Holy Smoke
The SpectatorThe most important and controversial topics in world religion, thoroughly dissected by a range of high profile guests. Presented by Damian Thompson.
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| Publishes | Weekly | Episodes | 226 | Founded | 10 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | Religion & SpiritualityReligionChristianity | |||
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Latest Episodes
In 2009 Pope Benedict XVI upset liberals by creating the Ordinariates, new self-governing structures for ex-Anglicans who wanted to preserve their ‘patrimony’ in their worship and evangelisation. Until now, many bishops in the English-speaking world ... more
Donald Trump’s latest clash with the Pope has stunned even the more hardened of America-watchers. According to the President of the United States Chicago-born Pope Leo XIV, the spiritual leader of 1.3 billion people, is 'WEAK on crime and terrible on... more
The United Methodist Church has experienced a sharp decline over the past century, from an estimated 11 million members in the 1950s to around 4 million now. However, over 1 million of those are estimated to have left since 2022 alone, due to splits ... more
Advertising guru – and the Spectator's Wiki Man – Rory Sutherland joins Damian Thompson to try and tackle the question 'how would you sell Christianity – today?' If religions have previously thrived by providing a form of social network and an 'eleva... more
Key Facts
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Recent Guests
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Reviews
- Askew
I’ve always loved this podcast until recently. I’ve sensed a decline in the quality of the guests. The extraordinarily vulgar and ignorant commentator Fleur Meston is a case in point. She has no sophisticated sense of who the Holy Father is. She rants and raves that he cannot interpret the meaning of the scriptures. I suppose that’s to be left to the genius of social media, The View, and other trashy uneducated brats rather than the successors to the apostles. Scripture and Tradition means Apos... more
Apple Podcasts4Abdellat
United States4 months ago - 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 Podcasts1Really your best effort?
United Kingdom6 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 Podcasts2Amelia22222United Kingdom7 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 Podcasts1saintlymarkUnited Kingdoma year ago - Great Conversations
Excellent episode with Luke Coppen on the 7 May conclave.
Apple Podcasts5andhigginsUnited Statesa year ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #32 | United States/Religion & Spirituality/Religion |
Apple Podcasts | #3 | United Kingdom/Religion & Spirituality/Religion |
Apple Podcasts | #26 |  Canada/Religion & Spirituality/Religion |
Apple Podcasts | #108 | United Kingdom/Religion & Spirituality |
Apple Podcasts | #6 |  France/Religion & Spirituality/Religion |
Apple Podcasts | #10 |  Australia/Religion & Spirituality/Religion |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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Frequently Asked Questions About Holy Smoke
What is Holy Smoke about and what kind of topics does it cover?
A provocative, intellectually rigorous series exploring religion, theology, and the interplay between faith and public life. Episodes cover monarchy, church politics, religious conflicts, and cultural history, often featuring high-profile scholars, historians, theologians, and journalists who bring controversial, well-argued perspectives. The format leans into sharp analysis, candid debates, and topical current events, with a track record of sparking lively conversation about how belief shapes society. A standout strength is the ability to blend historical depth with contemporary relevance, producing content that appeals to listeners who enjoy critical, opinionated discourse on religion and culture.
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?
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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. Best of the Spectator
3. The Edition
4. Coffee House Shots
5. Quite right!
How many episodes of Holy Smoke are there?
Holy Smoke launched 10 years ago and published 226 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?
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Where can I see ratings and reviews for Holy Smoke?
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What guests have appeared on Holy Smoke?
Recent guests on Holy Smoke include:
1. Ed Tomlinson
2. Benedict Kiely
3. Mark Tooley
4. Rory Sutherland
5. Justin Brierley
6. Robert Hardman
7. Eric Lob
8. Andrew Atherstone
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.