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On this episode of Humanity Examined, we talk with Professor Jesse Saywell, Director of the St. Anselm Abbey Players and professor of courses in acting, directing, playwriting, and theatre history. He will be presenting our upcoming Big Thought lecture: “A House Divided: The Ongoing Structural Legacy of Slavery and Segregation”  on October 6, 2026 in the Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute. More engaging Humanity Examined episodes to come! Check out our Humanities website for events and more conversations: ⁠⁠Gregory J. Gappone Humanities Institute ⁠⁠ Follow us on social media! Instagram: ⁠⁠@STAHumanities ⁠X (Twitter): ⁠⁠@STAHumanities

Humanity Examined is back!! Professor Jaime Orrego sits down with new host Maggie Bishop '29 to discuss his upcoming Big Thought Series lecture on September 17th, 2026 titled “Narrating Violence: Memory, Storytelling, and the Afterlives of Colombia's Drug War.” As a native of Colombia, Professor Orrego reflects on the Colombian drug war with both personal and academic insight. Professor Orrego also shares how he came to the humanities in the first place, and in particular, why he fell in love with writing. Stay tuned for more engaging Humanity Examined episodes to come! Check out our Humanities website for events and more conversations: ⁠Gregory J. Gappone Humanities Institute ⁠ Follow us on social media! Instagram: ⁠@STAHumanities X (Twitter): ⁠@STAHumanities

The Gregory J. Garppone Humanities Institute is happy to introduce the very first Grappone Fellow! Jacob Akey '24 is a senior International Relations major at Saint Anselm, a passionate scholar, and a lover of Humanities and Ethics. In our interview, Jacob gives us an inside look into the new fellowship opportunity and his extensive journey with Humanities here at the college. Check out our Humanities website for events and more conversations: Gregory J. Gappone Humanities Institute Watch Humanity Examined on Youtube: SACHumanities Follow us on social media! X (Twitter): @STAHumanities Instagram: @STAHumanities

The Humanities Institute at Saint Anselm College continues its mission of delivering quality liberal arts education with the unveiling of the new Gregory J. Grappone Humanities Institute on July 28th. The project has spanned the course of 2 years, and students will be able to attend classes and events in the new building this upcoming fall. On this episode of Humanity Examined, we spoke with Director of Physical Plant Jonathan Woodcock and Project Manager Kyle Davis to understand the efforts that made this dream a reality.

Over the course of the school year, professors Laura Shea, Christian Gregory, and a band of students helped to create the Humanitas journal: a collection of student work made by students for students. Shea and Gregory shared their collective humanity and why they were called to teach at Saint Anselm. Humanitas is the college's first literary journal, coming out on April 24th. If you can't receive a physical copy, be sure to check it out online: www.humanitasjournal.org

Timm Triplett, a professor at the University of New Hampshire, gave a presentation through New Hampshire Humanities titled: Philosophy For Everyone. Within our discussion, we take a look at how philosophical reasoning is used in everyday life and how children play a vital role in how we think about the world. In his recently published essay, You're Astonishing, Triplett takes a broad look at how the chances of our existence are so slim, therefore making one's life all the more valuable. Professor Triplett has published two other works: Knowledge Mind and the Given and Morality's Critics and Defenders. Check out our newly founded YouTube Channel! Follow us on social media! Twitter: @STAHumanities  Instagram: @stahumanities  If you would like to submit your work to the Humanitas Journal, email your submission to [email protected] Primary consideration for submissions are due February 8th!

In this episode of Humanity Examined, we take a human perspective to the world of politics with Professor Russell Muirhead from Dartmouth College. Our conversation delves into the life experiences that shaped Professor Muirhead’s surprising academic journey. We discuss the kind of thinking that shaped our democracy and his own life, and he also provides insights into his latest book A Lot of People Are Saying: The New Conspiracism and the Assault on Democracy. After graduating from Harvard College, Russell was selected as a Rhodes Scholar, studying at Oxford University. There he received his Bachelor of Arts degree in politics, philosophy, and economics. He later returned to Harvard to receive his Ph.D. in Government. Professor Muirhead currently serves in the New Hampshire House of Representatives for Grafton County's 12th district and as The Robert Clements Professor of Democracy and Government at Dartmouth continues to teach students about the importance of politics, seeking to help bring up the next generation of great leaders

In this episode of Humanity Examined, James Maloney and Colleen Chen discuss their summer reading on a particular book titled Magic Hour by Kristin Hanna. Our show discusses the significance of Behavioral Neuroscience and Psychology, both within the text and in Colleen's life. Hanna's story brings up the importance of ethics within scientific discovery and political power struggles that impact the protagonist's goals throughout the story. Our conversation brings up many topics regarding media consumption, differing values, and information gain, while all connecting back to Hanna's novel and the human pursuit of knowledge through the Humanities.

In this very special episode of Humanity Examined, we feature a conversation I was fortunate to have with America's greatest documentarian, Ken Burns, during his recent visit to our campus. Ken is well known for capturing history through storytelling. His influence on film and public broadcasting has changed the media industry forever. His iconic methods of documenting show the power of education through film and have inspired teachers and students alike to learn from notable events, innovations, and individuals who have made America the country it is today. Ken discusses his latest film on Benjamin Franklin, past shows, and life experiences, while still connecting all of our conversations back to the Humanities. His extraordinary life, full of intriguing wisdom, truly helps us to better understand our humanity within the context of history.

In this episode of Humanity Examined, we explore the world of language with Professor Jaime Orrego. Having grown up in Colombia, and living for a period in Chile, Orrego reflects upon his past and move to the United States. In our conversation, the cultural shift within his life is mirrored on the subject of Spanish literature through the themes of magical realism, practiced by many Latin authors. Common experiences amongst one group may seem magical to another, and this concept is a key to understanding our humanity from Orrego's perspective. He had studied engineering during his time as an undergraduate, but would later become a Professor of Spanish literature in the United States. This change in his career has been one of the greatest decisions Orrego has made. He is currently the chair of the language department and continues to teach at Saint Anselm, extending the fascinating world of Latin American text to students and faculty alike.

In this episode of Humanity Examined, we have two special guests. Both student athletes on the women's basketball team here at Saint Anselm, Jenoyce Laniyan, and Macy Spinks sit down to talk about how their humanity has impacted their lives in both academics and on the court. In our conversation, we discuss the importance of mental health while also performing to one's greatest abilities. The thoughts of these stars are inspiring for not only student athletes, but those wishing to become the best versions of themselves while exerting the pinnacle qualities of their humanity.

Our show has featured the insights of a renowned artist before, but what happens when art meets science and medicine? In this episode, we talk with one of the College's Nursing professors, Destiny Brady about her transition from an aspiring filmmaker to nursing. Professor Brady discusses how the well-roundedness of the liberal arts education offers students at Saint Anselm a perspective that readies them for the demands of medical work and a life of compassionate care. Our conversation also includes Professor Brady’s reflections on the profession of nursing, challenges within our healthcare system, and what to do to support our medical community.

Professor Kevin Staley joins us today in discussing all things philosophical and environmental. These subjects are central to the character of this notable Saint Anselm teacher and local New Hampshire “urban gardener” whose fascination with the natural world has contributed greatly to his philosophical outlook. Kevin has been cultivating the soil and cultivating curiosity in Saint Anselm students for three and a half decades as he continues to try to understand where we humans fit into seen and unseen universe. Settle in for this free-wheeling conversation about Kevin’s Kentucky upbringing, metaphysical ideas, Neoplatonic thought, and what we can learn from Boethius, pepper plants, and our dogs.

New Hampshire artist, Sylvia Nicolas, joins us today to bring her perspective on what it's like to grow up into a world heavily influenced by the arts. As a fourth generation artist, she has worked all around the world with her immigrant roots in Holland, then moving to Paris, New York and of course New Hampshire. Her works which edify the campus of Saint Anselm College and Saint Anselm Abbey include mosaics, stain glass and her well-known statues of Saint Anselm, Saint Benedict and the Grotto Madonna. These familiar manifestations of her creative genius are just a portion of Sylvia’s life’s work. Her artistic creations are preceded by an impressive amount of research and analysis which makes her finished work an honest and visionary representation of her subjects. Her dedication to the intellectual life and the way the humanities animate her art make for a lively and engaging conversation with this artist who has been named “a living treasure” of the state of New Hampshire.

Riley Buchanan, a sophomore from Windham, NH, has worked closely with the Humanities Institute, assisting with communications and marketing since the start of 2021. Today, Riley shares her insights as to how The Humanities have impacted her life growing up and how those lessons made her the person she is today. Our conversation greatly reflects that of the younger generation and what it's like to pursue a Liberal Arts education within the post pandemic world. Listen as both Riley and James reminisce upon the dialogues they enjoyed in Conversatio, Saint Anselm’s first-year humanities course. Our conversation not only represents a student’s perspective on Liberal Arts based learning, but more specifically turns to how one can create a foundation for defining and living the good life.