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First Things Podcast

First Things
Identity Politics
Anti-Discrimination
Civil Rights Revolution
Demonic Possessions
Suffering
Marxism
Critical Consciousness
Intellectual Brutality
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Universities
Left-Wing Brainwashing
Forbidden Courses
Higher Education
The University Of Austin
Human Dignity
Republican Government
Political Humanism
Antihumanism
Political Correctness
Wokeness

First Things is America's most influential journal of religion & public life.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes565Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for First Things Podcast

Latest Episodes

In this episode, Peter Thiel joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recently co-authored essay, "Voyages to the End of the World," from the November 2025 issue of the magazine.

In this episode, Virginia Aabram and Elizabeth Bachmann join Rusty Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about Virginia's recent essay, “The Road to Chartres,” from the October 2025 issue of the magazine.

In this episode, Leah Libresco joins Rusty Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about her recent book, “The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto.”

The editors discuss Great Britain’s assisted suicide bill, Pope Leo’s first major interview, and Charlie Kirk’s memorial service. Dan Hitchens joins Julia Yost.

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Leah Libresco
Author and commentator focusing on issues of dependence and human relationships
Episode: Declaration of Dependence (ft. Leah Libresco)
Cameron Sexton
Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2019 and member since 2011
Tennessee State Legislature
Episode: Faith in State Politics (ft. Cameron Sexton)
Michael Knowles
Commentator and author known for his work in conservative media
The Daily Wire
Episode: Pius XII’s Vindication (ft. Michael Knowles)
Mary Harrington
Author and thinker, focusing on political authority and digital culture
First Things Magazine
Episode: Politics After Literacy (ft. Mary Harrington)
Jaspreet Singh Boparai
Essayist and commentator on literature and history
First Things Magazine
Episode: The Death of the Oxford Don (ft. Jaspreet Singh Boparai)
Father Thomas Joseph White
The author of The Future of Catholic Theology
Episode: Theology for a Brave New World (ft. Thomas Joseph White)
Christopher Caldwell
Author and journalist discussing the biography of William F. Buckley
Episode: William F. Buckley’s True Calling (ft. Christopher Caldwell)
Alan Dershowitz
Harvard Law Professor and renowned litigant
Harvard University
Episode: How to Prevent an Act of Terror (ft. Alan Dershowitz)
Christopher Scalia
Senior Fellow at the American Enterprise Institute and author
American Enterprise Institute
Episode: NovelCon (ft. Christopher Scalia)

Hosts

Rusty Reno
Editor of First Things Magazine
Mark Bauerlein
Host of the podcast
Host
Host of the podcast

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 856 ratings
  • the bias is sometimes not Godly

    The Charlie Kirk death is horrible! But to hear Julia say that it's partly the fault of inflammatory lefties saying "it's gonna be over; they'll never get to vote again if T wins the election"...that rhetoric was said over and over again by Republicans before Biden won. This sort of moralizing is not helpful. It is bias. And it is not going to set the example of the love Jesus said to portray.

    and finally, her saying that she hates her enemies as much as Trump hates his and identifying with tha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Oopsawally
    United Statesa month ago
  • Reno is the worst

    This publication should have ended when Fr. Neuhaus died. Rusty Reno is boring, cowardly, and uninteresting as is this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Steve Skirvin
    United States2 months ago
  • the bias is sometimes not Godly

    The Charlie Kirk death is horrible! But to hear Julia say that it's partly the fault of inflammatory lefties saying "it's gonna be over; they'll never get to vote again" if T wins the election...that rhetoric was said over and over again by Republicans before Biden won. This sort of moralizing is not helpful. It is bias. And it is not going to set the example of the love Jesus said to portray.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Oopsawally
    United States2 months ago
  • For the peace of my soul, I stay away from

    After I heard in the episode on Pope Leo XIV that they graciously allowed the Pope to have his own views on immigration, I could no longer take the 3 or 4 disputants seriously. This is just too American, too much convinced of their own importance, too infallible.

    A few episodes later, an amateurish and inexpert discussion on geopolitics, and a nearly blind adherence to Pres Dumb.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    piosci
    France4 months ago
  • Hillbilly grandpa

    As a longtime reader and listener, I’m disappointed in the tenor of the podcast, which I find TDS ish and out of touch with the plight of citizens in fly over states. As my grandpa used to say of elites, “I’d like to buy them for what they’re worth and sell them for what they think they’re worth.”

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Be Like Mary
    United States5 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the enlightening and intellectually stimulating discussions.
Concerns about the podcast's consistent sound quality have been noted, with many indicating it detracts from the experience.
Critiques about the show's potential bias towards conservative viewpoints are common, with some expressing a wish for more diverse opinions.
Guests are frequently lauded for their expertise, although some listeners desire a more challenging interview style from the host.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Declaration of Dependence (ft. Leah Libresco)
Q: Tell us a little bit about the dignity of dependence and what you're after in this book.
I argue that dependence is a natural part of being human and an important aspect of creating a just society that acknowledges our interconnectedness.
How to Prevent an Act of Terror (ft. Alan Dershowitz)
Q: What are your views on stop and frisk policies?
Dershowitz critiques the practice for being overly broad and addressing the issue of racial bias.
How to Prevent an Act of Terror (ft. Alan Dershowitz)
Q: What do you think about the creation of Homeland Security?
Alan Dershowitz views its formation as an important preventive measure but critiques its effectiveness and timing.
The Fed and the College
Q: What is the biggest challenge for Christian colleges in the coming years?
The looming enrollment cliff due to declining birth rates and changing consumer preferences in education.
The Fed and the College
Q: Is it a burden not to get federal money?
Yes, it presents challenges in raising necessary funds from donors for students who would otherwise qualify for federal grants.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About First Things Podcast

What is First Things Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast features in-depth discussions primarily surrounding religion, politics, and cultural issues, often from a conservative perspective. Key topics include the intersection of theology and contemporary life, conservative principles in education, and reflections on influential figures in literature and political history, such as William F. Buckley Jr. and Evelyn Waugh. Each episode often includes interviews with notable guests from various fields including academia, journalism, and theology, emphasizing intellectual discourse and exploration of faith-based topics. The podcast is particularly noteworthy for its commitment to conservative thought amidst the shifting landscape of modern liberalism, and it draws listeners interested in d... more

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Which podcasts are similar to First Things Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with First Things Podcast:

1. The Thomistic Institute
2. Evangelization & Culture Podcast
3. New Polity
4. The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
5. The Pillar Podcast

How many episodes of First Things Podcast are there?

First Things Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 565 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact First Things Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on First Things Podcast?

Recent guests on First Things Podcast include:

1. Leah Libresco
2. Cameron Sexton
3. Michael Knowles
4. Mary Harrington
5. Jaspreet Singh Boparai
6. Father Thomas Joseph White
7. Christopher Caldwell
8. Alan Dershowitz

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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