

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.”
Episodes

5 days ago
Ep. 110 - History: The Liberal Art
5 days ago
5 days ago
Happy 4th of July!
Celebrate our country’s independence with this extra special discussion with Dr. Richard Ferrier, tutor at Thomas Aquinas College. John Johnson and Dr. Ferrier discuss the complex question of, “Is history a liberal art?” They discuss this question by looking closely at American rhetoric, creeds, conspiracies, great people and cornerstone events from our founding until now.
If you can’t listen in one go, break it up. You don’t want to miss the end.
Calvin Coolidge’s speech on the 150th anniversary of our country’s independence: https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/address-the-celebration-the-150th-anniversary-the-declaration-independence-philadelphia
Join the Magnus Fellowship today!

Monday Jun 30, 2025
Ep. 109 - AI and the Free Mind Part II
Monday Jun 30, 2025
Monday Jun 30, 2025
John is back to discuss AI and the digital world, this time with AI thought leader and entrepreneur, Drago Dimitrov. They discuss how binary AI fits into our symbolic world and continue to tackle the difficult question, “How should Catholic Christians and liberal artists respond to this instrumental end of AI?”
Follow Drago on X: @Dragodimitrov
holyhabits.app

Saturday May 24, 2025
Ep. 108 - AI and the Free Mind Part I
Saturday May 24, 2025
Saturday May 24, 2025
Ryan Khurana, AI technologist, strategist, and thought leader, joins John Johnson to discuss AI and the digital world. They compare the personhood, creativity, and relationships gifted to man to the counterfeit personhood of AI. They begin to tackle the difficult question, “How should Catholic Christians and liberal artists rightly respond to the instrument that is AI?”
Stay tuned for Part II of the AI conversation with another special guest.
Join the Fellowship today!
magnusinstitute.org/fellowship

Tuesday May 13, 2025
Ep. 107 - A Community of Learning for Liberal Education
Tuesday May 13, 2025
Tuesday May 13, 2025
“Of all the forms of education, there is one that is best and most perfected and that education has come to be known as liberal education.” - Dr. David Arias
The Magnus Podcast season 5 has arrived! We open with the recording of our recent webinar where we discussed our Cohort Program and the value of liberal education with Dr. Joseph Hattrup, Dr. David Arias, and AMI's Larissa Bianco.
Magnusinstitute.org/institute to learn more!

Friday Dec 20, 2024
Ep. 106 - What is Knowing?
Friday Dec 20, 2024
Friday Dec 20, 2024
How do we know that what we know is true? What does it mean to participate in the truth? What is the object of the will?
Dr. Thaddeus Kozinki joins John to discuss Plato’s divided Line and the levels of being and knowledge.
Read his article Plato and Participation
Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute!
Learn more about Father Owen Carroll

Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Ep. 105 - Consecration of Self: Understanding the Order of Techne and Technology
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Tuesday Dec 17, 2024
Are digital tools inherently bad? How should we respond to the problem of tech? How do we know if what we are building is good?
Don't be a tool...just use one. Join John Johnson and Austin Klise, the founder of Klise Consulting as they discuss techne and technology and the implications therein.
You can find Austin @ kliseconsulting.com
Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute!
Learn more about Father Owen Carroll

Monday Nov 25, 2024
Ep. 104 - The Dignity of a Liberal Artist
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Monday Nov 25, 2024
Join John Johnson and Angel Adams Parham as they have a discussion about race befitting the dignity of a liberal artist.
Angel Adams Parham is Associate Professor of Sociology, senior fellow at the Institute for Advanced Studies in Culture, and Associate Director for the major in Political and Social Thought at the University of Virginia. Through her research in historical sociology, she engages in inquiry that examines the past in order to better understand how to live well in the present and envision wisely for the future.
Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute!
Learn more about Father Owen Carroll

Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Ep. 103 - Relationship Without Remainder
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Thursday Nov 14, 2024
Dr. Ryan Messmore of the Institute for Catholic Liberal Education joins John to talk about the foundation of the Catholic Faith, the nature of God, and the doctrine of the Trinity. Listen and hear about the good work of ICLE, the pillars of the Catholic Faith, and Christ's relationship with His creation.
Learn more about the Albertus Magnus Institute!
Learn more about Father Owen Carroll
Read Dr. Messmore's book

Friday Sep 20, 2024
Ep. 102 - From Tragedies to Comedies: The Journey of a Hero
Friday Sep 20, 2024
Friday Sep 20, 2024
Dr. Tiffany Schubert of Wyoming Catholic College joins Larissa to discuss the idea of the hero. From Virgil’s company of heroes and heroines to Jane Austen’s many female heroines, Dr. Schubert guides us to understand them in light of tragedies and comedies, fate and providence, and epics and novels.
Join the Magnus Fellowship today!
Check out Dr. Schubert's book Jane Austen's Romantic Medievalism: Courtly Love and Happy Endings

Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Ep. 101 - Refining the Renewal
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Thursday Aug 22, 2024
Alex Lessard of Adeodatus joins John Johnson to talk about the ongoing Classical education renewal. Join them in this lively conversation where they discuss issues facing the movement and explore unique solutions and ideas to refine the renewal even more.
Learn more about Adeodatus here!
Learn more about the Magnus Fellowship today!