Politics After Literacy (ft. Mary Harrington)
In this episode, Mary Harrington joins Rusty Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about her recent essay, “The King and the Swarm,” from the August/September 2025 issue of the magazine.

In this episode, Mary Harrington joins Rusty Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about her recent essay, “The King and the Swarm,” from the August/September 2025 issue of the magazine.
In this episode, Jaspreet Singh Boparai joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, "Waugh Against the Fogeys," from the August/September 2025 issue of the magazine.
In this episode, Fr. Thomas Joseph White joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, "The Future of Catholic Theology," from the August/September 2025 issue of the magazine.
In this episode, Christopher Caldwell joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, "The Great Excommunicator" from the August/September 2025 issue of the magazine.
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Yoram Hazony joins in to discuss his book, "The Virtue of Nationalism."
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Alan Dershowitz joins in to discuss his recent book, "The Preventive State: The Challenge of Preventing Serious Harms While Preserving Essential Liberties."
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Christopher J. Scalia joins in to discuss his recent book, "13 Novels Conservatives Will Love (but Probably Haven't Read)."
In this episode, Clare Morell joins Rusty Reno on in the First Things office to talk about her recent book, “The Tech Exit: A Practical Guide to Freeing Kids and Teens from Smartphones.”
The editors discuss conservatism’s big wins at the Supreme Court and America’s military and diplomatic ventures in the Middle East. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost.
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Brad Lingo joins in to discuss Grove City College. Subscribe to Mark's new channel on: Spotify: tinyurl.com/mufv3xzw Apple Podcasts: tinyurl.com/3w32d42x Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.
In this episode, Michael C. Legaspi joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, "Jesus After the Critics" from the June/July 2025 issue of the magazine.
In this episode, Wessie du Toit joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, "The Future of Reading" from the June/July 2025 issue of the magazine. Subscribe at www.firstthings.com/subscribe in order to access this and many other great pieces!
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Martin Cothran joins in to discuss Memoria Press and Classical Education in America. Subscribe to Mark's new channel on: Spotify: https://tinyurl.com/mufv3xzw Apple Podcasts: https://tinyurl.com/3w32d42x Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.
The editors discuss the immigration riots in Los Angeles, and Donald Trump’s feud with Gavin Newsom. Then they discuss that other feud. Rusty Reno joins Julia Yost.
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Joy Pullmann joins in to discuss her recent book, "False Flag: Why Queer Politics Mean the End of America." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Jason Bedrick joins in to discuss "The Phoenix Declaration: An American Vision for Education." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.
In this episode, First Things brings you the recording of the 2025 D.C. Lecture presented by Carl Trueman. Please subscribe at www.firstthings.com/subscribe in order to get more information on future lectures and access many great pieces!
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Caitrin Bennett joins in to discuss her recent book, "Holier Matrimony: Married Saints, Catholic Vows, and Sacramental Grace." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.
The editors discuss the first days of the pontificate of Leo XIV, the first American pope. Then, a report on the pope’s brothers. Rusty Reno, editor Dan Hitchens, and Virginia Aabram join Julia Yost.
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Stanley Fish joins in to discuss his recent book, "Law at the Movies: Turning Legal Doctrine into Art." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Daniel J. Mahoney joins in to discuss his recent book, "The Persistence of the Ideological Lie: The Totalitarian Impulse Then and Now." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.
While waiting for news from the real-life conclave, the editors re-watch the 2024 feature film Conclave and the 2017 HBO series The Young Pope. Then they air their hopes and anxieties about the papal election. Dan Hitchens and special guest Matthew Schmitz join Julia Yost.
In this episode, Darel E. Paul joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, "Feminism Against Fertility" from the May 2025 issue of the magazine. Please subscribe at www.firstthings.com/subscribe in order to access this and many other great pieces!
The editors discuss Pope Francis, whose twelve-year pontificate ended with his death on Easter Monday. Then the staff preview their picks for the upcoming conclave. Rusty Reno and Dan Hitchens join Julia Yost.
In this episode, First Things brings you the recording of the Inaugural Neuhaus Lecture presented by Patrick J. Deneen. Please subscribe at www.firstthings.com/subscribe in order to get more information on future lectures and access many great pieces!
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Mary E. DeMuth joins in to discuss her recent book, "The Most Overlooked Women of the Bible: What Their Stories Teach Us about Being Seen and Heard." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.
In this episode, Ericka Andersen joins Rusty Reno at The Editor’s Desk to talk about her recent essay, “Who Owns the Embryos?” from the April 2025 issue of the magazine. Please subscribe at www.firstthings.com/subscribe in order to access this and many other great pieces!
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Josh Hammer joins in to discuss his recent book, "Israel and Civilization: The Fate of the Jewish Nation and the Destiny of the West."
In this episode, Christopher Caldwell joins Rusty Reno at The Editor’s Desk to talk about his piece, “Merkel's Country” from the March 2025 issue of the magazine. Please subscribe at www.firstthings.com/subscribe in order to access this and many other great pieces!
In the latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Jeffrey J. Meyers joins in to discuss his recent book, "Why Children are Welcome to the Lord's Supper: Some Questions & Answers about Paedocommunion."