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The Wise and the Wherefores

The Tablet
Catholic Church
Pope Francis
Donald Trump
Synod
The Tablet
Social Justice
Vatican II
Pope Leo
Relativism
Truth
Walter Bell
Women's Ordination
LGBTQ+ Community
Women
Plato
Catholicism
World War II
Women's Voices In the Church
French Revolution
Pope Pius XII

The Wise and the Wherefores is a podcast from The Tablet, the international Catholic weekly and is hosted by Ruth Gledhill, assistant editor of The Tablet, who in the latest series is talking with Liz Dodd.

PublishesMonthlyEpisodes79Founded6 years ago
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Religion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Wise and the Wherefores

Latest Episodes

Sister Liz Dodd CSJP and writer Rhidian Brook both have Lent books out. Easter in Disguise by Liz and Notes on an Execution by Rhidian have both been picked up by parishes around the country to study and think about at Lent group gatherings. Ruth Gle... more

In this bonus episode of The Wise and the Wherefores, Ruth Gledhill and The Tablet’s Plater Trust intern Aili Winstanley Channer went to Archbishop’s House, Westminster to interview Archbishop Richard Moth ahead of his installation as Archbishop of W... more

This is our first podcast of 2026 and we start by discussing Sister Liz’s Lent book, Easter in Disguise, published by Bloomsbury. There will be more on this in our next podcast as well, but basically, Liz believes there is more, lots more, to Lent th... more

In the latest episode of The Tablet podcast, The Wise and the Wherefores, Ruth Gledhill and Liz Dodd discuss the Westminster succession as well as the latest pronouncement on women deacons. They also talk about how they are both responding to the sea... more

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Rhidian Brook
Writer and author of Notes on an Execution
Episode: Authors Liz Dodd and Rhidian Brook talk Lent with Ruth Gledhill
Father Richard Moth
The new Archbishop of Westminster
Archbishop of Westminster
Episode: New Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth talks to The Tablet
Theo Hobson
Theologian and commentator with significant knowledge of theological developments in modern churches
Episode: Ruth and Liz discuss Liz’s new Lent book – and the future of liberalism
Liz Dodd
Former colleague turned nun with the community of St. Joseph of Peace.
Episode: Pope Leo XIV – fit for Rome, on the tennis court and in the gym as well!
Michael Sean Winters
Political commentator covering the American elections
National Catholic Reporter
Episode: Trump, Catholicism and the US elections
William Kenney
Retired auxiliary Bishop engaged in church ministry with a focus on peace
Catholic Bishops of England and Wales
Episode: Making peace in the past, present and future – Catholic bishops on the way forward
Father Timothy Radcliffe
English Dominican friar and prominent figure at the Synod Gathering
Episode: A conversation with Fr Timothy Radcliffe OP, ‘spiritual father’ of the synod
Dr. Ambrogio Caiani
Expert on the Catholic Church's treatment of women and LGBTQ+ community
Episode: The Catholic Church and how it got to where it is today

Host

Ruth Gledhill
Assistant Editor of The Tablet; frequent host with a focus on Catholic leadership, social issues, and ecumenism.

Reviews

4.2 out of 5 stars from 20 ratings
  • Outstanding Catholic journalism

    Podcast that discusses relevant topics in the modern Catholic Church from world renowned experts.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Captain Chris Thomas
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Commenters value the intersection of faith and public life and the hosts' nuanced debates.
Listeners praise high-caliber Catholic journalism and thoughtful guests.
Audience notes the show's honesty in tackling church reform and social justice.
Some episodes' balance of tradition and progressive ideas resonates with a diverse faith audience.
The conversations are seen as practical, not just theological, appealing to professionals and clergy alike.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

New Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth talks to The Tablet
Q: What do you think should be the priorities of the church in its approach to mission in this context?
The church should focus on invitation, openness, and creating opportunities for deeper conversations about faith.
New Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth talks to The Tablet
Q: What are your hopes for ecumenical and interfaith relations?
I hope to continue building good relationships with other Christian communities and working on social action projects.
New Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth talks to The Tablet
Q: Is the abuse situation on your radar?
Yes, it is a tragic part of the Church's history that requires ongoing work and engagement with survivors.
New Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth talks to The Tablet
Q: Do you think that the church has a role to play in providing a moral voice in that context?
Yes, the church serves as a voice for the light of the gospel in the world, adapting to current circumstances.
New Archbishop of Westminster Richard Moth talks to The Tablet
Q: What kind of leadership do you feel that the Church needs at this quality of history?
Leadership should be about service, reflecting the model of leadership demonstrated by Pope Francis and others.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Wise and the Wherefores

What is The Wise and the Wherefores about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Thoughtful, opinionated conversations on Catholic life, leadership, and social issues, anchored by two long-running hosts. Discussions span ecclesial leadership choices, ecumenism, and interfaith relations, with frequent forays into liberal-conservative tensions, gender roles in the church, and how faith intersects public life. Guests and topics blend rigorous journalism with personal storytelling, often tying global events to local faith communities, social justice, and spiritual practice. The show stands out for its candid debates, blend of scholarly and activist perspectives, and its willingness to challenge established norms while remaining rooted in Catholic tradition.

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Which podcasts are similar to The Wise and the Wherefores?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Wise and the Wherefores:

1. Jesuitical
2. The Spiritual Life with Fr. James Martin, S.J.
3. Pod Save America

How many episodes of The Wise and the Wherefores are there?

The Wise and the Wherefores launched 6 years ago and published 79 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on The Wise and the Wherefores?

Recent guests on The Wise and the Wherefores include:

1. Rhidian Brook
2. Father Richard Moth
3. Theo Hobson
4. Liz Dodd
5. Michael Sean Winters
6. William Kenney
7. Father Timothy Radcliffe
8. Dr. Ambrogio Caiani

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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