

Ignatius Press Podcast
Ignatius Press
Join us every Monday on the Ignatius Press podcast where we talk with our authors to get a behind the scenes look at our books, uncover the riches of our Catholic faith, and integrate the Gospel into our daily lives.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Mar 23, 2026 • 54min
The Annunciation in Middle Earth w/ Joseph Pearce
Today we honor Mary and celebrate one of the best works of literature—Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings.”
Get Your Copy of “Tolkien: Man and Myth” here: https://ignatius.com/tolkien-man-and-myth-tmanp/?searchid=4510931&search_query=tolkien+
March 25th marks the feast of the Annunciation when the Angel Gabriel appeared to Mary. But this date also marks the destruction of the one ring in Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings.” So we were joined by a Tolkien scholar, Joseph Pearce, to talk about the author of this great myth and to explain the significance of this date in Middle Earth.
Joseph and Ben Eriksen discuss the major influences on Tolkien as both a man and the author and uncover many themes within Tolkien’s writings such as hope, eucatastophes, and Catholicism. They also talk about the true meaning of a “myth” which is not a flight from reality, but a flight into reality. Finally, Joseph gives his thoughts on the film adaptations of the “Lord of the Rings,” “the Hobbit,” and other recent film adaptations. For those who love Tolkien, this in-depth conversation of Tolkien’s Middle Earth is one that you will truly enjoy!
Visit Joseph Pearce's Website Here: https://jpearce.co/
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0:00 March 25 The Annunciation in Middle Earth
3:20 Reading The Lord of the Rings in Prison
13:05 Critical Response to The Lord of the Rings in its Day
15:41 Purpose of Myth and Fairy Tales
20:55 Friendship with C.S. Lewis
24:28 Hope, Melancholy, and Longing in Tolkien
30:29 Eucatastrophe and the Consolation of the Happy Ending
36:15 Thoughts on The Lord of the Rings Movies
44:12 Middle Earth and Our Earth
49:47 How to be a Tolkien-Approved Fan of Middle Earth

Mar 16, 2026 • 38min
NEW Personal Size Catholic Study Bible and App
Ask and you shall receive! You wanted a smaller Catholic Study Bible and now it is avaliable in a personal size and on an app.
Personal Sized Bible: https://ignatius.com/ignatius-catholic-study-bible-personal-size-2psh/?searchid=0&search_query=study+bible
App: https://www.catholicstudybible.org/
Bundle Deal: https://ignatius.com/ignatius-personal-size-study-bible-hardcover-bundle-2pshx/
We are overwhelmed with the positive feedback about the Catholic Study Bible! But we realize that while the first edition is suitable for our desks, it is not easy to transport or hold in your hand. So over the past year, we custom milled paper to reduce the size and weight of the Catholic Study Bible without taking out any of the information.
The personal sized Catholic Study Bible is the exact same as the original, except it is two pounds lighter and significantly smaller in height, length, and width. The font size has only been reduced by one point as well so it is still very readable.
We also partner with TruthGuard to come out with the Catholic Study Bible app so that you can take the Study Bible on the go.
We are grateful Mark Brumley could join us to talk about these exciting new products, and we pray that this Bible will help you unpack God’s Word in your life.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
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10 snips
Mar 9, 2026 • 55min
Dr. Peter Kreeft: All Suffering Has Meaning
Dr. Peter Kreeft, philosophy professor and author known for clear Christian apologetics, reflects on suffering from personal and philosophical angles. He explores why suffering makes meaning visible, contrasts happiness and blessedness, and discusses prayer, redemptive suffering, art, and cultural threats to meaning. Short, contemplative, and provocative reflections on why pain matters.

Mar 2, 2026 • 45min
Being a Catholic Doctor in the 21st Century w/ Dr. Robert Collins
Learn how God’s grace is always active in both patients and doctors by reading Dr. Collin’s new book “You Visited Me” https://ignatius.com/you-visited-me-yvmp/?searchid=0&search_query=you+visited+me
Dr. Robert Collins is a leading oncologist who joins Andrew Petiprin today to talk about his experiences as a Catholic doctor in a major modern medical center. He tells stories about patients who experienced God’s graces of physical and spiritual healing. He also marvels at the Christian witness to the faith within the medical system, which influenced his own conversion from agnosticism to Catholicism. His experiences show us that God’s love is always present even in the most difficult and tragic circumstances.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Feb 23, 2026 • 38min
Hans Urs von Balthasar on Priestly Life and Discernment w/ Dr. Jonathan Ciraulo
Are you a priest or discerning a vocation to the priesthood or know somebody who is discerning? Then this is the book for you—“Distributed Like Bread” (pre-order for release at 3.2.26) https://ignatius.com/distributed-like-bread-dlbp/?searchid=0&search_query=distributed
Hans Urs von Balthasar is well known for his great contributions to theology, but few know of his practical thoughts on priesthood and discernment. Therefore, in today’s episode, Dr. Jonathan Ciraulo and Andrew Petiprin discuss Fr. Balthasar and how he integrated his scholarly life and his priestly vocation. Dr. Ciraulo points out that Fr. Balthasar never received any formal education in theology beyond his time at the seminar and he sought to remain a student chaplain instead of an academic position. This kept him grounded in his theology and uniquely fit to guide priests and those in the process of discernment.
Dr. Ciraulo highlights Fr. Balthasar’s humility, his intellectual curiosity, and his openness to God. They also discuss Balthasar’s thoughts on priestly celibacy and donatism—the heresy that claims that validity of the sacraments depends on the virtue of the priest. This insightful discussion and corresponding book “Distributed Like Bread” will truly help give all people a greater appreciation for this supernatural vocation.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Feb 16, 2026 • 39min
A Second Conversion w/ Fr. Donald Haggerty
This Lent seek the face of God to bring about a second conversion.
Get Your Copy of Fr. Haggerty’s book “Conversion” here: https://ignatius.com/conversion-cnvp/?searchid=0&search_query=conversion
In today’s episode, Fr. Haggerty talks with Andrew Petiprin about the importance of continual conversion. They recognize that it is often easy for Christians to get in certain habits and become comfortable where they are at spiritually. Fr. Haggerty encourages us to renew out love for God and provides helpful pastoral guidance to reach a new spiritual depth and integration. He also outlines some of the common attacks made by the evil one and how we can combat them effectively. In particular, he beautifully highlights the necessity of prayer, giving to the poor, and spiritual simplicity. The insights provided by Fr. Haggerty both in this podcast and in his book “Conversion” are sure to help you grow in holiness this Lent.
Get Fr. Haggerty’s “The Hour of Testing: Spiritual Depth and Insight in a Time of Ecclesial Uncertainty” here: https://ignatius.com/the-hour-of-testing-htp/
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
Follow us on social media:
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Feb 9, 2026 • 35min
More Catholics Need to Know About Lourdes and St. Bernadette
On February 11th, we celebrate the feast day of Our Lady of Lourdes and what better way to celebrate than to pray and watch the official movie of St. Bernadette: https://ignatius.com/bernadette-ber2m/
THE PASSION OF BERNADETTE (movie) https://ignatius.com/the-passion-of-bernadette-pbm/
A HOLY LIFE: The Writings of St. Bernadette https://ignatius.com/a-holy-life-hlp/?searchid=4144692&search_query=patricia+mce
THE SONG OF BERNADETTE https://ignatius.com/the-song-of-bernadette-songp/
LOURDES: Healing and Rebirth https://ignatius.com/lourdes-lhrp/?searchid=4144696&search_query=lourdes
Today, Anthony Ryan, head of marketing at Ignatius Press, sits down with Andrew Petiprin to discuss Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Bernadette Soubirous. This conversation is guided by his great love for Mary and St. Bernadette because it is through the Ignatius Press offerings that he came to know more about them.
This conversation not only highlights the many offerings Ignatius Press has about the apparitions at Lourdes, but Andrew and Anthony also discuss the history of Lourdes and how it impacted the actress Sydney Penny, the singer Jennifer Warnes, and the saint Maximilian Kolbe. We hope that you listen to this podcast and purchase one of our many offerings so you too can learn more about these miraculous events and the often-overlooked saint—St. Bernadette.
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Feb 2, 2026 • 53min
Catholics Need to Talk About Salvation MORE w/ Dr. Michael Barber
Are you saved? Dr. Barber explains that salvation is not just a future event.
Get Your Copy of “Salvation: What Every Catholic Should Know”: https://ignatius.com/salvation-swckp/
In today’s episode, Dr. Barber and Ben Eriksen discuss salvation—the reason Christ became man, died, and rose from the dead. Despite the centrality of salvation, Dr. Barber claims that Catholics don’t talk about salvation as much as we should and argues that our understanding of salvation is of great practical importance. He tries to dispel the common misunderstandings of salvation to foster greater conversion and evangelization.
This extremely thoughtful and challenging episode is a must watch for all Catholics!
Dr. Michael Barber’s Social Media:
· https://www.instagram.com/michaelpatrickbarber/
· https://x.com/michaelpbarber
· https://www.tiktok.com/@michaelpbarber
· https://www.youtube.com/@Michael.Patrick.Barber
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Jan 26, 2026 • 33min
Reclaim the Classics from the Woke w/ Joseph Pearce
Rediscover the literature classics with the Ignatius Press Critical editions.
Get Your Ignatius Critical Editions here: https://ignatius.com/books/fiction-literature/ignatius-critical-editions/
Sadly, many classical works of literature are poorly made and tainted with woke ideology in the introduction, footnotes, and explainers that distort the text itself. Thankfully, the Ignatius Press Critical Editions enable Catholics and all lovers of good literature to get their hands on a quality version of these great books. These books are not only well made but contain helpful introductions and footnotes to really help the reader get the most out of reading these texts.
Today, Joseph Pearce, the series editor, joins Andrew Peteprin to reveal the inspiration behind these texts, why every Catholic should have them on their selves, and what works will be published next.
Visit Joseph Pearce's Website Here: https://jpearce.co/
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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Jan 19, 2026 • 44min
Who Influenced Aquinas’ Understanding of the Natural Law?
Aquinas is the great synthesizer of the natural law, but who exactly is he drawing from? Today, Dr. Randall Smith joins Ben Eriksen to discuss the various philosophers and theologians who influenced Aquinas’ thought. Dr. Smith argues that Aristotle did not greatly influence Aquinas' conception of the natural law; instead, he believes that Cicero, Maimonides, and Philo of Alexandria were more pivotal. This enlightening conversation reveals the great depth of the natural law tradition and how we can contribute to this tradition in the modern era.
Get Your Copy of:
Kreeft’s "Summa of the Summa": https://ignatius.com/summa-of-the-summa-sosp/
Kreeft’s "A Shorter Summa": https://ignatius.com/a-shorter-summa-ssup/
Rice’s "50 Questions on the Natural Law": https://ignatius.com/50-questions-on-the-natural-law-fqnlp/
Hill’s "After the Natural Law": https://ignatius.com/after-the-natural-law-anlp/
Read Dr. Randall Smith’s Artiles Here: https://www.thecatholicthing.org/author/randall-smith/
Listen to His Lecture at the De Nicola Center Here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nStb4yj7pIg
Link to New Advent’s "Summa Theologiae": https://www.newadvent.org/summa/
SUBSCRIBE to our channel and never miss an episode of the Ignatius Press Podcast.
You can also listen to the podcast on Apple, Spotify, and other podcast platforms.
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