The Mater Media Speaker Series in St. Louis, Missouri. This live and in-person season runs from September 2026 - March 2027 and promotes compelling Catholic conversations.

Join us for 6 events of faith and inspiration!

The Mater Media Speaker Series will be held at the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts at Lindenwood University. This live and in-person season runs from September 2026 - March 2027 and promotes compelling Catholic conversations.

Powerful Voices. Living Faith.

Prepare for unforgettable events of faith, inspiration and community!

The Mater Media Speaker Series brings nationally recognized voices and remarkable life stories to the stage of the J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts at Lindenwood University.

Join us for a six event live series designed to inspire hearts and strengthen faith.

Mark your calendars! Season Passes go on sale on May 1st.

The Speakers

John O’Leary

September 10, 2026

Bill O’Reilly

October 15, 2026

Dr. Ira DeWitt

Eric Genuis

Professor, music label founder, jewelry designer, Host of Beyond SAINT podcast, Founder and CEO of SAINT Candle and the SAINT Catholic Lifestyle App.

Learn more about Ira.

November 5, 2026
December 6, 2026

Prolific composer, virtuoso pianist, powerful storyteller, performer of 1,500+ concerts in prisons around the globe.

Learn more about Eric.

Legendary TV Commentator, Author of 21 New York Times #1 Bestsellers, Host of The No Spin Zone.

Learn more about Bill.

International Speaker, Bestselling Author, Podcast Host, Real-life Hero of the Soul on Fire movie.

Learn more about John.

Cardinal Timothy Dolan

Leo Severino

Bishop Emeritus of New York, Former Rector of the Pontifical North American College in Rome, Author, Catholic Radio Show Host.

Learn more about Cardinal Dolan.

March 3, 2027
March 31, 2027

Author, Actor, Hollywood Producer of Sound of Freedom, Cabrini, Zero A.D., Little Boy, and Bella.

Learn more about Leo.

The Mater Media Speaker Series logo.

Faith. Community. Inspiration.

Tickets are sold as a series, giving you access to all 6 memorable live, in-person events.

Season Passes go on sale on May 1st.

Zip Rzeppa and Cardinal Timothly Dolan.

Don’t miss this exciting inaugural season.

Each Speaker Series event will be hosted by Zip Rzeppa, Founder of Mater Media.

A former award-winning television sportscaster and inductee into the St. Louis Media Hall of Fame, Zip brings decades of on-stage presence, energy, and storytelling to every event.

Today, he leads Mater Media with a mission to evangelize the faith through media.

Founders Circle logo of the Mater Media Speakers Series.

Join the Founders Circle

By joining our inaugural Founders Circle, you are doing far more than reserving a seat.

You are helping build something lasting.

As a Founders Circle member, you will establish the legacy of the Speaker Series.

Benefits

  • Two tickets to every Speaker Series Event with VIP seating

  • VIP Reception invitation - enjoy an exclusive social hour before every event to meet-and-greet with each speaker

  • Reserved VIP parking

  • Special recognition at every Speaker Series Event

Be the first to access Speaker Series passes.

Join our priority list for early access and exclusive updates.

Season Passes go on sale on May 1st.

We can’t wait to welcome you to this inaugural experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

About The Speaker Series

  • This series is for anyone seeking inspiration, deeper meaning, and connection. These events feature remarkable speakers who share stories of faith, leadership, perseverance, and purpose.

    Each event is designed to inspire, challenge, and bring our community together in a meaningful way.

  • Yes. Our speakers will share how their Catholic faith has shaped their life and work. While rooted in these values, the Speaker Series welcomes people of all backgrounds.

  • The Speaker Series is a wonderful experience for adults, young adults, and families; however, the live speaker format may not be well suited for young children.

  • At this time, the Speaker Series is designed as a live, in-person experience. It will not be live-streamed.

  • Yes! We offer a range of sponsorship opportunities for businesses and individuals who want to align with this mission and gain meaningful visibility in the community.

    We’d love to share more details with you. Please contact us here.

  • We’re so grateful you asked!

    You can support by:

    • Inviting others and helping us “pack the theater”

    • Introducing us to potential sponsors or donors

    • Joining the Founders Circle

    • Sharing the Speaker Series within your personal and professional networks

Tickets & Experience

  • The full Speaker Series includes six events throughout the season - from September 2026 - March 2027. Each features a different speaker and unique experience.

  • Tickets are sold on a Series Pass basis.

    If available, individual event tickets may be released closer to each event date.

  • A Series Pass incudes:

    • Access to all six Speaker Series events

    • Your choice of preferred seating options

    • Early access to event details and announcements

    • The opportunity to be part of a growing, mission-driven community

  • The Founders Circle is a special group of supporters who help bring the Speaker Series to life in a meaningful way.

    Founders Circle members receive:

    • Premium seating

    • Exclusive access to VIP receptions to meet & greet with the speakers

    • VIP parking

    • Recognition as founding supporters of this initiative

    To join the Founders Circle, please contact us here.

  • Yes! Founders Circle members and Sponsors will have access to exclusive pre-event VIP receptions where you can meet the speakers in a more personal setting.

    Please contact us to learn more.

Event Details & Logistics

  • The Speaker Series takes place at the beautiful J. Scheidegger Center for the Arts at the Lindenwood University.

    Conveniently located at 2300 West Clay Street in St. Charles, Missouri, just off Interstate 70 at the Zumbehl Road exit, the venue is easy to access with ample, free on-site parking.

  • Ample free parking is available on-site in convenient ground-level lots—no parking garage required.

    It’s easy to access, well-lit, and just a short walk to the venue. A convenient drop-off area is also available at the main entrance.

  • Doors will open approximately 60 minutes before the event begins.

    We invite you to arrive early to enjoy fellowship and connect with others.

    A cash bar and light refreshments will be available in the main concourse, along with a few fun touches—like a photo booth—to make the experience even more enjoyable.

  • Yes. The venue is fully ADA accessible, including parking, entrances, seating, and restrooms.

  • Yes. A cash bar and light refreshments will be available in the main concourse before the event begins.

  • If you are unable to attend one or more of the events, you are able to gift your seat to another guest.

    To help you with this, please contact the Box Office.

“Speak the truth in a thousand ways.”

- St. Catherine of Siena