Magnus Podcast: Conversations from the Catacombs of Liberal Education

Ep. 123 – Enthymemes in the Gospel of John with John True Johnson

In this episode of the Magnus Podcast listen to John Johnson as guest leader of one of the Magnus Fellowship Cohort seminars as he explores the role of enthymemes—rhetorical devices that invite the reader to complete the argument for themselves—and argues that St. John uses them throughout his Gospel to reveal profound theological mysteries.

From the Bread of Life discourse to the Last Supper, John presents how St. John draws readers into contemplation, friendship with Christ, and ultimately into the bosom of the Father. Along the way, he examines connections between Aristotle, rhetoric, tradition, betrayal, and the beloved disciple's unique vision of divine Truth.

Ep. 122 – Mythology Makes the Best Metal Songs: Mythology, the Classics, and Progressive Metal with Mike LePond of Symphony X

Explore the intersection of classical music, mythology, the Great Books, and progressive metal with Symphony X's bassist Mike LePond. Discover how complex musical structures and timeless stories like the Odyssey and Paradise Lost inspire artistic expression and intellectual curiosity. Listen to how heavy metal music has gotten people to read classic literature and led to spiritual conversions.

 

Key topics:

• Storytelling through music: The Odyssey and Paradise Lost
• The role of mythology and classic literature in inspiring art
• Music as an educational tool and intellectual journey
• The influence of classical music on progressive metal

 

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Ep. 121 – AI and the Amputation of Human Expression with John Johnson

Magnus Podcast Episode 121 Does AI Dream of Electric Consciousness?: AI and the Amputation of Human Expression with guest (host?) John Johnson. Executive Director Emeritus and former host of the Magnus Podcast John Johnson joins Joshua Mazrin to discuss AI and our lessening ability to do things for ourselves. Is AI an inherent enemy? A necessary evil? Is it morally neutral of itself? Can the human mind be boiled down to ones and zeroes? You can guess the answer, but AI probably can't. Tune in for more.

 

For those of you who are interested in the Albertus Magnus Institute, particularly our fellowship, you can go to www.magnusinstitute.org slash apply. We would love to have you in our conversations going through these great texts. So thank you all and God bless. The Magnus Podcast is a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute. To learn more, visit magnusinstitute.org.

Ep. 120 - The Household Academy: Raising Your Children in the Liberal Arts with David Arias

Join Joshua and David Arias as they discuss raising your children in the liberal arts. Is homeschooling worth it? Is it easy?

 

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Ep. 119 - Liberal Arts, What Are They Good For? with Steven Cortright

Join Joshua Mazrin and Professor Steve Cortright as they discuss what the name "liberal arts" actually means. Are they worthless? Are they tools? What's the point?

Ep. 118 - Philosophy is More Valuable in Business than an MBA

Join Joshua and Eric Black as they discuss how each of their spiritual conversions came in a time in their lives when exploration of classical texts opened their minds to truth in deeper ways. They further their discussion sharing their experience in the private sector and how an education in the liberal arts with an understanding of philosophy and theology is more beneficial for successful business than any business degree could be.

Ep. 117 - Purgatorio and Love? with Dr. Anthony Esolen

When one thinks of Purgatory, especially as described in Dante's Purgatorio, love is not the first thing that comes to mind. In this episode, Dr. Anthony Esolen leads a seminar from his Magnus Fellowship course "Into the World Beyond, With Dante" on the theme of love through the purification in Dante's Purgatorio, much like our own purging that purifies our love during the season of Lent.

Ep. 116 - An Introduction

We are closing the year with a big introduction: meet our new Executive Director: Joshua Mazrin! Join John and Joshua as they discuss the excellent experience that Joshua is bringing to AMI, authentic Liberal Arts education, and the exciting future we have ahead of us.

 

Join the Fellowship today: It's free and always will be. 

Will you please consider making a gift to AMI as we close out our end of year fundraiser: The Great Campaign? With your help, we can continue to offer courses that are as free as they are freeing. 

 

Ep. 115 - Where Did We Go Wrong?: A Mediocre and Sentimental Education

Alec Bianco of the CiRCE Institute joins John to discuss the state of higher education. Where did colleges go wrong? Why are colleges choosing to drop their humanities programs in favor of niche degrees? What is the future of institutions who choose a mediocre and sentimental education over an education rooted in rigor and truth? 

Learn more about Alec Bianco and the CiRCE Institute.

Follow Alec on X @alecmbianco

At AMI, we are in the midst of the Great Campaign: our end of year fundraiser where we are seeking to raise $100,000, funds that go directly towards our courses that are as free as they are freeing.  Can you help us reach our goal?

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Ep.114 - On René Girard and Mimetic Desire

Producer Sam Sorich joins us to discusses his documentary Things Hidden: The Life and Legacy of René Girard, an award-winning and full length production about the French- American philosopher and historian. John and Sam discuss the importance of Girard’s work, mimetic theory, and the implications for the world today.

Watch the documentary for free on youtube:

Want to learn more about René Girad? The Magnus Fellowship offered an 8 week course on the philospher with Dr. Patrick Downey. Watch the first class on our YouTube channel:

Join the Magnus Fellowship today for more great courses.