Godsplaining

What's the difference between Dominicans, Franciscans, Jesuits, Benedictines, and other Catholic religious orders? And is one religious order better than the others? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Joseph-Anthony and Fr. Bonaventure compare the different religious orders of the Catholic Church, exploring their unique charisms, traditions, and missions. From the contemplative life of monks to...

Could the Shroud of Turin provide scientific evidence for the Resurrection of Jesus Christ? Fr. Gregory Pine, OP, welcomes Fr. Robert Spitzer, SJ, President of the Magis Center of Reason and Faith, to explore one of Christianity's most fascinating mysteries: the Shroud of Turin. Believed by many to be the burial cloth of Jesus, the Shroud has fascinated scientists, historians, and believers for ce...

Is it okay to be sad as a Christian? If we have faith in God, shouldn't we always be joyful? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore the relationship between sadness, Christian joy, and holiness. Drawing on the wisdom of St. Thomas Aquinas, they discuss why sadness isn't necessarily a bad thing, how to respond to sorrow, and why experiencing difficult emotions d...

What happens when a society abandons objective moral truth? C.S. Lewis warned that the consequences could be far greater than we imagine. In The Abolition of Man, C.S. Lewis argues that when we reduce morality to personal feelings and treat human nature as something we can reshape at will, we risk losing the very qualities that make us human. In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bo...

What if the secret to a meaningful life isn't getting everything you want, but learning what you're willing to sacrifice? In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Gregory welcomes Jonathan Pageau, artist, symbolic thinker, and creator of The Symbolic World, for a conversation about sacrifice, modern storytelling, and the Christian understanding of happiness. Why does modern culture struggle to under...

What do Barbie, Lady Bird, and Little Women have in common? And what can Greta Gerwig's films tell us about her upcoming adaptation of C.S. Lewis's The Chronicles of Narnia? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Gregory explore the work of filmmaker Greta Gerwig through a Catholic lens, examining the surprising ways her films reveal truths about identity, love, relationships, and th...

Are we beginning to treat people more like things? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Bonaventure and Joseph-Anthony explore the thought of Jewish philosopher Martin Buber and his influential work I and Thou. Buber argues that we encounter the world through two fundamental relationships: “I–It,” in which we experience and use things, and “I–Thou,” in which we encounter another person in genuine...

What does the Catholic Church actually teach about the final judgment and why do we hear so little about it? Fr. Gregory welcomes theologian, author, and President of Renewal Ministries Dr. Ralph Martin back to Godsplaining for a conversation about his book The Coming Judgment. Together, they explore the Second Coming, the reality of hell, salvation, repentance, Scripture, discernment, and what it...

Martial arts can cultivate discipline, courage, strength, and preparedness—but what happens when fighting becomes entertainment? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony wrestle with the morality of combat sports, including MMA and boxing. Is there a legitimate place for violence and aggression in the Christian life? How are self-defense and martial arts different from f...

Why has Brideshead Revisited endured as one of the great Catholic novels? Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure dive into Evelyn Waugh’s masterpiece and its unforgettable exploration of grace, conversion, sin, beauty, Catholic culture, and God’s relentless pursuit of the human heart. From Charles Ryder’s encounter with the Flyte family to Sebastian’s struggles, Julia’s conversion, and Lord Marchmain’s p...

What does Divine Mercy really mean, and why is it so central to the Christian life? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, joins Fr. Gregory to unpack the message of Divine Mercy, the extraordinary life of St. Faustina, and the profound connection between God’s mercy and the sacraments. Fr. Alar is a priest of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and serves as provincial superior for the congregation’s p...

How should Catholics think about mental health? Is anxiety or depression primarily a psychological issue, a spiritual struggle—or can it be both? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss the relationship between faith, therapy, psychology, and mental health. They explore why psychological struggles are real without defining the whole person, when it may be appropria...

Do Catholics really have to go to Mass every Sunday? And why does the Church call it an “obligation”? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Patrick Briscoe unpack the Sunday Mass obligation and explain why obligation and freedom aren’t enemies. In fact, having certain non-negotiable commitments can free us from constantly having to decide what matters most. The friars discuss w...

Fr. Bonaventure welcomes Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, back to Godsplaining for a conversation about St. Ignatius of Loyola and the discernment of spirits. How do we recognize what is drawing us toward God, and what is pulling us away? How should we respond when we experience discouragement, confusion, anxiety, or spiritual desolation? What role should our emotions play in the spiritual life? Drawin...

What if your biggest toxic trait could actually point you toward the Saint you need most? Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony take on some of today’s most common “toxic traits” and pair them with the Saints who show us a better way. They tackle everything from narcissism and holding grudges to ghosting, impulsivity, FOMO, and gaslighting. As shown through the lives of the Saints, the friars clarify...

What do you do when you've been genuinely hurt by someone in the Catholic Church? What if a therapist, friend, or loved one tells you that leaving the Church is the answer? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss church hurt, trauma, abuse, forgiveness, and the difficult distinction between the holiness of the Church and the failures of her members. The friars expl...

Why are more people cutting off family members, friends, and loved ones? What does the rise of “no contact” reveal about the way we understand relationships? Fr. Gregory sits down with Ethics and Public Policy Center Fellow and author Noelle Mering to explore the growing phenomenon of fractured relationships. They discuss the influence of social media and therapy-speak, the meaning of “toxic” and...

Why do Catholics, and Thomists in particular, have such a problem with René Descartes? Fr. Bonaventure and Fr. Patrick Briscoe take another look at one of the most controversial figures in modern philosophy. From “I think, therefore I am” and the mind-body problem to Descartes’ Catholic faith and surprising Augustinian influences, they ask whether the father of modern philosophy deserves his reput...

Is laughter just entertainment, or is it an important part of the Christian life? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore the surprising virtue of humor. They discuss why Christians sometimes become overly serious, how St. Thomas Aquinas viewed wit as a virtue, and why laughter can deepen friendship, relieve tension, and even help us speak the truth with charity...

Why are so many Christians rediscovering the Catholic Church? In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Gregory Pine sits down with Catholic apologist Trent Horn to discuss Protestantism, apologetics, conversion, and what ultimately draws people into the fullness of the Catholic faith. They explore why arguments matter, but also why arguments alone are never enough. Trent explains the biggest misconc...

Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we write, create art, compose music, and even think—but what does it mean for the human imagination? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure explore AI through the lens of Catholic philosophy and theology. They discuss whether AI can truly be creative, why imagination is essential to being human, and how technology may reshape ou...

Why has The Little Prince remained one of the most beloved books in the world? Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure explore Antoine de Saint-Exupéry's timeless classic through the lens of Catholic philosophy and theology. Together they unpack the book's deepest themes: childlike wonder, identity, responsibility, love, friendship, and learning to "see with the heart." Whether you're revisiting this clas...

Can God really heal emotional wounds, trauma, grief, and spiritual struggles? And if He can, why do so many faithful Catholics still suffer? Fr. Gregory sits down with bestselling author and therapist Dr. Bob Schuchts of the John Paul II Healing Center to explore what healing actually means in the Christian life. Together they discuss why healing is central to Christ's mission, praying for healing...

The Catholic Mass is far more than just a weekly obligation—it is the Church's highest act of worship and our deepest encounter with Jesus Christ. Yet many Catholics know the responses and rituals without fully understanding why the liturgy unfolds the way it does. In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Joseph-Anthony and Fr. Gregory offer a guided tour through the Mass, explaining how each part pre...

Why does beauty stop us in our tracks? Why do breathtaking cathedrals, sacred music, masterpieces, and even a sunset seem to point beyond themselves? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure explore the profound relationship between beauty and God. Drawing from Dostoevsky, Aristotle, St. Thomas Aquinas, Hans Urs von Balthasar, and their own experiences of art and prayer, th...