Welcome to The Cardinal Newman Society Podcast with Kevin Murphy.

This podcast acquaints listeners with the beauty of a faithful Catholic education—what it is and what it is not; you’ll discover how to determine if a school or college is faithfully Catholic. Our content courageously confronts the “educational emergency” declared by Pope Benedict XVI by featuring the brightest minds from Newman Guide institutions and how they are renewing faithful Catholic education worldwide. These are the superheroes at work in the trenches daily fighting for the souls of our youth amidst today’s relativistic culture.

Visit cardinalnewmansociety.org to learn more.

Ep. 43: Defending Religious Freedom in Catholic Education with Greg Baylor

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Greg Baylor’s path to becoming one of the nation’s leading defenders of religious liberty was marked by conviction and purpose. As Senior Counsel at Alliance Defending Freedom, he has spent decades protecting religious schools, families, and ministries from government overreach and cultural pressures that threaten their freedom to live faithfully.

In this conversation, Baylor breaks down the most pressing legal challenges facing Catholic education today, from Title IX disputes to conscience protections. With clarity and conviction, he explains why vigilance in the courts is essential for safeguarding Catholic identity, and how educators and parents alike can stand firm in the face of growing opposition.

This is a timely and practical look at the front lines of religious liberty — and why the fight for faithful education matters for the future of the Church.

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Ep. 42: What Sports, Saints, and Smartphones Reveal About the Soul – Catholic Formation at Belmont Abbey

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In Part 2 of our interview with Dr. Bill Thierfelder, outgoing president of Belmont Abbey College, we dive into the deeper layers of Catholic education, sports, culture, and the soul. With stories from NFL training sessions to his own Olympic-level athletic career, Dr. Thierfelder unpacks what sport is really for and how it can form or deform the human person depending on its aim.

From Saint John Henry Newman’s vision of the university to Pope Pius XII’s theology of sport, this episode explores the radical claim that virtue, beauty, and discipline belong in both the classroom and the weight room. Dr. Thierfelder also warns of the spiritual cost of tech dependence and offers a moving reflection on what it means to be truly present, to God, to one another, and to the purpose He gives each life.

Whether you are a parent, athlete, or educator, this is a must-listen episode on Catholic formation, real presence, and human flourishing in a distracted age.

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Ep. 41: How Dr. Bill Thierfelder Revived Belmont Abbey Through Faith, Love, & Benedictine Tradition

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Dr. Bill Thierfelder’s path to Belmont Abbey was anything but predictable — from NCAA Division I athlete and Olympic-level sports psychologist to business executive and devoted father of ten children, his journey ultimately led him to a small Catholic college in crisis. But what followed was nothing short of providential.

Rooted in the Benedictine tradition and inspired by the monks who built the college brick by brick over 150 years ago, Dr. Thierfelder helped transform Belmont Abbey into a faithful Catholic institution that now thrives spiritually and academically.

With humility, conviction, and a deep love for Christ, he shares what it means to live “according to the Rule” — not just as a motto, but as a daily mission. In this conversation, he unpacks the true meaning of love, the spiritual battles of modern education, and the simple prayer that defines his life: “Thank you, Jesus.”

This is a powerful testimony of renewal, leadership, and the beauty of Catholic tradition in action.

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Episode 40: She Protested a Drag Show at a Catholic College—What Happened Next Will Stun You

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In Part 2 of Emily Torres’s testimony, she continues her story of standing for truth at a Catholic university that seems to have abandoned its identity. From confronting radical gender ideology to being verbally harassed for defending the Church’s teaching on marriage and pro-life issues, Emily increasingly found herself isolated on campus.

Despite threats, public ridicule, and faculty pushing blasphemous theology, Emily refused to back down. She organized protests and reported blatant anti-Catholic behavior to college administrators, only to be met with silence.
Now a Catholic high school teacher and soon joining Catholic Answers, Emily shares the lessons she’s learned and offers wisdom for students and parents navigating today’s culture wars.

Her witness is a reminder that even in darkness, grace sustains, and truth demands courage.

It also should provoke a sense of urgency. Every Catholic family needs to know about The Newman Guide. It is the antidote to the radical ideologies lurking in our educational institutions.

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Episode 39: What Emily Torres Found at Her ‘Catholic’ College Will Shock You — Drag Shows, Free Condoms, Pro-abortion activism, and More…

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Emily Torres shares her powerful conversion story, from growing up in a nominal protestant home to discovering the truth of the Catholic faith as a teenager. But after enrolling at a prominent Catholic university that claims to seek God in all things, Emily instead encountered an environment that promoted an anti-Catholic agenda:

From Free Condom Fridays held outside the campus chapel, pro-abortion protests, drag shows mocking religious life, trigger warnings on Scripture, and professors pushing gender ideology, Emily faced a flood of scandal, hostility, and confusion. When administrators dismissed her concerns and defended the events, Emily took a public stand.

Hear how her commitment to truth led her to the Cardinal Newman Society and deepened her faith in the midst of adversity. This is a powerful testimony of courage, conviction, and the urgent need for faithful Catholic education.

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Ep. 38: Faith, Scholarship, & Community at Benedictine College with Steve Minnis

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Join us as Steve Minnis, president of Benedictine College, shares his remarkable journey of over two decades at the helm, driving unprecedented growth and fostering a community deeply rooted in faith and scholarship. Under his leadership, Benedictine College has not only doubled its student body but also enhanced its campus with modern facilities, all while strengthening its Catholic identity. From initiating a unique consecration to the Blessed Virgin Mary to embedding faith deeply into the academic and communal fabric of the college, Minnis’ vision is a testament to the transformative power of integrating community, faith, and scholarship in higher education.

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Ep. 37: A Parent’s Crusade Against Woke Ideology in Catholic Education (Pt.2)

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Continue the gripping narrative with Tony Scarpo as he delves deeper into the aftermath of confronting woke ideologies at his daughters’ Catholic school. After initially stepping back into a leadership role with renewed promises from the school, Tony and his wife Barbara faced a resurgence of the very issues they fought against. This episode explores the stark revelations and tough decisions that led to a legal battle against the school, highlighting the significant personal and communal impact. Their journey underlines the profound necessity for parents to be vigilant and proactive in safeguarding Catholic education.

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Ep. 36: A Parent’s Crusade Against Woke Ideology in Catholic Education (Pt.1)

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Tune in to hear Tony Scarpo’s compelling journey as he and his wife made deliberate choices to immerse their daughters in what they believed was a faithful and nurturing Catholic school. After relocating their home closer to the prestigious school, spearheading fundraising efforts, and contributing $1.35 million to its development, Tony uncovers a distressing shift towards woke ideologies within the school. His story unfolds into a dramatic confrontation with the school’s leadership, culminating with his family suing the school for fraud. This episode is a poignant reminder of the vigilance needed to preserve the essence of faithful Catholic education in the face of modern challenges.

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Episode 35 (Pt. 2): Ave Maria University Introduces The Institute

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Rejoin Dan Schreck, director of The Institute at Ave Maria University, as he continues highlighting the university’s approach to integrating faith with academic and professional development. Learn how The Insitute connects students with Legatus mentors and delivers on the claim of forming leaders.

Episode 34: Ave Maria University’s Institute – Shaping Leaders with Faith and Innovation

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Join Dan Schreck, chief strategy officer, director of the Institute, and vice president of enrollment at Ave Maria University, as he discusses the vision behind the university’s innovative Institute. Discover how the Institute harmonizes faith, academics, and professional development to equip students with the tools and formation needed to lead and succeed in today’s world. Learn about Ave Maria University’s unique approach to creating well-rounded graduates who excel in their careers, embrace their faith, and contribute meaningfully to society.