The Veritas Forum
The Veritas Forum
At the Veritas Forum, we believe we were made to seek truth and be changed by it. We are a community of students, faculty, campus ministers, and more, who are pursuing a vision of the university that seeks and stewards truth and invites people of all backgrounds to explore the ideas that shape our lives. Since 1992, we’ve shared lectures and conversations with a firm belief that generous dialogue is essential for universities and the Christian faith alike. In this podcast, we're pulling from our archives of recorded events. Learn more about each episode in the show notes and visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and join us as we explore the ideas that shape our lives.
What do we do when things break? | Makoto Fujimura
June 9, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | This season is all about character and virtue — and how we can close our “character gaps” to become better people. But, what does it look like to grow more virtuous in a world with pain, trauma, and grief? Our guest for this episode, contemporary artist Makoto Fujim
Can we change our brains for good? | Nii Addy
June 2, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | The pandemic upended all of our lives. As a response, we started different habits — and perhaps even formed addictions — that helped us to cope. But, after two years of pandemic living, is it possible to change? In this episode, we talk with Dr. Nii Addy, a research
What’s up with kids these days? | Nancy Hill
May 26, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | People today reach the standard markers of adulthood — finishing education, getting married, becoming financially independent — later compared to people 50 years ago. Does that mean that kids these days are “behind” in their development? Or should these standard mar
Is "what's my passion" the right question? | Dave Evans
May 19, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Career searches often begin with the same question: “What’s my passion?” If you’re in a period of job transition — maybe you’re about to graduate, retire, or have felt like a new job is on the horizon — we want to help. And, we don’t think that “passion” is the best
Why should you care about philosophy? | Meghan Sullivan
May 12, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | What academic study can help you live a better life today? Medicine, Business, Anthropology, Social Science… Our guest this week, Dr. Meghan Sullivan, argues that philosophy should be on that list. Meghan is a philosophy professor at Notre Dame — she teaches the pop
I’m a good person…right? | Christian Miller
May 5, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | To kick off our third season, we’re starting with the question we’ve all asked ourselves: “Am I a good person?” Our guest, Dr. Christian Miller, has an answer — and it might not be what you think. Christian is a philosophy and ethics professor at Wake Forest Univers
AI, Religion, & Humanity: How Might (or Should?) We Shape the Future?
April 28, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on Northwestern University in 2022. The original title was "AI, Religion, & Humanity: How Might (or Should?) We Shape the Future?" and featured Rosalind Picard, Director of Affective Computing Research, Sylvester Johnson, Professor and Director of t
The Closing of the Modern Mind | Tim Keller & Jonathan Haidt
April 21, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event at NYU in 2017. The original title was "The Closing of the Modern Mind" and featured Tim Keller, Pastor, and Jonathan Haidt, NYU Professor. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. And, if you’re interested in more content fr
Living with Uncertainty in Science and Religion | John Lennox & George Church
April 14, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event at Columbia in 2021. The original title was, "Living with Uncertainty in Science and Religion" and featured John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford, and George Church, Professor of Genetics at Harvard. If you enjoyed this episode, please rat
Is Christianity Good for the Scientific University? | Veritas Weekend 2022
April 7, 2022
This program was recorded at the annual Veritas Weekend 2022 event in Boston. The original title was, "Is Christianity Good for the Scientific University?" and featured Cullen Buie, Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering at MIT, Karin Öberg, Professor of Astronomy at Harvard, and Tyler Vander
Imagination & What It Means to Be Human
March 31, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on University of Cincinnati in 2021. The original title was, "Imagination & What It Means to Be Human" and featured Josh Swamidass, Professor in the department of Immunology and Pathology at WashU, and Peter Langland-Hassan, Associate Professor of P
Can science and God mix? | John Lennox & Pascal Wallisch
March 24, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on NYU in 2021. The original title was "Cosmic Chemistry: Do Science and God Mix?" and featured John Lennox, Professor at Oxford, and Pascal Wallisch, Professor at NYU. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. And, if you’re
Living Well in Light of Death | N.T. Wright & Shelly Kagan
March 17, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on Yale in 2014. The original title was, "Living Well in the Light of Death" and featured N.T. Wright, Bible Scholar and former Bishop, and Shelly Kagan, Professor of Philosophy. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. And,
Does Science Point To Atheism? | Satyan Devadoss & Conor Mayo-Wilson
March 10, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on University of Washington in 2019. The original title was, "Does Science Point to Atheism?" and featured Satyan Devadoss, University of San Diego Professor, and Conor Mayo-Wilson, University of Washington Professor. If you enjoyed this episode, pl
Can Science & Spirituality Coexist? | Beyond the Forum Edition
March 3, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on Princeton University in 2021. The original title was "Can Science & Spirituality Coexist?" and featured Dr. Michael Hecht, Professor of Chemistry, Princeton University, and Dr. Praveen Sethupathy, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Corne
Scientific Inquiry and Faith | Ted Davis & Michael Ruse
February 24, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on University of Minnesota in 2017. The original title was "Scientific Inquiry and Faith" and featured Ted Davis, Historian of Science and Religion, and Michael Ruse, Professor and Director of the History and Philosophy of Science Program. If you en
Can a Scientist Believe in God? | Cullen Buie
February 17, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on Montana Tech in 2018. The original title was "Can A Scientist Believe in God?" and features Cullen Buie Professor at MIT. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. And, if you’re interested in more content from Veritas, che
Cosmic Chemistry: Do Science and God Mix? | Beyond the Forum edition
February 3, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on Claremont in 2019. The original title was "Cosmic Chemistry: Do Science and God Mix?" and featured John Lennox Professor of Mathematics and Philosophy of Science and Mary Poplin Professor in the School of Educational Studies. If you enjoyed this
Math for Everyone | Francis Su
January 27, 2022
This talk is Francis Su's final speech as the president of the Mathematical Association of America(MAA). If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. And, if you’re interested in more content from Veritas, check out our Beyond the Forum podcast. Visit veritas.org to learn more ab
Should you take a leap of faith? | Praveen Sethupathy
January 20, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | This season, we’ve talked with people at the intersection of science and God — scientists, mathematicians, engineers, and a historian of science — all of whom are Christians. For them, they see no fundamental conflict between their faith in God and their faith in sc
Why are science and God at odds? | Ted Davis
January 13, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | A recent survey from Pew suggests that 59% of Americans perceive science and religion as “often in conflict.” But, our second season guests have all seen their Christian faith and scientific pursuits work together. In this episode, we try to get to the bottom of thi
Can Robots Become Human? | Rosalind Picard
January 10, 2022
This program was recorded at a Veritas Forum event on Brown in 2017. The original title was "What does it mean to be human?" and featured Rosalind Picard and Michael Littman. If you enjoyed this episode, please rate, review, and subscribe. And, if you’re interested in more content from Veritas, chec
Find your dream job—in 10,000 easy steps | Cullen Buie
January 6, 2022
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Do you have to follow your passion to have a meaningful career? What if you don’t have a clear direction in mind — or a detailed five-year plan? We talk about finding and pursuing your vocation with MIT researcher and entrepreneur Dr. Cullen Buie. After a chance con
Is A.I. intelligent? | Rosalind Picard
December 30, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Should we be worried about robots taking over the world? Dr. Rosalind Picard, an A.I. researcher at MIT, says no. But, there are real things to consider about our relationship with technology. We talk with Dr. Picard about the past, present, and future of machine le
How to think like a mathematician—about God | John Lennox
December 16, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Does everyone have faith? Dr. John Lennox, theologian and mathematician at Oxford University, thinks so. Join us as we talk with Dr. Lennox about the pursuit of evidence, the nature of God, and the importance of fostering communication across differences. Like what
What Can Math Teach Us? | Francis Su
December 9, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Math can often lead to frustration, confusion, and irritation — but might it also lead us to virtue? Join us as we talk with Harvey Mudd professor and author of “Mathematics for Human Flourishing,” Dr. Francis Su. In our interviews with Francis and his friend (and f
Breaking the Stigma: An Interfaith Conversation on Medicine and Mental Health | Kinghorn & Awaad
November 18, 2021
Rania Awaad is a a Clinical Associate Professor in the Stanford Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and pursues her clinical practice through the department's community psychiatry track. She is also a researcher and the Director of the Stanford Muslims and Mental Health Lab where she me
God = ? | NYU Questions World-class Philosopher Alvin Plantinga on Science & Religion
November 11, 2021
Yale Philosopher Daniel Greco asks Notre Dame Philosopher Dr. Alvin Plantinga questions regarding science, faith, and philosophy. An archive, 2013 interview hosted by the Veritas Forum at New York University. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
On Bones and Genomes: What Can Science Tell Us About Being Human?
November 4, 2021
Praveen Sethupathy is a Professor in the Department of Biomedical Sciences at Cornell University, where he directs a research laboratory focused on human genomics and complex diseases. • Zeray Alemseged is the Donald N. Pritzker Professor in the Department of Organismal Biology and Anatomy at the Un
AI and the Soul of Medicine
October 28, 2021
Dr. Eric Topol (Scripps Research), Dr. Rosalind Picard (MIT Media Lab), and Dr. Jon Tilburt (Mayo Clinic) in conversation with moderator Caroline Chen (ProPublica) about the role of AI in the future of healthcare. • Presented by the Veritas Forum at Harvard University and the Mayo Clinic. • Please l
The Role of the Arts in a Post-Pandemic World | Christina Soriano & David Hagy
October 21, 2021
Christina Tsoules Soriano | Associate Provost for the Arts and Interdisciplinary Initiatives at Wake Forest University and an associate professor of dance. • David Hagy | Orchestra Director at Wake Forest University and Music Director of the Salisbury (NC) Symphony. • Moderated by Jonathan Lee Walto
Mental Health, Pandemic, and Faith | Dr. Kinghorn & Dr. Choukas-Bradley
October 14, 2021
A discussion between University of Delaware's Dr. Sophia Choukas-Bradley (Assistant Professor of Psychology) and Duke’s Dr. Warren Kinghorn (Esther Colliflower Associate Research Professor of Pastoral and Moral Theology; Associate Professor of Psychiatry) about how faith, worldview, and the COVID-19
Resisting Bias & Reshaping Institutions | David French & Justin Giboney
October 7, 2021
Resisting Bias & Reshaping Institutions: A conversation about advancing racial justice in religious institutions, government, and higher education. A discussion between David French of The Dispatch and Justin Giboney of AND Campaign. This conversation was moderated by Stephanie Summers, CEO of The C
Can We Be Scientific and Spiritual? | Michael Hecht & Praveen Sethupathy
September 30, 2021
Dr. Michael Hecht, Professor of Chemistry, Princeton University, and Dr. Praveen Sethupathy, Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences, Cornell University, discuss what science and spirituality might have to offer each other in our current time. Hosted by the Veritas Forum at Princeton University •
Finding a Common Story? An Anthropologist and a Biologist Discuss
September 23, 2021
A conversation about human origins, evolution, and what's at stake followed by a Q&A with Dr. Pam Ashmore (UTC Anthropology) and Dr. Josh Swamidass (Washington University School of Medicine). Moderated by Dr. Michelle Deardorff (UT Chattanooga Political Science and Public Service). • Please like, sh
Is Beauty A Guide to Truth? A Physicist and a Philosopher discuss some Big Questions
September 16, 2021
Beauty inspires humans to great feats of imagination and discovery. Can beauty also help us find truth about the world and ourselves? Might beauty contribute to the advance of science or reveal the presence of God? An Oxford physicist and a Virginia Tech philosopher explore the relationship between
Liberal Arts Education: What’s The Point? | Dr. Robert George and Dr. Cornel West
September 9, 2021
Dr. Cornel West (Harvard Divinity School) and Dr. Robert George (Princeton University) discuss the value of a liberal arts education at the Veritas Forum at The Washington University (co-hosted by The Danforth Center on Religion and Politics): "Liberal Arts Education: What's The Point?" Recorded on
God, Math, and the Multiverse | Satyan Devadoss
August 19, 2021
You can check out our new podcast, Beyond the Forum, wherever you listen to podcasts. • What does math have to do with the multiverse? Is our sense of design an anthropic accident, out of the same multiverse as in Dr. Stephen Hawking’s “The Grand Design”? What does a Christian mathematician have to
Should Science & Religion Mix? | Beyond the Forum Edition
August 12, 2021
You can check out our new podcast, Beyond the Forum, wherever you listen to podcasts. • Dr. Tia Powell, Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, Dr. Richard Sloan, and Dr. Lydia Dugdale all discuss the power and peril of mixing religion and medicine at The Harvard Medical School Veritas Forum: Religion and Medicine:
Audacious Love: How Daryl Davis Convinced 200 Racists to Leave the KKK
August 5, 2021
You can check out our new podcast, Beyond the Forum, wherever you listen to podcasts. • Daryl Davis is a Black Blues musician who builds friendships with members of White Supremacy organization. Through this he has helped convince over 200 white supremacists to renounce their ideology and leave thei
Can Truth and Tolerance Coexist? | Beyond the Forum Edition
August 4, 2021
You can check out our new podcast, Beyond the Forum, wherever you listen to podcasts. • A dialogue between Dr. Miroslav Volf of Yale University and Dr. Vijay Pendakur of Cornell University discussing truth, tolerance, and safe spaces. From the Veritas Forum at Cornell University, a discussion titled
Mental Health, Human Flourishing, and Religion | Beyond the Forum Edition
July 29, 2021
Dr. Curt Thompson, a board certified Psychiatrist and Neurologist, discusses the power of the narrative we tell ourselves and how it affects us throughout our lives. A lecture and conversation covering mental health, human flourishing, and religion. • You can check out our new podcast, Beyond the Fo
What Big Questions Can We Be Asking? | Beyond the Forum Edition
July 22, 2021
From the archives we bring you our first ever Virtual Veritas Forum. We hear from a panel that includes Lydia Dugdale, MD and Director of Columbia Center for Clinical Medical Ethics; David Brooks, bestselling author and NYT cultural commentator; and Andy Crouch, executive editor of Christianity Toda
A Life Worth Living—Even In Sorrow | Miroslav Volf
July 15, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Does “the good life” mean that everything in your life is good? For the final episode of our first season, we talk with Yale theologian Dr. Miroslav Volf about the “why” of living — when we’re faced with sorrow and suffering, what keeps us going? Mirsolav helps us e
Some Problems Can't Be Solved | Satyan Devadoss
July 8, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | What happens when you try to solve for something that can’t be solved—like what should you do with your life? Can you find joy even when there’s not an answer? In today’s episode, we talk about curiosity and awe with Dr. Satyan Devadoss, a math professor at UC San D
Can We Quantify the Good Life? | Tyler VanderWeele
July 1, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | We know a lot about what makes us healthier. But what about what makes us happier? In this episode, we interview Dr. Tyler VanderWeele, an epidemiologist and the Director of the Human Flourishing Program at Harvard University. He and his research team are working to
How Can You Hate Me and Not Know Me? | Daryl Davis
June 24, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Daryl Davis didn’t study conflict resolution or communications in any formal way in a classroom or lecture hall. But, through his extensive travels — first, as the son of diplomats, and then, as a jazz musician — Daryl has become an expert when it comes to cross-cul
Don't Go It Alone: Mental Health Needs Company | Curt Thompson
June 17, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Our communities can help us live “the good life.” But what about the people that tick us off? How do we form more resilient relationships that make us healthier and more connected? We discuss these things with Dr. Curt Thompson, psychiatrist and author of The Soul o
Two Things You Need to Live (and Die) Well | Lydia Dugdale
June 10, 2021
PART OF A SPECIAL 6-WEEK SERIES | Is death a threat to living well? No, says our guest Dr. Lydia Dugdale, who is a Columbia Medical doctor, a medical ethicist, and author of The Lost Art of Dying. She says that living well requires dying well. Listen to our conversation with Dr. Lydia Dugdale on BEY
Coming Soon: Beyond the Forum
June 3, 2021
We have a NEW podcast: Beyond the Forum. Listen and subscribe wherever you listen to podcasts. People have been talking about “the good life” for centuries, but are you any closer to knowing what it is or how to live it? Given the past year, we thought now would be a good time to try! So we teamed u
Living and Dying in the Time of Covid | Lydia Dugdale
May 25, 2021
Lydia Dugdale, MD, MAR is the Silberberg Associate Professor of Medicine and Director of the Center for Clinical Medical Ethics in the Department of Medicine at Columbia University Vagelos College of Physicians & Surgeons. Shelly Kagan is Clark Professor of Philosophy at Yale University, where he ha
God's Undertaker: Has Science and Philosophy Buried God | John Lennox
May 18, 2021
John Lennox, Professor of Mathematics at Oxford University, is an internationally renowned speaker on the interface of science, philosophy and religion. In a forum hosted by the Veritas Forum at the University of Georgia, Yohannes Abate, Susan Dasher and Charles Dasher MD Professor of Physics, inter
Why Science and Faith Need Each Other: Eight Shared Values that Move Us Beyond Fear | Elaine Ecklund
May 11, 2021
From the Veritas Forum at Arizona State comes a series titled Pursuing Science and Christian Faith for Human Flourishing. Professor Elaine Howard Ecklund from Rice University presents Why Science and Faith Need Each Other. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast.
Cancelled: Redeeming Public Virtue in a Cancel Culture Age
May 4, 2021
A Conversation about Forgiveness and the Ethics of Cancel Culture hosted by the Veritas Forum at Harvard University. This Forum was generously funded by The Donahue Foundation. • Speakers: Christine Emba, Columnist at The Washington Post Willie Jennings, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology an
Science, Ignorance, and the Pursuit of Meaning | Satyan Devadoss & Stuart Firestein
April 27, 2021
Satyan Devadoss, Professor of Mathematics at the University of San Diego and Stuart Firestein, Professor of Neurobiology at Columbia University, discuss science, ignorance and the pursuit of meaning on the stage at Columbia. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast.
Wholeness Beyond What Fractures: Inner Wholeness Beyond Isolation, Shame, and Despair
April 20, 2021
Dr. Curt Thompson is a psychiatrist and the author of Anatomy of the Soul and The Soul of Shame. He is also the founder of Being Known, which develops teaching programs, seminars, and resource materials to help people explore the connections between interpersonal neurobiology and Christian spiritual
Should Some Books Not Be Read? | Dhananjay Jagannathan & Tara Isabella Burton
April 13, 2021
The Veritas Forum at Columbia presents a discussion on the moral power of literature. A conversation between Columbia Philosophy Professor Dr. Dhananjay Jagannathan and Dr. Tara Isabella Burton of The American Interest, moderated by Dr. Gregory Floyd. • Like, share, review, and subscribe to this pod
Mathematics for Human Flourishing | Francis Su & Mia Chung-Yee
April 6, 2021
For many people, math is cold and lifeless, a bunch of rules to follow---a way to separate people rather than a way to bring them together. It’s no wonder that many have anxiety over their math experiences. But what if we could see how math is tied to our deepest human longings---for beauty, for jus
The Pursuit of Wholeness: Perspectives on God, Self, and Mental Health
March 30, 2021
Perspectives on mental health and existing as a whole person from Dr. David Carreon of Stanford and Dr. John Sommers-Flanagan of the University of Montana. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
Are We Better Off Divided? | David French & Angela Simms
March 23, 2021
In the aftermath of a contentious election season, we may find ourselves questioning the future of a nation that seems irreparably divided. We may ask questions such as, “is political and/or social unity possible or even desirable?” and, “if unity is desirable, what is the best pathway to that unity
Music Making as a Picture of Human Flourishing | Mia Chung-Yee
March 16, 2021
Octet Collaborative’s founder and board chair Mia Chung-Yee, an accomplished concert pianist and professor of musical studies, spoke to students at Cal Poly about the holistic human engagement involved in making music. Mia spoke about what we have lost as our culture has adopted a consumerist, techn
Shame & Spirituality: Living as a Whole Person in a Disembodied World | Curt Thompson
March 9, 2021
Psychiatrist Curt Thompson, M.D. addresses the role of shame in our mental and spiritual lives. Presented by the Veritas Forum at Harvard University • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast.
Human Identity and the Meaning of Artificial Intelligence | Joshua Swamidass
March 2, 2021
A Conversation with a Secular Humanist, Jurist and Law Professor, Ryan Calo, and a Christian, Scientist and Bioengineer Professor, Josh Swamidass, about the philosophical and biological implications of artificial intelligence. Presented by the Veritas Forum at University of Washington. • Please like
The Origin of Humanity: Adam, Eve, and Evolution | Josh Swamidass & Nathan Lents
February 23, 2021
In this discussion between Christian and Atheist scientists, Josh Swamidass and Nathan Lents, they explore the building blocks of life, behavior, our evolution, and who our ancestors were. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
Truth and Science | A Christian, Muslim, and Atheist Discuss
February 16, 2021
In this episode we hear from three different world views including a Christian (Kirk Durston), a Muslim (Imam Hosam Helal), and an Atheist (Matt Monrose) as they discuss their unique perspectives on faith and science. From the stage at McMaster University. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and rev
Losing Hope? A Discussion on God & the Reality of Suffering | Alister McGrath & Alan Lightman
February 9, 2021
Dr. Alan Lightman, Author and MIT Professor and Physicist, and Dr. Alister McGrath, Oxford Professor of Science and Religion, explore questions of suffering, hope, and the possibility of God through the lenses of their individual worldviews.
The Lost Art of Dying | Dr. Lydia Dugdale
February 2, 2021
Lydia Dugdale — Medical Doctor, Physician, and Ethicist — discusses the Lost art of Dying in this interview conducted by USC student Quincy Guenther. • Like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
Politics, Science (&) Faith in the Era of Covid-19
January 26, 2021
A discussion about the history underlying mistrust of medical science, the development of the COVID-19 vaccines, and faith-informed responses to the pandemic. Hosted by: (&) Campaign NYC || andcampaign.org Speakers S. Joshua Swamidass - Associate Professor of Biomedical Engineering at Washington Uni
Cosmic Chemistry: Do Science and God Mix? | Dr. John Lennox
January 19, 2021
Oxford Professor Emeritus John Lennox, Mathematician and Philosopher of Science presents his reasoning for the link between science and belief in God. Presented from the stage at the Claremont Center for Reason, Religion, and Public Affairs. • Like, share, review, and subscribe to this podcast. Than
Why Tolerance is Not Enough: Myths About Pluralism | Diana Eck & Vinoth Ramachandra
January 12, 2021
The project of pluralism promises inclusiveness, tolerance, and peace, but it rarely satisfies. At a Veritas Forum from Harvard, Diana Eck (Harvard) and Vinoth Ramachandra (IFES) discuss the nature of pluralism and the challenges that keep us from genuine dialogue. How can we maintain our deepest co
Designing Your Life Worth Living | Dave Evans
January 5, 2021
Dave Evans teaches “Designing Your Life” – Stanford University’s most popular class. He is an entrepreneur who led the design of Apple’s first mouse, and co-founded Electronic Arts before becoming a Consulting Assistant Professor at Stanford.
Disenchanted? A Pastor & a Born-Again Pagan Discuss | Tim Keller & Anthony Kronman
December 24, 2020
Pastor, author, and public intellectual Tim Keller is in conversation with Sterling Professor of Law at Yale Law School and born-again pagan, Anthony Kronman. They discuss their theological perspectives on gratitude, free will, and our current political moment. Moderated by Professor of Systematic T
The Accidental Academic | Dr. Cullen Buie
December 17, 2020
MIT Professor of Mechanical Engineering Cullen Buie discusses his journey through science, God and making a name for himself at The Veritas Forum at Caltech. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you.
Beauty of Mathematics | Satyan Devadoss & Lauren Spohn
December 10, 2020
Mathematician and University of San Diego professor Satyan Devadoss is interviewed by Oxford graduate student Lauren Spohn. A discussion about the beauty and mystery of mathematics in the context of Satyan's latest book: Mage Merlin's Unsolved Mathematical Mysteries. • Like, share, subscribe to, and
Did Science Kill God? | John Lennox
December 3, 2020
In this episode we hear from mathematician, philosopher, and theologian, Dr. John Lennox. In a discussion titled “Did Science Kill God?” Lennox thoughtfully probes the idea that God and science is an either or decision. Recorded in 2015 from the stage at UCLA. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and
Is Belief In God Irrational? | Meghan Sullivan
November 26, 2020
Meghan Sullivan is Professor of Philosophy and the Rev. John A O’Brien Collegiate Chair at the University of Notre Dame. In this lecture she discusses the rationality of the Christian faith from the stage at Montana Tech. ••• Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
What is the Hope for Humanity? | N.T. Wright & Peter Thiel
November 19, 2020
Every generation must be challenged to assess whether its assumptions about God must be reexamined. Join N.T. Wright, Peter Thiel, and moderator Ross Douthat in a discussion on hope, technology, politics, and theology. Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
Is Christianity Divisive? | Tim Keller
November 5, 2020
Some say that claiming to know God or truth is too exclusive in a pluralistic society and too divisive in a free democratic one. People who hold such exclusive beliefs, they say, tend to impose them on others and oppress those who disagree. How can Christians, then, justify their faith that says Jes
Should We Love Our Enemies? | Arthur Brooks
November 5, 2020
What power do everyday citizens have to bridge divides and overcome differences? Is it possible to love those who we see as "enemies" and if so, how? A conversation with Harvard Business School professor Arthur Brooks and Stanford graduate student Isaiah Drummond.
Under God: The Role of Religion in Public Life | Beth Elshtain & Michael Sandel
October 29, 2020
University of Chicago professor Jean Bethke Elshtain and Harvard philosopher Michael Sandel discuss the role of religion in public life. Does religion deserve a place in the public square? Is it fair to exclude what many people consider the basis of their ethical framework? Should we study our relig
Our Culture of Distrust: How to Bridge the Left/Right & Religious/ Secular Divides
October 22, 2020
Jonathan Haidt is an NYU professor of Moral Psychology & author of Coddling of the American Mind, and John Inazu is a Washington University Professor of Law & Religion and the author of Confident Pluralism — in this discussion they set out to confront the current climate of polarization and distrust
Political Visions and Illusions | David Koyzis & Erin Dienst
October 15, 2020
A conversation with Political Scientist, Author, and Professor, David Koyzis, interviewed by Erin Dienst of The Veritas Forum. A discussion about political ideologies and how each claims to fix our broken world. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you.
Pluralism in a Polarized Age: Navigating Our Deepest Differences Together | John Inazu & Eboo Patel
October 8, 2020
A conversation between John Inazu (Washington University in St. Louis) and Eboo Patel (Interfaith Youth Core), moderated by Chiara Cordelli (University of Chicago) about navigating and respecting our differences in society while seeking common ground. From the stage at the University of Chicago. Ple
Are We As Honest As We Think We Are? | Christian Miller
October 1, 2020
After years of researching hundreds of psychological studies that put people’s character to the test, philosopher Christian Miller (Wake Forest) has concluded that a gap exists between how good we should be and how good we actually are. This is an interview with Christian discussing his book, The Ch
The Language of God | Francis Collins
September 24, 2020
In this episode we hear from the physician-geneticist who led the human genome project, Dr. Francis Collins. This evening, September 24th at 7pm Eastern, Dr. Collins will be awarded and honored by the Templeton Foundation in a ceremony that includes theologian N.T. Wright. The event is open to all t
Lost Art Of Dying | Lydia Dugdale
September 17, 2020
A faculty conversation with Dr. Lydia Dugdale, a physician and ethicist at Columbia Medical School who’s been on the front lines caring for COVID-19 patients in NYC. Moderated by Kathy Tuan-MacLean. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
Audacious Love: How Daryl Davis Convinced 200 Racists to Leave the KKK
September 10, 2020
Daryl Davis is a Black Blues musician who builds friendships with members of White Supremacy organization. Through this he has helped convince over 200 white supremacists to renounce their ideology and leave their organizations. He is joined by on of these men, Jeff Schoep former director of Neo-Naz
Considering Career in COVID-19 | Andy Chan & Michael Sloan
May 21, 2020
Andy Chan (VP for Innovation and Career Development) and Dr. Michael Sloan (Associate Professor of Classical Languages), both professors at Wake Forest University, engage in a conversation about practical steps to pursuing a career and finding purpose during this time. A virtual Veritas Forum hosted
Resilience And Grit During COVID-19 | Lt. Gen. Larry D. James & Dr. Carol Geffner
May 14, 2020
The Veritas Forum at USC presents Lt. Gen. Larry James of NASA's JPL and Carol Geffner of USC. Learn from these two lifelong practitioners and proven leaders of different world views as they discuss topics of grit and resilience during COVID-19. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this po
Why We Need Christians in Science | David Lahti
May 7, 2020
Evolutionary Biologist David Lahti talks about the need to have Christian thinkers in the sciences. • Augustine Collective Keynote. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
Why the Public Square Needs Christian Voices | Ross Douthat
April 30, 2020
New York Times columnist Ross Douthat maps out the America's religious landscape and discusses how essential it is to have influential Christian voices in the world. • From the stage at the 2020 Augustine Collective in Boston, Massachusetts. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcas
What is the Good Life? What is Happiness? | Satyan Devadoss & Varun Soni
April 23, 2020
Dr. Satyan Devadoss FLETCHER JONES CHAIR OF APPLIED MATHEMATICS UNIVERSITY OF SAN DIEGO & Dr. Varun Soni DEAN OF RELIGIOUS AND SPIRITUAL LIFE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
Coronavirus & Quarantine: Lament, Hope, and Creativity Edition
April 9, 2020
In this Virtual Veritas Forum we discuss the impact of the novel coronavirus in the context of creativity with a panel that includes contemporary artist and activist Mako Fujimura, film critic and associate professor Alissa Wilkinson, and hip-hop recording artist Lecrae. Together they explore how un
Coronavirus & Quarantine: The Economy, Career, and Jobs Edition
April 6, 2020
In this Virtual Veritas Forum we discuss the impact of the novel coronavirus on the global economy and how it may or may not reshape our concepts of commerce. Presented by a panel that includes Alfa Demmellash, CEO and Co-Founder of Rising Tide Capital; Andy Chan, VP of Innovation & Career Developme
God And/Or Evolution? | Joshua Swamidass & Michael Behe
April 2, 2020
Dr. Joshua Swamidass of the Washington University in St. Louis, as well as Dr. Michael Behe of Lehigh University present their reasons for whether or not creationism should be considered scientific. They present their research and also make the case for the harmony between science (particularly evol
Coronavirus & Quarantine: What Big Questions Can We Be Asking?
March 26, 2020
In this Virtual Veritas Forum we hear from a panel that includes Lydia Dugdale, MD and Director of Columbia Center for Clinical Medical Ethics; David Brooks, bestselling author and NYT cultural commentator; and Andy Crouch, executive editor of Christianity Today, author, and partner at Praxis Labs.
Living & Dying Well | Lydia Dugdale & Alua Arthur
March 19, 2020
Dr. Lydia Dugdale of Columbia, Dr. Raymond Barfield of Duke, Alua Arthur, attorney and "Death Dula" discuss the meaning of death and living with the weight of our mortality. On stage at Ohio State University. Moderated by Ashley Fernandes. • Like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank
What Good Is Happiness? | Jennifer Frey & Jonathan Masur
March 12, 2020
What Good is Happiness? A Dialogue Between Economics & Philosophy. University of South Carolina Philosopher Jennifer Frey and University of Chicago Professor of Law Jonathan Masur Discuss. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
We Evolved. What About Faith? | David Lahti & Andy Norman
February 27, 2020
In this discussion, Philosopher Dr. Andy Norman of Carnegie Mellon, and Evolutionary Biologist Dr. David Lahti, discuss the evolution of humans and faith. They navigate the tension and harmony between science and faith. • If you like this, please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast!
Engineering The Good Life | Joseph Clair
February 20, 2020
George Fox University professor of Theology, Joseph Clair, ask, "Do we need God to have the meaningful lives?" From the stage at Montana Tech. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank You!
Meaning, Evidence, and Truth | Dr. Ard Louis
February 13, 2020
Ard A. Louis, a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford, asks whether science can answer all of life's questions. From the stage at the University of Birmingham in the UK. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank you!
Spiderwebs, Symmetry, and Spirituality | Satyan Devadoss & Greta Binford
February 6, 2020
A Christian Mathematician, Satyan Devadoss, and an Agnostic Biologist, Greta Binford, discuss science, its boundaries in understanding the complexities of our world, and God. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast.
Mental Health, Human Flourishing, and Religion | Dr. Curt Thompson
January 30, 2020
Dr. Curt Thompson, a board certified Psychiatrist and Neurologist, discusses the power of the narrative we tell ourselves and how it affects us throughout our lives. A lecture and conversation covering mental health, human flourishing, and religion. • Please like, share, subscribe to, and review thi
Faith Is Not a Sideshow: Why You - and the U - Need To Get Religion | Ross Douthat
January 23, 2020
In this episode, New York Times Columnist Ross Douthat makes the case for faith and religion in academia. By sharing his own story and religious upbringing, Ross shows the link to deeper, intellectual thinking that his faith tradition and exploration afforded him. • Please like, share, subscribe to
Can Science Explain Everything? | Ard Louis & Pascal Wallisch
January 16, 2020
Theoretical Physicist, Ard Louis of Oxford University and Neuroscientist, Pascal Wallisch of New York University explore whether our reality is all simply an invention of the brain and within that, pondering if we can know what is objectively true. From the NYU Veritas Forum: Is There Truth Beyond Y
Gene Editing and the Future of Personhood | William Hurlbut & George Church
January 9, 2020
George Church, Harvard Medical School and Bill Hurlbut, Stanford University Medical Center discuss the risks and opportunities of gene editing at a special event hosted by The Veritas Forum and moderated by Ross Andersen, a senior editor at The Atlantic. The Veritas Forum: Gene Editing and the Futur
Designing Your Life Worth Living | Dave Evans & Bill Burnett
January 2, 2020
Bill Burnett and Dave Evans teach the most popular class at Stanford. The course, entitled “Designing Your Life,” aims to reframe the way students think about the question, “How do I live a meaningful life?” Burnett, an atheist, and Evans, a Christian, both believe the key to a joyful and fulfilling
Good God? | N.T. Wright
December 19, 2019
How do we reconcile a good God and a world filled with suffering? N.T. Wright takes to the stage at Duke University to discuss this tension. Please like share, subscribe to, and review this podcast! [Note that we will not be publishing a podcast on December 26th but will resume on January 2nd]
Our Culture of Distrust | John Inazu & Jonathan Haidt
December 12, 2019
We live in a time when polarization and distrust are hindering us from relationship and moving forward together. How do we bridge these left/right & religious/secular divides? Jonathan Haidt, NYU Professor of Moral Psychology, Author of Coddling of the American Mind & John Inazu, Washington Universi
What is Happiness? | An Exploration of Science, Faith, and Mental Health
December 5, 2019
Shimon Edelman is a Professor of psychology at Cornell, interested in behavioral, neural, evolutionary, and computational aspects of language, vision, consciousness, and happiness. Dr. David Carreon is a psychiatrist at Stanford University and the Medical Director of Acacia Mental Health in Fremont,
Does Faith Divide Us? | Tahera Ahmad & Russell Moore
November 14, 2019
Tahera Ahmad, Associate Chaplain and Director of Interfaith Engagement at Northwestern, and Russell Moore, president of the Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission of the Southern Baptist Convention, discuss their Muslim and Christian faiths respectively and whether faith divides or unites us. Please
Meaning-Making Methodologies | Francis Su & Paul Asimow
November 7, 2019
Harvey Mudd College Mathematician Francis Su and Caltech Geologist Paul Asimow discuss their personal perspectives on meaning and purpose from the stage at California Institute of Technology. Please like, share, subscribe to and review this podcast. Thank you!
The Bible: Gospel, Guide, or Garbage? | Dr. NT Wright & Dr. Sean Kelly
October 31, 2019
How should we view the Bible? New Testament scholar and theologian NT Wright and Harvard philosopher Sean Kelly discuss one of history’s most influential books at The Veritas Forum at Harvard University. Moderated by Dr. Jay Harris. Please like, share, subscribe to, and review this podcast. Thank yo
525,600 Minutes: Time, Eternity and Finding Value in Our Lives | Alan Lightman & Meghan Sullivan
October 24, 2019
Dr. Alan Lightman, MIT, and Dr. Meghan Sullivan, Notre Dame, discuss how the modern world is impacting the way we view and utilize time and what that means for humanity. Dr. Meghan Sullivan's current book is titled 'Time Biases: A Theory of Rational Planning and Personal Persistence' with a forthcom
Can You Hear Me? | Dr. Curt Thompson & Dr. Kathryn Lofton
October 17, 2019
Dr. Curt Thompson, Author, and Dr. Kathryn Lofton, Yale University, discuss the shifting connectivity of modern university students. Please like, share subscribe to and review this podcast.
How Can Religion Heal Rather Than Divide? | Dr. Miroslav Volf
October 11, 2019
Theologian Dr. Miroslav Volf, Yale University, discusses how religion ought to be a healing force in our world rather than a divisive one. Please like, share, subscribe to and review this podcast. Thank you!
Liberal Arts Education: What’s The Point? | Dr. Robert George and Dr. Cornel West
October 3, 2019
Dr. Cornel West, Harvard Divinity School and Dr. Robert George, Princeton University, discuss the value of a liberal arts education at The Washington University in St. Louis. • • Please like, share, subscribe to and review this podcast. Thank you!
God & The Universe | Dr. Stephen Barr
September 26, 2019
Astronomer and Physicist Dr. Stephen Barr, University of Delaware, discusses the interplay between our modern understanding of the universe and the role our faith and the bible plays in how we understand. Please like, share, subscribe to and review this podcast. Thank you!
Is Science Enough? Faith, Reason, & the Human Need for Certainty | Dr. Troy Van Voorhis
September 20, 2019
Dr. Troy Van Voorhis, a chemist at MIT, speaks to an audience at the University of Florida about whether science is enough to give us the reason and certainty we seek in life. ~~ Please like, share, subscribe to and review this podcast.
Can Faith & Science Coexist? | Dr. Ian Hutchinson
September 12, 2019
Dr. Ian Hutchinson, a nuclear scientist at MIT, takes to the stage at the University of Virginia to discuss the sometimes tense relationship between faith and science while challenging scientism; the belief that everything can be explained through science. Please like, share, subscribe and review th
What Makes Humans Special? | Dr. David Lahti & Dr. Andrew Berry
September 5, 2019
Dr. David Lahti, Evolutionary Biologist of Queens College at the City University of New York and Dr. Andrew Berry, Evolutionary Biologist of Harvard University discuss the biological developments that make humans unique. Recorded from the stage at Harvard University. If you find this and other episo
Drawing The Line: The Ethics of Gene Editing | William Hurlbut & Rudolf Jaenisch
November 30, 2018
Stanford neurobiologist William Hurlbut and MIT genetic biologist Rudolf Jaenisch discuss the ethics of gene editing at a Veritas Forum from MIT, moderated by Cullen Buie, MIT professor.
Boundaries for Your Soul | Kimberly Miller
November 25, 2018
In her recent book, Boundaries for Your Soul, therapist Kimberly Miller describes the process of turning your inner critic into your biggest champion. Instead of fighting or ignoring our feelings and anxieties, Kim wants us to befriend them. On our latest podcast episode, Kim discusses the approach
Muslim Immigration & Christian Hospitality | Matt Kaemingk
November 17, 2018
Theology professor Matthew Kaemingk's book Christian Hospitality and Muslim Immigration in an Age of Fear is a powerful synthesis of his life’s work. Combining his theological expertise with his lived experience in Europe, Kaemingk challenges Christians to respond differently to the political crisis
Christianity and the Tooth Fairy | John Lennox
November 10, 2018
Children believe in the tooth fairy until their reasoning capabilities mature and they recognize this belief is neither grounded nor relevant. Does belief in Jesus Christ require a similar suspension of logic? Can Christianity be proven to be true? UCLA law professor Daniel Lowenstein interviews Oxf
Is Belief in God irrational? | Meghan Sullivan
November 3, 2018
At a Veritas Forum from Middlebury College, Notre Dame philosopher Meghan Sullivan explores the questions that defined her journey to the Christian faith.
Can Faith Reconcile Justice and Forgiveness? | Rachael Denhollander
October 28, 2018
A conversation with Rachael Denhollander, the brave woman and attorney who stopped the "greatest sex scandal in sports history." Hosted at New York University and moderated by Melissa Murray, Professor of Law at NYU.
Happiness Is Not Self-help | Jennifer Frey
October 21, 2018
Americans spend over $11 billion on self-help every year, but philosopher Jennifer Frey says that if you want to be happy, you should read philosophy instead. For Dr. Frey, if we want to uncover a more holistic vision of the good life, we need to go back to the classics—to Aristotle, Augustine, and
Who is Christ for Us Today? Bonhoeffer's Final Questions | Charles Marsh
October 13, 2018
73 years after his death in a Nazi Concentration Camp, Dietrich Bonhoeffer remains a fascinating and influential icon. A man who embodied his theology in both his life and death, he earnestly wrestled with the questions of his time and what they meant for his Christian faith. At a Veritas Forum from
The Doctor's Gaze | Dr. Bob Cutillo
October 6, 2018
How we care for our sick tells us much about who we are as a society. How should we view those who come to us for care? For Dr. Bob Cutillo, a physician at the Colorado Coalition for the Homeless, what we see depends on how we look. At a Veritas Forum from the Mayo Clinic, Dr. Cutillo draws on centr
The Nature and Necessity of Worldviews | Dallas Willard
September 29, 2018
Whether or not we know what we believe, our worldview shapes our perception of the truth. At a Veritas Forum from UCLA, the late philosopher Dallas Willard helps us ask the right questions about how our picture of reality lines up with the truth.
Is Perception Reality? | William Newsome & David Eagleman
September 15, 2018
The advances of neuroscience have given us unparalleled knowledge of the human brain, but as any neuroscientist will tell you, we’re just scratching the surface of the brain’s potential. At a Veritas Forum hosted by Stanford students, William Newsome (Stanford) and David Eagleman (Stanford) explore
Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles? | Ian Hutchinson
September 8, 2018
For over 25 years, Ian Hutchinson (MIT) has been a speaker at Veritas Forums across the country. Throughout those years, he’s answered countless student questions about science, theology, and his Christian faith. In his latest book, Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?, Hutchinson compiled every que
Faith is Not a Sideshow | Ross Douthat
September 1, 2018
What would it look like for universities to take religion seriously? For New York Times columnist Ross Douthat, it starts with the recognition that religion will continue to influence the way we see the world. In fact, the data shows that the 21st century will be far more religious than the previous
Religion at the Cineplex | Alissa Wilkinson
August 25, 2018
Alissa Wilkinson (Vox) is a film critic, professor, and cultural commentator, who works at the intersection of art, postmodernism, and theology. On our latest podcast episode, we sit down with Alissa to discuss film, secularism, and why religion keeps showing up in Hollywood.
Living Well in the Light of Death | N.T. Wright & Shelly Kagan
August 18, 2018
It’s the one universal on which we all agree: everyone dies. How we deal with death determines much of what we spend our lives trying to accomplish and become. At a Veritas Forum from Yale, theologian N.T. Wright (University of St. Andrews) and philosopher Shelly Kagan (Yale) discuss the reality of
Why Alvin Plantinga Still Matters with Meghan Sullivan
June 29, 2018
In January, The Veritas Forum convened 170 student writers to learn from leading Christian scholars and to write essays for their campus publications, and we devoted one writing track to the legacy of philosopher Alvin Plantinga. Widely credited with making belief in God credible in academic philoso
Our Longings Find a Home in Jesus | Greg Ganssle
May 12, 2018
Before we believe that Christianity is true, philosopher Greg Ganssle thinks that we should want it to be true. He says that our longings for beauty, goodness, and freedom, are “at home in the Christian story.” At a Veritas Forum from the University of California-Irvine, Ganssle examines how our des
What Does Human Progress Mean? | Alana Ackerson & Christopher Hitchcock
May 5, 2018
We have computers in our pockets, and we can 3-D print a house. But as our technology advances, are we better off? At a Veritas Forum from Caltech, Alana Ackerson, finance leader and entrepreneur, and Christopher Hitchcock, professor of philosophy at Caltech, explore the relationship between human p
Where is God in Suffering? | John Lennox
April 21, 2018
For the religious believer and atheist alike, the problem of evil is troubling. If there is a God, why does he allow evil? And if there isn’t a God, how we can say that anything is evil? At a Veritas Forum from Harvard Medical School, Oxford Mathematician John Lennox addresses one of the most challe
The Bible: Gospel, Guide, or Garbage? | N.T. Wright & Sean Kelly
April 15, 2018
The Bible is the bestselling book of all time, but is it true? During a Veritas Forum at Harvard, New Testament scholar and theologian N.T. Wright and Harvard philosophy professor Sean Kelly, discuss history's most influential book.
Can We Reconcile Justice and Forgiveness? | Rachael Denhollander
April 7, 2018
Last Thursday at the Veritas Forum at Harvard, we were fortunate enough to host Rachael Denhollander, the first woman to publicly accuse Larry Nasser of sexual abuse. Her story is one of immense courage, guided by an unwavering pursuit of justice and a hope in a God that will one day make all things
Time for Truth | Os Guinness
March 24, 2018
In 2016, Oxford Dictionaries named ‘post-truth’ the international word of the year, leading the Washington Post to declare that “truth is dead.” But, as author and social critic Os Guinness argues, “Without truth, there is no freedom." Guinness sees the fallout of the ‘post-truth’ era as the consequ
How to Love Your Enemies | Miroslav Volf
March 17, 2018
From the Crusades to the conflicts in Northern Ireland, Christianity’s relationship to violence is troubling. How can we make sense of Jesus's call to "love your enemies” when so much violence has been committed in his name? Yale theologian Miroslav Volf believes that blaming religion for violence i
Are You as Good as You Think You Are? | Christian Miller
March 10, 2018
The data says we’re lying to each other about a third of the time. Philosopher Christian Miller thinks that number is actually higher. After years of researching hundreds of psychological studies that put people’s character to the test, Christian concluded that a gap exists between how good we sho
Is Christianity Divisive? | Tim Keller
March 3, 2018
Some say that claiming to know God or truth is too exclusive in a pluralistic society and too divisive in a free democratic one. People who hold such exclusive beliefs, they say, tend to impose them on others and oppress those who disagree. How can Christians, then, justify their faith that says Jes
Genes, Atoms, or Something Else? | Praveen Sethupathy & Roald Hoffmann
February 24, 2018
Are we more than our biology? At a Veritas Forum from Cornell, Praveen Sethupathy (Cornell) and Roald Hoffmann (Cornell) explore how genetics influences how we think about personal identity and what, if anything, is beyond the scope of science.
It Is About Race | Andra Gillespie & Sumun Pendakur
February 17, 2018
As the wounds of racial injustice--old and new--continue to grip America, where can we find healing? At a Veritas Forum from Claremont, Andra Gillespie (Emory), and Sumun Pendakur (USC) discuss the intersection of race, faith, and reconciliation.
Finding Jesus in Calcutta | Mary Poplin
February 13, 2018
When Mary Poplin met Mother Teresa, Poplin was looking to understand Mother Teresa’s work in purely secular terms. But the life of this mystifying nun refused such categorization. When Poplin returned from India, she realized that a secular telling of Mother Teresa’s story would radically distort th
Myths About Pluralism | Diana Eck & Vinoth Ramachandra
February 3, 2018
The project of pluralism promises inclusiveness, tolerance, and peace, but it rarely satisfies. At a Veritas Forum from Harvard, Diana Eck (Harvard) and Vinoth Ramachandra (IFES) discuss the nature of pluralism and the challenges that keep us from genuine dialogue. How can we maintain our deepest co
Faith, Hope, Love, & Climate Change | Dorothy Boorse & John Nolt
January 21, 2018
As we continue to wrestle with the reality of a changing climate, Wendell Berry’s invocation—”Be joyful, though you have considered all the facts”—is a great challenge. At a Veritas Forum in 2016, Dorothy Boorse (Gordon College) and John Nolt (University of Tennessee) discussed the nature of climate
Beethoven, Suffering & Faith | Mia Chung
January 13, 2018
Beethoven’s presence and music still looms in our modern imagination, but we rarely think about the man behind the music. Mia Chung, a world-renowned pianist at the Curtis Institute, says that, in order to appreciate Beethoven’s genius, we must examine his relationship with suffering and faith. In t
Why We Need Skepticism | Dallas Willard
January 6, 2018
In the modern age, skepticism is often equated with intelligence. But is there room for belief in the contemporary mind? At a Veritas Forum from Claremont, the late philosopher Dallas Willard discusses both the dangers and benefits of doubt in our society.
Can Robots Become Human? | Rosalind Picard & Michael Littman
December 16, 2017
The line between science fiction and reality grows increasingly thin as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prominent. While some fear an impending robot apocalypse, others wonder what this new technology means for everyday life. At a recent Veritas Forum at Brown University, Rosalind Picard (
The Language of God | Francis Collins
December 10, 2017
Dr. Francis Collins, world-renowned geneticist, physician, and Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), is uniquely positioned at the intersection of science and faith. Formerly an atheist, his New York Times best-selling book, The Language of God, chronicles his conversion to Christiani
You Are What You Love | James K.A. Smith
December 2, 2017
What do you want? Our answer to this question, argues author and philosopher James K.A. Smith (Calvin), reveals the habits that shape our lives. Yet we often remain unaware of those habits and how they motivate us. In this talk, from a recent Veritas Forum at the University of Michigan, Smith helps
Is There Truth Beyond Science? | John Lennox & Larry Shapiro
November 18, 2017
This October, over 1,000 students and community members packed out Shannon Hall at the University of Wisconsin in Madison to hear John Lennox (Oxford) and Larry Shapiro (UW-Madison) discuss, "Is There Truth Beyond Science?” In a conversation that featured as much humor as sincerity, Lennox and Shapi
God, Math, and the Multiverse | Satyan Devadoss
November 11, 2017
Several years ago, The Veritas Forum at Caltech hosted Satyan Devadoss, who, at the time, was an associate professor of math at Williams College. Devadoss talks about String Theory the way most people talk about their favorite piece of art. In the numbers and symbols of mathematical equations, he ex
Live the Questions | N.T. Wright & Heidi Maibom
November 4, 2017
Earlier this year, we hosted New Testament theologian N.T. Wright in dialogue with professor of philosophy Heidi Lene Maibom at the Veritas Forum at the University of Cincinnati. Unlike many Forums, where dialogue focuses on a singular topic or question, this Forum widened the purview. In the vein o
Searching for Truth Through Fantasy | Madeleine L'Engle
October 28, 2017
Madeleine L'Engle, award-winning author of A Wrinkle in Time, defines "fantasy" as that which "pushes us, opens us, makes us aware of who we are and who the other is.” In this recording from a Veritas Forum at UC Santa Barbara, L’Engle draws from her experiences in school, church, and life to explor
Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles? | Ian Hutchinson & Robert Lue
October 14, 2017
Last Spring, Ian Hutchinson (MIT) and Robert Lue (Harvard) sat down at Harvard’s Science Center with Anne Harrington (Harvard) to discuss miracles. Do they happen? Does scientific thinking undermine belief in them? What does the existence (or non-existence) of miracles mean for the larger discussion
Overcoming Echo Chambers | Robert George & Hamza Yusuf
October 7, 2017
Can Christians and Muslims get along in America? That’s the question we asked Christian intellectual and Princeton law professor Robert George and Islamic scholar and Zaytuna College president Shaykh Hamza Yusuf at the San Francisco Jazz Center this Spring. George and Yusef, who are good friends, be
Designing Your Life Worth Living | Dave Evans & Bill Burnett
October 2, 2017
Bill Burnett and Dave Evans teach the most popular class at Stanford, "Designing Your Life." It helps students reframe the question, "How do I live a meaningful life?" Burnett, an atheist, and Evans, a Christian, believe the key to a joyful and fulfilling life starts with thinking like a designer. A
Emotional Machines | Rosalind Picard
August 27, 2017
This week on The Veritas Forum podcast we’re featuring a conversation with Rosalind Picard, an internationally-recognized researcher in affective computing. Rosalind is the founder and director of the affective computing group at MIT, a co-founder of Affectiva, Inc., a co-director of the MIT Autism
Cold Fusion and the End of Scientism? | Ian Hutchinson
August 19, 2017
This week on The Veritas Forum podcast we’re featuring a conversation with Ian Hutchinson, a professor of nuclear science and engineering at MIT. A powerful advocate for the compatibility of scientific inquiry and religious belief, Ian has been a featured speaker at Veritas Forums since we began in
The Psychology of Finding Yourself | Ross Douthat & Nancy Hill
August 12, 2017
This week on The Veritas Forum podcast, we’re featuring a conversation with New York Times columnist Ross Douthat and Nancy Hill, a developmental psychologist and professor of Education at Harvard. Nancy’s work focuses on the relationship between adolescents and their parents, and specifically, how
Faith, Race, and (Non)Violence
July 25, 2017
In 2015, during the fallout of Ferguson, three Black women took the stage at UC Berkley to discuss faith, race and non-violence. Andra Gillespie, associate professor of political science at Emory, Na’ilah Suad Nasir, professor in the graduate school of education at UC Berkley, and Claudia May, who,
The Multiverse, the Polygraph, and the Resurrection | Tom Rudelius
July 1, 2017
Our latest podcast episode features an interview with rising physicist Tom Rudelius. We discuss String Theory, polygraph tests, fine-tuning, and our place in the cosmos.
Is Belief in God irrational? | Meghan Sullivan
June 11, 2017
Notre Dame philosophy professor, Meghan Sullivan, shares the journey by which – to her own surprise – she became convinced by the truth-claims of the Christian faith, and explores the top three questions she has wrestled with in terms of the rationality of holding to a “thick” and complex belief-sys
Christianity and the Tooth Fairy | John Lennox at UCLA
June 3, 2017
Children believe in the tooth fairy until their reasoning capabilities mature and they recognize this belief is neither grounded nor relevant. Does belief in Jesus Christ require a similar suspension of logic? Can Christianity be proven to be true? UCLA law professor Daniel Lowenstein interviews Oxf
Faith, Race, and Hip-Hop at Harvard | An Interview with Obasi Shaw
May 24, 2017
Obasi Shaw has recently hit the news as the first Harvard student to submit a rap album as his senior thesis. The album, entitled "Liminal Minds," represents a coming together of Obasi's interests, ranging from Chaucer, to hip-hop, to the pursuit of racial justice. But the key theme that connects al
The Bible: Gospel, Guide, or Garbage? | N.T. Wright & Sean Kelly at Harvard
May 12, 2017
How should we read the Bible? Our latest podcast features New Testament Scholar and Theologian NT Wright and Harvard Philosopher Sean Kelly, who discussed one of history's most influential books at The Veritas Forum at Harvard 2013. Download the full audio of this Forum on our website or subscribe t
Under God? | Michael Sandel & Jean Bethke Elshtain
April 28, 2017
Throughout our 25 year history, we've had the privilege of creating conversations between some of academia's giants and of modeling dialogue across difference at the heart of the university. The 2013 Veritas Forum at Harvard was a stunning example of this: a dialogue between University of Chicago po
Connecting Passion and Purpose | charity: water Founder Scott Harrison
April 14, 2017
In March, we launched our Veritas Cities Forums in Seattle, a series of events designed to foster a vibrant public square that invites globally-engaged leaders to confront life's biggest questions and pursue self-examined lives. We were fortunate enough to hear from charity: water founder, Scott Har
Disenchanted? | Tim Keller & Anthony Kronman at Yale
March 29, 2017
Two weeks ago, we hosted a Veritas Forum moderated by Willie Jennings at Yale with Tim Keller and Anthony Kronman, former Dean of the Yale Law School and author of Confessions of a Born-Again Pagan. Naturally, the pairing of Kronman and Keller held the potential for a timely and thought-provoking di
The Closing of the Modern Mind | Tim Keller & Jonathan Haidt at NYU
March 2, 2017
Social psychologist and atheist public intellectual Jonathan Haidt and author and pastor Tim Keller are leading voices in their respective fields. On February 22, 2017, they sat down with Tamarie Macon at NYU for a discussion on religion, morality and pluralism.