First Things Podcast

Tangled Up In Blue

The editors discuss the blue wave in the midterm elections, the 39th Annual Erasmus Lecture, and Bob Dylan's audience with Pope Leo XIV.

The Execution Will Not Be Televised

Further reading: "A Eulogy for Bullfighting," by Germán S. Díaz del Castillo (First Things)"The Stench of Corruption," by R. R. Reno (First Things)"Foucault’s Principali

Cornell's Secret History

Further reading: 2026 Erasmus Lecture tickets.Rape and Modern Sex War, by Camille Paglia"The Great Feminization Comes to Cornell," by Helen Andrews (Compact)"Number of t

Roger Scruton's Eternal Youth (ft. Dan Hitchens)

In this episode, First Things senior editor Dan Hitchens joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “The Making of Roger Scruton,” from the Oct

Brave New Sexual Ethics (ft. Mark Regnerus)

In this episode, Mark Regnerus joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Living Humanae Vitae in Poland,” from the October 2026 issue of the

Standing Athwart AI, Yelling Stop

Further reading: Christopher Caldwell, “Why the AfD Wins” (First Things)Dan Hitchens, “How Britain Escaped Assisted Suicide” (First Things)Dan Hitchens, “How Britain Def

The German Right's Golden Moment (ft. Christopher Caldwell)

In this episode, Christopher Caldwell joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Why the AfD Wins” from the October 2026 issue of the magazine

Everything is America

Further reading: Darel E. Paul, “Jason Arday and the Therapeutic Academy”  (First Things)Carl R. Trueman, “How the Therapeutic Killed Academic Standards” (First Things)B

Of Things and Devices (ft. Brad Littlejohn)

In this episode, Brad Littlejohn joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Left to Our Own Devices,” from the August/September 2026 issue of

The Fourth Watch (ft. James Keating)

In this episode, James F. Keating joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his new bimonthly topical newsletter for First Things, The Fourth Watch.

The Critic as Artist (ft. Dana Gioia)

In this episode, Dana Gioia joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his most recent piece for Portico, "The Last of the Lost Generation."

The Jew from Nowhere (ft. J. J. Kimche)

In this episode, J. J. Kimche joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his new bi-monthly topical newsletter for First Things, "The Jew From Nowhere."

The Once and Future France (ft. Nathan Pinkoski)

In this episode, Nathan Pinkoski joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent introduction to Éric Zemmour's book, "The Suicide of France."

This Catholic Moment (ft. Matthew Schmitz)

In this episode, Matthew Schmitz joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Our Strange Catholic Moment” from the June/July 2026 issue of the

The Church of Ratzinger (ft. Sam Zeno Conedera)

In this episode, Sam Zeno Conedera joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Ratzinger in the Whirlwind” from the May 2026 issue of the maga

Postliberalism and its Discontents (ft. James Wood)

In this episode, James R. Wood joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Liberalism Is Christianity’s Prodigal Child” from the June/July 2026

Recovering the University’s Soul | 2026 Neuhaus Lecture

In this episode, First Things brings you the recording of the 2026 Neuhaus Lecture presented by Bishop Robert Barron. Please subscribe to access more information about fu

Disney Adulting (ft. Veronica Clarke)

In this episode, Veronica Clarke joins Germán and Virginia (who are subbing in for R. R. Reno) on The Editor's Desk to talk about her recent review, “A Whole New World” f

Why Portico? (ft. Micah Mattix)

In this episode, Micah Mattix joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about Portico, a new literary quarterly published by the Institute on Religion and Public Life

Is Churchill America’s Hero? (ft. Sean McMeekin)

In this episode, Sean McMeekin joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Goodbye to the Postwar Consensus” from the April 2026 issue of the m