The Civitas Podcast

Jon Askonas, an Assistant Professor of Politics at the Catholic University of America, dives deep into the friction between technology and conservative values. He critiques how conservatism has struggled to adapt to modern advancements and emphasizes the significance of the family unit in this transition. The conversation also highlights the need for government support in nurturing innovation while preserving human experiences. Askonas proposes a proactive redefinition of conservatism, advocating for a balance between technological progress and community life.

Peter Leithart and James Wood answer some of your questions, closing the episode with a discussion of what they have been reading. To Give to Theopolis, click HERE.Get the Theopolis App, HERE.Use Code "theopolitan" to get your first month free!Sign up for In Medias Res, HERE.

Peter Leithart and James Wood talk with Rod Dreher about his recent work, Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age. Purchase the book:Rod DreherLiving in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age_______About Rod DreherRod Dreher is a journalist and author of six books, including the New York Times bestsellers The Little Way of Ruthie Leming (2013), The Benedict Option (2017), and Live Not by Lies (2020). His work covers the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. Dreher has worked as a columnist for the New York Post, the Dallas Morning News, National Review, the American Conservative, the European Conservative, and other publications, and his work has been featured in the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, and Time. He is an Orthodox Christian. A native of Louisiana, Dreher lives in Budapest, where he is a senior fellow at The Danube Institute.More Books by DreherLive Not by Lies: A Manual for Christian DissidentsThe Benedict Option: A Strategy for Christians in a Post-Christian Nation The Little Way of Ruthie Leming

Peter Leithart and James Wood talk with Tim Nichols and Joe Anderson about their work in Englewood, Colorado.  Joe Anderson is a Pastor at Christ the Anchor church in Englewood, Colorado. For the last 10 years, Joe has led the local pastors prayer group and organized meetings between the pastors and local government officials that have led to several collaborative initiatives between the Church in Englewood and the city government. Additionally, since 2019, Joe has served on City Council in Englewood.Tim Nichols cut his teeth in ministry teaching at the seminary level while pastoring a small church plant in the California desert, frequently getting whiplash in the transitions between the two. He presently teaches middle school at Hammersmith School, a homeschool hybrid program, operates a bodywork practice, teaches martial arts, and serves in pastoral roles at Christ the Anchor church and at Centerpoint Church, an outreach to the homeless community in Englewood.Together, they've founded Headwaters Christian Resources, a nonprofit devoted to local ministry and producing resources for the broader church, and written the Victorious Bible curriculum for middle school, Loving: Spiritual Exercises in Tangibly Loving your Literal Neighbors, and an assortment of smaller projects.Links: Peter Leithart's article on Micro-Christendoms can be found HERE.Tim and Joe's Theopolis Conversation on "Proclamation" can be found HERE.Click HERE for Tim Nichols' excellent articles at Theopolis.

D.C. Schindler, a Professor at the John Paul II Institute and author of 'God and the City,' discusses how metaphysics intertwines with contemporary politics. He argues for revisiting classical political theories to address modern challenges and critiques the modern political frameworks. The conversation highlights divine influence in governance, the church's vital role in civic life, and the relationship between authority and freedom. Schindler emphasizes the need for a metaphysical understanding of social structures that acknowledges the divine.

Peter Leithart and James Wood talk with Philip Bess about architecture, cities, and his book titled Till We Have Built Jerusalem. Philip Bess is Professor of Architecture at the University of Notre Dame.

Peter Leithart and James Wood talk with David Dusenbury about his books "I Judge No One" and "The Innocence of Pontius Pilate: How the Roman Trial of Jesus Shaped History."David Lloyd Dusenbury is a philosopher, historian of ideas, Times Literary Supplement contributor and senior fellow at Budapest's Danube Institute. He is also Chair for Jewish-Christian Relations at the University of Antwerp.Titles from Dusenbury: I Judge No One: A Political Life of JesusThe Innocence of Pontius Pilate: How the Roman Trial of Jesus Shaped HistoryArticles by George Steiner mentioned in this episode:The Scandal of RevelationTwo Suppers

Peter Leithart and James Wood sit down in person to discuss recent podcast guests, as well as the new book "Hell Shall Not Prevail," which is on sale now from Athanasius Press.Forgive the poor audio quality in this episode, as it was not recording with our typical microphone setup. 

James Wood and Peter Leithart talk with Tim Carney about ways that today's America is unfriendly to families.Timothy Carney is a father of six children, a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, and a columnist at the Washington Examiner. Tim and his wife, Katie, have raised their family in suburban Maryland and Northern Virginia. He grew up with three older brothers in Greenwich Village and later in Pelham, New York. Pick up Family Unfriendly HERE.He is also the author of Alienated America, The Big Ripoff, and Obamanomics.

Peter Leithart and James Wood talk with Dr. Ephraim Radner about his latest book, Mortal Goods: Reimagining Christian Political Duty._Ephraim Radner (Ph.D., Yale University) is Professor of Historical Theology at Wycliffe College, an evangelical seminary of the Anglican tradition at the University of Toronto, where he teaches both ministerial and doctoral students. He is the author and editor of several books on ecclesiology, ecumenism, the nature of Scripture, natural theology, pneumatology, and the character of the human creature. A former church worker in Burundi and an Anglican priest, he has also served several parishes in the United States, including inner-city Cleveland. He has also been active in the affairs of the global Anglican Communion. He continues to visit, consult, and teach in various parts of the world, including Asia and Africa, and comments on cultural and political topics as they relate to the Christian Church’s life.