Notre Dame Stories

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 Show links: Watch on YouTube Episode page Fighting For website Fighting for those with Rare Diseases Patient Advocacy 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.

It’s a story so familiar to many that you may not even realize there’s more to be discovered. The Bible describes an event that led so-called wise men to Jesus. Scripture calls it a star, but what was it really? That’s the question Grant Mathews, director of the Center for Astrophysics at Notre Dame, set out to answer. He believes the Christmas star was actually a planetary alignment. He shares his research with us for this episode of Notre Dame Stories. ----- Show links: Watch on YouTube Episode page Royal Beauty Bright ----- 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, Micki Kidder, vice president of undergraduate enrollment, highlights Notre Dame's new no-loan financial aid packaging and expanded need-blind admissions as part of the new Pathways to Notre Dame initiative, ensuring that students from all financial backgrounds can access a Notre Dame education without the burden of debt. As a Notre Dame alumna, staff member, and now a Notre Dame parent, Kidder shares her personal insight into the University’s mission to provide an unparalleled educational experience rooted in Catholic values. Show links: Watch the podcast interview on YouTube Watch Rev. Robert A. Dowd, C.S.C. announce the Pathways to Notre Dame initiative Learn more about Pathways to Notre Dame View Notre Dame 2033: A Strategic Framework ----- 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 October, it was announced that Rev. John I. Jenkins, C.S.C., would step down from his role as the 17th president of the University of Notre Dame. He has shaped and grown the University and its impact over the past 19 years in research, global engagement and by attracting super faculty and the highest caliber students, just to name a few. In this special episode of Notre Dame Stories, Father Jenkins reflects on his tenure with host Jenna Liberto. Watch the interview ------ Notre Dame Stories is the official podcast of the University of Notre Dame. It was created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications. Hosted by Jenna Liberto with Executive Producer Andy Fuller, content coordination by Staci Stickovich, edited by Michael Wiens and Jessica Sieff, and videography by Tony Fuller and Zach Dudka. Original music by Alex Mansour. Listen and subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.

What comes to mind when you think about the Department of Theology at the University of Notre Dame? Likely, an image of traditional Roman Catholicism. But the Church is a global body with diverse traditions and people who lead them. Nowhere is this more apparent than in the life story of the chair of Notre Dame’s Department of Theology, Father Khaled Anatolios. In this episode of Notre Dame Stories, we explore one way the University embraces and advances its Catholic character in the global context. Watch the interview --- Notre Dame Stories is created by the Office of Public Affairs and Communications. Hosted by Jenna Liberto. Written and produced by Andy Fuller with content coordination from Staci Stickovich. Edited by Michael Wiens and Jessica Sieff with videography by Tony Fuller and Zach Dudka. Original music is by Alex Mansour.

In this episode, we look at the relationship between the great Catholic intellectual, G.K. Chesterton, and the University of Notre Dame. Chesterton spent a semester on campus in 1930, lending his intellectual prowess and good humor to the Notre Dame community. Today, a collection of his personal belongings is adding a new dimension to the University's presence in London.

One of the more popular stories we've produced is on the origin of the University's athletics nickname, the "Fighting Irish." As the football team prepares to open its season in Dublin, Ireland, for the Aer Lingus College Football Classic, we revisit that history to open the new season of Notre Dame Stories. Guest narration by Brian Ó Conchubhair of the Keough-Naughton Institute for Irish Studies. Explore the University's relationship with the Emerald Isle with the limited podcast series East and West: Notre Dame in Ireland.

This special episode takes a look at the University's presence in London. We spent some time with a few of Notre Dame's students there, following them to different locations on that most iconic mode of transport, the Underground. Along the way, we explored the home of a major Premier League football club, the Houses of Parliament, and the thriving London art scene. We found that the Tube makes the best kind of journey possible: the one that takes you somewhere new.