Conversatio: A Podcast by Belmont Abbey College

Dr. Mark Hansen and Dr. Clark Summers of Belmont Abbey College examine the operation that removed Nicolás Maduro from power and what it reveals about Venezuela’s regime, narco-trafficking networks, and U.S. strategic aims. They discuss the military precision of the raid, the legal rationale behind it, and why the regime’s deeper structures may remain intact even after Maduro’s fall. The conversation also explores the broader geopolitical message sent to Russia, China, and Latin America—and why real change inside Venezuela may still be a long way off.

Dr. Thomas Varacalli sits down with Michael Maibach, Distinguished Fellow at Save Our States and former Vice President of Global Government Affairs at Intel, to examine the origins and enduring purpose of the Electoral College.

Fr. Gregory Pine reflects—half playfully, half seriously—on the question: “Is it a sin to dominate conversation?” Starting with St. Augustine’s definition of sin and moving through natural law and the human call to communion, he argues that conversation isn’t just “talk,” but a real way we share life with one another.

If you’ve ever wondered whether you talk too much (or how to draw others out without forcing it), this is a thoughtful, funny, and surprisingly practical meditation on what it means to relate well—humanly and Christianly.

Franciscan friar and Breaking in the Habit creator Fr. Casey Cole joins Belmont Abbey College’s Morgan Alemy to talk about evangelizing in today’s world—especially in a culture where many people have never met Jesus at all. They discuss the friars’ new ministry in Charlotte, the power of presence and relationship, and why a welcoming tone matters more than argument. From “ask us anything” street conversations to prayer as a simple first step, Fr. Casey offers practical wisdom for anyone who wants to share the faith with humility, mercy, and joy.

Dr. Joe Wysocki, provost of Belmont Abbey College, sits down with Patrick Reilly, president of the Newman Guide, to discuss the renewal of Catholic education—from K–12 through graduate programs. Reilly shares his own journey, the origins of the Cardinal Newman Society, and why truly Catholic schools form students with joy, confidence, and inner peace. They also tackle the growing skepticism about college and what faithful Catholic institutions must do to clearly communicate their value today.

Dr. Thomas Varicalli sits down with historian Dr. Wilford McClay—author of Land of Hope and professor at Hillsdale College for a wide-ranging Constitution Day conversation. They explore why America remains worth celebrating, how its founding ideals took root in a real people and place, and what citizens must know to sustain ordered liberty. Dr. McClay also shares insights from writing Land of Hope and offers essential reading for anyone seeking to understand the American story.

Attorney and author Kimberly Begg, president of the Clare Boothe Luce Center for Conservative Women and author of Unbreakable: Saints Who Inspired Saints to Moral Courage, joins our host, a Belmont Abbey College criminal justice professor and attorney, to talk about forming courageous young women in a hostile culture. They discuss why so many college women hide their convictions, how mentorship and authentic Catholic womanhood can counter that pressure, and how the stories of the saints can shape families, imaginations, and moral courage. Whether you’re a parent, educator, or young woman yourself, this conversation offers practical hope and a higher vision of what it means to be a woman today.

Writers John Troll and Ben Capitan join the Abbey Podcast to discuss the creation of their original play Passion’s End. This past Summer Ben and John performed their play as a part of the Adeodatus conference hosted at the Abbey. Their conversation spans their shared roots at Thomas Aquinas College, their creative partnership, and the role of theater in forming the human soul, they explore how storytelling can illuminate faith, beauty, and hope in a divided world.

Cardinal Gerhard Müller, former Prefect of the Congregation for the Doctrine of the Faith, reflects on his vocation, his friendship with Pope Benedict XVI, and the challenges facing the Church today—from artificial intelligence to cultural confusion. Speaking with Abbot Placid Solari, the Cardinal offers a profound vision of faith and reason in harmony, the dignity of the human person, and the universal mission of the Church in the modern world.

Belmont Abbey’s former men’s coach John Keating sits down with Ken Lolla and Robbie Church, two nationally renowned college soccer coaches who both got their start at Belmont Abbey College. Together they chat about leadership, culture, and life after the whistle. They revisit their Belmont Abbey years, share the rituals and habits that built winning programs, and reflect on legacy, faith, and relationships. Along the way, they tackle today’s challenges—recruiting, retention, and the transfer portal, and what it really takes to build teams that last.