Ep.114 - On René Girard and Mimetic Desire

Ep.114 - On René Girard and Mimetic Desire

Author: Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc. September 18, 2025 Duration: 55:52

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.


Deep within the rich tradition of the classical liberal arts, conversations unfold that feel both timeless and urgently contemporary. Magnus Podcast: Conversations from the Catacombs of Liberal Education is where you’ll find them, a production of the Albertus Magnus Institute. This series explores the foundational ideas that shape our humanity, society, and faith, guided by the enduring vision of St. Albert the Great. His dream was of an education that liberates the mind and spirit, one that is profoundly enriching yet accessible to all. Each episode delves into the intersections of philosophy, culture, and Christianity, examining how these ancient wells of wisdom speak directly to our modern condition. You’ll hear thoughtful dialogues and reflections that resist easy answers, instead inviting a deeper consideration of what it means to live a fully human life. The podcast serves as a kind of auditory academy, where the core subjects of a truly liberal education-those that free us-are opened up for anyone willing to listen. It’s for those curious about how enduring truths can illuminate contemporary confusion, offering not just information but a form of intellectual and spiritual nourishment. Tune in for a journey through the catacombs, where the light of classical thought remains undimmed, waiting to be rediscovered in our own time.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 102

Magnus Podcast: Conversations from the Catacombs of Liberal Education
Podcast Episodes
Ep. 108 - AI and the Free Mind Part I [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:30:03
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 personhoo…
Ep. 107 - A Community of Learning for Liberal Education [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:03
“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 reco…
Ep. 106 - What is Knowing? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:31
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 knowled…
Ep. 104 - The Dignity of a Liberal Artist [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:33
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…
Ep. 103 - Relationship Without Remainder [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:02
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…
Ep. 102 - From Tragedies to Comedies: The Journey of a Hero [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:13
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 the…
Ep. 101 - Refining the Renewal [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:59
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 ide…
Ep. 100 - The Nous and the Polis [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:29:30
Grab a beer and celebrate our 100th episode with us! John Johnson discusses the soul, the city, and the citizen in this Three Beers Episode with Senior Fellow Palvos Papadopoulos and special guest Ryan Hammill of the Anc…
Ep. 099 - To Build and Behold: Recovering from Architectural Suicide [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:02:54
Who is man, what is he building, and why does this matter? Alan Cornett of Cultural Debris joins John Johnson to discuss mans relationship with architecture and both the worldly and eternal implications therein. Listen a…