Morning Wire: Special Edition — "Pints & The Papacy: Who Is Matt Fradd?"

Podcast Date: January 3, 2026
Hosts: John Bickley & Georgia Howe
Guest: Matt Fradd (Host, Pints With Aquinas)

Episode Overview

In this special episode, John Bickley and Georgia Howe interview Matt Fradd, well-known Catholic podcaster and the host of Pints With Aquinas, as he joins the Daily Wire platform. The discussion traverses Matt’s journey into Catholicism, the unique tradition and stability offered by the Catholic Church, cultural hunger for spiritual depth, the dangers of narcissism, and what listeners can expect as the show transitions to Daily Wire. The conversation candidly covers faith, personal anecdotes, and the enduring relevance of religious ritual and authority.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Matt Fradd’s Journey to Podcasting and Catholic Faith

• Origin as a Podcaster: Matt started podcasting while studying Thomistic philosophy, initially without promotion or expectations. (03:00)
  • "There was 12 episodes in. I hadn't promoted it once... people would come up and... be talking to me about this podcast, which made me feel uncomfortable..." — Matt Fradd [03:23]
• Academic Background: Earned a master's in philosophy out of pure interest, not career ambition. (03:58)
• Conversion to Catholicism: Raised agnostic, attended World Youth Day in Rome at 17, which profoundly changed his beliefs. (04:44)
  • "I encountered young Catholic Christians who knew what they believed and were happy and normal and not cynical and sarcastic. And it was very inspiring." — Matt Fradd [05:28]

2. The Appeal and Authority of Catholicism

• Tradition as Anchor: Discusses the powerful sense of stability and lineage unique to Catholicism; argues authority traces directly to Christ and the Apostles. (07:11)
  • "The only church whose lineage can be traced back to the time of Christ and the Apostles is the Catholic Church." — Matt Fradd [06:49]
• Resilience and Sexual Ethics: Credits the appeal of clear moral teachings—especially regarding sexuality—for revitalizing interest among younger people. (08:05)
  • "You can't kick over a pile of trash and make it uglier, but you can make a beautiful thing very ugly." — Matt Fradd [08:53]

3. Cultural Trends and Spiritual Renewal

• Reaction Against New Atheism: Observes a cultural “hangover” from new atheism, noting a renewed desire for reverence, beauty, and seriousness in faith. (08:05)
• Impact of Public Thinkers: Credits figures like Jordan Peterson as gateways back to Christianity, helping people give faith a serious hearing. Explains Pascal's wager and its relevance to the contemporary seeker. (12:53)
  • "There is a desire to have our hunger for God treated with sufficient seriousness. And so there's something very appealing about Eastern Orthodoxy... and Catholicism..." — Matt Fradd [10:17]

4. Narcissism, Community, and the Value of Ritual

• Narcissism in Modern Culture: Explores the epidemic of self-absorption, and how Christianity challenges this by drawing people into community and reverence for something beyond themselves. (13:32)
  • "It is important and you can't dictate... it is a self serving, solipsistic existence. You go there and you got to listen to whatever the, the sermon's going to be on... interact with these other people..." — Georgia Howe [15:20]
• Importance of Ritual: Catholic liturgical practices (Mass, confession) create humility and continuity, helping believers through “dry spells” and keeping faith alive. (16:20)
  • "It's sort of like date nights with your wife... you bake into your life moments of encounter so that we can strengthen that relationship..." — Matt Fradd [17:15]

5. The Australian Catholic Context and Persecution

• Secularism in Australia: Matt’s faith stands out in a highly secular Australian society; notes “pockets” of devout worship, inspired by leaders like Cardinal Pell. (18:40)
• Strength in Opposition: Suggests Christianity thrives amid adversity and social ostracism, even if not outright physical persecution. (19:31)
  • "Christianity shouldn't just enable me to live sort of fat and happy. If I'm really living the faith... I think that puts you at odds with the spirit of the world." — Matt Fradd [19:52]

6. Pints With Aquinas: Vision, Transition & Editorial Control

• Unchanged Mission: Commitment to unapologetic Catholic evangelization remains; plans to feature a variety of Christian thinkers (including Protestants, Orthodox). (21:41)
  • "I want to invite everybody to join Holy Mother Church, the Catholic Church. And I want them to remain Catholic despite the stupid people like myself and others who exist within it." — Matt Fradd [21:46]
• Editorial Independence: Negotiated full creative control when joining Daily Wire; reassures fans that the show will maintain its style, depth, and non-political focus (except when personally interested). (26:47)
  • "I only interview people I want to talk to... hopefully... it's from a point of view where it's also edifying. It's not just about bashing other..." — Matt Fradd [24:00]
• Avoiding Politics: Prefers to focus on faith and spiritual matters rather than political punditry, seeing politics as often a distraction from interior life and relationships. (24:44)

7. New Show Format and Upcoming Episodes

• New Studio: Taking over Matt Walsh's old studio, described as “cozy, masculine, and musky”. (27:33)
• First Guests: Kicked off with a Christmas episode interviewing a biblical scholar; upcoming official relaunch will feature Dr. Brant Pitre on the historicity of the New Testament. (28:11)

Notable Quotes & Moments (with Timestamps)

• Matt’s conversion experience:
  • "I encountered young Catholic Christians who knew what they believed and were happy and normal and not cynical and sarcastic. And it was very inspiring." — Matt Fradd [05:28]
• On the universal hunger for tradition:
  • “There seems to be a desire to not mock our traditions, to not mock the inheritance that the West has received.” — Matt Fradd [08:05]
• A tongue-in-cheek summary of podcasting’s early days:
  • "It was back in 2007, 16ish, when there was five, precisely five podcasts in the world." — Matt Fradd [02:58]
• Humorous self-deprecation on church scandal:
  • "I want them to remain Catholic despite the stupid people like myself and others who exist within it... if you ever do find a perfect church, which you won't, once you join it, it won't be." — Matt Fradd [21:46]
• Wisdom on ritual and marriage:
  • "It's sort of like date nights with your wife... you bake into your life moments of encounter so that we can strengthen that relationship..." — Matt Fradd [17:15]

Timestamps for Important Segments

| Time | Segment | |-----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------| | 02:55 | Matt describes his entry into podcasting | | 04:44 | Story of his teenage agnostic years and conversion experience | | 06:49 | Catholicism’s apostolic succession and unique authority | | 08:05 | Analysis of cultural yearning for faith traditions | | 10:08 | Surprising international reach and spiritual hunger | | 13:32 | Discussion of narcissism and value of spiritual community | | 16:20 | The importance and wisdom of Catholic ritual | | 18:40 | Catholicism in secular Australia and Cardinal Pell's legacy | | 19:52 | Living faith in a hostile (or indifferent) world | | 21:41 | The vision for Pints With Aquinas at Daily Wire | | 26:47 | Editorial independence and the podcaster's approach to content | | 27:33 | Description of the new studio | | 28:11 | Preview of relaunch, upcoming guests |

Conclusion

This special edition offers a rich, candid conversation as Matt Fradd brings his unapologetically Catholic and intellectually rigorous podcast, Pints With Aquinas, to the Daily Wire. The hosts and guest navigate topics of faith, tradition, spiritual yearning, and modern pitfalls like narcissism—all with humor, humility, and practical wisdom. The show’s mission and candid, community-oriented tone will remain unchanged as it grows its audience and platform. Listeners can expect continuity, depth, and a steadfast commitment to exploring “the good, the true, and the beautiful.”