Lived Experience for Everyone

In this episode, we speak with Olga Louchakova-Schwartz, President of the Society for the Phenomenology of Religious Experience and Professor Emerita at Sofia University. Trained in phenomenological philosophy, medicine, and neuroscience, her work brings together philosophy of religion, comparative metaphysics, and cognitive science (see olgalouchakova.com). Her research explores what makes experience religious or spiritual and how such experience shapes the self, embodiment, and cognition. It was a pleasure to speak with her about the phenomenology of religious experience and its wider philosophical and practical implications.

In this month's episode, we speak with John D. Caputo as he reflects on his forthcoming book, A Radical God: Theopoetics, Phenomenology, and the Future of Religion. He is an American philosopher and the Thomas J. Watson Professor of Religion Emeritus at Syracuse University, as well as the David R. Cook Professor of Philosophy Emeritus at Villanova  University. John is a major figure associated with postmodern Christianity and continental philosophy of religion, and is widely recognised as the founder of the theological movement known as weak theology. Much of his work focuses on hermeneutics, phenomenology, deconstruction and theology. His writing has shaped generations of scholars and readers, and we're delighted to welcome him to the podcast. 

In this episode, we speak with Professor Felix Ó Murchadha, Professor of Philosophy at the University of Galway. Our conversation centres on his new book, The Fidelity of Reason: A Phenomenological Metaphysics of Self, Nature and Divinity (Springer, 2025). Felix speaks about the questions that have shaped this book and the wider concerns that have animated his work over many years. The conversation moves at a reflective pace, inviting listeners into a way of thinking that is attentive to lived experience. It is a privilege to spend time with Felix Ó Murchadha in this thoughtful conversation and we hope you enjoy listening.

This month, we are delighted to welcome Brian Robinette, Associate Professor of Theology at Boston College. In this episode, we speak with him about his 2024 book, The Difference Nothing Makes: Creation, Christ, Contemplation, in which he explores the significance of one of Christian theology's most enduring claims: creation from "nothing." He teaches and researches in the areas of philosophical and systematic theology, and is widely known for his thoughtful engagement with the contemplative dimensions of Christian life. We are honoured to have him with us.

This month's episode features Professor Catherine Keller, a leading voice in constructive theology at Drew University. Her rich and far-reaching work spans ecofeminist, process, pluralist, political and philosophical dimensions of theology. Author of numerous influential monographs, Professor Keller brings depth and creativity to contemporary discussions of faith, theology and the world we share. .

We are delighted to launch our new series! In our first episode we speak with Dr Kevin Hart - poet, philosopher and theologian. In this opening conversation, Dr. Hart shares his wisdom and offers rich insights into his life and work, inviting us into the depth of his thought and imagination. It is an honour to begin this series with him, and we hope you enjoy this conversation "updated feed refresh"