Best C.S. Lewis Institute Podcasts (2025)

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The Will to Believe – Dr. Molly Worthen’s Story 1:20:11

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16h ago1:20:11

1:20:11

Molly Worthen is an academic, a historian of religion, a Yale-educated professor at UNC-Chapel Hill, and was an agnostic for decades. She studied Christianity, wrote about it, and even lived alongside devout believers. But belief itself? That always felt just out of reach. In this conversation, Molly shares how God gently disrupted her intellectual…

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Looking for Meaning – Allison Leonhardt’s story 55:55

20d ago55:55

55:55

Can reason, morality, and public good stand without God? Allison Leonhardt once thought so. An atheist from her teens, she was convinced religion was outdated, the Bible unreliable, and morality explainable through modern thought and politics. With The God Delusion in hand, she challenged religious teachers and built her worldview around science, s…

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Jewish Atheist Finds Jesus – Dr. David Shapiro’s Story 1:03:31

1M ago1:03:31

1:03:31

What would lead a Jewish man, raised in an Orthodox home, who didn’t even know who Jesus was, to become a Christian pastor, podcast host, and author of a book on the evidence for Christ? David Shapiro shares his unlikely journey from strict tradition to sincere faith. Growing up in Queens, New York, David was immersed in Jewish customs, Hebrew scho…

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The Mystery of Reality – Dr. Trevor Lohman’s story 1:02:26

2M ago1:02:26

1:02:26

What happens when a neuroscientist trained in rationalism begins to question the very worldview that shaped his career? Trevor Lohman is a clinical neuroscience researcher and author of God’s Eye View. Raised with a nominal faith and drawn early into the promises of scientific progress, Trevor embraced atheism with confidence. For years, he believe…

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The Revenge of Conscience & The Price of Vice 1:18:22

2M ago1:18:22

1:18:22

In this deeply profound panel hosted by the Thomistic Institute at UT Austin, two renowned philosophers — Dr. J. Budziszewski and Dr. Scott Roniger — dive into one of the most ancient and enduring questions in moral philosophy: Does vice carry its own punishment? With references ranging from Aristotle and Augustine to Dostoevsky and Shakespeare, th…

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Discovering Truth – Michael Lewis’s Story 54:44

2M ago54:44

54:44

What happens when a horror filmmaker, once a staunch atheist, sets out to disprove Christianity, only to be convinced by the evidence? Michael Ray Lewis, a filmmaker who once mocked Christians, dismissed the Bible as nonsense and devoured documentaries that tore down belief in God. But when his wife unexpectedly felt called back to Christ, Michael …

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Reasoning Requires Faith – Jeffrey Geibel’s Story 1:06:58

3M ago1:06:58

1:06:58

What happens when the pursuit of intellectual certainty leads not to clarity, but to doubt, and doubt, in time, leads back to faith? Jeffrey Geibel, a seasoned mathematics educator and former skeptic, shares a journey that challenges assumptions about belief, knowledge, and truth. Raised in a home where chaos, cultural Christianity, and moral contr…

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An Honest Search for God – Dr. Jay Medenwaldt’s Story 54:36

3M ago54:36

54:36

Show Notes: Why do people believe in God, or reject Him altogether? In this compelling episode, Dr. Jay Medenwaldt shares his intellectual and spiritual journey from atheism to belief. A social psychologist with a PhD from Baylor and a current professor at Northwestern College, Jay approached religion from a purely academic lens, interested in why …

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The Rationality of Marriage: Why It Matters More Than Ever 48:58

3M ago48:58

48:58

Marriage and family are often debated through emotional or religious lenses, but can we defend these institutions using reason alone? Dr. Owen Anderson, Professor of Philosophy and Religious Studies at Arizona State University, joins Dr. Marianna Orlandi on "What We Can't Not Talk About" to delve into the rational basis of marriage, friendship, and…

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Is There Something More? – Laura Zifer Powell’s story 1:09:31

4M ago1:09:31

1:09:31

Laura Zifer Powell seemed to be doing everything right. A top-tier student and Division I athlete at Duke University, she was driven, disciplined, and outwardly successful. But beneath the surface, something was missing. The more she achieved, the emptier she felt. And when a health crisis brought everything to a halt, the questions she had avoided…

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Chasing Proof, Finding Faith – Dr. Tom Rudelius’ Story 1:07:00

4M ago1:07:00

1:07:00

By Jana Harmon

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Why Am I Not Getting the Love I Want? 50:13

4M ago50:13

50:13

In this insightful episode of What We Can't Not Talk About, Dr. Matthew Breuninger joins us to unpack the complexities behind why many individuals struggle to find lasting love, despite their deep desire and determination. Hosted by the Austin Institute, this conversation delves beyond societal critiques to explore personal obstacles rooted in fami…

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Leaving Deception Behind – Vince Revo’s Story 56:01

5M ago56:01

56:01

“If there is a God… I’ll follow. I’ll serve. I’ll give my life to you.” Vince Revo is a former atheist who, like many, walked away from the faith of his childhood after encountering religious hypocrisy, unanswered questions, and deep personal pain. Raised amid church culture but overwhelmed by contradictions, Vince found atheism to be a more ration…

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Literature, Philosophy, and the Mystery of the Human Person: Dostoevsky and Plato Revisited 49:51

5M ago49:51

49:51

In this thought-provoking lecture, Dr. Scott Roninger explores the profound connections between literature, philosophy, and our understanding of human nature, focusing especially on Dostoevsky’s The Brothers Karamazov and Plato’s philosophical dialogues. Through Mark Twain’s reflections on mastering the Mississippi River, Roninger introduces the di…

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Believing is Seeing, A Scientist’s Journey to God – Dr. Michael Guillen’s Story 1:01:41

5M ago1:01:41

1:01:41

Can science and faith truly coexist? In this compelling episode of eXskeptic, Dr. Michael Guillen—Harvard physicist, former ABC News science editor, bestselling author, and once-devout atheist—shares his unexpected journey from scientific certainty to Christian faith. With three PhDs in physics, mathematics, and astronomy from Cornell, Dr. Guillen …

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Why Education Matters: Lessons from C.S. Lewis and the New School of Civic Leadership 41:20

5M ago41:20

41:20

In this episode of What We Can't Not Talk About, Marianna Orlandi continues exploring education, joined by Professor Justin Dyer, Dean of the School of Civic Leadership at the University of Texas at Austin. Together, they discuss the profound ideas of C.S. Lewis in his influential book, The Abolition of Man, and explore how modern educational insti…

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Natural Law as Hermeneutical, A Lecture with Dr. R.J. Snell 47:49

5M ago47:49

47:49

This episode is a recording of the lecture delivered on February 21st by Dr. R.J. Snell at Robert Rowling Hall at UT Austin. The natural law is generally presented as highly certain and universal in its first principles, as essentially known by all rational personals, even though the specifications of those principles to concrete actions is far les…

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The Heroism of Forgiveness: What We Learn from Dolly in Anna Karenina 1:11:40

5M ago1:11:40

1:11:40

In this powerful episode of What We Can't Not Talk About, host Marianna Orlandi welcomes Dr. Anna Bonta Moreland, theologian and professor at Villanova University, to explore the radical, uncomfortable, and ultimately redemptive virtue of forgiveness. Drawing on the character of Dolly from Tolstoy's Anna Karenina, Dr. Moreland shows how literature …

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Resisting God – Dr. John W. Taylor’s Story 1:10:24

5M ago1:10:24

1:10:24

Dr. John Taylor, a former atheist, once ardently dismissed the very concept of God, fearing it would cost him his autonomy. Growing up, John was exposed to the traditions of the Methodist church but found himself increasingly at odds with its teachings. As a teenager, he embraced atheism, fueled by skepticism towards religion and a belief that Chri…

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Education Can’t Be Neutral: A Discussion of Parental Rights in Education with Dr. Melissa Moschella 46:09

6M ago46:09

46:09

As parent-centric and state-centric visions of education do battle in American politics and academia, it is easy to lose sight of the fundamentals that underlie this conflict. In this episode, our host is joined by Dr. Moschella, fellow of the Austin Institute and champion of parental rights. Aiming at the center of this divisive topic, they discus…

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Living in Wonder – Rod Dreher’s Story 54:28

6M ago54:28

54:28

After transitioning from cultural Christianity to agnosticism, author Rod Dreher experienced profound encounters with the divine that reshaped his spiritual journey. In this episode, Rod shares pivotal moments that reignited his sense of wonder and enchantment, despite facing disillusionment and crises within the church. His quest for spiritual dep…

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From Addiction to Freedom – Bill Scott’s Story 51:56

6M ago51:56

51:56

Raised in a politically charged, largely non-religious household in Kentucky, Bill found himself embracing atheism through his teenage years, driven by hedonistic pursuits and a disdain for religious beliefs. His life appeared to follow a promising path in political activism until it spiraled into drug addiction and legal troubles, culminating in a…

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Metaphysical Boredom in an Empire of Desire, with Dr. RJ Snell 41:08

6M ago41:08

41:08

This episode is a recording of the lecture delivered on February 20th by Dr. R.J. Snell at the University Catholic Center of UT Austin. While the term acedia may be unfamiliar, the vice, usually translated as sloth, is all too common. Sloth is not mere laziness, however, but a disgust with reality, a loathing of our call to be friends with God, and…

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Can We Prove that God Exists? 9:59

6M ago9:59

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By C.S. Lewis Institute

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Truth Exists, Einstein Wasn’t a Genius, and Trump May Not Be the Devil with Dr. Alberto Martínez 49:24

7M ago49:24

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In this episode, Dr. Alberto Martínez, a distinguished professor of history at The University of Texas at Austin, joins Dr. Orlandi to discuss myths in the history of science and the distortion of truth in modern media. In particular, they focus on the myth of Einstein's genius and the media’s distortion of President Trump’s words. Throughout, they…

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Jeremy Begbie and Abundantly More 39:52

7M ago39:52

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Our world has been shaped by reductionism, the view that everything can be reduced to something - matter, molecules, or motives. So nothing is sacred. Our Christian faith says the exact opposite. And the arts can fight against reductionism.By C.S. Lewis Institute

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Truth Seeker – Dr. Larry Sanger’s Story 1:12:56

7M ago1:12:56

1:12:56

In this episode, we’re joined by Dr. Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, esteemed philosopher, and passionate advocate for truth-seeking. Raised in a religious environment, Larry’s journey evolved from childhood faith to agnosticism, fueled by his dedication to reason, evidence, and philosophical exploration. Through rigorous philosophical study…

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Different Kinds of Indoctrination or Truth-Seeking? On Education and Its Essence, with Dr. Rachel Alexander Cambre 49:48

7M ago49:48

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In this episode, Dr. Orlandi and Dr. Alexander Cambre get together to discuss the differences between that “indoctrinations” that too many schools have been accused of forcing upon students, and liberal education. What’s the essence of the latter, if any? And what did Solzhenitsyn, Tocqueville, and Aristotle have to say on this matter to help us, a…

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Pippa Cramer and The Hymns We Love 38:33

7M ago38:33

38:33

Many people grew up singing Christian hymns - but they don’t know what they’re singing about. What a great opportunity to tell them what these famous words mean. Pippa Cramer has built an entire outreach ministry around that premise. And God is blessing it immensely.By C.S. Lewis Institute

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Heather and Ashley Holleman and the Greatness of Conversation 37:54

7M ago37:54

37:54

We live in a conversation-starved time when loneliness is at epidemic levels. One way we can love people in the midst of this difficult age is to develop good conversation skills. Heather Holleman’s book The Six Conversations shows us how and, perhaps more importantly, why.By C.S. Lewis Institute

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Doubting after Faith – Dr. Bobby Conway’s Story 52:45

7M ago52:45

52:45

Dr. Bobby Conway shares with us as he talks about his tumultuous path, describing his former lifestyle marked by addiction, self-doubt, and relentless questions about existence and morality. Despite being academically inclined and climbing the ladder of theological education, he faced severe waves of skepticism that brought him to the brink of desp…

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Finding God through Science – Dr. Michael Houts’ Story 48:41

8M ago48:41

48:41

Dr. Michael Houts is an esteemed scientist with a rich background in mechanical and nuclear engineering and advanced propulsion systems for space exploration. Dr. Houts shares his journey of growing up outside the church with a strong belief in science, questioning the limitations of naturalistic explanations, and ultimately finding belief in God t…

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From Anti-Christian to Pastor – Brian Smith’s Story 55:31

8M ago55:31

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Brian grew up in a small Georgia town where religion wasn’t part of his upbringing, though he was surrounded by churches. Angry at the concept of God, he viewed religious beliefs as a way to escape the fear of death. In high school, he became an atheist but befriended a popular group of Christians. Although he criticized their beliefs to fit in and…