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In this episode of The Future Is Human, I'm joined by theologian and blogger Larry Chapp for a wide-ranging conversation on Pope Leo XIV's first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. Larry — who writes at GaudiumEtSpes22.com and is a regular contributor to Catholic World Report — brings his characteristic blend of patristics, Augustinian social thought, and sharp Vatican-watching to the document. We dig into the encyclical's Christological anthropology, the Pope's Augustinian reading of the Tower of Babel, the tech-bro backlash, why AI will never achieve consciousness, what the encyclical gets right and wrong on just war theory, and what we're still hoping Leo writes next. Larry Chapp's response to Magnifica Humanitas at CWR: https://www.catholicworldreport.com/2026/05/27/why-i-think-magnifica-humanitas-is-a-pointed-and-prophetic-gut-punch/ Larry's blog: GaudiumEtSpes22.com Magnifica Humanitas : https://www.vatican.va/content/leo-xiv/en/encyclicals/documents/20260515-magnifica-humanitas.html

In this episode of The Future is Human, I'm joined by Conor McGlynn — a writer and PhD researcher at Harvard's Program on Science, Technology, and Society — to discuss his Compact essay "AI and the Myth of the Machine." Drawing on the 20th-century technology critic Lewis Mumford, we talk about techno-optimism as a kind of secular faith, what the Amish and Orthodox Jewish communities understand about adopting technology on their own terms, why the data-center boom feels so undemocratic, and why technological "doom" is not a future event but something already unfolding around us. Links and references: Conor McGlynn's Compact essay, "AI and the Myth of the Machine": https://www.compactmag.com/article/ai-and-the-myth-of-the-machine/ More of Conor's writing at Compact Magazine: https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-emerging-ai-policy-consensus/ https://www.compactmag.com/article/the-ai-backlash-turns-violent/ https://www.compactmag.com/article/big-techs-war-on-democracy/ The China Show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcukTqc1cJJ4K3c4uzxTzjA Got feedback? Email Zac at [email protected]

In this episode of The Future is Human, I’m joined by Danish journalist, theologian, and cultural commentator Iben Thranholm to discuss her recent First Things essay, “Dawn of a New Pre-Christian West,” and the unexpected wave of young people flooding into the Catholic Church across Europe and the United States. We talk about why the New Atheism collapsed, why Muslims are converting to Christianity in record numbers (often after seeing Christ in dreams), the spiritual cost of lives lived through a screen, and why genuine love — not political programs — is what will define the future of the West. Links and references: Iben Thranholm’s First Things essay, “ Dawn of a New Pre-Christian West ” Iben’s recent essay in The European Conservative on Muslims and the Christian revival Iben’s YouTube channel Hallow’s research on the surge in U.S. adult Catholic confirmations Got feedback? Email Zac at [email protected]

I'm excited to be podcasting again. Follow along on Substack as well at tfih.substack.com.

Hello again! I'll be back soon with more podcast episodes, but I had the immense honor of delivering an address at the annual Hanus Days conference in Bratislava, Slovakia. If you’d like to see the video, you can find that here. If you’d like to listen to it, you can check my podcast feed. I also had an interesting conversation with an interviewer from a local Catholic newspaper that you may enjoy. If you'd like to read this online, head to creedal.substack.com!

Today on the show, Dr. Jason Baxter joins us to talk about his recent (partially published, still ongoing) translation of Dante's epic trilogy. The author of seven books, Jason is now the Director of the Center for Beauty and Culture at Benedictine College, and spends his time helping to form hearts, minds, and souls to receive beauty. Read Jason's writings here: https://jasonmbaxter.substack.com/?r=11vmtg&utm_campaign=pub-share-checklist Buy Inferno here: https://angelicopress.com/products/the-divine-comedy-inferno?srsltid=AfmBOoowHAqUCHyz8Mg5muZ1c0UbdByz4srrm510-AKSKs4ayUT78s4- Buy Purgatorio here: https://angelicopress.com/products/the-divine-comedy-purgatorio/?variant=51602407555390

Lauren Spohn joins me on the show to talk about her journey to Catholicism (via Oxford) and the craft of filmmaking.

In this episode, Zac and Larry discuss the resurgence of metaphysical belief in modern society, particularly focusing on the two recent articles by Paul Kingsnorth and Ross Douthat. We explore the implications of Kingsnorth's argument in his Erasmus lecture, "Against Christian civilization," discuss the cultural and metaphysical collapse of the West, and the conflict between modernity and Christianity. The conversation also touches on controversial figures in the modern right, the dynamics of techno-feudalism, and the relationship between sin and creativity. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Weather Talk 01:02 Resurgence of Belief in Modern Society 02:58 Exploring Paul Kingsnorth's Perspective 06:03 The Nature of Christian Civilization 08:58 Cultural and Metaphysical Collapse 12:10 The Conflict Between Modernity and Christianity 14:53 Controversial Figures in the Modern Right 17:59 Techno-Feudalism and Political Dynamics 20:57 Linking Civilization and Sin 24:13 Creative Impulse Beyond Sin 30:57 The Role of Sin in Civilization 34:55 Technology and Environmentalism: A Double-Edged Sword 39:52 Understanding Modern Religious Attitudes 44:28 The Crisis of Civilizational Christianity 50:47 Re-Evangelizing Culture: A Call to Action 56:41 Navigating Modern Moral Dilemmas

In this conversation, my friend Dr. Jon Askonas joins me to discuss the "A Future for the Family" project (https://afutureforthefamily.org/). We discuss the impact of technological development on family structures, the need for a proactive approach to technological development that empowers families, the history of technological change, the influence of military and corporate interests on social development, and the importance of economic dynamism. We also talk about space! Read more at afutureforthefamily.org. Dr. Jon Askonas is Assistant Professor of Politics at the Catholic University of America and a Senior Fellow at the Foundation for American Innovation. Chapters 00:00 Introduction and Background 03:09 The Future for the Family Project 05:53 Technological Impact on Family Dynamics 08:52 Proactive vs Reactive Approaches to Technology 12:05 Military and Corporate Influence on Technology 15:06 Economic Dynamism and Family 17:49 Mortality, Life Extension, and Family 21:03 The Commodification of Human Sexuality 27:21 The Impact of Pornography on Society 30:40 The Role of Technology in Relationships 34:39 Holding Companies Accountable 41:59 Reimagining Space Exploration and "Rewilding" 52:27 Envisioning a Future for Embodied Life

In this episode, Dr. Ethan Schimmoeller joins me to discuss the critical role of palliative care in medicine, addressing common misconceptions and the importance of understanding its purpose. We explore the intersection of Christianity and modern medicine, the historical influence of Christianity on the practice of modern medicine, the metaphysical foundations of medical practice, ethical dilemmas faced in end-of-life care, and a "care of hope." Chapters 00:00 Introduction 02:31 Understanding Palliative Care: Definitions and Misconceptions 10:45 The Shift from Cure to Care: A Philosophical Perspective 18:03 Personal Journey: Discovering Palliative Care 24:27 The Compassion Argument in Assisted Suicide 27:31 Clinical Realities: Pain Management and Palliative Care 38:00 The Influence of Christianity on Modern Movements 39:49 Metaphysical Foundations of Medicine 42:06 Palliative Care: Secular vs. Christian Approaches 45:00 Consciousness and Suffering in Palliative Care 50:58 Understanding Pain and Suffering 56:03 Ethical Dilemmas in End-of-Life Care 01:02:00 Pro-Life Perspectives at the End of Life 01:10:07 Finding Hope

In this conversation, Dr. Tom Ward joins the shot to talk about his journey to Catholicism, the role of family in nurturing belief, and the theological and philosophical contributions of Blessed John Duns Scotus to the Catholic Tradition. Our dialogue explores the challenges faced by converts, the importance of understanding church history, and the nuances of Scotus's thought, particularly regarding univocity and analogy in relation to God and creation, misconceptions about Bl. John Duns Scotus' association with nominalism, his unique perspectives on individuality and the nature of the will, and his intriguing theory about the fall of Satan and its implications for understanding moral choices. We wrap up with a brief discussion on Stoicism, its resurgence in modern times, and the relevance of Boethius' thoughts in this context. Ordered by Love: https://angelicopress.com/products/or... After Stoicism (SOLD OUT!): https://bookstore.wordonfire.org/prod... Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Dr. Tom Ward and His Work 01:27 Dr. Ward's Journey to Catholicism 15:57 The Role of Family in Faith 16:22 Exploring Blessed John Duns Scotus 23:32 Univocity and Analogy in Scotus's Thought 30:39 Understanding Duns Scotus and Nominalism 39:38 The Individuality and Haecceity in Scotus' Thought 47:07 The Fall of Satan: Duns Scotus' Unique Perspective 57:44 Stoicism and Its Relevance Today

In this episode, I explore the theology of the infancy narratives in Scripture, emphasizing the importance of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ, who is both fully man and fully God. Drawing on insights from Pope Benedict XVI's book, he explores the genealogy of Jesus, the Annunciation, the virgin birth, the visit of the wise men, and more, highlighting the profound theological implications of these events. Chapters 00:00 The Nativity Story: An Introduction 02:53 Exploring Jesus' Provenance 06:04 Genealogies of Jesus: Matthew vs. Luke 08:50 The Annunciation: Zechariah and Mary 12:04 Mary: The Ark of the New Covenant 14:52 The Cosmic Timing of Jesus' Birth 17:57 The Virgin Birth: Myths and Realities 20:51 Jesus' Humble Birth: Cave vs. Stable 24:10 The Shepherds and the Wise Men 27:07 Conclusion: Seeking the Face of Jesus Links: Genealogy in Matthew: https://bibleproject.com/articles/jesus-genealogies/#:~:text=The%20name%20of%20David%20in,the%20name%20of%20%E2%80%9CDavid.%E2%80%9D Did Matthew mistranslate "virgin"? https://knowingscripture.com/articles/is-virgin-the-correct-translation-of-isaiah-7-14 Scott Hahn on Mary as the Ark of the Covenant: https://www.motherofallpeoples.com/post/scott-hahn-mary-new-ark-of-the-eternal-covenant Pope Benedict XVI's "Jesus of Nazareth: The Infancy Narratives": https://a.co/d/5zwTNxl

In this episode of Creedal, we discuss what the Incarnation reveals about human dignity and apply those lessons to the ongoing debate about assisted suicide in the UK. Zac provides a detailed overview of the proposed legislation on assisted suicide, arguing against it from both moral and policy perspectives, and highlighting the dangers of framing such issues in a misleading way. In this conversation, Zac discusses the complex issues surrounding assisted dying legislation, emphasizing the need for a nuanced understanding of dignity, autonomy, and the healthcare system. He critiques the slippery slope of assisted suicide laws, highlighting the potential for abuse and the importance of palliative care. Zac argues for the necessity of hope in end-of-life decisions and the ethical responsibilities of healthcare providers. Takeaways Mass hysteria reflects humanity's chronic existential anxiety. Advent serves as a reminder to place hope in Jesus. The incarnation elevates human dignity and opens possibilities for eternal life. Assisted suicide is currently being debated in the UK Parliament. The UK has a long-standing prohibition against assisted suicide since 1961. The recent second reading of the bill indicates majority support in Parliament. Assisted suicide raises significant moral and practical concerns. Public support for assisted dying is often framed misleadingly. Dignity in dying is a term used to garner support for assisted suicide. Assisted suicide is always a bad idea from both moral and policy standpoints. A lack of autonomy does not diminish dignity. Canada's assisted suicide statistics are alarming. Coercion can be implicit in decisions about assisted suicide. Palliative care should be prioritized over assisted suicide. Hope is essential in discussions about end-of-life care. Sound Bites "Our ultimate hope lies in Jesus Christ." "Mass hysteria is a feature of humanity." "Advent is a time to reassess our hope." "This is a giant sea change for the UK." "Assisted suicide is always a problem." "Assisted suicide is bad policy." "We have a broken healthcare system." "Autonomy does not change your dignity." Chapters 00:00- Introduction and Context of Current Events 02:32 - The Significance of Advent and Human Dignity 08:37 - Assisted Suicide: The UK Debate 22:47 - Arguments Against Assisted Suicide 42:30 - The Importance of Hope in End-of-Life Decisions

For the written version of this essay, check out: https://creedal.substack.com/p/the-six-going-infinite

In this episode, Zac and Larry discuss Larry's observations from the Synod on Synodality in Rome. 00:00 Introduction and Conference Reflections 05:07 Insights from the Synod on Synodality 10:00 Expectations vs. Reality of the Synod 15:00 The Role of Laypeople in the Church 20:04 Pope Francis and Progressive Catholicism 25:04 The Vatican's Approach to American Catholicism 29:56 Conclusion and Future Implications 32:04 The Eurocentric Nature of the Synod 34:51 African Church Perspectives and Concerns 37:50 The Disconnect Between the Synod and Global South 39:43 Pope Francis and the Challenge of Co-optation 42:30 The Nature of Dialogue at the Synod 52:22 Hope for the Future of the Church