

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

Oct 3, 2025 • 1h 6min
How to overcome Anxiety & Depression | Spirituality, Mental Health & Hope | Ep35
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) Intro(3:44) Depression in my family home(5:37) Defining Anxiety & Depression(9:01) Gen Z: The Anxious Generation(13:24) The four elements of depression(18:18) Mental Health & Spirituality(25:09) Understanding Suicide (32:16) The need for community(36:45) How to forgive(43:11) Why do bad things happen to good people?(50:05) How to find God in our suffering (1:00:21) Advice for those strugglingWant to go deeper? Get the book here: https://www.ctsbooks.org/product/finding-god-in-anxiety-and-depression/About the book:When you’re navigating anxiety and depression, it’s hard not to feel abandoned by God. However, in Finding God in Anxiety and Depression, Fr Antonio Ritaccio reveals how mental health struggles can lead to deeper intimacy with Him. Accessible, honest and rooted in Catholic spirituality, this book offers practical ways to find hope, healing and meaning amid your suffering.

Sep 22, 2025 • 34min
Pope Leo XIV’s vision for the Church | Understanding an Augustinian Pope | Ep34
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 author of the highly influential works 'Confessions' and 'The City of God' - both of which Fr Gladson explores, before unpacking how they might influence Pope Leo's leadership of the Catholic Church.

Sep 4, 2025 • 47min
Why the Catholic Church in Britain is Growing | The Quiet Revival, COVID & the Meaning Crisis | Ep33
Stephen Bullivant, a Professor of Sociology and Theology, and Hannah Vaughan-Spruce, Executive Director of Global Mission, delve into the surprising growth of the Catholic Church in Britain, particularly among young people post-COVID. They discuss how university chaplaincies are buzzing with a renewed sense of faith, especially among young men. The conversation highlights the emergence of 'creative minorities' dedicated to their beliefs and the impactful role of immigrant communities in revitalizing parishes, painting a hopeful picture for the future of the Church.

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
How to Thrive as a Big Catholic Family - with Mike and Alicia Hernon | Ep30
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
Is Modern Wellbeing Making You Less Happy? - with Prof. Jacob Phillips | Ep 29
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
Children Deserve Better Than Disney - with Haley Stewart | Ep28
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
What can we know about God? - With Sr Hyacinthe Defos Du Rau OP | Ep27
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
How Should Christians Respond to the Culture Wars? - With N.T. Wright | Ep26
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.