How can Catholics engage with Jordan Peterson’s ideas while remaining rooted in the faith?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais talks with Dr. Christopher Kaczor, Catholic philosopher, author, and Professor of Philosophy at Loyola Marymount University, about his book Jordan Peterson, God, and Christianity: The Search for a Meaningful Life. They explore how Peterson’s moral reading of scripture has sparked renewed interest in the Bible, even among atheists, and reflect on the universal relevance of stories like Cain and Abel. They also discuss the limits of Peterson’s theology and his ongoing journey of faith.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
• Ave Maria University website
• Dr. Christopher Kaczor’s personal website
• Dr. Kaczor's book Jordan Peterson, God, and Christianity: The Search for a Meaningful Life can be found here
• Dr. Christopher Kaczor on Amazon

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What does it mean to return to Catholicism and live out its truths in a political and cultural context?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Michael Knowles, host of The Daily Wire's The Michael Knowles Show and a prominent Catholic commentator, to explore his reversion to the Catholic faith after a decade of atheism. They discuss how reading the Gospels and engaging with intellectual arguments led Knowles to embrace Christ and the Church. They also cover the importance of the historicity of Christianity, the intersection of faith and politics, and the dangers of modern attempts to control speech.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
• Ave Maria University website
• Michael Knowles' official website
• The Michael Knowles Show on The Daily Wire
• Michael J. Knowles on Amazon

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Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can Catholics build meaningful relationships in an era of increasing loneliness and isolation?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Ray Guarendi, a clinical psychologist, Catholic author, and speaker, to explore practical approaches to fostering love and friendship. They discuss strategies for being present to others, balancing acceptance and honesty in challenging discussions, and living out Christian values to strengthen connections. Dr. Guarendi also shares his personal journey from atheism to Catholicism and offers guidance for young people navigating dating and relationships.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
• Ave Maria University website
• Dr. Ray Guarendi’s personal website
• Dr. Ray's published books on Sophia Institute Press

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What can we learn from the extraordinary friendship between Mother Teresa and Pope John Paul II? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais is joined by Patrick Novecosky, an award-winning author and speaker and the founder of NovaMedia, to discuss his upcoming book on two of the greatest modern-day saints. They discuss how both saints overcame profound personal suffering to become beacons of hope, transforming the 20th century through their faith in Jesus Christ and his witness to human dignity and divine mercy.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
• Ave Maria University website
• Patrick Novecosky’s website, which includes details about his books and publications.
• 100 Ways John Paul II Changed the World by Patrick Novecosky, his first book mentioned in the transcript.

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How does Jesus Christ transform the way we think about God? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Adam Van Wart, Associate Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, to discuss how the Incarnation makes God concretely present in human history, overcoming the human tendency to idolatry. Dr. Van Wart also explains how suffering acquires new meaning through Christ’s Cross and Resurrection, and shares insights from his personal journey from evangelical Protestantism to Catholicism.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle  (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
• Ave Maria University  website
• Dr. Adam Van Wart, Associate Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University

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How can Catholics integrate personal development practices with authentic faith?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais speaks with Matt Ingold, co-founder of Metanoia Catholic, about “baptizing” secular life coaching with Catholic theology. They discuss John Paul II’s Theology of the Body as a foundation for understanding human growth, the non-competitive relationship between grace and effort, and practical approaches to discovering your unique vocation while growing in holiness.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 
• Ave Maria University website
• Metanoia Catholic - Matt Ingold's organization that provides Catholic coaching 
• Catholic Coaching Podcast - Podcast hosted by Matt Ingold and his wife 
• Unrepeatable - Book recommended by Matt about personal vocation 

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Get more information about Ave Maria University!

Why is philosophy essential for understanding Catholic theology? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais interviews Dr. Steven Long, well-known theologian and Professor of Theology at Ave Maria University, about the relationship between philosophy and theology in the Catholic tradition. They discuss how the abandonment of realist philosophy has undermined theological truth, the importance of natural law for human flourishing, and Dr. Long’s experience championing Thomistic thought when it was largely dismissed in academic circles.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 
• Ave Maria University website
• Ave Maria University Faculty Page for Dr. Steven Long
• The Teleological Grammar of the Moral Act (2nd Edition) by Dr. Steven Long, published by Sapientia Press 
• Pontifical Academy of Saint Thomas Aquinas, where Dr. Long serves as an ordinary member 
• What Is Truth episode with Father Romano Cessario, a related Catholic Theology Show episode mentioned at the end 

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How can ancient wisdom help us find consolation and freedom in our distracted modern world? 

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Thomas Ward, Associate Professor of Philosophy at Baylor University, to discuss his book, After Stoicism: The Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher. The work examines St. Severinus Boethius’ Consolation of Philosophy, which offers a Christian alternative to Stoicism that acknowledges suffering while maintaining hope in Divine Providence. The conversation also explores the role of Boethius’s Christian faith as well as Ward’s intellectual journey and the enduring relevance of Boethius’ wisdom for contemporary readers facing life’s challenges.

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 
• Ave Maria University website
• Thomas Ward’s personal website, which includes details about his publications and essays. 
• Thomas Ward on Amazon, where you can find his book, After Stoicism: The Last Words of the Last Roman Philosopher.
• Word on Fire Academic, publisher of After Stoicism where you can read the first chapter for free.

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How did Thomas Aquinas read and interpret the Bible?

Today, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Jason Paone, editor of Word on Fire Academic, to discuss two new books exploring Aquinas’ commentaries on the New and Old Testaments. They examine Aquinas’ deeply Christocentric approach to Scripture, his understanding of the Bible through God’s plan of creation and restoration, and the theological richness of his biblical works.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community) 
• Ave Maria University website
• Word on Fire Academic, where Dr. Jason Paone serves as editor
• Thomas Aquinas: Selected Commentaries on the New Testament, edited by Dr. Jason Paone
• Thomas Aquinas: Selected Commentaries on the Old Testament, edited by Dr. Jason Paone

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Get more information about Ave Maria University!

How can Christians come to recognize the mystery of the Trinity as intelligible?

In this conversation, Dr. Michael Dauphinais sits down with Dr. Gerald Boersma, Professor of Theology and Director of the Theology M.A. Program at Ave Maria University, to explore Augustine’s De Trinitate. They discuss how it defends orthodox Trinitarian doctrine, presents the Trinity as a journey toward the vision of God, and shows how the Incarnation of Christ enables humans to ascend to divine knowledge. Throughout their discussion, they emphasize that Augustine’s work isn’t merely theoretical speculation but rather a spiritual journey, inviting readers to understand how the Trinity reveals God’s plan for human salvation and the renewal of humanity in Christ’s image.

Resources: 

• Annunciation Circle (Ave Maria University Monthly Giving Community)
• Ave Maria University website
• Dr. Gerald Boersma's Ave Maria University Faculty Page
• St. Augustine's complete work on the Trinity: De Trinitate (On the Trinity)
• Previous episode with Dr. Boersma: Catholic Theology Show on Augustine's Teaching on Grace

Help support this podcast and Our Lady's University by joining the Annunciation Circle!

Get more information about Ave Maria University!