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First Things Podcast

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

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

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes575Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for First Things Podcast

Latest Episodes

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!

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.

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.

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.

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Recent Guests

Elizabeth Corey
A professor and author, discussing her essay on admiration.
Episode: Admiration as Inspiration (ft. Elizabeth Corey)
Spencer Klavan
Writer and cultural commentator
Episode: What Virgil Teaches America (ft. Spencer Klavan)
Scott Yenor
Scholar focused on political theory and education, author of "Family Politics"
Episode: The Promises of Gay Liberation (ft. Scott Yenor)
Aaron Renn
Writer and commentator on cultural issues, author of The Problem with the Evangelical Elite
Episode: The Evangelical Elite Gap (ft. Aaron Renn)
Nathan Pinkoski
Contributing writer and reviewer for First Things
First Things
Episode: The Realities of Empire (ft. Nathan Pinkoski)
J. J. Kimche
Contributing reviewer and scholar
Episode: The Sabbath is Back! (ft. J. J. Kimche)
Hans Boersma
Theologian and author discussing contemporary theology
First Things Magazine
Episode: How to Talk About God (ft. Hans Boersma)
Louise Perry
Writer and cultural commentator, discussing her piece on immigrant displacement in London
First Things Magazine
Episode: Is the UK a Nation of Immigrants? (ft. Louise Perry)
Rusty Reno
Editor of First Things
First Things
Episode: Heritage and the Right

Host

Rusty Reno
Editor of First Things Magazine

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 867 ratings
  • How to be a host

    Can Rusty Reno please stop speaking over every guest and let them get a word in once in a while?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    aktualiak
    United States4 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.

    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 States6 months 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 States6 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 States6 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
    France9 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners often appreciate the engaging and intellectual discourse on philosophical and cultural issues.
Audience reviews reflect a mixed response to political bias, with some feeling it skews too left or too right at times.
There are some criticisms regarding the podcast's sound quality and the interviewing style, suggesting room for improvement in hosting tactics.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Countryman–Foreigner Distinction (ft. Matthew Crawford)
Q: How should Christians engage with immigration and national belonging?
Christian love should be practiced within the context of a community's duties to its citizens, balancing hospitality with the responsibilities of governance and the good of the whole polity, rather than advocating a purely universalist stance that erodes national particularities.
The Countryman–Foreigner Distinction (ft. Matthew Crawford)
Q: What is the core tension between universal ethics and bounded political communities?
The guest argues that while universal human dignity is important, political life requires concrete boundaries and goods only a bounded polity can secure, such as borders and shared cultural inheritance, to sustain social trust and unity.
The Evangelical Elite Gap (ft. Aaron Renn)
Q: What does it mean to be a Protestant elite in the 21st century?
It requires operating within a pluralistic environment and having a thick skin to navigate societal challenges.
The Sabbath is Back! (ft. J. J. Kimche)
Q: What about the lighting of the candles to inaugurate the Sabbath?
Lighting the candles marks the beginning of the Sabbath and is a ritual that represents the transition from work to rest.
The Sabbath is Back! (ft. J. J. Kimche)
Q: What does Levinson have to say about this halakhic architecture?
Levinson discusses the importance of a shared experience of the Sabbath, arguing that communal regulations enhance the sense of unity and significance of the observance.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About First Things Podcast

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

Focusing on the intersection of faith, culture, and politics, a variety of guests explore the complexities and challenges of contemporary society from a distinctly religious perspective. Episodes often feature in-depth discussions on issues such as the evolving nature of evangelicalism, the role of religion in political discourse, and key cultural shifts surrounding identity and morality. Notably, the podcast offers thought-provoking insights into historical texts and contemporary theological debates, inviting listeners to grapple with significant moral and spiritual questions in today's world. Each episode aims to foster a deeper understanding of how religious beliefs intersect with current events and societal change.

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Which podcasts are similar to First Things Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with First Things Podcast:

1. The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
2. Pints With Aquinas
3. The Counsel of Trent
4. Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies
5. Uncommon Knowledge

How many episodes of First Things Podcast are there?

First Things Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 575 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. Elizabeth Corey
2. Spencer Klavan
3. Scott Yenor
4. Aaron Renn
5. Nathan Pinkoski
6. J. J. Kimche
7. Hans Boersma
8. Louise Perry

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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