The Nickel City Forum

Dr. Steve Petersen and Dr. Phil Woodward chat about their recent Nickel City Forum discussion on whether the mind is material; how they got into Philosophy of Mind; how they arrived at their current perspective on the issue; and what it's like to co-teach a class that brings out their opposing viewpoints.

On Sep. 24, 2026, we had a debate at the Center for Inquiry in Amherst, NY. Dr. Phil Woodward and Dr. Steve Petersen from Niagara University gave use the dualist and materialist positions.

On Feb 26, 2026, we had a Nickel City Forum event at Five Points Bakery on the West Side of Buffalo. Dr. Steve Petersen is Professor of Philosophy at Niagara University, and is a leading researcher in AI issues. He addressed the question of whether Artificial Intelligence is a threat to humanity. (TLDR: It is) Note: The event recording failed, so this is a follow-up recording with Dr. Petersen.

Dr. Phil Woodward finishes the last of his six approaches to philosophical values for the good life: Empowerment. What does it mean to be autonomous? Is this a good we can seek, in itself?

Fr. Bryan and Phil continue on to the 5th approach to the good life: living a life of devotion to God.

The Nickel City Forum team - Fr. Bryan, Dr. Phil Woodward, Dr. Phil Reed, Dr. Sam Cloud, and Sharon Murphy - share their favorite books from 2025.

Fr. Bryan chats with Dr. Sam Cloud about the 12/3/25 Nickel City Forum at Big Ditch Brewery on the topic, "How to Make Sense of Suffering."

On December 3, 2025, Dr. Sam Cloud led a Nickel City Forum event at Big Ditch Brewery in downtown Buffalo. Dr. Cloud is the Chief Medical Officer of Erie County Medical Center. His topic was "How to Make Sense of Suffering: Reflections from 20 Years in the ER."

Fr. Bryan and Dr. Phil Woodward consider service to humanity as a way to pursue the good life.

How can we live a truly good life? Dr. Phil Woodward and Fr. Bryan Wandel explore another topic - relationships with other people. What have the great philosophers said about this? How does it lead to a life that is truly worth living?

Fr. Bryan and Dr. Phil Woodward discuss how virtue can be a path to the good life. We talk about a perennial favorite pop philosophy, Stoicism, including the opportunities for a fuller life and the limits.

Dr. Phil Woodward and Fr. Bryan discuss the philosophy of Epicurus. How does pleasure help us to understand what it means to live the good life?

Dr. Phil Woodward sits down with Fr. Bryan Wandel to talk about Phil's college course: Intro to the Good Life. Phil helps us understand how questions about what it means to live a good life are the central concern of philosophy, and how it can help us live better, more fulfilling lives.

A follow-up conversation after our 10/2/25 event with Dr. Phil Woodward: How to Reclaim Your Life From Your Phone. Fr. Bryan and Phil discuss how Phil chose this topic, how he teaches kids who are immersed in technology, and some of the Q&A from the Nickel City Forum event.

Our October 2, 2025, Nickel City Forum event was at Five Points Bakery in Buffalo. Dr. Phil Woodward, Professor of Philosophy at Niagara University, led us in the discussion: "Engaging Digital Dystopia: How to Reclaim Your Life From Your Phone."

Fr. Bryan Wandel and Dr. Phil Woodward discuss: - How can we have arguments that are actually productive? - What stops us from it? - How do academics and the thinking public need each other?

The new podcast for the Nickel City Forum will include - Audio from past events - Follow-ups with our speakers - Fresh content from our team Subscribe for the latest.