Into the Truth is a podcast from the Catholic Truth Society that explores contemporary issues through the lens of Catholic faith and teaching. It is hosted by Pierpaolo Finaldi, who guides conversations aimed at clarifying the truth behind current debates and everyday questions. The show is intended for listeners seeking a thoughtful, faith-informed perspective on the issues of the day.
Episodes
Ukraine's Persecuted Church & The Gospel of Peace | Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski
The Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church has endured decades of persecution, survived the Soviet attempt to destroy it under Stalin and continues to stand with the people of Ukraine amid Russia's full-scale invasion. In this episode, Bishop Kenneth Nowakowski explores the history of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, the persecution of Christians in Ukraine, the ongoing Ukraine war and the Church
How Protestants & Atheists Are Encountering Mary | Margarita Mooney Clayton
Why are Protestants and spiritual seekers encountering Mary in unexpected ways? How can an encounter with the Virgin Mary, the Mother of God, lead people closer to Jesus Christ and transform their understanding of the Christian faith?In this episode of 'Into the Truth', Pierpaolo Finaldi speaks with Margarita Mooney Clayton, author of 'When Mary Calls: Surprising Encounters with the Mo
The Catholic Britain We Lost: Reformation, Nature & Modernity | Bonnie Lander Johnson
What happened to Catholic Britain? In this episode of Into the Truth, Pierpaolo Finaldi speaks to author and academic Bonnie Lander Johnson about the Catholic world that existed before the Reformation, what was lost as Britain entered modernity and how we lost our connection to the natural world.Discover our books: www.ctsbooks.orgSupport our channel: https://bit.ly/4cZfJeqFind us on Substack: htt
Is Faith Rational? God, Science, Jesus & the Catholic Church | Canon Marcus Holden
Can we prove that Christianity is true?In this special live episode of the Into the Truth podcast, Pierpaolo Finaldi is joined by Canon Marcus Holden at the Evangelium Conference to discuss his new book, Apologetics for Evangelisation, co-authored with Fr Andrew Pinsent.Canon Marcus explains why Catholic apologetics matters today and how Catholics can respond to some of the deepest questions about
Why Children Might Be More Open to God Than We Think | Greg Finn
With Catholic schools, Catholic children and families facing a rapidly changing culture, how can we pass on the Catholic faith to the next generation? And what does it really mean to evangelise children and help them encounter Jesus?In this episode of Into the Truth, Pierpaolo Finaldi speaks to Greg Finn, former Catholic school teacher and founder of the Mark 10 Mission, about Catholic education,
“God Calls Us to Make Beautiful Things” | Fr Patrick van der Vorst on How Art Can Point to Heaven
In this episode of ‘Into The Truth’, Pierpaolo Finaldi is joined by Fr Patrick van der Vorst, founder of Christian Art, to explore the deep connection between beauty, sacred art, and the Catholic faith. They discuss why beauty is more than a matter of personal taste, how art can point us toward God, and why creating beautiful things can be part of our vocation as Christians.
“England has Always been Catholic” | The Coming Third Spring with Monsignor John Armitage
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
Why Most Catholics Get Evangelisation Wrong | Caitlin West
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,
Nina Power: Why Young Men Feel Lost Today | Christianity & The Manosphere
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.
The Catholic Midwife of Auschwitz | The Incredible True Story of Stanisława Leszczyńska
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: Why Atheists and Protestants Are Becoming Catholic
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
Pope Leo's Guide to Resisting AI's Culture of Power | Magnifica Humanitas Roundtable 3
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
Disarming AI: Pope Leo XIV's Warning for Humanity | Magnifica Humanitas Roundtable | Part 2
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 nowAs artificial intelligence continues to reshape society, Pope Leo XIV offers one of the
What Pope Leo Really Said About AI | Magnifica Humanitas Roundtable | Part 1
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. Y
Catholic Revival in Britain? Inside the WeBelieve Festival
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
Pope Leo, AI & the New Industrial Revolution | Catholic Social Teaching & Political Unravelling
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
What Tolkien Believed | Catholicism in The Lord of the Rings | LIVE Podcast
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
How the Creed Changed the World | 1700 years of the Nicene Creed | James Matthew Wilson
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
Sr Carino & Mary Harrington: Mary, Feminism & the Dignity of Women | Rosary Shrine Lecture 2025
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 teac
Finding God in Grief & Bereavement | Mortality, Purgatory and Praying for the dead
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 Go
Newman, Doctor of the Church | St John Henry Newman on How God Speaks to us
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,
Christopher West: Why Your Body Matters | The Gender Crisis & the Sexual Revolution | Ep36
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 ta
Where is God in Anxiety & Depression? | Spirituality, Mental Health & Hope
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)
Pope Leo XIV’s vision for the Catholic Church | Understanding an Augustinian Pope
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 aut
Why the Catholic Church in Britain is Growing | The Quiet Revival & the Meaning Crisis
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, l
What is a Woman? And what is a Person? Why Feminists are coming to Catholic conclusions | Ep32
'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
Sir James MacMillan: Music in The Early Church & Gregorian Chant
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
Raising Catholic Kids in a Secular World: What Really Works | Mike & Alicia Hernon
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: ht
Why Self-Care Isn’t Making You Happy - The Catholic Path to True Happiness | Prof. Jacob Phillips
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.
What Happened to Children’s Stories? Fairy Tales, Disney & The Catholic Imagination | Haley Stewart
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.✏
Can We Know God? What Divine Revelation Reveals About Him | Sr Hyacinthe DeFos Du Rau
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 Christ
NT Wright: What Jesus said about Politics | Trump, Woke, Power & Biblical Politics
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 Ea
The Case Against Euthanasia: Redemptive Suffering | Archbishop Anthony Fisher OP
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
How Eucharistic Adoration Changes Your Life | Archbishop John Wilson
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 Beauty Leads Us to God | Catholic Churches, Liturgy & Sacred Art | Fr Lawrence Lew OP
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 endle
Does Modern Feminism Really Value Motherhood? | Emily Hawkins
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 tr
The Spiritual Dangers of Social Media for Catholics (and How to Avoid Them) | Fr Toby Lees
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.Di
Why Gregorian Chant Still Speaks to Us | The Power of Sacred Music | Dr Matthew Ward
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
The Catholic Parish Crisis: How Do We Turn It Around? | Fr James Mallon
"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 evangeli
Why Catholic Marriages Struggle and What Leads to Lasting Love | Dr Edward Sri
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 ad
Why Is Gen Z Becoming Christian? | Nicky Gumbel
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 o
From Addiction to Freedom: Sr Miriam Heidland’s Story of God’s Healing
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 th
Jason Evert Explains the Catholic Church’s Teaching on Transgender Issues
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
The Forgotten Power of Tradition | Sohrab Ahmari on Meaning, Faith & Modern Life
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 Unbro
Are Some Lives Worth More Than Others? IVF, Euthanasia & Human Dignity | Dr Pia Matthews
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,
Can We Trust the Bible? History, Contradictions & the Truth | Fr Javier Ruiz Ortiz
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 trul
The New Religion Replacing Christianity? Mgr James Shea Explains
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 pl
Can Art Lead Us to God? | Gabriele Finaldi (Director of the National Gallery)
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.p
Why Do So Many Catholics No Longer Believe in the Eucharist? | Professor Stephen Bullivant
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 aftermat
Why People Are Returning to Christianity After New Atheism | Justin Brierley
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 Athei
What Does the Catholic Church Think About AI? A Priest & Physicist Explains | Fr Andrew Pinsent
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
How Do I Find My Vocation? God’s Call to Marriage, Priesthood & Single Life | Fr Nicholas Crowe
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 bookWatch on YouTube
Why Catholics Need Poetry to Understand God | Dante, Shakespeare & Sally Read
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
