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Artwork for Why Catholic?

Why Catholic?

Justin Hibbard
Catholicism
Catholic Church
Prayer
Christianity
Pope Francis
Mary
Arianism
Protestantism
Bible
Martin Luther
New Testament
Ecumenical Councils
Protestant Reformation
Jesus
Papal Elections
Scripture
Papacy
Council Of Constantinople
Papal Infallibility
Council Of Nicaea

Dive into the what and why behind Catholic beliefs with Justin Hibbard - former Evangelical Pastor, Apologist, and Catholic convert. whycatholic.substack.com

PublishesTwice monthlyEpisodes177Founded4 years ago
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Religion & SpiritualityChristianity

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Artwork for Why Catholic?

Latest Episodes

In the series finale of the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils, Justin Hibbard applies key takeaways from the ecumenical councils to a hypothetical scenario if he were Pope and convening the Church’s 22nd ecumenical council.

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Justin Hibbard reflects on the 21 Ecumenical Councils with 6 lessons learned. What is the point of an ecumenical council? How did geopolitics play a role in these councils? What do these councils teach us about the problem of schism? How do these cou... more

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Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Councils by examining the 21st and most recent ecumenical council. Why was this by far the largest ecumenical council? Who beyond the Bishops attended this council? How did the council fathers ... more

Justin Hibbard continues our series on the 21 Ecumenical Church Councils by examining the Catholic Church’s 20th council - the First Vatican Council. After 306 years, why did the Church decide to call another council? What were the major social facto... more

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Key Facts

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

Recent Guests

Katherine Mosco Depfer
Theology teacher with a compelling personal testimony of reversion to Catholicism.
Episode: #145 - Radical Reversion with Katherine Mosco Depfer
Father Christopher Gray
Pastor of St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church in Park City, Utah
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church
Episode: #130 - Cultivating a Charitable Church with Fr. Gray & Maria Villar
Maria Villar
Director of Charity at St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church, social worker
St. Mary of the Assumption Catholic Church
Episode: #130 - Cultivating a Charitable Church with Fr. Gray & Maria Villar
Kenny Burchard
Guest who discussed the importance of scripture and the Church in a previous episode
Coming Home Network
Episode: #124 - 9 Aspects of Catholic Biblical Interpretation
John Michael Lucido
Co-MC of Seek 2025 and Focus staff member
Focus
Episode: #117 - Seek 2025 with John Michael Lucido
Paul Rose
Creator of Sing the Hours, former Evangelical now Catholic, and commentator on liturgical music.
Episode: #107 - Interview with Creator of Sing the Hours - Paul Rose
Casey Allison
Former Church of Christ missionary to Cambodia, advocate and coach supporting spouses of sex addicts.
Episode: #101 - Interview with Casey Allison - Cambodia, Conversion, and the Fight for Covenant Marriage
Fr. Joseph Uhen
Priest serving the parish of Santísimo Sacramento in Pura, Peru
Santísimo Sacramento
Episode: #92 - Interview with Fr. Joe Uhen: Walking with the Poor of Peru

Host

Justin Hibbard
Host of Why Catholic, former Evangelical pastor turned Catholic apologist and convert.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 154 ratings
  • Converts are my choice!

    What makes “Why Catholic?” stand out is the way it answers real, common questions with depth but without jargon. The hosts are respectful of listeners from all backgrounds and tackle difficult topics with nuance and compassion.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Kokak palaka
    United Kingdom23 days ago
  • This is my top podcast

    As a convert to the Catholic faith of a few years, I’ve listened to a lot of different Catholic podcasts. However with “Why Catholic?” This is the perfect one to throw on while taking a short drive to the store, doing dishes, or rocking my baby in the middle of the night (with one AirPod in of course). I especially love the 21 Ecumenical Councils series! I started with Trent and Chalcedon — the two I wanted to learn the most from to respond to my Orthodox and Protestant friends inquiries about t... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    BigGio-Nacio
    United Statesa month ago
  • Seasoned with salt

    Very informative without being so scholarly as to make listeners feel dumb. Small bites of digestible knowledge!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    jojo111173
    United Statesa month ago
  • Thankful

    This podcast has helped me in ways I never thought possible. Not only has Justin helped me return to the Catholic faith but he has given me the knowledge and discernment to explain to all of my friends, who are Protestant, why. I feel like I’m constantly under attack from my Protestant friends who try to trump everything I say with the constant “are you saved?” And “do you accept that Jesus is your Lord and Savior?” Thank you so much Justin! May the Lord make his face to shine upon you always.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RitaAdelina
    United States2 months ago
  • Incredible

    This podcast is just a font of knowledge for those with an intellectual interest in the Catholic Church. Justin is a convert, and does a great job translating Catholicism for Protestants. But it’s a great resource for Catholics of any stripe.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Saint-Matthew the 1st
    United States7 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Fans note practical, accessible teaching that helps explain Catholic vocabulary and concepts to non-Catholics.
The host's conversion story and ability to translate Catholicism for Protestants resonate with converts and curious Catholics alike.
Listeners praise clarity, charity, and well-prepared explanations of complex topics.
Many appreciate digestible, short podcast formats that cover historical and doctrinal nuances without heavy jargon.

Chart Rankings

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

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

#145 - Radical Reversion with Katherine Mosco Depfer
Q: What do you say to teens that are about to leave for college and may struggle with their faith?
They should know who they are and seek out resources and support before facing challenges to their faith.
#92 - Interview with Fr. Joe Uhen: Walking with the Poor of Peru
Q: So this podcast is called Why Catholic? Why should someone be Catholic?
Fr. Joe asserts that the Catholic faith offers a fullness of religious experience, a connection with the divine through Jesus Christ, and a rich tradition that has shaped civilization.
#92 - Interview with Fr. Joe Uhen: Walking with the Poor of Peru
Q: What are some of the challenges that your parish, your community there faces?
Fr. Joe highlights the challenge of ensuring all 50,000 parishioners are served adequately, especially with the need for sacraments and priestly ministry, alongside managing a large and growing community.
#116 - Reflections on the Papacy
Q: Why was the pope so political?
The pope's political role arose from the historical lack of separation between church and state, necessitating ecclesiastical leaders to maintain societal order.
#116 - Reflections on the Papacy
Q: Why did the papacy evolve into what it is today?
The papacy evolved due to necessity, as its political structure adapted to prevent corruption and respond to historical challenges.

Audience Metrics

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

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Frequently Asked Questions About Why Catholic?

What is Why Catholic? about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This show offers accessible explorations of Catholic beliefs, history, and practice through the lens of a former evangelical pastor turned Catholic apologist. Episodes frequently focus on major church councils, key historical moments, and prominent figures, weaving clear explanations with personal conversion narratives. The format tends to balance rigorous historical context with practical vocabulary aimed at both converts and cradle Catholics, making it a strong fit for listeners who enjoy theology, church history, and apologetics in a highly digestible, short-form style. Noteworthy traits include a convert-turned-guide perspective, a steady cadence, and a focus on clarifying Catholic doctrine for Protestant audiences while maintaining cha... more

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How many episodes of Why Catholic? are there?

Why Catholic? launched 4 years ago and published 177 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 Why Catholic??

Recent guests on Why Catholic? include:

1. Katherine Mosco Depfer
2. Father Christopher Gray
3. Maria Villar
4. Kenny Burchard
5. John Michael Lucido
6. Paul Rose
7. Casey Allison
8. Fr. Joseph Uhen

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