First Things Podcast

On this episode, Chad Pecknold joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his recent Postliberal Order​ articles, “The Religious Nature of the City​" and “Imago Dei as a Political Concept​."

On this episode, Steven Hayward joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his book, "M. Stanton Evans: Conservative Wit, Apostle of Freedom."

Editor R. R. Reno is joined by Michael Toscano to talk about his article from the May print edition, “Ensnared in the Web.” They discuss the work of cultural critic and media theorist Neil Postman, the troubling rise in technological dependency, and potential strategies for escaping the social media abyss.

On this episode, Gabriel Noah Brahm joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his Telos article, "Canceling Israel."

On this episode, Jeff Rubin joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his recent book, "The Expendables: How the Middle Class Got Screwed By Globalization."

On this episode, Nathan Pinkoski joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss Eric Zemmour and his recent First Things article, "The Most Controversial Man in France."

On this episode, Eric Metaxas joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "Is Atheism Dead?"

Editor R. R. Reno is joined by Algis Valiunas to talk about his article from the April print edition, “Nihilism for the Ironhearted.” They discuss the tragically short life and the brilliant poetic output of Giacomo Leopardi, contrasting his bleak nihilism with the more life-affirming nihilism found in Nietzsche and Vattimo.

On this episode, Jared Knott joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "Tiny Blunders/Big Disasters: Thirty-Nine Tiny Mistakes That Changed the World."

On this episode, Dennis Prager joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "The Rational Passover Haggadah."

Editor R. R. Reno is joined by J. J. Kimche to talk about his article from the April print edition, “Meir Kahane.” They discuss the life of Meir Kahane, the rise and fall of the Jewish Defense League, and the continuing prescience of Kahane’s diagnosis on the Palestine question.

On this episode, Casey Chalk joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "The Persecuted: True Stories of Courageous Christians Living Their Faith in Muslim Lands."

On this episode, Hans von Spakovsky joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "Our Broken Elections: How the Left Changed the Way You Vote."

Editor R. R. Reno is joined by Fr. Michael Nazir–Ali to talk about his article from the April print edition, “From Anglican to Catholic.” They discuss Fr. Nazir–Ali’s disappointment with Anglican ecumenical efforts, his journey to the Catholic Church, and how the Anglican tradition can enrich Catholicism.

On this episode, George Yancey joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "One Faith No Longer: The Transformation of Christianity in Red and Blue America."

On this episode, Michael Cholbi joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "Grief: A Philosophical Guide."

On this episode, F. Bruce Gordon joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book "Zwingli: God's Armed Prophet."

On this episode, William Damon joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "A Round of Golf with My Father: The New Psychology of Exploring Your Past to Make Peace with Your Present."

On this episode, Justin E. H. Smith joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "The Internet Is Not What You Think It Is: A History, a Philosophy, a Warning."

On this episode, Gregory Boyle joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss his new book, "The Whole Language: The Power of Extravagant Tenderness."

Editor R. R. Reno is joined by Hadley Arkes to talk about his article from the March print edition, “On Overturning Roe.” They discuss the shortcomings of originalist jurisprudence, the necessity of natural law in the fight to safeguard the rights of the unborn, and the opportunity facing the Supreme Court in the impending Dobbs decision.

On this episode, Katie Geary joins Mark Bauerlein to talk about the Religious Freedom Index, a survey by Becket Law.

On this episode, Elizabeth Bachmann, a Junior Fellow at First Things, interviews Mark Bauerlein about his new book, "The Dumbest Generation Grows Up: From Stupefied Youth to Dangerous Adults."

Editor R. R. Reno is joined by Fr. Timothy Cusick to talk about his article from the March print edition, “Priestly Poverty.” They discuss how the clerical abuse scandal undermined the authority of the priesthood in the eyes of many Catholics, and how a new emphasis on evangelical poverty might restore public trust.

On this episode, Richard Jackson joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss the National Symposium for Classical Education.