Advertise on podcast: For Good: Stories from Notre Dame

A Notre Dame education is meant to shape a life, not just launch a career. For William Mattison, the Wilsey College Professor of Theology, that means challenging students to ask life’s biggest questions and reflect on what matters most. In this episode of For Good, Professor Mattison discusses how Notre Dame links character formation with academic rigor, the growing spiritual curiosity of undergraduates, and how the reimagined Moreau Program is making personal formation central to every student's education. Give the gift of Notre Dame: https://giveto.nd.edu/give?NDAC=10013&designation=notredamefund  00:00 — Meet William Mattison, the Wilsey College Professor of Theology 1:13 — What Sets Notre Dame Theology Apart 5:27 — Students’ Spiritual Curiosity 8:51 — How a Theology Department Measures Success 9:35 — Becoming a Theologian Who Lives the Faith 12:26 — Reimagining the Moreau Program 16:11 — Learning Beyond the Classroom 17:51 — How Moreau Builds Community 20:35 — The Story Behind Moreau’s Logo 22:35 — Moreau’s Senior Capstone 24:57 — What Success Looks Like for Moreau 28:26 — Bill’s Reasons for Hope 30:07 — The Power of Great Teachers

Brock Sheahan ’08 knows Notre Dame Hockey from both sides of the bench. Now, as the Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach, he is building a program grounded in discipline, consistency, and accountability–and preparing his players to compete at the highest level. In this episode of For Good, Coach Sheahan reflects on his journey from student-athlete to head coach, his approach to building a team and developing players, and the role Compton Family Ice Arena continues to play in the growth of Notre Dame hockey. Discover what’s ahead for Notre Dame Hockey—and what it will take to get there. 00:00 — Meet Brock Sheahan: the Catalino Family Head Hockey Coach  01:42 — The Impact of Compton Family Ice Arena 05:02 — Brock’s Lifelong Love of Hockey 07:43 — How Notre Dame Shaped His Life 10:00 — Journey to Coaching 14:43 — A Vision for Notre Dame Hockey 17:58 — Developing Players Beyond the Ice 20:43 — Brock’s Hockey GOATs 22:05 — Lessons from Year One and Goals for Year Two 24:06 — Recruiting in a Changing College Hockey Landscape 26:07 — The Lifelong Bonds of Notre Dame Hockey 28:25 — Why Resources Matter in Modern College Hockey 30:04 — Why You Need to Experience Notre Dame Hockey in Person 32:35 — What’s Next for Compton Family Ice Arena

At Notre Dame, “choose hard” has become more than a mantra for the football team. It speaks to something deeply rooted at this University: the belief that the more demanding path is often the one most worth pursuing. As the Fighting Irish prepare to open the season against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, that sense of purpose is once again bringing the Notre Dame family together. In this episode of For Good, Pete Bevacqua, the James E. Rohr Director of Athletics, shares how the “choose hard” mindset is shaping Notre Dame Athletics at a pivotal moment in college sports—from preserving Notre Dame’s distinctive independence to making transformational investments in the student-athlete experience, facilities, and partnerships. Join us as Pete reflects on the extraordinary convening power of Notre Dame Athletics, the inspiring young people at the heart of its programs, and why, amid all the uncertainty surrounding college sports, he remains hopeful about what comes next. Give the gift of Notre Dame: https://giveto.nd.edu/give?NDAC=10013&designation=notredamefund  00:00 — Notre Dame, College Athletics, and More, with Pete Bevacqua 04:03 — Navigating a New Era in College Athletics 11:02 — Rethinking the College Football Playoff 18:11 — Inside the New Shields Family Hall 25:40 — Why Notre Dame Partnered with SoFi 32:02 — What Makes Marcus Freeman Special 35:44 — Joining the NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Committee 37:01 — The Enduring Value of College Athletics at Notre Dame

Notre Dame students inspire University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., every day. In their curiosity and desire to lead lives of meaning and purpose, Father Dowd sees the heart of Notre Dame’s mission: forming students who seek truth, encounter new perspectives, and put their gifts in service to others. In this episode of For Good, Father Dowd reflects on Notre Dame’s distinctive role as a Catholic research university and how that mission shapes the University’s engagement with the defining issues of our time, while preparing students to help shape what comes next. Join us as Father Dowd reflects on what Notre Dame’s mission asks of the University today—and what it means to carry that mission forward. 00:00 — New Academic Year at Notre Dame, with Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. 02:50 — Lessons from East Africa 04:34 — Becoming a More Global University 07:58 — Building Bridges Across Differences 09:01 — Lessons from the Presidency 12:57 — Why Father Dowd Still Teaches at Notre Dame 16:39 — Making Notre Dame More Accessible 20:27 — How Notre Dame Is Facing Higher Education’s Challenges 21:31 — Keeping the Human at the Center of AI 24:04 — College Athletics Landscape: Putting Student-Athletes First 25:04 — Holy Cross and Notre Dame’s Mission

In an age of artificial intelligence, rapid change, and global uncertainty, Kenneth Scheve ’90, the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, believes the liberal arts are not becoming less relevant—they are becoming more essential. At Notre Dame, he’s building on the University’s tradition of educating both the heart and the mind while preparing students to think deeply, engage new ideas, and lead with purpose. Join us for this episode of For Good as Dean Scheve reflects on the enduring role of Arts and Letters at Notre Dame, the College’s growing commitment to global education and research that serves the common good, and why a liberal arts education remains one of the best foundations for leadership and service in a changing world. 0:00 – The story behind O'Shaughnessy Great Hall 4:45 – The transformative journey of a Notre Dame student 6:38 – Returning to Notre Dame to lead the College of Arts and Letters 10:42 – Notre Dame's commitment to the Humanities 13:34 – How the Humanities prepare students for lives of purpose 17:44 – Why critical thinking matters more than ever in the age of AI 21:33 – The importance of global education 23:39 – Addressing society's biggest challenges through research 28:49 – A hopeful vision for Notre Dame's future

An arts renaissance is unfolding at Notre Dame, and the University is investing in the arts to enrich the student experience and strengthen the bonds between campus and the broader community. In this episode of For Good, Rebecca Struch, Managing Director of the Notre Dame Arts Initiative, reflects on why people turn to the arts in times of uncertainty, how creativity builds community and breaks down barriers, and why Notre Dame's investment in the arts is shaping a new generation of artists, scholars, leaders, and citizens. She also shares her vision for the inaugural Notre Dame Arts Biennial, an ambitious six-month celebration of the arts beginning in January 2027. Please join us for this conversation about the power of the arts to break down barriers, build bridges, and strengthen communities. 00:00 — Black box theatre as a metaphor for the arts 04:04 — Rebecca’s Journey to Notre Dame 09:43 — Why the arts matter during hard times 12:52 — Inside Notre Dame's Arts Initiative 16:06 — The inaugural Notre Dame Arts Biennial 21:37 — Why now is the right time for the arts 25:15 — Faith, tradition & creativity 28:48 — A renaissance in the arts at Notre Dame 31:40 — Breaking down barriers

For Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean of Notre Dame Law School, true success goes far beyond rankings, salaries, or prestige. Instead, it’s found in purpose—the lives our graduates lead, the communities they serve, and the profound good they do in the world. In this episode of For Good, Dean Cole reflects on how Notre Dame is forming lawyers to lead with conviction and compassion. He discusses the growth of the Law School's clinical programs, the launch of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic, record success in judicial clerkships, and Notre Dame’s increasingly global reach.  We invite you to join this thoughtful conversation on leadership, legal education, service, and hope. 0:00 — Forming mission-driven lawyers  5:34 — A historic year for Notre Dame Law School 10:07 — What it takes to be a Notre Dame Law student 13:42 — Why religious liberty is worth fighting for 19:49 — How Notre Dame became a clerkship powerhouse 22:21 — Seeking justice for the wrongfully convicted 25:28 — Why supreme court justices keep coming back to Notre Dame 28:03 — A bold vision: tuition-free law school 31:06 — The best lawyers must think globally 35:30 — Notre Dame Law School is cultivating hope

Kathleen Sprows Cummings brings Catholic history vividly into the present—illuminating not only where the Church has been, but where it may be headed next. In this episode of For Good, Cummings, the John A. O’Brien Collegiate Professor of American Studies and History and inaugural director of Notre Dame’s Global Catholic Research Initiative, reflects on the people and movements that have shaped Catholic life across generations—from the women religious whose work helped build Notre Dame to the growing influence of the global Church today. She also shares timely insight into the election of Pope Leo XIV, the growing role of women’s leadership in the Church, the call for Catholics around the world to listen and discern together, and why Notre Dame is uniquely positioned to become a leading center for the study of global Catholicism. Join us for a fascinating conversation about faith, history, and the evolving role of the Church in a rapidly changing world. 0:00 — The hidden history of Visitation Hall at Remick Commons 4:05 — A Saint of Our Own, canonization, and the making of Catholic heroes 9:04 — From American Catholicism to the global Church 12:18 — Notre Dame archives and preserving Catholic history 15:15 — The election of the first American pope 20:27 — Pope Leo XIV’s first year and the future of the Church 23:47 — Pope Leo XIV, politics, and moral leadership 27:00 — How the Church is rethinking women’s leadership 34:05 — Leading a global Church 37:12 — Notre Dame and the future of global Catholicism 40:00 — Finding hope in the global Church

Mentors, teammates, and now the athletes Mike Norment leads have shaped his journey and his approach as Notre Dame’s Peterson Family Head Swimming and Diving Coach. His focus: building a program defined by character, consistency, and care for the individual.In this episode of For Good, Coach Norment shares his path into coaching, what defines a strong team culture, and the values that drive success.At Notre Dame, those values come together through top-tier athletics, rigorous academics, and a faith that anchors it all.Listen now to hear how he’s developing leaders for life, one student-athlete at a time. 0:00 – Meet Coach Michael Norment 4:24 – Role Models & Breaking the Mold 10:03 – A Calling to Coaching 11:40 – Character Before Performance 13:47 – Coming to Notre Dame 16:19 – The Student-Athlete Experience at Notre Dame 18:26 – Raising the Standard of Notre Dame Swimming 24:53 – Elevating Notre Dame Diving 26:24 – A Legacy in Motion

At Notre Dame, formation happens in classrooms, residence halls, and even on the football sidelines. Rev. Nate Wills, C.S.C., brings that mission to life every day. As a Holy Cross priest, faculty member in the Alliance for Catholic Education, and chaplain to the Fighting Irish football team, Fr. Nate accompanies students across many dimensions of University life: celebrating dorm Mass, mentoring future Catholic school leaders, and praying with players before kickoff. In this episode of For Good, Fr. Nate reflects on his path to the priesthood, the transformative impact of Catholic education, and the joy of walking with students as they grow in faith, purpose, and community. Tune in to hear how Notre Dame’s mission comes to life through presence, prayer, and relationships that continue long after graduation. 0:00 – Meet Fr. Nate Wills C.S.C.: formation and call to the priesthood 7:16 – ACE and the mission of Catholic education 8:57 – The Remick Leadership Program 10:42 – Higher-Powered Learning, technology, and AI13:28 – Life as Notre Dame football team chaplain14:42 – Holy Medals and football traditions17:07 – Writing the Pray Like a Champion Today book 20:24 – Accompanying students at Keough Hall 24:46 – Students engaging with their faith at Notre Dame29:09 – The Pod Quad podcast 31:46 – Lent and Holy Week reflection

Notre Dame’s mission extends beyond campus and into the neighborhoods, partnerships, and relationships that shape our shared future. Few people embody that spirit more fully than Tim Sexton ‘90. As associate vice president for public affairs, Tim has spent decades building bridges between the University and the South Bend community—a lifelong calling rooted in family, relationships, and the belief that Notre Dame and South Bend thrive together. In this episode of For Good, Tim reflects on the past 25 years of collaborative partnerships across the region, from the Robinson Community Learning Center to transformative initiatives like the Link Trail, Colfax Corner, and the new Veldman Psychology Clinic.  Tune in to discover how Notre Dame’s mission comes to life beyond campus, and why that shared work matters now more than ever. 0:00 – Tim Sexton: a lifelong son of Notre Dame and South Bend 2:57 – Robinson Community Learning Center: building trust in the neighborhood 10:25 – Connecting students to downtown South Bend 13:53 – Evolving Notre Dame’s community engagement  18:31 – Transforming downtown South Bend 21:13 – South Bend then and now 25:45 – What’s next for the region 26:46 – Beyond podcast: stories of connection 28:59 – A future in South Bend

Lily Joy Santos ’28 and Giovanni Nasello ’27 are much more than just voices in your voicemail. As student callers at ND Listens, they embody the spirit of gratitude, curiosity, and care that makes the Notre Dame family so special. In this episode of For Good, Lily Joy and Giovanni reflect on how ND Listens, Notre Dame’s student engagement center, builds authentic connections, fosters community across generations of Domers, and offers students the unique opportunity to share their love for Notre Dame with alumni, parents, and friends.Whether they’re expressing thanks, celebrating milestones, or simply taking time to listen, the students at ND Listens are a true force for good—on the phone and in the lives they touch through each heartfelt conversation. 0:00 – Meet the students behind ND Listens 5:35 – How financial aid makes Notre Dame possible 9:21 – The different ways ND Listens connects 11:26 – Measuring success, nurturing relationships 15:42 – Teamwork, fun, and building community 17:36 – How ND Listens shapes the student experience 19:43 – Carrying ND Listens into the future

For Rev. Edward “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C., president emeritus of Notre Dame and longtime priest-in-residence at Sorin Hall, leadership at Our Lady’s University begins with faith, humility, and service—virtues instilled by his parents and deepened through the mentorship of his dear friend, Rev. Theodore Hesburgh, C.S.C. In this episode of For Good, Father Malloy reflects with gratitude and wonder on an extraordinary life of service, sharing his memories of guiding the University through triumphs and tragedies, partnering with the City of South Bend to help renew the local community, and teaching generations of Notre Dame students to be intentional and present with themselves and one another. 0:00 – Meet Rev. Edward “Monk” Malloy, C.S.C. 1:48 – Continuity of Holy Cross leadership 7:25 – An encounter with Fr. Ted Hesburgh 10:06 – A humble upbringing 12:35 – Life as Notre Dame’s longest-serving priest-in-residence 16:10 – How Notre Dame students have changed over time 19:20 – Reshaping Notre Dame’s relationship with South Bend 21:45 – A lifelong passion for teaching 24:07 – A global Notre Dame and lessons from travel 25:33 – Major events as president 27:35 – A mentor’s words 30:16 – A Christmas blessing for the Notre Dame family

For Tim Dolezal ’02, vice president and chief investment officer at Notre Dame, managing the University’s investment portfolio is more than a financial responsibility—it’s a mission-driven calling a lifetime in the making. In this episode of For Good, Tim shares how Notre Dame’s long-term investment strategy has earned top-tier returns while prioritizing expanded scholarship support, honoring donor intent, and advancing the University’s mission and values.  Join us as Tim reflects on how he and his team of fellow Notre Dame alums strike a careful balance between performance and purpose, and why they are so committed to, and grateful for, their work on behalf of the “family business” at Our Lady’s University. 0:00 – Meet Tim Dolezal 2:12 – Notre Dame’s long-term investing approach 5:58 – Lessons from predecessors and leadership philosophy 8:33 – Endowment structure 10:40 – Endowment payout and impact 12:00 – Faith and family commitment 14:39 – Partnering with external managers 18:30 – Mission-driven team 23:12 – Markets, staying on target, and AI 26:26 – How benefactors can participate in the endowment 27:15 – Cultivating hope through students, leadership, and mission

Micah Shrewsberry began his career just a few miles away from Notre Dame’s campus in a coaching role that required him to drive the team bus and wash the players’ jerseys. From those humble beginnings, Micah has steadily climbed the ranks in a career that has taken him to the coaching staffs of the Boston Celtics, USA Basketball’s U19 Men’s National Team, and now Notre Dame men’s basketball as the Glenn and Stacey Murphy Head Coach. In this episode of For Good, Micah reflects on how the game has changed with NIL and the transfer portal, how Notre Dame Athletics maintains its unique identity, and why he’s committed to building a sustainable, successful program the Notre Dame way.  Tip off the new basketball season with us as Micah shares why Notre Dame’s player development approach appeals to exceptional student-athletes—and how his team is creating a strong, distinctive culture that will soon have the Fighting Irish competing for championships. 0:00 - Meet Micah Shrewsberry 1:14 - Impact of NIL and the transfer portal 5:02 - Building the program the Notre Dame way 7:48 - Notre Dame student-athlete experience 9:37 - Micah’s values and character 11:04 - Recruiting, developing, and investing in players that fit Notre Dame 15:08 - Building community and team culture 18:25 - Looking ahead to the upcoming 2025-26 season 20:13 - Lessons as a coach and a parent 25:04 - The power of program support 26:59 - Call on fans to fill Purcell Pavilion 28:40 - Micah’s coaching journey 32:23 - What cultivating hope means for Micah