Godsplaining - podcast cover

Godsplaining

Dominican Friars Province of St. Josephgodsplaining.podbean.com

Welcome to Godsplaining: Each week Dominican friars tackle the questions that keep you up at night—faith, doubt, culture, philosophy, theology, and real life. Expect clear Catholic answers, big ideas, and conversations that spark “aha” moments without (too much) jargon. Whether you’re a cradle Catholic who loves Thomas Aquinas or just curious, pull up a chair and think deeper with us. New episodes every Thursday—subscribe now.

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Episodes

The Four Loves

On this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure discuss C.S. Lewis', "The Four Loves". The friars delve into the philosophy of those four loves: affection, friendship, romance, and charity. Buy, "The Four Loves", here: shorturl.at/vihtB Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our NEW merch store: https://godsplaining.org/st...

Oct 16, 202537 min

Full Court Faith: Boston Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla on Living with Purpose

Joe Mazzulla, Head Coach of the Boston Celtics, joins Fr. Joseph-Anthony on this episode of Guestsplaining. Joe tells us about his Catholic upbringing, the struggle with identity as an athlete, the decision that changed his life, how he brings his faith to a chaotic lifestyle, and his secret pre-game ritual (hint: think Rosary). Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.p...

Oct 13, 202536 min

BONUS: Hope in the Age of Nihilism w/ Abp. Fisher

Archbishop Anthony Fisher, OP, of Sydney, Australia, joined Fr. Joseph-Anthony, Fr. Patrick, and Fr. Gregory in Rome this past summer to discuss where we can find hope in the troubled, modern era. The friars discuss where hope is lost, where to find it, what we worship when it's not God, how faith and hope relate, and being pilgrims of hope. Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: ...

Oct 11, 20251 hr 12 min

How to Make a Good Decision

On this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Joseph-Anthony and Fr. Gregory discuss the art of making decisions, what you can and can't control, looking into the future and committing to the good. Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Join the friars for a Day of Recollection in Front Royal, VA! https://godsplaining.org/day-of-recollection-tulsa-ok-august-2025/ Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/go...

Oct 09, 202534 minEp. 32

Bl. Bartolo Longo and the Holy Rosary

Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony sit down to discuss Bl. Bartolo Longo, 19th century Satanic priest turned Rosary-devoted Catholic, and why he is a saint for our day. The friars tell us about Longo's mental health struggles, his conversion to Christianity, his discipleship in Pompeii, and his influence to the modern Church. Bl. Bartolo Longo will be canonized on October 19th, 2025 https://www.vaticannews.va/en/pope/news/2025-02/pope-francis-paves-the-way-for-new-saints.html Join the Rosary Con...

Oct 02, 202531 minEp. 30

Discernment and Hearing God's Voice w/ Stacey Sumereau

Catholic author and speaker Stacey Sumereau picks apart Fr. Gregory's brain on this episode of Guestsplaining. Fr. Gregory opens up and gets coached in his mindset by Stacey and discuss discernment, finding and hearing God's voice, Stacey's mystical experience, and much more. Find Stacey's book here: https://www.avemariapress.com/pages/authors/stacey-sumereau?srsltid=AfmBOooc2hZATUdnxnXRVCe_D7mEJ8bl2L473n7aWf1T9saDdxtFXMcc More on Stacey here: https://www.staceysumereau.com/ Send your questions ...

Sep 29, 20251 hr 35 min

BONUS: When You Don't Feel Like Praying

Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony take us to Providence, Rhode Island at the 2025 All Comer's Retreat where they detail learning from Saints as masters of prayer, the difference between active vs passive prayer, and what to do when we don't feel like praying. Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our NEW merch store: https://godsplaining...

Sep 27, 202518 min

Who Are the Persons of the Trinity?

Are Christians pagans? Do we believe in THREE Gods? Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure explain to us the Persons of the Trinity, the relationship between them, God in the Old and New Testament, and more on this episode of Godsplaining. Day of Recollection in Front Royal, VA (November 22nd) https://godsplaining.org/day-of-recollection-front-royal-va-november-2025/ Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support th...

Sep 25, 202538 min

How to Approach Death

Is death natural or is it something we can fix as a human race? Is death a product of Original Sin? Is it a punishment? Are we MEANT to die? How can we follow Jesus' example? On this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Joseph-Anthony and Fr. Bonaventure walk us through the idea of death and how we, as Christians, can approach it. Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon...

Sep 18, 202532 min

St. Thomas Aquinas & Why Reason Leads to God w/ Professor Christopher Kaczor

Author and Philosophy Professor Christopher Kaczor joins Godsplaining for the second time to discuss faith, reason, and St. Thomas Aquinas with Fr. Gregory. Professor Kaczor tells us his fascinating reading and writing habits, his thoughts on God's Divine Hiddenness, and how reason points to a loving God. Professor Kaczor's Book: Is Belief Believable? https://www.avemariapress.com/products/is-belief-believable?srsltid=AfmBOooWNrmnevrK8HM_jJQ-AZRJvv_272bAIJt5Bf4HOQQgjaL2JBDV Subscribe to our chan...

Sep 15, 20251 hr 2 min

BONUS: Mysteries of the Faith

Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure take us to Providence, Rhode Island at the 2025 All Comer's Retreat where they delve into the mysteries of the Faith, how they relate to food, drink, and God, the Father, and what exactly helps us see the Truth. Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our NEW merch store: https://godsplaining.org/store/ Shop ...

Sep 13, 202521 min

Do Catholics Care About Eco-Justice?

In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure explore eco-justice, Catholic social teaching, and the moral responsibility of caring for creation. Why care about the environment? What is eco-theology? How do we, as Catholics, engage in eco-justice without going overboard? Earth Day, indeed. For more on the Heaven Meets Earth podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/heaven-meets-earth/id1806665471 Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage on September 27th, 2025 https://rosarypilgrimage...

Sep 11, 202534 min

Ryan Bethea on Being in a Spiritual Gray Zone & Searching for Truth

Ryan Bethea joins the podcast for a second time with Fr. Gregory in studio this time and get casual. Ryan details being a Protestant while defending Catholicism, how the world and Christianity is mysterious, his work on telling the stories about exorcisms and miracles, and so much more. Fr. Gregory tells us why he is Catholic. The Exorcist Files https://www.exorcistfiles.tv/ More on Heaven Meets Earth https://cbn.com/lp/heaven-meets-earth Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godspl...

Sep 08, 20251 hr 3 min

How are Saints Made?

What are the steps for becoming a Saint in the Church? Why name Saints at all? What is the difference between a saint and a Saint? On this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony tell us their favorite saints, talk canonization, miracles, and the value of a Saint. Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our NEW merch sto...

Sep 04, 202529 min

The Final Days of St. Maximilian Kolbe w/ Anthony D'Ambrosio

Fr. Patrick welcomes Anthony D'Ambrosio, writer and director of film, "Triumph of the Heart," to Guestsplaining. Anthony tells us how his interest in St. Maximilian Kolbe began, what the final day of the Saint's life looked like, the trials faced during filming in Poland, and how God's presence was felt on set. "Triumph of the Heart" https://www.triumphoftheheart.com/militia Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplai...

Sep 01, 202546 minEp. 31

BONUS: Eucharistic Presence, Worship, & Identity w/ Fr. Gregory Pine

The one and only Fr. Gregory Pine joins Fr. Patrick to discuss his new book, "Your Eucharistic Identity", on this BONUS episode of Godsplaining. "Your Eucharistic Identity" can be found here: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/ Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our NEW merch store: https://godsplaining.org/store/ Shop...

Aug 30, 202527 minEp. 29

Can Catholics Marry Non-Catholics?

What exactly is a Catholic marriage, and can Catholics marry non-Catholics? Non-believers? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony delve into the topic of weddings, marriage, what the Church teaches, what the Catechism says, and more. For more on the Exorcist Files: https://www.exorcistfiles.tv/ Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our NEW merch store: https://godsplainin...

Aug 28, 202534 min

How to Love (and Defeat) Your Enemies

Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss how Christians are called to love their enemies without abandoning justice. Can you resist someone and still act out of charity? This episode explores what it means to love—and even defeat—your enemies faithfully. St. Michael's Lent & EXODUS90 https://exodus90.com/ Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage https://rosarypilgrimage.org/ Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Sh...

Aug 21, 202532 min

Why We Want What Others Want: Mimetic Theory & the Gospel w/ Fr. Elias Carr

Fr. Elias Carr joins Fr. Bonaventure to discuss his book, "I Came to Cast Fire: An Introduction to René Girard," his accessible introduction to René Girard’s mimetic theory, discussing our desire to want what others want. Covering desire, violence, the origins of culture, and Christ’s revelation, he connects Girard’s insights to today’s polarization, and conflict, offering practical ways to live in the light of the Gospel. Fr. Elias Carr's book, "I Came to Cast Fire: An Introduction to René Gira...

Aug 18, 202544 min

BONUS: Reporting Back from the Jubilee! + Q&A

Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure for a special live episode as they swap stories from their whirlwind adventure in the Eternal City for the Jubilee of Youth! They’ll share the highlights, surprises, and more. And they won’t be reminiscing alone—Catholic speaker, author, and all-around joy-spreader Katie McGrady will join the conversation to add her own insights! Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our NEW merch store: https://godsplaining.org/store/ Shop Bo...

Aug 16, 20251 hr 5 minEp. 28

The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary

Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony reflect on the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary, exploring its theological significance and how it reveals Mary’s unique role in salvation history. They discuss her bodily assumption into Heaven, the connection to Catholic teaching on the resurrection of the body, and Mary as the New Ark of the Covenant and Queen of the Universe. St. Michael's Lent & EXODUS90 https://exodus90.com/ Tulsa, OK Godsplaining Day of Recollection on 8/30 & 8/...

Aug 14, 202535 min

St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross (Edith Stein)

Fr. Bonaventure and Fr. Gregory chat all about philosopher and Catholic-convert turned Carmelite nun Edith Stein, otherwise known as St. Teresa Benedicta of the Cross. The friars take us through her early life, her beliefs in metaphysics, phenomenology, womanhood, to her end at a Nazi concentration camp. St. Michael's Lent & EXODUS90 https://exodus90.com/ Dominican Rosary Pilgrimage https://rosarypilgrimage.org/ Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podc...

Aug 07, 202531 min

Sacrifice, Suffering & Mary as Our Mother w/ Fr. Donald Haggerty

Fr. Donald Haggerty joins Fr. Joseph-Anthony on this episode of Guestsplaining to reflect on the state of the Church and the spiritual trials facing Catholics today. Drawing from his book "The Hour of Testing," Fr. Haggerty emphasizes the need for prayer, sacrifice, and dependence on the Blessed Mother, who stands as our model of strength, surrender, and fidelity. Fr. Donald's books can be found here https://ignatius.com/authors/fr-donald-haggerty/ Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.co...

Aug 04, 202535 min

Church and/or State?

Catholics are no doubt involved in politics - take JD Vance for example. What is the relationship between church and state like? Should Christians obey the state? What does the historical context look like? On this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure break down everything we as Christians need to know about church and state. St. Michael's Lent & EXODUS90 https://exodus90.com/ Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: htt...

Jul 31, 202532 min

Can Christians KILL?

In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony tackle the challenging question: Can Christians kill? They explore the proper interpretation of the Fifth Commandment—“Thou shalt not kill”—and clarify the Catholic beliefs regarding this demand. What about Catholics in the military? IS there a difference, to God, when it comes to killing? What about the death penalty? Godsplaining Men's Retreat https://godsplaining.org/mens-retreat-august-2025/ St. Michael's Lent & EXODUS90...

Jul 24, 202532 min

Catholicism in Australia w/ Archbishop Anthony Fisher, O.P.

Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick welcome Archbishop Anthony Fisher, O.P. of Sydney. What's it like being a Catholic in Australia? What trends are bringing secular Australians to the Church? The three friars talk Gen Z, (dis)trust in authority, the importance of reason, unification, and what the Archbishop hopes to bring to the people of God. For more on Abp. Fisher, O.P. and the Archdiocese of Sydney on YouTube @CatholicArchdioceseOfSydney Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaini...

Jul 21, 202533 min

The Papacy and Pope Leo XIV

Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure are back at it—this time unpacking all things papacy and the American Pope. From the Scriptural roots to the role of the modern Pope as theologian-in-chief and global shepherd, the friars introduce the newly elected Pope Leo XIV. What's his deal? Where’d he come from, and what might his papacy mean for the Church and the world? Go to exodus90.com to find out more information — join us on August 15 for St. Michael’s Lent! Godsplaining Day of Recollection in TULSA, ...

Jul 17, 202535 minEp. 27

The Inescapable Weirdness of the Christian Life

Christian life can be weird, especially for a Catholic. We certainly stand out from the crowd when you think of how we worship, have intangible relationships, and our belief of immortality. Are Christians superstitious? Is being a 'weird' Christian simply inescapable? Should we embrace our weirdness? Join the friars this summer in Providence, Rhode Island at the All Comer's retreat! For more information, see here: https://godsplaining.org/abba-father-cultivating-confidence-in-our-heavenly-father...

Jul 10, 202536 minEp. 13

Mountaineering, Masculinity & Modern Technology w/ Fr. John Nepil

In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Patrick sits down with Fr. John Nepil to explore the themes of his new book, "To Heights and Unto Depths: Letters from the Colorado Trail." They dive into the spiritual lessons of wilderness, the rediscovery of authentic masculinity through shared hardship, and how stepping away from modern technology opens space for encountering God. Fr. John's book can be found here https://ignatius.com/to-heights-and-unto-depths-thudp/ Fr. John's podcast, "Catholic Stuff...

Jul 07, 202526 min

Can I Miss My Vocation?

In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore the nuanced question: Can someone miss their vocation? They dive into how God’s providence, human freedom, and discernment work together in the journey toward one’s vocation—whether to marriage, religious life, priesthood, or consecrated singlehood. How should we discern? How do we trust in the Lord's Divine Providence? Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://w...

Jul 03, 202534 minEp. 26
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