Godsplaining
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
What if some of the most important books you'll ever read were written for children?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Bonaventure Chapman sits down with acclaimed author Mitali Perkins to discuss the enduring power of children's literature. From The Chronicles of Narnia and The Hobbit to Anne of Green Gables and A Little Princess, they explore how stories shape the moral imagination, cultivate virtue, and help both children and...
Most people instinctively say that lying is wrong—until they're presented with an extreme case. What if a murderer came to your door? What if hiding the truth could protect an innocent person?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure explore traditional Christian teaching on lying, drawing from St. Augustine, St. Thomas Aquinas, and even Immanuel Kant. They discuss why truthfulness is so central to the...
Have you ever left confession feeling disappointed, confused, or unsure whether your sins were really forgiven?
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Patrick and Fr. Joseph-Anthony tackle a common concern among Catholics: What happens when confession doesn't go the way you expected? Whether you've received unhelpful advice, experienced an awkward encounter, or wondered if a priest's mistake affected the sacrament, this conversation ...
Can we hope that everyone will be saved? How does predestination work? What if discernment causes anxiety? Why are so many young people becoming Catholic today?
In this special episode, the friars answer questions live during the Godsplaining Boston Day of Recollection, tackling some of the most challenging questions facing Catholics today.
From universalism and free will to suffering, confession, vocation discernment, and the surp...
"Jesus died for our sins." As Christians we know this to be true, but do we understand what this really means? There are many explanations that focus on punishment, debt, or substitution. But how does the Catholic Church understand Christ's sacrifice on the Cross?
Join Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure on this episode of Godsplaining as they explore the Catholic understanding of atonement, the mystery of salvation, and why Catholics ...
Recorded live during a Day of Recollection at St. Margaret Mary Church during a full weekend of events in the greater Boston area, the friars unpack one of the most difficult questions in the Christian life.
Fr. Patrick, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Joseph-Anthony unpack surrender, friendship, and divine providence as it relates to suffering. Sharing personal anecdotes along with wisdom from scripture and the writings of St. Thomas Aquinas,...
As the month of June approaches, Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick reflect on how Catholics can respond to "pride month" with both truth and charity.
In this episode of Godsplaining, they discuss the Church’s teaching on human sexuality, the difference between political movements and pastoral care, the importance of identity in Christ, and why authentic Christian witness must always begin with love and prayer.
The Catholic Church and AI: Pope Leo's First Encyclical Explained
In this installment of Godsplaining Reacts, Fr. Patrick unpacks Pope Leo XIV’s first encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas, an in-depth reflection on artificial intelligence, technology, truth, work, power, and the dignity of the human person.
More than merely “the AI encyclical,” Fr. Patrick argues that Magnifica Humanitas is fundamentally about anthrop...
How do you correct someone without becoming self-righteous?
In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Gregory welcomes Jordan Burke of the Avila Foundation and SpiritualDirection.com to discuss the challenge of fraternal correction. Together, they explore how humility, friendship, and personal conversion shape the way we speak truth to others—especially in an age of online outrage.
Whether you struggle to speak up or find yourse...
What does it mean to "win" Lent, or the Christian life for that matter? Fr. Patrick, Fr. Gregory, and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore the deeper meaning of Lent, spiritual growth, perseverance, and Christian courage during a live recording at St. Mary of the Assumption in Brookline, MA with local young adults.
Drawing on insights from Thomas Aquinas, Scripture, and pastoral experience, the friars reveal how prayer, fasting, and almsgivi...
Welcome to Kantsplaining.
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Bonaventure and Fr. Joseph-Anthony discuss one of the most important philosophers in history: Immanuel Kant. If you've been following the podcast for a while or attended a Godsplaining Retreat, you know he's also a favorite of Fr. Bonaventure.
Tune in for a brief introduction of the life and thought of Kant, along with some surprising facts about his contributions, and ...
In this episode of Godsplaining, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Patrick Briscoe unpack a classic—and often misunderstood—question in Catholic teaching: what is marriage actually for?
Drawing from Scripture, philosophy, and the Church’s tradition, they explore the answer.
Join us at the 2026 All Comers' Retreat in June: https://godsplaining.org/all-comers-retreat-june-2026/
What Really Happens at Mass? Do you ever feel like your missing the deeper meaning?
In this rich conversation, Fr. Gregory Pine sits down with Dr. Edward Sri to unpack the biblical meaning behind the prayers, gestures, and structure of the Holy Mass. Drawing on Scripture, the Catechism, and the Church’s liturgical tradition, Dr. Sri explains how every part of the Mass—from “The Lord be with you” to “Bl...
This episode of Godsplaining takes on one of the most difficult and important issues facing the Church today: the clerical sexual abuse crisis.
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick begin by grounding the conversation in a theology of the priesthood. Priests are not merely “like everyone else”—they are entrusted with a unique gift and responsibility. Because of this, the faithful rightly expect more from them. When priests ...
In this episode, Fr. Gregory Pine and Fr. Patrick Briscoe tackle a question that often sparks confusion and controversy: Do Christians and Muslims worship the same God?
They begin by grounding the discussion in both contemporary debates and historical Church teaching, showing that this is not a new question but one the Church has addressed for centuries. Drawing from sources like St. Thomas Aquinas, St. Robert Bellarmine, and the S...
Who is Pope Leo XIV—and what kind of leader will he be? In this episode of Guestsplaining, Fr. Patrick Briscoe welcomes Vatican journalist Elise Allen to discuss her new biography of the Holy Father.
Drawing from personal encounters and exclusive interviews, Elise offers a behind-the-scenes look at the life, spirituality, and leadership of the first American pope. From missionary work in Peru to leadership in Rome, Pope Leo X...
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure take us to Front Royal, Virginia, for this bonus episode of Godsplaining. The friars hosted a Day of Recollection at Christendom College in November of 2025, and take the crowd's questions on humility, fruits of marriage, why slaves are in the Old Testament, the problem of evil, and the greatest toad species.
Watch the friars' talks from this Day of Recollection on Patreon here: https://www.pat...
This episode of Godsplaining dives into the thought of Søren Kierkegaard—one of the most influential Christian philosophers of the modern era and often called the “father of existentialism.”
Fr. Bonaventure and Fr. Joseph-Anthony explore how Kierkegaard pushed back against overly rational approaches to Christianity, especially those influenced by Georg Wilhelm Friedrich Hegel (checkout our episode on Hegel, if you...
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Bonaventure take us to Front Royal, Virginia, for this bonus episode of Godsplaining. The friars hosted a Day of Recollection at Christendom College in November of 2025, discussing vantages of the Incarnation, knowing and loving ourselves and God, the Most Blessed Trinity, Theological Virtues, and Mysticism.
Send your questions for the friars to: godsplaining@opeast.org
Subscribe to our channe...
Fr. Gregory and Fr. Patrick answer a complex question today, "does God want everyone to be Catholic?" Why is this controversial to answer in Truth? What evidence is there for this claim? Is there Salvation outside of the Church? Answers to these questions and more on this week's episode of Godsplaining.
For the St. Dominic Rosary and more from the Catholic Woodworker: https://catholicwoodworker.com/products/st-dominic-r...
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