Rephonic
Artwork for The Commonweal Podcast

The Commonweal Podcast

Commonweal Magazine
Catholicism
Christianity
Social Justice
Donald Trump
Trump Administration
Fordham University
Christian Nationalism
Parenthood
Childbearing
Bible
White Christian Nationalism
Climate Change
Politics
Catholic Social Teaching
Black Christian Nationalism
Evangelicalism
Religion
Philosophy
The Black Utopians
Ambivalence

Conversations at the intersection of politics, religion, and culture: Commonweal Magazine editor Dominic Preziosi hosts The Commonweal Podcast, a regular compendium of in-depth interviews, discussions, and profiles presented by Commonweal’s editors and contributors.

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes188Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Religion & SpiritualityNewsChristianity

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Commonweal Podcast

Latest Episodes

Catholics have been thinking about vocations for a long time—and not only in terms of becoming a priest or member of a religious order.

The Church teaches that every person is called by God to do something particular, to play some unique role in the... more

Too many of us spend too much time on our phones.

We know by now—through whistleblower reports, congressional hearings, and our daily lived experience—that these devices, neutral in themselves, can and often do cause serious harm.

Can we learn to l... more

When he was missioned to Beirut last fall, Fr. Doug Jones, a recently ordained Jesuit priest, expected to spend his time conducting research and administering sacraments.

But since the beginning of Israel’s war with Hezbollah on March 2, Fr. Jones f... more

Hosts and Commonweal contributors Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins and Nick Tabor chat with Gary Dorrien, professor at Columbia University and Union Theological Seminary, about the life and legacy of Jesse Jackson and the Black social gospel tradition. They ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Guests
Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

Inside The Vatican
Inside The VaticanAmerica Media
Jesuitical
JesuiticalAmerica Media
The Ezra Klein Show
The Ezra Klein ShowNew York Times Opinion
1A
1ANPR

Recent Guests

D. Graham Burnett
Professor of the history of science at Princeton; co-author of Attensity
Princeton University; Friends of Attention
Episode: Ep. 159 - Reclaiming Attention
Father Douglas Jones
Jesuit priest serving at St. Joseph Parish in Central Beirut
Jesuit Refugee Service; St. Joseph Parish, Beirut
Episode: Ep. 158 - ‘My First War’
Gary Dorrien
Professor and author specializing in Black Church history and theology
Columbia University; Union Theological Seminary
Episode: The Black Church and Progressive Politics: A conversation with Gary Dorrien
Jonathan Sheehan
Sidney Hellman-Earman Professor of European History at UC Berkeley, historian of Christianity and secular modernity
University of California, Berkeley
Episode: On the Altar: A conversation with historian Jonathan Sheehan
Daniel Silliman
Journalist and former news editor at Christianity Today, now at The Roys Report
The Roys Report
Episode: Revelation and Reporting: A conversation with journalist Daniel Silliman
Molly Worthen
Author and professor of history
University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill
Episode: American Charisms: A conversation with 'Spellbound' author Molly Worthen
Claudia Avila-Cosneham
Director of Mission and Partnerships at Commonweal.
Commonweal
Episode: Ep. 156 - The Counterweight: The Common Good & American Liberalism
Brian Massengale
Panelist and voice in discussions surrounding societal issues.
Fordham University
Episode: Ep. 156 - The Counterweight: The Common Good & American Liberalism
Kristi Trena
Panelist discussing the practical implications of solidarity and community.
Fordham University
Episode: Ep. 156 - The Counterweight: The Common Good & American Liberalism

Hosts

Dominic Preziosi
Editor of Commonweal and host focusing on religion, politics, and culture.
Griffin Oleynick
Associate editor and producer, often co-hosts interview-focused episodes.
Nick Tabor
Co-host on Of This World and occasional host for broader interviews.
Daniel Steinmetz-Jenkins
Co-host and historian, frequently leads conversations with academics and authors.

Reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars from 151 ratings
  • Informative and Insightful

    I find the various guests and topics discussed informative and insightful, which keeps me listening.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    littlegale
    United States2 months ago
  • Great start . . .

    . . . to new year and this series, addressed toward our bewilderment. Look forward to the next.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Linkin Steff
    United States4 months ago
  • Relevant and Helpful!

    The various topics and guests keeps me engaged and continuing to listen. The sound quality is also excellent which helps those of us with listening challenges. Thank you to all participate in the production of each episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    littlegale
    United States2 years ago
  • A wonderful podcast

    The guests and interviews on this show are consistently top notch. The podcast brings a Catholic perspective to current events and to cultural commentary, but never devolves into being preachy or simplistic. If you love the print magazine, as I do, the podcast is a perfect complement … and if you like the podcast, but haven’t read the magazine yet, I encourage you to check out their century of excellent Catholic journalism and commentary.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Things Not Seen Radio
    United States2 years ago
  • Relevant and Helpful!

    Various topics and a variety of host and guests keeps me engaged and continuing to listen. The sound quality is also excellent which helps those of us with listening challenges. Thank you to all participate in the production of each episode!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    littlegale
    United States2 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners value the podcast's balance of Catholic perspective with cultural and political analysis.
Listener reviews consistently praise thoughtful guests and substantive discussions.
The show is seen as intellectually rigorous yet accessible, with high production and diverse guest perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ep. 159 - Reclaiming Attention
Q: Could you say more about what attention activism is and what we should be pursuing instead of trying to like be able to focus for longer periods of time?
Attention activism is a three-pillar approach—study, organizing, and sanctuary—designed to cultivate humane attentional practices, create communal spaces, and resist extractive business models. It emphasizes collective action, cultural reformation, and the creation of sanctuaries where attention can be exercised freely and with care for others.
Ep. 159 - Reclaiming Attention
Q: So, to jump right in, what is attention, and how is it different from what powerful tech companies or attention researchers want us to think it is?
Attention is a broad, historically contingent set of capacities that includes but goes beyond mere focus; it encompasses contemplation, intersubjectivity, and the cultivation of attentional habits. The interview explores how the popular notion of attention as sheer durational focus misreads the richer, more communal and humane forms of attention that Attensity seeks to recover.
Ep. 158 - ‘My First War’
Q: What is the Vatican or church's stance on Lebanon's conflict, and how have church leaders responded?
He notes a unified message from bishops and church leaders to protect people, emphasize peace, and not view the conflict as Lebanon's war, with particular support for migrants and a call to avoid fear-driven decisions.
Ep. 158 - ‘My First War’
Q: How has the war shaped your spiritual life and your understanding of priestly service?
He reflects on balancing gratitude, discernment, and duty, acknowledging discomfort and tension as prompts for prayer, and noting that the core of his vocation is serving those in need, even in dangerous circumstances.
Ep. 158 - ‘My First War’
Q: Doug, could you tell us more about your ministry of presence and what it has looked like in your first year as a priest in Lebanon?
Doug describes ministry as being present with people in shelter, listening to their needs, coordinating practical support (meals, towels, showers, medical equipment), and offering sacraments when possible, while also serving as a bridge between migrants and the local church.

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 The Commonweal Podcast

What is The Commonweal Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

The show centers on thoughtful conversations at the crossroads of faith, politics, and culture, often featuring Catholic scholars, journalists, theologians, and public intellectuals. Episodes frequently unpack Catholic social teaching, religious history, and contemporary public policy through rigorous analysis and probing interviews. A standout trait is the blend of scholarly depth with accessible storytelling, plus a clear penchant for unpacking controversial topics—such as White Christian Nationalism, papal leadership, and the role of religion in American politics—without sacrificing nuance. The format often pairs a host with an expert guest to explore how ideas translate into real-world impact, making it valuable for listeners who want i... more

Where can I find podcast stats for The Commonweal Podcast?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Commonweal Podcast. 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 The Commonweal Podcast and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Commonweal Podcast get?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Commonweal Podcast, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Commonweal Podcast?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Commonweal Podcast, 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 The Commonweal Podcast have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Commonweal Podcast 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 The Commonweal Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Commonweal Podcast:

1. Inside The Vatican
2. Jesuitical
3. The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. 1A

How many episodes of The Commonweal Podcast are there?

The Commonweal Podcast launched 8 years ago and published 188 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 The Commonweal Podcast?

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 The Commonweal Podcast?

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

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Commonweal Podcast?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Commonweal Podcast. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Commonweal Podcast?

Recent guests on The Commonweal Podcast include:

1. D. Graham Burnett
2. Father Douglas Jones
3. Gary Dorrien
4. Jonathan Sheehan
5. Daniel Silliman
6. Molly Worthen
7. Claudia Avila-Cosneham
8. Brian Massengale

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days