Godsplaining
Dominican Friars Province of St. Joseph
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.
Episodes
Mentioned books
Feb 28, 2026 • 29min
Second Sunday of Lent | Radical Dependence
They explore Abraham’s radical call and the sociological uprooting involved in trusting God. They highlight Abraham’s immediate obedience and the renunciations tied to God’s threefold promise. They unpack Paul’s message about grace, calling, and endurance in hardship. They walk through the Transfiguration, its characters, and its theological links to Christ’s identity.
5 snips
Feb 26, 2026 • 34min
Did St. Anselm prove God exists?
A lively dive into the ontological and cosmological arguments for God's existence. A deep look at St. Anselm's famous reductio and why necessity matters. Discussion of historical objections from Aquinas and Kant and why the debate still captivates thinkers. A blend of philosophy, theology, and devotional reflection.
9 snips
Feb 24, 2026 • 36min
Are today's Catholic priests liberal or conservative? w/ Stephen White
Stephen White, Executive Director of the Catholic Project at Catholic University, researches priests, vocations, and clergy-laity relations. He discusses rising rates of conservative priests and generational shifts. They explore priests’ flourishing and burnout, changing pastoral priorities like family and evangelization, tensions in parish leadership, and modest shifts in trust between priests and bishops.
Feb 21, 2026 • 29min
First Sunday of Lent | Every Lent: A New Creation
A lively Lenten conversation on the Fall and why remembering our First Parents shapes repentance. They trace how original sin and Christ’s saving work set the stage for new creation. The desert temptations and the meaning of daily bread lead into reflections on providence and Eucharistic imagery.
Feb 19, 2026 • 29min
Millennials vs. Gen-Z: Who's Really Winning Life?
They test Gen‑Z slang with playful reactions and humor. They compare millennial nostalgia and economic pressures with Gen‑Z’s raw digital authenticity. They explore how the pandemic shaped Gen‑Z’s search for the real and growing openness to religion and mental‑health talk. They talk about risks of posturing and ways the two generations can support each other.
Feb 14, 2026 • 37min
BONUS: Lent: A Journey of Discovery and Returning to the Lord w/ Jeff Cavins
Jeff Cavins, Catholic author and Bible teacher who founded The Great Adventure Bible Study, joins to explore Lent as a 40-day return to the Lord. He discusses Scripture-based practices, fasting and Pray40, how media shapes faith, and viewing public figures as windows into the Church. Short, thoughtful reflections on prayer, almsgiving, and spiritual renewal.
Feb 12, 2026 • 30min
Suffering and Need to Pray? Turn to the Psalms
A conversation about praying through tragedy that points listeners to Psalms of lament and comfort. They highlight Psalms that voice honest sorrow, offer presence in the valley, and reclaim hope in weakness. The discussion emphasizes finding interior freedom and trust while God heals and rebuilds.
Feb 9, 2026 • 26min
BONUS: Level Up Your Lenten Prayer w/ Fr. Patrick Briscoe
Fr. Patrick Briscoe, a Dominican friar and devotional author, chats about his new Lenten prayer guide Witness. He describes using characters from Christ's Passion for daily meditations. He explains the book's structure, imaginative prayer vs ancient practice, and resources for group or personal Lenten use.
13 snips
Feb 5, 2026 • 32min
Hegel: Architect of the Modern Mind Revealed
A lively tour of Hegel’s life and place in modern philosophy. They trace modern thought from Descartes to Kant and name the key figures who shaped our intellectual world. The conversation unpackages Hegel’s system-building, his Phenomenology, and why he is labeled an idealist. They also touch on Hegel’s influence, his critics like Kierkegaard and Marx, and tips for reading him.
Feb 2, 2026 • 37min
Are Women Just Small Men? w/ Sr. Carino Hodder, O.P.
Sr. Carino Hodder, O.P., a Dominican sister, author and catechist, explores Catholic feminism and the theology of the body. She discusses John Paul II’s ideas on sexual difference, the beauty of motherhood, and the concept of the feminine genius. Conversations touch on vocation, cultural pressures, and how feminine identity can flex across cultures and states of life.
