What do we know about the life of St Nicholas of Myra? What is his relationship with the modern-day Santa Claus? Should Catholics tell their children that Santa exists?

PLEASE NOTE: This entire episode is one giant spoiler about the existence of Santa Claus. If you have small children who have not yet been disillusioned, you might want to listen to this one when they're not in the room.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

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Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Catholic Encyclopedia, St Nicholas of Myra

Britannica Encyclopedia, St Nicholas

Catholic Answers:

Santa Claus for Catholics: Yes or No?

The Weird History of Santa Claus

St Nicholas of Myra, by Michael the Archimandrite

Amber Rose, Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus? Catholic Ways to Celebrate!

The Augustine Institute, St Nicholas and Santa Claus

St Nicholas Center

Cardinal St John Henry Newman is a Catholic saint who lived in the nineteenth century and was canonised in 2019. In November 2025, he was officially declared a Doctor of the Church by Pope Leo XIV. This is a title held by only 38 saints in the entire history of the church, and it is given to those whose writings are of benefit to the whole church.

John Henry Newman was an Anglican priest and Oxford academic who converted to Catholicism and was eventually made a cardinal. He is one of the most significant Catholic figures of the nineteenth century, known for his academic brilliance and his personal holiness.

In today's episode, we discuss the life of this incredible saint.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

The Newman Reader - Works of John Henry Newman

St. John Henry Newman:

The Mission Prayer

"Conscience", from A Letter Addressed to the Duke of Norfolk

The "Biglietto Speech"

Apologia Pro Vita Sua

Philip Boyce, "Newman's Reception into the Catholic church"

Bishop Robert Barron:

Bishop Barron Q&A on St. John Henry Newman’s Life, Theology, and Books

Bishop Barron on St. John Henry Newman: Beyond the Left and the Right

Celebrating St. John Henry Newman Becoming a Doctor of the Church

Dr Scott Hahn on Newman's conversion

Cardinal Newman's Legacy | Scott Hahn w/ Jeff Morrow

St. John Henry Newman: Meeting the Challenges of Modernity

EWTN:

St. John Henry Newman: From Anglican to Saint Cardinal

Focus: The Life and Legacy of John Henry Cardinal Newman

The Life of Saint John Henry Newman: From Anglican Priest to Catholic Saint

Discover the life of St. John Henry Newman to-be Doctor of the Church

caitlinwest.com

FINAL EPISODE OF THE DEEP DIVE LET'S GOOOO

In this episode, we consider common moral problems that people encounter when they read the Bible. Why does the God of the Old Testament seem so angry and cruel, while Jesus seems merciful and loving? Why does God give such harsh punishments to people in the Old Testament? Does the Bible condone things like slavery and genocide? What about all those people who do terrible things in the Bible?

Basically just a few really easy simple questions that aren't at all controversial, you're welcome.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: ⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Matthew 22:37-40

Isaiah 13:9

2 Kings 13

Joshua 11:8-9

The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 42, 53

Trent Horn, Hard Sayings

Jimmy Akin, Genocide in the Bible

Joe Heschmeyer, Did God Command Genocide in the Old Testament?

The Bible in a Year, Day 32: Cattle, Boils, and Hail

Catholic Answers:

The Reason for Divine Wrath

Does God Have Emotions?

Does the Bible Support Slavery?

Pope Benedict XVI: God and the World: Believing and Living in Our Time

The Catholic Encyclopedie, Slavery and Christianity

Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II.i, Q.79

Fr Mike Schmitz:

Did God Change?

Old Testament God vs. New Testament God

Pints With Aquinas, The Problem of Violence in The Old Testament? /W Trent Horn

Bishop Robert Barron, Understanding Violence in the Old Testament

Breaking In The Habit, Why is God so Angry in the Old Testament?

www.caitlinwest.com

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What should we do about all those apparent historical and scientific inaccuracies in the Bible? Like Genesis telling us the world was made in seven days, or that there was a flood that covered the whole earth, or that Jonah survived in the belly of a whale for three days?

And what about contradictions within the Bible? Why do some of the Gospel writers recount events differently? Do these discrepancies undermine the reliability of the Bible?

In this episode, we continue our discussion of common questions about the Bible.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.com

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• The Catholic of the Catholic Church, pts. 112 and 2290
• Trent Horn, Hard Sayings
• Vatican II, Dei Verbum
• Pope Leo XIII, Providentissimus Deus
• Catholic Answers:
• How to Resolve Alleged Gospel Contradictions
• Jimmy Akin: Your Bible Questions - Catholic Answers Live
• Jimmy Akin:
• History As the Ancients Wrote It—Part I
• History As the Ancients Wrote It—Part II
• Pints With Aquinas:
• The Right Way to Read Holy Scripture (Dr. John Bergsma)
• Mind-Blowing Bible Study (Dr. Scott Hahn)
• Your Bible Questions Answered (Dr. John Bergsma)
• Peter Kreeft, The Bible: Myth or History
• Ascension Presents:
• Internet's Most Asked Questions about the Bible (w/ Jeff Cavins)
• How Can the Church Say the Bible Is without Error?
• Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins, Walking With God: A Journey through the Bible

⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠

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How did the Church decide which books to include in the Bible? Why are Catholic Bibles bigger than Protestant Bibles? Should we read the Old Testament? How do I read the Bible?

In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the Bible by addressing common questions about the Bible.

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: [email protected].

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• CCC, pts 120-130
• Vatican II, Dei Verbum
• Universalis, Daily Mass Readings
• The Bible in a Year Reading Plan
• Scott Hahn, Catholic Bible Dictionary
• Dr. John Bergsma, "Why are Catholic Bibles Bigger than Protestant Bibles?"
• Catholic Answers, Who Compiled the Bible and When?
• Canon of Scripture: What criteria did the early Christians use to determine
• What were the criteria for determining the books of the Bible?
• Protestantism’s Old Testament Problem
• Scripture and Tradition
• Did Catholics Add 7 Books to the Bible? Or Did Protestants Remove Them?
• Trent Horn, Why are Protestant Bibles Smaller?
• Jimmy Akin, The Bible is a Catholic Book
• Shameless Popery, How were the books of the Bible decided?
• Gary Michuta, Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger
• Matt Fradd, Why Catholic Bibles are Bigger
• Catholic Encyclopedia, Canon of the New Testament
• Septuagint Version
• Aleteia, What is the Septuagint and why is it important?
• Ascension, How the New Testament Canon was Chosen

www.caitlinwest.com

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In this episode, we conclude our overview of the Bible by looking at the 7 catholic epistles, and the book of Revelation.

The aim of these episodes is to provide us with a bird's-eye view of the whole Bible, to help equip us to begin reading it, or to read it more deeply.

In this episode, we'll look at the following books:

• Hebrews
• James
• 1 and 2 Peter
• 1, 2, and 3 John
• Jude
• Revelation

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: [email protected].

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References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Peter Kreeft, ⁠You Can Understand the Bible⁠

Scott Hahn, ⁠Catholic Bible Dictionary⁠

USCCB, ⁠Books of the Bible⁠

The Catholic Encyclopedia:

⁠Epistle (in Scripture)⁠

⁠New Testament⁠

Epistle to the Hebrews

Epistles of Saint Peter

Epistle of St. James

Epistles of Saint John

Epistle of St. Jude

Catholic Answers:

⁠Letter Writing in the Ancient World⁠

⁠Who Wrote 1 Peter?⁠

John’s First Letter to the Protestants?

The Letter to the Hebrews

The Book of Revelation

Bishop Robert Barron on The Book of Revelation

www.caitlinwest.com

-

GUYS IT'S OUR 100TH EPISODE!!!

In this episode, we continue our overview of the Bible by looking at the 13 Pauline Epistles. We consider when each letter was written and why, and what its key aims and themes are.

The aim of these episodes is to provide us with a bird's-eye view of the whole Bible, to help equip us to begin reading it, or to read it more deeply.

In this episode, we'll look at the following books:

• Romans
• 1 Corinthians
• 2 Corinthians
• Galatians
• Ephesians
• Philippians
• Colossians
• 1 Thessalonians
• 2 Thessalonians
• 1 Timothy
• 2 Timothy
• Titus
• Philemon

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: [email protected].

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Peter Kreeft, You Can Understand the Bible

Scott Hahn, Catholic Bible Dictionary

USCCB, Books of the Bible

The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Epistle (in Scripture)

New Testament

Epistles to the Corinthians

Epistles to Timothy and Titus

Epistle to the Galatians

St Paul

Catholic Answers:

Letter Writing in the Ancient World

The Book of Revelation

Timothy and Titus

Letter to the Ephesians

Who Wrote 1 Peter?

Letter to the Ephesians

The Letters to the Corinthians

Augustine Institute: Introduction to St. Paul

www.caitlinwest.com

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In this episode, we continue our overview of the Bible by looking at the first five books of the New Testament: The Gospels and the Acts of the Apostles. We consider who wrote each book, when it was written, and what its key aims and themes are.

The aim of these episodes is to provide us with a bird's-eye view of the whole Bible, to help equip us to begin reading it, or to read it more deeply.

In this episode, we'll look at the following books:

The Gospel of Matthew

The Gospel of Mark

The Gospel of Luke

The Gospel of John

The Acts of the Apostles

This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to support the future of Crash Course Catholicism, please consider donating via the following links:

Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: [email protected].

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Jesús Gil, Joseángel Domínguez, Bible Portico

Scott Hahn, The Catholic Bible Dictionary

Peter Kreeft, You Can Understand the Bible

USCCB, Books of the Bible

The Bible in a Year:

Gospel of Matthew

Gospel of Mark

Gospel of Luke

Gospel of John

Acts of the Apostles

Catholic Answers:

The Gospel According to Matthew

The Gospel According to Mark

The Gospel According to Luke

The Gospel of John

Acts of the Apostles

The Book of Acts

The Catholic Encyclopedia:

Gospel of St Matthew

Gospel of Saint Mark

Gospel of Saint Luke

Gospel of St. John

Tim Gray, How to Read the Acts of the Apostles

Dr Regis Martin, A New Way To Read John's Gospel

Dr John Bergsma, Everything You Need to Know About St. Matthew (and His Gospel)

The Augustine Institute, The Gospel of Matthew (Part 1)

www.caitlinwest.com

In this episode, we take a brief intermission from our Bible deep dive to chat with Tim Hutchinson, a convert from Protestantism to Catholicism. Tim grew up in a vibrant Evangelical Christian community where he learned to love God and the Bible deeply. But one question kept troubling him: why are Protestant denominations so divided? Surely the Church Jesus founded wasn’t meant to be so fractured. For years, he found no answer to his question, until one unexpected comment at a party struck him like lightning and set him on a journey that led him home to the Catholic Church.

In this conversation, Tim shares the joys and struggles of his conversion and the discoveries that he made along the way.

⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: [email protected].

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

Tim's Spotify

Tim's Substack

www.caitlinwest.com

In this episode, we continue our overview of the books of the Old Testament. We discuss the Wisdom books and the Prophetic books, and consider what each book is about, who wrote it, when it was written, and what its key themes are.

The aim of these episodes is to provide us with a bird's-eye view of the whole Bible, to help equip us to begin reading it, or to read it more deeply.

In this episode, we'll look at the following books:

THE WISDOM BOOKS

• Job
• Psalms
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Song of Songs
• Wisdom
• Sirach

THE PROPHETIC BOOKS

• Isaiah
• Jeremiah
• Lamentations
• Baruch
• Ezekiel
• Daniel
• Hosea
• Joel
• Amos
• Obadiah
• Jonah
• Micah
• Nahum
• Habakkuk
• Zephaniah
• Haggai
• Zechariah
• Malachi

⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Contact the podcast: [email protected].

Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

References and further reading/listening/viewing:

• ⁠The Bible (New Revised Catholic Edition)⁠
• ⁠The Great Adventure Catholic Bible⁠
• USCCB, ⁠The Books of the Bible⁠
• Pope Pius XII, ⁠Humani Generis⁠
• Scott Hahn, Biblical Resources: Old Testament
• Vatican II, Dei Verbum
• Peter Kreeft, ⁠You Can Understand the Bible⁠
• The Council of Trent, ⁠Decree Concerning the Canonical Scriptures⁠
• ⁠The Bible in 10 Minutes (feat. Fr. Mike Schmitz)

• Catholic Answers:
• ⁠The Old Testament Isn't Strict History⁠

• ⁠Catholics Need to Read Their Bibles⁠
• The Book of Job
• The Books of the Twelve Minor Prophets
• How Do We Know the Old Testament Prophets Weren’t Lying?
• The Book of Isaiah
• The Book of Jeremiah
• The Book of Proverbs

• Christopher West, What Is The Song of Songs Doing in the Bible?
• The Catholic Encyclopedia:
• ⁠Old Testament⁠
• Job
• Prophecy, Prophet, and Prophetess
• Book of Daniel
• Proverbs
• Ecclesiastes
• Ecclesiasticus

• Jimmy Akin:
• How to Understand Old Testament Prophecy
• ⁠History as the Ancients Wrote It⁠
• ⁠How Ancient Authors Wrote
• The Bible in a Year: Day 16: The Suffering of Job
• Catholic Central: Prophets
• Ascension, The Bible Timeline Chart