Podcasts

The First Things Podcast

First Things editors and staff gather to discuss this month’s most important topics. From politics to pop culture, nothing is off the table.

Conversations

Mark Bauerlein converses with the most important and prescient writers and thinkers of today to elucidate our crazy times and essential matters.

The Editor’s Desk

First Things editor in chief, R. R. Reno takes a deeper dive into the pieces published in the print edition along with the authors of these essays, opinions, and reviews.

Secret Third Thing

This is a show about contemporary culture. First Things editors Virginia Aabram and Germán S. Díaz del Castillo discuss modern, online trends. Are they good, bad, or a secret third thing?

Justice for Alito (ft. Mollie Hemingway)

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Mollie Hemingway joins in to discuss her recent book, Alito: The Justice Who Reshaped the...

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...

America’s Prodigal Fathers (ft. Timothy Goeglein)

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Timothy S. Goeglein joins in to discuss his recent book, What Really Matters: Restoring a...

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...

Life Lessons from a Basketball Coach (ft. Rob Jenkins)

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Rob Jenkins joins in to discuss his recent memoir, Shooting After Practice: A JUCO Odyssey....

The Return of the Mainline? (ft. Brad East)

In this episode, Brad East joins R. R. Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about his recent review, “Mainlining Nostalgia” from the April 2026 issue of the magazine....

Art Criticism for Art’s Sake (ft. Michael Clune)

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Michael Clune joins in to discuss his recent novel, Pan. The conversation is embedded below....

The Sexual Abuse Crisis Is a Law Crisis (ft. Michael Mazza)

In this episode, Michael J. Mazza joins R. R. Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Where the Dallas Charter Went Wrong,” from the March...

The Disappearance of Rational Control (ft. Harvey Mansfield)

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Harvey C. Mansfield joins in to discuss his recent book, The Rise and Fall of...

Disclosure in Modern Poetry (ft. Glenn Arbery)

In this episode, Glenn C. Arbery joins R. R. Reno on The Editor’s Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Lyric as Disclosure” from the March 2026 issue of...

Timothée Chalamet Is Right About Art (ft. Suzy Weiss)

In this episode, co-founder and reporter for the Free Press, Suzy Weiss, joins Virginia and Germán to discuss the most recent battle between artistic merit and popularity, brought about...

The Real JD Vance (ft. Frank DeVito)

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, Frank DeVito joins in to discuss his recent book, JD Vance and the Future of...

The Slow Death of Publishing (ft. Justin Lee)

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, First Things Associate Editor Justin Lee joins in to discuss his recent book, A Prisoner’s...

Our Crisis is Metaphysical | 2026 D.C. Lecture

In this episode, First Things brings you the recording of the 2026 D.C. Lecture presented by Mary Harrington. Please subscribe to access more information about future lectures and many great...

How Activism Gets Funded (ft. John Sailer)

In the ​latest installment of the ongoing interview series with contributing editor Mark Bauerlein, John Sailer joins in to discuss his recent article in the Wall Street Journal, “The...