Into the Truth (Catholic Truth Society)

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.

Discover powerful strategies to reclaim your attention, foster authentic connections, and find joy beyond the scroll. If you’ve ever felt spiritually drained by endless online content, this conversation is your guide to digital liberation.

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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 beings will worship AI? And what can the Catholic faith tell us about the remedy to any concerns about AI? Fr Andrew addresses all these questions and more.

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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.

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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 Atheism - why did it happen and why did it have such a wide effect? He also shares his optimism about people rethinking Christianity, the impact of secular cultural commentators, including Jordan Peterson and Tom Holland, and the meaning crisis.

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What was it like at the Synod? The recent Synod on Synodality was accompanied by much speculation, with weighty issues discussed at every stage. In the latest episode of Into the Truth, we talk to Fr Jan Nowotnik, an expert on synodality, who attended the Synod in Rome as a non-Bishop, voting member.

Fr Jan gives honest answers to criticism that the Synod was too "navel-gazing", reflects on the feedback given by Catholics about the Church throughout the Synodal process, and explains why Pope Francis opened the Synod to lay people for the first time.

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 plagued by misery, poisoned by modern culture, and in dire need of the Gospel's healing power. He argues that Christians must become saints, stepping beyond the safety of their church communities to passionately and effectively preach the Gospel.

Listen to this conversation for insights into Catholic evangelisation and to be inspired to live out your faith boldly in a world that desperately needs the hope and redemption offered by Christ.

Get Mgr Shea's Books: https://bit.ly/3wTHsec

Please note:This episode contains discussions on sexual intimacy within the context of Catholic marriage and may not be appropriate for younger audiences.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 advice for Catholics on navigating marriage, including how to approach intimacy and embrace Natural Family Planning. Dr Sri also addresses deeper questions: What is the true meaning of love? Why does the modern view of love leave us lonely and unfulfilled? Watch or listen for helpful answers and timeless wisdom inspired by Pope St John Paul II on living out authentic love in today’s world.

More from Edward Sri: https://edwardsri.com/Get "The Good, the Messy, and the Beautiful" from Ascension Press: https://bit.ly/409RzYO

More Books from Edward Sri: https://edwardsri.com/books/

MORE FROM CTS:

CTS Website: https://www.ctsbooks.org

Male, Female, Other? - A Catholic Guide to Understanding Gender by Jason Evert: https://bit.ly/47eMa3X

7 Words on Marriage: https://bit.ly/49MzKRz

Living Your Vocation (Even if You Don't Know What it is Yet): https://bit.ly/3NsZB7l

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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 Eucharistic Adoration continues to transform lives, deepen faith, and renew the Church.

In this powerful episode of Into the Truth, Archbishop John Wilson explores how being in the presence of Jesus in the Blessed Sacrament is not just a Catholic tradition, but a personal encounter with Christ that can lead to profound conversion. Whether you've experienced Adoration before or are curious, this discussion will challenge and encourage you to seek Jesus in the Eucharist like never before.

Discover more about the beauty of Eucharistic Adoration: https://loom.ly/xMGKohg

"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 evangelisation and parish renewal, including the use of the Alpha Course.

This conversation offers insights into how parishes can move beyond ritual formalities to re-engage the faithful, bringing new life to Catholic parishes.

Find out more:

Catholic Truth Society: https://www.ctsbooks.orgDivine Renovation: https://divinerenovation.org/Divine Renovation UK: https://divinerenovation.org/united-kingdom/The Alpha Course: https://alpha.org.uk/

Everyone should ask themselves the question, "What is truth?" Truth is not relative, and our will and choices do not define our reality. Dr Joshua Madden, author of the Catholic Truth Society book "What is Truth?" offers a philosophical perspective on the state of the modern world, evangelisation, and the Catholic Church's place in it all. 📖 Get the book: https://bit.ly/3VQqI1e ✏️ Joshua Madden's Substack: https://theologyandreality.substack.com/

Uncover the truth about the mysterious Star of Bethlehem and its significance in the Christmas story. Join Pierpaolo Finaldi and astrophysicist-turned-Catholic priest Fr Douglas McGonagle for a thought-provoking discussion that encompasses the compatibility of faith and science, the Galileo controversy, the existence of extraterrestrial life, and the Catholic perspective on the belief that “the universe has a plan”.

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Go to the Catholic Truth Society website for books that answer life's deepest questions.

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 aftermath of Vatican II and the challenges posed by the pandemic, alongside the Church's response to these pressing issues. Despite this seemingly pessimistic outlook, Bullivant sheds light on stories of hope and growth within the Church in Britain. Notably, the episode highlights the steadfast devotion of young Catholics, whose fervent embrace of Eucharistic Adoration and reverence for the Eucharist signal a promising future for the Church. Listen now to discover the profound significance of the Eucharist in contemporary Catholicism and to glean insights on navigating secularisation in today's world. Get "This is My Body" by Bishop Robert Barron, with a foreword by Prof. Stephen Bullivant, here: https://bit.ly/4aQaaLW Stephen Bullivant's upcoming book "After Secularistion: the Present and Future of British Catholicism" will be available to order in 2025. Sign up to be notified when it's available: https://bit.ly/49SCgET

Why is it that in a world more connected than ever, so many of us feel lonely? What does true friendship look like - and can we really be friends with Jesus?

In this episode of Into the Truth, Peirpaolo Finaldi sits down with Fr Philip Caldwell, a priest of the Salford Diocese and a new CTS author, to explore the profound theme of friendship with Christ. Drawing from his latest book, Friends of Jesus: A Lenten Meditation, Fr Philip shares his insights on how Jesus formed friendships, what those relationships reveal about His identity, and how we, too, can cultivate a personal bond with Him.

They also discuss the challenge of loneliness in our modern world, the effort true friendship requires, and how deepening our relationship with Christ can transform the way we connect with others.

📖 Friends of Jesus: A Lenten Meditation is available now.

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 Bible, and an important tool to help us make sense of life.

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 Church. Dr Ward introduces Psalms for All Seasons, a unique project for the updated Catholic Lectionary, which integrates seasonal melodies to enrich prayer and deepen the Church’s connection to its liturgical year. Discover how ancient traditions can inspire a revival of beauty in worship and how music continues to bridge heaven and earth. If you love liturgical music, chant, and exploring the spiritual depth of the Mass, this episode is for you.

Order Psalms for All Seasons and download PDFs of some of the music

Listen to Psalms for All Seasons sung

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 Unbroken Thread by Sohrab Ahmari is available to order here: https://amzn.eu/d/02XW3WyZ Follow Sohrab Ahmari on X: https://x.com/SohrabAhmari More From the Catholic Truth Society: https://www.ctsbooks.org

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, and the compassionate response of the Catholic Church to the bioethical issues of our times.

Get Dr Pia Matthews' book Infertility and Fertility Treatment

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/

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 truly is God's Word, and the new Catholic Lectionary in this episode of the Into the Truth podcast.

The new Catholic Lectionary and new Catholic missals are available to order now.

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. Learn more about the National Gallery here: https://www.nationalgallery.org.uk/

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 research, Evert offers help and advice for Catholics to help transgender people find their home in the Church. His message for transgender people is: "We love you, Christ sees you - in fact, He's the only one who truly sees you and He loves you."

QUOTE:

"The endgame of gender theory isn’t to have 58 genders, it’s to erase the spousal meaning of the body, to obscure our sexual complementarity, and to obscure the divine design that God has implanted in our bodies to reveal Himself in our calling to live like Him." (Jason Evert) Get the Book: https://bit.ly/47eMa3X Resources for responding to the challenges of gender ideology: https://personandidentity.com/ Resources from Jason Evert on gender: https://chastity.com/gender Jason Evert's website: https://chastity.com/ Lust is Boring podcast: https://chastity.com/podcasts/

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 Coruse, explains that 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 our faith?" Find Nicky on social media: @NickyGumbel on Instagram, Facebook and X (Twitter) The Alpha Course

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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 treats pregnancy as a problem, and why embracing the fullness of womanhood could be the key to a more authentic feminism.Emily shares her journey from university activism to navigating the challenges of modern womanhood, unpacking why the feminist movement has a “motherhood-shaped hole” and how embracing femininity as a gift - not a burden - could transform society.Don't miss this candid conversation on one of today's most controversial topics.Together We March: Emily's book for children on the pro-life cause is available from Catholic Mothers.Learn more about the Alliance of Pro-Life StudentsExplore books and digital content from the Catholic Truth Society

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 this episode of Into the Truth.

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