The Walkup
The Walkup is a bold exploration of ideas featuring a wide range of experts — from scientists, philosophers, artists, and musicians — and everyday truth-seekers. Walk up to the table of thought-provoking conversations, hidden insights, and struggles that impact more people than you might think. With no agenda but the pursuit of truth, The Walkup invites listeners to question, learn, and engage with the world in a deeper way. No topic is off-limits — just honest dialogue filled with wonder and laughter.
Episodes
53 episodes
Against the Odds: The Samurai Lawyer (Chad Flores) | Ep. 52
Chad Flores isn’t your typical lawyer. After starting in a big law firm, he carved his own path as a one-man appellate specialist—arguably a modern-day “samurai” of the courtroom. In this episode, Chad shares how personal crucibles—...
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1:08:55
Educating the Whole Human: Values, Curiosity, and Unity (David Steiner) | Ep. 51
In this episode of The Walkup from the New York Encounter, we explore the transformative power of education and human connection. David & Sean discuss the true purpose of teaching—not just transmitting skills, but nurtu...
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45:45
Living Faithfully: An Insider’s Journey as a FOCUS Missionary (James Van Matre) | Ep. 50
In this episode, we sit down with James Van Mieter to explore his 11-year journey with FOCUS (Fellowship of Catholic University Students). From his first mission trip in the Yucatan Peninsula to evangelizing on college campuses acro...
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1:26:57
Answering the Call: From Seminary Halls to Center Stage (Iris Bahr & Harry Lennix) | Ep. 49
In this lively conversation, we sit down with Harry Lennix, an actor with a fascinating journey from seminary prep to Broadway. From the Immaculate Conception and the Eucharist to the symbolism of the Sistine Chapel and the Vatican ...
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40:50
Finding Home across Cities, Countries, and Stages (Ursula Grunewald) | Ep. 48
From the sun-soaked streets of Cancun to the elite stages of Cuba and the U.S., Ursula Grunewald shares her journey as a dancer, choreographer, and global performer. She talks about training at Havana’s prestigious National Art Scho...
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56:41
Cooperation and the Call to Love (Michael Hanby, Aaron Carr, & Martin Nowak) | Ep. 47
In this episode of The Walkup, recorded live at the New York Encounter, we explore what it means to live deeply in today’s fast-paced, distracted world.Professor Michael Hanby reflects on cultivating depth through education,...
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40:37
Sculpting Souls: Apprenticeship, Sacred Art, and the Lost Bottega (Dony Mac Manus & Christopher Alles) | Ep. 46
In this episode, Sean is joined by sculptors Dony Mac Manus and Christopher Alles to explore a world most people never encounter up close: the ancient, demanding, deeply spiritual craft of classical sculpture. Chris shares how a col...
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1:16:50
Accidents, Hospitals, and the Humor in Hard Things (Iris Bahr) | Ep. 45
In this episode of The Walkup, Sean O’Hare sits down with actress and writer Iris Bahr for a conversation that moves from the absurd to the deeply human. Drawing on Iris’s astonishing hit-and-run experience and the surreal ...
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38:43
Calling, Culture, and Clergy (Bishop Earl Fernandes) | Ep. 44
Bishop Earl Fernandes of the Diocese of Columbus joins The Walkup for a candid conversation on the future of the Church and its mission in the digital age. We explore the Church’s unique opportunity in a world dominated by ...
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53:25
Family, Faith, and Future (Brad Wilcox, Robert Putnam, & William T. Cavanaugh) | Ep. 43
Recorded at New York Encounter 2025, sociologist Brad Wilcox (University of Virginia), political scientist Robert Putnam (Harvard), and theologian William T. Cavanaugh (DePaul) explore the intersection of religion, relationships, and renewal in...
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40:32
Memory, Morality, and Media (Carter Snead & Christine Rosen) | Ep. 42
At New York Encounter 2025, we sat down with two guests working at the intersection of ethics, technology, and public life. Carter Snead, professor of law at Notre Dame and one of the world’s foremost experts in public bioethics, sh...
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46:00
Healing, Holiness, and Hope (Father Vincent Druding) | Ep. 41
This conversation with Fr. Vincent Druding dives into his calling to serve the poor and spiritually afflicted. Fr. Vincent shares his journey from inner-city ministry to founding the Franciscan Sisters of the Pure Heart, a new relig...
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1:02:59
Healing, Belonging, and Mission (Julio Egrejas & Antonio Carlos Tavares de Mello) | Ep. 40
Live from New York Encounter, we speak with two guests devoted to the dignity of the most vulnerable: Julio Egrejas, CEO of Betânia Serviços Solidários, and Antonio Carlos Tavares de Mello, founder of the Jesus Child Community in Brazil. <...
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30:50
Filmmaking, Faith, Fatherhood (Deniz Demirer & Cardinal Seán O’Malley) | Ep. 39
Recorded at New York Encounter, this special episode weaves together two powerful stories—one from a celebrated filmmaker, the other from a Cardinal. Deniz Demirer shares how art, family, and absurdity coexist in his work, while Car...
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31:55
Hope, Justice, Education (Father Don Bosco Darsi) | Ep. 38
In this powerful episode recorded at the New York Encounter, we sit down with Fr. Don Bosco Darsi, a priest in Vijayawada, India, and the founder of Talitha Cumi Unnati—an organization working to end trafficking and uplift girls through educati...
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50:20
Country, Culture, and Collaboration (Chloe Byars & Sarah Rose - Darlin) | Ep. 37
In this episode of The Walkup, Sean O’Hare sits down with Sarah Royce and Chloe Byers, two Oklahoma-born musicians carving out a unique country music scene in New York City. From childhoods steeped in music to the serendipi...
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1:05:14
Mercy, Mission, and Miami (Armando Martinez) | Ep. 36
Armando Martinez is the founder of Sueños de la Calle, a nonprofit born from his own journey through addiction, homelessness, and healing. In this episode, he shares the story of how charitable work became a path to freedom—not just...
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1:11:58
Calling, Culture, and Conversion (Brother Felipe Chavez) | Ep. 35
Brother Felipe Chavez is a seminarian with the Legionaries of Christ, currently studying for the priesthood. In this conversation, he reflects on growing up between Colombia and the United States, his early dreams of playing in the ...
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1:24:51
Masculinity, Media, and Mission (Juan Domingues) | Ep. 34
Juan Dominguez is the founder of Simple Men, a blog and creative platform that invites men into a life of faith, purpose, and responsibility. In this conversation, Juan reflects on what it means to grow as a man—not in reaction to c...
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1:24:11
Calling, Community, and Fatherhood (Father Alberto Hadad) | Ep. 33
In this episode, we sit down with Fr. Alberto Hadad, priest and director of San José School in Cajicá, Colombia. Speaking from a country shaped by both beauty and struggle, Fr. Alberto shares his personal journey of discerning vocat...
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54:50
Faith, Finance, and Philanthropy (Maria José Londoño) | Ep. 32
In this special episode recorded in Bogotá, Colombia, we sit down with María José Londoño—financial executive at KFC Colombia and Co-Director of Fundraising at Fundación Abraza un Sueño. María shares how her journey through corporat...
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1:17:25
Transforming, Connecting, and Leading (Father Astolfo Moreno) | Ep. 31
Fr. Astolfo Moreno, Director of Aid to the Church in Need Colombia, joins The Walkup to share stories from the front lines of faith under fire. From combating human trafficking to championing global solidarity, Fr....
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1:07:27
Serving, Celebrating, and Belonging (Shanel Richard & Emiliana Mesa) | Ep. 30
In The Walkup's second episode recorded at Night to Shine—an international prom experience honoring individuals with special needs—we sit down with Shanel Richard and Emiliana Mesa. From leadership to friendship, advocacy t...
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19:32
Joy, Dignity, and A Night to Shine (Jason Valecia & Luciana Bernal) | Ep. 29
Recorded on location at the unforgettable Night to Shine event hosted by the Tim Tebow Foundation, this episode of The Walkup features heartfelt conversations with Jason Valecia and Luciana Bernal. Night to Shine is a world...
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34:31
Heritage, Brotherhood, and the Jazzman’s Groove (Nick Hempton and Friends) | Ep. 28
Saxophonist Nick Hempton has toured the globe bringing “big fat grooves and strong melodies” to audiences from NYC to Sydney to Shanghai. In this episode of The Walkup, Nick and his jazz collaborators open up about the lega...
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54:52