The Veritas Forum

At the Veritas Forum, we believe we were made to seek truth and be changed by it. We are a community of students, faculty, campus ministers, and more, who are pursuing a vision of the university that seeks and stewards truth and invites people of all backgrounds to explore the ideas that shape our lives. Since 1992, we’ve shared lectures and conversations with a firm belief that generous dialogue is essential for universities and the Christian faith alike.

In this podcast, we're pulling from our archives of recorded events. Learn more about each episode in the show notes and visit veritas.org to learn more about the mission of the Veritas Forum and join us as we explore the ideas that shape our lives.

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August 27 · 1 hr 25 min
When Will I Be Satisfied? | Arthur Brooks & Andrew Huberman
In today's episode, our speakers explore this question: How can I live a satisfied life? You’ll hear from Arthur Brooks, a professor at Vanderbilt and author of The Meaning of Your Life: Finding Purpose in an Age of Emptiness. He’s in conversation with Andrew Huberman, professor at Stanford School of Medicine and host of the Huberman Labs podcast. In this conversation, they explore what it means to find a fulfilling life through scientific and faith-based practices, as well as their own journeys with religious belief. The forum is moderated by Charles Lee, professor emeritus at Stanford. This forum was held by the Veritas at Stanford student organization in April 2026. Thank you to the Veritas at Stanford student organization for permission to co-release this recording. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
July 23 · length unknown
MIT Professors on Success and What Really Matters | Cullen Buie & Desirée Plata
In today's episode, two MIT professors reflect on this question: In an academic culture obsessed with making a name for yourself, what does it look like to care about something bigger than your own success? You'll hear from Desirée Plata, an environmental engineering professor at MIT, and Cullen Buie, a mechanical engineering professor at MIT. In this conversation moderated by Mia Chung, they discuss where ambition crosses into ego, how they order their priorities between faith, family, and work, and what sustains them through personal loss and professional pressures. This forum was held at MIT in March, 2026. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
June 25 · 50 min
What Science Can (And Can't) Tell Us | David Lahti & Michael Weisberg
In today’s episode, our speakers discuss this question: Is science the only reliable tool for understanding the world? Or for questions about meaning, morality, and ultimate purpose, do we need something more? You’ll hear from David Lahti, a biologist at Queens College, and Michael Weisberg, a philosopher at Penn. In this conversation, they explore the limits of scientific knowledge, how evolution intersects with questions of faith and suffering, and how their Christian and agnostic worldviews help them make sense of the difference between knowledge and faith. This forum was held at Penn in April 2026. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
May 7 · 29 min
Are We Living in the Best of All Possible Worlds? | Lennox & Lowenstein
The concept of a “multiverse” — formerly an obscure idea in philosophy and theoretical physics — is now mainstream. Movies like best-picture winner Everything Everywhere All at Once or Marvel’s Spider Man: Into the Spiderverse invite us into an expansive vision of the cosmos: one where there are infinite worlds, possibilities, and comparisons. Even though these multiverse films feature outlandish sci-fi story lines (like hot dog fingers), their characters wrestle with many of the same questions we do, like, are we living in the best possible world? In this episode, we discuss just that. You’ll hear from mathematician John Lennox (Oxford) and moderator Daniel Lowenstein (UCLA) in a Forum event at UCLA in 2015. Together, they explore the toughest questions surrounding our existence. What do we do in the face of tragedy? Why do we experience pain? And, if there is a God who created the world, why did he make it like this? Thank you to the Forum planning team at UCLA for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
April 23 · 1 hr 11 min
Questioning Christianity: A Professor's Journey from Skepticism to Faith | Molly Worthen
In today’s episode, historian Molly Worthen (UNC-Chapel Hill) discusses the most radical pivot of her life: becoming a Christian after years of religious skepticism. Moderated by psychology professor Thad Polk (University of Michigan), you’ll hear Molly’s story of journeying from doubt to faith. She explores how the historical claims of Jesus’ Resurrection, existential questions about meaning, and honesty about her doubts led her to the Christian faith. She also answers questions from the student audience about what her life has looked like after becoming a Christian. This forum was held at the University of Michigan in March 2026. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
April 9 · 1 hr 11 min
Why the Resurrection Changes Everything (If It's True) | N. T. Wright & Shelly Kagan
In today’s episode, a theologian and a philosopher explore what happens when we die. They discuss questions like, Is death the end, or is it the beginning of something new? And how do Christian claims about Jesus’ Resurrection change the way we think about death today? You’ll hear from N. T. Wright, a New Testament scholar at Oxford, and Shelly Kagan, a philosopher at Yale. In this lively conversation moderated by Columbia medical ethicist Lydia Dugdale, they explore death, the afterlife, Jesus’ Resurrection, and how our views on these subjects influence the way we live right now. This forum was held at Yale in 2014. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
March 19 · 36 min
The Messiness of Meaning | Satyan Devadoss & Stuart Firestein
Meaning can be straightforward — a red octagon means “Stop!”, a hand wave with a smile means “Hello,” or adding two and two equals four. But meaning is often more complicated — a friend saying they’ll eat “whatever” for dinner or a significant other texting, “We need to talk.” In this episode, our speakers invite you into the messiness of meaning — and discuss how best we can search for it. You’ll hear a conversation between mathematician Satyan Devadoss (U San Diego) and biologist Stuart Firestein (Columbia). Satyan and Stuart bring their scientific backgrounds and religious perspectives as they explore the role of reason in the search for meaning, what can and can’t be taken at face value, and what strategies can help us find truth — from the scientific method to literary analysis to religious tradition. This Forum was held at Columbia University in 2014. Thanks to the forums planning team at Columbia for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
March 5 · 55 min
Do Christians Have a Stronger Claim on Morality than Atheists? | John Hare & Peter Singer
In today’s episode, two moral philosophers explore our everyday ethical choices. Are your gut-level reactions about right and wrong a signal from a higher reality—or just a chemical reaction in your brain? And if God isn’t the foundation for our morality, do our values actually mean anything? In this throwback Veritas Forum, you’ll hear from Peter Singer, a philosopher and emeritus professor at Princeton, and John Hare, a philosopher at Yale. Drawing from their atheist and Christian worldviews, they explore where moral intuitions come from, whether morality can stand apart from religion, and how questions of happiness, suffering, and the life and teachings of Jesus shape their understanding of what it means to live well. You’ll hear both of their opening statements followed by an excerpt of their moderated discussion. This forum was held at MIT in 2010. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
February 19 · length unknown
Lewis, Tolkien, & Friendship | John Hendrix
On today’s episode, our speakers discuss the topic of friendship: what it looks like on a practical level and why it’s so important in our culture today. You’ll hear from John Hendrix, an author, illustrator, and art professor at Washington University in St. Louis. This forum focuses on John’s new graphic novel titled The Mythmakers, which tells the story of the friendship of J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis. In this conversation moderated by Pepperdine professor April Marshall, they explore how Lewis and Tolkien’s friendship fueled their greatest works and the importance of community in our daily lives. This forum was held at Pepperdine in April 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. As a heads up, there are a few visual aids in today’s episode that rely on John’s illustrations from his novel. To see them, watch the YouTube video here. Find additional resources and quotes from this forum here.
February 5 · 32 min
Can Faith Make Sense of Suffering? | Meghan Sullivan & John Stuhr
In today’s episode, two philosophers explore this question: How should we understand suffering? Is it simply the opposite of human flourishing, or is there a deeper meaning? And what does suffering mean for belief in a good God? You’ll hear from Meghan Sullivan, a philosopher at Notre Dame, and John Stuhr, a philosopher at Emory University. Drawing on both personal experience and philosophical commitments, they reflect on how Christian and naturalistic worldviews make sense of suffering in human life. This forum was held at Emory in April 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
January 29 · length unknown
Becoming Alive in a Dehumanizing World | Rowan Williams & Chigozie Obioma
In today’s episode, our speakers explore some core questions about what it means to be human: What are we made for? What is the role of suffering in our lives? And is there something beyond ourselves that can give us purpose? You’ll hear from Rowan Williams, a theologian and the former Archbishop of Canterbury, and Chigozie Obioma, a novelist and professor at the University of Georgia. Their conversation is moderated by Mia Chung-Yee, a former concert pianist and executive director of the Octet Collaborative at MIT. In this discussion, both speakers share how their Christian faith impacts their view of what it means to be human, and what it means to live “fully alive” in a dehumanizing world. This forum was put on in partnership with the Duke Initiative on Theology and the Arts and was held at the Carolina Theater of Durham in September 2025. Find additional resources and quotes from this forum here.
January 15 · 1 hr 14 min
Is Religion for Everyone? | Ross Douthat & Damon Linker
Talking about religion can feel outdated, close-minded, or just irrelevant. Yet for thousands of years, humans have been a religious species looking beyond ourselves in search of meaning. So should religion still matter today? And is it simply a coping story, or could it point to something real? In today’s episode, you’ll hear from Ross Douthat, a New York Times opinion columnist and author of Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. He’s in dialogue with Damon Linker, a lecturer in political science at Penn and creator of the Notes from the Middleground Substack. In this conversation moderated by Penn Law professor Karen Tani, they share their own Christian and agnostic worldviews and explore their thoughts on truth, religious experience, and committing to a religion in a pluralistic society. This forum was held at the University of Pennsylvania in November 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
Dec 18, 2025 · length unknown
God Might Be Real—But Is He Personal? | Tim Keller & Anthony Kronman
The Christmas season, at its heart, is about giving. We spend days—even weeks—searching for thoughtful, personalized gifts to bring joy to those we love. For Christians, the ultimate gift was given on Christmas: God becoming human in Jesus. This wasn’t an abstract idea, but a deeply personal act—one that changed the world forever. In today’s episode, you’ll hear a conversation between pastor and author Tim Keller (1950 — 2023) and Yale law professor Anthony Kronman about gifts, grace, and gratitude. Drawing from their Christian and humanist worldviews, they explore the character of God and reflect on how our understanding of the divine—personal or not—shapes the way we live today. This forum was held at Yale in 2017. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
Dec 11, 2025 · 17 min
That's a Wrap! Best Episodes from 2025 + Sneak Peek at 2026
We’ve reached the end of another amazing year on the podcast — all thanks to you, our listeners! In 2025, we had over 100,000 listens and over 6 million YouTube views across 140 different countries. We’re so grateful for the thousands of you who listen to the podcast and watch our forums online every week. In this episode, Seth (our podcast host and Senior Media Manager at The Veritas Forum) shares some stats from the podcast in 2025 and our favorite three episodes of the year. We feature excerpts from Esau McCaulley (Wheaton), Gary Saul Morson (Northwestern), Angel Adams Parham (UVA), Roosevelt Montás (Bard), and Ross Douthat (NYTimes). Links to the full episodes featured in this wrap-up episode can be found here.
Nov 20, 2025 · length unknown
Beyond Prescriptions: How Physicians Can Help Suffering Patients | Lydia Dugdale & Michael Menchine
In today’s episode, two physicians explore the problem of suffering in medicine. They address questions like: What does it mean to care for those who suffer? And what would it take to restore dignity to every patient interaction? You’ll hear from Lydia Dugdale, a primary care physician and medical ethicist at Columbia, and Michael Menchine, an emergency care physician and professor at the University of Southern California. In this conversation, they reflect on the role of clinicians in caring for patients, how our healthcare system can better respond to personal suffering, and explore how their religious and nonreligious worldviews help them make sense of suffering. This forum was held at USC in May 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
Nov 6, 2025 · length unknown
Success, Silicon Valley, & Fulfillment | Pat Gelsinger & John Hennessy
In today’s episode, two Stanford leaders open up about the personal costs and course corrections in their professional lives. Is it possible to lead with integrity and still compete at the highest level? And what do you hold onto when you fail? You’ll hear from John Hennessy, the former president of Stanford, and Pat Gelsinger, the former CEO of Intel. In their conversation moderated by Stanford student Elli Schulz, they share their stories of finding purpose in the middle of failures, explore the intersection of their Christian faith and work, and offer their thoughts about pursuing meaning in your career. This forum was held by the Veritas at Stanford Club in April 2025. Thank you to the Veritas at Stanford Club for permission to co-release this recording. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
Oct 23, 2025 · length unknown
Miracles: How Skeptical Should We Be? | Sean McDowell & Paul Rinzler
In today’s episode, an atheist and a Christian explore the plausibility of miracles. Do miracles actually happen? What kind of evidence supports them? And if they do occur, how should that shape the way we live today? You’ll hear from Sean McDowell, a professor of apologetics at Biola, and Paul Rinzler, professor emeritus at Cal Poly. In this conversation moderated by Cal Poly professor Todd Long, they explore why miracles are so hard to believe and what’s ultimately at stake if miracles, like the Resurrection, are real. This forum was held at Cal Poly in May 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
Oct 9, 2025 · length unknown
Why Education is About More Than Grades | Angel Adams Parham & Roosevelt Montás
In today’s episode, two professors reflect on what a college education is really for. Is it just about mastering content—or can it shape who we’re becoming and how we live? And what is the role of religious texts in this formative process? You’ll hear from Roosevelt Montás, a professor of American Studies at Columbia, and Angel Adams Parham, a sociologist at UVA. In this episode, moderated by Columbia professor Dhananjay Jagannathan, they explore what a liberal arts education is, what we get wrong about college today, and why the university is an essential place to ask some of life’s biggest questions about meaning, purpose, and what we believe. This forum was held at Columbia University in April 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
Sep 25, 2025 · length unknown
What Makes Humans Unique? | Praveen Sethupathy & Scott Aikin
In today’s episode, a scientist and a philosopher explore what it means to be human. Is our distinctiveness rooted in biology, consciousness, or something more? And why have humans always been curious about this question? You’ll hear from Praveen Sethupathy, a genomics professor at Cornell, and Scott Aikin, a philosophy professor at Vanderbilt. In this conversation, they explore the question of human uniqueness and whether our desire for meaning is tragic or part of a larger story. This forum was held at Vanderbilt in February 2025. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.
Sep 11, 2025 · length unknown
How a Philosopher Found Christianity, and Why She Still Believes | Meghan Sullivan
In today’s episode, a philosopher explores this question: Is belief in God irrational? You’ll hear from Meghan Sullivan, a philosophy professor at the University of Notre Dame. In this talk, she explores what led her to become a Christian in college, how she responds to common objections about her faith, and why she thinks it’s rational to believe in Christianity. This forum was held at Middlebury College in 2016. Thank you to the student planning team for making this event possible. Find additional resources and quotes on the podcast episode page here.

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