Crash Course Catholicism

Dr Caitlin West
  • 4.9 (105)
  • CHRISTIANITY
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

A summary of the teachings of the Catholic Church, given to you in short, easy-to-digest episodes, uploaded fortnightly. --- www.caitlinwest.com

  1. 12/22/2025

    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 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠⁠⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠⁠⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

    23 min

  2. 12/08/2025

    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 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: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Donate via PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ 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

    29 min

  3. 11/27/2025

    104 - Common Questions about the Bible 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 punishments to people in the Old Testament? Does the Bible condone things like slavery and genocide? What about all those people who do terrible things in the Bible? Basically just a few really easy simple questions that aren't at all controversial, you're welcome. 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 PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: ⁠www.caitlinwest.com⁠ Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: Matthew 22:37-40 Isaiah 13:9 2 Kings 13 Joshua 11:8-9 The Catechism of the Catholic Church, pts. 42, 53 Trent Horn, Hard Sayings Jimmy Akin, Genocide in the Bible Joe Heschmeyer, Did God Command Genocide in the Old Testament? The Bible in a Year, Day 32: Cattle, Boils, and Hail Catholic Answers: The Reason for Divine Wrath Does God Have Emotions? Does the Bible Support Slavery? Pope Benedict XVI: God and the World: Believing and Living in Our Time The Catholic Encyclopedie, Slavery and Christianity Thomas Aquinas, Summa Theologiae, II.i, Q.79 Fr Mike Schmitz: Did God Change? Old Testament God vs. New Testament God Pints With Aquinas, The Problem of Violence in The Old Testament? /W Trent Horn Bishop Robert Barron, Understanding Violence in the Old Testament Breaking In The Habit, Why is God so Angry in the Old Testament?

    33 min

  4. 11/12/2025

    103 - Common Questions about the Bible 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? And what about contradictions within the Bible? Why do some of the Gospel writers recount events differently? Do these discrepancies undermine the reliability of the Bible? In this episode, we continue our discussion of common questions about the Bible. 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 PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: www.caitlinwest.com Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: The Catholic of the Catholic Church, pts. 112 and 2290Trent Horn, Hard SayingsVatican II, Dei VerbumPope Leo XIII, Providentissimus DeusCatholic Answers: How to Resolve Alleged Gospel ContradictionsJimmy Akin: Your Bible Questions - Catholic Answers LiveJimmy Akin:History As the Ancients Wrote It—Part IHistory As the Ancients Wrote It—Part IIPints With Aquinas: The Right Way to Read Holy Scripture (Dr. John Bergsma) Mind-Blowing Bible Study (Dr. Scott Hahn)Your Bible Questions Answered (Dr. John Bergsma)Peter Kreeft, The Bible: Myth or History Ascension Presents: Internet's Most Asked Questions about the Bible (w/ Jeff Cavins)How Can the Church Say the Bible Is without Error?Tim Gray and Jeff Cavins, Walking With God: A Journey through the Bible

    28 min

  5. 10/28/2025

    102 - Common Questions about the Bible 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 the Bible. 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 PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: CCC, pts 120-130Vatican II, Dei VerbumUniversalis, Daily Mass ReadingsThe Bible in a Year Reading PlanScott Hahn, Catholic Bible DictionaryDr. John Bergsma, "Why are Catholic Bibles Bigger than Protestant Bibles?"Catholic Answers, Who Compiled the Bible and When?Canon of Scripture: What criteria did the early Christians use to determine What were the criteria for determining the books of the Bible?Protestantism’s Old Testament ProblemScripture and TraditionDid Catholics Add 7 Books to the Bible? Or Did Protestants Remove Them?Trent Horn, Why are Protestant Bibles Smaller?Jimmy Akin, The Bible is a Catholic BookShameless Popery, How were the books of the Bible decided?Gary Michuta, Why Catholic Bibles are BiggerMatt Fradd, Why Catholic Bibles are BiggerCatholic Encyclopedia, Canon of the New TestamentSeptuagint VersionAleteia, What is the Septuagint and why is it important?Ascension, How the New Testament Canon was Chosen

    30 min

  6. 09/30/2025

    101 - The Books of the Bible: 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 this episode, we'll look at the following books: HebrewsJames1 and 2 Peter1, 2, and 3 JohnJudeRevelation 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 PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: Peter Kreeft, ⁠You Can Understand the Bible⁠ Scott Hahn, ⁠Catholic Bible Dictionary⁠ USCCB, ⁠Books of the Bible⁠ The Catholic Encyclopedia: ⁠Epistle (in Scripture)⁠ ⁠New Testament⁠ Epistle to the Hebrews Epistles of Saint Peter Epistle of St. James Epistles of Saint John Epistle of St. Jude Catholic Answers: ⁠Letter Writing in the Ancient World⁠ ⁠Who Wrote 1 Peter?⁠ John’s First Letter to the Protestants? The Letter to the Hebrews The Book of Revelation Bishop Robert Barron on The Book of Revelation

    25 min

  7. 09/16/2025

    100 - The Books of the Bible: 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 view of the whole Bible, to help equip us to begin reading it, or to read it more deeply. In this episode, we'll look at the following books: Romans1 Corinthians2 CorinthiansGalatiansEphesiansPhilippiansColossians1 Thessalonians2 Thessalonians1 Timothy2 TimothyTitusPhilemon 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 PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: Peter Kreeft, You Can Understand the Bible Scott Hahn, Catholic Bible Dictionary USCCB, Books of the Bible The Catholic Encyclopedia: Epistle (in Scripture) New Testament Epistles to the Corinthians Epistles to Timothy and Titus Epistle to the Galatians St Paul Catholic Answers: Letter Writing in the Ancient World The Book of Revelation Timothy and Titus Letter to the Ephesians Who Wrote 1 Peter? Letter to the Ephesians The Letters to the Corinthians Augustine Institute: Introduction to St. Paul

    28 min

  8. 09/02/2025

    99 - The Books of the Bible: 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 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 this episode, we'll look at the following books: The Gospel of Matthew The Gospel of Mark The Gospel of Luke The Gospel of John The Acts of the Apostles 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 PayPal⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Contact the podcast: crashcoursecatholicism@gmail.com. Instagram: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.instagram.com/crashcoursecatholicism/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ References and further reading/listening/viewing: Jesús Gil, Joseángel Domínguez, Bible Portico Scott Hahn, The Catholic Bible Dictionary Peter Kreeft, You Can Understand the Bible USCCB, Books of the Bible The Bible in a Year: Gospel of Matthew Gospel of Mark Gospel of Luke Gospel of John Acts of the Apostles Catholic Answers: The Gospel According to Matthew The Gospel According to Mark The Gospel According to Luke The Gospel of John Acts of the Apostles The Book of Acts The Catholic Encyclopedia: Gospel of St Matthew Gospel of Saint Mark Gospel of Saint Luke Gospel of St. John Tim Gray, How to Read the Acts of the Apostles Dr Regis Martin, A New Way To Read John's Gospel Dr John Bergsma, Everything You Need to Know About St. Matthew (and His Gospel) The Augustine Institute, The Gospel of Matthew (Part 1)

    28 min
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4.9
out of 5
105 Ratings

About

A summary of the teachings of the Catholic Church, given to you in short, easy-to-digest episodes, uploaded fortnightly. --- www.caitlinwest.com

Information

  • Creator
    Dr Caitlin West
  • Years Active
    2021 - 2025
  • Episodes
    111
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © Dr Caitlin West
  • Show Website
    Crash Course Catholicism

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