Daily Theology Podcast

Welcome to the penultimate episode of season 1 of the podcast! For our second to last offering, we have Stephen Okey’s conversation with Tobias Winright of Saint Louis University. They met up at this past summer’s CTSA convention in Milwaukee, WI, where they talked about how Prof. Winright’s background in law enforcement shaped his work in moral theology, his newer work in health care and bioethics, and what it means to be a public intellectual. They also look at his love of puns and Marvel comics!Tobias Winright is the Hubert Mäder Endowed Associate Professor of Health Care Ethics at the Albert Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics at Saint Louis University and an Associate Professor of Theological Ethics in theDepartment of Theological Studies at SLU. He previously taught at Simpson College in Indianola, IA and Walsh University in North Canton, OH. He earned his AA in Liberal Arts from St. Petersburg Junior College, his BA in Political Science from University of South Florida, an MDiv from Duke University Di

Welcome to episode 14! This week’s podcast features guest hostStuart Squires, Assistant Professor of Theology at Brescia University in Owensboro, KY and host of the God and the Quad podcast! He talks with our own Andy Staron of Wheeling Jesuit University about the role of theology in the university, how being a family man has made Andy a better teacher, and his response to various quotes from Cardinal Ratzinger’s Donum Veritatis. Throughout, you can hear Andy talking about how teaching theology is not just about planting seeds, but about trying to give students “better soil.” Andrew Staron is an Assistant Professor of Theology and Religious Studies at Wheeling Jesuit University in Wheeling, WV. He earned his PhD in Theology from the Catholic University of America, his MA from the University of Chicago Divinity School, and his AB from Georgetown University. His research and teaching focus on the theology of love and the Catholic imagination. You can find all his posts for DT here. Originally from Cleveland, OH

Welcome to another excellent episode of the Daily Theology podcast! This one features Steve Okey’s conversation with Tommy Humphries of Saint Leo University. They became fast friends after Steve started at Saint Leo, and so naturally Steve wanted to talk to Tommy about his own theological journey. In fact, this conversation was one of the first ones recorded for the podcast! In this conversation, they talk about Tommy’s background as a carpenter (and the high bar that sets for a theologian), the way the Breviary and the Doctors of the Church have shaped his spirituality, and the dangers of Gnosticism for academic theologians. Thomas L. Humphries is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Philosophy, Theology, and Religion at Saint Leo University. He earned a BS in Forestry and a BA in Philosophy from the University of the South (Sewanee), an MA in Systematic Theology from the Catholic University of America, and a PhD in Historical Theology from Emory University. There, under the direction of Lewis Ayres,

Welcome to episode 12 of the Daily Theology Podcast! This edition features Steve Okey’s conversation with Prof. Matt Shadle of Marymount University. This episode was recorded late this past summer and features the return of phone interviews! In their conversation, they talk about how 9/11 shaped Matt’s interest in ethics and Catholic Social Teaching, the importance of history for doing ethics, and how postmodernism shapes our students and our teaching.Matthew Shadle is an Associate Professor of Theology and Religious Studiesat Marymount University in Arlington, VA. He was previously an Associate Professor of Religious Studies and Theology at Loras College in Dubuque, IA. He earned his BA from Hendrix College and his MA and PhD from theUniversity of Dayton. His research has focused especially on war and peace ethics as well as Catholic Social Teaching and economics. He is the author ofThe Origins of War: A Catholic Perspective (Georgetown University Press, 2011), which is part of the Moral Traditions series. H

Welcome to episode 11! Our latest podcast features Mike Avery’s conversation with Dr. Michael Murphy of Loyola University of Chicago. After taking in the breath taking views of Murphy’s office, the two ventured into such topics as literature and theology, the problem of poverty tourism, and the significance of the Catholic imagination. They also talked at length about Murphy’s journey through different parts of California, the life giving service of a high school teacher, and his love for Jesuit education. Michael Murphy is Director of Catholic Studies, an interdisciplinary program at Loyola University Chicago, and teaches courses in both Theology and English. Mike’s interest in the scholarly possibilities for interdisciplinarity began to take shape at the precise moment he finished “The Enduring Chill” by Flannery O’Connor as an undergraduate at the University of San Francisco. He recalls setting the text on his chest and then erupting out loud, “Behold the many threads we are asked to contemplate! This need

For our tenth episode, the podcast welcomes Vincent J. Miller of the University of Dayton! Vince spoke with Stephen Okey at this past summer’s CTSA convention in Milwaukee, WI. They talked at length about Vince’s work on globalization and theology, with a particular focus on taking the virtue of solidarity as both a diagnostic lens and prescription for thinking about globalization. They also talked about how growing up in Pittsburgh during the implosion of the US steel industry has shaped Vince’s theology, the fragmentation and subtlety of zeitgeists, and Vince’s defense of “Kumbaya.”Vincent J. Miller is the Gudorf Chair in Catholic Theology and Culture at theUniversity of Dayton in Dayton, OH. He was previously an associate professor of theology at Georgetown University in Washington, DC. He earned his master’s and doctoral degrees in theology from the University of Notre Dame. He is the author of Consuming Religion: Christian Faith and Practice in a Consumer Culture (Continuum, 2005). He has written for num

This week’s podcast episode features a very special conversation with Tom O’Meara! Amanda Osheim and Stephen Okey spoke with Tom about his long and prolific career in theology, beginning with his joining the Dominican Order in the 1950’s. Tom shared with us his experience of formation and education before, during, and after Vatican II, how he got involved with the ecumenical movement, and the importance of liking people if one wants to be a teacher. Thomas F. O’Meara, OP is Professor Emeritus of the Department of Theology of the University of Notre Dame in South Bend, IN, where he taught from 1981-2002. He is a member the Dominican Order and was ordained a priest in 1962. He is widely published, and his books include Thomas Aquinas: Theologian (University of Notre Dame Press, 1997), Theology of Ministry (Paulist Press, revised 1999), and Vast Universe: Christian Revelation and Extraterrestrials (Liturgical Press, 2012). If you are interested in more of Tom’s story, he has also written an autobiography: A Theo

In today’s podcast episode, Mike Avery talks with Colby Dickinson of Loyola University Chicago! They talk about the importance of literature for theology, what makes a great professor, and how attending to the requests of students can lead to new and unexpected courses. Colby Dickinson is Assistant Professor of Theology at Loyola University, Chicago, where he is also the director of majors and minors for the department. He earned his Ph.D. in theology (as well as his STB, STL, and STD) from the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven in Belgium, an MA in religious education from Saint Louis University, and his MTS from Duke Divinity School. He is the author of Agamben and Theology (T&T Clark, 2011),Between the Canon and the Messiah: The Structure of Faith in Contemporary Continental Thought (Bloomsbury, 2013), The Spiritual and Creative Failures of Representation: On Poetry, Theology and the Potential of the Human Being (Fordham University Press, 2016) and, with Adam Kotsko, Agamben’s Coming Philosophy: Finding a

The newest episode of the podcast features Stephen Okey’s conversation with Anthony Godzieba from the annual College Theology Society convention in Portland, OR. Here, they talk about why music shapes his understanding what it means to do theology and spirituality, how teaching theology is like doing stand-up, and why fundamental theology needs to deal with TV and pop culture. Anthony Godzieba is Professor of Theology and Religious Studies atVillanova University in Philadelphia, PA. A self-described “neighborhood kid” from Philly, he did his Ph.D. in theology at Catholic University of America in Washington, DC while commuting back to teach at Villanova. While much of his work focuses on fundamental theology and phenomenology, his wide-ranging interests include embodiment, modernity and postmodernity, and the relationship between theology and the arts. In addition to numerous scholarly articles, he is the author of Bernhard Welte’s Fundamental Theological Approach to Christology (Peter Lang, 1994) and A Theolo

Today’s podcast episode features Stephen Okey’s conversation with Dana Dillon. They had the opportunity to talk at the 2015 convention of the College Theology Society, held at the University of Portland in Portland, OR. In this episode, they talk about the impact of a summer service placement on Dana’s vocation, teaching race and theology to undergraduates, and theological questions raised by mental illness. Dana Dillon is an assistant professor of theology at Providence College in Providence, RI. She did her undergraduate and MDiv degrees at the University of Notre Dame. She did her PhD atDuke University, writing her dissertation under the direction of Stanley Hauerwas. Her research focuses on fundamental moral theology with a focus on virtue ethics. In addition to scholarly articles, she writes for the Catholic Moral Theology blog (in this conversation, she specifically references her piece on “St. Augustine, Catholics, and Mental Illness“). She is also active on Twitter, where you should follow her. Get fu

Our fifth episode features Mike Avery’s conversation with Jennifer Veninga. Dr. Veninga is an assistant professor of religious and theological studies at St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX. In this episode, she talks about her discernment of both academic and ministerial calls, including what it’s like to be a United Church of Christ minister teaching theology at a Catholic University. They also discuss surviving the academic job market, what makes someone a good teacher, and Dr. Veninga’s research on Scandinavian culture and theology.Jennifer Elisa Veninga is an assistant professor of religious and theological studies at St. Edward’s University in Austin, Texas. She holds an M.T.S. degree from Harvard Divinity School (2002) and a Ph.D. from the Graduate Theological Union (2011). Her research interests include imagination and theology, Søren Kierkegaard and Danish culture, Islam and the West, and media and religion. Her first book,Secularism, Theology and Islam: The Danish Social Imaginary and the Cartoon

Our fourth episode brings Mike Avery’s conversation with Fr. Louis T. Brusatti of St. Edward’s University in Austin, TX. Fr. Lou talks about how he prepares to preach, what he thinks makes a good priest, life as a theologian and dean at a university, and his new role running the Center for Religion and Culture. Father Louis T. Brusatti joined St. Edward’s University in July 2002 as the School of Humanities dean after serving seven years as dean of the School of Theology at the University of St. Thomas in Houston. An ordained Catholic priest, his ministry has been primarily focused in higher education and has included teaching assignments at DePaul University in Chicago, St. Thomas Theological Seminary in Denver, Kentrick Seminary and Aquinas Institute of Theology in St. Louis. Currently Fr. Lou is an Associate Professor of Religious and Theological Studies at St. Edward’s University and Director of the Center for Religion and Culture. In his spare time, Fr. Lou enjoys a nice glass of wine and spending time wi

In this episode of the Daily Theology Podcast, Mike Avery speaks with Joshua Carey Coleman of St. Michael's Catholic Academy in Austin, TX.  Mike had previously taught with Joshua at St. Michael's, and Mike's visit to Austin gave them an opportunity to reflect on their experiences teaching high school.  They also talk about Joshua's experience with Eastern Catholicism, how he survived his dissertation, and the relationship between religion and football in the southern United States.   Joshua Carey Coleman is the head of humanities and senior theology teacher at St. Michael’s Catholic Academy in Austin, Texas. He holds an MA degree in philosophy (2000) and a PhD in religious and theological studies from the University of Denver (2007). His passion lies in the supporting roles Philosophy and Literature play for Religious Studies and inter-religious dialogue; particularly in 19th century Danish thinker Soren Kierkegaard and 20th American Author Walker Percy, both of whom are critical figures for Existentialism,

In this episode of the Daily Theology Podcast, Stephen Okey speaks with Maria Poggi Johnson of the University of Scranton. Dr. Johnson was visiting Saint Leo University at the invitation of the Center for Catholic and Jewish Studies, and she graciously found time to speak with us. We talk about her spiritual journey towards Catholicism and how that intersected with her study of theology, the spontaneous and unplanned practice of hospitality towards her students, and what kind of writing project she hopes to pursue next.Dr. Johnson is a professor of Theology at the University of Scranton, which is a Jesuit Catholic university in Scranton, PA. Her background is in historical theology, although on the podcast she preferred to describe herself as a “sloppy generalist.” She is the author of two books, Strangers and Neighbors: What I Have Learned About Christianity by Living Among Orthodox Jews (2006) and Making a Welcome: Christian Life and the Practice of Hospitality (2011). You can also read about her experience

Welcome to the Daily Theology Podcast! This is our very first episode, which features a conversation Stephen Okey had with Julie Hanlon Rubio. We talk about how she went from her interest in theater to studying politics to doing theology, the role of the family in her teaching and research, and her advice for newer theologians. We spoke by phone, so the sound quality could be a little better, but the conversation is absolutely worth it. Get full access to Okeydoxy at stephenokey.substack.com/subscribe