The Benedictine Dialogues

Can AI Ever Be a Conscious Companion? Fr. Anselm Ramelow on Humanity, Friendship & Technology 12.05.2026 42min

Artificial intelligence can flatter our desires, guide us on DIY projects, console us in troubles, and even mimic the dead. But can it ever be a conscious companion? In this episode, Dr. Marielle Courtois is joined by Fr. Anselm Ramelow, who asked whether our obsession with artificial intelligence is really revealing a deeper crisis, that we have forgotten what a human being is. Before we ask what machines can become, we have to ask what kind of people we are becoming by depending on them. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

From Fame to Faith Through a Broken Statue | Kevin Matthews 31.03.2026 42min

Kevin Matthews is a Chicago radio legend whose comedy brought entertainment to millions. When his health crumbled, and his fame began to fade, Matthews discovered redemption in a discarded statue of Mary. He now travels internationally spreading Marian devotion to the broken. Matthews’ story is told in the documentary feature, Broken Mary. His travels have brought him all the way to the Vatican and his meeting with the pope has influenced the approval of a new title for the Blessed Mother, “Our Lady of the Broken.” Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

The Fellowship of LEWIS and TOLKIEN 05.03.2026 1t 5min

C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were the most powerful literary voices of the 20th century. The story of their unbreakable friendship is told in the five part documentary The Forge of Friendship by Eastgate Creative. We invited two of the filmmakers, Ralph Linhardt, and Kirk Manton, to sit down with Michael Coy, content production manager and associate professor for the Center for Catholic Media at Benedictine College. Listen in as they discuss the importance of collaboration, the drawbacks of AI filmmaking, and the amazing friendship of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

Catholics Lead the Way in Classical Education 17.02.2026 1t 6min

Classical education is pivotal in preparing students to transform the culture in America. And Catholic institutions like Benedictine College are leading the way. They deserve the best of organizational health, the spiritual life, and strong community among staff and faculty. We invited three experts to discuss these challenges and solutions. The college's Director of Graduate Programs and Classical Education, Krystyn Schmerbeck, our Dean of Students, Dr Joseph Wurtz and a special guest, Erik Twist, the president of Arcadia Education Group. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

What Pope Leo told me | Mike Sweeney of the Kansas City Royals 05.02.2026 23min

Mike Sweeney is a Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer, a 5 time MLB All-Star, and a former Benedictine College commencement speaker. He now serves in player development for the Royals and he was on campus to share his passion for the Catholic Faith and offer our students guidance in their spiritual and professional lives. Listen in as we discuss his spiritual journey, his advice to young athletes, and the message Pope Leo XIV personally shared with him to preach to the world. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

The Minimalist T.K. Coleman and his Catholic Faith | The Benedictine Dialogues 29.01.2026 47min

T.K. Coleman is a philosophical minimalist and a convert to the Catholic faith. He has personally coached thousands of people to unpack the baggage that weighs them down in their pursuit of a simpler, lighthearted life. Listen in as we discuss the power of prayer and scripture, the problem with emotional clutter, and the incredible grace he has received through the rosary and eucharistic adoration. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

Matt Fradd talks new book and new chapter of Pints with Aquinas 04.12.2025 45min

Matt Fradd is an internationally acclaimed evangelist, author, and podcast creator. He is the founder of Pints with Aquinas, the immensely popular podcast with almost 800,000 followers, which has just recently been picked up by the Daily Wire. He was on campus to speak to our students about his latest book, Jesus Our Refuge. We invited him to the studio to discuss the cultural landscape, the state of Catholicism, and his newest position as a voice for the Daily Wire. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

Can AI be good? | Dr. Paul Scherz and Dr. Mariele Courtois 20.11.2025 44min

Artificial Intelligence promises a massive shift in society, culture, and the human experience. How will the Church respond? To explore this topic in depth we brought on two contributors to ENCOUNTERING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, a book written in cooperation with the Holy See. Dr. Paul Scherz is the Our Lady of Guadalupe Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Mariele Courtois is an Assistant Professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Technology and Human Dignity at Benedictine College. Listen in as they discuss how the Church can navigate this new technological landscape. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

St John Henry Newman Becomes the Newest Doctor of the Church | Dr. Matthew Muller 27.10.2025 37min

Saint John Henry Newman is being inducted as a doctor of the church. So we asked Dr. Matthew Muller, who is an assistant professor of theology and the Director of the Symposium on Transforming Culture at Benedictine College, to come by the studio to discuss Newman’s life, ideas, and his lasting legacy in the Church. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts and Spotify https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ WATCH Arthur Brooks Convocation Speech https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGYYiK2cbr0&t=913s LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/ DONATE to one of the Great Catholic Colleges in America https://www.benedictine.edu/give

When Catholics Vote We Transform Culture | Kelsey Reinhardt 15.10.2025 24min

Kelsey Reinhardt is the president and CEO of CatholicVote, a nonprofit that advocates for Catholic principles in American politics. She was on campus to guest lecture for the president’s leadership class. So we invited her to the studio to discuss the work of CatholicVote and her insights on how Catholics can participate in political life. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite platform FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE. GIVE to one of the Great Catholic Colleges in America.

A Catholic Artist in Hollywood | Siobhan Fallon Hogan 02.10.2025 33min

Siobhan Fallon Hogan is an actress, comedian, writer, and producer known for her roles in Forrest Gump, Men In Black, Saturday Night Live, Seinfeld, and much more. She was on campus for a film screening of her newest movie, Shelter in Solitude, and guest lectured for our Department of Theatre and Dance. We asked her to visit the studio to discuss her career, projects, and offer advice to young filmmakers hoping to enter the industry.Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts and Spotify https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/

The Science of Faith and Happiness | Arthur C. Brooks 09.09.2025 39min

Arthur Brooks is a New York Times Best-Selling Author (Build the Life You Want, The Happiness Files) and Professor at Harvard School of Business. He was on campus at Benedictine College as the 2025 Convocation Speaker. He sat down with Dr. Jared Zimmerer to discuss his work on how to help people live a happy life through science and ideas. Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES. WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues LISTEN on Apple Podcasts and Spotifyhttps://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218 FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine Collegehttps://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/ LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGEhttps://benedictine.edu/

Advice for Men in the Modern World | Dr. John Bishop 15.05.2025 41min

Doctor John Bishop is the founder of FORGE, a ministry forming men in virtue. He is an alumnus of Benedictine, and was on campus for the Symposium on Transforming Culture here at Benedictine College, where he spoke about the great need to continue forming men of all ages in virtuous masculinity, in the image of Christ. I invited him to the studio to discuss the state of masculinity today, and many of the cultural dynamics that affect men.The Benedictine Dialogues is produced by The Center for Catholic Media at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. It hosted by Dr. Jared Zimmerer. Produced by Michael Coy.WATCH on YouTube: https://youtu.be/oBtr8ndHbQY https://media.benedictine.edu/podcasts/benedictine-dialogues INSTAGRAM @media.benedictine Benedictine College https://www.benedictine.edu/

Catholic Women in Leadership | Dr. Pia De Solenni 01.05.2025 33min

Pia de Solenni is an internationally recognized Catholic theologian and speaker. Her work has appeared in The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Catholic Register; she has appeared on CNN, ABC News, and other television programs. Solenni is an alumna of the Pontifical University of Saint Thomas Aquinas, Angelicum where she earned a Bachelor of Sacred Theology. On November 8, 2001, she received the 2001 Award of the Pontifical Academies for her doctoral work. The award was presented by John Paul II. Dr. de Solenni has served on the Family Research Council. Solenni has a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical University of the Holy Cross in Rome. https://media.benedictine.edu/podcasts/benedictine-dialogues INSTAGRAM @media.benedictine Benedictine College https://www.benedictine.edu/

How Great Books can Save Education | Bishop James Conley 24.04.2025 31min

Bishop James Conley serves as the Bishop of Lincoln, Nebraska. He has been a long-time champion of the study of the liberal arts, and the ways in which they enlighten both the mind and the soul. He was on campus to offer a lecture for the Sheridan Center for Classical Studies. So I invited him to the studio to continue the discussion on the great books, education and the human person. Sheridan Center for Classical Studies

Building a Community of Faith and Scholarship | Tom Hoopes 05.12.2024 37min

Tom Hoopes is the Vice President of College Relations at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Through his time at the college he has worked with the administration to create unprecedented growth at one of the best Catholic colleges in America.

Living the truth of the body in love | Fr. José Granados 14.11.2024 29min

Fr. José Granados is the Superior General of the Disciples of the Hearts of Jesus and Mary. He is a Co-founder and President of the Veritas Amoris Project. Listen in as he and Jared Zimmerer discuss challenges facing marriage today, the crisis of meaning in the culture, and the hope that Christ offers in his life and the Eucharist. To learn more about Benedictine College and schedule a campus visit, reach out to us at https://www.benedictine.edu/admission/visit The Benedictine Dialogues is a production of The Center for Catholic Media at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Benedictine College is transforming culture in America by educating men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

Alex Jones went from no faith to creating the most popular prayer app 24.10.2024 47min

Hallow is the most popular prayer app in the world and the most popular Catholic app. It offers audio-guided meditation sessions to help you grow in faith, peace, and a relationship with Christ. Listen in as I sit down with one of the co-founders and CEO of Hallow, Alex Jones. Where we discuss the origins of the idea for the app, Alex’s journey of faith, and the incredible growth since its inception. To learn more about Benedictine College and schedule a campus visit, reach out to us at https://www.benedictine.edu/admission... The Benedictine Dialogues is a production of The Center for Catholic Media at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Benedictine College is transforming culture in America by educating men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

Raising Kids In America Shouldn't Be This Hard | Timothy P. Carney 03.10.2024 49min

Tim Carney is a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute, a senior columnist at the Washington Examiner, and an author of numerous books including his latest, Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to Be. Listen in as Tim and Jared discuss the problems facing the American family today and the political, cultural, and economic structures at the root of those problems.To learn more about Benedictine College and schedule a campus visit, reach out to us at https://www.benedictine.edu/admission... The Benedictine Dialogues is a production of The Center for Catholic Media at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Benedictine College is transforming culture in America by educating men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

We need a new translation of Dante's Divine Comedy | Jason Baxter 20.09.2024 46min

Dr. Jason Baxter is the Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College. His written works include The Medieval Mind of C.S. Lewis and A Beginner’s Guide to Dante’s Divine Comedy, among others, and he is currently working on an original translation of Dante’s Divine Comedy with the Inferno to be released on September 22nd. His series on Dante's Divine Comedy can be viewed here: https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/... In this episode, he speaks with Dr. Jared Zimmerer on why beauty matters, the role of poetry in the formation of the soul, and the work of the Center for Beauty and Culture. To learn more about Benedictine College and schedule a campus visit, reach out to us at https://www.benedictine.edu/admission... The Benedictine Dialogues is a production of The Center for Catholic Media at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. Benedictine College is transforming culture in America by educating men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.