

Magnus Podcast: Conversations from the Catacombs of Liberal Education
Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc.
Like the early philosophers and theologians before us, we are seeking to nourish our souls, discover the truth, and live in the world, but not of it.
Welcome to the Magnus Podcast where John Johnson and Larissa Bianco hope to connect contemporary thinkers to conversations from the catacombs in the classical, Christian tradition before us.
The Magnus Podcast is a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc. Dedicated to the promotion of another sort of learning, the Albertus Magnus Institute seeks to invite all into the truth, ”Omnes ad Veritatem.”
Welcome to the Magnus Podcast where John Johnson and Larissa Bianco hope to connect contemporary thinkers to conversations from the catacombs in the classical, Christian tradition before us.
The Magnus Podcast is a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc. Dedicated to the promotion of another sort of learning, the Albertus Magnus Institute seeks to invite all into the truth, ”Omnes ad Veritatem.”
Episodes
Mentioned books

Sep 4, 2020 • 60min
Ep. 023 - The Fr. Owen Carroll: Being and Loving in St. Thomas
Proving the Existence of God. Being, truth, and the desire to know more fully. Voluntas. Responding to the "But who moved God?" argument. Bertrand Russell and Kant. Motus in Aquinas vs Aristotle, and breaking through the infinite regress objection. Have you heard this before? Dying and the glory of beauty. Christ, giver of life. Love as the intellectual desire. Countering the modern desire to oppose the intellect and the will. Love and the first act of the will.
NB: at 24:17 Fr. Owen says "Motus for Aristotle is this movement from non-being to being." He seems to have meant "Motus for Aquinas..."
Fr. Owen Carroll taught philosophy and theology for over fifty years (DePaul, St. Mary's College of California, and the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology). His teaching has informed students in all walks of life, some of whom are now prominent scholars, authors, clergy. He is a priest ordained under the medieval title of Patrimony (possibly the last living today). After praying his whole professional life to remain hidden, now in his ninetieth year, he has granted the Albertus Magnus Institute permission to begin releasing his archived work to the public.
To learn more or to make a donation in support of our work, please visit MagnusInstitute.org

Aug 22, 2020 • 59min
Ep. 022 - Fr. Owen Carroll: Is Sacred Doctrine a Science?
We continue our series with Fr. Owen Carroll as we sound the depths of the first question of the Summa Theologiae of St. Thomas Aquinas. Is Sacred Doctrine a science? If so, a science of what? We find in St. Thomas a vision of 'sacra doctrina' as the science of God and the Blessed—a deeply societal, intensely personal, and supremely joyous way of knowing.
Follow along with this excellent translation of the text:
https://www3.nd.edu/~afreddos/summa-translation/Part%201/st1-ques01.pdf
Join the Magnus Fellowship today at MagnusInstitute.org

Aug 13, 2020 • 1h 26min
Ep. 021 - Fr. Owen Carroll: What is Sacred Doctrine?
You might not know of him, but you know of his students. Rev. Dr. Owen Carroll taught for decades at DePaul, St. Mary's College of CA, and the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology. Praying to remain hidden, his work as teacher and spiritual father of many has born much fruit. Today, he teaches us.
Through the lens of St. Thomas Aquinas's Summa Theologiae, discover the first principle of sacred doctrine. This first episode in a series with Fr. Carroll will plumb the depths. Grab your Summa and a notebook!
To become a Fellow with the Albertus Magnus Institute today, visit MagnusInstitute.org

Jul 4, 2020 • 2h 20min
Ep. 020 - BONUS - THREE BEERS (Fourth of July Edition) - Education and America
Sit in for a few cold beers at Garman's Irish Pub in Santa Paula, CA with John Johnson and Dr. Andrew Seeley, member of the board of directors at the Albertus Magnus Institute.
Part 1: Should the educated person find fulfillment in the civic life or the contemplative life? A brief history of liberal education in America and Thomas Aquinas College. What is the seminar method? How learning to learn gets you any job.
Part 2: (THE FOURTH BEER): America: liberal or liberal? To what extent is the American experiment compatible with authentic human freedom?
We have announced our inaugural body of Senior Fellows. Andrew Seeley is one of them. Check out the rest here: https://magnusinstitute.org/senior-fellows/
You too can sign up for the Magnus Fellowship or give us some of your hard earned money so we can keep doing good things at https://magnusinstitute.org/.

Jul 1, 2020 • 53min
Ep. 019 - Wonder Seeking Wisdom with Tiffany Schubert.
What is the role of the novel in a liberal education? Jane Austin vs. Flannery O'Connor. Geoffrey Chaucer's Miller's Tale, Dave Chappelle, the scandal of the body, and the Incarnational character of lurid prose. Newman on knowledge as a good before it's a power and the totally useless, totally generative liberal arts. Techne and the arts, Christ the Technician. Why screens make us so unhappy and some gems on Wyoming Catholic College.
We have announced our inaugural body of Senior Fellows. Dr. Tiffany Schubert is one of them. Check out the rest here: https://magnusinstitute.org/senior-fellows/
You too can sign up for the Magnus Fellowship or give us some of your hard earned money so we can keep doing good things at https://magnusinstitute.org/

Mar 23, 2020 • 1h 28min
Ep. 018 - Love and Dominion Pt. 3, Patrick Downey.
Wrapping the live mini-course with an exploration of Sören Kierkegaard's "Philosophical Fragments," this lecture and discussion plums the depths of what it is to be lover and beloved.
An online version of the text discussed can be found here: https://www.religion-online.org/book/philosophical-fragments/
Dr. Patrick Downey's latest book can be purchased here:
https://www.amazon.com/Desperately-Wicked-Philosophy-Christianity-Human-ebook/dp/B002VLZ4KC/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=Patrick+Downey&qid=1584753386&sr=8-7
Donate to the Albertus Magnus Institute or apply for the fellowship here: https://magnusinstitute.org/

Mar 22, 2020 • 52min
Ep. 017 - Love and Dominion Pt. 2, Patrick Downey.
Continue a philosophical and theological survey of love and dominion with author, professor, and Senior Fellow of the Albertus Magnus Institute, Dr. Patrick Downey. From Plato and Aristotle, to the Bible, you're going to appreciate this lecture that will serve as a foretaste of things to come at the Albertus Magnus Institute. We are gearing up to revolutionize higher education.
Like giving alms to good causes? Become a monthly benefactor today at MagnusInstitute.org/give.

Mar 10, 2020 • 41min
Ep. 016 - Love and Dominion Pt. 1, Patrick Downey.
Jump into a philosophical and theological survey of love and dominion with author, professor, and senior fellow of the Albertus Magnus Institute, Dr. Patrick Downey. From Plato and Aristotle, to the Bible, you're going to appreciate this lecture that will serve as a foretaste of things to come at the Albertus Magnus Institute.
We are gearing up to revolutionize higher education. Are you in?
Learn more, join the Magnus Fellowship, and donate today at MagnusInstitute.org .

Mar 9, 2020 • 54min
Ep. 015 - A Gentler Introduction to the Trivium and Quadrivium, Steven Cortright.
Steven Cortright, President of the Albertus Magnus Institute, and Professor at Saint Mary's College of California, discusses each of these seven arts that can make a man free.
For more, visit MagnusInstitute.org.

Feb 12, 2020 • 40min
Ep. 014 - The Scandal of the Uneducated College Graduate, with Dale Ahlquist.
You are invited to eavesdrop on a conversation over the tasting of fine wine with renowned author, television host, and President of the Society of Gilbert Keith Chesterton, Dale Ahlquist. Here we discuss the scandal of the uneducated college graduate, the problem with modern education - and the solutions.What Chesterton called the "commodification of the student" meets its unhappy death at the Albertus Magnus Institute and the Magnus Fellowship.
Apply today at MagnusInstitute.org/Fellowship. It is completely free.
And you can be too. No catch.And for the kids, learn more about the Chesterton Academy here. https://chestertonschoolsnetwork.org/