Explore every episode of the podcast Into the Truth

In this episode of Into the Truth, Dr Edward Sri unpacks the messy realities of marriage and the unique challenges modern couples face.

Drawing from his 25 years of marriage as well as his experience leading FOCUS missionaries, Dr Sri explores the dangers of secularisation in relationships and the often-misunderstood beauty of marriage through the lens of Theology of the Body.

He offers practical advice for Catholics on navigating marriage, including how to approach intimacy and embrace Natural Family Planning. Dr Sri also addresses deeper questions: What is the true meaning of love? Why does the modern view of love leave us lonely and unfulfilled? Watch or listen for helpful answers and timeless wisdom inspired by Pope St John Paul II on living out authentic love in today’s world.

More from Edward Sri: https://edwardsri.com/Get "The Good, the Messy, and the Beautiful" from Ascension Press: https://bit.ly/409RzYO

More Books from Edward Sri: https://edwardsri.com/books/

MORE FROM CTS:

CTS Website: https://www.ctsbooks.org

Male, Female, Other? - A Catholic Guide to Understanding Gender by Jason Evert: https://bit.ly/47eMa3X

7 Words on Marriage: https://bit.ly/49MzKRz

Living Your Vocation (Even if You Don't Know What it is Yet): https://bit.ly/3NsZB7l

https://www.instagram.com/ctspublishers

https://www.twitter.com/ctspublishers

https://www.facebook.com/ctspublishers

Christianity is no longer in fashion. This means that being a Christian is counter-cultural. In this episode of Into the Truth, Rev Nicky Gumbel, the pioneer of the Alpha Course, explains that the challenge for the Church today is to bravely speak our counter-cultural message. "If we simply mouth the same platitudes as the culture," he says, "what is there that’s distinctive about our faith?"

Find Nicky on social media: @NickyGumbel on Instagram, Facebook and X (Twitter)

The Alpha Course

HTB Church

In an era where nearly half of practising Catholics question the Real Presence of Christ in the Eucharist, it's fair to be concerned about the vitality of the Catholic Church. In the first episode of Season 2 of our Into the Truth podcast, Professor Stephen Bullivant of St Mary's University, Twickenham, explores the decline of Christianity in Britain, examining factors such as the aftermath of Vatican II and the challenges posed by the pandemic, alongside the Church's response to these pressing issues.

Despite this seemingly pessimistic outlook, Bullivant sheds light on stories of hope and growth within the Church in Britain. Notably, the episode highlights the steadfast devotion of young Catholics, whose fervent embrace of Eucharistic Adoration and reverence for the Eucharist signal a promising future for the Church.Listen now to discover the profound significance of the Eucharist in contemporary Catholicism and to glean insights on navigating secularisation in today's world.

Get "This is My Body" by Bishop Robert Barron, with a foreword by Prof. Stephen Bullivant, here: https://bit.ly/4aQaaLW

Less than half of people in the UK now identify as Christian, according to the most recent census. Did this decline begin with the age of New Atheism? In the latest episode of Into the Truth, we speak to Justin Brierley, author of "The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why New Atheism Grew Old and Secular Thinkers Are Considering Christianity". Brierley discusses the rise of New Atheism - why did it happen and why did it have such a wide effect? He also shares his optimism about people rethinking Christianity, the impact of secular cultural commentators, including Jordan Peterson and Tom Holland, and the meaning crisis.

Watch on YouTube

Are computers becoming more "human"? Is the rise of Artificial Intelligence an existential threat? In the latest episode of the Into the Truth podcast, Fr Andrew Pinsent, who is both a priest and a physicist, discusses the topic of his new Catholic Truth Society book, Artificial Intelligence. What is the history of AI? How does AI work? Can AI be relied upon? Is there a danger that human beings will worship AI? And what can the Catholic faith tell us about the remedy to any concerns about AI? Fr Andrew addresses all these questions and more.

Get the Book

Watch on YouTube

What is a vocation? Is it something we all have? In this latest episode of Into the Truth, we're delving into vocation with Dominican Friar Fr Nicholas Crowe, author of our new book 'Living our Vocation (Even If You Don't Know What It Is Yet)'. Fr Nick explores misconceptions about vocation, what we mean by calling, and how to discern.

Get the book

Watch on YouTube

In March 2010, Sally Read hated the Catholic Church. By December 2010, she was received into the Church at the Vatican. What caused such a drastic change in the space of just nine months?

In this episode, award-winning Catholic poet Sally Read shares her powerful conversion story alongside great Catholic poems by Catholic giants. Poetry, she reveals, is the language of God, featured throughout the Bible, and an important tool to help us make sense of life.

Addiction was where Sr Miriam James Heidland's journey began, but she eventually found healing.

In sharing her story, Sr Miriam, co-host of @AbidingTogetherPodcast, explains that the goal of therapy and any other healing journey is to have hearts more like Christ's.

How can you tell if therapy is leading to healing? Is it okay for Catholics to go to therapy?

Find these answers and more in this episode of Into the Truth.

More from the Catholic Truth Society

Abiding Together Podcast

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SOLT Sisters

How can Catholics accompany transgender people? What should parents do if their child identifies as trans?

In this episode, renowned Catholic speaker and author of the book "Male, Female, Other?" Jason Evert explores common questions related to gender theory.

Drawing on conversations with countless young people who identify as trans and parents of trans teens, as well as his own extensive research, Evert offers help and advice for Catholics to help transgender people find their home in the Church. His message for transgender people is: "We love you, Christ sees you - in fact, He's the only one who truly sees you and He loves you."

Get the Book: https://bit.ly/47eMa3X

Resources for responding to the challenges of gender ideology: https://personandidentity.com/

Resources from Jason Evert on gender: https://chastity.com/gender

Jason Evert's website: https://chastity.com/

Lust is Boring podcast: https://chastity.com/podcasts/

Is tradition still important today? Author, editor, journalist and Catholic convert Sohrab Ahmari explores questions society tells us are no longer important, or which society wrongly believes to have been definitively answered. Drawing from Catholic saints and important thinkers, like St Maximilian Kolbe, St John Henry Newman and Seneca, Ahmari explains why tradition still matters today.

The Unbroken Thread by Sohrab Ahmari is available to order here: https://amzn.eu/d/02XW3WyZ

Follow Sohrab Ahmari on X: https://x.com/SohrabAhmari

More From the Catholic Truth Society: https://www.ctsbooks.org

Are some human lives worth more than others? In IVF, abortion and euthanasia, we start to deem some lives as being lesser instead of seeing how unique and irreplaceable every life is. In this episode of the Into the Truth podcast, bioethicist and mother Dr Pia Matthews explores the dignity of every human life, from embryos and fetuses to people with disabilities and those with terminal illnesses, and the compassionate response of the Catholic Church to the bioethical issues of our times.

Get Dr Pia Matthews' book Infertility and Fertility Treatment

We know that the Bible has more integrity than the Ilead or any other ancient text because of the lives changed by it. Compiled by the Catholic Catholic over the centuries, the Bible is intended to be read through the eyes of faith, discovering how God is speaking to us through His Word.

Bible Scholar and Catholic priest Fr Javier Ruiz explains how to read the Bible, how we can know the Bible truly is God's Word, and the new Catholic Lectionary in this episode of the Into the Truth podcast.

The new Catholic Lectionary and new Catholic missals are available to order now.

Are you struggling to share the Catholic faith in a world that seems to reject Christianity? In this episode of the Into the Truth podcast, Mgr James Shea, renowned author of "From Christendom to Apostolic Mission" and "The Religion of the Day", delves into the challenges of evangelising in a secular society that believes it no longer needs redemption.

Mgr Shea emphasises that today's society is plagued by misery, poisoned by modern culture, and in dire need of the Gospel's healing power. He argues that Christians must become saints, stepping beyond the safety of their church communities to passionately and effectively preach the Gospel.

Listen to this conversation for insights into Catholic evangelisation and to be inspired to live out your faith boldly in a world that desperately needs the hope and redemption offered by Christ.

Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our studio on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CTSStudios

Get Mgr Shea's Books: https://bit.ly/3wTHsec

How does art raise the heart to God? In the latest episode of Into the Truth, we talk to the Director of the National Gallery, Gabriele Finaldi, about the relationship between faith and art, whether contemporary Catholic art has lost its meaning, and whether the artist's morality should impact our use of the art.

Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our studio on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CTSStudios

"Why is no one else singing?" This question occurred to Fr James Mallon during his first Mass, noticing that the congregation seemed disengaged. It was an encounter that led him to ask, "Where is the joy? How do we help people encounter the living God?"

In this episode of Into the Truth, Fr James Mallon, founder of Divine Renovation, discusses how his search for answers led him to focus on evangelisation and parish renewal, including the use of the Alpha Course.

Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our studio on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CTSStudios

Catholic Truth Society: https://www.ctsbooks.org

Divine Renovation: https://divinerenovation.org/

Divine Renovation UK: https://divinerenovation.org/united-kingdom/

The Alpha Course: https://alpha.org.uk/

Did you know that medieval chants were believed to echo the voices of angels? In this episode of Into the Truth, we speak with Dr Matthew Ward, a liturgical musician and scholar, about the spiritual and transformative power of music in Catholic worship. They explore how Christ Himself used music, the history of Gregorian chant and polyphony, and the challenges of creating sacred music for today’s Church.Dr Ward introduces Psalms for All Seasons, a unique project for the updated Catholic Lectionary, which integrates seasonal melodies to enrich prayer and deepen the Church’s connection to its liturgical year. Discover how ancient traditions can inspire a revival of beauty in worship and how music continues to bridge heaven and earth.If you love liturgical music, chant, and exploring the spiritual depth of the Mass, this episode is for you.

Order Psalms for All Seasons and download PDFs of some of the music

Listen to Psalms for All Seasons sung

What are the hidden spiritual dangers lurking in our social media? In this thought-provoking episode of Into the Truth, Pierpaolo Finaldi and Fr Toby Lees OP dive into the ancient sin of acedia - restlessness - and how it’s resurfacing in today's digital landscape. Fr Toby exposes the ways the attention economy hijacks our focus, leading to distraction, "brain rot," and a loss of deeper meaning.

Discover powerful strategies to reclaim your attention, foster authentic connections, and find joy beyond the scroll. If you’ve ever felt spiritually drained by endless online content, this conversation is your guide to digital liberation.

Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our studio on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CTSStudios

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Does modern feminism celebrate womanhood - or try to erase what makes it unique?

In this compelling episode of Into the Truth, Pierpaolo Finaldi speaks with Emily Hawkins, a pro-life activist, Catholic mother of three, and communications director for the Alliance of Pro-Life Students. Their conversation explores the uneasy relationship between feminism and motherhood, the cultural messaging that treats pregnancy as a problem, and why embracing the fullness of womanhood could be the key to a more authentic feminism.Emily shares her journey from university activism to navigating the challenges of modern womanhood, unpacking why the feminist movement has a “motherhood-shaped hole” and how embracing femininity as a gift - not a burden - could transform society.

Together We March: Emily's book for children on the pro-life cause is available from Catholic Mothers.

Learn more about the Alliance of Pro-Life StudentsExplore books and digital content from the Catholic Truth Society

Has the stunning beauty of a grand cathedral ever directed your heart to the need for something Higher? Specifically, has it ever directed you to God?

In this episode, we sit down with Fr Lawrence Lew OP, a Dominican priest, photographer, and author, to explore the power of beauty in faith, the symbolism woven into church architecture, and the challenge of modern consumerism.As we scroll past endless images on social media, have we lost our ability to truly see? Have sacred spaces become just another tourist attraction, rather than a place to encounter God?

Join us as we rediscover the purpose of beauty - not as an end in itself, but as a sign pointing us to something far greater.📖 Check out "Entering Heaven on Earth", Fr Lawrence’s latest book on church symbolism and sacred art: https://www.ctsbooks.orgentering-heaven-on-earth/📸

Follow his photography for stunning images of Catholic heritage: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/

Is Eucharistic Adoration worth your time?

Archbishop John Wilson’s faith journey began as an Anglican teenager, but an encounter with the Eucharist changed everything. Drawn by the profound reality of Christ’s Real Presence, he found himself on a path he never expected - a path that led him to convert to Catholicism and eventually become a Catholic priest. Now the Archbishop of Southwark, he shares how Eucharistic Adoration continues to transform lives, deepen faith, and renew the Church.

In this powerful episode of Into the Truth, Archbishop John Wilson explores how being in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is not just a Catholic tradition, but a personal encounter with Christ that can lead to profound conversion. Whether you've experienced Adoration before or are curious, this discussion will challenge and encourage you to seek Jesus in the Eucharist like never before.

Discover more about the beauty of Eucharistic Adoration: https://loom.ly/xMGKohg

What if belief in God isn’t about blind faith, but about asking the right questions?

Join Dominican sister and Catholic theologian Sr Hyacinthe Defos du Rau as she explores what we can truly know about God, and how reason and faith work together in the search for meaning. Together with Pierpaolo Finaldi, Sr Hyacinthe touches on some of the big questions in Catholic theology - who God is, how Christian hope offers strength in uncertain times, and how faith helps us make sense of what we see and feel in the world around us.

What does it mean to say that God is love? How do we respond when prayers seem to go unanswered? Why is belief in God deeply relevant in today's world? Find answers in this insightful episode and learn why ultimately, belief in God isn't irrational at all, but a reasonable conclusion.

Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our studio on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CTSStudios

About This Week's Guest:

Sr Hyacinthe is a Dominican Sister of St Joseph based in the New Forest, England. Originally from France, she discovered her vocation in her late teens and joined the community in 2000. She has worked extensively in catechesis and adult faith formation, and now leads Light of Truth, an initiative offering live, online theological training. Sr Hyacinthe is known for combining deep theological insight with a passion for evangelisation and a commitment to making the Catholic faith accessible, grounded and alive.

Explore the work of Sr Hyacinthe and her community:

Explore "Light of Truth" faith formation by the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph: https://www.lightoftruth.uk/

Find out more about the Dominican Sisters of St Joseph: https://www.dominicansisters.net/

What does the Bible really say about power, politics, and peace in our divided world?

In this compelling episode of Into the Truth, Pierpaolo Finaldi sits down with one of the most influential New Testament scholars of our time - Professor N.T. Wright - for a wide-ranging and refreshingly honest conversation on faith, culture, and scripture.

Filmed at the Bishop Barron Conference on the Bible in East

London, this dialogue moves beyond stereotypes and easy answers to explore how Christians - Catholics and Protestants alike - might faithfully respond to the "powers and principalities" at work in the modern world.

Drawing from his latest book "Jesus and the Powers", Wright urges a rediscovery of biblical values - not as nostalgia, but as radical, transformative hope. With insight into scripture, early Church history, and contemporary society, this episode offers a deep yet accessible entry point for Christians seeking to engage the world without losing their soul.

Is assisted suicide really about dignity - or is there another agenda here?

In this episode of Into the Truth, Pierpaolo Finaldi speaks to Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP about the growing push for assisted suicide and euthanasia. As a Dominican friar, bioethicist, and Archbishop of Sydney, he brings a Catholic perspective to this urgent debate, challenging the cultural shift towards normalising death on demand.

Beyond the legal and ethical concerns, Archbishop Fisher reflects on the broader societal implications: how Western secularism, declining faith, and the loss of transcendence have contributed to a culture that sees death as a solution rather than a passage to eternal life with God.

If you care about ethics, human dignity, and the sanctity of life, or if you're not sure what to think about the UK's current push for assisted suicide, this discussion is a must-watch.

💬 What do you think? Join the conversation in the comments!

Follow Into the Truth for more in-depth Catholic discussions!

Why do children need real heroes, clear villains, and fairy tales that tell the truth?

Author Haley Stewart joins Into the Truth to explore how stories shape children’s imagination, prepare them for the Gospel, and why today’s Disney falls short. From Tolkien and Jane Austen to Harry Potter and the Brothers Grimm, this is a call to reclaim storytelling that forms virtue and reveals eternal truths.

✏️ Haley's Substack: https://haleystewart.substack.com/📚 More from CTS: https://www.ctsbooks.org/

'The question what is a woman rests on a prior question which is what is a person?'

This week, we have a great guest with us, Dominican sister Sr Carino Hodder OP, author of the new book, 'The Dignity of Women in the Modern World'!In this episode, Piero and Sr Carino explore her conversion from new atheism and her journey to becoming a nun, why a feminism that asks women to be like men doesn't work, St Pope John Paul II's call for women to create a new feminism and why feminists are coming to catholic conclusions.

In the book, Sr Carino invites us to look directly at woman in the light of God and find her true meaning, offering an inspired and inspiring understanding of woman’s nature and mission as virgin, bride, and mother, shaped by the nature and mission of the Church herself, the Bride of Christ.You can get the book here: https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/the-dignity-of-women-in-the-modern-world/

How did the first Christians sing their prayers? What traditions did they draw on? And how do we sing our prayers today?

Sir James MacMillan is one of today’s most successful composers and performs internationally as a conductor. In this podcast, we explore how his Scottish heritage and Catholic faith inform his work as a composer and the contribution he has made to Church music.

Sir James explains how the Christian faith shaped Western Music as a whole and how the Jewish chant of Jesus' day went on to develop the Church's tradition of Gregorian Chant.

Drawing from their experience of parenting ten children, Mike and Alicia Hernon of the Messy Family Project share how to reveal God’s love to the world through your marriage and family, the keys to authentic parenting, how to nurture the Catholic faith at home, and why accepting the joyful messiness of life is essential for raising a happy, holy family.

Learn more about the Messy Family Project: https://messyfamilyproject.org/

Catholic books for families: http://bit.ly/4eSsl6A

Catholic children's books: https://bit.ly/3ICJ41n

If "wellbeing" and "self-care" are supposed to make us happy, why are we unhappier than ever? Professor Jacob Phillips explores how today's therapeutic trends measure up against the Catholic vision of true human flourishing.

Did you know that Church attendance in the UK is growing, especially among young people? This year, 'The Quiet Revival Report' demonstrated that Church decline in England and Wales has not only stopped, but the Church is growing, as Gen Z leads an exciting turnaround.The authors of our new book, 'After Secularisation' joined us to explore that Catholic story of The Quiet Revival, live at our book launch at WeBelieve Festival!Authors Bernadette Durcan, Dr Hannah Vaughan-Spruce & Professor Stephen Bullivant explore what happens after a society has become as secular as it can, how COVID changed things and why young men seem to be leading this renewal in the Church.

You can get the book here: https://ctsbooks.org/after-secularisation/

And you can find out more about WeBelieve Festival here: https://webelievefestival.com

Author Fr Antonio Ritaccio joins the podcast this week to talk his new CTS book, 'Finding God in Anxiety and Depression'.In this very practical episode, Fr Antonio explores what we mean when we use the words anxiety and depression, what to do if you suffer from them, Catholic teaching about suicide and why forgiving those in our lives who cause us pain allows us to live more freely.

(0:00) Intro

(3:44) Depression in my family home

(5:37) Defining Anxiety & Depression

(9:01) Gen Z: The Anxious Generation

(13:24) The four elements of depression

(18:18) Mental Health & Spirituality

(25:09) Understanding Suicide

(32:16) The need for community

(36:45) How to forgive

(43:11) Why do bad things happen to good people?

(50:05) How to find God in our suffering

(1:00:21) Advice for those struggling

Want to go deeper? Get the book here: https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/finding-god-in-anxiety-and-depression/

About the book: When you’re navigating anxiety and depression, it’s hard not to feel abandoned by God. However, in Finding God in Anxiety and Depression, Fr Antonio Ritaccio reveals how mental health struggles can lead to deeper intimacy with Him. Accessible, honest and rooted in Catholic spirituality, this book offers practical ways to find hope, healing and meaning amid your suffering.

What do we know about Pope Leo XIV? First of all, he is an Augustinian!

The Augustinians are a religious order of friars who live out the spirituality of St Augustine of Hippo, the author of the spiritual classic, 'Confessions'.

Piero met up with Fr Gladson Dabre, Provincial of the Augustinians in Britain, to explore what we can expect from Pope Leo's leadership.

St Augustine was the author of the highly influential works 'Confessions' and 'The City of God' - both of which Fr Gladson explores, before unpacking how they might influence Pope Leo's leadership of the Catholic Church.

When we lose someone we love, life can feel deeply changed. How do we find God in this experience of grief?

When Br Giovanni Castellano's father died suddenly, he soon found himself writing. It wasn't long until he had written a whole book of his spiritual reflections on grief.

In this episode, Piero and Br Giovanni explore a Catholic understanding of what happens when we die, how to find God in grief, purgatory, CS Lewis's experience of grief and why we should pray for the dead.

Today, St John Henry Newman is declared a Doctor of the Church! This has only happened to 38 people in the history of the Church, so why Newman?

What did he contribute to the Catholic Church? What did he help us to understand about the life of faith?In this episode, Piero talks to Fr George Bowen, who was instrumental in Newman becoming a saint and in him becoming a Doctor of the Church.

Together, they explore what Newman told us about how God speaks to us, how doctrine develops, how his work on conscience inspired resistance to the Nazis and how he lived his life in pursuit of truth.

In today's society, many people have experienced the pain of broken sexual relationships and the confusion of attempts to redefine what it means to be male and female. What if there is a better vision for sex and gender? What did God intend when He created us male and female?

When Christopher West & Mike Mangione were in London for their event 'The Well', they joined Pierpaolo to talk about St Pope John Paul II's Theology of the Body. They explore why the Sexual Revolution didn’t free us, how contraception harms couples, the mystery of being created male and female and where to take our desire for more.

Enjoying our content? Please consider supporting our studio on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/CTSStudios

You can find out more about Christopher's work here: https://tobinstitute.org/& you can discover Mike's music here: https://www.mikemangione.com/

(0:00) Intro(3:09) How is Theology of the Body doing?(5:57) What John Paul II foresaw(8:52) Why gender is under attack(11:03) Altering the body(17:08) Has Theology of the Body been understood?(20:48) Mike & Christopher's collaboration(27:42) What do you worship?(31:56) Young people seeking more(34:40) Created for more

Get the book here: https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/praying-the-nicene-creed/

This year, we celebrate 1700 years of the Nicene Creed! Why is the Creed important? What did it do for Christianity and the world? And how can we pray it today?

James Matthew Wilson, author of, 'Praying the Nicene Creed, ' joins the podcast to explore how Dante led him to faith, how the Creed answers our search for meaning, how love is the heart of reality, why God became man, how to understand salvation in the light of the Creed, and much more.

The Rosary Shrine Lecture 2025, 'Our Lady: Preacher of Human Dignity', delivered by Sr Carino with a response from Mary Harrington. This lecture was live broadcast by Radio Maria England. With thanks to the Rosary Shrine for allowing CTS to film their annual lecture. You can discover their ministry here: https://rosaryshrine.co.uk/

In her lecture, Sr Carino Hodder OP explores what Mary teaches us about the dignity of all human beings, through the thought of St Pope St John Paul II.

What does it mean to be a woman and what does it mean to be a human person?

In an age which seems unable to answer fundamental questions about the nature and identity of the human person, what can Mary teach us about how we can present this fundamental truth of human dignity anew to the modern world?

In her response, renowned British journalist Mary Harrington explores Mary through the joyful mysteries of the rosary, a series of stories that highlight the dignity and mystery of motherhood.

Is the Catholic Church becoming resurgent in the UK? Why are more young people exploring the faith? What role do beauty, truth, holiness, liturgy, music and unity play in renewing Catholic life today? Is Britain witnessing a revival in the Catholic Church? In this episode, John Withers, Director of the WeBelieve Festival, talks about the growing renewal of Catholic life in the UK and the future of Christianity in Britain.Discover our books: www.ctsbooks.orgSupport our channel: https://bit.ly/4cZfJeqFind out more about WeBelieve Festival https://www.webelievefestival.com/WeBelieve Festival on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/webelievefest/From packed Catholic festivals and renewed interest in the saints to Eucharistic devotion, pilgrimage, beauty, liturgy, and evangelisation, this conversation explores why so many people — especially young adults — are rediscovering the Catholic faith. They discuss the idea of a “Third Spring” of Catholicism in England, inspired by John Henry Newman, and ask whether the Church in the UK is entering a new era of spiritual renewal and missionary confidence.John Withers shares the vision behind the WeBelieve Festival, a major Catholic event bringing together Catholics from across England and Wales for worship, prayer, catechesis, music, culture, and community. The discussion also explores the history of Catholic emancipation, the role of the Guild of Our Lady of Ransom, the importance of Catholic unity, and how festivals and shared experiences can strengthen faith and inspire evangelisation.This episode covers:- The revival of the Catholic Church in the UK- Catholic renewal and evangelisation- Why young people are returning to Christianity- Catholic festivals and pilgrimage culture- The role of beauty, truth, and goodness in evangelisation- St John Henry Newman and the 'Third Spring'- Catholic identity in Britain today- Eucharistic adoration and spiritual renewal- Catholic culture, music, and sacred art- The future of Christianity in England and Wales

What does Catholic Social Teaching have to say about AI, capitalism, work, family and the future of society? In this episode, Jenny Sinclair, founder of Together for the Common Good, talks Pope Leo XIV, Rerum Novarum, the new industrial revolution and why Catholic Social Teaching may be more relevant now than ever before.As artificial intelligence transforms work, relationships, politics, and even our understanding of what it means to be human, the Church’s social teaching offers a powerful framework rooted in human dignity, the common good, subsidiarity, solidarity and the vocation of work.
_________________________________________________________________________Subscribe to ‪‪Into The Truth for more British Catholic formation contentFind our books: www.ctsbooks.orgSupport our online ministry: www.ctsbooks.org/donateFind out more about Together For The Common Good

https://togetherforthecommongood.co.uk/__________________________________________________________________________
Topics include- Pope Leo XIV and the legacy of Leo XIII- Rerum Novarum explained- AI and the future of work- Catholic teaching on capitalism and socialism- Human dignity in the age of technology- Family breakdown and individualism- Social media, loneliness, and the “culture of indifference”- Catholic responses to political polarization- How to build a “civilization of love”

What did JRR Tolkien believe? And how did his Catholic faith inform his great work, 'The Lord of the Rings'?

These questions are explored at length in this live podcast and book launch for Fr Michael Halsall's new book, ‘A Light from the Shadows: The Spiritual Heart of JRR Tolkien'. The book is available now from CTS.

You can get Fr Michael's book here: https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/a-light-from-the-shadows/

About Fr MichaelFr Michael Halsall is a priest of the Personal Ordinariate of Our Lady of Walsingham, and presently serves as Episcopal Vicar for Vocations & Formation, covering England, Scotland, and Wales. His recent book - 'Creation and Beauty in Tolkien's Catholic Vision' - explores the philosophical themes in Tolkien's crafted creation narratives, alongside those of the Christian tradition. His newest book is, ‘A Light from the Shadows: The Spiritual Heart of JRR Tolkien'.About the bookThis is not a biography of JRR Tolkien. But, ‘no author writes in a vacuum’ (as the author of this book, Fr Michael Halsall reminds us), so there are abundant biographical details in this considered commentary on the demonstrably Catholic framework of Tolkien’s writings: his experiences as a scholar, an army officer, and a husband and father. All these facets of a life are keys to unlocking Tolkien’s perspective on his own work.

In this live episode of 'Into The Truth', recorded at WeBelieve Festival 2026, Fr John sits down with Monsignor John Armitage to explore the extraordinary story of Catholicism in England – from its conversion and persecution to its great moments of renewal.Drawing on 'The Conversion of England', a new publication bringing together the works of Cardinal Vaughan and Cardinal Wiseman, with a foreword by Monsignor Armitage, the discussion looks back at the defining moments that have shaped the English Church and asks what they might tell us about its future. Subscribe to Catholic Truth Society for more British Catholic formation contentDiscover our books: www.ctsbooks.orgSupport our channel: https://bit.ly/4cZfJeqFind us on Substack: https://livingcatholictruth.substack.com 📚 Buy _The Conversion of England_ here: https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/the-conversion-of-england/ Thank you to our friends at WeBelieve Festival  | Discover more about them here: https://www.webelievefestival.com/ And thank you to Fr John Church of  DominicanFriarsinBritain  for stepping in to host!

How can Catholics evangelise in a world where many people no longer believe in God, identify as atheists or agnostics or feel that they have already rejected Christianity?In this episode of 'Into The Truth', Pierpaolo is joined by speaker, podcaster and founder of Crash Course Catholicism, Dr Caitlin West. They discuss Caitlin's experiences of growing up Catholic in suburban Australia, how Catholics can share their faith with atheist friends without pushing them away and why prayer is the foundation of every effective evangelist.

In a culture where many people are searching for meaning, purpose and truth, Catholics are called to share the Gospel with both courage and compassion. Evangelisation is not about watering down the Catholic faith, but about presenting the truth of Christianity in a way that is human, beautiful and lived out through authentic witness.Caitlin shares her experience of speaking with people who do not share her beliefs, including atheists and those who are sceptical of religion. She explains why respectful conversations, lasting relationships and trust are often essential before someone is ready to explore the Catholic faith.

In this episode, Pierpaolo Finaldi is joined by Nina Power, journalist and author of 'What Do Men Want?' Nina explores why many men feel alienated by modern culture, why the rise of the manosphere cannot simply be dismissed without asking deeper questions, and what we might be missing about the frustrations driving young men towards these online spaces.

Discover the extraordinary true story of Stanisława Leszczyńska, the Catholic Midwife of Auschwitz, a Polish midwife whose faith, courage and compassion brought hope into one of the darkest places in human history.Dr Gosia Brykczynska's book, 'The Real Midwife of Auschwitz: The Life of Stanisława Leszczyńska' is available now from CTS.Get the book here: https://bit.ly/4vQtC5v

Scott Hahn is on the pod! In this wide-ranging conversation, Dr Hahn joins Pierpaolo to discuss the surprising rise in conversions to the Catholic Church, the growing interest in Christianity and the Bible among young people and the signs of a genuine Catholic revival in the UK, Ireland and the USA.In this episode, they talk about conversion, The Bible, Pope Leo's AI encyclical and the family as the first society. Scott Hahn books from CTS: https://bit.ly/4vjcnd7

In this final episode of our roundtable discussion on Magnifica Humanitas, the team explore how we can each live out Pope Leo's calls to resist the Culture of Power and build a Civilisation of Love.

You can get Pope Leo's new encyclical on AI from CTS now: https://bit.ly/4dQbjFMSupport our online ministry: www.ctsbooks.org/donateFind our books: www.ctsbooks.orgIn this concluding episode of our deep-dive discussion on Magnifica Humanitas, the team explore Chapter 5 and the conclusion of the encylical.

In this conversation, the team discuss Pope Leo XIV's critique of the 'culture of power,' the dangers of technocracy, the ethics of AI in modern warfare,and the importance of rebuilding a 'Civilization of Love.' They examine his practical guidance on the use of AI tools such as ChatGPT, the formation of conscience, responsible technology use and the urgent need to educate children and young people in an increasingly digital world.

In this second instalment of the 'Magnifica Humanitas' Roundtable, we continue our exploration of Pope Leo XIV's encyclical on Artificial Intelligence, focusing on Chapters 3 and 4: Technology and Dominance and The Safeguarding of Humanity.

You can get Pope Leo's new encyclical on AI from CTS now

As artificial intelligence continues to reshape society, Pope Leo XIV offers one of the most significant Catholic intervention yet on the promises and dangers of AI. Rather than asking whether the Church is simply for or against technology, 'Magnifica Humanitas' asks a deeper question: does technology serve the human person or will it come to dominate humanity?

In this discussion, the team examine the Pope's striking call to 'disarm AI' and consider what this means in practice. They explore the concentration of power in the hands of a small number of technology companies and tech bros, the challenges of AI governance and accountability, the rise of autonomous systems and the growing influence of algorithms on human decision-making. They also discuss the dangers of techno-feudalism, the role of international co-operation in regulating AI and the ethical questions raised by artificial intelligence in both civilian and military contexts.

The conversation also turns to some of the deepest themes of Catholic Social Teaching. Drawing on the principles of the common good, solidarity, and subsidiarity, the panel reflect on Pope Leo XIV's insistence that efficiency and technological power are not ends in themselves. Human dignity, authentic relationships, meaningful work and the flourishing of communities must remain at the centre of any technological future.

They also discuss Pope Leo's critique of transhumanism and the temptation to reduce the human person to intelligence, productivity, or data processing. The encyclical challenges us all to remember that what makes us human is not simply our ability to calculate or optimise, but our capacity for friendship, love, sacrifice, responsibility and communion with others. These are realities that cannot be replicated by artificial intelligence, no matter how sophisticated the technology becomes.

What does Pope Leo really say about Artificial Intelligence in 'Magnifica Humanitas'? Why did the Pope choose AI as the subject of his first encyclical? And Is Artificial Intelligence a threat to human dignity?

Welcome to this CTS Roundtable discussion on 'Magnifica Humanitas', Pope Leo’s groundbreaking encyclical on Artificial Intelligence, technology and the future of humanity.

You can get Pope Leo's new encyclical on AI from CTS now: https://bit.ly/4dQbjFM

Support our online ministry: www.ctsbooks.org/donate

Find our books: www.ctsbooks.org

In this Roundtable, Pierpaolo is joined by Sr Carino Hodder OP, Prof Jacob Phillips, and Fr Peter Wygnanski, to explore Pope Leo’s response to the AI revolution and to examine what Catholic Social Teaching can contribute to one of the defining debates of the twenty-first century.

As Artificial Intelligence continues to transform society, economics, education, communication, warfare and human relationships, the discussion asks whether AI will serve authentic human flourishing or contribute to a new technocratic culture that undermines human dignity.

Drawing on theology, philosophy, Scripture, and the Church’s social doctrine, the conversation unpacks Pope Leo’s central themes, including the dignity of the human person, freedom, responsibility, the common good, technological progress, transhumanism, AI ethics, automation, and the moral limits of emerging technologies.

The panel reflects on Pope Leo’s striking use of the biblical image of the Tower of Babel, his warning against treating technology as humanity’s salvation, and his call to build a society rooted in truth, solidarity, justice and peace.

They also explore the influence of St Augustine on Pope Leo’s vision, the dangers of technocratic power, the growing role of algorithms in public life, the ethics of Artificial General Intelligence and the challenge of ensuring that technological innovation remains at the service of the human person.

About Magnifica Humanitas

Magnifica Humanitas is Pope Leo’s landmark encyclical on Artificial Intelligence, technology, and the dignity of the human person. Building on the rich tradition of Catholic Social Teaching, Pope Leo addresses one of the most urgent questions of our age: how should humanity respond to the rapid rise of AI?Rather than offering a simple endorsement or rejection of Artificial Intelligence, Pope Leo examines AI through the lens of Christian anthropology, human dignity, freedom, responsibility, and the common good. Drawing on Scripture, Catholic theology, and the social doctrine of the Church, Magnifica Humanitas challenges the modern assumption that technological progress alone can solve humanity’s deepest problems.

A central theme of the encyclical is the contrast between the biblical image of the Tower of Babel and the rebuilding of Jerusalem. Pope Leo argues that society faces a choice: to use technology as a tool for domination, control, and the concentration of power, or to place technological innovation at the service of authentic human flourishing, solidarity, justice, and peace.

The encyclical explores the ethical implications of AI in areas such as education, employment, economics, warfare, governance, communication, and human relationships. It warns against technocratic ideologies, transhumanism, and attempts to redefine humanity through technology, while affirming the unique value of every human person created in the image of God.

At its heart, Magnifica Humanitas is a call to recover a truly human vision of progress. In an era increasingly shaped by Artificial Intelligence, Pope Leo reminds the world that humanity cannot be reduced to data, efficiency, or computation. The future must be guided not only by technological innovation but by wisdom, moral responsibility, and a renewed understanding of what it means to be human.