The Benedictine Dialogues

Dr. Joseph Wurtz is the Dean of Students and the Executive Director of the Gregorian Fellows Leadership Program at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. A graduate of Benedictine himself, Dr. Wurtz has served the college for decades in numerous roles in the Student Life Office. In this episode, Dr. Wurtz speaks to Dr. Jared Zimmerer about leadership principles from a Catholic perspective, the n...

In this special episode of The Benedictine Dialogues, Dr. Jared Zimmerer sits down with Dr. Matthew Ramage, Fr. Daniel Cardó, and Dr. Michael Dominic Taylor to discuss the life and works of Joseph Ratzinger (Pope Benedict XVI). Fr. Cardó is the editor of a new volume entitled "The Cambridge Companion to Joseph Ratzinger," and Dr. Ramage and Dr. Taylor have each published essays in the companion. L...

Marcie Stokman is the Founder and President of Well-Read Mom, an international movement and book club. She is a former nurse practitioner in mental health and home school educator. In this episode, she sits down with Dr. Michelle Zaleski, Assistant Professor of English and Writing Center Director at Benedictine College. Listen in as they discuss the encouragement of community among women, her visi...

Jake Tawney serves as the Chief Academic Officer for Great Hearts Academies, a network of classical charters schools across multiple states. Previously he taught high school mathematics and computer science, and courses in in Euclid and the philosophy of mathematics at Josephinum, a Pontifical college. Listen in as we discuss the definition of classical education, the nature of mathematics and its...

Dr. Anika Prather taught in the classics department at Howard University as a full-time lecturer. She is an international speaker on the topic of the relevance of classical studies to the Black community. She is the co-author of "The Black Intellectual Tradition: Reading Freedom in Classical Literature." Listen in as we discuss the history of classical education in America, why great books can hea...

Sarah Swafford is a globally recognized Catholic speaker and author. Her latest book, co-authored with her husband, Dr. Andrew Swafford, is entitled "Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships." Listen in as we discuss her work, the challenges facing relationships today, and the great need to invite people to know Christ as a life of adventure. Benedictine College is t...

Dr. Larry Chapp is a retired professor of theology, and a specialist in the theology of Hans Urs von Balthasar. He taught for twenty years at De Sales University in Pennsylvania. He and his wife now own and manage a Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm. In this episode he is joined by Benedictine College Theologian Dr. Matthew Ramage. Listen in as they discuss the mission of the farm, the ecological v...

Professor Armando Fumagalli is a development consultant for Lux Vide Productions and has consulted on numerous scripts, such as the "Medici" and "Anna Karenina" TV Miniseries. He is the director of the Master's Program in Screenwriting, Fiction, and Movies at the Catholic University of Milan, Italy. Listen in as we discuss the screenwriting process, the role of stories in the culture, and the impo...

Joel Osborn is the head coach of Benedictine College's Ravens Football Team. He is the fifth head coach in the modern era of Benedictine College Football, which began with the reinstatement of the team in 1973. Listen in as we discuss the role of athletics in the development of character, his background in the college sports world, and the connection between faith and football. Benedictine College...

Dr. James Madden is Professor of Philosophy at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He has taught courses in modern philosophy, metaphysics, and philosophy of religion for over 20 years, and his research has included phenomenology, philosophy of mind, analytic philosophy, and cognitive science. Listen in as we discuss his latest book, "Thinking About Thinking: Mind and Meaning in the Era of Te...

Bobby Angel is a Catholic author, speaker, and mentor-in-training with CatholicPsych Institute. He has more than 20 years of experience in ministry. He and his wife Jackie have coauthored numerous books on marriage and the spiritual life. His most recent book is entitled "Gaming and the Heroic Life: The Quest for Holiness in the Virtual World." Listen in as we discuss the role of beauty in evangel...

Dr. Tory Baucum is the Director for the Center for Family Life at Benedictine College. He served for thirty years as an Anglican pastor before coming into full communion with the Catholic Church in 2020. In February 2023, he was appointed into the Copernicus Academy in Torun, Poland. Listen in as we discuss his journey of conversion, his deep passion for the work of Pope St. John Paul II, and the...

Dr. Matthew Ramage is Professor of Theology at Benedictine College, where he is Co-Director of the Center for Integral Ecology. His research and writing concentrates especially on the dialogue between faith and science, and stewardship of creation. Listen in as we discuss the Catholic understanding of ecology, Joseph Ratzinger's theology of creation, and the paschal structure of the cosmos. Benedi...

Jackie Angel is a full-time international speaker, singer-songwriter, and worship leader. She speaks to worldwide audiences on the topics of Catholic marriage, discernment, and Theology of the Body. She also contributes regularly on the Ascension Presents YouTube channel. Jackie joins Jared Zimmerer at Benedictine College for a conversation on reaching young people today, gender, discernment, and...

Bob Pruitt is Senior Counsel, Corporate Affairs Director for Alliance Defending Freedom. The ADF is the world’s largest legal organization committed to protecting religious freedom, free speech, marriage and family, parental rights, and the sanctity of life. Bob is interviewed by Thompson Center Director, Dave Geenens. Listen in as they discuss freedom of speech, and best practices for integrating...

Tom Hoopes is the host of  The Extraordinary Story , a podcast about the life of Christ. He is the VP of College Relations, and writer in residence at Benedictine College. He’s a former reporter in Washington, D.C., and he spent ten years as Executive Editor of the National Catholic Register and Faith & Family Magazine. Listen in as we discuss how to understand our lives in light of Jesus, eva...

Dr. Andrew Swafford is Professor of Theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, KS. He is a national speaker on a variety of topics, and the co-author of a new book, "A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament." He's also the author of numerous other books on theology and living the Catholic faith. Andrew holds a doctorate in Sacred Theology and a masters degree in Old Testament and Semitic Languages....

Stephen D. Minnis is the President of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Since the beginning of his presidency in 2004, the college has experienced unprecedented growth. The school has doubled enrollment, added dozens of new buildings and programs, and gained recognition as one of America's best Catholic colleges. Listen in as we discuss his leadership philosophy, the deep roots and traditio...