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First Things Podcast

First Things
Civil Rights Revolution
Anti-Discrimination
Identity Politics
Demonic Possessions
Suffering
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
Critical Consciousness
Intellectual Brutality
Left-Wing Brainwashing
Marxism
Universities
The University Of Austin
Higher Education
Forbidden Courses
Human Dignity
Republican Government
Antihumanism
Political Humanism
Wokeness
Political Correctness

First Things is America's most influential journal of religion & public life.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes565Founded11 years ago
Number of ListenersCategory
Religion & Spirituality

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Latest Episodes

The Sabbath is Back! (ft. J. J. Kimche) by First Things

In this episode, Hans Boersma joins Rusty Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, "Modernity and God-Talk," from the November 2025 issue of the magazine.

In this episode, Louise Perry joins Rusty Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about her recent essay, “Indigenous London,” from the November 2025 issue of the magazine.

The editors discuss the troubles at Heritage, the conservative think tank whose president recently touched off a controversy by releasing a video statement in support of Tucker Carlson. The controversy pits generation against generation and faction a... more

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Recent Guests

J. J. Kimche
Contributing reviewer and scholar
Episode: The Sabbath is Back! (ft. J. J. Kimche)
Hans Boersma
Theologian and author discussing contemporary theology
First Things Magazine
Episode: How to Talk About God (ft. Hans Boersma)
Louise Perry
Writer and cultural commentator, discussing her piece on immigrant displacement in London
First Things Magazine
Episode: Is the UK a Nation of Immigrants? (ft. Louise Perry)
Rusty Reno
Editor of First Things
First Things
Episode: Heritage and the Right
Peter Thiel
One of the co-authors of 'Voyages to the End of the World' in the November 2025 issue of First Things Magazine.
Episode: Where Is the Antichrist? (ft. Peter Thiel)
Leah Libresco
Author and commentator focusing on issues of dependence and human relationships
Episode: Declaration of Dependence (ft. Leah Libresco)
Cameron Sexton
Speaker of the Tennessee House of Representatives since 2019 and member since 2011
Tennessee State Legislature
Episode: Faith in State Politics (ft. Cameron Sexton)
Michael Knowles
Commentator and author known for his work in conservative media
The Daily Wire
Episode: Pius XII’s Vindication (ft. Michael Knowles)
Mary Harrington
Author and thinker, focusing on political authority and digital culture
First Things Magazine
Episode: Politics After Literacy (ft. Mary Harrington)

Hosts

Rusty Reno
Editor of First Things Magazine, engaging in discussions on theology and political culture, providing insights into contemporary religious issues and their implications for society.
Julia Yost
Senior Editor, known for addressing cultural and religious intersections in her discussions and contributing a fresh perspective on contemporary theological matters.

Reviews

4.5 out of 5 stars from 860 ratings
  • How to be a host

    Can Rusty Reno please stop speaking over every guest and let them get a word in once in a while?

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    aktualiak
    United States25 days ago
  • the bias is sometimes not Godly

    The Charlie Kirk death is horrible! But to hear Julia say that it's partly the fault of inflammatory lefties saying "it's gonna be over; they'll never get to vote again if T wins the election"...that rhetoric was said over and over again by Republicans before Biden won. This sort of moralizing is not helpful. It is bias. And it is not going to set the example of the love Jesus said to portray.

    and finally, her saying that she hates her enemies as much as Trump hates his and identifying with tha... more

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    Oopsawally
    United States2 months ago
  • Reno is the worst

    This publication should have ended when Fr. Neuhaus died. Rusty Reno is boring, cowardly, and uninteresting as is this podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Steve Skirvin
    United States3 months ago
  • the bias is sometimes not Godly

    The Charlie Kirk death is horrible! But to hear Julia say that it's partly the fault of inflammatory lefties saying "it's gonna be over; they'll never get to vote again" if T wins the election...that rhetoric was said over and over again by Republicans before Biden won. This sort of moralizing is not helpful. It is bias. And it is not going to set the example of the love Jesus said to portray.

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Oopsawally
    United States3 months ago
  • For the peace of my soul, I stay away from

    After I heard in the episode on Pope Leo XIV that they graciously allowed the Pope to have his own views on immigration, I could no longer take the 3 or 4 disputants seriously. This is just too American, too much convinced of their own importance, too infallible.

    A few episodes later, an amateurish and inexpert discussion on geopolitics, and a nearly blind adherence to Pres Dumb.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    piosci
    France5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the depth of discussion and the intellectual rigor presented in episodes, often citing the enriching perspectives on faith and society.
Criticism points towards perceived biases in political discussions, with some expressing disappointment about the tonal shifts and overall quality in recent episodes.
Positive feedback highlights the quality of guests and topics, emphasizing the podcast's unique insights into contemporary religious issues.
Concerns about sound quality have been raised frequently, suggesting that audio experience detracts from the content enjoyment.

Chart Rankings

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Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Sabbath is Back! (ft. J. J. Kimche)
Q: What about the lighting of the candles to inaugurate the Sabbath?
Lighting the candles marks the beginning of the Sabbath and is a ritual that represents the transition from work to rest.
The Sabbath is Back! (ft. J. J. Kimche)
Q: What does Levinson have to say about this halakhic architecture?
Levinson discusses the importance of a shared experience of the Sabbath, arguing that communal regulations enhance the sense of unity and significance of the observance.
Declaration of Dependence (ft. Leah Libresco)
Q: Tell us a little bit about the dignity of dependence and what you're after in this book.
I argue that dependence is a natural part of being human and an important aspect of creating a just society that acknowledges our interconnectedness.
How to Prevent an Act of Terror (ft. Alan Dershowitz)
Q: What are your views on stop and frisk policies?
Dershowitz critiques the practice for being overly broad and addressing the issue of racial bias.
How to Prevent an Act of Terror (ft. Alan Dershowitz)
Q: What do you think about the creation of Homeland Security?
Alan Dershowitz views its formation as an important preventive measure but critiques its effectiveness and timing.

Audience Metrics

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

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
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Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About First Things Podcast

What is First Things Podcast about and what kind of topics does it cover?

Exploring the intersection of religion, culture, and politics, content frequently engages with profound theological discussions, contemporary socio-political concerns, and the implications of spiritual living in modern society. Themes such as the relevance of traditional values in today's world, the complexities of faith in public life, and the implications of various cultural shifts are prevalent. Audiences may find unique insights into how contemporary issues relate to historical and theological frameworks, making the content thought-provoking for those interested in the dynamic interplay of faith and societal developments.

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Which podcasts are similar to First Things Podcast?

These podcasts share a similar audience with First Things Podcast:

1. The Thomistic Institute
2. The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture
3. The Pillar Podcast
4. Pints With Aquinas
5. The Symbolic World

How many episodes of First Things Podcast are there?

First Things Podcast launched 11 years ago and published 565 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 First Things Podcast?

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What guests have appeared on First Things Podcast?

Recent guests on First Things Podcast include:

1. J. J. Kimche
2. Hans Boersma
3. Louise Perry
4. Rusty Reno
5. Peter Thiel
6. Leah Libresco
7. Cameron Sexton
8. Michael Knowles

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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