Episode Topic: From Line Items to Impact Discover how local government leaders move beyond ad hoc evaluations to embed research, data, and evidence into everyday budget decisions. Listen in to gain practical insights on building internal capacity, fostering cross-departmental partnerships, and creating the political will needed to make evidence-informed budgeting a lasting reality. Featured Speakers: Ricardo Basurto Davila, County of San DiegoRyan Flynn, The Lab @ DCJen Tolentino, Results f...

Episode Topic: A History and Politics of Hope In an era scarred by “human wrongs,” how does a nation sustain an indomitable spirit? This session explores Ukraine’s transformation from Soviet subjects to sovereign historical actors. By redefining hope as a defiant, collective pursuit of justice rather than passive wishful thinking, our panel offers a profound roadmap for democratic resilience and global solidarity. Featured Speakers: George Liber, University of Alabama BirminghamFather Yuriy...

Episode Topic: A Conversation with Emma Trelles From Miami’s neon car culture to Santa Barbara’s mountain dreams, Poet Laureate Emma Trelles explores the “bones-deep” honesty of her work, Courage and the Clock. Discover her transition from journalist to literary activist, the strategic necessity of paying artists, and her powerful rejection of perfectionism in this essential interview. Featured Speakers: Cloud Cardona, Letras LatinasEmma Trelles, poetRead this episode's recap over on the Un...

Episode Topic: Why Does the Nobel Prize in Science Matter? Ever wonder how Nobel-winning science research affects your everyday life? Join faculty from the University of Notre Dame and Indiana University South Bend as they unpack the discoveries behind one of science’s most prestigious award—and why it matters to all of us. Featured Speakers: Masaru (Ken) Kuno, University of Notre DameKirk Mecklenburg, Indiana University South BendPetr Stepanov, University of Notre Dame Read this episod...

Episode Topic: Civic Virtue Rajiv Vinnakota is the President of the Institute for Citizens & Scholars, where the mission is to strengthen civic life in America by empowering young people to tackle civic challenges with bold, fresh ideas. Listen in for a conversation about his background, the institute, and civic virtue. Featured Speakers: Rajiv Vinnakota, Institute for Citizens & ScholarsRead this episode's recap over on the University of Notre Dame's open online learning community p...

Episode Topic: Tongues of Men and Angels Discover "Tongues of Men and Angels," where Grammy-winning composer J.J. Wright ‘14 MSM, ‘17 DMA and poet Dana Gioia bridge high art and jazz. Witness a performance that had audiences swinging in their seats, redefining the sacred tradition through a daring fusion of Bach, Monk, and pop. Explore the future of the Catholic musical imagination. Featured Speakers: Dana Gioia, PoetJ.J. Wright ‘14 MSM, ‘17 DMA, ComposerRead this episode's recap over on th...

Episode Topic: Law & Morality Does law reflect mere convention or objective reality? Marking 800 years of Thomas Aquinas, explore how his synthesis of law and morality provides a radical framework for justice. Challenge modern positivism and discover how the architecture of virtue informs the common good, moving society from legal compliance to true spiritual freedom. Featured Speakers: Fr. Petar Popovic, Pontifical University of the Holy CrossMonica Marcelli-Chu, Jesuit School of Theolo...

Episode Topic: Place Based Community Regeneration Join us as panelists discuss strategies for allocating limited funds (to be catalytic), attracting (the right kinds of) investment, and addressing housing shortages (by addressing failed urbanism) in the process of reactivating downtown development in Midwestern cities. Watch regional leaders discard obsolete models to champion fiscal solvency and civic pride, proving that when we prioritize community over projects, we rebuild the American fa...

Episode Topic: Being the Change Join Dr. Milo Dodson ’08 and a panel of intergenerational alumni, Dr. Dom (Dominic) Acri ’18, Savanna Morgan ’20, and Dominique DeMoe ’19, as they explore the legacy of the Balfour-Hesburgh Scholars Program. Discover how “Being the Change” transcends individual success, fostering a communal ecosystem of advocacy that spans decades. Learn why betting on yourself is the first step toward institutional transformation. Featured Speakers: Dr. Milo Dodson '08, Belki...

Episode Topic: Religious Pluralism (https://go.nd.edu/1c89af) Under the conditions of globalization, more religious people than ever find themselves in close contact with members of other religious traditions. Our hosts convene in this episode for a scriptural conversation on religious pluralism. How is the religious “other” discussed in the scriptures of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam? How do each of these traditions interpret the fact of multiple religions? Is the multiplicity of religio...