Podcast Summary

Podcast: The Kristan Hawkins Show
Episode: Let’s Talk About the VALUE of Life! | Ep. 48
Date: January 30, 2026
Host: Kristan Hawkins
Guests: Father Charles Trullols (Director, Catholic Information Center), Sean Kenney (VP Development, Students for Life)

Overview

This episode centers on articulating and defending the inherent value of human life—particularly embryonic life—in a culture where, according to the host and guests, an increasing number of young people lack the grounding beliefs that underpin pro-life arguments. Drawing from a panel discussion at the National Pro Life Summit, Kristan Hawkins, Father Charles Trullols, and Sean Kenney discuss why understanding and conveying the value of life is foundational to abolishing abortion. The conversation interweaves faith, philosophy, history, and practical outreach, aiming to equip pro-life activists to reach a skeptical and secular younger generation.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Why ‘Value of Life’ Is the Central Issue

• Kristan Hawkins frames the problem as not merely one of ignorance about fetal development or the violence of abortion, but a lack of understanding about why any human life—and specifically one’s own—matters.
  • “The biggest challenge we face isn’t proving the violence of abortion… It’s that people just don’t care. And why do people just not care? It all comes back down to a fundamental, I guess, non-belief in the value of humanity.” (02:07)
  • She notes Pew polls showing fewer than 50% of young Americans identify as Christian, suggesting a gap in foundational worldview.

2. Historical & Philosophical Roots of Human Value

• Father Charles Trullols details how Christianity uniquely established the concept of intrinsic human value, contrasting with pre-Christian Greco-Roman societies where people were seen as disposable based on utility.
  • “Christianity brought a revolution in saying that human life has dignity of itself given by God…that we have been created.” (21:25)
  • He reminds listeners that societal change is gradual: “It took Christianity 300 years to change the Roman Empire.” (09:02; 48:59)
• Sean Kenney explores individualism and societal trends:
  • The idea that “we are ends unto ourselves” has led to cultural movements like DINKs (dual income, no kids), where fulfillment is sought apart from transcendence or sacrifice (06:00).
  • He links philosophies of use vs. love to abortion and euthanasia debates: “The opposite of love... is use. Because use is inward, use comes to you. Love is outward.” (46:57)

3. Challenges on College Campuses

• Both Hawkins and guests describe campus discourse as increasingly polarized, with less genuine dialogue:
  • “Too often, I think we don’t have discourse. It’s ultimately like two monologues going past one another rather than dialogue.” (Sean Kenney, 16:47)
• Hawkins notes a chilling student reaction to violence (“This is war!”) as reflecting the real stakes and emotional temperature (10:47).
• Getting at root issues sometimes means making students pause with simple affirmations:
  • “I am glad you were born.” (19:51)

4. Navigating Faith and Reason in the Conversation

• The panelists discuss how to make the case for human value to secular students:
  • Use reason, science, and intrinsic self-worth arguments, not only religious authority:
    • “If someone doesn’t accept Jesus Christ…you use what God has given you with your intelligence and your ability to argue… don’t forget that truth convinces by itself.” (Father Trullols, 56:49)
• Historical context: Past theologians like Aquinas worked with limited science but still affirmed the sanctity of nascent human life as a “gift from God” (29:00).

5. Practical Approaches for Pro-Life Advocates

• Planting Seeds:
  • View every conversation as an opportunity to plant, water, or harvest a “seed”—don’t measure success by immediate conversion. (37:30)
  • Hawkins: “You never…get to plant seeds when you’re on campus, and sometimes those seeds…are going to fall on rocky soil and sometimes on fertile.” (37:30)
• Empathy & Encounter:
  • Model Christ’s compassion and approach dialogues with patience and love.
  • “The person has to understand that I’m coming from a position of love for the other person.” (Father Trullols, 34:00)
  • Don’t argue to win—argue to understand and help the other person expand their view (36:28).
• Role of Prayer:
  • Prayer and grace are seen as vital for opening minds, especially as trauma and past abortions may cloud receptivity. (42:46)
  • “Let’s not forget…grace comes in as well, part of the package…so we have to pray for people.” (Father Trullols, 42:46)

6. Movement Strategy & Unity

• Staying Focused: Keep abortion as the central issue of the movement to maximize effectiveness (45:03).
• Optimism and Perseverance:
  • Progress is slow, setbacks are normal, but advocates should be “joyful and optimistic.”
  • “When they see us joyful and optimistic…we are all united…in being always understanding that we are all going in the same direction.” (Father Trullols, 49:12)

7. Most Memorable & Notable Quotes

• “You cannot have the right of personal autonomy unless you have the basic human right to exist.”
  – Sean Kenney (18:20)
• “It only took Christianity 300 years to change the Roman Empire.”
  – (Repeated by Kristan Hawkins & Father Charles, 09:00; 48:59)
• “The opposite of love is not hate, it’s use.”
  – Sean Kenney (46:57)
• “God doesn’t ask you to succeed. He’s not asking you to win, but he does ask us to try.”
  – Sean Kenney (42:21)
• “Don’t be afraid of starting a conversation…even if the person were to antagonize you…you have planted a seed there.”
  – Father Trullols (54:16)

Important Segment Timestamps

• Panel Introduction and Why the Topic Matters (09:53–15:00)
• Changing Attitudes on Campuses (16:27–18:20)
• Historical Impact of Christianity on Human Value (20:12–25:24)
• How Science and Faith Interplay in the Debate (27:32–32:43)
• Tactics for Engaging with Secular Students (32:59–36:28)
• Practical Guidance for Pro-Life Activists (37:30–42:46)
• Movement Strategy, Optimism, and Unity (45:03–49:49)
• Final Advice and Q&A Role Play (51:08–57:45)

Final Takeaways

• Focusing on Human Dignity: All arguments against abortion must return to the foundational claim: every human being, including embryonic humans, has an intrinsic value bestowed not merely by belief, but by virtue of being human.
• Approach with Humility and Persistence: There are no “silver bullet” arguments, but calm, compassionate, reasoned engagement—grounded in both faith and reason—can change hearts and minds over time.
• Unity and Hope: Pro-life advocates are reminded to be unified, joyful, and persistent, knowing that incremental change is historically normal and optimism is both strategic and contagious.

For those engaging in the pro-life cause—particularly in increasingly secular environments—this episode provides both a robust rationale for the value of life and concrete strategies for advocacy, emphasizing that changing minds is a process that begins with connection, understanding, and hope.