This is a smart, witty, and orthodox discussion of important issues of the church and the state. I highly value these exchanges of interesting ideas. Few places offer such an elevated discussion. I’m forever grateful to First Things and Mark Bauerlein, a profoundly kind and erudite interviewer. Bravo!

Very good guests, but quite poor interview style. The podcast is a success “despite” the host interview method.

I want to listen to this podcast but the sound quality is so bad that I get too frustrated to continue. I really wanted to hear the author of the book about university brainwashing but….!!! Thus 4 stars instead of 5

I enjoy the podcast topics but the sound quality is poor and distracts from the interviews.

I love the print publication, and this podcast! Would have given 5 stars, but the audio quality is often quite frustrating. The interviewer usually sounds like he was recording in a metal can, while most guests have good audio quality. Not sure why they are so different. This makes listening in the car difficult, as I’m constantly having to adjust the volume.

It is terrible and needs much improvement!

I LOVE the content of this show that I can hear and understand, but the sound quality is often so bad that I cannot understand at least half of what the guests are saying. Sadly, I’m going to unsubscribe.

You have a sound quality problem if the majority of the spoken words are unintelligible. I tuned into the episode “Overcoming Mental Illness with Christ” but your guest would have sounded clearer had he used a CB radio. I couldn’t decipher the words.

The audio quality is often poor. Often it sounds like the host is inside a closet or a barrel. It’s been this way for years. You would think by now they might have learned something about podcast production and improved their audio, but no. Some episodes sound than others, but on average they get a “C” (just acceptable; not great) grade for production quality. Don’t they care? After all, they represent the magazine.

Perhaps the best intellectually rich and spiritually enriching podcast with a catholic perspective. The only negative thus far, after listening to about 20 podcasts in various places (home, walking with headphones, driving, etc.), is the poor sound quality. I won’t get into details but any good sound technician could improve the quality easily.

After listening to the Mark Bauerlein’s interview of Jamie Glazov on Obama’s legacy, I do think First Things has to renounce the non-partisan label. Glazov maintains that Obama opened the border when in fact he deported more people than any other president. He said that the US withdrawal from Afghanistan would never have happened under Trump, when in fact Trump negotiated the deal without talking to the Afghan government, which virtually guaranteed a Taliban takeover. A suggestion? Stick to theology and philosophy, since you have such a shaky grasp on current events. Or rename the whole enterprise “MAGA Things”. It would be more truthful.

Don’t let the “nonpartisan, interreligious” part of the description fool you. This is a show dedicated to pushing a hardline conservative/traditionalist Catholic perspective. The show’s host frames the questions of their interviewee deceptively, and makes it clear to any information-literate person that it favors confirmation bias over true dialogue. Don’t listen unless you’re the type of person who re-watches old episodes of Fulton Sheen.

Great content. Often frustrated by inconsistent audio quality. Especially Rusty Reno’s episodes…sounds like he’s on a speaker phone on the other side of the room.

It would be a real service to the podcast to have the audio quality issues fixed. It’s hard to manage volume and often there’s a disparity between interviewee and interviewer. That said, the podcast content is fantastic!

Good pod

I enjoy your content, but would greatly appreciate better audio quality. It’s a bit too “tin can.” Thanks

I am really enjoying the content, even as one of your “separated brethren.” It builds up Christians the world over. Audio issues make it a hard choice for listening in many situations (driving, on public transit, etc.) where I may not be able to get to my phone quickly to adjust volume. I don’t think I am the only one with this issue.

I love the content but the audio issues make it hard to listen. Mark’s voice is way too loud so I adjust for his voice, but the guest’s voice is hard to hear, so I increase the volume, only to be blasted by Mark’s voice. Had to stop listening. Are you reading the multiple feedback to this issue?

It is 2022.

Upgrading the sound quality would make the podcast significantly more listenable and shouldn’t be all that expensive

Great interview, but sound quality sub-par. Can we not invest a few $ in a sound quality upgrade?

I am appalled by the politics of some of your work (example: election issues). No more listening for me. Shame!

I really enjoy the podcast content, but the audio quality is so poor, I can hardly listen. Sometimes the guest is clear, but the interviewer is not; other times, vice versa. PLEASE FIX!

This is an amazing podcast. But either the host (usually mark bauerline) or the guest is loud and clear, while the other is quiet and unclear. It’s distracting to what should be a wonderful podcast

Great content, but dampened by the awful sound quality. There’s no way that FT can’t get better microphones and production software.

I’d listen to you every day if the audio volume was the same throughout. There is great content on here, but I am constantly adjusting my volume because it’s not clear/too quiet or hurts my ears. The additional editing or equipment will work wonders for your show.

In general I very much enjoy the offerings. However, I beg you to fix the frequently awful audio. Rusty Reno’s podcast is typically very bad quality audio. I usually turn it off. Mark Bauerlein’s sound is generally better except when he uses the studio “hands free” microphone. Why can’t you all use headsets with a microphone? It would sound so much better and your important message would not be so hard to hear. Please!

I thoroughly enjoy this podcast, but please fix the audio quality. Otherwise, keep up the good work!

A profoundly narrow-minded, reactionary, and isolationist podcast purporting their arguments for xenophobia, classism, sexism, and medieval takes on social hierarchy.

One can’t ignore the wisdom. Some critics say this information is distasteful yet I imagine that’s likely due to their preconceived notions on a particular topic. Yes there can be different views on a subject. However, historical facts can’t be ignored and Mark is a fantastic host bringing these to light with varying guests.

I’d recommend writing the guests name in the episode title rather than the host’s... Otherwise it’s great

Under the pretense of a reasonable theological discussion, these two guys mis-characterize modern theology, science and spirituality, as having to purpose of being anti-God. Ironically, their malicious twisting of modern spirituality, is a call back to Medieval reactionary thinking and is drenched in hate.

Deep thinking about Christianity today

Perfect opening for this segment. Thank you for you high quality podcasts.🕯

The good: Worth a listen even if, like me, you’re on opposite sides of most of the issues. The variety and quality of the guests is mostly decent. The not as good: The show host, Mark Bauerlein, is adequate to the task. Although you’ll quickly pick up on an annoying habit of his, which is is to repeat in his own words a point that was already made, but gives the impression of having come up with it first. A bit more self-awareness would be in order, if I dare say so.

Great Podcast about Howard Zinn and his idiocy. I am going to get the book. He was a pathetic ideologue who didn't mind people dying for 'his' cause. Thank you Mary Grabar for the book.

In response to the other reviews: While the sound quality can be sketchy, I appreciate the more classic, academic approach to the podcast. It is more in keeping with the magazine (which I read cover to cover every issue). Of course, if you’re a Vat2 happy-clappy Catholic, the topics in the print and podcast will challenge you. Good for you for listening! But please don’t disparage First Things for not being another America Magazine... we have plenty of that 60s drivel driving Catholics out of the Church. This is an island of sanity and orthodoxy. Peace be with you.

Please bring back Yost and Schmitz. Bauerlein is a fine writer but a dull host.

Mark Bauerlein is a smart guy, but a boring podcaster. The show is currently unlistenable. Bring back the old format.

I keep listening so that I can have some conservative voice in my ear. But the question I find myself asking every episode is “But why?” There are a lot of assertions, but very little background or reasoning for the conclusions. Also, the production quality is violently terrible. Occasionally some good guests.

Mark’s sound level is ridiculously low and the guest is waaaaaay too loud. If you can’t set up the sound levels competently learn how. You embarrass yourself, First Things, and the guest when you present incompetent work like this. You need to be better to be worthy of the outstanding content you provide.

As of 4 months the guests and topics have been underwhelming to say the least

This the archaic vanguard of First Things’ classically liberal Catholicism seemingly unmoved by developments in catholic thought which take the whole of catholic tradition on its own terms and look forward to an illiberal catholic politics. Rusty’s first things is an institution fading into obscurity.

I used to listen to this podcast Religiously and forward it to others and listen to it repeatedly. As a 59-year-old Executive and practicing Catholic with eight kids, this podcast was my GPS To the world of young Executive’s and professionals, explaining the culture and dissecting the religious and socio cultural ramifications of the shows my kids binge watch and the trends that hold their attention. Don’t get me wrong, I really enjoy the conversations and current format of the show. However, the show has lost the place it held as a unique interpreter of popular culture for people who have an old world, normatively religious perspective. I would’ve given it five stars because of the depth of quality, but it would be consoling to know where I could also find commentaries by Julia Yost and her snarky but interesting guests.

In the early days of the podcast I simply couldn’t wait to catch more of Yost each week, but have since stopped regularly listening. Bauerlein is an accomplished and interesting writer, but a somewhat colorless podcaster.

Mark and his wide variety of knowledgeable guests have done an excellent job at building a platform on which everyone is equally entitled to their own journey through spirituality and religion. If you’re looking for a place to learn and grow intellectually without judgement then you’ve come to the right place. Thanks for putting out such a superb show Mark - keep up the great work!

Ms Yost was the delight of the podcast. Her cheeky, sarcastic humor paired with the jazz intro gave the heady subjects some levity and accessibility. By contrast, it seem Mr Bauerlien has doubled down on the elitist, dare I saw snooty, feel...even if his politics claim to be of the common man.

Bring back Yost/Schmidt. Matthew was unbearable but at least I could make it past the intro music.

The most important cultural musings in podcastland.

I am an aficionado of podcasts. I listen to Catholic stuff you should know, which is really a good podcast. They are able to be friendly, personable, and convey their great love of the church and their dedication to evangelization. They try to be timely and relevant and most importantly personal and joyful. They convey their humanness. Your podcasts are good, but a little personality or charisma might be helpful.