The Veritas Forum

In today’s episode, our speakers discuss this question: Is science the only reliable tool for understanding the world? Or for questions about meaning, morality, and ultimate purpose, do we need something more? You’ll hear from David Lahti, a biologist at Queens College, and Michael Weisberg, a philosopher at Penn. In this conversation, they explore the limits of scientific knowledge, how evolution...

The concept of a “multiverse” — formerly an obscure idea in philosophy and theoretical physics — is now mainstream. Movies like best-picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once or Marvel’s Spider Man: Into the Spiderverse invite us into an expansive vision of the cosmos: one where there are infinite worlds, possibilities, and comparisons. Even though these multiverse films feature outlandish...

In today’s episode, historian Molly Worthen (UNC-Chapel Hill) discusses the most radical pivot of her life: becoming a Christian after years of religious skepticism. Moderated by psychology professor Thad Polk (University of Michigan), you’ll hear Molly’s story of journeying from doubt to faith. She explores how the historical claims of Jesus’ Resurrection, existential questions about meaning, and...

In today’s episode, a theologian and a philosopher explore what happens when we die. They discuss questions like, Is death the end, or is it the beginning of something new? And how do Christian claims about Jesus’ Resurrection change the way we think about death today? You’ll hear from N. T. Wright, a New Testament scholar at Oxford, and Shelly Kagan, a philosopher at Yale. In this lively conversa...

Meaning can be straightforward — a red octagon means “Stop!”, a hand wave with a smile means “Hello,” or adding two and two equals four. But meaning is often more complicated — a friend saying they’ll eat  “whatever” for dinner or a significant other texting, “We need to talk.” In this episode, our speakers invite you into the messiness of meaning — and discuss how best we can search for it....

In today’s episode, two moral philosophers explore our everyday ethical choices. Are your gut-level reactions about right and wrong a signal from a higher reality—or just a chemical reaction in your brain? And if God isn’t the foundation for our morality, do our values actually mean anything? In this throwback Veritas Forum, you’ll hear from Peter Singer, a philosopher and emeritus professor at Pr...

On today’s episode, our speakers discuss the topic of friendship: what it looks like on a practical level and why it’s so important in our culture today.   You’ll hear from John Hendrix, an author, illustrator, and art professor at Washington University in St. Louis. This forum focuses on John’s new graphic novel titled The Mythmakers, which tells the story of the friendship of J. R. R. Tolki...

In today’s episode, two philosophers explore this question: How should we understand suffering? Is it simply the opposite of human flourishing, or is there a deeper meaning? And what does suffering mean for belief in a good God? You’ll hear from Meghan Sullivan, a philosopher at Notre Dame, and John Stuhr, a philosopher at Emory University. Drawing on both personal experience and philosophical com...

In today’s episode, our speakers explore some core questions about what it means to be human: What are we made for? What is the role of suffering in our lives? And is there something beyond ourselves that can give us purpose?   You’ll hear from Rowan Williams, a theologian and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Chigozie Obioma, a novelist and professor at the University of Georgia. Thei...

Talking about religion can feel outdated, close-minded, or just irrelevant. Yet for thousands of years, humans have been a religious species looking beyond ourselves in search of meaning. So should religion still matter today? And is it simply a coping story, or could it point to something real?   In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Ross Douthat, a New York Times opinion columnist and author...

The Christmas season, at its heart, is about giving. We spend days—even weeks—searching for thoughtful, personalized gifts to bring joy to those we love.   For Christians, the ultimate gift was given on Christmas: God becoming human in Jesus. This wasn’t an abstract idea, but a deeply personal act—one that changed the world forever.   In today’s episode, you’ll hear a conversation betwee...

We’ve reached the end of another amazing year on the podcast — all thanks to you, our listeners! In 2025, we had over 100,000 listens and over 6 million YouTube views across 140 different countries. We’re so grateful for the thousands of you who listen to the podcast and watch our forums online every week.   In this episode, Seth (our podcast host and Senior Media Manager at The Veritas Forum...

In today’s episode, two physicians explore the problem of suffering in medicine. They address questions like: What does it mean to care for those who suffer? And what would it take to restore dignity to every patient interaction?   You’ll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a primary care physician and medical ethicist at Columbia, and Michael Menchine, an emergency care physician and professor at the U...

In today’s episode, two Stanford leaders open up about the personal costs and course corrections in their professional lives. Is it possible to lead with integrity and still compete at the highest level? And what do you hold onto when you fail?   You’ll hear from John Hennessy, the former president of Stanford, and Pat Gelsinger, the former CEO of Intel. In their conversation moderated by Sta...

In today’s episode, an atheist and a Christian explore the plausibility of miracles. Do miracles actually happen? What kind of evidence supports them? And if they do occur, how should that shape the way we live today?   You’ll hear from Sean McDowell, a professor of apologetics at Biola, and Paul Rinzler, professor emeritus at Cal Poly. In this conversation moderated by Cal Poly professor Tod...

In today’s episode, two professors reflect on what a college education is really for. Is it just about mastering content—or can it shape who we’re becoming and how we live? And what is the role of religious texts in this formative process?   You’ll hear from Roosevelt Montás, a professor of American Studies at Columbia, and Angel Adams Parham, a sociologist at UVA. In this episode, moderated...

In today’s episode, a scientist and a philosopher explore what it means to be human. Is our distinctiveness rooted in biology, consciousness, or something more? And why have humans always been curious about this question?   You’ll hear from Praveen Sethupathy, a genomics professor at Cornell, and Scott Aikin, a philosophy professor at Vanderbilt. In this conversation, they explore the questio...

In today’s episode, a philosopher explores this question: Is belief in God irrational?   You’ll hear from Meghan Sullivan, a philosophy professor at the University of Notre Dame. In this talk, she explores what led her to become a Christian in college, how she responds to common objections about her faith, and why she thinks it’s rational to believe in Christianity.   This forum was held...

In today’s episode, we’ll explore some of the most basic questions about science: Why do we do science? Does science rely on any foundational truths? And is it possible to be a scientist and believe in God?   You’ll hear from John Lennox, emeritus professor of mathematics at Oxford. He explores the history of modern science, the philosophical assumptions that shape science today, and why he t...

In today’s episode, our speakers explore the possibilities and limits of politics. How can politics be used as a force for good in society? And when our political systems fail us, where should we look for hope?   You’ll hear from Michael Wear, the founder and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, and Hahrie Han, a professor of political science at Johns Hopkins. In this conversa...

In today’s episode, our speakers explore this question: In a world with so much pain, is it naïve to have hope? And where can we find hope when circumstances are out of our control?   You’ll hear from Esau McCaulley, a New Testament scholar at Wheaton College, and Gary Saul Morson, a Russian literature scholar at Northwestern. In this discussion moderated by The Gospel Coalition editor-in-chi...

College is a time for searching. For jobs, friends, meaning, and purpose. But when these searches fail us, or when we suffer from things outside our control, where does that leave us? Is there something more  — something spiritual or transcendent— that can give us hope?   In today’s episode, you’ll hear from two journalists who have thought about these questions. The first is Ross Doutha...

In today’s episode, an MIT professor explores the topic of success. How do we deal with the constant pressure to succeed in our careers? And what happens if we fail?   You’ll hear from Cullen Buie, a mechanical engineer and entrepreneur. In this talk, Cullen shares his unlikely story of becoming a college professor, his struggle to find fulfillment amid academic pressures, and how his Christi...

In today’s episode, a theologian and a philosopher discuss some of life’s biggest questions, like: Who are we? What’s wrong with the world? And what can make it right?   You’ll hear from N. T. Wright, a senior research fellow at Wycliffe Hall in Oxford, and Heidi Maibom, a philosophy professor at the University of Cincinnati. In this conversation, they explore what philosophical traditions an...

In today’s episode, a law professor explores the topic of law and justice. What are the opportunities and limits of the law? And where does our desire for justice come from?   You’ll hear from David Skeel, a law professor at the University of Pennsylvania. He explores the historical challenge of creating a just society and how his Christian worldview offers a foundation for justice that doesn...