Christian Podcasts go mainstream?

In the first few days of 2021, Ascension’s ‘The Bible in a Year (with Fr Mike Schmitz)’ podcast stunned many by becoming the number 1 podcast on Apple.

For a Catholic podcast – just a priest reading the Bible each day – to make number one, was shocking.

In 2020, Tom Holland published his book Dominion in which he posited that the Western mind was not Greco-Roman, but Christian – a view which, along with a religious experience, quite publicly shifted him towards Christianity.

In a similar period, Jordan Peterson had risen to some infamy because of his view on speech laws in Canada, but began to gain popularity because of his Biblical lecture series, and his regular references to Christian concepts in interviews and talks.

In 2023, the host of the Unbelievable? Christian debate podcast, Justin Brierly, published his book The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God: Why new atheism grew old and secular thinkers are considering Christianity again. In it, he had noted a change in the air.

Much to the surprise of many, Brierly noted that the so-called ‘New Atheist’ movement was beginning to decline; that his guests were starting to talk about Christianity in gentler, more understanding and believing terms.

In 2024, it became increasingly clear that more mainstream podcasts either had openly Christian hosts, or were inviting Christian guests, who in turn were sharing their faith and demonstrating the validity of Christianity.

During this period many more voices rose up in sympathy with this new Christian media voice. Douglas Murray, Aayan Hirsi Ali, and even Richard Dawkins are among the many intellectuals that seemed to shift their views.

Now, in January 2025, this trend has hit the mainstream more than ever.

In the first few days of 2025, another Catholic podcast by Ascension, ‘The Rosary (with Fr Mark-Mary Ames’ overtook the Joe Rogan Experience to take the number 1 slot on Apple.

On 7th January, Rogan, one of the biggest podcasters of all time; a man who once said ‘Christianity, at the end of the day, with no proof, is just mythology’; mocked the idea of proof for Christ’s existence; Rogan, joined this trend.

Rogan sat down with the Protestant Apologist Wes Huff, and discussed, in detail, the historicity for the Jesus story. Looking at manuscript evidence, historical sources, psychology, and more, the pair unpacked, as Lee Strobel’s bestseller book called it, ‘The Case for Christ’.

Rogan seemed absorbed and amazed throughout the interview.

Two days later, this mega-star podcaster also sat down with Mel Gibson. Whilst Gibson had some questionable things to say about Catholicism (being a sedevacantist Catholic himself), he gave experiential arguments for God’s existence.

Again, Rogan seemed gripped by Gibson’s story – and even the evidence for the Shroud of Turin.

In October 2024, Shawn Ryan, an American Christian former SEAL, made news by overtaking Rogan’s podcast. Ryan, an openly Christian host who talks regularly about his faith, the spiritual battle between good and evil, and promotes Christianity, has also had many openly professing Christian guests including Jim Caviezel, Pete Hegseth, Nick Freitas, and the Exorcist priest Fr Dan Reehil.

At time of writing, Ryan’s podcast still sits at number 4 on Spotify podcasts.

In short, 2025 has kicked off with Christianity going mainstream again.

Whilst podcasts are predominantly consumed by young men, the cultural impact of such prominent voices speaking about faith cannot be understated.

New Atheism pushed Christianity into the intellectual shadows for a time; a taboo subject looked upon with superstition and mockery. But here it is, back again, front and centre.

Whilst Christians should not rely on popularity to support or confirm their faith, the now unmistakable trends should give hope.

In his most recent interview with the Atheist speaker Alex O’Connor, Brierly reflected on O’Connor’s own softening views of Christianity. Where once there was ardent atheism, there is now a respect and understanding.

O’Connor and Brierly discussed this ‘rebirth of belief’, and O’Connor, I think quite rightly, but this down to a societal crisis of meaning. The New Atheists never provided a replacement for religious impulse, they just tore the structure down.

In the face of growing radical ideologies and a crisis of meaning, young men particularly are turning to faith again. In 2025, the social indicators, such as what media is being consumed, are showing this trend clearly.

If the Catholic Church is not equipped or ready to receive this new interest, Matthew Arnold’s ‘tide of faith’ will come back into shore, but the Church will not catch it.

Other radical ideologies also want these people, and so Catholics need to pray, fast, and support their churches in welcoming and catechising seekers.

At a time like this, learning some basic apologetics should be an aim of all Catholics. Being ready to have deep conversations about people’s lives and their feelings of purposelessness are paramount.

Churches being well equipped through prayer, finances, and attendance; to run RCIA courses, host debates, make themselves known in their communities; these are the ways the Church can begin to receive the people who are searching.

And people are searching. As we step into 2025, Catholics can be hopeful that whilst much about the state of the Western world looks bleak, glimmers of hope can be found; even if those glimmers are in podcast rankings.

Catholic Herald version posted - https://thecatholicherald.com/the-christian-podcast-scene-is-having-a-moment/