Podcast
Crash Course Catholicism
Hosted by Dr Caitlin West · EN
Catholicism can seem overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be.
Crash Course Catholicism breaks down the beliefs, traditions, and teachings of the Catholic Church in a way that's thoughtful, accessible, and engaging. The first 50 episodes of this podcast are a summary of the Catechism of the Catholic Church, while later episodes include deep dives into big questions about God, Scripture, Church history, the saints, morality, and the spiritual life. Our aim is to help you build a stronger understanding of the faith without requiring a theology degree.
Find out more: https://www.caitlinwest.com
10episodes
Episodes
Newest firstAll episodes
119 - AI, Transhumanism, and the Fight to Stay Human | Magnifica Humanitas Part 3
1w ago00:36:31Tap to summarizeWhat 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 surrounding artificial intelligence.Pope Leo argues that AI is not simply another technological innovation. It is reshaping the way we think, make decisions, relate to one another, and even understand what it means to be human. Drawing on the Church's rich philosophical and theological tradition, he warns against the rise of a "technocratic paradigm" -- a culture that prizes efficiency, control, and profit above the dignity of the human person.In this episode, we discuss:* What Pope Leo means by the "technocratic paradigm"* Why technological progress must be accompanied by moral progress* How artificial intelligence differs fundamentally from human intelligence* The dangers of overreliance on AI, algorithms, and simulated relationships* Why AI should never replace human moral judgment or accountability* The importance of political oversight, subsidiarity, and the common good in AI governance* Why we need to "disarm AI"* The rise of transhumanism and posthumanism* Why our limitations are not defects to eliminate but part of what it means to be human* How God's grace and not technology is the path to becoming truly "more than human"This is Part 3 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in AI ethics, Catholic theology, philosophy, technology, or the future of humanity, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and discover the Church's deeply hopeful vision for the digital age.SUPPORT THE PODCASTThis podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. 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: https://www.paypal.com/donate/?hosted_button_id=6WSCLFHLCDXH2Support on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/caitlinwestContact: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
Transcribe →Catechism 101: How to be Certain God Exists
2w ago00:12:04Tap to summarize“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. 36In this episode of Catechism 101, we discuss how we can know for sure that God exists. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. 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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
Transcribe →118 - Social Doctrine in the Digital Age | Magnifica Humanitas Part 2
3w ago00:39:12Tap to summarizeWhat 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 does not create an entirely new moral framework for AI. Instead, he shows how the timeless principles of Catholic Social Teaching (human dignity, the common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, social justice, and integral human development) help us navigate the opportunities and challenges of artificial intelligence.In this episode, we discuss:What Catholic Social Teaching actually isWhy the Church speaks about AI, politics, economics, and technologyHow Pope Leo applies Catholic social doctrine to the digital revolutionWhy human dignity is the foundation of human rightsThe common good, solidarity, subsidiarity, and social justice in the age of AIWhy algorithms, data, and digital platforms raise new moral questionsHow Christians can think faithfully about emerging technologiesThis is Part 2 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in AI ethics, Catholic theology, philosophy, technology, or Catholic Social Teaching, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and think more deeply about what it means to remain fully human in the digital age.This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. 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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
Transcribe →Catechism 101: The Universal Desire for God
4w ago00:17:16Tap to summarize“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 27In this episode of Catechism 101, we discuss the universal desire for God. This desire is written in our hearts, and is made visible through our search for Truth, Goodness, and Beauty.This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. 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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
Transcribe →117 - AI, Humanity, and the Church | Magnifica Humanitas Part 1
Jun 1500:29:11Tap to summarizeIn 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 is reshaping the way we work, communicate, think, and even understand ourselves. Drawing on the biblical stories of the Tower of Babel and Nehemiah, he challenges us to build a future rooted not in pride or efficiency alone, but in human dignity, communion, and the common good.This episode covers:Why Pope Leo compares aspects of the digital age to the Tower of BabelHow AI is transforming society and human relationshipsThe difference between unity and uniformityWhy technology is neither inherently good nor inherently evilThe Catholic understanding of AI and human dignityHow Christians can remain deeply human in an increasingly digital worldThis is Part 1 of our chapter-by-chapter journey through Magnifica Humanitas. Whether you're interested in Catholic social teaching, AI ethics, technology, philosophy, or theology, I hope these reflections encourage you to read the encyclical for yourself and join the conversation.Question for listeners:How can we remain “profoundly human” in the age of artificial intelligence?00:00 – Introduction01:12 – Why We're Reading Magnifica Humanitas03:15 – The Lay of the Land: AI and the Digital Revolution06:48 – Big Tech Today Has More Power Than Governments09:36 – We Must Act Now, Before a Crisis10:31 – The Tower of Babel vs. Nehemiah14:26 – Unity vs. Uniformity18:07 – The “Babel Syndrome”20:48 – The “Way of Nehemiah”23:36 – We Are All Responsible for What Happens Next25:15 – The Morality of AI Depends on How We Use It26:33 – Remaining Profoundly Human27:37 – What’s Coming in Part 2This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. 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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
Transcribe →Catechism 101: Signs of Faith
Jun 800:10:30Tap to summarizeFaith 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. This podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. 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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/
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116 - You Were Made for Love: Theology of the Body pt.2
Jun 200:34:01Tap to summarizeWhat 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 Paul II returns to again and again in his catechesis. We introduce key themes including the dignity of the body, the meaning of love, JPII's famous claim that the opposite of love isn't hate: it's use.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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/References and further reading/listening/viewing:St. John Paul II:Theology of the BodyLove and ResponsibilityRedemptor HominisTheology of the Body in Simple LanguageGaudium et SpesPope Paul VI, Humanae VitaeTheology of the Body InstituteChristopher West: "What Is the Theology of the Body? | Introduction to Theology of the Body"Our Bodies Tell God's StoryGood News About Sex and MarriageThe Ask Christopher West Podcast"This is the Opposite of Love"Fr Mike Schmitz, Theology of the Body Crash Course (pdf)Theology of the Body Crash Course (video)The Thomistic Institute, "Theology of the Body: An Overview"St Paul Centre, "What's the Point of Theology of the Body? Dr. Scott Hahn Explains"
Transcribe →Catechism 101: How Faith Works
May 2500:14:35Tap to summarizeHow 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 itWhy faith is a gift from God The four things that have to happen to make an act of faithWhy the will matters just as much as the intellectWhy God is the most credible source there is.TIMESTAMPS0:00 — Introduction2:11 — Why we can't force faith3:39 — The ocean metaphor4:44 — Breaking down an act of faith7:56 — Why the information source matters13:25 — What to do if you're struggling to believeCRASH COURSE CATHOLICISMA series on Catholic teaching and why it makes sense.▶ Previous episode — What Is Faith?: https://youtu.be/dSs_AxrpiKE▶ Full playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw6henAD9rk0-RxLqLoqycLVftmfFo9-r▶ Read the blog post: https://www.caitlinwest.com/post/how-faith-worksSUPPORT THE PODCASTThis podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. 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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/#HowFaithWorks #CatholicFaith #CatholicTeaching #Catechism #Catholicism
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115 - History and Context: Theology of the Body Pt. 1
May 1800:25:09Tap to summarizeWhat 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 of the human person, we ask why TOB remains one of the Church’s most important teachings today.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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/References and further reading/listening/viewing:Humanae VitaeChristopher West: "What Is the Theology of the Body? | Introduction to Theology of the Body"Godsplaining, "Does Christian Marriage Really Have Two Ends?"
Transcribe →Catechism 101: What is Faith?
May 1100:08:01Tap to summarizeWhat 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 rejectsThe story of Saint Augustine that explains exactly what faith isWhy faith and reason aren't opposed to each otherHow to explore the mysteries of faith without switching your brain offTIMESTAMPS0:00 — Introduction1:05 — The problem with blind faith2:00 — Saint Augustine and the tiny angel3:34 — What the story teaches us6:38 — The mysteries are yours to exploreCRASH COURSE CATHOLICISMA series on Catholic teaching and why it makes sense.▶ Next episode — How Faith Works: https://youtu.be/bG9Ppx4Z2DM▶ Full playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLw6henAD9rk0-RxLqLoqycLVftmfFo9-r▶ Read the blog post: https://www.caitlinwest.com/post/what-is-faith-actuallySUPPORT THE PODCASTThis podcast relies 100% on the generosity of viewers. 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 PayPalSupport us on Patreon!Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.comInstagram: https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/#WhatIsFaith #CatholicFaith #CatholicTeaching #Catechism #Catholicism
Transcribe →