Highest Aspirations: A Religion and Human Rights Podcast

Highest Aspirations brings the scholarly work of the UNO Goldstein Center to provide high-quality community education on topics in religion and human rights. At a time when both religion and human rights are often misunderstood or portrayed as opposing forces, this podcast highlights their points of disagreement, collaboration, and shared moral concern. Combining scholarly insight with accessible public dialogue, Goldstein Center Executive Director Dr. Laura Alexander will deepen your understanding of religion's role in advancing human dignity and justice. ----- The Leonard and Shirley Goldstein Center for Human Rights at the University of Nebraska at Omaha (UNO) is a faculty-led unit in the College of Arts and Sciences designed to facilitate and catalyze increased human rights-related academic offerings, research, as well as local and international community outreach, partnerships and programming. The Goldstein Center strives to be a nationally-recognized hub for scholarship on human rights, with a particular focus on religion and human rights, while supporting curriculum and pedagogical development at UNO and promoting community engagement and knowledge about human rights issues for a public audience.

Episodes

Latest Episodes

Jul 29, 2026

1 hr 19 min

Dr. Laura Alexander interviews Rabbi David Segal, Policy Counsel at the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, about his journey as a rabbi-lawyer and how BJC protects church–state separation and religious freedom for all.
They explore BJC’s legal work and advocacy—amicus briefs, Ten Commandments and Oak Flat cases—alongside broader initiatives like Christians Against Christian Nationalism, immigration-sensitive locations protections, and debates over school vouchers and public funding.

Jul 29, 2026

1 hr 19 min

Trailer

Jul 29, 2026

Jul 29, 2026

11 min

What do our deepest beliefs say about human dignity? And what can they teach us about the world we live in?
Welcome to Highest Aspirations where we explore the profound relationship between religion and human rights with scholars, practitioners, and thought leaders. Through insightful conversations and analysis, each episode invites listeners to engage with the ideas and debates influencing our world today.
Join us as we explore the highest aspirations of humanity-and the enduring questions that define our shared future.
---
Goldstein Center for Human Rightscas.unomaha.edu/gchr

Jul 29, 2026

11 min