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Holy Smoke

The Spectator
Catholic Church
Republican Party
Pope Francis
Donald Trump
Evangelical Christians
Religion and Politics
Anton Bruckner
Christianity
Church Of England
Integralism
Catholicism
Cultural Conservatism
Political Polarization
Abortion
America
Funerals
Cardinal Victor Manuel Fernandez
Jewish Schools
Christmas Carols
Frank Sinatra

The most important and controversial topics in world religion, thoroughly dissected by a range of high profile guests. Presented by Damian Thompson.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes213Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
ChristianityReligionReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for Holy Smoke

Latest Episodes

When was the last time you visited your local parish church? Historian and social media influencer Daniel Wilson joins Damian Thompson to encourage more people to visit their local churches – not just as a centre of worship but as a historical treasu... more

In the 21st century, the theocratic nature of the Iranian regime – ruled by senior Shia clerics – appears to be a rarity. The constitutional role of religion is perhaps matched only by the Vatican City and Afghanistan, though these vary in terms of a... more

Anglican author The Rev'd Fergus Butler-Gallie, Catholic priest Fr Alexander Lucie-Smith and Evangelical commentator Fleur Meston join Damian Thompson to reflect on 2025. They discuss Pope Leo XIV's leadership so far, the choice of Dame Sarah Mullall... more

Advertising guru – and the Spectator's Wiki Man columnist – Rory Sutherland joins Damian Thompson for this episode of Holy Smoke. In a wide ranging discussion, from Sigmund Freud and Max Weber to Quakers and Mormons, they discuss how some religious c... more

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Recent Guests

Daniel Wilson
23-year-old advocate for the preservation of medieval churches
Episode: The historic value of English churches – with Daniel Wilson
Peter Frankopan
A foremost historian of the Middle East and Professor of Global History at Worcester College, Oxford.
Worcester College, Oxford, and Cambridge University
Episode: Iran: why theocracies survive – with Peter Frankopan
Rory Sutherland
Britain's most charismatic advertising guru, vice-chairman of the Ogilvie and Mailer Group
Ogilvie and Mailer Group
Episode: Why religious societies succeed – with Rory Sutherland
Charles Coulombe
Proud American monarchist, a conservative, an orthodox Catholic, and an author
Pelican Plus
Episode: How was Commercial Christmas born?
Iben Thranholm
Danish theologian and journalist
The Spectator
Episode: Why did the Danish PM call for a 'spiritual rearmament'?
Luke Lyman
Art editor at Spectator World and writer discussing the intersection of spirituality and technology.
Spectator World
Episode: Have the culture wars gone spiritual?
Professor Tom Licence
Authority on Edward the Confessor
University of East Anglia
Episode: Is the cult of St Edward the Confessor justified?
Professor Everett Worthington
Commonwealth Professor Emeritus at the University of Virginia Commonwealth and a clinical psychologist specializing in forgiveness.
University of Virginia
Episode: What does it mean 'to forgive'?
Marcus Walker
Rector of St Bartholomew the Great, the oldest parish church in the Diocese of London
Episode: What can we expect from the first female Archbishop of Canterbury?

Host

Damian Thompson
Host of Holy Smoke, known for engaging in critical discussions on religious topics with notable guests.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 481 ratings
  • Latest episode on the Anglican communion

    It felt like a sneering attitude to genuine theological dispute. Take on African churches not a good look in particular. Not what I expected at all.

    Could have been so much better if both sides fairly represented. Have another go as there are interesting things to be said.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Really your best effort?
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Shame you can’t hear the guest

    I was listening to this podcast on full volume (I don’t have a hearing problem) and I couldn’t hear Rev’d Marcus Walker. He swallows his words.

    It got marginally better towards the end but should be looked into.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Amelia22222
    United Kingdom4 months ago
  • Utterly facile, biased journalism

    My goodness this is a ridiculous little podcast. Utterly biased towards more ultra conservative Catholics, repugnant in its really not even veiled hatred for anything or anyone associated with the late Pope Francis’s pontificate. Pathetic in its childish fetishisation of the Tridentine Mass. Only listened to a couple of episodes. Don’t expect to listen to many more.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    saintlymark
    United Kingdom9 months ago
  • Great Conversations

    Excellent episode with Luke Coppen on the 7 May conclave.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    andhiggins
    United States9 months ago
  • Conclave

    Conclave is a sacrilegious film. Not something you should be promoting as a “great film”

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    welcomeday05
    United Statesa year ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the depth and insight of the conversations, noting that they raise important and sometimes controversial questions.
The host is often praised for his articulate and engaging style, though there are calls for more diversity in opinion among guests.
Overall, many find the podcast to be a valuable resource for understanding contemporary religious issues.
Some reviews highlight a perceived bias, particularly towards conservative views, which may not resonate with all audiences.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Iran: why theocracies survive – with Peter Frankopan
Q: What does the future of theocracies look like?
Peter Frankopan discusses that while theocracies have seen a resurgence, demographic changes and the younger population's aspirations for freedom suggest a potential shift in Iran's future.
Iran: why theocracies survive – with Peter Frankopan
Q: How representative of Iran's Islamic traditions is the theocratic rule of the mullahs introduced by Khomeini?
Peter Frankopan suggests that the question can be answered in different ways, emphasizing the impact of theocracy on daily life and how it is shaped by the state.
Is the cult of St Edward the Confessor justified?
Q: How can one reflect on the life of an individual who achieved a saintly reputation in tumultuous times?
Reflecting on Edward's ability to walk the tightrope between rulership and sanctity offers valuable insights into the human experience across history.
Is the cult of St Edward the Confessor justified?
Q: To what extent was Edward a ruthless monarch of the period?
Edward's reputation is somewhat whitewashed; he distanced himself from direct violence, but the evidence of his involvement in assassinations and political maneuvers is complex and contested.
Is the cult of St Edward the Confessor justified?
Q: Is Edward's posthumous reputation as a saint, justified by the historical record?
There are glimmerings of that in his lifetime, suggesting some elements of divine power and a developing image of sanctity even before he became king.

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 Holy Smoke

What is Holy Smoke about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The content focuses on significant and often contentious issues within world religions, particularly Christianity, analyzing their impact on contemporary society. Common themes include the intersection of faith and politics, historical context of religious practices, and discussions on societal norms shaped by religious beliefs. A distinctive aspect is the inclusion of high-profile guests from various backgrounds, providing diverse perspectives and insights into the evolving dialogue surrounding these significant topics. This podcast seems designed for listeners who appreciate in-depth discussions around faith and its social ramifications.

Where can I find podcast stats for Holy Smoke?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for Holy Smoke. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to Holy Smoke and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does Holy Smoke get?

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What are the audience demographics for Holy Smoke?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for Holy Smoke, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

How many subscribers and views does Holy Smoke have?

To see how many followers or subscribers Holy Smoke has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to Holy Smoke?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Holy Smoke:

1. Americano
2. The Edition
3. Best of the Spectator
4. Coffee House Shots
5. Quite right!

How many episodes of Holy Smoke are there?

Holy Smoke launched 9 years ago and published 213 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 Holy Smoke?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for Holy Smoke?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for Holy Smoke from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

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How do I access podcast episode transcripts for Holy Smoke?

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What guests have appeared on Holy Smoke?

Recent guests on Holy Smoke include:

1. Daniel Wilson
2. Peter Frankopan
3. Rory Sutherland
4. Charles Coulombe
5. Iben Thranholm
6. Luke Lyman
7. Professor Tom Licence
8. Professor Everett Worthington

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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