

Into the Truth
Catholic Truth Society
Shining the light of truth on issues of faith and culture of our day by sharing the insights of the leading thinkers and writers of today’s Church. A Catholic Truth Society podcast.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Aug 21, 2025 • 1h 4min
What is a Woman? And what is a Person? Why Feminists are coming to Catholic conclusions | Ep32
In this enlightening discussion, Dominican Sister Carino Hodder, an author and advocate for women's dignity in faith, shares her transformative journey from atheism to embracing Catholicism. She challenges modern feminism that mimics male traits, promoting a new feminism inspired by St. Pope John Paul II. Their conversation delves into the philosophical foundations of womanhood, urging a redefinition rooted in heritage and theology. Sr. Carino also highlights the significance of Mary as a model of feminine dignity and the vital role women play within the Church.

Aug 8, 2025 • 50min
How Christianity shaped Western Music with Sir James MacMillan | Ep31
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 how the Christian faith shaped Western Music as a whole and how the Jewish chant of Jesus' day went on to develop the Church's tradition of Gregorian Chant.

Jul 16, 2025 • 1h 9min
30. How to Thrive as a Big Catholic Family - with Mike and 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: https://messyfamilyproject.org/Catholic books for families: http://bit.ly/4eSsl6ACatholic children's books: https://bit.ly/3ICJ41n

Jun 27, 2025 • 59min
29. Is Modern Wellbeing Making You Less Happy? - with Prof. Jacob Phillips
Professor Jacob Phillips, a systematic theology expert at St. Mary's University, dives deep into the complexities of modern well-being versus true happiness. He discusses the rise of therapeutic trends and their paradoxical link to declining mental health. Phillips shares his journey from evangelicalism to Catholicism, exploring the church's teachings on human flourishing. He critiques contemporary wellness practices and emphasizes the importance of community and spirituality in achieving genuine well-being, challenging listeners to rethink their pursuit of happiness.

Jun 6, 2025 • 51min
28. Children Deserve Better Than Disney - with 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.✏️ Haley's Substack: https://haleystewart.substack.com/📚 More from CTS: https://www.ctsbooks.org/

May 22, 2025 • 50min
27. What can we know about God? - With Sr Hyacinthe Defos Du Rau OP
Sr. Hyacinthe Defos Du Rau OP, a Dominican sister and theologian, shares her insights on understanding God beyond mere belief. She emphasizes that faith intertwines with reason and experience, showcasing the fundamental goodness of humanity. The conversation explores how intellect alone can't encapsulate God's nature and challenges the idea of inherent human flaws. Additionally, Sr. Hyacinthe introduces the innovative 'Light of Truth' initiative aimed at enriching adult faith formation, encouraging a deeper spiritual journey amidst contemporary challenges.

May 2, 2025 • 32min
26. How Should Christians Respond to the Culture Wars? - With N.T. Wright
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 East London, this dialogue moves beyond stereotypes and easy answers to explore how Christians - Catholics and Protestants alike - might faithfully respond to the "powers and principalities" at work in the modern world.The conversation explores:* The spiritual forces behind our political and cultural crises* What St Paul teaches us about empires, identity, and resistance* Whether "wokeism" is a Christian heresy or a call for justice gone awry* Christian nationalism, post-liberalism, and the danger of distorting the Gospel* Why the Church must be a "working model of new creation"* How listening - truly listening - can open hearts to the GospelDrawing from his latest book "Jesus and the Powers", Wright urges a rediscovery of biblical values - not as nostalgia, but as radical, transformative hope. With insight into scripture, early Church history, and contemporary society, this episode offers a deep yet accessible entry point for Christians seeking to engage the world without losing their soul.

Apr 4, 2025 • 45min
25. The Problem With Legalising Assisted Suicide
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 on demand.* What does true compassion look like in end-of-life care?* How does assisted suicide undermine medical ethics and the doctor-patient relationship?* What lessons can we learn from countries where euthanasia is already legal?* What meaning can be found in suffering?* What role does faith play in shaping a culture of life?Beyond the legal and ethical concerns, Archbishop Fisher reflects on the broader societal implications: how Western secularism, declining faith, and the loss of transcendence have contributed to a culture that sees death as a solution rather than a passage to eternal life with God.If you care about ethics, human dignity, and the sanctity of life, or if you're not sure what to think about the UK's current push for assisted suicide, this discussion is a must-watch.💬 What do you think? Join the conversation in the comments!Follow Into the Truth for more in-depth Catholic discussions!

Mar 21, 2025 • 52min
24. How Eucharistic Adoration Changes Your Life
Archbishop John Wilson, the Archbishop of Southwark and a former Anglican, shares his poignant spiritual journey and love for Eucharistic Adoration. He discusses how this intimate encounter with Jesus transforms lives, deepens faith, and inspires vocations. Wilson highlights the importance of the Eucharist in building community and fostering hope, especially for younger generations. His stories emphasize the universal accessibility of the Eucharist and its power to renew hearts, inviting everyone to experience this profound connection with Christ.

Mar 7, 2025 • 52min
23. Why Churches Should Be Beautiful
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 endless images on social media, have we lost our ability to truly see? Have sacred spaces become just another tourist attraction, rather than a place to encounter God?Join us as we rediscover the purpose of beauty - not as an end in itself, but as a sign pointing us to something far greater.📖 Check out "Entering Heaven on Earth", Fr Lawrence’s latest book on church symbolism and sacred art: https://www.ctsbooks.orgentering-heaven-on-earth/📸 Follow his photography for stunning images of Catholic heritage: https://www.flickr.com/photos/paullew/