The UNIVLab Podcast

Episode 5: Disagreement is Not Hate: Boundaries, Pop Culture, and the Art of Dialogue

Episode 5: Boundaries, Pop Culture, and the Art of Dialogue (with Caitlin West) Does loving someone mean you have to agree with them on everything? In today’s highly polarized culture, we are often told that disagreement is the same as hate. In this episode, host Kathryn Nijssen is joined by university professor and podcaster Caitlin West to explore how the arts, literature, and even pop culture can actually train us for better dialogue. We dive into the surprising "paradox of boundaries"—why knowing exactly what you believe actually makes you more open to others, rather than closing you off. Caitlin shares practical advice on how to stop tying our identity to our political opinions, and how to use the movies, music, and shows we already love to find truth, goodness, and beauty together. Whether you love classic literature or binge-watching sitcoms, this episode will change the way you engage with the media—and the people—around you. 📥 Take Action: Visit univinspire.org to download your free Episode 5 Companion Guide, featuring reflection questions and a practical pop-culture challenge! #TheUNIVLabPodcast Spanish Description Episodio 5: Límites, Cultura Pop y el Arte del Diálogo (con Caitlin West) ¿Amar a alguien significa tener que estar de acuerdo con él en todo? En la cultura altamente polarizada de hoy, a menudo se nos dice que el desacuerdo es lo mismo que el odio. En este episodio, la presentadora Kathryn Nijssen conversa con la profesora universitaria y podcaster Caitlin West para explorar cómo las artes, la literatura e incluso la cultura pop pueden entrenarnos para tener un mejor diálogo. Profundizamos en la sorprendente "paradoja de los límites": por qué saber exactamente en qué crees te hace más abierto a los demás, en lugar de cerrarte. Caitlin comparte consejos prácticos sobre cómo dejar de atar nuestra identidad a nuestras opiniones políticas, y cómo usar las películas, la música y las series que ya nos gustan para encontrar juntos la verdad, la bondad y la belleza. Ya sea que te encante la literatura clásica o hacer maratones de series, este episodio cambiará tu forma de interactuar con los medios (y las personas) que te rodean. (Nota: El audio de este episodio está en inglés). 📥 Actúa: Visita univinspire.org para descargar tu Guía de Acompañamiento gratuita del Episodio 5, ¡con preguntas de reflexión y un reto práctico de cultura pop! #TheUNIVLabPodcast

Episode 4: A Personalist View of Dialogue

Episode 4: A Personalist View of Dialogue Are we actually having a dialogue, or are we just waiting for our turn to speak? With the UNIV Inspire conference officially kicking off this week in Rome, host Kathryn Nijssen flies solo to explore the why behind our need to connect. We dive into the Christian humanist philosophy of "Personalism" to rescue communication and rediscover how to truly connect in a digital age. Discover the sacred ground of dialogue through the wisdom of four intellectual giants: Dietrich von Hildebrand (Reverence), Edith Stein (Empathy), John Paul II (Communion), and Benedict XVI (Truth in Love). Whether you are attending the conference in person or bringing the spirit of UNIV to your local campus, this episode will change the way you look at the person sitting across from you. 📥 Take Action: Visit univinspire.org to download your free Episode 4 Companion Guide, featuring quotes from today's thinkers and a practical challenge! #TheUNIVLabPodcast Episodio 4: Una Visión Personalista del Diálogo ¿Estamos realmente dialogando o solo esperando nuestro turno para hablar? Con el inicio de la conferencia UNIV Inspire esta semana en Roma, Kathryn Nijssen explora el porqué de nuestra profunda necesidad de conectar. Profundizamos en la filosofía del "Personalismo" cristiano para rescatar la comunicación y redescubrir cómo conectar verdaderamente en la era digital. Descubre el terreno sagrado del diálogo a través de la sabiduría de cuatro gigantes intelectuales: Dietrich von Hildebrand (Reverencia), Edith Stein (Empatía), Juan Pablo II (Comunión) y Benedicto XVI (La verdad en el amor). Tanto si asistes a la conferencia en persona o llevando el espíritu del UNIV a tu universidad, este episodio cambiará tu forma de ver a la persona que tienes enfrente. (Nota: El audio de este episodio está en inglés)

Episode 3: El Arte de Escuchar (ES)

Episodio 3: El Arte de Escuchar (con Ana Fernández) Vivimos en un mundo que constantemente nos distrae, pero ¿estamos realmente escuchando o solo esperando nuestro turno para hablar? En este episodio de The UNIVLab Podcast, Pilar Fernández conversa con la investigadora y profesora Ana Fernández sobre por qué escuchar no es un acto pasivo, sino una decisión consciente de acoger a la otra persona. Exploramos cómo el "mercado de la atención" y la multitarea debilitan nuestra capacidad de conectar, la necesidad del silencio interior y cómo escapar de las cámaras de eco en redes sociales. No basta con oír palabras; hay que hacer espacio para el otro. 📥 Actúa: Visita univinspire.org para descargar tu Guía de Acompañamiento gratuita. Incluye preguntas de reflexión sobre tus hábitos digitales y el reto práctico de esta semana: "Reducir el ruido". #TheUNIVLabPodcast Episode 3: The Art of Listening (Spanish Episode) We live in a world of constant distraction, but are we truly listening, or just waiting for our turn to speak? In this Spanish-language episode of The UNIVLab Podcast, host Pilar Fernández sits down with researcher and educator Ana Fernández to discuss why listening isn't a passive act, but a conscious choice to welcome the other person. They explore how the "attention economy" and multitasking weaken our ability to deeply connect, the profound need for interior silence, and how to break free from digital echo chambers. It is not enough to just hear words; we have to make space for the person. 📥 Take Action: Visit univinspire.org to download your free, bilingual Companion Guide! It includes reflection questions on your digital habits and this week's practical challenge: "Reduce the Noise." #TheUNIVLabPodcast

Episode 2: Why Dialogue Matters: Beyond Words and Arguments

Episode 2: Why Dialogue Matters: Beyond Words and Arguments (with Mary Jo White) In our dialogue are we seeking the truth, or just to win the debate? In this episode, host Kathryn Nijssen sits down with Mary Jo White - a political philosopher, forgiveness trainer, educator and UNIVLab 2026 Expert - to explore why true dialogue is not about victory, but rather a shared search for truth. Together, they unpack St. Josemaria Escrivá’s advice for navigating polarization, the crucial difference between feelings and ideas in true dialogue, and why “wasting time” listening is actually the most efficient way to build trust. In this episode, we also cover: * The unexpected link between dialogue and forgiveness * How and why we should separate temporary feelings from objective ideas in a heated discussion * A three-step “curiosity shift” to refocus when entering dialogue. 📥 Take Action: Visit https://www.univinspire.org/resources to download your free Episode 2 Companion Guide, featuring reflection questions and a practical challenge! Thanks for listening, don’t forget to subscribe and until the next time, keep building bridges!

Episode 1: Welcome to The UNIVLab Podcast – What We’re Building

Welcome to the first episode of The UNIVLab Podcast! Join hosts Kathryn Nijssen and Pilar Fernandez as they introduce the vision behind the podcast and the annual UNIV Inspire conference in Rome. We are kicking off Season 1 with a crucial theme: Building Bridges: The Art of Dialogue. Discover why young thinkers are called to be protagonists rather than passive consumers of culture, how to break out of digital echo chambers, and why true dialogue isn't about winning an argument, but seeking truth together. Whether you are packing your bags for Rome or tuning in from your dorm room, this space is for you. 📥 Keep the conversation going: Visit https://www.univinspire.org/resource [https://www.univinspire.org/univ-lab?lang=en]s https://shorturl.at/Aupd1 Download your free Episode 1 Companion Guide, [https://www.univinspire.org/_files/ugd/a0c60f_26b2e7c4ded044c1b64b30fd8317729f.pdf?lang=en] complete with reflection questions and a weekly challenge!