For Good: Stories from Notre Dame

ND Loyal
  • 4.8 (16)
  • Society & Culture

Offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life under the Golden Dome and the powerful stories that drive Notre Dame to be a force for good in the world.

  1. Sep 3

    Pete Bevacqua on a Changing Era for College Athletics (Ep. 49)

    At Notre Dame, “choose hard” has become more than a mantra for the football team. It speaks to something deeply rooted at this University: the belief that the more demanding path is often the one most worth pursuing. As the Fighting Irish prepare to open the season against Wisconsin at Lambeau Field, that sense of purpose is once again bringing the Notre Dame family together. In this episode of For Good, Pete Bevacqua, the James E. Rohr Director of Athletics, shares how the “choose hard” mindset is shaping Notre Dame Athletics at a pivotal moment in college sports—from preserving Notre Dame’s distinctive independence to making transformational investments in the student-athlete experience, facilities, and partnerships. Join us as Pete reflects on the extraordinary convening power of Notre Dame Athletics, the inspiring young people at the heart of its programs, and why, amid all the uncertainty surrounding college sports, he remains hopeful about what comes next. Give the gift of Notre Dame: https://giveto.nd.edu/give?NDAC=10013&designation=notredamefund  00:00 — Notre Dame, College Athletics, and More, with Pete Bevacqua 04:03 — Navigating a New Era in College Athletics 11:02 — Rethinking the College Football Playoff 18:11 — Inside the New Shields Family Hall 25:40 — Why Notre Dame Partnered with SoFi 32:02 — What Makes Marcus Freeman Special 35:44 — Joining the NCAA Men’s Basketball Selection Committee 37:01 — The Enduring Value of College Athletics at Notre Dame

    Pete Bevacqua on a Changing Era for College Athletics (Ep. 49)

  2. Aug 20

    Father Dowd on what Notre Dame’s mission asks of us (Ep. 48)

    Notre Dame students inspire University President Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C., every day. In their curiosity and desire to lead lives of meaning and purpose, Father Dowd sees the heart of Notre Dame’s mission: forming students who seek truth, encounter new perspectives, and put their gifts in service to others. In this episode of For Good, Father Dowd reflects on Notre Dame’s distinctive role as a Catholic research university and how that mission shapes the University’s engagement with the defining issues of our time, while preparing students to help shape what comes next. Join us as Father Dowd reflects on what Notre Dame’s mission asks of the University today—and what it means to carry that mission forward. 00:00 — New Academic Year at Notre Dame, with Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. 02:50 — Lessons from East Africa 04:34 — Becoming a More Global University 07:58 — Building Bridges Across Differences 09:01 — Lessons from the Presidency 12:57 — Why Father Dowd Still Teaches at Notre Dame 16:39 — Making Notre Dame More Accessible 20:27 — How Notre Dame Is Facing Higher Education’s Challenges 21:31 — Keeping the Human at the Center of AI 24:04 — College Athletics Landscape: Putting Student-Athletes First 25:04 — Holy Cross and Notre Dame’s Mission

    Father Dowd on what Notre Dame’s mission asks of us (Ep. 48)

  3. Jul 30

    Why Notre Dame Still Believes in the Liberal Arts, with Dean Kenneth Scheve (Ep. 47)

    In an age of artificial intelligence, rapid change, and global uncertainty, Kenneth Scheve ’90, the I.A. O’Shaughnessy Dean of the College of Arts and Letters, believes the liberal arts are not becoming less relevant—they are becoming more essential. At Notre Dame, he’s building on the University’s tradition of educating both the heart and the mind while preparing students to think deeply, engage new ideas, and lead with purpose. Join us for this episode of For Good as Dean Scheve reflects on the enduring role of Arts and Letters at Notre Dame, the College’s growing commitment to global education and research that serves the common good, and why a liberal arts education remains one of the best foundations for leadership and service in a changing world. 0:00 – The story behind O'Shaughnessy Great Hall 4:45 – The transformative journey of a Notre Dame student 6:38 – Returning to Notre Dame to lead the College of Arts and Letters 10:42 – Notre Dame's commitment to the Humanities 13:34 – How the Humanities prepare students for lives of purpose 17:44 – Why critical thinking matters more than ever in the age of AI 21:33 – The importance of global education 23:39 – Addressing society's biggest challenges through research 28:49 – A hopeful vision for Notre Dame's future

    Why Notre Dame Still Believes in the Liberal Arts, with Dean Kenneth Scheve (Ep. 47)

  4. Jul 9

    The Notre Dame Arts Initiative is Breaking Down Barriers, with Rebecca Struch (Ep. 46)

    An arts renaissance is unfolding at Notre Dame, and the University is investing in the arts to enrich the student experience and strengthen the bonds between campus and the broader community. In this episode of For Good, Rebecca Struch, Managing Director of the Notre Dame Arts Initiative, reflects on why people turn to the arts in times of uncertainty, how creativity builds community and breaks down barriers, and why Notre Dame's investment in the arts is shaping a new generation of artists, scholars, leaders, and citizens. She also shares her vision for the inaugural Notre Dame Arts Biennial, an ambitious six-month celebration of the arts beginning in January 2027. Please join us for this conversation about the power of the arts to break down barriers, build bridges, and strengthen communities. 00:00 — Black box theatre as a metaphor for the arts 04:04 — Rebecca’s Journey to Notre Dame 09:43 — Why the arts matter during hard times 12:52 — Inside Notre Dame's Arts Initiative 16:06 — The inaugural Notre Dame Arts Biennial 21:37 — Why now is the right time for the arts 25:15 — Faith, tradition & creativity 28:48 — A renaissance in the arts at Notre Dame 31:40 — Breaking down barriers

    The Notre Dame Arts Initiative is Breaking Down Barriers, with Rebecca Struch (Ep. 46)

  5. Jun 18

    Notre Dame Law School is cultivating hope, with Dean Marcus Cole (Ep. 45)

    For Marcus Cole, the Joseph A. Matson Dean of Notre Dame Law School, true success goes far beyond rankings, salaries, or prestige. Instead, it’s found in purpose—the lives our graduates lead, the communities they serve, and the profound good they do in the world. In this episode of For Good, Dean Cole reflects on how Notre Dame is forming lawyers to lead with conviction and compassion. He discusses the growth of the Law School's clinical programs, the launch of the Lindsay and Matt Moroun Religious Liberty Clinic, record success in judicial clerkships, and Notre Dame’s increasingly global reach.  We invite you to join this thoughtful conversation on leadership, legal education, service, and hope. 0:00 — Forming mission-driven lawyers  5:34 — A historic year for Notre Dame Law School 10:07 — What it takes to be a Notre Dame Law student 13:42 — Why religious liberty is worth fighting for 19:49 — How Notre Dame became a clerkship powerhouse 22:21 — Seeking justice for the wrongfully convicted 25:28 — Why supreme court justices keep coming back to Notre Dame 28:03 — A bold vision: tuition-free law school 31:06 — The best lawyers must think globally 35:30 — Notre Dame Law School is cultivating hope

    Notre Dame Law School is cultivating hope, with Dean Marcus Cole (Ep. 45)

  6. May 28

    Notre Dame’s Growing Role in Global Catholicism with Kathleen Cummings (Ep. 44)

    Kathleen Sprows Cummings brings Catholic history vividly into the present—illuminating not only where the Church has been, but where it may be headed next. In this episode of For Good, Cummings, the John A. O’Brien Collegiate Professor of American Studies and History and inaugural director of Notre Dame’s Global Catholic Research Initiative, reflects on the people and movements that have shaped Catholic life across generations—from the women religious whose work helped build Notre Dame to the growing influence of the global Church today. She also shares timely insight into the election of Pope Leo XIV, the growing role of women’s leadership in the Church, the call for Catholics around the world to listen and discern together, and why Notre Dame is uniquely positioned to become a leading center for the study of global Catholicism. Join us for a fascinating conversation about faith, history, and the evolving role of the Church in a rapidly changing world. 0:00 — The hidden history of Visitation Hall at Remick Commons 4:05 — A Saint of Our Own, canonization, and the making of Catholic heroes 9:04 — From American Catholicism to the global Church 12:18 — Notre Dame archives and preserving Catholic history 15:15 — The election of the first American pope 20:27 — Pope Leo XIV’s first year and the future of the Church 23:47 — Pope Leo XIV, politics, and moral leadership 27:00 — How the Church is rethinking women’s leadership 34:05 — Leading a global Church 37:12 — Notre Dame and the future of global Catholicism 40:00 — Finding hope in the global Church

    Notre Dame’s Growing Role in Global Catholicism with Kathleen Cummings (Ep. 44)

  7. Apr 9

    For Coach Mike Norment, winning starts with people (Ep. 43)

    Mentors, teammates, and now the athletes Mike Norment leads have shaped his journey and his approach as Notre Dame’s Peterson Family Head Swimming and Diving Coach. His focus: building a program defined by character, consistency, and care for the individual.In this episode of For Good, Coach Norment shares his path into coaching, what defines a strong team culture, and the values that drive success.At Notre Dame, those values come together through top-tier athletics, rigorous academics, and a faith that anchors it all.Listen now to hear how he’s developing leaders for life, one student-athlete at a time. 0:00 – Meet Coach Michael Norment 4:24 – Role Models & Breaking the Mold 10:03 – A Calling to Coaching 11:40 – Character Before Performance 13:47 – Coming to Notre Dame 16:19 – The Student-Athlete Experience at Notre Dame 18:26 – Raising the Standard of Notre Dame Swimming 24:53 – Elevating Notre Dame Diving 26:24 – A Legacy in Motion

    For Coach Mike Norment, winning starts with people (Ep. 43)

  8. Mar 30

    Fr. Nate Wills C.S.C. on vocation, Catholic education, and the heart of Notre Dame (Ep. 42)

    At Notre Dame, formation happens in classrooms, residence halls, and even on the football sidelines. Rev. Nate Wills, C.S.C., brings that mission to life every day. As a Holy Cross priest, faculty member in the Alliance for Catholic Education, and chaplain to the Fighting Irish football team, Fr. Nate accompanies students across many dimensions of University life: celebrating dorm Mass, mentoring future Catholic school leaders, and praying with players before kickoff. In this episode of For Good, Fr. Nate reflects on his path to the priesthood, the transformative impact of Catholic education, and the joy of walking with students as they grow in faith, purpose, and community. Tune in to hear how Notre Dame’s mission comes to life through presence, prayer, and relationships that continue long after graduation. 0:00 – Meet Fr. Nate Wills C.S.C.: formation and call to the priesthood 7:16 – ACE and the mission of Catholic education 8:57 – The Remick Leadership Program 10:42 – Higher-Powered Learning, technology, and AI13:28 – Life as Notre Dame football team chaplain14:42 – Holy Medals and football traditions17:07 – Writing the Pray Like a Champion Today book 20:24 – Accompanying students at Keough Hall 24:46 – Students engaging with their faith at Notre Dame29:09 – The Pod Quad podcast 31:46 – Lent and Holy Week reflection

    Fr. Nate Wills C.S.C. on vocation, Catholic education, and the heart of Notre Dame (Ep. 42)
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4.8
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Offering a behind-the-scenes glimpse into life under the Golden Dome and the powerful stories that drive Notre Dame to be a force for good in the world.

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