The Veritas Forum
The Veritas Forum podcast shares in-depth recorded lectures and dialogues from Veritas Forum events held at universities. It brings together students, faculty, and campus ministers to explore questions of truth, meaning, and faith from a Christian perspective while welcoming diverse viewpoints. Episodes are drawn from archives spanning years of forums, with show notes directing listeners to veritas.org for more information. The program emphasizes thoughtful, generous conversation about the ideas that shape our lives.
Episodes
Is Christianity Divisive? | Tim Keller
Today’s episode reckons with a common question about Christianity today: Are its truth claims too exclusive for a pluralistic and democratic society?You’ll hear from the late Tim Keller, pastor of Redeemer Presbyterian Church in New York City and author of best-selling books like The Reason for God. In this talk, he unpacks five ways people try—and fail—to deal with the divisiveness of religion, a
If God is Good, Why is There Pain and Suffering? | Sean McDowell & Paul Rinzler
In today's episode, a Christian professor and an atheist professor grapple with a timeless question: if God is good and all-powerful, why is there so much suffering? You'll hear from Sean McDowell, Professor of Christian Apologetics at Biola University, and Paul Rinzler, Professor Emeritus at Cal Poly. In this conversation, moderated by Brooklyn Perry, they explore whether a divine plan can accoun
The "Grind": Meaningful or Meaningless? | Lydia Dugdale & James Valentini
In today's episode, a physician and a former college dean grapple with "grind culture." You'll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a professor of medicine at Columbia, and James Valentini, a chemistry professor and a former dean of Columbia College. In this conversation, moderated by Seth Freeman, they discuss the difference between meaningful work and meaningless striving, what it looks like to live with th
When Will I Be Satisfied? | Arthur Brooks & Andrew Huberman
In today's episode, our speakers explore this question: How can I live a satisfied life? You’ll hear from Arthur Brooks, a professor at Vanderbilt and author of The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness. He’s in conversation with Andrew Huberman, professor at Stanford School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Labs podcast. In this conversation, they explore what it means t
MIT Professors on Success and What Really Matters | Cullen Buie & Desirée Plata
In today's episode, two MIT professors reflect on this question: In an academic culture obsessed with making a name for yourself, what does it look like to care about something bigger than your own success?You'll hear from Desirée Plata, an environmental engineering professor at MIT, and Cullen Buie, a mechanical engineering professor at MIT. In this conversation moderated by Mia Chung, they discu
What Science Can (And Can't) Tell Us | David Lahti & Michael Weisberg
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
Are We Living in the Best of All Possible Worlds? | Lennox & Lowenstein
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 outlan
Questioning Christianity: A Professor's Journey from Skepticism to Faith | Molly Worthen
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 m
Why the Resurrection Changes Everything (If It's True) | N. T. Wright & Shelly Kagan
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 live
The Messiness of Meaning | Satyan Devadoss & Stuart Firestein
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 ca
Do Christians Have a Stronger Claim on Morality than Atheists? | John Hare & Peter Singer
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 prof
Lewis, Tolkien, & Friendship | John Hendrix
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
Can Faith Make Sense of Suffering? | Meghan Sullivan & John Stuhr
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 philos
Becoming Alive in a Dehumanizing World | Rowan Williams & Chigozie Obioma
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
Is Religion for Everyone? | Ross Douthat & Damon Linker
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 col
God Might Be Real—But Is He Personal? | Tim Keller & Anthony Kronman
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’
That's a Wrap! Best Episodes from 2025 + Sneak Peek at 2026
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
Beyond Prescriptions: How Physicians Can Help Suffering Patients | Lydia Dugdale & Michael Menchine
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 p
Success, Silicon Valley, & Fulfillment | Pat Gelsinger & John Hennessy
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
Miracles: How Skeptical Should We Be? | Sean McDowell & Paul Rinzler
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 P
Why Education is About More Than Grades | Angel Adams Parham & Roosevelt Montás
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 ep
What Makes Humans Unique? | Praveen Sethupathy & Scott Aikin
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 ex
How a Philosopher Found Christianity, and Why She Still Believes | Meghan Sullivan
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.
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Christianity and the Basic Assumptions All Scientists Make | John Lennox
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 to
Politics, Faith, & Hope: Two Perspectives | Michael Wear & Hahrie Han
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.
Is Hope Naïve in a World Like Ours? | Esau McCaulley & Gary Saul Morson
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 Coalit
Suffering, Belief, & the Search for Meaning | Ross Douthat & Frank Bruni
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
An MIT Professor's Unconventional View of Success | Cullen Buie
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
Identity, Evil, and Hope: Two Perspectives on Big Questions | Wright & Maibom
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
Is Justice Possible in a World Like Ours? | David Skeel
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
Beethoven, Faith, & Suffering: A Musical Journey | Mia Chung-Yee
In today’s episode, a concert pianist and Beethoven scholar takes us on a musical journey through the life of one of history’s greatest composers.
You’ll hear from Mia Chung-Yee, an accomplished musician and faculty member at the Curtis Institute of Music. In this lecture and performance, she tells the story of Beethoven’s struggle with deafness and explores the connection in his music betw
Two Scientists Share Stories of Awe & Wonder | Sethupathy & Hecht
In today’s episode, two scientists with different spiritual worldviews explore this question: How can science and spirituality co-exist?
You’ll hear from Praveen Sethupathy, a genomics professor at Cornell, and Michael Hecht, a chemistry professor at Princeton. In this conversation, they explore what science and spirituality can learn from one another and how they experience wonder in their
Can We Pick and Choose Our Beliefs? | Muehlhoff & Barrett
In today’s episode, two professors with different approaches to faith discuss the question: Can I be spiritual but not religious?
You’ll hear from Tim Muehlhoff, a professor of communications at Biola University, and Elizabeth Barrett, a lecturer in psychology at California Polytechnic State University (Cal Poly). They discuss their spiritual and religious worldviews, how they define spirit
What to Do With Limited Time | Lydia Dugdale & Timothy Bono
In today’s episode, two professors discuss how we should live when facing limited time. What does it mean to live each day like it’s your last? Is that a bad idea?
You’ll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a medical ethicist at Columbia, and Timothy Bono, a psychologist at Washington University in St. Louis (WashU). They explore why considering our mortality is important for living well and what prac
Looking for More: Two Professors on Religion & Transcendence | Smith & Fischer
In today’s episode, two professors explore questions like: Is there more to life than meets the eye? Or, what do we turn to when we face challenging circumstances?
You'll hear from Jamie Smith, a philosophy professor at Calvin University, and Ted Fischer, an anthropology professor at Vanderbilt. In this conversation moderated by a Vanderbilt student, Isabella Gomez, they discuss the desire
Christian & Atheist Views on Human Uniqueness | Swamidass & Langland-Hassan
In today’s episode, a Christian and an atheist engage in a wide-ranging discussion about what makes humans special. Are we just advanced animals or part of a larger story with a beginning, middle, and end?
You’ll hear from Joshua Swamidass, a professor of biomedical engineering at Washington University in St. Louis, and Peter Langland-Hassan, a philosopher at the University of Cincinnati. I
That's a Wrap! Best Episodes of 2024
We’ve made it to the end of another amazing year on the podcast — all thanks to you, our listeners! We loved exploring the ideas that shape our lives with you this year!
In this episode, Seth (our podcast host and video producer at The Veritas Forum) shares some stats from the podcast in 2024 and our top three episodes of the year. We feature excerpts from Molly Worthen (UNC), Jonathan Haid
A Case for Believing in Miracles | John Lennox
During the Christmas season, we love experiencing wonder and magic. Santa Claus, presents, Christmas music, and twinkling lights make us feel the “Christmas spirit.”
But Christians believe the ultimate Christmas wonder was a baby. A miracle. God became human. Something so unlikely and incredible that it altered the world forever.
In today’s episode, you’ll hear Oxford mathematician John Lennox exp
Literature, Meaning, & Faith | Lori Branch
In today’s episode, an English professor explores the question of meaning. What compels us to look for meaning? And, is meaning found within ourselves or outside of ourselves?
You’ll hear from Lori Branch, an English professor at the University of Iowa. In this talk, she explores why we seek meaning, how we find meaning in our relationship with others, and how her Christian faith fulfills h
Why You Should Embrace Being Wrong | Buie & Gleiser
In today’s episode, two professors discuss this question: Why is it so hard to admit when we don’t know something? And why does it matter in the academic environment?
You’ll hear from Cullen Buie, professor of biological engineering at MIT, and Marcelo Gleiser, professor of physics and astronomy at Dartmouth. In this conversation, moderated by Hannah Eagleson (Emerging Scholars Network, Int
Hey Siri, How Do I Find Myself? A Conversation on Spirituality & Technology | Haidt & Crouch
It’s not hard to figure out what to do with our phones. But what is hard to figure out is what our phones are doing to us.
Today’s speakers have written a lot about this topic. The first speaker is Jonathan Haidt, a social psychologist at NYU and author of, The Anxious Generation, which has topped the New York Times bestseller list for 27 weeks in a row. In dialogue with Jon is Andy Crouch,
What's the Point of Pluralism? | Tim Keller
It’s election season in America, and that brings a lot of questions about how we interact in the public square. How do we disagree respectfully across our differences? What do we do with competing truth claims in a pluralistic society?
In today’s episode, you’ll hear pastor and author Tim Keller (1950 — 2023) discuss these questions. Tim lays out a brief history of pluralism in America, fou
Physics, Beauty, and God | Ard Louis
In today’s episode, a physicist explores this question: Where do you see beauty in the world, and does it point to a higher purpose?
You’ll hear from Ard Louis, a professor of theoretical physics at Oxford. Ard shares why he finds his research beautiful, where he believes the laws of nature come from, and how his Christian worldview helps him make sense of science.
This forum was held at MIT in 20
Changing My Mind: A Skeptical Professor Meets a Surprising God | Molly Worthen
In today’s episode, you’ll hear the story of Molly Worthen. As a journalist and historian at UNC, Molly has written about Christians for years as an outsider. But in this conversation, she shares how something unexpected happened to her recently: she became one.
Molly talks with Lorien Foote, a history professor at Texas A&M. They explore Molly’s worldview before becoming a Christian, the evid
How Your Worldview Affects Your Life | Dallas Willard
Today’s episode is about worldviews. What is one? Do you have one? And, if so, how does it influence your daily life?
You’ll hear from Dallas Willard (1935 — 2013), a philosophy professor from USC. Willard explores how we can identify worldviews, why we should question ours, and how Jesus offers a unique and satisfying one.
This forum was held at UCLA in April 2003. Thank you to the forums team
Is Science the Only or Best Path to Knowledge? | Sethupathy & Rudge
In today’s episode, you’ll hear from two scientists as they discuss the topic of knowledge. Is scientific knowledge the only true form of knowledge? Or are there other equally valid ways of knowing?
You’ll hear from Praveen Sethupathy, professor of physiological genomics at Cornell, and David Rudge, professor of biological sciences at Western Michigan. Praveen and David discuss other forms of know
What Technology Can (And Can't) Do | Rosalind Picard & Joshua Knobe
Advances in artificial intelligence and computing technology are happening at breakneck speed. Yet even the best A. I. today still falls short. Whether it's a frustratingly unhelpful chatbot, the uncanny valley of immersive virtual reality, or the nonsensical answers of ChatGPT.
Are these glitches a short-term problem? Or is there something about human experiences that make them impossible to prog
More Than Just Okay? Religion, Purpose & Human Flourishing | Thompson & Strecher
The speakers in today’s forum engage with two main questions: What stories are you telling yourself? And how can you learn to tell better ones?
You’ll hear today from practicing psychiatrist Curt Thompson and Health Behavior and Health Education professor Victor Strecher (UMichigan). Curt and Vic discuss what it looks like to tell better stories, the role community plays in storytelling, and what
Can Truth and Tolerance Coexist? | Volf & Pendakur
For many of the key issues today, it’s challenging to simply agree to disagree. Not only do we have serious differences in opinion and belief, but how we choose to act in light of them can have profound consequences.
How, then, should we live together? Is compromise a necessary component of community?
In a forum originally titled “Can Truth and Tolerance Coexist,” theologian Mi
Is the Grindset Mindset Working? | Dugdale & Fontaine
In college, it's common to feel the pressure to do everything—overload classes, join clubs, apply to internships, and more. But rarely do we stop to ask why. Behind all of our striving, what’s the purpose of our work anyway?
The speakers in this episode ask this question. You'll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a primary care physician and director of the Center for Medical Ethics at Columbia University,
The Opposite of Depression Is More Than Just Mental Health w/ David Carreon | Beyond the Forum
What if there was a way to alleviate the symptoms of depression in just five days by changing a person’s brain activity? Obviously, this kind of shift would radically change a person’s life, finally letting them find happiness and satisfaction.
Our guest today in this episode is David Carreon. He’s the co-founder of Acacia Clinic, a mental health clinic in Silicon Valley that uses a radically fast
Three Skills for Disagreeing Better in 2024 w/John Inazu | Beyond the Forum
One of our faculty partners and frequent Veritas Forum speakers, John Inazu (WUSTL), has a new book out — Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect.
His book isn’t about the election per se, but so many of his ideas and tools will be helpful this year. As November approaches, we'll have to decide not just who or what we will vote for, but how we w
What Mother Teresa Taught Me | Mary Poplin
It would be great if the world was a better place. More kindness and friendship. Less war and injustice. For “everything sad to become untrue” (to paraphrase Tolkien).
Our speaker in this episode is Mary Poplin (Claremont), and she cares about making the world a better place. In fact, she’s dedicated her life to it. Yet her dedication was challenged when she encountered so
Happier Doctor—Healthier Patient? | Arthur Brooks & Bernard Chang
We spend — on average — 90,000 hours of our life working. So it’s no wonder we want our jobs to bring us happiness. Yet, all too often, work doesn’t make us happy. Why is that? And is there anything we can do about it?
In this episode, we discuss just that.
You’ll hear from social scientist and New York Times bestselling author, Arthur Brooks (Harvard). Arthur talks
Are We Living in the Best of All Possible Worlds? | Lennox & Lowenstein
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 multiv
The Messiness of Meaning | Devadoss & Firestein
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 mess
Mental Health Takes a Village | Curt Thompson & Jill Stratton
The "group projects" of high school and college never fully go away. Even outside of the classroom, we still have to depend on people who may disappoint us, wade through tricky relational dynamics, and face goals that can’t be accomplished on our own.
One of the speakers in today’s episode invites us to embrace these group projects. In fact, he suggests that they're what
Has Science Made Spirituality Irrelevant? An Interfaith Discussion | Sethupathy & Shamoo
While the beginning of the year often inspires a hopefulness and expectancy for life, New Years isn’t all excitement and courage. For you personally, this year may be a continuation of past sickness, relational strife, or financial uncertainty. For listeners in the United States, 2024 is an election year — which may mean fractured friendships, families, and even communities of faith ..
That's A Wrap! Top Episodes of 2023
This year has been another incredible one for The Veritas Forum podcast — all thanks to you, our amazing listeners. Thanks for making The Veritas Forum podcast be in the top 1% of all podcasts worldwide.
In this episode, host Carley and special guest Seth share some top stats from the podcast in 2023 (300,000 listens!), discuss the recent changes to our format and release schedule, and coun
Can Truth Be Found Through Fantasy? | Madeleine L'Engle
This time of year, fantasy is in the air — tales of a red-nosed reindeer, a jolly North Pole resident, a virgin birth of God incarnate, and more.
In this episode, we explore the role of fantastic stories in our lives — and what believing in them can mean for us. You’ll hear from Madeleine L’Engle, the best-selling author of A Wrinkle in Time, in a Forum presentation at UC
Does Belief Need a Reality Check? | Sean McDowell & Matthew Vess
Sometimes belief can get you the job, secure the win, or help you make a difference. And, sometimes, belief doesn't seem to help at all. So, can we know which beliefs are worth believing in? And, when do we just need to take a leap of faith?
In today’s episode, our speakers wrestle with these questions. Psychology professor Matthew Vess (Texas A&M) is in dialogue with Sean McDowell
Is Faith More Than Fiction? | Meghan Sullivan & Sam Mitchell
In the US, more and more adults believe in “nothing in particular.” Recent surveys from Pew Research and the Associated Press suggest that around 30% of American adults are religiously unaffiliated, up 10% from a decade ago.
Surveys like these are helpful for religious belief in the abstract. But, when it comes to the questions and doubts you hold about your faith — or lack ther
Can we engineer a perfect world? | Tyler VanderWeele & Steven Pinker
Today, you may be wrestling with what "progress" means — whether it's in relation to your own journey, your family’s, or your community’s. What do you want? And how will you get there?
In this episode, two Harvard professors explore these questions. In this 40-minute Forum excerpt, you’ll hear first from Tyler VanderWeele, the director of Harvard’s Huma
What Gods Do We Believe in Now? | N.T. Wright
Much of our external circumstances differ from how they were 2,000 years ago — largely, to our benefit. However, our internal lives are surprisingly similar. Our desires for money, sex, and power — and the extreme lengths we’re willing to go to get them — remain.
In this episode, you’ll hear from best-selling author and New Testament Scholar, N.T. Wright (Oxford). He
Should You Be a Know-It-All? | Jonathan Feng
What would your life be like if you knew everything? While it would be nice to remember everyone’s names and not have to study for tests, knowing everything has its drawbacks, too. You’d no longer feel surprised, curious, or filled with wonder. And, you'd miss out on getting to know people, asking hard and big questions, and the joy of learning new things.
Our speaker today knows
I Could Be Happy, If Only... w/ Arthur Brooks | Beyond the Forum
Today’s guest has some unexpected news for you: being happy isn’t possible. Instead, he says, work towards being happy-er.
You'll hear today from social scientist, happiness scholar, and best-selling author Arthur Brooks (Harvard). We talk with Arthur about this journey towards happier-ness and discuss his new book with Oprah Winfrey called Build the Life You Want: The Art and Sci
Do You Ever Think About Dying? | Lydia Dugale & Susanna Siegel
Anthropologist Ernest Becker, in his Pulitzer Prize winning book, The Denial of Death, says that denying death is a necessary part of functioning in the world. It’s what inspires us to create culture, religion, and love, allowing us to avoid death and achieve immortality.
But perhaps there is another way — besides denial — to relate to death. What should our relationship with de
Where Is God in Places of Pain? | John Lennox
On November 8th, 2013, one of the most powerful tropical cyclones in recorded history hit the Philippines. Winds as high as 145 MPH tore through communities, causing $3B damage and killing over six thousand people.
A few weeks later, the Forum in this episode took place. The world was still grappling with what happened, wondering what meaning could be found in such a tragedy — or if there w
Searching for Proof, Finding Faith w/ Tom Rudelius | Beyond the Forum
Watching a few “how-to” videos on YouTube doesn’t make you an expert. To really know “how-to” change a tire, make puff pastry, or play the piano, you have to do it. Through experience, you discover new dimensions of your knowledge — from finding holes in your reasoning, to growing in flexibility and nuance, to even reassessing who you are and maybe even wha
What Our Genes Can (and Can't) Tell Us | Praveen Sethupathy
Do you remember your last biology class? Maybe it’s been decades since your junior year of high school. Or maybe you just went to lab last Thursday. But no matter what you do or don’t remember from biology, this episode is for you. Today, our speaker invites you to consider your biology — what you’re made of and why it matters.
In this Forum excerpt from March 2023, you&rs
What Can We Know about the Soul? | Miller & Byrne
There’s a sort of spark to life — moments that stir up something inside of us that we can’t explain. Maybe you've experienced this while playing with your dog, or singing along at a concert, or seeing the Northern Lights.
Perhaps these sparks are simply neurons firing, chemicals releasing, and muscles contracting. Or perhaps these sparks point to something like a soul, somet
It's Brain Science: Ethics, Purpose, and Our Complex Minds | Picard & Khosbin
If new and improved A.I. tools can write your next essay, create Picasso-style art, or produce a believable deep-fake, it’s fair to ask: Are we manufacturing human brains?
In this episode, we dive into the complexity of the human brain — and what this means for morality, meaning, and purpose. You’ll hear from Dr. Rosalind Picard (MIT Media Lab) and Dr. Shahram Khoshbin (Harvard
It's Time to Think More Deeply about A.I. | Swamidass & Wolf
A.I. is no longer the stuff of science fiction. From Siri and Alexa to Chat GPT, our world is now inundated with artificial intelligence. One senses that it’s time to think more deeply about A.I. — its implications and its assumptions.
In this episode, you'll hear an excerpt from a Forum event at Iowa State University from March 2023. Josh Swamidass (WashU), a medical doctor and c
Everything Sad Is Untrue w/ Daniel Nayeri | Beyond the Forum
Do the stories we tell about ourselves have the power to change us? Our guest today says they can.
To wrap up our season on meaning and purpose, we talk with author Daniel Nayeri. In his award-winning young adult novel, Everything Sad is Untrue, Daniel writes from the perspective of his twelve-year-old self, sharing the story of how he, his sister, and his mother immigrated from Iran to Edmond, O
Where Is God in Suffering? | John Lennox
For the religious believer and the atheist alike, the problem of evil and suffering is troubling. If there is a God, why does he allow so much evil? And if there isn’t a God, how can we say that anything is evil?
In this Forum event from 2014 at Harvard Medical School, Oxford mathematician John Lennox addresses one of the most challenging human questions: where is God in suffering
How Much Faith Is Enough? | Satyan Devadoss
What matters isn't how much faith you have, but what you're putting your faith in.
In this forum episode, University of San Diego mathematics professor, Satyan Devadoss, talks about how he trusts in Christianity for the same reasons that he trusts in quantum mechanics — not because he is has zero doubt about their veracity, but because he has faith that they are the best explanation
Encore | Hope for Our Loneliness Epidemic | Curt Thompson
Scholars, journalists, practitioners, and other thought leaders all agree — we’re facing a loneliness epidemic that’s as grave a threat to public health as obesity or substance abuse. Where do we go from here?
In this Forum from 2019 at the University of Minnesota, psychiatrist Curt Thompson discusses human flourishing and community. When it comes to mental health, he says, don&
Beyond the Forum | Three Questions That Change Every Teenager w/ Kara Powell
At every age, we ask questions of identity, community, and meaning — Who am I? Where do I belong? What is my purpose? But college students today are asking them with unique urgency and anxiety.
In today's episode, we interview Kara Powell, a researcher at Fuller Youth Institute and co-author of 3 Big Questions that Change Every Teenager. We discuss how young people can better determine
How to become failure-resilient | Charles Lee at Vanderbilt
Want to be successful? You might need to get better at failing.
In this episode, Charles Lee (Stanford) and Andy Van Schaack (Vanderbilt) explore what it takes to be failure-resilient. In this Forum from October 2022 at Vanderbilt, they discuss success, failure, and how we might find a resilient self-worth.
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Is College Worth It? | Nancy Hill & Rakesh Khurana at Harvard
With the average college student graduating with about $40,000 of student debt, you may be asking: Is college worth it?
To answer that question, though, you have to ask another question first: What’s college for?
In this Forum from April 2022, you’ll hear two Harvard professors — Nancy Hill and Rakesh Khurana — discuss the purpose of college, and whether or not the classr
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