Spe Salvi Institute Podcast

Theology of the Family with Joseph C. Atkinson

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.

Artificial Ignorance with Michael Hanby

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.

City Baseball Magic with Philip Bess

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.

Pope Leo XIV and Tech’s New Anti-human ‘Disruption’ with Charlie Camosy

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.

A Vision for Europe: Exploring the Legacy of John Paul II and Robert Schuman

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.

Pope Leo XIV: The First American Pope & Catholic Social Teaching in the Age of AI

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.

Pope Francis: A Critical Appreciation with Nathan Pinkoski

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.

"Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard" with Trevor Cribben Merrill and Sam Sorich

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.

The Legacy of St. John Paul II: A 20-Year Retrospective

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.

Henri de Lubac and the Legacy of Vatican II with Fr. Robert P. Imbelli

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.