Shine Bright Like the Firmament

In this episode, Madeline chats with Connor Thompson, a chemical engineer in training at a company in the Pacific Northwest. During their conversation, they discuss some I&A lore, his different science phases as a kid, his high school science experience, undergrad at Montana State, engineering exams, what a professional engineer is, science and natural philosophy, and so much more.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!***Note: The lower sound quality of most of this episode was the result of an unsuccessful experiment in alternative recording setups.***

In this episode, Madeline chats with Kyle Shepard, an engineering PhD student at Purdue University. During their conversation, they discuss his childhood in Oklahoma, Internet research rabbit holes, critical thinking, his undergrad and Master's at Oklahoma State, PhD work at Purdue, being a lifelong learner, embracing being a dork, koinania, savoring classic works of literature, St. Francis de Sales, martyrs, being friends with people how are different ages than you, and so much more.During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include The Power of Silence by Cardinal Sarah, St. Thomas Aquinas' Summa Theologica, Introduction to the Devout Life by St. Francis de Sales, a few episodes of this podcast (episodes 2, 16, and 47 specifically), and the following talk by Fr. John Kartje.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Tyler Kropp, a software engineer for a consulting company. During their conversation, they discuss how he went to Purdue for computer science, his first forays into computers and programming, AP exams, how he ended up at Purdue, knowing your limits, what college computer science classes are like, insights into remote work, the importance of learning the faith in a way you understand, the necessity of beauty, getting involved in your parish community, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include Pope St. John Paul II's Letter to Artists.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Katy Downing, the planetarium and programming director at the Lake Erie Nature & Science Center. During their conversation, they discuss what got her interested in astronomy, connections between their advisors, her REU, what she does in her role on the day to day, constellation oral traditions, what goes into planetarium content creating, how science is interdisciplinary, bird migration and light pollution, different methods of praying, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include NASA moon trees, the Bible in a Year podcast, the Walking with Purpose bible study, and the a handful of episode of this podcast (27, 29, 65, and 71).Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats again with Matt Kavanaugh, an agricultural meteorology graduate student at Iowa State University. During their conversation, they discuss his early fascination with meteorology, how he ended up at Valparaiso University for his undergrad, the classes he's had to take, nowcasting, landscaping, the connection between meteorology and environmental science, having good science communication, going to conferences, what Valpo Catholic is like, how you can give of your time talent and treasure no matter your circumstances, finding Catholic community as a grad student, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the episodes 46 and 68 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Jess McKendry, a student support professional at an Australian university with a background in freelance IT. During their conversation, they discuss big families, linguistics and conlangs, digital literacy, using technology for good, casual observational astronomy, a brief history of Australia, religion in Australian schools, showing love in times of divisiveness, using technology for good, how what we consume shapes us, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include The Liturgy Guys podcast and episode 63 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Fr. Jhobany Orduz-Duarte, a Viatorian priest (who at the time of recording was a deacon) from Colombia who is a former soldier, civil engineer, and professor. During their conversation, they discuss how he and Madeline met, English as a second language, what the Viatorians are about, his family's coffee background, how the murder of his sister affected him, the Sixth Commandment as presented in the New Testament, the ends not justifying the means, God coming to call all sinners, how he came back to faith, his vocation story and the invitation to vocation, how the vow of obedience works as a religious, how he ended up in the U.S., encountering other cultures, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore, including Quantum Theology by Diarmuid O'Murchu, episode 29 of this podcast, and the Father and Dad podcast .Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with James Ronan, a British paleontologist. During their conversation, they discuss his undergrad degree in geography, his masters in paleobiology from the University of Bristol, his work with CAFOD, what higher education looks like in his country, the sorts of things you learn about as a paleontologist, his field work in Montana, how science can lend credence to certain aspects, his fascination with hadrosaurs, being Catholic in England, advocating in an inviting way, demographic problems in the Western Church, the call to helping others, his science communication work, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore, including episode 39 of this podcast. You can also check out James' work on his website.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Fernanda Psihas, a particle physicist with a background in AI and also a professor at Franciscan University. During their conversation, growing up in Mexico City, her ministry where she speaks at local parishes about science and faith, her fascination with English, the post-Christian age in the West and Latin America, her undergrad education at a Jesuit university in Mexico, the intercession of St. Jude on Fernanda's grad school acceptance, Madeline's grad school acceptance story and St. Joseph, God's providence, Fr. Mike Schmitz, her time at University of Minnesota-Duluth, how neutrino experiments led her to IU, an IU physicist they both admire, neutrino physics and the NOVA experiment, the toxicity of the “publish or perish” mentality, the importance of mercy and showing that you care enough to try your best, being good role models, avoiding scrupulosity, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references From Christendom to Apostolic Mission, Markmaker by Mary Jessica Woods, and episodes 1 and 29 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this special birthday episode, Madeline celebrates turning 27 by reading her second published short story, Spooky Action at A Closeness. It is in an anthology of Christmas ghost stories called There'll Be Scary Ghost Stories. It is edited by Inkwells and Anvils, a Catholic writing community she spends much of her time in when not podcasting.If you enjoyed Madeline's Christmas ghost story, she highly recommends reading the other ghost stories in the anthology, which you can buy here. You can follow the other shenanigans of Inkwells and Anvils here.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Fr. Zach Glick, a priest of the Diocese of Gary and a military chaplain in the Air Force. During their conversation, they discuss the podcast he co-hosted with as a seminarian, his mechanical engineering degree at Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, Air Force ROTC, why he chose Rose-Hulman, coming back to and owning his faith in college, the power of personal invitations, what a come-and-see retreat is like, St. Francis of Assisi, why he chose to become a diocesan priest, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Faith In Focus podcast (which he co-hosted with past guest Fr. Steven Caraher) and episodes 29 and 32 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats again with Bob Smith, a blind computer programmer. During their conversation, they discuss the connection between coding and mechanical things, his degree in sociology from UIUC, community college, how he got into college, how he became blind, the accommodations that allow him to do his job, his love of COBOL, the story of him almost drowning, things that have inspired his faith, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the following movies: Song of Bernadette, Francis of Assisi, and The Miracle of Our Lady of Fatima.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats again with her friend Adria Kamm, who has a background in biological anthropology. During their conversation, they discuss her unique education, sports, how she got interested in science and fascinated with death, what anthropology is, her own journey with mental health, her time in community college, biological anthropology, her reversion, respect for the dead, the importance of community and faith learning resources, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the episodes Anne Marie 39 and 51 of this podcast, the Headless Romans documentary, the Reason and Theology YouTube channel, the Pints with Aquinas podcast, Icon Ministries, and the Blessed by Cancer Instagram account.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats again with her friend Melissa Ring, a recent graduate of Valparaiso University with a degree combining geography and meteorology. During their conversation, they discuss the event that made her love weather, how she ended up at VU, what you learn as a meterology major, what happens when science doesn't love you back, the interdisciplinary nature of geography, storm chasing, growing up in a mixed faith household, how she came to embrace her faith, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the episodes 38, 42, 45, and 46 (Melissa's previous episode on the pod) of this podcast. You can also check out Melissa's writing and storm-chasing shenanigans here.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Fr. Joseph Shenosky, a priest of the Archdiocese of Philadelphia with a degree in mechanical engineer. During their conversation, they discuss his time at Penn State University, spending a few years in the industry and learning important life skills, his discernment process, his love of Mary, the importance of having supportive bosses, the influence of his college Newman Center, why he became a diocesan priest, his time in seminary, the importance of getting involved in your parish, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the episodes 44 and 59 and Fide et Ratio.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Dan Kuebler, a professor of biology at the Franciscan University and the vice president of the Society of Catholic Scientists. During their conversation, they discuss his undergrad at Catholic University of America, the importance of great mentors, how he discovered he loved teaching, PhD at Berkley, how he came into his faith at University of California at Berkley, getting to know the church through her documents, how science and faith keep each other from going off the rails, the importance of exploring your interests, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Society of Catholic Scientists, Fide et Ratio; the Church Life Journal of the McGrath Institute; and episodes 5, 6, 16, and 65 of this podcast. You can also check out some of Dan's work by listening to the Purposeful Lab podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Steve Barr; an author, a professor emeritus of theoretical physics at the University of Delaware, and the founding president of the Society of Catholic Scientists. During their conversation, they discuss the isolation religious scientists sometimes feel in academic historically, the great Catholic scientists, his own faith journey, the role model of his father, letting your ideas germinate for a good amount of time, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Society of Catholic Scientists, SCS's Scientists of the Past resource, and episode 27 of this podcast. You can also check out his book, Modern Physics and Ancient Faith, here.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Hannah Bernstein, a landscape architecture student at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign During their conversation, they discuss the Pacific Northwest and Spain, UIUC's Newman Center, what landscape architecture is, how our expertise gets embedded in us, living at a residential Newman Center, American accents, her study abroad and research trip, Dominican cloister gardens, going beyond the surface level, the King of Itineraries, and so much more!-links: the not so big house, A Pattern LanguageDuring the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include The Not So Big House by Susan Susanna and A Pattern Language by Christopher W. Alexander.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Caroline George, a quality process engineer in manufacturing. During their conversation, they discuss what a quality process engineer does, her undergrad at Auburn. How she ended up in PA, her internship at Honeywell, her reversion, discovering the TLM, being challenged, praying for others, fasting, the TLM, the validity of all Catholic liturgical rites, knowing why things are the way they are, evangelization in the work environment, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Liturgy Guys podcast; Treasure and Tradition by Lisa Bergman; episodes 23, 44, and 50 of this podcast.The Liturgy Guys podcast, Treasure and Tradition bookFeel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Maddie Smith, a wife, mom, and former pharmacy technician. During their conversation, they discuss what a pharmacy technician does, the importance of patience and customer service, the golden rule, becoming who God sees us as, how she met her husband Slater, her conversion, the importance of confession, her advice for fellow survivors of sexual assault, the difference vengeance and justice, and so much more!Content Warning: There are occasional mentions of a sensitive topic not appropriate for children's ears starting at about minute 18. An audio warning occurs at the beginning of the episode to warn people and to allow anyone the opportunity to skip ahead if necessary.During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode 23 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Matt Nelson, a high school math and science teacher at Cardinal Ritter High School in Indianapolis. During their conversation, they discuss the prep that goes into teaching, his original degree in marketing, his unconventional path to education, music and math, what Indiana's transition to teaching program is like, his advice for future teachers, how he got involved in teaching Earth and space sciences, incorporating science and faith in the classroom, presenting evidence, questions are welcomed, even saints weren't always perfect, growing up Catholic in the 90s, his reversion story, St. Meinrad Archabbey, finding a parish to call home, all about the Ordinariate, how he met his wife, the Transcendentals, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the A Printer's Choice by W.L. Patenaude, and episodes 16, 39, 41 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her Paul Rimmer, a professor at the University of Cambridge studying the origins of life. During their conversation, they discuss eclipses and the April 2024 eclipse, Colorado, his time at University of Colorado at Denver, changing your trajectory, learning lessons, his atheist phase, Madeline's trip to Switzerland, an impactful REU and symbolic logic professor and Byzantine Catholic priest, imperfection, good role models for marriage, his work in atmospheric chemistry in exoplanets, Cambridge's laidback atmosphere and the importance of rest, his tips on work life balance, the secular culture of Europe, the English martyrs, the importance of turning back, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Particles of Faith by Stacy Trasancos, the Jen Fulwiler Show podcast, and episodes 47, 54, and 59 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this special tangent episode, Madeline chats again with her friend Ben Stapleton, an electrical engineer for a utility company. During their conversation, they expand on the literature tangent of their previous episode by discussing their respective favorite sci-fi novels: Markmaker by Mary Jessica Woods and A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr. They discuss the plots of the two novels, their respective reactions, and much more!Content Warning: This episode includes spoilers for both books and also discusses graphic violence from both of the novels.During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Inkwells and Anvils community,  The Children of Time series by Adrian Tchaikovsky, The Expanse series by James S.A. Corey, The Wheel of Time series by Robert Jordan, the Black Panther movie, A Slow Death: 83 Days of Radiation Sickness. You can also follow Mary Jessica Woods' writing shenanigans on her website or her instagram @maryjessicawoods.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her Pat Schloss, a microbiologist/biology professor at Michigan who studies the microbiome. During their conversation, they discuss data science, his postdoc at University of Wisconsin-Madison, undergrad and grad school at Cornell in agricultural and biological engineering, farm life, his large family and how having families should be normalized, the opportunity to be a role model and being good steward of the power you're given, his three year apostasy phase, an influential religious studies class and Trappist monastery visit, conversion, Opus Dei, work as prayer and sacrifice, loving those we disagree with, a typical day in his life, his spiritual game plan, sabbathing appropriately, our call to evangelize, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the movie Contact, the Monsignor Shea talk at SEEK24, this 1993 NYT interview of Fr. Georges Lemaitre, and episodes 2 and 5 of this podcast.If you want to reach out to Pat, you can reach him here: peschloss@gmail.comFeel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Rob Singler, a mechanical engineer. During their conversation, they discuss the funny story about how Rob got on Madeline's radar, putting people in boxes, a link between engineering and creative writing, his undergrad at Kentucky, the importance of great friends, famous Catholics, what his general work life is like, Spencer Clavin, quantum physics, college culture vs. church culture, confession, the shackles of shame, the importance of having friends that call you higher, and so much more!-link: Ben's episode, I&A, The Martian, Fr. Kartje's episode, The Great DivorceDuring the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Inkwells and Anvils writing community, The Martian by Andy Weir, The Great Divorce by C.S. Lewis, and episodes 2 and 44 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Briana Sobecks, a 2nd year chemical engineering PhD student at Stanford. During their conversation, they discuss her research, how her high school and family ignited her fascination with biology and engineering, undergrad in chemical engineering at UIUC, taking ownership of your faith, choir, grad school Catholic groups, philosophy, and so much more!Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Stacy Trasancos, research chemist turned adjunct and author. During their conversation, they discuss, how to treat those we disagree with, growing up Baptist in Texas, what led to her atheist phase and back to faith, organic chemistry, solidarity in suffering, conforming to God's will, how meaningful it is to be a mother, gratitude, her additional faith-related masters degrees, being financially responsible, how she came to Catholicism, holiness is for everyone, being a modern woman of faith, how we aren't promised an easy life, persistence through suffering, never giving up on marriage, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include her Substack Engaging Atheism, her book Particles of Faith, episode 27 of this podcast, and Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Mike Gamba, a civil engineer with his own firm. During their conversation, they discuss the perks of living in mountains, his faith life growing up, what lead to his borderline atheist phase, the class the changed his mind, the influence of the Sandy Hook shooting in coming home, exploring honestly, his degree in geological engineering from Colorado School of Mines, who has the final authority on what is true, the Great Commission, childish vs. child-like, diaconate training, docility to God's will, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episodes 42 and 45, The Power of Silence by Robert Cardinal Sarah, and Modern Physics and Ancient Faith by Stephen Barr.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!-link: Sofia and Grace's episodes

In this episode, Madeline chats with Zephyr Thomas, a software developer by day and self-published author by night. During their conversation, they discuss what software development is, slower-paced stories, attention span, knowing your audience, creativity, his unique college journey and what motivated his degree choice, why he left Idaho, his conversion journey, the impact of philosophy and St. Thomas Aquinas, his son's NICU stay, the Eucharist drawing him in, how working from home affects his prayer life, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include his books--which you can check out here, his substack, the Legend Fiction writing community, and day 362 of the Catechism in a Year podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her Anne Marie Snoddy, a biological anthropologist research fellow working (at time of recording) at the University of Otago in New Zealand. During their conversation, they discuss biology and anthropology undergrad at Franciscan University of Steubenville, Masters in paleopathology at Durham University in the UK, the NOVA specials, what paleoanthropology is, evolution as the creative genius of God, authentically Catholic universities that aren't insular, people are more important than papers, the culture of academia, a typical day in her work, different college systems around the world, the pros of having a liberal arts education, dignity of the human person, othering, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode 39 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friends, LC Douglas and Ellie McGhee, sisters who are undergrads studying computer science and plasma physics respectively. During their conversation, they discuss geography, sleep, what got them into their fields, education, sports, their edgy atheist/agnostic phases and how they transcended that, Catholic marriage prep, faith, what we worship, pursuing knowledge, particle physics, dangerous physics experiments best left to the professionals, what they write, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Inkwells and Anvils writing community and episode 27 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend and optometrist Randy Fortkamp. During their conversation, they discuss the many different ways to be an optometrist, why he ended up at IU, how his degrees worked, his time at a pharmacy plant, how he met his wife, Hoosier Awakenings 1 and 4, boundaries on your time, the importance of who you surround yourself with, everyday evangelism, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode 9 of this podcast and the Maria Stein Relic Shrine in Ohio.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with two friends: Matt Kresich, a parish youth and adult ministry professional at Holy Name of Jesus Catholic Church in Cedar Lake, Indiana and George Jurincie, a computer engineer working in HVAC manufacturing. During their conversation, they discuss their engineering backgrounds, why they got into their respective fields, both went to PNW, what college faith life looks like at a commuter campus, Awakening, how Matt got into youth ministry, how George got his job, the universal call to service, how they started podcasting, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include Matt and George's own podcast called Cast Out Into the Deep (especially episodes 1, 11, and 13), this episode of the Seeking Excellence podcast, and Matt's website.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her Srishti Gupta, a FOCUS missionary at Kennesaw State University. During their conversation, they discuss went her undergrad at Georgia Tech for aerospace engineering, growing up Hindu, her atheist phase, idolatry, reconciling an all powerful and all good God, what caused her to abandon Hinduism and take up atheism, some background about India, moral relativism, the problem/reason of suffering, the works of mercy, the courage of astronauts, her research in undergrad, her conversion story, the power of beautiful night skies, consolations, poetry, desires, and so much more!-links: The Case for Christ, Robert Frost poetry, Story of Salvation Abraham chapter, David's episodeDuring the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode 34 of this podcast, The Case for Christ by Lee Strobel, this chapter from the Story of Salvation bible study, and the poetry of Robert Frost.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this special birthday episode, Madeline celebrates turning 26 by going off on a slight tangent chatting with Melissa Ring, her friend and geography and meteorology student at Valparaiso University, about her sci-fi writing hobby. During the course of their conversation, they discuss how Madeline and Melissa met, the inspiration for the episode, the tale of Hoosier Awakening 5, Madeline's three works-in-progress, writing as healing, the SEEK conference, imagination, similarities between writing and doing science, and much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references that you can further explore. Some of these references include episodes 19, 38, and 39 of this podcast; Markmaker by Mary Jessica Woods; Love, Treachery, and Other Terrors by Katharine Campbell; the Legend Fiction community, Pope St. John Paul II's Letter to Artists, and The Martian by Andy WeirIf you want to check out Melissa's own writing, you can follow her on insta: @melissa_officicinalis_writesFeel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Sofia Bilder, a quality engineer for a steel mill in Northwest Indiana. During their conversation, they discuss her undergrad at Colorado School of Mines, what lead her to Catholicism, why she moved to Indiana from Colorado, how she and Madeline met, RCIA, the unlikely story of how she met her husband, how engagement then marriage has shaped her faith life, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode 42 of this podcast and the Catechism in a Year podcast. She also has a Catholic blog where she writes about her life since converting, and you can read it here.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Ben Stapleton, an electrical engineer for a utility company. During their conversation, they discuss his summer camp and Kairos experiences,  his undergrad at Penn State University, a glimpse into his work life, his math professor aspirations, sub creation, artificial intelligence, reading, some highlights of his faith journey, an influential friendship with another Ben, writing and ambiguity, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode 4 of this podcast, the  Inkwells and Anvils community, J. R. R. Tolkien's stories, Beowulf, Brandon Sanderson's stories, the Wheel of Time series, That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis, Ender's Game and Speaker for the Dead by Orson Scot Card, The Martian and Project Hail Mary by Andy Weir, A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller Jr., the Foundation book series, The Expanse series, and St. Meinrad Archabbey.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Cara Buskmiller, an OB/GYN and consecrated virgin for the Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston. During their conversation, they discuss what is was like growing up in her family, a fateful Girl Scouts trip, her undergrad at Thomas Aquinas College in California, med school at Texas A&M, residency at St. Louis University, her nonprofit, dealing with a life-limiting fetal diagnosis, showing up  for women and children in need, suffering well, the necessity of clarity in disagreements, human flourishing,  joy vs. happiness, vocations and her vocation story, all about consecrated virginity, the Focolare ecclesial movement, the significance of saying yes, practicing virtue in the everyday, confirmation bias, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episodes 5 and  36 of this podcast, her nonprofit Conscience in Residency, and the encyclical Humanae Vitae.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Grace Van Hare, a medical student at Case Western Reserve University. During their conversation, they discuss her relationship with her younger sister, veiling, her conversion, humility, her parents' falling away and subsequent reversion, the chaos of the 60s and 70s in the Church, her undergrad in chemistry at Colorado School of Mines, her undergrad research, her relationship with her husband Jason and how that influenced her conversion, belonging, the Transcendentals, her research lab and EMT phase, being in med school as a mom, self-control, learning to trust God, pro-life policies that will help mother and child, her gap year research, struggling with temptation and forgiveness, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode 37 of this podcast and the documentary Dopesick.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Bill Patenaude, a retired mechanical engineer who used to work for the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management. During their conversation, they discuss his bachelors degree at the University of Rhode Island, his work at the EPA, his reversion,  getting a Masters in theology, sci-fi books and his debut novel, universal vs. uniform, the importance of reverence during Mass, being counter-cultural, the importance of environmental stewardship, the Church being a refuge and source of charity, the different kinds of love, the importance of service and sacrifice, his love of teaching othersand so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode 39 of this podcast, Arthur C. Clarke, the Foundation series, the Catechism in a Year podcast, Star Wars, Gran Torino, and Avengers: Endgame.If you're interested in checking out William's writing, you can check out his blog and read his debut novel, A Printer's Choice.

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Raden Bowerman, a research and development manager for a mushroom company. During their conversation, they discuss his degree in sustainable biomaterials, an overview of non-timber forest products, psilocybin, drug chemistry, the health benefits of mushrooms, being a business and being environmental conscious, the necessity of scientists having good moral compasses, the impact of his dog Joules as an emotional support animal (ESA), ESAs in general, there's a mushroom for everybody, St. Mark Ji Tianxiang, the importance of transformation and transfiguration, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episode of this podcast, the Inkwells and Anvils community, the Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkien, and Doctor Who.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Thomas Salerno, a freelance writer, editor, and fellow podcaster with a background in paleontology and anthropology. During their conversation, they discuss his bachelor's in anthropology from SUNY Stony Brook, his past work  at the American Museum of Natural History, his love of Bl. Nicolaus Steno, how Thomas and Madeline met via Legend Fiction, dinosaur fiction, hubris and playing God, bioethics, ungodly self-reliance, his time at Catholic boarding school, liturgy of the hours, science fiction, some prophetic words of Venerable Fulton Sheen, the Book of Revelation, walking around the same places as your heroes, the importance of challenging our biases, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include episodes 19 and 32 of this podcast, the Legend Fiction community, the Prehistoric Planet show, the Foundation series/show, Jurassic Park by Michael Crichton, Raptor Red by Robert T. Bakker, The Lost World by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, The Sky People by S.M. Stirling, A Canticle for Leibowitz by Walter M. Miller, the Lord of the Rings series by J. R. R. Tolkien, Finding Darwin's God by Kenneth R. Miller, Markmaker by Mary Jessica Woods, Humanae Generis, and Fides et Ratio.You can read more about Thomas's work and catch his own podcast episodes here.  He also has some work that you can read at Word on Fire such as these articles mentioned in the episode: the JWST piece, the pro-life piece, and the Jurassic Park piece.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend Megan Bullock, a FOCUS missionary serving at Valparaiso University. During their conversation, they discuss how she started to love chemistry and science, why she chose to go IU over Purdue, the legend of Teter Small Group, how she ended up as a FOCUS missionary, what her physics class taught her about self-reliance and her relationship with God, identity, authentic friendship, what it was like to apply to FOCUS, what prepared her for her current job, a day in the life of a FOCUS missionary, discernment, and so much more!Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friends Nick and Lucie Nguyen, both medical students at Indiana University. During their conversation, they discuss how Nick met Madeline, Nick's exercise science undergrad, living life for leisure, Nick and Lucie's different up brings despite similar situations, making your parents proud, the influence of Notre Dame Vision on Lucie, having a career path that does things that matter, why Lucie had a theology major, what applying to med school and residency is like, Nick's ROTC phase, Nick's Awakening experience, finding your identity, being married in medical school, med school culture, how Nick and Lucie found each other, authentic masculinity, their spiritual journeys, creating intentional Catholic community after college, clarity and priorities, praying together as a couple, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include the Pints with Aquinas podcast, 33 Days to Morning Glory by Fr. Michael Gaitley, Exodus 90, The Screwtape Letters by C.S. Lewis, chapter 53 of the Book of the Prophet Isaiah, and episodes 9 and 34 of this podcast.**Note: Madeline mistakenly quotes the verse concerning "the Great Commission" as being from the Acts of the Apostles when it's actually from the Gospel of Matthew.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Br. Paschal Strader, OP, a Dominican cooperator brother of the Western Province. During the course of their conversation, they discuss the influence of his brother getting him into computer science, his undergrad at Cal State San Bernardino, his PhD at UC Santa Barbara, his pulsar and instrumentation research, exoplanet detection, the importance of Catholic friends, how he discerned joining the Dominicans, the importance of knowing who you do things for, the influence of St. Thomas Aquinas, Dominican spirituality and community life, some famous saintly scientists, being a cooperator brother, his experience in Rome, what's next for him, the vow of obedience, bouncing ideas off others, the importance of wonder, and much more!During the course of their conversation, they make reference to the Catechism In A Year podcast and episodes 15 and 23 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with her friend and an IT professional, Tyler Myers. During their conversation, they discuss how he got into computer science at DePauw University, his freshman year wake-up call, how he landed his gig doing work for the Diocese of Lafayette-in-Indiana, some inspirational saints, the influence of the Steubenville Conference, his love story with his fiancée Monica, his time at Tiger Catholic, his lifelong love of sports, the influence of his FOCUS missionaries, the importance of authentic friendship, some very inspirational priests, his thoughts on fraternity and fraternities, boldness,  what we take for granted with the Mass, silence, demystifying the opposite gender, vulnerability and mental health, work life balance, leading by example, running to the Eucharist, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include Exodus 90, The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn, Wild at Heart by John Eldredge, Captivating by John and Stasi Eldredge,  The Chosen tv series, Fr. Jonathan Meyer's homilies such as this one, episode 21 and 34 of this podcast, For Men Only and For Women Only by Shaunti Feldhahn, and the story of St. Mark Ji Tianxiang.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with David Paiz, an aerospace engineer and her cousin-in-law. During their conversation, they discuss his childhood in Guatemala and California, his undergrad at Embry-Riddle in aerospace engineering, his agnostic phase, his and his wife Kelly's journey back to Catholicism, the different engineering jobs he's had, the difference between different engineering jobs, his favorite parts of Guatemalan culture, why he moved back to the US, his love for his current parish community, Exodus 90 and his fruit from it, the importance of fraternity and community, St. Joseph the Worker and what holy work is, impactful books, the importance of silence, his love of the rosary, and so much more!During the course of their conversation, they make many references which you can explore. Some of these references include Exodus 90, The Gulag Archipelago by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, The Return of the Prodigal Son by Henry J. M. Nouwen, The Lamb's Supper by Scott Hahn, The Power of Silence by Robert Cardinal Sarah,  episode 16 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Nicole Koontz, an exercise science lecturer and the director of the Adult Physical Fitness Program at Ball State University. During the course of their conversation, they discuss growing up in Ohio, grad school at BSU, the multitude of factors that inspired her to do exercise science, coaching tack and cross country, her usual work, the benefits of exercise, the importance of finding your own motivation to be active, creating a good fitness plan, the importance of different kinds of exercises, being realistic, her relationship with Catholicism growing up, being married to a non-Catholic, confession as a spiritual etch-a-sketch, ways student athletes might better integrate their faith into their lives, and much more!During the course of their conversation, they make reference to episodes 21 and 26 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!

In this episode, Madeline chats with Fr. Dennis Klein, OP, a Dominican friar of the Western Province and a professor of theology at the Dominican School of Philosophy and Theology in Berkley, California. During the course of their conversation, they discuss the influence of the great Dominicans saints, his time at the Naval Academy, his time as a nuclear engineer on submarines with the Navy, his research in radiation hardening of RAM chips, being a later vocation, his itinerant life before joining the Dominicans, the influence of his sister who's a Missionary of Charity, his discernment journey, his Catholic upbringing and coming back to the faith, an influential Naval Academy philosophy professor, the importance of young adult groups, meeting Mother Theresa, asceticism in the East and West, accessing the sacraments when deployed/on ship and general sub life, religiosity on subs, contemplation and his prayer life, integration of prayer into your life, some of his favorite saints, and much more!During the course of their conversation, they make reference to episode 19 of this podcast.Feel free to like, subscribe, and share the episode! Follow us on Instagram! @sbltfpodcastDon't forget to go out there, and be a light to this world!