Ethics and Culture Cast

Richard M. Doerflinger retired in 2016 after 36 years of service to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops, finishing as the associate director of the Secretariat of Pro-Life Activities. In that role he was involved in every single life issue, including embryo research, abortion, physician-assisted suicide, and euthanasia, at the very highest level in federal and state governments. In 20...

In this episode, we sit down with D. C. Schindler, an associate professor of metaphysics and anthropology at the John Paul II Institute for Studies on Marriage and Family, and author of "Freedom From Reality: The Diabolical Character of Modern Liberty", the newest volume in the Center's book series "Catholic Ideas for a Secular World" with the University of Notre Dame Press. Special Guest: D. C. S...

Mary Eberstadt is a senior fellow of the Faith & Reason Institute and the author of several best-selling books, including "Adam and Eve After the Pill" (2013) and "How the West Really Lost God" (2014). Her dark comedy novel "The Loser Letters", chronicling the conversion of a young adult Christian to atheism, was adapted into a stage play in 2016. Eberstadt's writing has appeared in TIME, the...

Mary O'Callaghan earned an undergraduate degree in Psychology from Creighton University, and received her Ph. D. in Developmental Psychology from the University of Notre Dame. Her doctoral work was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Health for the study of developmental disabilities and mental retardation. She and her husband John are the parents of 5 children, including their young...

In this episode, we sit down with Gilbert Meilaender, the author of Not By Nature But By Grace: Forming Families Through Adoption , the inaugural volume in the Center's "Catholic Ideas for a Secular World" book series with the University of Notre Dame Press. We discuss his intellectual journey, the meaning of adoption for families and for Christians, and how he wants to be a burden to his children...

Patrick J. Deneen holds a B.A. in English literature and a Ph. D. in Political Science from Rutgers University. He worked at the US Information Agency as a speechwriter and special advisor, was an Assistant Professor of Government at Princeton and an Associate Professor at Georgetown, and joined the Political Science faculty of Notre Dame in 2012. He is the author and editor of several books inclu...

In this episode, we sit down with George Weigel, the distinguished senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. We talk about several of his books including his most recent, "Lessons In Hope: My Unexpected Life with St. John Paul II," 2004's "Letters to a Young Catholic," and his wonderful Lenten vademecum from 2013, "Roman Pilgrimage: The Station Churches." Special Guest: George Weigel.

Randall B. Smith is a professor of theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston, and was the CEC's Myser Visiting Research Fellow when he began writing Reading the Sermons of Thomas Aquinas: A Beginner's Guide . We chat about the preaching style of the 13th Century, and what it can teach us today. Special Guest: Randall Smith.

In this episode, we sit down with Nicole Stelle Garnett, a member of the Center's Faculty Advisory Committee and professor at Notre Dame Law School. We discuss the role of Catholic schools in forming strong communities, the vocation of teaching, and how the interdisciplinary collegiality that the Center for Ethics and Culture helps foster on campus works to strengthen Notre Dame's authentic Cathol...

In this episode, we sit down with New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, who joined us on campus this past October for a roundtable discussion about Disarming Beauty , the second volume in our book series Catholic Ideas for a Secular World . In our conversation, we talked about his work at the New York Times, the influence of G. K. Chesterton on his own conversion, and the vocation of the Catholic...

In this episode, we chat with John O'Callaghan, associate professor of philosophy, Director of the Jacques Maritain Center, and the 2017-18 Mary Ann Remick Senior Visiting Fellow at the Center for Ethics and Culture. We talk about teaching St. Thomas Aquinas to undergraduates, the work he's undertaking as the CEC's Remick Fellow, and the continuing relevance of St. Thomas Aquinas. Special Guest: J...

Our guest is Alyson Cox, the CEC's Law & Public Policy Fellow for 2017-18. We chat about her experience in the CEC's Sorin Fellows program, the internships that she undertook while at the Center, and her work as the president of Notre Dame Right to Life, the largest student club on campus. Special Guest: Aly Cox.

David Solomon, the founding director of the Center for Ethics and Culture, began his legendary career at Notre Dame in 1968 and retired in May 2016. During his tenure, he served as the director of undergraduate studies in the philosophy department, founded and directed the Arts & Letters/Science Honors Program, and directed the Notre Dame London Program. In addition to his service in academic...

Brad S. Gregory is Professor of History and Dorothy G. Griffin Collegiate Chair at the University of Notre Dame, where he has taught since 2003. From 1996-2003 he taught at Stanford University, where he received early tenure in 2001. He specializes in the history of Christianity in Europe during the Reformation era and on the long-term influence of the Reformation era on the modern world. His late...

Professor Sean Kelsey is an associate professor of philosophy and the chair of the Center's Faculty Advisory Committee . He is on sabbatical in 2017-18, writing a book on Aristotle's De Anima with a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities. We discuss the writing process, the Center's student formation work, and the role of the Center in supporting the Notre Dame's Catholic identity. S...

In this first episode of Ethics and Culture Cast, we chat with O. Carter Snead, the William P. and Hazel B. White Director of the Notre Dame Center for Ethics and Culture. In addition to directing the work of the NDCEC, Snead is a professor of law and concurrent professor of political science at Notre Dame. In this conversation, Professor Snead talks about the Center's mission to share the richnes...