First Things Podcast

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."

In this episode, Matthew Schmitz joins Rusty Reno at The Editor’s Desk to talk about his piece, “Elon’s Family Values” 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!

The editors discuss the live-action Snow White, Disney's biggest flop in recent memory. Did the star hijack it with her woke statements—or was she scapegoated? Is Disney worthy of its own IP? Virginia Aabram and Germán Saucedo join Julia Yost.

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, A.J. Rice joins in to discuss his recent book, "The White Privilege Album: Bringing Racial Harmony to Very Fine People…on Both Sides." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Cheryl Hughes joins in to discuss her recent book, "Archbishop Fulton J. Sheen: Convert Maker." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, David Rieff joins in to discuss his recent book, "Desire and Fate." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.

The editors discuss last week’s incident in the Oval Office, and what it might portend for American foreign policy. Then they talk the Oscars, and why young people are suddenly going to the movies. Rusty Reno, Dan Hitchens, and Germán Saucedo join Julia Yost.

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Jeremy Beer joins in to discuss her recent book, "Beyond the Devil's Road: Francisco Garcés and the Spanish Encounter with the American Southwest." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Cassandra Nelson joins in to discuss her recent book, "A Theology of Fiction." Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.

In this episode, Nathan Pinkoski joins Rusty Reno at The Editor’s Desk to talk about his book review, “Paleofuturism” from the February 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, Michael Fontaine joins in to discuss his recent translations, "How to Tell a Joke: An Ancient Guide to the Art of Humor" by Marcus Tullius Cicero and "How to Get Over a Breakup: An Ancient Guide to Moving On" by Ovid Intro music by Jack Bauerlein.

The editors discuss Super Bowl 59—why we watched, who tried to rig the outcome, and what Taylor Swift will do next. Then we talk JD Vance, Pope Francis, and the ordo amoris. Rusty Reno, Vicky Clarke, and Virginia Aabram join Julia Yost.

In this episode, Anselm Audley joins Rusty Reno at The Editor’s Desk to talk about his essay, “Cities for Humans” from the January 2025 issue of the magazine. Please subscribe at www.firstthings.com/subscribe in order to access this and many other great pieces!