr. Pakaluk's official website provides information about her work and publicationsDr. Pakaluk’s profile at The Catholic University of America's Busch School of Business websiteDr. Pakaluk’s Amazon Author page with her publications, including Hannah's Children: The Women Quietly Defying the Birth Dearth
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Dec 17, 2024 • 54min
What Is Transhumanism and Why Is It Dangerous? w/ Dr. Steven Jensen
In this engaging conversation, Dr. Steven Jensen, a philosophy professor at the University of St. Thomas, unpacks the dangers of transhumanism as a modern iteration of eugenics. He highlights the critical distinction between healing and enhancement, warning against the perils of undermining human nature. Jensen also explores the philosophical journey from Descartes to Darwin, emphasizing the need for purpose in human existence. Ultimately, he argues that only through Christ can humanity find true fulfillment and healing.

Dec 10, 2024 • 55min
How Catholics Should Approach Psychology w/ Dr. Julia Sadusky
How can Catholics approach the study of Psychology through the lens of faith and the dignity of the human person?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined again by Dr. Julia Sadusky, Catholic author, speaker, licensed psychologist, and alumna of Ave Maria University, to discuss the relationship between the Catholic faith and the field of Psychology amid today’s ”mental health epidemic.” In this episode, they investigate the Catholic vision of the human person as spirit, soul, and body from the perspectives of Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, St. John Paul II, and C.S. Lewis, while also delving into Dr. Sadusky’s own journey in psychology and faith.Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteLearn more about Dr. Julia Sadusky and her work in her consulting practice, Lux Counseling.Check out Dr. Sadusky’s latest books, including Start Talking to Your Kids about Sex and Talking with Your Teen about Sex, both published through Ave Maria Press, and her book with Mark Yarhouse, Emerging Gender Identities: Understanding the Diverse Experiences of Today's Youth.Previous episode with Dr. Sadusky: A Catholic Approach to Sexuality & Gender
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Dec 3, 2024 • 59min
Recovering Faith amid the Crisis of Truth w/ Rusty Reno
Description: What does it mean to live in a society that no longer believes in truth, and how can Christians respond to this crisis?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Rusty Reno, editor of First Things magazine, about the crisis of modernity and its rejection of truth and tradition. They explore how this cultural shift impacts Christianity and discuss ways to recover a robust faith rooted in Scripture, worship, and transcendent truth. Additional Resources:Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteR. R. Reno's profile on First Things websiteDr. Reno’s book, “Return of the Strong Gods” on Amazon
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Nov 26, 2024 • 53min
The Development of Doctrine in Catholic Theology w/ Fr. Guy Mansini
How does Catholic doctrine evolve while remaining true to revelation?Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Fr. Guy Mansini, S.T.D., Max Seckler Chair of Theology at Ave Maria University, about how Catholic teachings develop over time while remaining true to revelation. They explore the roles of language, philosophy, and historical context in deepening the Church’s understanding of divine truth. Additional Resources: Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)Ave Maria University websiteFr. Guy Mansini's book The Development of Dogma: A Systematic Account can be found on Catholic University of America PressMore works by Fr. Guy Mansini on Amazon
Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!Get more information about Ave Maria University!
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