The Benedictine Dialogues
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America, one conversation at a time. We sit down with the great minds who teach and guest-lecture on our campus, to discuss culture, faith, and politics. The Benedictine Dialogues is a production of Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas.
Episodes

Sep 22, 2026
Sep 22, 2026
45 min
WATCH AD FREE https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/after-classWhy does literature matter in the information age? If we read to experience the lives of others, what does great literature offer that we can’t find through video games, movies, or television? Dr. Edward Mulholland is the man to ask.
Professor Emeritus Edward Mulholland served as the Sheridan Chair of Classics at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas, and now teaches in the Sheridan Center for Classical Studies graduate programs at the college. Born in the Bronx, New York, he earned his master’s degree in classics from the University of London, England, and received both a licentiate and a Ph.D. in philosophy from the Pontifical Gregorian University in Rome. He now serves as Chancellor of St. Martin’s Academy in Ft. Scott, Kansas.
AFTER CLASS at Benedictine College is a conversation show between real students and real professors. Hosts Trey Smith and Collin England are guided by a central question, “What is the good life, and how do I live it after college?”
Heir to the 1500 years of Benedictine dedication to learning, Benedictine College’s mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, residential college is the education of men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.

Sep 15, 2026
Sep 15, 2026
1 hr 7 min
More great content at Media & CultureLearn more about Benedictine CollegeFor the fall semester, The Benedictine Dialogues is hosting AFTER CLASS, a conversation show between real students and real professors. Hosts Trey Smith and Collin England are guided by a central question, "What is the good life, and how do I live it after college?"Their first guest is Dr. Andrew Swafford. Dr. Swafford is professor of theology at Benedictine College in Atchison, Kansas. He is the author of "Lunatic, Liar, or Lord: Unveiling the Truth of Catholicism with C.S. Lewis’s Mere Christianity." and coauthor of "A Catholic Guide to the Old Testament" and "A Catholic Guide to the New Testament." With his wife, Sarah Swafford, he is coauthor of "Gift and Grit: How Heroic Virtue Can Change Your Life and Relationships." He also coauthored "What We Believe: The Beauty of the Catholic Faith with Marcellino D’Ambrosio."Heir to the 1500 years of Benedictine dedication to learning, Benedictine College’s mission as a Catholic, Benedictine, liberal arts, residential college is the education of men and women within a community of faith and scholarship.
May 12, 2026
May 12, 2026
42 min
Artificial intelligence can flatter our desires, guide us on DIY projects, console us in troubles, and even mimic the dead. But can it ever be a conscious companion? In this episode, Dr. Marielle Courtois is joined by Fr. Anselm Ramelow, who asked whether our obsession with artificial intelligence is really revealing a deeper crisis, that we have forgotten what a human being is. Before we ask what machines can become, we have to ask what kind of people we are becoming by depending on them.
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES.
WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues
LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218
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LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/
Mar 31, 2026
Mar 31, 2026
42 min
Kevin Matthews is a Chicago radio legend whose comedy brought entertainment to millions. When his health crumbled, and his fame began to fade, Matthews discovered redemption in a discarded statue of Mary. He now travels internationally spreading Marian devotion to the broken. Matthews’ story is told in the documentary feature, Broken Mary. His travels have brought him all the way to the Vatican and his meeting with the pope has influenced the approval of a new title for the Blessed Mother, “Our Lady of the Broken.”
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES.
WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues
LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218
FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/
LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/
Mar 5, 2026
Mar 5, 2026
1 hr 5 min
C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien were the most powerful literary voices of the 20th century. The story of their unbreakable friendship is told in the five part documentary The Forge of Friendship by Eastgate Creative. We invited two of the filmmakers, Ralph Linhardt, and Kirk Manton, to sit down with Michael Coy, content production manager and associate professor for the Center for Catholic Media at Benedictine College. Listen in as they discuss the importance of collaboration, the drawbacks of AI filmmaking, and the amazing friendship of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis.
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES.
WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES
https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues
LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218
FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College
https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/
LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/
Feb 17, 2026
Feb 17, 2026
1 hr 6 min
Classical education is pivotal in preparing students to transform the culture in America. And Catholic institutions like Benedictine College are leading the way. They deserve the best of organizational health, the spiritual life, and strong community among staff and faculty. We invited three experts to discuss these challenges and solutions. The college's Director of Graduate Programs and Classical Education, Krystyn Schmerbeck, our Dean of Students, Dr Joseph Wurtz and a special guest, Erik Twist, the president of Arcadia Education Group.
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES.
WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues
LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218
FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/
LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/
Feb 5, 2026
Feb 5, 2026
23 min
Mike Sweeney is a Kansas City Royals Hall of Famer, a 5 time MLB All-Star, and a former Benedictine College commencement speaker. He now serves in player development for the Royals and he was on campus to share his passion for the Catholic Faith and offer our students guidance in their spiritual and professional lives. Listen in as we discuss his spiritual journey, his advice to young athletes, and the message Pope Leo XIV personally shared with him to preach to the world.
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES.
WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues
LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218
FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/
LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/
Jan 29, 2026
Jan 29, 2026
47 min
T.K. Coleman is a philosophical minimalist and a convert to the Catholic faith. He has personally coached thousands of people to unpack the baggage that weighs them down in their pursuit of a simpler, lighthearted life. Listen in as we discuss the power of prayer and scripture, the problem with emotional clutter, and the incredible grace he has received through the rosary and eucharistic adoration.
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES.
WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues
LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218
FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/
LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/
Dec 4, 2025
Dec 4, 2025
45 min
Matt Fradd is an internationally acclaimed evangelist, author, and podcast creator. He is the founder of Pints with Aquinas, the immensely popular podcast with almost 800,000 followers, which has just recently been picked up by the Daily Wire. He was on campus to speak to our students about his latest book, Jesus Our Refuge. We invited him to the studio to discuss the cultural landscape, the state of Catholicism, and his newest position as a voice for the Daily Wire.
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES.
WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues
LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218
FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/
LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/
Nov 20, 2025
Nov 20, 2025
44 min
Artificial Intelligence promises a massive shift in society, culture, and the human experience. How will the Church respond? To explore this topic in depth we brought on two contributors to ENCOUNTERING ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE, a book written in cooperation with the Holy See. Dr. Paul Scherz is the Our Lady of Guadalupe Professor of Theology at the University of Notre Dame. Dr. Mariele Courtois is an Assistant Professor of Theology and the Director of the Center for Technology and Human Dignity at Benedictine College. Listen in as they discuss how the Church can navigate this new technological landscape.
Benedictine College is Transforming Culture in America one conversation at a time. From our studios in Atchison, Kansas, these are THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES.
WATCH our FULL LIBRARY of THE BENEDICTINE DIALOGUES https://media.benedictine.edu/videos/benedictine-dialogues
LISTEN on Apple Podcasts or your favorite app https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-benedictine-dialogues/id1701363218
FOLLOW Media & Culture at Benedictine College https://www.instagram.com/media.benedictine/
LEARN MORE about BENEDICTINE COLLEGE https://benedictine.edu/






