Godsplaining
Godsplaining

Godsplaining

Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph

Overview
Episodes

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Welcome to Godsplaining: Each week Dominican friars tackle the questions that keep you up at night—faith, doubt, culture, philosophy, theology, and real life. Expect clear Catholic answers, big ideas, and conversations that spark “aha” moments without (too much) jargon. Whether you’re a cradle Catholic who loves Thomas Aquinas or just curious, pull up a chair and think deeper with us. New episodes every Thursday—subscribe now.

Recent Episodes

Responding to Clerical Abuse
MAY 7, 2026
Responding to Clerical Abuse
This episode of Godsplaining takes on one of the most difficult and important issues facing the Church today: the clerical sexual abuse crisis. Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick begin by grounding the conversation in a theology of the priesthood. Priests are not merely “like everyone else”—they are entrusted with a unique gift and responsibility. Because of this, the faithful rightly expect more from them. When priests fail, the wound is deeper precisely because the gift is greater. The friars emphasize that abuse is not something to excuse or minimize. It represents a profound betrayal of trust, of vocation, and of Christ’s mission. The pain and outrage people feel are not misplaced; they reflect a real recognition of the dignity of the priesthood and the gravity of its violation. This episode is a sober reflection on how the Church can confront sin without losing sight of grace. Join us at the 2026 All Comers' Retreat in June: https://godsplaining.org/all-comers-retreat-june-2026/ For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic Send your questions for the friars to: [email protected] Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our merch store: https://godsplaining.org/store/ Shop Books Written by the Friars Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1?srsltid=AfmBOoo3b2MbHxat33i-cwrd1AcSW_hPBfcHcm4-8XxJoCDn4OUgTBe_ Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/ St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392 Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/ Connect on Social Media Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsplaining/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godsplaining/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/godsplaining To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 
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32 MIN
Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?
APR 30, 2026
Do Christians and Muslims Worship the Same God?
In this episode, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Patrick Briscoe tackle a question that often sparks confusion and controversy: Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God? They begin by grounding the discussion in both contemporary debates and historical Church teaching, showing that this is not a new question but one the Church has addressed for centuries. Drawing from sources like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Robert Bellarmine, and the Second Vatican Council, they explain that the Catholic tradition consistently affirms that Muslims and Christians do, in fact, worship the one true God. The friars clarify that while Christians and Muslims refer to the same God in reality (the one Creator), they do not share the same understanding of God. Watch the full episode to learn more.   Join us at the 2026 All Comers' Retreat in June: https://godsplaining.org/all-comers-retreat-june-2026/ For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic Send your questions for the friars to: [email protected] Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our merch store: https://godsplaining.org/store/ Shop Books Written by the Friars Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1?srsltid=AfmBOoo3b2MbHxat33i-cwrd1AcSW_hPBfcHcm4-8XxJoCDn4OUgTBe_ Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/ St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392 Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/ Connect on Social Media Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsplaining/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godsplaining/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/godsplaining To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 
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30 MIN
Inside the Mind of Pope Leo XIV with Papal Biographer Elise Allen
APR 28, 2026
Inside the Mind of Pope Leo XIV with Papal Biographer Elise Allen
Who is Pope Leo XIV—and what kind of leader will he be? In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Patrick Briscoe welcomes Vatican journalist Elise Allen to discuss her new biography of the Holy Father. Drawing from personal encounters and exclusive interviews, Elise offers a behind-the-scenes look at the life, spirituality, and leadership of the first American pope. From missionary work in Peru to leadership in Rome, Pope Leo XIV brings a combination of pastoral care, global perspective, and Augustinian spirituality to his role as the "Servant of the Servants of God." What does all this mean for the Church today? Watch the full episode to hear Elise Allen shed light on his background, his approach to unity and Church reform, what sets him apart from previous popes, and more. Order your copy of Pope Leo XIV, The Biography: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/828867/pope-leo-xiv-by-elise-ann-allen/ Send your questions for the friars to: [email protected] Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our merch store: https://godsplaining.org/store/ Shop Books Written by the Friars Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1?srsltid=AfmBOoo3b2MbHxat33i-cwrd1AcSW_hPBfcHcm4-8XxJoCDn4OUgTBe_ Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/ St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392 Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/ Connect on Social Media Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsplaining/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godsplaining/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/godsplaining To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org 
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44 MIN
BONUS: Humility, Slaves in the Old Testament, the Problem of Evil, & Learning to Laugh
APR 25, 2026
BONUS: Humility, Slaves in the Old Testament, the Problem of Evil, & Learning to Laugh
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure take us to Front Royal, Virginia, for this bonus episode of Godsplaining. The friars hosted a Day of Recollection at Christendom College in November of 2025, and take the crowd's questions on humility, fruits of marriage, why slaves are in the Old Testament, the problem of evil, and the greatest toad species.  Watch the friars' talks from this Day of Recollection on Patreon here:https://www.patreon.com/collection/1910882 Find Fr. Gregory on Mater Populi Fidelis here:https://youtu.be/nP0k-aQbqEw Send your questions for the friars to:[email protected]   Subscribe to our channelhttps://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast     Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our merch store: https://godsplaining.org/store/ Shop Books Written by the FriarsTraining the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speechYour Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/ Connect on Social MediaFollow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsplaining/Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godsplaining/Follow us on X: https://x.com/godsplaining To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.orgTo support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org
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36 MIN
Why Does Søren Kierkegaard Still Matter?
APR 23, 2026
Why Does Søren Kierkegaard Still Matter?
This episode of Godsplaining dives into the thought of Søren Kierkegaard—one of the most influential Christian philosophers of the modern era and often called the “father of existentialism.” Fr. Bonaventure and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore how Kierkegaard pushed back against overly rational approaches to Christianity, especially those influenced by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (checkout our episode on Hegel, if you haven't already). While Hegel emphasized reason as the key to understanding reality and faith, Kierkegaard insisted that faith cannot be reduced to logic alone. The episode unpacks Kierkegaard’s famous framework of the three stages of life: The Aesthetic Stage: a life driven by pleasure, beauty, and experience The Ethical Stage: a life grounded in moral duty and universal truths The Religious Stage: a life of radical faith, where one responds personally to God Through works like Either/Or and Fear and Trembling, Kierkegaard shows that true faith goes beyond rules and reason. Using the story of Abraham, he introduces the idea of a “teleological suspension of the ethical”—that God’s call can transcend human logic, requiring trust even when we don’t fully understand. Join us at the 2026 All Comers' Retreat in June: https://godsplaining.org/all-comers-retreat-june-2026/ For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-rosary?utm_source=godsplaining&utm_medium=shownotes&utm_campaign=stdominic Send your questions for the friars to: [email protected] Subscribe to our channel https://www.youtube.com/c/Godsplaining Support the Podcast Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/godsplaining Shop our merch store: https://godsplaining.org/store/ Shop Books Written by the Friars Witness: https://www.avemariapress.com/products/witness-1?srsltid=AfmBOoo3b2MbHxat33i-cwrd1AcSW_hPBfcHcm4-8XxJoCDn4OUgTBe_ Training the Tongue: https://stpaulcenter.com/store/training-the-tongue-and-growing-beyond-sins-of-speech Your Eucharistic Identity: https://ignatius.com/your-eucharistic-identity-yeip/ St. Dominic's Way of Life: https://www.amazon.com/Saint-Dominics-Way-Life-Knowing/dp/1681929392 Prudence: Choose Confidently, Live Boldly: https://www.amazon.com/Prudence-Choose-Confidently-Live-Boldly/dp/1681927322/ Connect on Social Media Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/godsplaining/ Like us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/godsplaining/ Follow us on X: https://x.com/godsplaining To learn more about the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.opeast.org To support the Province of St. Joseph visit: www.dominicanfriars.org
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36 MIN