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First Things Podcast

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First Things is America's most influential journal of religion & public life.
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Episodes

The Church of Ratzinger (ft. Sam Zeno Conedera)

In this episode, Sam Zeno Conedera joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Ratzinger in the Whirlwind” from the May 2026 issue of the magazine.

Jun 04, 202656 minEp. 521

Postliberalism and its Discontents (ft. James Wood)

In this episode, James R. Wood joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Liberalism Is Christianity’s Prodigal Child” from the June/July 2026 issue of the magazine.

May 28, 202645 minEp. 520

Recovering the University’s Soul | 2026 Neuhaus Lecture

In this episode, First Things brings you the recording of the 2026 Neuhaus Lecture presented by Bishop Robert Barron. Please subscribe to access more information about future lectures and many great pieces!

May 21, 202647 minEp. 519

Disney Adulting (ft. Veronica Clarke)

In this episode, Veronica Clarke joins Germán and Virginia (who are subbing in for R. R. Reno) on The Editor's Desk to talk about her recent review, “A Whole New World” from the May 2026 issue of the magazine.

May 14, 202656 minEp. 518

Why Portico? (ft. Micah Mattix)

In this episode, Micah Mattix joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about Portico, a new literary quarterly published by the Institute on Religion and Public Life.

Apr 30, 202640 minEp. 517

Is Churchill America’s Hero? (ft. Sean McMeekin)

In this episode, Sean McMeekin joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Goodbye to the Postwar Consensus” from the April 2026 issue of the magazine.

Apr 23, 202657 minEp. 516

The Return of the Mainline? (ft. Brad East)

In this episode, Brad East joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Mainlining Nostalgia” from the April 2026 issue of the magazine.

Apr 16, 202645 minEp. 515

Disclosure in Modern Poetry (ft. Glenn Arbery)

In this episode, Glenn C. Arbery joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Lyric as Disclosure” from the March 2026 issue of the magazine.

Apr 02, 202631 minEp. 513

Admiration as Inspiration (ft. Elizabeth Corey)

In this episode, Elizabeth Corey joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about her recent piece, “On the Pleasure of Admiring” from the February 2026 issue of the magazine.

Feb 26, 202626 minEp. 510

What Virgil Teaches America (ft. Spencer Klavan)

In this episode, Spencer A. Klavan joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “In the Footsteps of Aeneas” from the February 2026 issue of the magazine.

Feb 19, 202653 minEp. 509

The Promises of Gay Liberation (ft. Scott Yenor)

In this episode, Scott Yenor joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “The Rise and Fall of Gay Activism” from the February 2026 issue of the magazine.

Feb 12, 202649 minEp. 507

The Evangelical Elite Gap (ft. Aaron Renn)

In this episode, Aaron Renn joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “The Problem with the Evangelical Elite” from the January 2026 issue of the magazine.

Feb 05, 202653 minEp. 505

The Realities of Empire (ft. Nathan Pinkoski)

In this episode, Nathan Pinkoski joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Hegemon or Empire?” from the January 2026 issue of the magazine.

Jan 15, 202658 minEp. 502

The Church of Sarah Mullally (ft. Damian Thompson)

In this episode, Damian Thompson joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Canterbury Fails,” from the December 2025 issue of the magazine.

Jan 08, 202645 minEp. 501

John Searle's Minds and Machines (ft. Edward Feser)

In this episode, Edward Feser joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “The Common Sense of John Searle,” from the December 2025 issue of the magazine.

Jan 02, 202650 minEp. 500

How to Talk About God (ft. Hans Boersma)

In this episode, Hans Boersma joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, "Modernity and God-Talk," from the November 2025 issue of the magazine.

Nov 20, 202535 minEp. 498

Heritage and the Right

The editors discuss the troubles at Heritage, the conservative think tank whose president recently touched off a controversy by releasing a video statement in support of Tucker Carlson. The controversy pits generation against generation and faction against faction within the conservative movement. Rusty Reno and Dan Hitchens join Julia Yost.

Nov 10, 202546 minEp. 496

Where Is the Antichrist? (ft. Peter Thiel)

In this episode, Peter Thiel joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recently co-authored essay, "Voyages to the End of the World," from the November 2025 issue of the magazine.

Nov 06, 20251 hr 3 minEp. 495

Walking in Wonder (ft. Virginia Aabram)

In this episode, Virginia Aabram and Elizabeth Bachmann join Rusty Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about Virginia's recent essay, “The Road to Chartres,” from the October 2025 issue of the magazine.

Oct 31, 202521 minEp. 494

Declaration of Dependence (ft. Leah Libresco)

In this episode, Leah Libresco joins Rusty Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about her recent book, “The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto.”

Oct 23, 202548 minEp. 493

Pope and Parliament

The editors discuss Great Britain’s assisted suicide bill, Pope Leo’s first major interview, and Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Dan Hitchens joins Julia Yost.

Sep 25, 202542 minEp. 492

Faith in State Politics (ft. Cameron Sexton)

In the first episode of While We're At It, Cameron Sexton joins in to talk about his work as a member of the Tennessee House of Representatives and Speaker of the state House.

Sep 18, 202531 minEp. 491

Pius XII’s Vindication (ft. Michael Knowles)

In the first episode of While We're At It, a brand new interview series with First Things editor Rusty Reno, Michael Knowles joins in to talk about “The Pope and the Führer: The Secret Vatican Files of World War II,” a new four-part docuseries now available on DailyWire+.

Sep 15, 202535 minEp. 490

Turning Point

The editors discuss the assassination of Charlie Kirk and the rise of political violence in America. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost.

Sep 12, 202528 minEp. 489
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