First Things Podcast
- Episodes
- 534
- Released
- weekly
- Latest episode
- Nov 13, 2026
About the podcast
First Things is America's most influential journal of religion & public life.
Episodes 534
Vance Vance Devolution
The editors discuss the Jensen Huang scandal, the uncertain future of the "new right", and whether the Catholic vote exists at all.
Tangled Up In Blue
The editors discuss the blue wave in the midterm elections, the 39th Annual Erasmus Lecture, and Bob Dylan's audience with Pope Leo XIV.
The Execution Will Not Be Televised
Further reading:"A Eulogy for Bullfighting," by Germán S. Díaz del Castillo (First Things)"The Stench of Corruption," by R. R. Reno (First Things)"Foucault’s Principalities & Powers," by Angela Franks (First …
Show notes
Further reading:
- "A Eulogy for Bullfighting," by Germán S. Díaz del Castillo (First Things)
- "The Stench of Corruption," by R. R. Reno (First Things)
- "Foucault’s Principalities & Powers," by Angela Franks (First Things)
- "Foucault’s Idol of Nothingness," by Carl R. Trueman (First Things)
Cornell's Secret History
Further reading:2026 Erasmus Lecture tickets.Rape and Modern Sex War, by Camille Paglia"The Great Feminization Comes to Cornell," by Helen Andrews (Compact)"Number of teens who identify themselves as gay or …
Show notes
Further reading:
- 2026 Erasmus Lecture tickets.
- Rape and Modern Sex War, by Camille Paglia
- "The Great Feminization Comes to Cornell," by Helen Andrews (Compact)
- "Number of teens who identify themselves as gay or bisexual is in ‘free fall’," by Casey Park (Washington Post)
- "Anthropic bans ‘abusive or cruel behavior’ toward Claude," by Hayden Field (The Verge)
- "Beware Its Voice," by Ned Desmond (The Widening Gyre)
Roger Scruton's Eternal Youth (ft. Dan Hitchens)
In this episode, First Things senior editor Dan Hitchens joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “The Making of Roger Scruton,” from the October 2026 issue of the magazine.
Brave New Sexual Ethics (ft. Mark Regnerus)
In this episode, Mark Regnerus joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Living Humanae Vitae in Poland,” from the October 2026 issue of the magazine.
Standing Athwart AI, Yelling Stop
Further reading:Christopher Caldwell, “Why the AfD Wins” (First Things)Dan Hitchens, “How Britain Escaped Assisted Suicide” (First Things)Dan Hitchens, “How Britain Defeated ‘Assisted Dying’” (Compact)Imogen …
Show notes
Further reading:
- Christopher Caldwell, “Why the AfD Wins” (First Things)
- Dan Hitchens, “How Britain Escaped Assisted Suicide” (First Things)
- Dan Hitchens, “How Britain Defeated ‘Assisted Dying’” (Compact)
- Imogen Garfinkel, “Our 83-year-old Christian grandmother was euthanised against her will under Canada's assisted dying system - she died covered in blood with her hands clasped in prayer” (Daily Mail)
The German Right's Golden Moment (ft. Christopher Caldwell)
In this episode, Christopher Caldwell joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Why the AfD Wins” from the October 2026 issue of the magazine.
Everything is America
Further reading:Darel E. Paul, “Jason Arday and the Therapeutic Academy” (First Things)Carl R. Trueman, “How the Therapeutic Killed Academic Standards” (First Things)Bethel McGrew, “Jason Arday and the …
Show notes
Further reading:
- Darel E. Paul, “Jason Arday and the Therapeutic Academy” (First Things)
- Carl R. Trueman, “How the Therapeutic Killed Academic Standards” (First Things)
- Bethel McGrew, “Jason Arday and the Merciless Lie” (First Things)
- Tyler Austin Harper, “Why I Quit the Tenure Track” (The Atlantic)
- R. R. Reno, “The Failed 9/11 Memorial” (First Things)
Of Things and Devices (ft. Brad Littlejohn)
In this episode, Brad Littlejohn joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Left to Our Own Devices,” from the August/September 2026 issue of the magazine.
The Fourth Watch (ft. James Keating)
In this episode, James F. Keating joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his new bimonthly topical newsletter for First Things, The Fourth Watch.
The Critic as Artist (ft. Dana Gioia)
In this episode, Dana Gioia joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his most recent piece for Portico, "The Last of the Lost Generation."
The Jew from Nowhere (ft. J. J. Kimche)
In this episode, J. J. Kimche joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his new bi-monthly topical newsletter for First Things, "The Jew From Nowhere."
The Once and Future France (ft. Nathan Pinkoski)
In this episode, Nathan Pinkoski joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent introduction to Éric Zemmour's book, "The Suicide of France."
This Catholic Moment (ft. Matthew Schmitz)
In this episode, Matthew Schmitz joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Our Strange Catholic Moment” from the June/July 2026 issue of the magazine.
The Church of Ratzinger (ft. Sam Zeno Conedera)
In this episode, Sam Zeno Conedera joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Ratzinger in the Whirlwind” from the May 2026 issue of the magazine.
Postliberalism and its Discontents (ft. James Wood)
In this episode, James R. Wood joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Liberalism Is Christianity’s Prodigal Child” from the June/July 2026 issue of the magazine.
Recovering the University’s Soul | 2026 Neuhaus Lecture
In this episode, First Things brings you the recording of the 2026 Neuhaus Lecture presented by Bishop Robert Barron. Please subscribe to access more information about future lectures and many great pieces!
Disney Adulting (ft. Veronica Clarke)
In this episode, Veronica Clarke joins Germán and Virginia (who are subbing in for R. R. Reno) on The Editor's Desk to talk about her recent review, “A Whole New World” from the May 2026 issue of the magazine.
Why Portico? (ft. Micah Mattix)
In this episode, Micah Mattix joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about Portico, a new literary quarterly published by the Institute on Religion and Public Life.
Is Churchill America’s Hero? (ft. Sean McMeekin)
In this episode, Sean McMeekin joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Goodbye to the Postwar Consensus” from the April 2026 issue of the magazine.
The Return of the Mainline? (ft. Brad East)
In this episode, Brad East joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Mainlining Nostalgia” from the April 2026 issue of the magazine.
The Sexual Abuse Crisis Is a Law Crisis (ft. Michael Mazza)
In this episode, Michael J. Mazza joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Where the Dallas Charter Went Wrong,” from the March 2026 issue of the magazine.
Disclosure in Modern Poetry (ft. Glenn Arbery)
In this episode, Glenn C. Arbery joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Lyric as Disclosure” from the March 2026 issue of the magazine.
Our Crisis is Metaphysical | 2026 D.C. Lecture | 2026 D.C. Lecture (Presented by: Mary Harrington)
In this episode, First Things brings you the recording of the 2026 D.C. Lecture presented by Mary Harrington. Please subscribe to access more information about future lectures and many great articles!
The Countryman–Foreigner Distinction (ft. Matthew Crawford)
In this episode, Matthew B. Crawford joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Love in the Time of Mass Migration” from the March 2026 issue of the magazine.
Admiration as Inspiration (ft. Elizabeth Corey)
In this episode, Elizabeth Corey joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about her recent piece, “On the Pleasure of Admiring” from the February 2026 issue of the magazine.
What Virgil Teaches America (ft. Spencer Klavan)
In this episode, Spencer A. Klavan joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “In the Footsteps of Aeneas” from the February 2026 issue of the magazine.
The Promises of Gay Liberation (ft. Scott Yenor)
In this episode, Scott Yenor joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “The Rise and Fall of Gay Activism” from the February 2026 issue of the magazine.
The Evangelical Elite Gap (ft. Aaron Renn)
In this episode, Aaron Renn joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “The Problem with the Evangelical Elite” from the January 2026 issue of the magazine.
These are the latest 40 of 534 episodes. You’ll find older episodes in the podcast’s feed.
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