
The Veritas Forum
At the Veritas Forum, we believe we were made to seek truth and be changed by it. We are a community of students, faculty, campus ministers, and more, who are pursuing a vision of the university that seeks and stewards truth and invites people of all backgrounds to explore the ideas that shape our lives. Since 1992, we’ve shared lectures and conversations with a firm belief that generous dialogue is essential for universities and the Christian faith alike.
In this podcast, we're pulling from our archives of recorded events. Learn more about each episode in the show notes and visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and join us as we explore the ideas that shape our lives.
Latest episodes

Apr 17, 2025 • 36min
Identity, Evil, and Hope: Two Perspectives on Big Questions | Wright & Maibom
In today’s episode, a theologian and a philosopher discuss some of life’s biggest questions, like: Who are we? What’s wrong with the world? And what can make it right?
You’ll hear from N. T. Wright, a senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, and Heidi Maibom, a philosophy professor at the University of Cincinnati. In this conversation, they explore what philosophical traditions and the Christian story say about human identity, the problem of evil, and our ability to fix the world’s problems.
This forum was held in 2017 at the University of Cincinnati. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Apr 3, 2025 • 18min
Is Justice Possible in a World Like Ours? | David Skeel
In today’s episode, a law professor explores the topic of law and justice. What are the opportunities and limits of the law? And where does our desire for justice come from?
You’ll hear from David Skeel, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He explores the historical challenge of creating a just society and how his Christian worldview offers a foundation for justice that doesn’t depend on our human efforts.
This forum was held at UPenn in 2014. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Mar 20, 2025 • 49min
Beethoven, Faith, & Suffering: A Musical Journey | Mia Chung-Yee
In today’s episode, a concert pianist and Beethoven scholar takes us on a musical journey through the life of one of history’s greatest composers.
You’ll hear from Mia Chung-Yee, an accomplished musician and faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music. In this lecture and performance, she tells the story of Beethoven’s struggle with deafness and explores the connection in his music between suffering and faith.
This forum was held at the University of Michigan in 2016. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Mar 6, 2025 • 27min
Two Scientists Share Stories of Awe & Wonder | Sethupathy & Hecht
In today’s episode, two scientists with different spiritual worldviews explore this question: How can science and spirituality co-exist?
You’ll hear from Praveen Sethupathy, a genomics professor at Cornell, and Michael Hecht, a chemistry professor at Princeton. In this conversation, they explore what science and spirituality can learn from one another and how they experience wonder in their research.
This virtual forum was held at Princeton in May 2021. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Feb 20, 2025 • 44min
Can We Pick and Choose Our Beliefs? | Muehlhoff & Barrett
In today’s episode, two professors with different approaches to faith discuss the question: Can I be spiritual but not religious?
You’ll hear from Tim Muehlhoff, a professor of communications at Biola University, and Elizabeth Barrett, a lecturer in psychology at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). They discuss their spiritual and religious worldviews, how they define spirituality, and whether picking and choosing what we believe is liberating or harmful. Their conversation is moderated by Stephen Lloyd-Moffet, a professor of religious studies at Cal Poly.
This forum was held at Cal Poly in May 2024. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Feb 6, 2025 • 27min
What to Do With Limited Time | Lydia Dugdale & Timothy Bono
In today’s episode, two professors discuss how we should live when facing limited time. What does it mean to live each day like it’s your last? Is that a bad idea?
You’ll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a medical ethicist at Columbia, and Timothy Bono, a psychologist at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). They explore why considering our mortality is important for living well and what practical steps one can take to live intentionally. Their conversation is moderated by Nic Koziolek, a lecturer in philosophy at WashU.
This forum was held at WashU in April 2023. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Jan 23, 2025 • 41min
Looking for More: Two Professors on Religion & Transcendence | Smith & Fischer
In today’s episode, two professors explore questions like: Is there more to life than meets the eye? Or, what do we turn to when we face challenging circumstances?
You'll hear from Jamie Smith, a philosophy professor at Calvin University, and Ted Fischer, an anthropology professor at Vanderbilt. In this conversation moderated by a Vanderbilt student, Isabella Gomez, they discuss the desire to look beyond ourselves, the role of mystery in faith, and where they find hope in times of crisis.
This forum was held at Vanderbilt in October 2024. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Jan 9, 2025 • 23min
Christian & Atheist Views on Human Uniqueness | Swamidass & Langland-Hassan
In today’s episode, a Christian and an atheist engage in a wide-ranging discussion about what makes humans special. Are we just advanced animals or part of a larger story with a beginning, middle, and end?
You’ll hear from Joshua Swamidass, a professor of biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, and Peter Langland-Hassan, a philosopher at the University of Cincinnati. In this conversation, they discuss how their different worldviews influence their understanding of evolution, humanity, and moral choices.
This virtual forum event was held at the University of Cincinnati in October 2021. Thank you to the forums team for making this event possible.
Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

Dec 19, 2024 • 22min
That's a Wrap! Best Episodes of 2024
Reflecting on a year of insightful discussions, the highlights include a historian's fresh perspective on faith and history. Explore how modern technology influences spirituality with tips for finding balance in a digital world. Delve into the intricate relationship between happiness, negative emotions, and deeper fulfillment. Additionally, the quest for meaning and homeostasis ties emotional well-being to life's ultimate purpose. These captivating dialogues foster a richer understanding of ourselves and the world around us.

17 snips
Dec 5, 2024 • 48min
A Case for Believing in Miracles | John Lennox
In this engaging discussion, John Lennox, an Oxford mathematician and author, delves into the intriguing possibility of miracles, especially during the Christmas season. He explores the relationship between science and faith, arguing that they can coexist and enrich each other. Lennox challenges the notion that scientific reasoning can disprove miracles and emphasizes the significance of historical events like the Incarnation and Resurrection. He also advocates for the importance of personal experience alongside scientific evidence in understanding the supernatural.
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