In today’s episode, a physicist explores this question: Where do you see beauty in the world, and does it point to a higher purpose? You’ll hear from Ard Louis, a professor of theoretical physics at Oxford. Ard shares why he finds his research beautiful, where he believes the laws of nature come from, and how his Christian worldview helps him make sense of science. This forum was held at MIT in 2013. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

In today’s episode, you’ll hear the story of Molly Worthen. As a journalist and historian at UNC, Molly has written about Christians for years as an outsider. But in this conversation, she shares how something unexpected happened to her recently: she became one. Molly talks with Lorien Foote, a history professor at Texas A&M. They explore Molly’s worldview before becoming a Christian, the evidence that led her to faith, and how changing her mind wasn’t as scary as she expected. This forum was held at Texas A&M in Spring 2024. Thank you to the forum planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Dallas Willard, a revered philosophy professor, intricately examines how our worldviews shape our behaviors and perceptions. He invites listeners to question their own beliefs, emphasizing the significance of Jesus's teachings in cultivating a fulfilling perspective. Willard discusses the clash between faith and secular academia, revealing how societal norms can distort our understanding of truth. He advocates for a critical evaluation of our worldview assumptions, encouraging openness to diverse perspectives in the pursuit of truth.

Praveen Sethupathy, a physiological genomics professor at Cornell, and David Rudge, a biological sciences professor at Western Michigan, dive into the nature of knowledge. They question whether science is the sole path to understanding, exploring alternative ways of knowing such as culture and personal experiences. The discussion touches on the interplay of faith and science, and the importance of critical thinking in navigating scientific authority. They also share personal journeys that blend scientific inquiry with spiritual exploration.

Advances in artificial intelligence and computing technology are happening at breakneck speed. Yet even the best A. I. today still falls short. Whether it's a frustratingly unhelpful chatbot, the uncanny valley of immersive virtual reality, or the nonsensical answers of ChatGPT. Are these glitches a short-term problem? Or is there something about human experiences that make them impossible to program? In today’s episode, a computer scientist and an experimental philosopher discuss just that. In this Forum event from 2013, you’ll hear from Rosalind Picard (MIT) and Joshua Knobe (Yale). In a conversation moderated by neuroscientist Nii Addy (Yale), Roz and Joshua attempt to define what it means to be human, discuss how agency and experience shape our view of others, and how we ought to fight against dehumanization. Thank you to the forum planning team at Yale for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

In this engaging discussion, Curt Thompson, a practicing psychiatrist, and Victor Strecher, a professor of Health Behavior and Health Education at the University of Michigan, dive deep into the art of storytelling. They explore how personal narratives shape our identity and well-being, emphasizing the importance of community in this process. The conversation also touches on finding purpose through connection, resilience in times of grief, and the blend of scientific insights with spiritual understanding, offering valuable perspectives on human flourishing.

The podcast features theologian Mirsolav Volf and Dean of Students Vijay Pendakur discussing the balance between truth and tolerance in society. They address the complexities of living together despite differences, the role of compromise in community, physical and emotional safety on college campuses, and speaking the truth in love. The conversation explores navigating truth, values, and tolerance, respectful dialogue, and understanding different viewpoints in diverse settings.

In college, it's common to feel the pressure to do everything—overload classes, join clubs, apply to internships, and more. But rarely do we stop to ask why. Behind all of our striving, what’s the purpose of our work anyway? The speakers in this episode ask this question. You'll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a primary care physician and director of the Center for Medical Ethics at Columbia University, and Mike Fontaine, professor of Classics at Cornell. They discuss our desire to cling to life, how to find a purpose that transcends the daily striving of school and career, and what ancient wisdom might offer us that the “grindset mindset” can’t. This forum was held at Cornell in Fall 2023. Thank you to the forums team at Cornell for making this event possible. Sign up for our newsletter here. Watch the full Forum here. Visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and find more resources to explore the ideas that shape our lives.

What if there was a way to alleviate the symptoms of depression in just five days by changing a person’s brain activity? Obviously, this kind of shift would radically change a person’s life, finally letting them find happiness and satisfaction. Our guest today in this episode is David Carreon. He’s the co-founder of Acacia Clinic, a mental health clinic in Silicon Valley that uses a radically fast treatment for mental illness. He’s just released a new book called The Opposite of Depression to share what he’s learned. In this conversation, David and Seth discuss how depression affects more than just the mind, why removing symptoms of depression doesn’t remove habits of depression, and what the opposite of depression really is. We also talk about how Jesus is an emotional exemplar for us today. Find additional resources and a link to David's book on the podcast episode page here.

One of our faculty partners and frequent Veritas Forum speakers, John Inazu (WUSTL), has a new book out — Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect. His book isn’t about the election per se, but so many of his ideas and tools will be helpful this year. As November approaches, we'll have to decide not just who or what we will vote for, but how we will engage in political conversations, especially with people we love. In this episode, you’ll hear about his book and the empathy we need, the challenges of compromise, and his recommendations for difficult conversations. He also talks about the model of Jesus for how to disagree in truth and love. Find additional resources and a link to John's book on the podcast episode page here.