The Veritas Forum

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.

Cullen Buie, an MIT professor and entrepreneur, shares his enlightening journey of finding fulfillment in the shadow of academic pressures. He discusses the constant battle against the societal fixation on success and failure, revealing how his Christian faith reshaped his identity away from conventional metrics. Cullen highlights the importance of mentorship in his academic career and emphasizes the need to seek peace and self-worth through faith rather than societal validation, offering a refreshing perspective on success in a demanding world.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.