The Veritas Forum

In this thought-provoking discussion, Lydia Dugdale, a primary care physician and medical ethicist, and Michael Menchine, an emergency care physician and USC professor, delve into the complexities of suffering in healthcare. They redefine suffering beyond physical pain to include emotional and relational anguish. The duo highlights the importance of patient dignity, advocating for a supportive, emotional connection rather than mere clinical oversight. They discuss the roles of community and faith in alleviating patient suffering, ultimately urging a more humane approach in medicine.

Join former Intel CEO Pat Gelsinger, a renowned leader merging faith and tech, and John Hennessey, the ex-president of Stanford, as they delve into success and integrity in Silicon Valley. They discuss balancing ambition with ethical leadership, the role of failure in personal growth, and how their Christian faith informs their work. They also touch on the future of AI, emphasizing the need for integrity and values in technology. Through personal anecdotes, they provide insights on finding purpose and navigating life's challenges.

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 Rinzler, professor emeritus at Cal Poly. In this conversation moderated by Cal Poly professor Todd Long, they explore why miracles are so hard to believe and what’s ultimately at stake if miracles, like the Resurrection, are real.   This forum was held at Cal Poly in May 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Angel Adams Parham, a sociologist at UVA, and Roosevelt Montás, a Columbia American Studies professor, delve into the deeper purpose of a college education beyond grades. They highlight how liberal arts education fosters meaningful conversations and character development. Parham contrasts restful learning with the pressure of grades, while Montás emphasizes the harm grades can cause to genuine intellectual inquiry. They also discuss the vital role of religious texts in understanding culture and personal meaning, showing how education shapes who we are.

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 Scott Aikin, a philosophy professor at Vanderbilt. In this conversation, they explore the question of human uniqueness and whether our desire for meaning is tragic or part of a larger story.   This forum was held at Vanderbilt in February 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

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 her faith, and why she thinks it’s rational to believe in Christianity.   This forum was held at Middlebury College in 2016. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

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 history of modern science, the philosophical assumptions that shape science today, and why he thinks that believing in God broadens his scientific worldview rather than shrinking it.   This forum was held at Georgia Tech in 2014. Thank you to the student planning team at Georgia Tech for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

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 Public Life, and Hahrie Han, a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins. In this conversation,  they explore why agency and community matter in politics, why misplaced political hope can be dangerous, and where they find hope beyond politics as a Christian and a seeker.   This forum was held at Johns Hopkins University in March 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

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 literature scholar at Northwestern. In this discussion moderated by The Gospel Coalition editor-in-chief and Northwestern alumnus Collin Hansen, the speakers explore theological and Russian literary perspectives on hope, where they find hope based on their worldviews, and what it means for us to live hopeful lives today.   This forum was held at Northwestern in May 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible.    Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

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 hear from two journalists who have thought about these questions. The first is Ross Douthat, a New York Times Opinion columnist and author of the new book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. He’s in dialogue with Frank Bruni, an opinion contributor at the New York Times and a professor of journalism and public policy at Duke. In this discussion, moderated by UNC historian Molly Worthen, Ross and Frank share their experiences with suffering, their perspectives on spirituality and religion, and their search for meaning throughout their lives.   This forum was held at UNC Chapel Hill in April 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible.    Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.