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Godsplaining

Godsplaining

Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph 635 Episodes Sep 17, 2026

Welcome to Godsplaining: a podcast featuring contemplative preachers and their contemporary age. Considering topics philosophical, theological, cultural, and beyond, Godsplaining presents ideas from the Church’s tradition and brings them to bear on our lives’ most urgent questions. Each week, join the Dominican friars as they muse on all things Catholic.

Episodes

Brideshead Revisited: The Catholic Novel Everyone Should Read
Brideshead Revisited: The Catholic Novel Everyone Should Read Sep 17, 2026 2007 Why has Brideshead Revisited endured as one of the great Catholic novels? Fr. Patrick and Fr. Bonaventure dive into Evelyn Waugh’s masterpiece and its unforgettable exploration of grace, conversion, sin, beauty, Catholic culture, and God’s relentless pursuit of the human heart. From Charles Ryder’s encounter with the Flyte family to Sebastian’s struggles, Julia’s conversion, and Lord Marchmain’s p
What Catholics Get Wrong About Divine Mercy with Fr. Chris Alar, MIC
What Catholics Get Wrong About Divine Mercy with Fr. Chris Alar, MIC Sep 14, 2026 2030 What does Divine Mercy really mean, and why is it so central to the Christian life? Fr. Chris Alar, MIC, joins Fr. Gregory to unpack the message of Divine Mercy, the extraordinary life of St. Faustina, and the profound connection between God’s mercy and the sacraments. Fr. Alar is a priest of the Marian Fathers of the Immaculate Conception and serves as provincial superior for the congregation’s p
Do You Need Therapy, Prayer, or Both?
Do You Need Therapy, Prayer, or Both? Sep 10, 2026 2309 How should Catholics think about mental health? Is anxiety or depression primarily a psychological issue, a spiritual struggle—or can it be both? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss the relationship between faith, therapy, psychology, and mental health. They explore why psychological struggles are real without defining the whole person, when it may be appropria
Don’t Feel Like Going to Mass? Listen To This
Don’t Feel Like Going to Mass? Listen To This Sep 3, 2026 1892 Do Catholics really have to go to Mass every Sunday? And why does the Church call it an “obligation”? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Patrick Briscoe unpack the Sunday Mass obligation and explain why obligation and freedom aren’t enemies. In fact, having certain non-negotiable commitments can free us from constantly having to decide what matters most. The friars discuss w
Discerning What’s Really Going On in Your Soul with Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV
Discerning What’s Really Going On in Your Soul with Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV Aug 31, 2026 2058 Fr. Bonaventure welcomes Fr. Timothy Gallagher, OMV, back to Godsplaining for a conversation about St. Ignatius of Loyola and the discernment of spirits. How do we recognize what is drawing us toward God, and what is pulling us away? How should we respond when we experience discouragement, confusion, anxiety, or spiritual desolation? What role should our emotions play in the spiritual life? Drawin
Your Toxic Trait Has a Patron Saint
Your Toxic Trait Has a Patron Saint Aug 27, 2026 1870 What if your biggest toxic trait could actually point you toward the Saint you need most? Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony take on some of today’s most common “toxic traits” and pair them with the Saints who show us a better way. They tackle everything from narcissism and holding grudges to ghosting, impulsivity, FOMO, and gaslighting. As shown through the lives of the Saints, the friars clarify
My Therapist Told Me to Leave the Catholic Church
My Therapist Told Me to Leave the Catholic Church Aug 20, 2026 2093 What do you do when you've been genuinely hurt by someone in the Catholic Church? What if a therapist, friend, or loved one tells you that leaving the Church is the answer? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure discuss church hurt, trauma, abuse, forgiveness, and the difficult distinction between the holiness of the Church and the failures of her members. The friars expl
Are We Too Quick to Cut People Off? Noelle Mering Weighs In
Are We Too Quick to Cut People Off? Noelle Mering Weighs In Aug 17, 2026 2001 Why are more people cutting off family members, friends, and loved ones? What does the rise of “no contact” reveal about the way we understand relationships? Fr. Gregory sits down with Ethics and Public Policy Center Fellow and author Noelle Mering to explore the growing phenomenon of fractured relationships. They discuss the influence of social media and therapy-speak, the meaning of “toxic” and
Did Descartes Ruin Western Philosophy?
Did Descartes Ruin Western Philosophy? Aug 13, 2026 1857 Why do Catholics, and Thomists in particular, have such a problem with René Descartes? Fr. Bonaventure and Fr. Patrick Briscoe take another look at one of the most controversial figures in modern philosophy. From “I think, therefore I am” and the mind-body problem to Descartes’ Catholic faith and surprising Augustinian influences, they ask whether the father of modern philosophy deserves his reput
Humor Is Holier Than You Think
Humor Is Holier Than You Think Aug 6, 2026 2217 Is laughter just entertainment, or is it an important part of the Christian life? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore the surprising virtue of humor. They discuss why Christians sometimes become overly serious, how St. Thomas Aquinas viewed wit as a virtue, and why laughter can deepen friendship, relieve tension, and even help us speak the truth with charity
Trent Horn on Why Apologetics Isn't Enough
Trent Horn on Why Apologetics Isn't Enough Aug 3, 2026 2093 Why are so many Christians rediscovering the Catholic Church? In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Gregory Pine sits down with Catholic apologist Trent Horn to discuss Protestantism, apologetics, conversion, and what ultimately draws people into the fullness of the Catholic faith. They explore why arguments matter, but also why arguments alone are never enough. Trent explains the biggest misconc
The Real Danger of AI Isn't What You Think
The Real Danger of AI Isn't What You Think Jul 30, 2026 2400 Artificial Intelligence is changing the way we write, create art, compose music, and even think—but what does it mean for the human imagination? In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure explore AI through the lens of Catholic philosophy and theology. They discuss whether AI can truly be creative, why imagination is essential to being human, and how technology may reshape ou

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