Why does a 40-year-old + film about two men talking feel like the cinematic antidote we need most in 2025? In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, hosts Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into Louis Malle's 1981 masterpiece My Dinner with Andre—a film consisting almost entirely of one extended conversation between two friends over dinner—and argue why it stands as the greatest film of our meaning-starved age. In an era dominated by distraction, superficial spectacle, and a widespread crisis of purpose, this quiet, dialogue-driven film prophetically diagnoses the spiritual emptiness of modern life. Wallace Shawn and André Gregory's raw, meandering exchange touches on existential alienation, the numbing comforts of technology, the loss of authentic human connection, and the desperate search for transcendence—issues that resonate even more deeply in our digital, post-Christian world today. From a perspective of Christian hope, Andrew and Robert explore how the film's unflinching confrontation with despair points toward the need for a greater hope: one rooted not in fleeting experiences or material progress, but in the encounter with the living God who redeems our restlessness.

This is an in-depth conversation with philosopher D.C. Schindler, author of the forthcoming article "The Crisis of Authority" in Communio. In this episode, Robert Mixa and D.C. Schindler discuss the profound erosion of authority in Western society, its ties to liberalism's promises and pitfalls, and the rising tide of postliberal reactions. Schindler delves into the essential distinction between authority and mere power, arguing that true authority translates transcendent truth into the immanent realm with the memory of ultimate things. Drawing on thinkers like Augusto del Noce, Hannah Arendt, and Byung-Chul Han, we discuss how modern politics, by reducing governance to practical matters and bracketing out metaphysical truths, has left us vulnerable to counterfeits and a deeper human crisis. From the Roman roots of "auctoritas" to the Christian synthesis of Jerusalem, Athens, and Rome, Schindler offers a timely reflection on the nature of authority, asking what it is in reality.

The numbers are brutal and undeniable: 60 percent of Gen Z men are single, and suicide rates among young males have quadrupled since 1980. Scott Galloway’s new book, Notes on Being a Man, sounds the alarm on purpose and fatherlessness, while desperate young men drift toward Nick Fuentes’ rage and Andrew Tate’s hustle, chasing shadows after the Liver King scandal exposed the hollowness of steroid-fueled alpha myths. Helen Andrews’ essay, “The Great Feminization,” diagnoses a culture that neuters boys, and Walter Ong’s Fighting for Life reveals how competition and ritual once forged men into protectors and providers. In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa cut through the noise to ask where Christian Humanism offers a truer path: raising sons who reject screens, sin, and self-destruction for virtue, brotherhood, and mission.

In this episode, we interview Dr. Richard DeClue about his article “Eucharistic Ecclesiology” in the Encyclopedia of Catholic Theology. We discuss how the Eucharist defines the Church’s identity, unity, and mission, and explore key points from his work. Topics Covered: 1. What is Eucharistic Ecclesiology? 2. The Eucharist’s role in the Church 3. The hierarchical structure of the Church 4. The mission of the Church

In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, we welcome Dr. Larry Chapp—theologian, author, and founder of the Dorothy Day Catholic Worker Farm—to discuss his recent Catholic World Report article on Pope Leo XIV’s apostolic exhortation, Dilexi Te (“I Have Loved You”). Dr. Chapp unpacks the theological and cultural significance of this document, exploring how Dilexi Te calls the Church to rediscover the heart of evangelization through love for the poor.

In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, we confront a troubling reality: the resurgence of antisemitism in our world today. From violent attacks to subtle cultural prejudices, antisemitism is on the rise across Europe, the United States, and beyond. Why is this ancient hatred resurfacing in our time, and how should Christians respond? We explore the historical roots of antisemitism, its modern expressions, and the urgent moral and spiritual call to stand in solidarity with our elder brothers and sisters in faith. Drawing from Scripture, Catholic teaching, and contemporary events, we consider how Christian humanism and authentic witness can push back against scapegoating and violence. Join us for a thoughtful and challenging conversation on what it means to defend human dignity and foster true solidarity with our elders in the faith in an age of rising hostility to, prejudice towards, or discrimination against the Jews.

What happens to a culture that forgets its roots? In his Advent homily Memory Awakens Hope, Joseph Ratzinger (later Pope Benedict XVI) warned that when a people lose the memory of God’s saving acts, they also lose hope for the future. Memory and hope belong together; without memory, we drift into despair or construct false hopes that cannot endure. In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew and Bobby explore how Ratzinger’s insight sheds light on the contrast between the historic Great Awakenings—moments of spiritual renewal that re-centered communities on God—and today’s so-called Great Awokening. Our contemporary West has wandered into a “land of forgetfulness,” where moral fervor often masks amnesia of the transcendent. What do we risk when memory of the Christian story is erased? And what does authentic awakening look like in an age hungry for meaning but suspicious of tradition? Join us as we consider how recovering living memory—of Scripture, of the Church, of the saints—can reawaken true hope and chart a path beyond the illusions of our age.

In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute podcast, we reflect on the shocking assassination of Charlie Kirk and what it reveals about our society and culture. Beyond the headlines, we explore the deeper questions: What does this moment say about the state of public life, political polarization, and the fragility of civil discourse? How should Christians think about violence in the public square, and what are the cultural forces driving us toward such extremes? Join us as we examine the spiritual, cultural, and philosophical implications of this event, and consider how the Christian humanist tradition might help illuminate a path toward renewal and hope in a time of division

In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Stephen G. Adubato—host of Cracks in Postmodernity, editorial assistant at Compact Magazine, and contributor to National Catholic Reporter—to explore the Cracks in Postmodernity Manifesto 2.0. What does it mean to seek transcendence in an age marked by irony, fragmentation, and digital overstimulation? How can beauty, tradition, and vulnerability challenge the flattening forces of postmodern life? Stephen shares the vision behind Manifesto 2.0: a bold call to live meaningfully in the midst of cultural exhaustion and spiritual longing. We discuss the origins and evolution of the Cracks in Postmodernity project, the themes that shape the manifesto, and how younger generations are both critiquing and reclaiming tradition in surprising ways. This episode offers a fresh take on the Church’s role in a secular age—one that embraces paradox, embodiment, and beauty rather than retreating into ideology or nostalgia. Subscribe to the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast for more conversations at the crossroads of Christian humanism, culture, and renewal. Learn more about the Spe Salvi Institute: https://www.spesalviinstitute.com/ Read the Manifesto 2.0: https://cracksinpomo.substack.com/p/c... Follow Stephen’s work: Cracks in Postmodernity – https://cracksinpostmodernity.substac... Compact Magazine – https://compactmag.com National Catholic Reporter – https://ncronline.org

In this episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Dr. Joseph C. Atkinson, renowned theologian and author of Biblical and Theological Foundations of the Family: The Domestic Church. Drawing from years of biblical scholarship, Dr. Atkinson shares profound insights into the theology of marriage and family, offering a vision of the family not merely as a private institution, but as a domestic church—a vital locus of grace, mission, and covenantal identity. The conversation explores the biblical foundations of the family, including the concept of corporate personality in the Old Testament and the unique role of the family as the carrier of the covenant across generations within Judaism. Dr. Atkinson also unpacks how a renewed theology of the domestic church can help restore the dignity and mission of the family in contemporary culture.

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Dr. Michael Hanby, philosopher and theologian at the Pontifical John Paul II Institute, to discuss his recent address: "Artificial Ignorance" — a powerful critique of the metaphysical and anthropological assumptions underlying artificial intelligence.

Why do baseball fans love “retro” parks—and what went wrong with the concrete donuts of the 1960s and '70s? In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa are joined by Professor of Architecture Philip Bess to explore the deeper connections between urban design, civic life, and the magic of baseball. They discuss his provocative and insightful book, City Baseball Magic: Plain Talk and Uncommon Sense About Cities and Baseball Parks, where Bess offers a powerful critique of modern stadium planning and makes the case for beauty, tradition, and neighborhood-centered design. Professor Bess also shares the story behind his visionary Armour Field plan, a proposal he presented in the late 1980s as an alternative to the new stadium the Chicago White Sox eventually built to replace historic Comiskey Park. More than just a ballpark, Armour Field was a proposal for a better kind of urbanism—one rooted in human scale, local character, and architectural meaning. Whether you're a baseball fan, an urbanist, or simply interested in the soul of American cities, this conversation offers a rich blend of sports, culture, architecture, and civic imagination. New copies of City Baseball Magic (1999 edition, at original price) are available from publisher Knothole Press on eBay through "TG Sports Enterprises" https://www.ebay.com/itm/256950044085 for $8.95 plus $4.65 shipping.

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa are joined by ethicist and theologian Charlie Camosy to delve into his recent article, "A New Pope Leo Appears to Answer Tech’s New Anti-Human ‘Disruption’". We explore how Pope Leo XIV draws inspiration from Pope Leo XIII's response to the Industrial Revolution, addressing the challenges posed by today's AI-driven technological upheaval. Camosy discusses the Pope's concerns about the dehumanizing effects of artificial intelligence, the commodification of human life, and the erosion of authentic relationships. He emphasizes the Church's role in guiding society through these disruptions by reaffirming human dignity and promoting ethical considerations in technological advancements.

What unites a saint-pope from Poland and a French statesman now on the path to sainthood? In this thoughtful episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa speak with Georgia Giholy about her Catholic Herald article on the new exhibition in Warsaw that brings together the legacies of St. John Paul II and Robert Schuman, one of the founding fathers.

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into the remarkable election of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope — a native of the South Side of Chicago and a lifelong Chicago White Sox fan. But this papacy is more than historic; it’s deeply symbolic and theologically rich. They explore: Why the name “Leo” matters: a conscious link to Pope Leo XIII, architect of modern Catholic Social Teaching through Rerum Novarum. What Leo XIV’s roots in Chicago and his Augustinian spirituality reveal about his vision for the Church. How his first address to the cardinals cites Benedict XVI’s Spe Salvi. The urgent new challenges posed by artificial intelligence to human dignity, labor, and community — and what Leo XIV might teach the world about navigating them faithfully.   This is a wide-ranging conversation about Leo XIV, the South Side of Chicago, Catholic social teaching, and what it means for the Church to lead with both pastoral realism and eschatological hope in the 21st century.

In this insightful episode of the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa welcome Nathan Pinkoski, Senior Fellow at the Center for Renewing America and columnist for Compact Magazine. In this discussion, Pinkoski delves into his recent article, "Pope Francis’s Managerial Revolution", offering a nuanced critique of Pope Francis's papacy.​ Pinkoski explores how Pope Francis embraced a managerial approach to Church governance, characterized by an emphasis on process over doctrine, strategic ambiguity, and a focus on optics and media messaging. He argues that this shift has led to a form of leadership that prioritizes administrative processes and symbolic gestures, potentially at the expense of doctrinal clarity and personal responsibility.​ The conversation examines key themes such as the implementation of synodality, the restructuring of Vatican communications, and the broader implications of managerialism within the Church. Pinkoski provides a critical appreciation of Pope Francis's leadership style, assessing both its intentions and its impact on the Catholic Church's direction in the 21st century.​ Read the full article: Pope Francis’s Managerial Revolution: https://www.compactmag.com/article/pope-franciss-managerial-revolution/ Subscribe to the Spe Salvi Institute Podcast for more in-depth discussions on theology, philosophy, art, film, culture, and contemporary issues facing the Church.

On this week’s episode of the "Spe Salvi Institute Podcast," Andrew and Bobby chat with Trevor Cribben Merrill (producer) and Sam Sorich (producer and director) to discuss their compelling new documentary, "Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard." We encourage listeners to view the documentary for content before listening to the podcast episode: https://youtu.be/L-vB1HaBsog?feature=shared  René Girard stands as one of the most insightful thinkers of the late 20th century, and Trevor and Sam illuminate precisely why Girard's ideas remain profoundly relevant today.

April 2, 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of the death of St. John Paul II. In commemoration of this great saint, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa reflect on his life and enduring legacy—particularly his engagement with Europe. They also explore the Christian Humanism expressed in his writings and its relevance for our time.

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa sit down with Fr. Robert Imbelli to discuss his recent article in Catholic World Report, "Henri de Lubac: Pilgrim of Hope, Witness to Jesus Christ." Fr. Imbelli shares his experiences as a seminarian in Rome during Vatican II and reflects on its lasting legacy. We explore Henri de Lubac’s Christo-centric vision, the influence of Joachim of Fiore, Louis Bouyer’s insights on the mystical, and so much more. Join us for a rich conversation on theology, tradition, and the enduring impact of Vatican II.

In this episode, Andrew Petiprin and Robert Mixa dive into Vice President JD Vance’s provocative speech at the 2025 Munich Security Conference, where he challenged Europe’s leaders on free speech, immigration, and internal threats—while sidestepping Ukraine and Russia. They unpack the significance of Vance’s concern about “the retreat of Europe from some of its most fundamental values, values shared with the United States of America.” Plus, they explore how his Catholic faith and the concept of Ordo Amoris (the “order of love”) might shape his worldview, influencing his call for a reset in transatlantic relations.