Best PONTIFACTS Podcasts (2025)

1
The Cardinal-Electors (ft. Pontifacts) 1:29:06

2d ago1:29:06

1:29:06

Apologies for getting ahead of things, but this is something I have ready, which really helps it jump ahead in line. Plus I want you to know how to join in Adopt-A-Cardinal fun, starting on Saturday! Thanks to Bry and Fry from Pontifacts for joining me to talk about about 135+ cardinals all at once!By Gregg Gassman

1
Bonus: Papal Funerals 24:24

5d ago24:24

24:24

Bry and Fry discuss the historic origins and protocols for papal funerals, and explore how Pope Francis's funeral will break with tradition. (Pope Francis's funeral has been set for Saturday, April 26th at 10am in St Peter's Square.)By Pontifacts

1
The Last Testament of Pope Francis 6:38

1d ago6:38

6:38

Bonus facts to make up for the earlier error: when the 1378 conclave rolled around, it had been 74 years since a Papal conclave taken place in Rome. Many of the participating Cardinals hadn't been born yet, with the only reasonably confirmed exception being the aged Pierre Flandrin, who had been a toddler. Testament of the Holy Father Francis: http…

1
A Rose By Any Other Name (expanded show name) 2:54

4d ago2:54

2:54

Spoiler alert: the new name is “Popeular History: A Catholic History of the World”. So not much different. Unless you’re a search engine. Are you a search engine? Also yeah, I said history twice. I like history. TRANSCRIPT Welcome to Popeular History: History through Pope-Colored Glasses. Or perhaps I should say “welcome to Popeular History: A Cath…

1
Reflection on Pope Francis 7:26

5d ago7:26

7:26

TRANSCRIPT Welcome to Popeular History, History through Pope-colored glasses. My name is Gregg. As you know, Pope Francis passed away yesterday, and the Catholic Church is in a period of transition. I spoke about my podcast plans for the present sede vacante yesterday, so if you want more on that look there. Today I’d like to talk a bit about Pope …

1
Episode 51: Coco Avant Chanel with Fashion Writer Roxanne Robinson 1:47:10

6d ago1:47:10

1:47:10

Sara and Rena welcome the brilliant fashion journalist Roxanne Robinson for the 2009 film Coco Avant Chanel (that means “Before” for anyone who hasn’t been using their 2025 existential crisis to re-learn French on Duolingo). By being “before” Gabrielle “Coco” Chanel became an icon, we can skip over the grossness of Coco’s who Nazi thing, and focus …

1
What Now? 7:19

6d ago7:19

7:19

THANKS Thanks to all you listeners, and to those who have supported me through the years and especially through this most recent hiatus. Also thanks to Marco of the Storia d’Italia podcast (https://italiastoria.com/) for giving authenticity to the Italian quote–which, incidentally, I believe I mistranslated somewhat: It’s normally rendered as “when…

1
Bonus: How a Conclave Works with Popeular History 51:33

6d ago51:33

51:33

Bry and Gregg (Popeular History and Cardinal Numbers) discuss the regulations, procedure and protocol surrounding a conclave. Please note this was recorded during Francis's illness, before his death and before the date for the conclave has been set. Outro song credit to Ben Jacobs!By Pontifacts

1
Bonus: Pope Francis Obituary 14:36

6d ago14:36

14:36

Today, Pope Francis died at the age of 88. In this brief obituary, we reflect on the life and papacy of Pope Francis, briefly discuss what is to come in terms of funeral and conclave, and express our appreciation.By Pontifacts

1
Hiatus Update 4:35

9d ago4:35

4:35

Not gonna transcript this, but bottom line enjoy your Easter when it comes, hiatus is continuing, current target for getting back to regular schedule is 6/29/25 (5th anniversary of the show). There will still be some new collab stuff coming out including a special on the fascinating 1769 conclave where the Holy Roman Emperor showed up in person whi…

1
149. Benedict IX Part 2 19:35

14d ago19:35

19:35

And he's back! ...or is he? In his episode, we discuss unfortunate PontiFACTS, deal with the rabble rabble, and ask ourselves, how do we get back here? Remember, you can sign up for our patreon now, and help us reach our goal of $40 million dollars to buy the papacy! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: https:/…

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Episode 50: The Alamo, Starring John Wayne as Davy Crockett 1:27:16

20d ago1:27:16

1:27:16

The most meaningless standoff in American history is commemorated in a manner it deserves: a speechifying hagiography that’s actually about the political beliefs of its star and director, John Wayne. Davy Crockett (the awesomest dude who ever lived, according to this film), Jim Bowie (the second awesomest dude who ever lived) and William Travis (ju…

1
Episode 49: Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story, Starring John C. Reilly 53:58

27d ago53:58

53:58

Rena and Sara dive into this unflinching look at the life and times of the singular Dewey Cox, one of the most influential artists of the 20th century. We discuss: What if Nate Cox had survived? Why didn’t Don MacLean include Dewey in “American Pie”? How important are blankets in recovery from addiction? Is twelve too young to get married? What is …

1
148. Sylvester III 27:32

28d ago27:32

27:32

So Benedict IX has been forced out of Rome and deposed, and a new pope is needed! In steps Sylvester III. Can he turn things around? In his episode, we discuss the most bigamous diocese, and trying your luck a little too far. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pontifactspodcast…

1
Crossover: The Agony and the Ecstasy with Biopic: A Podcast Story 1:34:12

1M ago1:34:12

1:34:12

This week, we were invited by the delightful Sara and Rena from Biopic: A Podcast Story to watch and discuss the 1965 classic, The Agony and the Ecstasy! Join us for a foray into bad actors, bad acting, great discussion, and Bry's favourite time period! Listen to Biopic: A Podcast Story: https://open.spotify.com/show/1qaBKP7ho2WPqRXRQjqLJZ…

1
Episode 48: The Agony and the Ecstasy, Guest Starring Fry and Bry from Pontifacts 1:34:12

1M ago1:34:12

1:34:12

Have you ever wanted to watch a movie about paint drying? You’re in luck. Sara and Rena are joined by Fry and Bry from Pontifacts to discuss the “will he or won’t he” tale of Michelangelo’s painting of the Sistine Chapel starring the NRA’s Charlton Heston and alleged murder and confirmed monster Rex Harrison as Michelangelo and Pope Julius II, resp…

1
Episode 47: Star 80, Bob Fosse's Last Movie 1:37:23

1M ago1:37:23

1:37:23

It’s a special week of watching Sara’s absolute favorite biopic, Bob Fosse’s masterpiece Star 80 (Note: All Fosse movies are masterpieces). Star 80 tells the story of Dorothy Stratten, a lovely young woman who would become Playboy’s Playmate of the Year in 1980 and had a massive future ahead of her, and how Paul Snider, her despicable partner, murd…

1
147. Benedict IX 30:20

1M ago30:20

30:20

Are you ready for the "Demon from Hell" Pope, who broke all of the rules, including ours?! In his episode, we discuss so many crimes, exiles, attempted murders, and oddly placed omens...By Pontifacts

1
Episode 46: Walk the Line, Starring Joaquin Phoenix as Johnny Cash 1:23:38

2M ago1:23:38

1:23:38

It’s the movie that, along with Ray, spawned a hundred other movies that follow this precise template, Walk the Line. James Mangold’s film about the addict-y and self-destructive parts of Johnny Cash’s life has earned some mockery over the years for its one-way ticket to Clichéistan, but is that criticism warranted? Well…sometimes. We discuss the u…

1
Episode 45: Lisztomania with Special Guest Elana Levin from the Graphic Policy Podcast 2:01:03

2M ago2:01:03

2:01:03

Happy birthday to Rena and Roger Daltrey! We’re delighted to be joined by the brilliant Elana Levin from the Graphic Policy podcast (https://graphicpolicy.com/radio/, on Bluesky @Levin) for the completely bananas, wildly original Lisztomania, Ken Russell’s 1970s musical biopic on the first rock star, Franz Lizst. In this super-sized episode, we’re …

1
146. John XIX 45:32

2M ago45:32

45:32

Pope John XIX, the "bilious barnacle" assumes the papacy after his brother's death, but sadly, will bring none of his pizzaz. In his episode, we discuss bribery, greed, renegging on promises and changing ones mind... and indulgences!!!! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspodPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pontifa…

1
Episode 44: Shirley, Starring Regina King as Shirley Chisholm! 1:05:28

2M ago1:05:28

1:05:28

We buckle up for the inspiring but also totally depressing story of Shirley Chisolm, the fearless Brooklynite who became the first major-party female candidate for President. Shirley is inspiring because she has class, style, incredible smarts, and is a preternaturally gifted politician. Shirley totally bummed us out because [gestures around at the…

1
Bonus Episode! Irrelevant Host Banter 10: 50+ Minutes of Us Trashing Reagan 56:48

2M ago56:48

56:48

We recorded around three hours of material for “Episode 20: Reagan” back in August of 2024. That movie was torture to endure and we wound up cutting about half of what we recorded. We assert that the right to free assembly allows us, the much-loathed coastal media types, the right to seek hope, comfort, and the mutual salving of wounds among the li…

1
Episode 43: Straight Outta Compton, the Story of N.W.A. 1:27:07

2M ago1:27:07

1:27:07

Responsible for this podcast’s existence and our term “Eazy-E Crying,” Straight Outta Compton is a straight-up delight — a biopic about the seminal rap group NWA whose excellence defies “and-then-i-ness,” that gets inside the joy of the creative process and manages to do non-cloying fan service. While the film is not without flaws (glossing over so…

1
145. Benedict VIII 55:06

2M ago55:06

55:06

Benedict VIII marks the (second) beginning of the "Tusculan Papacy", but will he take after his Pornocracy predecessors? In his episode, we discuss a potential precedent set, Norman alliances, Saracen invasions, and the Truce of God. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspodPaypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/pontifacts…

1
Episode 42: 42, Starring Chadwick Boseman as Jackie Robinson 1:04:51

3M ago1:04:51

1:04:51

Description: Black History Month continues, and numerical kismet isn’t the only thing we love this week: We LOVE 42, the 2013 biopic about Jackie Robinson’s first year as the first Black Major League Baseball player. The late, great Chadwick Boseman is, of course, brilliant, but so is Harrison Ford as sportsball manager Branch Rickey, a man committ…

1
Intelligent Speech reminder! 0:57

3M ago0:57

0:57

Reminder that I will be speaking in multiple settings at the online Intelligent Speech conference this Saturday, Feb 8th. Get your tickets at intelligentspeechonline.com and use the promo code Popeular for a special discount. See you there!By Gregg Gassman

1
Episode 41: Harriet, Starring Cynthia Erivo as Harriet Tubman 1:06:31

3M ago1:06:31

1:06:31

It’s our first episode in Black History Month, and we’re starting with a bang – the story of one Harriet Tubman. Ms. Tubman is among the historical figures whose life most closely resembles that of a Marvel hero, so her moment was long overdue. But if you have to wait, at least you get the superlative talents, brilliance, and star power of one Cynt…

1
Bonus: Intelligent Speech 2024 PontiVROOM! 40:32

3M ago40:32

40:32

In anticipation of Intelligent Speech 2025 happening THIS WEEKEND, we're releasing our 2024 presentation! The 2024 theme was Contingencies, and we discussed the history of the Popemobile, and how it has changed to meet the various needs of different pontiffs. There is still time to join us for Intelligent Speech 2025: Deception, where we will be ta…

1
Episode 40: A Complete Unknown, Starring Timothee Chalamet as Bob Dylan! 59:17

3M ago59:17

59:17

How DOES it feel to be a total genius? It’s a burden for our dear friend Bob Dylan. A Complete Unknown is a big hit and is nominated for a billionty-five Academy Awards, so we went to the theaters to experience what might be the most sincere, prestige-y portrait of a ridiculously talented douchebag in the history of filmmaking. Sara and Rena mostly…

1
Episode 39: Trumbo, Starring Bryan Cranston as Dalton Trumbo! 1:05:23

3M ago1:05:23

1:05:23

In honor of Sara’s natal day, we attempt to deconstruct her weird obsession with character actors as we enjoy this delightful film about the blacklist and one of its central heroes, Dalton Trumbo. Absent from the film are twin douchenozzles Joe McCarthy and Roy Cohn, but present are douchenozzles like real-life blacklisting masturbator Louis CK and…

1
144. Sergius IV 46:46

3M ago46:46

46:46

You've had Pope John ("Drizzly") Cock, are you now ready for Peter Pigsnout? In his episode, we discuss his daring assassination plot, which did not happen, his kicking off of the Great Schism, which did not happen, and his call for the First Crusade... which also did not happen. Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Pa…

1
Episode 38: Marie Antoinette with Special Guest Belle from Silhouettes: A Fashion History Podcast 1:20:53

3M ago1:20:53

1:20:53

How gorgeous is Sofia Coppola’s delicious, vibes-filled Marie Antoinette? So gorgeous that we brought on a special guest, Belle, the host of Silhouettes: The Fashion History Podcast, to discuss. In addition to Belle’s deep expertise around the era, we discuss Kirsten Dunst’s perfection, the meta-level brilliance of Sofia’s cast (who better to play …

1
Episode 37: Radioactive, Starring Rosamund Pike as Marie Curie! 1:01:16

4M ago1:01:16

1:01:16

How do two astonishing gifted women—director Marjane Sartrapi and actor Rosamund Pike—make a movie together about 2x Nobel Prize winner Marie Curie and have it come out this boring? Start by combining masterful visual style with dull, on-the-nose words, and then add weird, apocryphal character quirks (Marie Curie is afraid of hospitals for … reason…

1
143. John XVIII 33:13

4M ago33:13

33:13

Another John! This time with the most unfortunate nickname we have ever given, and its not even entirely our fault. In his episode, we'll discuss the shuffling of German diocese, being a nice guy, and a shocking reason to bring up the diptychs!! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactspod Paypal: https://www.paypal.com/paypal…

1
Episode 36: Spartacus, the Movie that (Debatably) Broke the Blacklist! 1:34:50

4M ago1:34:50

1:34:50

We all are Spartacus this week. Sara and Rena watch this astonishing epic that masterfully Trojan-horses a bunch of crazy messages about communism, righteousness, and self-sacrifice in a movie that pretends to be about toxic masculinity and oiled-up, 1950s-fit men gladiating. Of course we love this movie: So much Peter Ustinov, so much Stanley Kubr…

1
Episode 35: Bohemian Rhapsody! Happy Holidays, It's Our Most Requested Movie! 1:50:59

4M ago1:50:59

1:50:59

People wanted this, so we did it, and one of us is WAY happier about it than the other. Is Bohemian Rhapsody an efficient, joyful look at the life and genius of Freddie Mercury and his fellow geniuses in Queen, or is it a Wikipedia-skimming, nightmarishly-edited, lie-filled romp through fan-service hell? Things we can agree on: Adam Lambert is unco…

1
Bonus: #Popewatch and the Portals 13:45

4M ago13:45

13:45

It's time for a long due #Popewatch!! If you've seen some alarming headlines about Pope Francis "opening portals in an unprecedented ritual" or "livestreaming the opening of the Tomb of Lucifer", we've got you covered. Thank you for another amazing year of Pontifacts, see you in 2025! Support Pontifacts: Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/pontifactsp…

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