Purposeful Lab

In the final episode of Purposeful Lab, Catherine and Dan look back on some of the most memorable moments from the past five seasons. They discuss everything from biology and astrochemistry to neuroscience, consciousness, and philosophy, reviewing some of the fascinating topics they've explored together with their guests.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Catherine and Dan delve into a discussion with Dr. Matthew Breuninger, a licensed clinical psychologist and associate professor at Franciscan University of Steubenville. They explore how psychology intersects with faith to foster human flourishing, focusing on topics such as trauma, healing, and virtue formation. Dr. Breuninger shares insights from his clinical work and his book, "Finding Freedom in Christ: Healing Life's Hurts," shedding light on the role of psychological practices in overcoming life's challenges and achieving personal transformation. Listeners will gain a deeper understanding of the importance of community, purpose, and transcendent experiences in the journey toward healing and growth.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Genevieve Buono, currently writing her dissertation on Edith Stein's aesthetics, joins Dan and Catherine this week to discuss Stein's views on art, philosophy and her path to sainthood. Stein, a pioneering female philosopher, tragically perished in Auschwitz alongside her Jewish loved ones.  Listen to this week's episode to discover the relevance of Stein's teachings to your life. Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Renowned author and philosophy professor, Dr. Daniel McInerny, joins hosts Dan and Catherine to delve into the profound question: Can art help us find meaning in life? Together, they explore the philosophy of art, delving into the unique ways in which art illuminates the human experience. Drawing from his acclaimed book 'The Good Death of Kate Montclair,' Dr. McInerny offers profound insights into how literature can guide us through life's existential questions.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dr. Katie Kresser, a Professor of Art History at Seattle Pacific University joins Dan and Catherine to discuss the fundamental questions: why do humans create art, and what does that reveal about our unique nature?  Is art essential to human flourishing?  This episode is for both seasoned art enthusiasts and those seeking practical means to incorporate art into their lives. Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

A must listen for anyone interested in transforming the current cultural landscape.  Dan and Catherine interview Magis Center's founder and president, Fr. Robert Spitzer, S.J. on his book "Ten Universal Principles: A Brief Philosophy of Life Issues"   The implementation of these ten principles is the key to saving our culture and fostering its flourishing.  Immerse yourself in this timeless philosophical tradition and embark on the journey of building a flourishing society.  Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dr. Jeanne Zehr of the MINDCAP Center for Cognitive Advantage joins Dan and Catherine to discuss how to unleash your mind's full potential.   For anyone suffering from COVID brain fog to dyslexia to just wanting to improve your cognitive functions this episode is for you.  Dr.  Zehr brings a wealth of knowledge to show just how amazing our brains really are and how they are so capable for positive change.  Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dan interviews philosopher, Dr. John F. Crosby on the new and exciting research in the field of personalism, a philosophy that highlights the importance of the human person. Personalism offers a fresh perspective on human existence, shedding light on life's mysteries, including the mysteries of life, death, and the ultimate purpose of the human person in the cosmos.Dr. John F. Crosby is a Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at the Franciscan University of Steubenville.   He has written extensively on Personalism including his book "The Personalism of John Paul II"Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dan and Catherine welcome Fr. James Brent, O.P. to discuss the soul, its powers and properties.  What is the soul?  How can the soul survive bodily death? What makes the human soul unique? Fr. James answers these questions and more on this week's podcast.  Fr. James teaches at the Dominican House of Studies in Washington, D.C. He regularly lectures for the Thomistic Institute and Aquinas 101, contributes to SpiritualDirection.com, and preaches retreats to college students and young adults.  His book "The Father's House: Discovering Our Home in the Trinity" is now available for purchase. Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dr. Sharon Dirckx joins Dan and Catherine to discuss the differences between the mind, the brain, and what we know about consciousness.   Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Did you ever wonder what makes humans truly thrive? Dan and Catherine welcome Dr. Pam King to Purposeful Lab to answer that very question.  Dr. King is a professor of applied developmental science and the executive director of the Thrive Center for Human Development at Fuller Seminary.   With evolutionary psychology and theology as a guide, Dr. King equips one with the tools and inspiration to find purpose and thrive in today's world.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dan and Catherine explore the unique characteristics of the human brain that set us apart from other organisms. Delving into evolutionary psychology, they investigate how the development of the human mind and brain during childhood shapes our distinct identity as human beings.  Touching on the science of brain evolution, the hosts navigate through the intricate interplay between biology and the essential role of social interaction in human development. Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

In part two of an interview with Dr. Sofia Carozza, Dan, Catherine, and Sofia take a closer look at early childhood trauma and the brain.  With the help of AI, Sofia spends her time at Harvard Medical researching  how early experiences in life shape the brain structure and one's cognitive functions.   What her research shows is that your brain can heal and that there is hope for those who have undergone early childhood trauma.  Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

In part one of a two part interview, Dan and Catherine chat with Sofia Carozza, a neuroscientist conducting postdoctoral research at Harvard Medical School, on the complexities of the human brain. Sofia explains key aspects of brain development, neural plasticity, and the role of evolutionary biology in shaping the brain. Don't miss this insightful episode that highlights just how amazing and intricate the human brain is.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Catherine interviews Dan on one of his areas of expertise, human evolution.  Not only is a Dan a professor of Biology at Franciscan University of Stubenville, but he is also the author of several articles and books on evolution.  His newest book on evolution will be released in 2025 by Word On Fire Press.  Dan and Catherine's discussion unearths the complex mosaic of human evolution where our shared ancestry with chimps is just the beginning.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Theologian Dr. Christopher Baglow joins Dan to delve into the problem of evil. Together, they grapple with the existence of natural disasters and human evil, and how they intersect with a loving deity's creation. Dr. Baglow, with his work at the McGrath Institute for Church Life and contributions to theological education, enriches our conversation with insights that bridge the gap between faith and the natural world, offering a fresh lens through which to view age-old questions.Don't forget to reach out with your own inquiries and stay tuned for more Purposeful Lab updates that seek to illuminate the intersection of faith, science, and the human person.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Join Daniel Toma, Dan and Catherine to discuss nature's intrinsic purpose and the liturgical structure of the universe.   Through the lenses of ecology, theology, and philosophy, they examine humanity's role in the grand cosmic hierarchy.  Daniel Toma is a Professor of Biological Sciences at Minnesota State University  Mankato.  He is the author of Vestige of Eden, Image of Eternity: Common Experience, the Hierarchy of Being, and Modern Science Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Join Dan and Catherine as they welcome back Dr. Matthew Tsakanikas, a distinguished theology professor renowned for his insights into Genesis. Together, they delve into the layers of Genesis, exploring the Catholic Church's perspective on its interpretation. This discussion spans the historical, scientific, and moral dimensions of this sacred text, guided by the teachings of the Pontifical Biblical Commission.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dan and Catherine discuss how to reconcile biological evolution with the Catholic faith. Particularly, how can we understand biological evolution in light of the human person as made in the image and likeness of God? Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Season 2 reaches its conclusion in Episode 6, where Dan interviews Sofia Carozza on the role of love and relationship in brain development.  Sofia, a postdoctoral research fellow at Harvard Medical School, specializes in computational modeling and focuses on the impact of adversity on the development of the human brain. Her research enriches this ever-evolving field of study.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dan and Catherine discuss the world of particle colliders and the quest for new physics with Dr. Aaron Dominguez.Dr. Dominguez is Currently serving as the Provost and an Ordinary Professor of Physics at The Catholic University of America, Dr. Dominguez brings a wealth of experience from extensive research, including contributions to the study of the Higgs boson.  Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

In light of the recent congressional hearings on UFOs, Dan and Catherine engage in a thought-provoking conversation with theologian, Dr. Matthew Tsakanikas on extraterrestrial life.They delve into the available data on UFOs and contemplate the implications that extraterrestrial life would have on Christianity. Drawing from the wisdom of C.S. Lewis and Thomas Aquinas, this episode provides timely insights you won't want to miss.Read Matthew Tsakanikas' article: Congressional Hearings on UFOs and the Foresight of C.S. LewisHave your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Is the universe knowable at all? Is anything certain? Many philosophers would say we cannot know anything with certainty.  That seemingly simple statement actually has some pretty dire consequences. However, with a proper understanding of how we come to know, we can uncover truths behind what makes the universe so vast and beautiful and discover our place in it. Fr. Gregory Pine, a renowned Dominican priest, author, and podcast host is here this week to help us navigate epistemology.   With the help of Fr. Gregory, Dan, and Catherine, we will begin to understand how we come to know and how we can be certain of that knowledge.  With that security of knowledge, we will be free to find meaning and purpose in the universe and in our lives.  Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

In the latest Purposeful Lab episode, Dan and Catherine unravel the mysteries of the universe with Dr. Stephen Barr. As a renowned researcher in theoretical particle physics and Professor Emeritus of the Univerity of Delaware, Dr. Barr shared valuable insights on quantum physics, multiverse theories, and the intersection of science and theology.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Are science and faith mutually exclusive, or can they harmoniously coexist? This is the question we focus on in our latest podcast episode. Dan and Catherine reflect on Purposeful Lab Season 1 and share what's to come in Season 2. Throughout both seasons, the relationship between faith and science is an undercurrent to many of the topics covered. In this episode, we explore this concept specifically in conversations with Dr. Stephen Barr, Dr. Chris Baglow, and Sophia Carozza.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Unlock the secrets of human purpose and happiness in an enlightening conversation with Fr. Robert Spitzer, President of Magis Center. This journey into the depths of human nature will unravel the four levels of happiness, starting from immediate gratification to the ultimate happiness of living in goodness and love. Fr. Spitzer, with his deep insights and captivating wisdom, guides us in evaluating these levels of happiness by their pervasiveness, enduring ability, and depth, moving us closer to understanding life's purpose.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

What's the order of the universe and what does it mean for us? Unearth the answers with guest, Dr. John Cuddeback. As head of the Department of Philosophy at Christendom College, Dr. Cuddeback brings a wealth of knowledge on human nature, philosophy, and the deeper questions of life that science often overlooks. Together, Catherine and Dr. Cuddeback navigate the complex realms of human nature, exploring how Aristotle's views of an ordered universe and human flourishing can guide us to a better understanding of our own place in it.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Take a deep dive into the fascinating world of consciousness with our esteemed guest, Dr. Stephen Barr, professor emeritus of the Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Delaware. What if our conscious awareness is a paradox that the physical world cannot decipher? Together with Dr. Barr, we unpack the mystery of consciousness, examining its three main ingredients: free will, rationality, and our subjective perception of our surroundings.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

Dan Kuebler interviews Simon Conway Morris, emeritus professor of evolutionary paleobiology at the University of Cambridge.  Simon Conway Morris recently published the book From Extraterrestrials to Animal Minds, in which he dismantles six myths of evolution.In the interview, Dan and Dr. Conway Morris discuss a few of these myths, and how the truth about evolution could reveal purpose in the universe.Have your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

In this episode of The Purposeful Lab podcast, Dan and Catherine have an enlightening conversation with Dr. Karin Öberg, an astronomy professor at Harvard University who specializes in astrochemistry. Dan, Catherine, and Dr. Öberg delve into topics such as the Big Bang, how stars and galaxies form, what makes a planet habitable, alien life, the James Webb telescope, and the chemical precursors for life.To learn more visit: magiscenter.com/purposeful-universeHave your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab

In this introductory episode, biologist Dan Kuebler and journalist Catherine Hadro present an overview of the topics they'll explore in Season 1. Dan shares his journey from an English major to a molecular biologist, driven by the search for answers to life's big questions.  Catherine describes the unique collaboration between a scientist and journalist as they delve into the profound truths of our universe. Join them in The Purposeful Lab as they explore the story arc from the origins of the universe, to the emergence of life on Earth, to consciousness and free will all in their search for meaning and purpose.  Embark on this exploration of life's biggest questions.To learn more visit: http://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-universeHave your call in questions be featured on the podcast: Leave a voicemail at 949-257-2436 Learn more and read articles: https://www.magiscenter.com/purposeful-lab