Ep. 115 - Where Did We Go Wrong?: A Mediocre and Sentimental Education

Ep. 115 - Where Did We Go Wrong?: A Mediocre and Sentimental Education

Author: Albertus Magnus Institute, Inc. December 10, 2025 Duration: 39:06

Alec Bianco of the CiRCE Institute joins John to discuss the state of higher education. Where did colleges go wrong? Why are colleges choosing to drop their humanities programs in favor of niche degrees? What is the future of institutions who choose a mediocre and sentimental education over an education rooted in rigor and truth? 

Learn more about Alec Bianco and the CiRCE Institute.

Follow Alec on X @alecmbianco

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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. 048 - Metaphysics Q&A with Dr. David Arias [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:04:59
Peek in on the Fellowship at its best as Magnus Fellows engage Aristotle with the pedagogic wonder, Dr. David Arias. Want to view the whole course? Fellows giving at least $25 / month receive unlimited access to all cour…
Ep. 047 - Man: The Erotic, Birthing Person [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:41
No really! Just go read Plato's Symposium. And enjoy this labor inducing discussion led by AMI Senior Fellow, Dr. Matthew Walz. You can become a Fellow today, and be a part of these life-changing courses. MagnusInstitute…
Ep. 046 - Joseph Pearce introduces you to Homer’s Iliad [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:13:14
"Sing, goddess, the anger of Peleus’ son Achilleus and its devastation,…” Enjoy this taste of the Magnus Fellowship with Senior Fellow Joseph Pearce and Magnus Fellows as they dive into the world of Homer and explore the…
Ep. 045 - The Lord of the Rings: All That Is Gold Does Not Glitter [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 51:59
Join Dr. Hellen Freeh in her Magnus Fellowship course Friendship and Freedom in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings as she unpacks the meaning of language, love, and friendship. Give to AMI’s Great Campaign now to keep our work…
Ep. 044 - The Great Turnaround: Metaphysics Week Continues [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:01
"The wise man has knowledge as far as possible of all things." - Aristotle In this episode of the Magnus Podcast, Dr. David Arias explores Aristotle’s understanding of being-as-being and axioms and their connection to th…
Ep. 043 - Introduction to Metaphysics with Dr. David Arias [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:24
It’s Metaphysics week on the Magnus Podcast. Join Senior Fellow David Arias for the opening lecture of his course in the Fellowship on Metaphysics. Explore the first two books of Aristotle’s Metaphysics and groundwork fo…
Ep. 042 - The Great Campaign [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:20
November 15 is the feast of St. Albert the Great. To celebrate - and make this huge announcement - we enjoyed conversation and drinks with some of your favorite AMI staff members and a very special guest from AMI Senior…
Ep. 041 - Freakshows, Misfits, and Temples of the Holy Ghost [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 57:50
AMI Senior Fellow, Dr. Deal Hudson leads a masterclass on the short stories of Flannery O’Connor. Fellows discuss “A Temple of The Holy Ghost” and “A Good Man is Hard to Find,” In which, a little girl is lead to contempl…
Ep. 040 - Life Finds a Way [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 1:18:59
In this episode of the Magnus Podcast join AMI Senior Fellow, Dr. Timothy Furlan and Magnus Fellows in the Bioethics and Aquinas course as they discuss the topic of abortion, where the debate was, where it is today, and…
Ep. 039 - Flannery O’Connor and the Grotesque Communion of Saints. [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 56:17
Join Senior Fellow Deal Hudson and the Magnus Fellowship for a lively class discussion of Flannery O’Connor’s introduction to A Memoir of Mary Ann and her short story “A Late Encounter with the Enemy.” Behold the sufferi…