Purposeful Lab

How can we unite faith and science in the search for truth? In this conversation with  Dr. Stephen Hildebrand , provost and theology professor at Franciscan University,  Dr. Dan Kuebler  explains why he wrote his book  Darwin and Doctrine: The Compatibility of Evolution and Catholicism . They also discuss how we can approach scientific theories like evolution in light of the Catholic faith. You ca...

How can we know through reason that God exists? Dr. Dan Kuebler  and  Dr. Logan Gage, philosophy professor at Franciscan University,  explore the arguments for God’s existence, intelligent design, and the connection between scientific and philosophical reason. They also talk about the works of St. John Henry Newman, the newest Doctor of the Church. You can watch the video version of this episode o...

Modern society often presents science as a field that can stand completely alone, but is that true? Dr. Michael Hanby, professor of religion and philosophy of science at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute at the Catholic University of America  and author of  No God, No Science , explains to  Dr. Dan Kuebler  the relationship between science, theology, and philosophy—and why the Christian doctri...

Can the faith coincide with—and even enrich—evolutionary theory? Dr. Dan Kuebler  talks with  Dr. Matthew Ramage, theology professor at Benedictine College , to unpack Pope Benedict XVI’s writings on creation, why evolutionary theory doesn’t mean God’s creative power is any less, and how God’s creation works as a “symphony.” You can watch the video version of this episode on Faith and Reason here.

Dr. Jordan Haddad, professor of dogmatic theology at Notre Dame Seminary , sets the stage for the evolutionary discussions of the 19th and 20th centuries. He shares with  Dr. Dan Kuebler  the perspectives of different Church leaders on man’s bodily origin, while still maintaining that the human soul is uniquely created by God. You can watch the video version of this episode here on Faith and Reaso...

In this season of Purposeful Lab,  Dr. Dan Kuebler  explores the origins of humanity from a Catholic perspective. He sits down with  Dr. Shane Owens, theology professor at Franciscan University , to talk about the papal encyclical  Humani generis , how the Church upholds truth while allowing exploration of new ideas, and the creation narrative in Genesis.   Listen to more Purposeful Lab episodes a...

Father Michael Baggot, LC , professor of bioethics at Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum in Rome, shares with Dr. Dan Kuebler about his vocation story and what led him to study transhumanism. They discuss the philosophies behind transhumanism, why it’s more prevalent than you think, the ethics of emerging technology and enhancements, and what Catholics can bring to the conversation.   Listen...

Transhumanists want to use technology to alter our human condition, but what does it mean to be human? Dr. Paul Symington , chair of Franciscan University’s Philosophy Department, joins  Dr. Dan Kuebler  to talk about why we are both body and soul, what we understand (and don’t understand) about consciousness,  Elon Musk’s Neuralink , and if there’s any overlap between transhumanist and Christian...

What is AI, really?  Dr. Dan Kuebler  and  Dr. Fernanda Psihas , computer science and physics professor at Franciscan University, explore all things artificial intelligence, including how AI works, why using ChatGPT is different from having a human conversation, how bias appears in algorithms, and where the future of AI is headed.   Listen to more Purposeful Lab episodes and discover other Catholi...

Genetic engineering has been brought from science fiction into reality, but it raises many ethical questions.  Dr. Daniel Kuebler  and  Dr. Derek Doroski , a Franciscan University engineering and biology professor, discuss the moral dilemma of genetic engineering, addressing everything from how it can help produce medical products such as insulin to the dangers of genetically modifying humans.   L...

Dr. Dan Kuebler  talks with  Dr. Alex Plato , philosophy professor at Franciscan University, about the impact of technology, for good and for ill, on society and on the human person. They explore how rapid technological advances have drastically altered our relationships with each other, ourselves, nature, and God—and how we always have the freedom to make more virtuous choices.   Listen to more P...

In the new season of Purposeful Lab, Dr. Dan Kuebler  discusses transhumanism, exploring how humans interact with technology and how technology changes us. He talks with  Dr. Michael Deem, professor at the University of Pittsburgh’s School of Public Health , about the history of transhumanism, why the movement has escalated in recent years, and its ethical implications.   Listen to more Purposeful...

Dr. Dan Kuebler  talks with Dr. Deborah Savage , theology professor at Franciscan University and the director of the  Institute for the Study of Man and Woman , about the complementarity of man and woman, the feminine genius and masculine genius, and how a proper understanding of sexuality leads to human flourishing.    Listen to more Purposeful Lab episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, v...

Dr. Abigail Favale , author of  The Genesis of Gender: A Christian Theory , and  Dr. Dan Kuebler  explore the meaning of sex and gender, how modern culture and the feminist movement have fallen away from this truth, and how Catholic Church teaching provides a fuller vision of the reality of man and woman.    Listen to more Purposeful Lab episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and r...

Dr. Dan Kuebler  and  Dr. Andrew Sodergren , director of Psychological Services at  Ruah Woods Psychological Services , discuss the rise of gender dysphoria, as well as the importance of integrating a Catholic understanding of human sexuality into psychology and therapy.  Listen to more Purposeful Lab episodes and discover other Catholic podcasts, videos, and resources at Faith and Reason .

Dr. Dan Kuebler  and  Dr. Paul Hruz, professor of pediatrics, endocrinology, and diabetes at the Washington University School of Medicine , talk about the difference between gender dysphoria and disorders of sexual development, the dangers of gender-affirming care, and how medical treatment can better work toward true health. Listen to more Purposeful Lab episodes and discover other Catholic podca...

Dr. Rashad Rehman  talks with  Dr. Dan Kuebler  about the definition of gender and how the term has been misconstrued, what intersex conditions are, and the ethical treatment of these conditions. Dr. Rashad Rehman is a professor of philosophy at Franciscan University of Steubenville. His primary area of research is in bioethics, specifically bioethical issues concerning sex and gender. He also mai...

In this season of Purposeful Lab, host  Dr. Dan Kuebler  explores the nature of man and woman.  He talks with  Dr. Stephen Hildebrand  about higher education today, why people are struggling with what it means to be male and female, and how Christianity helps us be who God created us to be. Dr. Stephen Hildebrand is the vice president for Academic Affairs and a professor of theology at Franciscan...