Considering Catholicism

By Greg SmithSociety & Culture Religion & Spirituality Christianity History Philosophy

Considering Catholicism episodes

May 26, 2025 What is Heaven? Part 2: The Moment of Death (#339)
Greg Smith and Cory Lakatos dive into the profound question of what happens when we die. In this second episode of the Heaven series, they explore the separation of soul and body, the particular judgment, and the three intermediate destinations—heaven, purgatory, or hell. They debunk pop-culture myths like reincarnation and clarify why death feels so unnatural. Rooted in the Catechism and enriched by insights from C.S. Lewis, this episode offers orthodox answers for curious non-Catholics and Catholics seeking deeper understanding of the afterlife.

Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]
36 min
May 22, 2025 What is Heaven? Part 1: Checking Our Vocabulary (#338)
Join Greg Smith and Cory Lakatos as they kick off a deep dive into Catholic teaching on Heaven. In this first episode, they lay the foundation by defining key terms like "soul," "heaven," "purgatory," "beatific vision," and more, ensuring you’re ready for the journey ahead. Expect clear, orthodox insights drawn from the Catechism, with a conversational style that’s engaging for curious non-Catholics and cradle Catholics alike. Tune in to clear up pop-culture misconceptions and get a solid start on what the Church really teaches about the afterlife.

Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]
36 min
May 19, 2025 Peter’s Keys, Leo’s Tears: The Joy of a New Pope (#337)
Greg Smith reflects on the joyful inauguration Mass of Pope Leo XIV, the first American pope, unpacking its rituals, from the emotional moment Leo received the Fisherman’s Ring to the inclusive rite of obedience. He answers why the ceremony is grand yet humble, why it’s called the Mass for the Petrine Ministry, and how Leo’s Chicago-to-Peru journey shapes his universal call. Greg reveals the Catholic Church as the Roman Empire transformed, where Peter’s bones and Michelangelo’s dome proclaim Christ’s victory. With world leaders and Eastern patriarchs gathered, this episode explores a mature faith uniting two hemispheres, one Church.

Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]
30 min
May 15, 2025 Is "Reformed Theology" Just Tweed-Coated Evangelicalism? (#336)
What’s “Reformed” theology today? Greg Smith, a former Reformed pastor, unravels the tweed-coated posturing of a brand that claims intellectual edge but feels like evangelicalism with elbow patches. From preaching TULIP to questioning its cracks, he exposes a vague identity coasting on buzzwords. Catholicism’s 2,000-year depth—think Aquinas, cathedrals, Chesterton—makes Reformed flexing look silly. Join Greg’s journey from Calvinism to Rome, and ask: Is Reformed just a brand for smarter but generic evangelicals?

Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]

37 min
May 12, 2025 Is Pope Leo XIV Red or Blue? Why That’s the Wrong Question (#335)
Greg addresses conservative non-Catholic friends asking if Pope Leo XIV is “red” or “blue,” arguing that the 2,000-year-old Catholic Church transcends American political categories. Acknowledging concerns about Pope Francis’s perceived meddling on issues like immigration and climate change, Greg explores where red and blue ideologies intersect with Catholic teaching, reassuring listeners that Leo XIV’s balanced approach offers hope for unity. Citing Leo XIV’s first homily, which warns against reducing Jesus to a political avatar and living in “practical atheism,” Greg invites listeners to let the Church’s wisdom shape their civic life. Join him for a heartfelt call to prioritize the City of God over partisan divides.
Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]

43 min
May 09, 2025 Habemus Papam! Why I’m Loyal to the Church Under Leo XIV (#334)
Hours after white smoke announced Pope Leo XIV, Greg reflects on Cardinal Robert Prevost’s election as the first American pope. Exploring Leo XIV’s choice of name, traditional regalia, and call to “build bridges,” Greg sees hope for a pope who unites past and future, left and right, in a tumultuous century. Rejecting speculation, he calls for loyalty, prayer, and faithful living, grounding his commitment in Christ’s promise to the Church. Join Greg for a heartfelt reaction to a historic moment.
Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]

26 min
May 07, 2025 Tartaria or Catholicism? Rediscovering a Lost Civilization (#333)
Dive into the wild Tartaria conspiracy and discover a deeper truth: modernity bulldozed a sacred way of life, but Catholicism holds the key to reclaiming it. Host Greg explores how cathedrals, G.K. Chesterton, and the Mass connect us to a lost world, and why today’s souls are hungry for roots—and why the Church is their home–sparking a Catholic revival among young seekers.

Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]

44 min
May 06, 2025 Cosplay or Catholicism? Are Sacred Things Really Sacred? (#332)
In this episode, Greg Smith dives into Flannery O’Connor’s bold claim: “If it’s only a symbol, to hell with it.” Reflecting on his own conversion and a pivotal moment on Ireland’s Skellig Michael, Greg explores why the reality of Catholic sacraments and aesthetics matters. He critiques three groups—liberal Protestants, evangelicals, and progressive Catholics—who treat the Church’s sacred elements like props, stripping them of their truth. A must-listen for anyone wondering if Catholicism is more than just beautiful symbols.
Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]
29 min
May 01, 2025 What I Don't Want in a New Pope (#331)
What kind of pope does the Church need today? In this episode, Greg argues against the modern expectation of a charismatic, media-savvy “influencer” pope, reflecting on how John Paul II’s global brand set a new standard that shaped perceptions of Benedict XVI and Francis. Instead, Greg calls for a quiet, faithful steward who guards the truth, cleans up scandals, and focuses on the Church’s core mission. A counterintuitive take for our media-driven age, this episode challenges listeners to rethink what makes a pope effective. Join us for a thoughtful exploration of the papacy’s role in the 21st century.
Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]
33 min
April 29, 2025 Inside the Conclave: The 60-Year Fight Over the Church’s Vision (#330)
Greg dives into the Vatican politics shaping the 2025 papal conclave, revealing a 60-year fight for the Church’s soul between the Concilium and Communio visions born after Vatican II. While Concilium’s openness to modern culture has often aligned with Western leftist ideals, Communio champions timeless tradition, and these dueling perspectives will divide the cardinals choosing the next pope. Far from American left-right divides, this struggle defines the conclave’s stakes, offering insight into what’s next for the Church.

Support this ministry so more people can consider Catholicism!
Website: https://www.consideringcatholicism.com/
Email: [email protected]
44 min

About Considering Catholicism

From the publisher's feed

Catholic Church, faith, culture, and history are explained clearly and simply for anyone curious about historic Catholicism. Faithful to the Catechism of the Catholic Church.