Episodes

Dr. Patrick Craine, president of Our Lady Seat of Wisdom College in Ontario, Canada, joins The Cardinal Newman Society Podcast to share the story behind one of the most unique Newman Guide colleges. Craine discusses the college’s roots, its commitment to classical liberal arts education, and how its small, faithful community is forming students in wisdom, truth, and lifelong vocation. Dr. Craine also reflects on Catholic higher education in today’s culture, the importance of real formation beyon...

Cardinal Newman Society Podcast host Kevin Murphy continues his conversation with Dr. Michael Shick, president of the NEW Rosary College in Greenville, S.C. In this discussion, Shick explains how the affordable two-year model at Rosary College not only establishes an intellectual and spiritual foundation but, through partnerships with other Newman Guide colleges, enables students to transfer seamlessly. Shick also shares the importance of helping students think deeply, discern truth, and build a...

Cardinal Newman Society Podcast host Kevin Murphy speaks with Dr. Michael Shick about his unexpected journey from military service to founding a new Catholic college. Dr. Shick shares how Rosary College is forming students through an authentically Catholic, rigorous, and affordable two-year program and why this model offers a powerful solution for families seeking faithful Catholic education in today’s culture. Click here to watch on YouTube

Catholic higher education faces growing cultural and demographic challenges. How can universities remain faithful to their mission while preparing students for the modern world? In this episode of the Cardinal Newman Society Podcast, host Kevin Murphy speaks with Dr. Sinda Vanderpool, newly appointed president of the University of St. Thomas in Houston, about leading a Newman Guide Recommended university in one of America’s largest cities. Dr. Vanderpool shares her journey to the Catholic faith,...

Mental health challenges are rising rapidly among young people. How should Catholics respond? In Episode 48 of the Cardinal Newman Society Podcast, host Kevin Murphy continues his conversation with Fr. Charles Sikorsky, President of Divine Mercy University. Together, they explore how sound psychology, grounded in a faithful Catholic understanding of the human person, offers a hopeful and effective response to today’s mental health crisis. Fr. Sikorsky discusses the growing need for well-formed C...

Mental health challenges are rising rapidly among young people. How should Catholics respond? In this episode of the Cardinal Newman Society Podcast, host Kevin Murphy speaks with Fr. Charles Sikorsky, President of Divine Mercy University, about integrating sound psychology with a faithful Catholic understanding of the human person. Fr. Sikorsky explains the mission of Divine Mercy University, the growing need for Catholic mental health professionals, and how faithful education helps bring heali...

What is faithful Catholic education really worth? For airline pilot and father of seven Thomas VanderWoude, it meant moving his family so his sons could attend authentically Catholic schools. It also meant giving his life to save his youngest son with Down syndrome. In this moving episode of the Cardinal Newman Society Podcast, host Kevin Murphy talks with Chris about his family’s commitment to Catholic education, the generational impact of those choices,, and the emerging cause for sainthood fo...

Pope Leo XIV will proclaim St. John Henry Newman a “Doctor of the Church” during Mass today. Who is this great saint? Tune in to this special Cardinal Newman Society Podcast interview with Patrick Reilly, noted speaker and founder of The Newman Guide. Click here to watch on YouTube

We continue our conversation with Greg Baylor on defending religious freedom in Catholic education. As Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, he has spent decades standing at the intersection of law, faith, and education, protecting Catholic schools from government mandates and cultural pressures that threaten their mission. Listen to the cases ADF is bringing in front of the Supreme Court this term, and why this impacts the work of Catholic education. Click here to watch on YouTube

Greg Baylor’s path to becoming one of the nation’s leading defenders of religious liberty was marked by conviction and purpose. As Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, he has spent decades protecting religious schools, families, and ministries from government overreach and cultural pressures that threaten their freedom to live faithfully. In this conversation, Baylor breaks down the most pressing legal challenges facing Catholic education today, from Title IX disputes to conscience pro...

In Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Bill Thierfelder, outgoing president of Belmont Abbey College, we dive into the deeper layers of Catholic education, sports, culture, and the soul. With stories from NFL training sessions to his own Olympic-level athletic career, Dr. Thierfelder unpacks what sport is really for and how it can form or deform the human person depending on its aim. From Saint John Henry Newman's vision of the university to Pope Pius XII’s theology of sport, this episode explores...

Dr. Bill Thierfelder’s path to Belmont Abbey was anything but predictable — from NCAA Division I athlete and Olympic-level sports psychologist to business executive and devoted father of ten children, his journey ultimately led him to a small Catholic college in crisis. But what followed was nothing short of providential. Rooted in the Benedictine tradition and inspired by the monks who built the college brick by brick over 150 years ago, Dr. Thierfelder helped transform Belmont Abbey into a fa...

In Part 2 of Emily Torres’s testimony, she continues her story of standing for truth at a Catholic university that seems to have abandoned its identity. From confronting radical gender ideology to being verbally harassed for defending the Church’s teaching on marriage and pro-life issues, Emily increasingly found herself isolated on campus. Despite threats, public ridicule, and faculty pushing blasphemous theology, Emily refused to back down. She organized protests and reported blatant anti-Cat...

Emily Torres shares her powerful conversion story, from growing up in a nominal protestant home to discovering the truth of the Catholic faith as a teenager. But after enrolling at a prominent Catholic university that claims to seek God in all things, Emily instead encountered an environment that promoted an anti-Catholic agenda: From Free Condom Fridays held outside the campus chapel, pro-abortion protests, drag shows mocking religious life, trigger warnings on Scripture, and professors pushin...

Join us as Steve Minnis, president of Benedictine College, shares his remarkable journey of over two decades at the helm, driving unprecedented growth and fostering a community deeply rooted in faith and scholarship. Under his leadership, Benedictine College has not only doubled its student body but also enhanced its campus with modern facilities, all while strengthening its Catholic identity. From initiating a unique consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary to embedding faith deeply into the aca...

Continue the gripping narrative with Tony Scarpo as he delves deeper into the aftermath of confronting woke ideologies at his daughters' Catholic school. After initially stepping back into a leadership role with renewed promises from the school, Tony and his wife Barbara faced a resurgence of the very issues they fought against. This episode explores the stark revelations and tough decisions that led to a legal battle against the school, highlighting the significant personal and communal impact....

Tune in to hear Tony Scarpo's compelling journey as he and his wife made deliberate choices to immerse their daughters in what they believed was a faithful and nurturing Catholic school. After relocating their home closer to the prestigious school, spearheading fundraising efforts, and contributing $1.35 million to its development, Tony uncovers a distressing shift towards woke ideologies within the school. His story unfolds into a dramatic confrontation with the school's leadership, culminating...

Rejoin Dan Schreck, director of The Institute at Ave Maria University, as he continues highlighting the university's approach to integrating faith with academic and professional development. Learn how The Insitute connects students with Legatus mentors and delivers on the claim of forming leaders.

Join Dan Schreck, chief strategy officer, director of the Institute, and vice president of enrollment at Ave Maria University, as he discusses the vision behind the university’s innovative Institute. Discover how the Institute harmonizes faith, academics, and professional development to equip students with the tools and formation needed to lead and succeed in today’s world. Learn about Ave Maria University’s unique approach to creating well-rounded graduates who excel in their careers, embrace t...

Rejoin Dr. Maria Sophia Aguirre, president of Catholic International University, as she delves into the transformative power of virtual Catholic education. Dr. Aguirre highlights Catholic International's innovative early college program, affordable degree options, and mission-driven education. Discover how Catholic International combines academic rigor with the teachings of the Church to serve students worldwide.

Join Dr. Maria Sophia Aguirre as she discusses Catholic International University’s mission to make faithful Catholic education accessible worldwide. Learn about the university’s unique online approach to forming students in faith and intellect.

Today, Seton Junior and Senior High School in Manassas, Virginia, celebrates its 50th anniversary. Join us as we continue our discussion with Bob Pennefather and discover how this 7-12 grade school keeps Christ at the center & the Newman Guide as its second apostle.

Join us as we sit down with Bob Pennefather, director of Seton Junior/Senior High School, to discuss Seton’s remarkable journey as one of the first 7-12 schools to become Newman Guide Recommended. Founded by Mrs. Anne Carroll in 1975, the year of Mother Elizabeth Ann Seton’s canonization, Seton School is a private, co-educational school. Discover how Seton has made the Catholic faith a priority and how the Newman Guide Recommended process deepened their commitment to authentically Catholic educa...

Join us as we sit down with Dr. George Harne, the new president of Christendom College, to explore his vision for the future of this thriving Newman Guide college. Learn about his path to the presidency, Christendom’s mission to restore all things in Christ, and the exciting plans to build on the college’s rich foundation. Discover how Christendom continues to form students intellectually, spiritually, and socially in a deeply Catholic environment.