Crash Course Catholicism

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 have a particular dignity, or are we just intelligent animals?
Understanding what a human person is helps us to see why human beings must always be at the centre of every society.

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:
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References and further reading/listening/viewing:
⁠⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church⁠, pts 105-134
Catechism of the Catholic Church, pt 357
John Paul II, Redemptor Hominis
Jose Angel Lombo and Francesco Russo, Philosophical Anthropology: An Introduction
USCCB, "Life and Dignity of the Human Person"
Pope Pius XI, Mit Brennender Sorge - particularly this passage: "8. Whoever exalts race, or the people, or the State, or a particular form of State, or the depositories of power, or any other fundamental value of the human community - however necessary and honorable be their function in worldly things - whoever raises these notions above their standard value and divinizes them to an idolatrous level, distorts and perverts an order of the world planned and created by God; he is far from the true faith in God and from the concept of life which that faith upholds."
Hot Fuzz, dir. Edgar Wright
Also, for anyone who teaches English or Philosophy, I recommend the play Juniper Blood, by Mike Bartlett. The plot basically revolves around the question of how to balance our responsibility to the planet with our responsibilities to the people closest to us. The question 'what is the value of a human being?' is really at the heart of the play. Highly recommended as a text for students (mature students -- the play contains a few sexual references and depictions of drug use), super relevant to the questions we're exploring in this episode.

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 and the prophets to the teaching of Christ, the Bible reveals that social responsibility is not an optional extra to the Christian life. Rather, it flows directly from who God is and who we are called to become. These biblical foundations form the heart of the Church’s social teaching 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:
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References and further reading/listening/viewing:
⁠The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church, Pts 1-50
JPII, Mulieris Dignitatem
The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 1906; 2062
Deuteronomy 15:7-8
Leviticus 19:33-34
John 13:34-35; 17:21-22
Catholic Answers, Natural Law

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 rights, the rights of workers, the responsibilities of employers, governments, and individuals, and the conditions necessary for human flourishing.

In today's episode, we begin with an overview of social doctrine -- what it is and why we need it -- before summarising the history of the development of social doctrine, especially during the twentieth century.

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:
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References and further reading/listening/viewing:
The Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Catholic Church
USCCB: Seven Themes of Catholic Social Teaching
CBCEW
A Summary of Catholic Social Teaching
Fr Roger Charles, Introduction to Catholic Social Teaching
Catholic Answers:
20 Answers: Catholic Social Teaching
Does Catholic Social Teaching Change?
Are All Elements of Catholic Social Teaching Equally Important?
Broken Bay Diocese, Pope Leo XIV reveals reason behind name choice

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 not yet been disillusioned, you might want to listen to this one when they're not in the room.
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:
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References and further reading/listening/viewing:
Catholic Encyclopedia, St Nicholas of Myra
Britannica Encyclopedia, St Nicholas
Catholic Answers:
Santa Claus for Catholics: Yes or No?
The Weird History of Santa Claus
St Nicholas of Myra, by Michael the Archimandrite
Amber Rose, Saint Nicholas or Santa Claus? Catholic Ways to Celebrate!
The Augustine Institute, St Nicholas and Santa Claus
St Nicholas Center

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 those whose writings are of benefit to the whole church.
John Henry Newman was an Anglican priest and Oxford academic who converted to Catholicism and was eventually made a cardinal. He is one of the most significant Catholic figures of the nineteenth century, known for his academic brilliance and his personal holiness.
In today's episode, we discuss the life of this incredible saint.

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:
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Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠
Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
References and further reading/listening/viewing:
The Newman Reader - Works of John Henry Newman
St. John Henry Newman:
The Mission Prayer
"Conscience", from A Letter Addressed to the Duke of Norfolk
The "Biglietto Speech"
Apologia Pro Vita Sua
Philip Boyce, "Newman's Reception into the Catholic church"
Bishop Robert Barron:
Bishop Barron Q&A on St. John Henry Newman’s Life, Theology, and Books
Bishop Barron on St. John Henry Newman: Beyond the Left and the Right
Celebrating St. John Henry Newman Becoming a Doctor of the Church
Dr Scott Hahn on Newman's conversion
Cardinal Newman's Legacy | Scott Hahn w/ Jeff Morrow
St. John Henry Newman: Meeting the Challenges of Modernity
EWTN:
St. John Henry Newman: From Anglican to Saint Cardinal
Focus: The Life and Legacy of John Henry Cardinal Newman
The Life of Saint John Henry Newman: From Anglican Priest to Catholic Saint
Discover the life of St. John Henry Newman to-be Doctor of the Church