In an era dominated by news-cycle outrage and political division, how can Catholics reclaim a rich, optimistic, and enduring intellectual tradition? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft speaks with Dr. Michael Pakaluk—professor at the Catholic University of America’s Bush School of Business and author of acclaimed Gospel translations—about the revival of the American Catholic Quarterly Review.

Dr. Pakaluk traces the history of this venerable journal back to its 19th-century roots and the legacy of Orestes Brownson, one of America's most prolific Catholic converts and thinkers. As editor-in-chief of the newly revived online publication (spearheaded by CUA's Gibbons Institute), Dr. Pakaluk details how the Review aims to serve as a journal of record for American Catholic thought—transcending partisan politics, elevating public discourse, and blending rich historical archives with fresh, long-form contemporary scholarship. Stream now to listen!

In an era dominated by news-cycle outrage and political division, how can Catholics reclaim a rich, optimistic, and enduring intellectual tradition? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft speaks with Dr. Michael Pakaluk&mdash;professor at the Catholic University of America&rsquo;s Bush School of Business and author of acclaimed Gospel translations&mdash;about the revival of the American Catholic Quarterly Review.
Dr. Pakaluk traces the history of this venerable journal back to its 19th-century roots and the legacy of Orestes Brownson, one of America's most prolific Catholic converts and thinkers. As editor-in-chief of the newly revived online publication (spearheaded by CUA's Gibbons Institute), Dr. Pakaluk details how the Review aims to serve as a journal of record for American Catholic thought&mdash;transcending partisan politics, elevating public discourse, and blending rich historical archives with fresh, long-form contemporary scholarship. Stream now to listen!

Dr. Ken Craycraft hosts Driving Home the Faith, catching you up on what’s going on in the world, across the country and in our local Catholic community. 

Dr. Ken Craycraft hosts Driving Home the Faith, catching you up on what&rsquo;s going on in the world, across the country and in our local Catholic community.&nbsp;

Driving Home the Faith

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Rebuilding Catholic Intellectual Life: Dr. Michael Pakaluk on Reviving the American Catholic Quarterly Review

Tony Maas

Ryan Gardner

Laura Keener

Austin Ruse

Dave Rahner

Ann Bauer

Today Ken talks with Tony Maas about founding the Ruah Woods Institute–and much more; C-Fam’s Austin ruse about how to found a family that lasts generations, and much more!

Ruah Woods is at ruahwoodsinstitute.com and rwpsych.org

First Liberty Institute is at firstliberty.org

Get “Not Just For Kings” at sophiainstitute.com

Find the CMA White Coat Mass and scores more Catholic events, at sacredheartradio.com/events

Storyaliz is at storyaliz.com

Today Ken talks with Tony Maas about founding the Ruah Woods Institute&ndash;and much more; C-Fam&rsquo;s Austin ruse about how to found a family that lasts generations, and much more!
Ruah Woods is at <a href="https://www.ruahwoodsinstitute.org/">ruahwoodsinstitute.com</a> and <a href="https://www.rwpsych.org/">rwpsych.org</a>
First Liberty Institute is at <a href="https://firstliberty.org/">firstliberty.org</a>
Get &ldquo;Not Just For Kings&rdquo; at <a href="https://sophiainstitute.com/product/not-just-for-kings/">sophiainstitute.com</a>
Find the CMA White Coat Mass and scores more Catholic events,&nbsp;at <a href="https://www.sacredheartradio.com/events/">sacredheartradio.com/events</a>
Storyaliz is at <a href="https://www.storyaliz.com/">storyaliz.com</a>

Driving Home the Faith 2026.10.08

On Driving Home the Faith, Ken Craycraft continues his conversation with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, founder and president of the Ruth Institute, about her recent video examining the science and arguments behind so-called “conversion therapy” bans.

Dr. Morse explains how her video essay walks viewers through scientific studies, tables, and data to examine claims surrounding sexual orientation and whether it is genetically determined. Ken and Dr. Morse discuss the landmark 2019 study published in Science that examined the DNA of nearly 500,000 people and found no single “gay gene,” while acknowledging that genetic factors can play a role among many contributing factors.

The conversation then turns to the experiences that can influence sexual attraction and identity, including family dynamics, abuse, pornography, and other formative experiences. Dr. Morse argues that people who voluntarily seek counseling should be free to discuss these questions with a qualified therapist.

Ken and Dr. Morse also focus on the impact of conversion-therapy bans on the people seeking help, not merely the therapists providing it. They discuss how broad restrictions and potential legal consequences may discourage therapists from having conversations that clients themselves want to have.

The segment closes with a message for anyone struggling with questions about sexual orientation and identity: “Gay is not the final word about your identity.”

Dr. Morse's video, The Fake Science Behind Conversion Therapy Ban, is available on the Ruth Institute YouTube channel, and listeners are encouraged to follow the Ruth Institute's weekly newsletter for more of her research and commentary.

On Driving Home the Faith, Ken Craycraft continues his conversation with Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse, founder and president of the Ruth Institute, about her recent video examining the science and arguments behind so-called &ldquo;conversion therapy&rdquo; bans.
Dr. Morse explains how her video essay walks viewers through scientific studies, tables, and data to examine claims surrounding sexual orientation and whether it is genetically determined. Ken and Dr. Morse discuss the landmark 2019 study published in Science that examined the DNA of nearly 500,000 people and found no single &ldquo;gay gene,&rdquo; while acknowledging that genetic factors can play a role among many contributing factors.
The conversation then turns to the experiences that can influence sexual attraction and identity, including family dynamics, abuse, pornography, and other formative experiences. Dr. Morse argues that people who voluntarily seek counseling should be free to discuss these questions with a qualified therapist.
Ken and Dr. Morse also focus on the impact of conversion-therapy bans on the people seeking help, not merely the therapists providing it. They discuss how broad restrictions and potential legal consequences may discourage therapists from having conversations that clients themselves want to have.
The segment closes with a message for anyone struggling with questions about sexual orientation and identity: &ldquo;Gay is not the final word about your identity.&rdquo;
Dr. Morse's video, The Fake Science Behind Conversion Therapy Ban, is available on the Ruth Institute YouTube channel, and listeners are encouraged to follow the Ruth Institute's weekly newsletter for more of her research and commentary.

The Fake Science Behind Conversion Therapy Bans: Dr. Jennifer Roback Morse Part 2

Why do modern Western intellectuals often uncritically adopt fictional narratives of historical Islamic achievement while ignoring the shared ideological roots of radicalism and Marxism? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Robert Spencer—Director of Jihad Watch and author of The Tragedy of Islam: Failure and Excuses—to continue their in-depth analysis of Islamic ideology and Western geopolitics.

Spencer critiques historical revisionism regarding medieval Islamic science and culture, contrasting it with the actual historical timeline of Western Christian intellectual development. He and Dr. Craycraft explore how modern Islamic rhetoric frequently converges with Marxist cultural movements around a shared "ideology of grievance," examining the strange political alliances formed in Western media, academia, and public life. Stream now to listen!

Why do modern Western intellectuals often uncritically adopt fictional narratives of historical Islamic achievement while ignoring the shared ideological roots of radicalism and Marxism? On Driving Home the Faith, host Dr. Ken Craycraft welcomes back Robert Spencer&mdash;Director of Jihad Watch and author of The Tragedy of Islam: Failure and Excuses&mdash;to continue their in-depth analysis of Islamic ideology and Western geopolitics.
Spencer critiques historical revisionism regarding medieval Islamic science and culture, contrasting it with the actual historical timeline of Western Christian intellectual development. He and Dr. Craycraft explore how modern Islamic rhetoric frequently converges with Marxist cultural movements around a shared "ideology of grievance," examining the strange political alliances formed in Western media, academia, and public life. Stream now to listen!

Rebuilding Catholic Intellectual Life: Dr. Michael Pakaluk on Reviving the American Catholic Quarterly Review

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