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 Douthat, a New York Times Opinion columnist and author of the new book, Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. He’s in dialogue with Frank Bruni, an opinion contributor at the New York Times and a professor of journalism and public policy at Duke. In this discussion, moderated by UNC historian Molly Worthen, Ross and Frank share their experiences with suffering, their perspectives on spirituality and religion, and their search for meaning throughout their lives.

This forum was held at UNC Chapel Hill in April 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. 

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 Christian faith helps him find an identity that isn’t founded on success or failure.

This forum was held at CalTech in 2015. Thank you to the University Partnerships team for making this event possible.