Spe Salvi Institute Podcast

In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Stephen G. Adubato—host of Cracks in Postmodernity, editorial assistant at Compact Magazine, and contributor to National Catholic Reporter—to explore the Cracks in Postmodernity Manifesto 2.0. What does it mean to seek transcendence in an age marked by irony, fragmentation, and digital overstimulation...

In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Dr. Joseph C. Atkinson, renowned theologian and author of Biblical and Theological Foundations of the Family: The Domestic Church. Drawing from years of biblical scholarship, Dr. Atkinson shares profound insights into the theology of marriage and family, offering a vision of the family not merely as a...

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Dr. Michael Hanby, philosopher and theologian at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute, to discuss his recent address: "Artificial Ignorance" — a powerful critique of the metaphysical and anthropological assumptions underlying artificial intelligence.

Why do baseball fans love “retro” parks—and what went wrong with the concrete donuts of the 1960s and '70s? In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa are joined by Professor of Architecture Philip Bess to explore the deeper connections between urban design, civic life, and the magic of baseball. They discuss his provocative and insightful book, City Baseball Magic: Plain Talk and Uncommon S...

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa are joined by ethicist and theologian Charlie Camosy to delve into his recent article, "A New Pope Leo Appears to Answer Tech’s New Anti-Human ‘Disruption’" . We explore how Pope Leo XIV draws inspiration from Pope Leo XIII's response to the Industrial Revolution, addressing the challenges posed by today's AI-driven technological upheaval. Camosy di...

What unites a saint-pope from Poland and a French statesman now on the path to sainthood? In this thoughtful episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa speak with Georgia Giholy about her Catholic Herald article on the new exhibition in Warsaw that brings together the legacies of St. John Paul II and Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers.

In this episode , Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into the remarkable election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope — a native of the South Side of Chicago and a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan. But this papacy is more than historic; it’s deeply symbolic and theologically rich. They explore: Why the name “Leo” matters: a conscious link to Pope Leo XIII, architect of modern Catholic Social...

In this insightful episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa welcome Nathan Pinkoski, Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America and columnist for Compact Magazine. In this discussion, Pinkoski delves into his recent article, "Pope Francis’s Managerial Revolution", offering a nuanced critique of Pope Francis's papacy.​ Pinkoski explores how Pope Francis embr...

On this week’s episode of the "Spe Salvi Institute Podcast," Andrew and Bobby chat with Trevor Cribben Merrill (producer) and Sam Sorich (producer and director) to discuss their compelling new documentary, "Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard." We encourage listeners to view the documentary for content before listening to the podcast episode: https://youtu.be/L-vB1HaBsog?feature=shar...

April 2, 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II. In commemoration of this great saint, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa reflect on his life and enduring legacy—particularly his engagement with Europe. They also explore the Christian Humanism expressed in his writings and its relevance for our time.

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Fr. Robert Imbelli to discuss his recent article in Catholic World Report, "Henri de Lubac: Pilgrim of Hope, Witness to Jesus Christ." Fr. Imbelli shares his experiences as a seminarian in Rome during Vatican II and reflects on its lasting legacy. We explore Henri de Lubac’s Christo-centric vision, the influence of Joachim of Fiore, Lo...

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into Vice President JD Vance’s provocative speech at the 2025 Munich Security Conference, where he challenged Europe’s leaders on free speech, immigration, and internal threats—while sidestepping Ukraine and Russia. They unpack the significance of Vance’s concern about “the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shar...

Roy Peachey joins Robert Mixa and Andrew Petiprin to discuss his new book Travels in Radical Christianity which explores various communities, movements, and religious orders that seek to live out the radicality of the Gospel. Additionally, they discuss Roy’s work on Catholic education and practical ways to transform it step by step.

In his provocative new novel Annihilation, celebrated and controversial French author Michel Houellebecq brings readers to a France in 2027, grappling with economic collapse and moral decline. In this episode, novelists Joshua Hren and Trevor C. Merrill join the podcast to dive into Houellebecq’s darkly insightful world, exploring why he is hailed as one of the most perceptive writers of our time.

Józef Tischner, a Polish priest, philosopher, and chaplain for the Solidarność trade union, remains a relatively unknown figure outside of Poland. However, thanks to Artur Rosman’s translation of his major work, The Philosophy of Drama, Tischner’s profound insights are beginning to reach a broader audience. As a student of Karol Wojtyła (Pope John Paul II), Tischner grappled deeply with the comple...

In this episode, D.C. Schindler elaborates on why he sees a theology of work as the second part of John Paul II’s Theology of the Body. Perceptions of work are not theologically neutral. The Greeks and Jews had different perceptions of work. Schindler claims Christianity is a synthesis of both but sees modernity as a distortion of the Christian synthesis. Learn more how to retrieve a healthy under...

Larry Chapp spent the last month in Rome commentating on the Synod on Synodality. His letters on the Synod were published at First Things. In this episode, Larry shares his thoughts on the Synod and his experiences in Rome. Near the end of the episode, he explains why we need to “re-weird” Christianity and the importance of enchantment.

The Church has a long legacy in Europe. It is a legacy mixed with triumphs and trials, particularly in 20th century Poland. In this episode, historian and translator Filip Maczurach introduces the life of Bl. Cardinal Wyszyński who boldly stood up to the Communists and became a national hero. We discuss of Filip’s translation of Wyszyński’s book “Love and Social Justice: Reflections on Society”  h...

In this episode, we are joined by novelist and critic, Joshua Hren, to discuss his new novel Blue Walls Falling Down . The novel has already received much praise. Publisher Angelico Press describes the novel as follows: “Written with a style and sensibility that have been compared to David Foster Wallace and Dostoevsky, James Joyce and Saul Bellow, Blue Walls Falling Down chronicles the eternal qu...

"The last things all hinge on death. Death is the passage that leads to judgment, purgatory, resurrection, and so forth,” writes theologian Andrew T.J. Kaethler, Academic Dean and Associate Professor of Theology at Catholic Pacific College, in his recent article “Eschatology: Dying to Live.” In this episode, we discuss with Prof. Kaethler this article and his book The Eschatological Person: Alexan...

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Rodney Howsare, a professor of theology, to discuss his recent thought-provoking article in Catholic World Report titled "Secularism and Catholic Higher Education in America.” Dr. Howsare explores the challenges facing Catholic universities and colleges in the U.S., as they navigate an increasingly secular culture and how secularism has, in many respects, becom...

Nathan Pinkoski delves into his thought-provoking perspectives on the intersections of religion, culture, and politics. Pinkoski discusses his recent talk, “Catholicism and the Necessity of Nationalism,” where he explores the crucial role of Catholicism in shaping national identity and its potential to revitalize a sense of community and purpose in the modern world. The conversation also touches o...

In this interview, we sit down with renowned theologian and philosopher, John Milbank, to discuss his recent article in the Catholic Herald, "Taking Stock of the UK Riots: Catholicism and the Crisis of Anglo-Celtic Identity." Milbank delves into the underlying cultural and spiritual crises that he believes have contributed to the social unrest and identity struggles in the UK.  

Check out our in-depth exploration of Theology of the Body! In this video, we take a deep dive into the profound teachings of Pope John Paul II on the Theology of the Body. This series of lectures, delivered between 1979 and 1984, offers a revolutionary understanding of human sexuality, love, and the human body through a theological lens. Whether you’re new to this topic or looking to deepen your...

In this episode, Tracey Rowland, a prominent theologian and winner of the prestigious Ratzinger Prize (2020), discusses her book Beyond Kant and Nietszche: A Munich Defence of Christian Humanism, where she explores the limitations of modern philosophy and the contributions of six Christian humanists. She also reflects on her extensive work on Pope Benedict XVI, highlighting his theological insight...