

Magnus Podcast: Conversations from the Catacombs of Liberal Education
Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc.
Like the early philosophers and theologians before us, we are seeking to nourish our souls, discover the truth, and live in the world, but not of it.
Welcome to the Magnus Podcast where John Johnson and Larissa Bianco hope to connect contemporary thinkers to conversations from the catacombs in the classical, Christian tradition before us.
The Magnus Podcast is a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc. Dedicated to the promotion of another sort of learning, the Albertus Magnus Institute seeks to invite all into the truth, ”Omnes ad Veritatem.”
Welcome to the Magnus Podcast where John Johnson and Larissa Bianco hope to connect contemporary thinkers to conversations from the catacombs in the classical, Christian tradition before us.
The Magnus Podcast is a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc. Dedicated to the promotion of another sort of learning, the Albertus Magnus Institute seeks to invite all into the truth, ”Omnes ad Veritatem.”
Episodes
Mentioned books

May 4, 2023 • 59min
Ep. 078 - The Restless Soul
In this episode, we sit down with Dr. Zena Hitz; tutor at St. John’s College, author of Lost in Thought: The Hidden Pleasures of an Intellectual Life, and Co-founder and President of the Catherine Project. Listen as she discusses what it means to live the good life.
Learn more about St. John's College & check out their own podcast, Continuing the Conversation

Apr 27, 2023 • 1h 10min
Ep. 077 - To View the Cheerful Skies
“The gates of hell are open night and day;
Smooth the descent, and easy is the way:
But to return, and view the cheerful skies,
In this the task and mighty labor lies.”
- from The Aeneid of Virgil
The Magnus Podcast returns with Dr. Matthew Bianco of the CiRCE Institute. Listen to this enlightening discussion on Plato and the allegory of the cave, and wonder and the demise of a vacuous society.
Dr. Matthew Bianco is the Chief Operations Officer for the CiRCE Institute, where he also serves as a head mentor in the CiRCE apprenticeship program. He is married to his altogether lovely high school sweetheart, Patricia. Dr. Matt Bianco has a PhD in Humanities from Faulkner University's Great Books Honors College. He is the author of Letters to My Sons: A Humane Vision for Human Relationships.
Learn more about CiRCE!
Join the Fellowship now! It’s free and always will be.

Apr 5, 2023 • 1h 29min
Ep. 076 - In the End Was the Word
We now bring you Spy Wednesday Bonus Episode 2, continuing in the theme of Holy Week. This is an excerpt from our own John Johnson’s course in the Magnus Fellowship: In the end was the word: Eschatology, Mimesis, and the Beloved Disciple.
Remember that all donors giving just $25/month have access to the recordings for the rest of this course, and all the rest of the courses in the Magnus Fellowship.
Join the Magnus Fellowship today; it's free and always will be.

Apr 5, 2023 • 1h 25min
Ep. 075 - Tradition and Betrayal: Responding to the Scandal
In honor of Spy Wednesday, we are bringing you two back to back episodes today, both lectures by your favorite podcast host, the Founder and Executive Director of our own institute, John Johnson.
The first comes from a talk John delivered at a recent convocation of Catholic leaders in New Jersey sponsored by the Diocese of Camden:Tradition and Betrayal: Responding to the Scandal
Enjoy, share, and stay tuned for the second lecture!
Remember: 20 % off The Sufferings and Glory of Christ!
Magnusinstitute.org for more!

Apr 4, 2023 • 57min
Ep. 074 - Descartes and the Search for Certainty
"Wherever he can find any possibility of doubt, he is going to call it downright false."
Up now: Descartes and The Search for Certainty with Fr. Owen Carroll.
Enjoy these lectures given by Fr. Owen Carroll to a small group of retired religious in his private retirement home.
Purchase Fr. Carroll’s book, The Sufferings and Glory of Christ: A Meditation on Holy Week to Ascension today and get 20% off now through Ascension!
Head to the website to learn more!

Mar 30, 2023 • 57min
Ep. 073 - Omnes Gentes
"We see that Abraham is chosen, Abraham this one man with his clan around him... it’s promised to him that in him all nations, that is, all the rest of humanity... will find their blessedness in him."
We now bring you Omnes Gentes, with Fr. Owen Carroll.
Enjoy these lectures given by Fr. Owen Carroll to a small group of retired religious in his private retirement home.
Purchase Fr. Carroll’s book, The Sufferings and Glory of Christ: A Meditation on Holy Week to Ascension today and get 20% off now through Ascension!
Head to the website to learn more!

Mar 23, 2023 • 58min
Ep. 072 - The Amaryllis
“The Amaryllis has been doing many living acts within itself. Nourishing, growing, flowering itself, in the same way that when I take a sip of water, am I not very much like the plant nourishing itself?”
We now bring you episode 3, The Amaryllis with Fr. Owen Carroll.
Lecturer Fr. Owen Carroll is one of the foremost experts on Thomas Aquinas and one of the greatest living teachers on the life of Christ. After praying to remain hidden his whole life, he has now entrusted his unpublished work and lectures with us.
We are pleased to bring you these lectures given to a small group of retired religious (many, like Fr. Carroll, in their 90s)!
We hope you will enjoy and share these lessons that are as charming as they are profound. Subscribe to get them throughout the season.
Purchase Fr. Carroll’s book, The Sufferings and Glory of Christ: A Meditation on Holy Week to Ascension today and get 20% off now through Ascension!
Head to the website for more!

Mar 8, 2023 • 54min
Ep. 071 - Liturgy, Authority, and Living Scripture
As Great Lent continues… so do podcasts with Fr. Owen Carroll.
Today’s being “Liturgy, Authority, and Living Scripture.”
Lecturer Fr. Owen Carroll is one of the foremost experts on Thomas Aquinas and one of the greatest living teachers on the life of Christ. As St. Bernard of Clairvaux is the last of the patristics, Fr. Carroll is said to be the last medieval schoolman. After praying to remain hidden his whole life, he has now entrusted his unpublished work and lectures with us.
We are pleased to bring you these lectures given to a small group of retired religious (many, like Fr. Carroll, in their 90s)!
We hope you will enjoy and share these lessons that are as charming as they are profound. Subscribe to get them throughout the season.
Purchase Fr. Carroll’s book, The Sufferings and Glory of Christ: A Meditation on Holy Week to Ascension today and get 20% off now through Ascension!
Head to the website for more!

Mar 2, 2023 • 1h 9min
Ep. 070 - The Foundations of the Five Ways
As the season of Great Lent is upon us, we are offering you a gift that we hope will edify you in this time of preparation.
Lecturer Fr. Owen Carroll is one of the foremost experts on Thomas Aquinas and one of the greatest living teachers on the life of Christ. As St. Bernard of Clairvaux is the last of the patristics, Fr. Carroll is said to be the last medieval schoolman. After praying to remain hidden his whole life, he has now entrusted his unpublished work and lectures with us.
We are pleased to bring you these lectures given to a small group of retired religious (many, like Fr. Carroll, in their 90s)!
We hope you will enjoy and share these lessons that are as charming as they are profound. Look for them throughout this season.
The first is called, “The Foundations of the Five Ways.”
Purchase Fr. Carroll’s book, The Sufferings and Glory of Christ: A Meditation on Holy Week to Ascension today and get 20% off now through Ascension!
Head to the website for more!

Dec 30, 2022 • 1h 7min
Ep. 069 - What Are You Going to Do with That, Anyway?
In this final episode of season two, meet Eric, a Student Fellow, friend of the Institute, and successful business man who is here to discuss the value of a "useless" degree and the importance of a Liberal Arts education in any endeavor.
Stay tuned for season three, and in the meantime, use this break to catch up on any episodes you may have missed.
You can give to the Great Campaign here: https://magnusinstitute.org/give/


