This podcast episode features Heather Reynolds (https://leo.nd.edu/people/heather-reynolds/) , Managing Director of the Notre Dame Poverty Initiative and the Michael L. Smith Managing Director, Wilson Sheehan Lab for Economic Opportunities (LEO) (https://leo.nd.edu/) , who shares how Notre Dame’s research has shaped policy changes—such as expanding access to high school diplomas for adults—and helped nonprofits implement programs that truly work. With more than 100 projects in 30 states, LEO’s evidence-based approach is cutting through political divides to create solutions that lift people out of poverty.We’re also joined by Tracy Kijewski-Correa (https://keough.nd.edu/about/faculty-staff-directory/tracy-kijewski-correa/) , the William J. Pulte Director of the Keough School’s Pulte Institute for Global Development (http://pulte.nd.edu/) . She discusses how her experiences—from being a first-generation student at Notre Dame to leading post-disaster rebuilding efforts—have shaped her work in helping communities build resilience. She also explains how the Keough School’s approach to poverty extends beyond economic hardship, addressing social, psychological, and environmental challenges to foster true human flourishing.By collaborating with policymakers, local leaders, and global networks, Notre Dame is bridging the gap between poverty research and real-world impact. Listen to the full episode of Notre Dame Stories to learn how Notre Dame is driving change—and why this work matters.Show links: • Watch on YouTube (https://youtu.be/v0IR-J9_B1Y) • Episode page (https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/fighting-poverty-research-helping-our-communities/) • Fighting For website (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/) • Fighting to improve education policies (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/2024/fighting-to-improve-education-policies/) • Notre Dame Poverty Initiative (https://strategicframework.nd.edu/initiatives/poverty-initiative/)----- Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

In this episode of NDWorks Podcast, we speak with Brandon Rich, director of AI enablement, about AI programs, resources, and events.--- This episode of NDWorks Podcast was hosted by Natalie Davis Miller, managing editor of NDWorks, and was edited by Michael Wiens, visual media coordinator, with original music by Alex Mansour.

At Notre Dame, Shakespeare isn’t just studied in classrooms—it’s transforming lives behind bars.Scott Jackson’s Acting Shakespeare class allows incarcerated individuals to engage with the Bard’s timeless themes of justice, redemption, and humanity.Here, students are performing their midterm monologues.Learn more: https://go.nd.edu/29a086

What does Catholic "just war" theory teach about the conflict in Israel-Palestine? Do concepts in Catholic social teaching, such as "integral human development" or the "preferential option for the poor," provide any guidance? In what ways might the Church's historic relationship with the Jewish people or the Pope's statements on war and peace in the Holy Land influence Catholic perspectives?Notre Dame hosted a wide-ranging conversation about the events of October 7, 2023, the subsequent war, the tenuous ceasefire, the history of the region, and its future.Featured Speakers: Jordan Denari Duffner - Theologian and Scholar of Catholic-Muslim Relations; Member, Catholic Advisory Council of Churches for Middle East PeaceDaniel Schwake - Executive Director, Notre Dame JerusalemMatthew Tapie - Associate Professor of Theology and Director of the Center for Catholic-Jewish Studies, Saint Leo UniversityModerator: Gabriel Reynolds - Jerome J. Crowley and Rosaleen G. Crowley Professor of Theology, University of Notre Dame

Dean of the College of Science at the University of Notre Dame, Santiago Schnell, shares his personal story as to why he is committed to advancing rare disease research that changes lives.Learn more about his work at https://go.nd.edu/FightingForRareDiseases.

In the United States, a disease must affect fewer than 200,000 people to be considered rare, but there are over 8,000 known rare diseases. That leaves the chances of being diagnosed with a rare disease in the U.S. at around 1 in 10, yet research and funding remain scarce.Rare diseases, commonly referred to as "orphan diseases," are often overlooked. As a result, effective treatments exist for less than 5% of all rare diseases, leaving millions of people without viable options.Notre Dame is committed to understanding, treating, and advocating for those affected by rare diseases. This episode of Notre Dame Stories explores how researchers at the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare Diseases are driving groundbreaking research to uncover new treatments and bring hope to patients and families.Guests • Barb Calhoun, Reisenauer Family Director for Patient Advocacy Education and Outreach; Director of Minor in Science and Patient Advocacy • Sean Kassen, Director of the Ara Parseghian Medical Research Fund at the University of Notre Dame----- Video Chapters 00:00 Introduction: Fighting for those with rare diseases 04:57 Barb Calhoun shares her Notre Dame story 06:11 Barb discusses the benefits of rare disease research in a non-medical school 07:21 Barb talks about the Patient Advocacy Minor offered at Notre Dame. 09:07 Barb shares how the Patient Advocacy Program impacts students 11:57 Barb and Jenna share the inspiring story of a student with Friedreich's ataxia 16:24 What it means that Notre Dame is committed to patient advocacy 18:41 How Dean Santiago Schnell leads with compassion and serves as a role model to others 21:57 Sean Kassen shares his Notre Dame story 24:48 How the Boler-Parseghian Center for Rare Diseases came to be 28:56 Sean shares his personal motivation for working with those with rare disease 29:54 How Notre Dame connects with families for rare disease research 33:12 Sean talks about recent and upcoming breakthroughs in rare disease research 35:04 Sean shares new Niemann-Pick Type C treatment options available 36:11 Sean tells us why rare disease research is so important to him----- Show links Episode page (https://stories.nd.edu/podcasts/advancing-rare-disease-research-and-patient-advocacy/) Fighting For website (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/) Fighting for those with Rare Diseases (https://fightingfor.nd.edu/2024/fighting-for-those-with-rare-diseases/) Patient Advocacy Initiative (https://patientadvocacy.nd.edu/)----- Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications and hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller. It was produced by Jenna Liberto, Josh Long, and Staci Stickovich. Videography was done by Zach Dudka, Josh Long, Tony Fuller, and Michael Wiens. Original music was provided by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.