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Behind the Music with Taylor Tripodi

Hear Taylor Tripodi talk about how her musical journey started as well as what inspired her to write “This is Redemption” and “Take Care of Everything” on this episode of MAX Music. See the other episodes below.

MAX Music features musicians sharing their spiritual journey through song and conversation. Artists share acoustic, stripped-down versions of songs and then talk about why music matters to them.

Produced by MAX Studios, University of St. Thomas-Houston

Take Care of Everything by Taylor Tripodi

This is Redemption by Taylor Tripodi

Series Trailer for Taylor Tripodi

Follow Taylor Tripodi on Instagram or visit her website.

This is Redemption by Taylor Tripodi

Singer-songwriter Taylor Tripodi sings her new song, "This is Redemption." This is the first episode in a series featuring Taylor's music and a conversation about her spiritual journey through song.

MAX Music features musicians sharing their spiritual journey through song and conversation. Produced by MAX Studios at the University of St. Thomas-Houston, artists share acoustic, stripped-down versions of songs and then talk about why music matters to them.

Follow Taylor Tripodi on Instagram or visit her website.

Series Trailer for Taylor Tripodi

Introducing MAX Music. MAX Music features musicians sharing their spiritual journey through song and conversation. Produced by MAX Studios at the University of St. Thomas-Houston, artists share acoustic, stripped-down versions of songs and then talk about why music matters to them. Our first featured artist is singer-songwriter Taylor Tripodi.

Does travel make you a better person?

Billions of people travel internationally every year. We wondered, is it a need to authentically know a new place and people, or, is it all for the 'gram, aka an Instagram post?

On this episode of Can Anyone Tell Me, University of St. Thomas-Houston student Nhung Phan asks, "Does travel make you a better person?"

Host and MAX Studios Creative Director Darnell Miller talks with Dr. Hans Stockton, UST Associate Vice President of International Relations and Engagement, about travel and it's ultimate value for a person. In their conversation, they break open the difference between tourism and traveling internationally to stay for a while. Dr. Stockton tells about the importance of experience, reflection and allowing travel to surprise you. He mentions approaching it with curiosity and compassion while trying to immerse yourself in the culture around you. Finally, he shares who is his ideal celebrity traveler (spoiler alert, it's Keanu Reeves).

Learn more about Dr. Stockton.

If the Jedi Order were a Catholic religious order, which would they be?

In a galaxy far, far away - the Star Wars Universe - the Jedi are an order of warriors, politicians, and mystics, who, at a glance, draw a remarkable likeness to some Catholic religious orders.

On this episode of Can Anyone Tell Me, University of St. Thomas-Houston student Edgardo Giron asks, "If the Jedi Order was a Catholic religious order, which one would they be?"

Host and MAX Studios Creative Director Darnell Miller talks with Dr. Thomas Harmon, UST Scanlan Foundation Chair of Theology, Director of the Masters in Evangelization and Culture program, and Associate Director of Catholic Studies, about just that - Jedi and Catholic religious orders.

In their conversation, they dig into the similarities and differences between Catholic religious and Jedi including their acts of service, healing, and obedience. Dr. Harmon describes how each understand detachment and the role of community. They also look at some specific Jedi and try to pair them with a real-life religious order. All in all, they talk about why conversations about where theology and culture meet matter.

Learn more about Dr. Harmon.

Is laughter what makes us human?

Laughter is part of the human experience, baked into our DNA, explored for thousands of years, from the ancient Greek playwrights to our standup comics of today.

On this episode of a new series by MAX Studios, Can Anyone Tell Me, Abi Bielstein asks "Is laughter what makes us human?". Host and MAX Studios Creative Director Darnell Miller is our guide into this complex question.

Dr. Shivas Amin, associate professor of Biology at University of St. Thomas (UST), talks about whether laughter sets us apart from other animals or what he thinks sets humans apart from a biological perspective.

Then Fr. Dempsey Rosales Acosta, professor of Theology at UST, talks about what our laughter and humor reveals about our nature and how God created us in His image.

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Learn more about Dr. Shivas Amin, and Fr. Dempsey Rosales-Acosta.

Sharing the Priesthood on Social Media w/ Fr. David Michael Moses

What do priests really do all day? Fr. David Michael Moses tells us on social media - and thousands, even millions, watch.

Dr. Richard Ludwick, president of University of St. Thomas in Houston, sits down with Fr. David Michael Moses, a well-known speaker, musician, songwriter, parochial vicar at Christ the Good Shepherd Catholic Community in Spring, Texas, and UST's 2024 Commencement Speaker.

In this conversation, Fr. David Michael talks about how he discerned the priesthood, his ministry online and in his parish, and how he's preparing to be the keynote speaker at UST's 2024 Commencement Ceremony. Fr. David Michael shares encouragement for how to draw closer to Jesus in prayer and through the Catholic sacraments.

Learn more about Christ the Good Shepherd.

Learn more about Fr. David Michael.

Forever Love: A Mini-Documentary about the Marriage Catechumenate Summit in 2023

MAX Studios attended the Marriage Catechumenate Summit that took place at Circle Lake Retreat Center near Houston, Texas in June 2023. This is a mini-documentary about the summit and key takeaways for use by newlyweds, married couples and those preparing couples for marriage in the Catholic Church in North America.

This mini-doc is the final piece of a series of interviews with Catholic marriage experts in North America who attended the summit. See all the bonus interviews from the Marriage Catechumenate Summit.

Opportunities for the Neurodiverse w/ Dr. Nicole Walters

St. Maximilian Kolbe has had a profound influence on many of the innovative explorations at University of St. Thomas (UST), including the Kolbe School of Innovation.

In this conversation, Dr. Richard Ludwick, president of UST in Houston, sits down with Dr. Nicole Walters, founding dean of the UST Kolbe School of Innovation and Professional Studies. As Dr. Ludwick calls her the "Queen of Innovation, Dr. Walters shares about the incredible innovative spirit of St. Maximilian and how the Kolbe School helps people who may have never believed they could pursue higher education. Dr. Walters outlines all the interesting programs in the Kolbe School, including opportunities for those who are neurodiverse. She also shares about the myriad of innovative initiatives she is involved in, at UST and beyond.

Learn more about Dr. Walters.

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