The ThinkND Podcast

Episode Topic: The Life of Jacques Maritain Dive into the unique life, background, and Catholic conversion of Jacques Maritain, his intellectual connection to his wife and partner Raïssa, and philosophical approach that made him one of the pre-eminent thinkers of the twentieth century. Featured Speakers:  Jason West, Newman Theological College Read this episode's recap over on the University...

Episode Topic: Rock, Resistance, and Resilience Can you hear the rhythm of resistance in a quiet university hall? Listen as Ukraine’s legendary rock icon, Slava Vakarchuk, shares his soul through stories and song. Witness the raw intersection of art and war while he recounts front-line performances. Feel the visceral pulse of a nation fighting for its existence today. Featured Speakers:  Slava Vak...

Episode Topic: A Conversation with heidi andrea restrepo rhodes Listen in to a vibrant oral history interview with poet heidi andrea restrepo rhodes, conducted by Notre Dame Ph. D. student Karla Yaritza Maravilla Zaragoza, that serves as the foundation for a rigorous exploration of how language’s restorative pulse can document, resist, and ultimately heal. Featured Speakers:  heidi andrea restrepo...

Episode Topic: Journeys The Institute for Latino Studies along with the Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame, and the Meruelo Family Center for Career Development present a panel discussion on the "Journeys of Hispanic Alumni of Notre Dame." Join us for an engaging discussion representing achievment in a range of disciplines and experiences. Featured Speakers: Gregor Arimany ‘04, Nord Anglia Ed...

Episode Topic: I Have Called You Friends Ever felt your imagination crave a deeper sense of wonder? Step directly into a rich world where mythic landscapes awaken your soul and ancient faith reshapes everyday life. By reconnecting truth with beauty, this immersive experience rekindles your spirit, lifting you out of modern isolation into a radiant, sacramental vision. Featured Speakers: Ben Reinha...

Episode Topic: Urban Planning in Nazi Germany How does the built environment reflect the soul of a regime? Listen in as Dr. Harald Bodenschatz discusses his 2025 award–winning book, Urban Planning in Nazi Germany . From ideologically transformed landscapes to the myth of the unbuilt monument, explore the chilling reality of design weaponized for total war. Featured Speakers: Dr. Harald Bodenschatz...

Episode Topic: Mattering Listen in for a conversation with journalist and author Jennifer Wallace as she shares her career journey, her roots in education, and the powerful message behind her book, Mattering —a roadmap to living a life of deep connection and purpose. Featured Speakers: Jennifer Wallace, journalist and author Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame'...

Episode Topic: Cognition Can we perceive the spiritual realm with our physical minds? Listen in to a dialogue examining how the human intellect navigates its material limitations to grasp immaterial truths. Understanding these cognitive structures is a strategic necessity for anyone seeking to reconcile the tangible world of experience with the firm convictions of spiritual life. Grasp the intrica...

Episode Topic: New Frontiers Have you ever felt the weight of potential meeting the warmth of home? You belong in a space where legacy transcends a mere title; it remains a promise of enduring support. This conversation reveals how decades of mentorship shape leaders navigating frontiers, inviting you to inhabit the Balfour-Hesburgh scholars’ transformative evolution. Featured Speakers: Charlie Or...

Episode Topic: Migration In this episode, sociologist and demographer Professor Amy Hsin guides us to a critical junction in the fight against poverty: the profound intersection of immigration policy and systemic inequality. Featured Speakers: Amy Hsin, University of Notre Dame Annika Singh '27, University of Notre Dame Read this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame'...

Episode Topic: From Line Items to Impact Discover how local government leaders move beyond ad hoc evaluations to embed research, data, and evidence into everyday budget decisions. Listen in to gain practical insights on building internal capacity, fostering cross-departmental partnerships, and creating the political will needed to make evidence-informed budgeting a lasting reality. Featured Speake...

Episode Topic: A History and Politics of Hope In an era scarred by “human wrongs,” how does a nation sustain an indomitable spirit? This session explores Ukraine’s transformation from Soviet subjects to sovereign historical actors. By redefining hope as a defiant, collective pursuit of justice rather than passive wishful thinking, our panel offers a profound roadmap for democratic resilience and g...

Episode Topic: A Conversation with Emma Trelles From Miami’s neon car culture to Santa Barbara’s mountain dreams, Poet Laureate Emma Trelles explores the “bones-deep” honesty of her work, Courage and the Clock . Discover her transition from journalist to literary activist, the strategic necessity of paying artists, and her powerful rejection of perfectionism in this essential interview. Featured S...

Episode Topic: Why Does the Nobel Prize in Science Matter? Ever wonder how Nobel-winning science research affects your everyday life? Join faculty from the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University South Bend as they unpack the discoveries behind one of science’s most prestigious award—and why it matters to all of us. Featured Speakers: Masaru (Ken) Kuno, University of Notre Dame Kirk Meckle...

Episode Topic: Civic Virtue Rajiv Vinnakota is the President of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, where the mission is to strengthen civic life in America by empowering young people to tackle civic challenges with bold, fresh ideas. Listen in for a conversation about his background, the institute, and civic virtue. Featured Speakers: Rajiv Vinnakota, Institute for Citizens & Scholars...

Episode Topic: Tongues of Men and Angels Discover "Tongues of Men and Angels," where Grammy-winning composer J.J. Wright ‘14 MSM, ‘17 DMA and poet Dana Gioia bridge high art and jazz. Witness a performance that had audiences swinging in their seats, redefining the sacred tradition through a daring fusion of Bach, Monk, and pop. Explore the future of the Catholic musical imagination. Feat...

Episode Topic: Law & Morality Does law reflect mere convention or objective reality? Marking 800 years of Thomas Aquinas, explore how his synthesis of law and morality provides a radical framework for justice. Challenge modern positivism and discover how the architecture of virtue informs the common good, moving society from legal compliance to true spiritual freedom. Featured Speakers: Fr. Pe...

Episode Topic: Place Based Community Regeneration Join us as panelists discuss strategies for allocating limited funds (to be catalytic), attracting (the right kinds of) investment, and addressing housing shortages (by addressing failed urbanism) in the process of reactivating downtown development in Midwestern cities. Watch regional leaders discard obsolete models to champion fiscal solvency and...

Episode Topic: Being the Change Join Dr. Milo Dodson ’08 and a panel of intergenerational alumni, Dr. Dom (Dominic) Acri ’18, Savanna Morgan ’20, and Dominique DeMoe ’19, as they explore the legacy of the Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program. Discover how “Being the Change” transcends individual success, fostering a communal ecosystem of advocacy that spans decades. Learn why betting on yourself is t...

Episode Topic: Religious Pluralism ( https://go.nd.edu/1c89af ) Under the conditions of globalization, more religious people than ever find themselves in close contact with members of other religious traditions. Our hosts convene in this episode for a scriptural conversation on religious pluralism. How is the religious “other” discussed in the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? How do...

Episode Topic: Crafting Music & Synthesizing Sounds with Geometry Have you ever wanted to create your own unique sounds but didn’t know how to start? Using basic geometry, it’s easy to synthesize new and exciting sounds through software you can run on a laptop! In this talk, Indiana University South Bend professor Ryan Olivier will demonstrate a few synthesis techniques and explain how thinkin...

Episode Topic: Business on the Frontlines Explore “Active Hope” as a catalyst for order in Ukraine. Beyond profit, business has become a strategic mandate for survival and a testament to our global solidarity. Join us as we examine how the University of Notre Dame and its partners forge resilience amidst ruin, serving as a powerful “Force for Good.” Featured Speakers: Magdalena Charzyńska-Wójcik,...

Episode Topic: The Role of Joy Cameron Kim is assistant professor of biomedical engineering at Duke University and Laura Dunham is dean of the Opus College of Business at the University of St. Thomas. Listen in for a conversation about the nature of joy with these authors that contributed to the spring 2026 edition of the Virtues & Vocations: Higher Education for Human Flourishing magazine. Fe...

Episode Topic: A Conversation with Emma Trelles Join poet and Graywolf Press Executive Director Carmen Giménez for a profound exploration of modern “folklore”—from digital fandoms to the absurdity of conspiracy theories. Giménez reflects on her transition from founding Noemi Press to leading a major nonprofit, offering rare strategic insights into our fragile literary ecosystem’s future. Featured...

Episode Topic: Dante Among Thelogians Step into the celestial rose of the “Dante Among Theologians” project. This international collaboration invites you to rediscover Dante’s vision not merely as verse, but as a living source of wisdom and spiritual insight. Witness a transformative journey where the God of Love fulfills our deepest desires across centuries and disciplines. Featured Speakers: Jen...