PODCAST · religion
Crash Course Catholicism
by Dr Caitlin West
A summary of the teachings of the Catholic Church, given to you in short, easy-to-digest episodes, uploaded fortnightly.---www.caitlinwest.com
Episodes
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124 - Your Body Reveals the Meaning of Life: Theology of the Body Part 5
What is the meaning of your life? And how is that meaning revealed through your body? In this episode, we continue our deep dive into St John Paul II's Theology of the Body, exploring one of its most important concepts: the spousal (or nuptial) meaning of the body. Drawing on the creation of Adam...
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Catechism 101: The Teleological Argument
Why does nature behave in such consistent and purposeful ways? And can this tell us anything about the existence of God? In this final episode of our series on St Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways, we explore his Fifth Way, commonly known as the Teleological Argument. Aquinas observes that things in…
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123 - You Were Made for Relationship: Theology of the Body Pt. 4
What if needing other people isn't a sign of weakness? What if it's actually part of God's design for the human person? In this episode, we continue our deep dive into St John Paul II's Theology of the Body. We return to Genesis to explore the creation of Eve and two fundamental experiences of…
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Catechism 101: The Argument from Gradation
In this episode, we continue our series on St Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways by exploring his Fourth Way: the Argument from Gradation, or Degree. This is perhaps the most challenging of Aquinas' Five Ways. Beginning with the observation that things possess qualities like truth and goodness to varying...
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122 - The World Can't Tell You Who You Are: Theology of the Body Pt. 3
Who are you when you strip everything else away? Before your job, your relationships, your achievements, and your possessions, what makes you you? JPII argues that the question "Who am I?" is one of the most fundamental human questions. Through his experience of original solitude, Adam discovers...
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Catechism 101: The Argument from Contingency
In this episode, we continue our series on St Thomas Aquinas' Five Ways by exploring his Third Way: the Argument from Contingency. Aquinas begins with a simple but profound observation: the things we encounter in the world don't have to exist. You exist, but you could have failed to exist. The…
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Catechism 101: The Argument from Efficient Causality
In this episode, we explore St Thomas Aquinas' Second Way, also known as the Argument from Efficient Causality. This is a classic cosmological argument for the existence of God. Aquinas begins with a simple observation: everything we encounter in the world has a cause. Houses are built by…
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Catechism 101: The Argument from Motion
In this episode, we explore St Thomas Aquinas’ First Way, also known as the Argument from Motion. This is one of the most influential philosophical arguments for the existence of God. Building on our introduction to cosmological arguments, we unpack Aquinas’ reasoning step by step. What does he...
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121 - How AI is Changing Warfare | Magnifica Humanitas Part 5
How is artificial intelligence changing war, and what does the Catholic Church have to say about it? In the final part of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 5 and the conclusion of the encyclical, examining how artificial intelligence is reshaping warfare,...
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Catechism 101: The Cosmological Argument for God's Existence
How do we know that God exists? Can reason lead us to God? In this episode, we begin a new series exploring one of the most famous arguments for the existence of God: St Thomas Aquinas’ cosmological argument. Before diving into Aquinas’ First Way, we take a step back and look at the big picture....
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120 - Truth & Freedom Under Threat | Magnifica Humanitas Part 4
In Part 4 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 4, which describes how artificial intelligence is reshaping truth, work, and freedom. Pope Leo warns that AI is not simply changing the tools we use. Instead, it is transforming the way we seek truth, the way...
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Conversations Ep. 2 – Bit by Bit with Lucinda
Conversion doesn't always happen in a single blinding moment of clarity. Sometimes, like drops of water slowly filling a glass, conversion to the Catholic faith is the result of countless conversations, experiences, and quiet moments accumulated over many years. In today's episode, I speak with...
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119 - AI, Transhumanism, and the Fight to Stay Human | Magnifica Humanitas Part 3
What are the greatest threats that artificial intelligence poses, and how can we remain fully human in the age of AI? In Part 3 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore Chapter 3 of the encyclical and examine the opportunities, dangers, and moral questions…
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Catechism 101: How to be Certain God Exists
“God, the first principle and last end of all things, can be known with certainty from the created world by the natural light of human reason.” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, p. 36 In this episode of Catechism 101, we discuss how we can know for sure that God exists. This podcast relies…
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118 - Social Doctrine in the Digital Age | Magnifica Humanitas Part 2
What does Catholic Social Doctrine have to say about artificial intelligence? In Part 2 of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore chapters 1 and 2 of the encyclical and discover why the Church's social doctrine is more relevant than ever in the digital age. Pope Leo...
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Catechism 101: The Universal Desire for God
“The desire for God is written in the human heart, because man is created by God and for God; and God never ceases to draw man to himself. Only in God will he find the truth and happiness he never stops searching for” The Catechism of the Catholic Church, p 27 In this episode of Catechism 101, we...
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117 - AI, Humanity, and the Church | Magnifica Humanitas Part 1
In this first episode of our series on Pope Leo's encyclical Magnifica Humanitas, we explore what the Catholic Church has to say about artificial intelligence, the digital revolution, and what it means to be truly human. Pope Leo argues that AI is not simply another technological innovation. It…
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Catechism 101: Signs of Faith
Faith is more than intellectual belief. If we think about it, even the devil technically *believes* in God. So what does true faith actually look like? In this episode of Catechism 101, we talk through four key signs of faith from the Catechism: Faith is free, active, overflowing, and dynamic.…
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116 - You Were Made for Love: Theology of the Body pt.2
What does it mean to be a human person? What does love actually look like? What does the body reveal to us about God and the meaning of life? Theology of the Body isn't just about sex. It's about what it means to be human. In this episode, we explore some of the foundational ideas that St. John...
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Catechism 101: How Faith Works
How does faith actually work? There's a gap between logically knowing something is true and actually believing it. In this episode of Catechism 101, we unpack exactly what it takes to cross that gap. This episode covers: The difference between knowing something is true and actually believing it…
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115 - History and Context: Theology of the Body Pt. 1
What is the Theology of the Body? Why was it developed, and why is it still relevant today? In this episode, we begin our next deep dive (!) by telling the story of the development of ToB. From the fallout of the sexual revolution to Humanae Vitae and Pope St. John Paul II’s revolutionary vision…
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Catechism 101: What is Faith?
What is faith, really? In this episode of Catechism 101, we unpack what faith actually means according to Catholic teaching. Spoiler: it's NOT blind faith. This episode covers: Why "blind faith" (fideism) is something the Catholic Church actively rejects The story of Saint Augustine that explains...
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114 - Mother Teresa: Love for the Poorest of the Poor
"At the hour of death we are going to be judged on what we have been to the poor, to the hungry, naked, the homeless." Mother Teresa lived this truth with radical simplicity and unwavering love. From the streets of Calcutta, she dedicated her life to serving the poorest of the poor, restoring...
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Announcing a new chapter...
Video mini-episodes are here! In this introductory video, I explain an exciting new chapter for Crash Course Catholicism. Thank you to all the Patrons and supporters who have made this work possible! This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful...
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113 - Social, Political, and Economic Rights
In this episode, we explore the human person's right to: Marriage and Family Meeting and association Work A just wage Private property Humane working conditions Migration Political activity and engagement. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes...
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112 - Fundamental Human Rights (Life, Dignity, Equality, Freedom)
In this episode, we explore every human person's right to: Life Bodily integrity Dignity Equality Freedom of speech Truth Transcendence Freedom of Religion Medical care Education This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of listeners. If you have found these episodes helpful and would like to...
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111 - What are Human Rights?
What are Human Rights? How are they different from other kinds of rights? Are Human Rights inherent, or are they a social construct? In this episode, we continue our exploration of Catholic Social Doctrine by considering the nature of Human Rights. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of...
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110 - What Makes a Human Being?
We are made in the image of God, and this truth has profound implications for how we understand the human person. In this episode, we explore key dimensions of human personhood, including freedom, responsibility, the capacity for transcendence, uniqueness and unrepeatability, and equality....
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109 - Human Nature and Human Dignity
The whole of Catholic social doctrine rests on the answer to the question: What is a human being? In this episode, we discuss human nature and human dignity. What does it mean to be made in the image of God? What makes human beings unique in comparison with the rest of nature? Do human beings…
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108 - The Biblical Roots of Social Doctrine
Catholic social doctrine did not suddenly appear in the nineteenth century. Its roots reach back to the very foundations of Scripture. In this episode, we explore the biblical vision of social life: a world shaped by justice, mercy, solidarity, and the command to love one another. From the law…
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107 - Introduction to Social Doctrine
Happy New Year, friends! Welcome to the first episode on our next deep dive into the Social Doctrine of the Catholic church! This is an incredibly rich and important area of Catholic teaching that helps us to understand how human beings should function in societies. It covers topics such as human...
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106 - St Nicholas: The Original Santa Claus
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…
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105 - St. John Henry Newman
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…
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104 - Bible Questions Pt. 3
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...
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103 - Bible Questions Pt. 2
www.caitlinwest.com - 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?…
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102 - Bible Questions Pt. 1
www.caitlinwest.com - 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...
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101 - The New Testament Pt. 3
www.caitlinwest.com - 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...
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100 - The New Testament Pt. 2
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...
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99 - The New Testament Pt. 1
www.caitlinwest.com - 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…
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Conversations Ep. 1 – From Protestant to Catholic with Tim Hutchinson
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...
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98 - The Old Testament Pt. 2
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…
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97 - The Old Testament Pt. 1
www.caitlinwest.com Welcome to the books of the Bible! In these next few episodes, we'll go through all 73 (!!) books of the Bible - both the Old Testament and the New Testament. We'll briefly summarise each book, and discuss what it's about, what its key themes are, and where it sits in the…
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96 - The Bible: Introduction
www.caitlinwest.com What is the Bible, really, and how do we read it? How can we say that the Bible is both the Word of God and the work of human authors? What should we do when we come across a tricky passage that we don't know how to interpret? Welcome to our next deep dive! In these next few...
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95 - St. Augustine: Convert, Sinner, Saint.
www.caitlinwest.com To wrap up our deep dive into the existence of God, in this episode we take a look at the life of St Augustine. St. Augustine is a doctor of the church, and one of the greatest saints in the history of Christianity. But before his conversion, he spent his youth struggling with...
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94 - Common Atheist Objections Pt. 2
www.caitlinwest.com "The fact that people's religion tends to align with the culture and country that they grew up in shows that religion is just a cultural construct" "There are so many hypocritical people who have used religion to abuse others, to start wars, or to seek power. These people...
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93 - Common Atheist Objections Pt. 1
"Atheists don't need to substantiate their position; the burden of proof lies with the theist because they're the one making a positive claim to belief." "God is just something people turn to for comfort." "Atheists just believe in one god fewer than Christians do." "There is no evidence for the...
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92 - Kalam, Fine Tuning, Beauty, and Consciousness
In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the question: How do we know God exists? Today we will give an overview of various popular arguments for the existence of God, including the Kalam Cosmological Argument, the fine tuning of the universe, William Paley’s Watchmaker Argument, the...
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How Papal Conclaves Work
In this short, bonus episode, we discuss what a papal conclave looks like. How does voting work? How many votes are needed for someone to be elected pope? Why is the process so secretive? The information in this episode comes from "Universi Dominici Gregis", an apostolic constitution which…
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91 - Aquinas' Five Ways Pt. 2
In this episode, we continue our deep dive into the question: How do we know God exists? Today we will wrap up our discussion of St. Thomas Aquinas's Five Ways by analysing the Fourth Way (the argument from gradation/degree) and the Fifth Way (the argument from order). Aquinas' Five Ways are…
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90 - Aquinas' Five Ways Pt. 1
Welcome to our deep-dive into the question: How do we know God exists? In this series, we return to the topic of God's existence, which we covered aaall the way back in Episode 2 (!!), and we break it open to explore it more deeply. In this episode, we look at St. Thomas Aquinas's first three...
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ABOUT THIS SHOW
A summary of the teachings of the Catholic Church, given to you in short, easy-to-digest episodes, uploaded fortnightly.---www.caitlinwest.com
HOSTED BY
Dr Caitlin West
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many episodes does Crash Course Catholicism have?
Crash Course Catholicism currently has 118 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.
What is Crash Course Catholicism about?
A summary of the teachings of the Catholic Church, given to you in short, easy-to-digest episodes, uploaded fortnightly.---www.caitlinwest.com
How often does Crash Course Catholicism release new episodes?
Crash Course Catholicism publishes regularly with 118 episodes available. Check the episode list for the typical release schedule.
Where can I listen to Crash Course Catholicism?
You can listen to Crash Course Catholicism on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.
Who hosts Crash Course Catholicism?
Crash Course Catholicism is created and hosted by Dr Caitlin West.
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