Holy Smoke
Today: #177 in Religion & Spirituality, Australia on our combined chart.
Today: #146 in Religion & Spirituality, Ireland on our combined chart.
Chart positions today · United States
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Ranking history · United States
Latest episodes
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Could evangelical Christians decide Brazil's election?
October 24, 2026 · 15 minManuela Lowenthal Ferreira joins Damian Thompson from Brazil to report on the growing role of evangelical Christians in the presidential election. The second round this Sunday sees left-wing President Lula –serving his third term…
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Should we worry about Pope Leo?
October 16, 2026 · 21 minPope Leo XIV is recovering in hospital after undergoing surgery for lung cancer, with doctors removing the lower lobe of his right lung. The Vatican says his recovery is progressing normally, but questions remain over how his illness could…
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Charles Owen: can you hear God in Franz Liszt’s music?
September 30, 2026 · 26 minFranz Liszt is remembered as one of the great showmen of the 19th century: a dazzling virtuoso, breaker of pianos and notorious womaniser who inspired a frenzy among his admirers. But a profound Catholic faith ran through his life, which…
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Michael Nazir-Ali: Pakistani Christians fear backlash over Lambeth Palace award
September 18, 2026 · 22 minPakistani Christians could face renewed persecution following the Archbishop of Canterbury’s decision to withdraw an honour to a leading Muslim cleric, Monsignor Michael Nazir-Ali warns today in this episode of Holy Smoke. The former…
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Catholic Burnham barred: should the law change?
September 12, 2026 · 15 minAndy Burnham has announced his intention to change a law which bars him from advising the King on appointments to the Church of England. The Victorian-era law explicitly bars Catholics like Burnham, as well as Jews – but doesn't prevent…
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Are you having a 'nun girl summer'?
August 30, 2026 · 20 minWhy are young women suddenly fascinated by nuns? From ‘nun girl summer’ on TikTok to a wider ‘quiet revival’ of Christianity among Generation Z, the religious life appears to be enjoying an unexpected cultural moment. But is the attraction…
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Plastic Parsons: why Quentin Letts fears for the parish church
August 23, 2026 · 17 minIs the Church of England slowly abolishing the parish priest? A new model of ‘oversight ministry’ promises team-based leadership and a greater role for lay volunteers – but critics fear it will leave priests increasingly invisible in the…
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Wandering bishops, rival popes & schismatic churches
August 18, 2026 · 30 minWhat happens when a bishop breaks with Rome but still claims apostolic succession? Damian Thompson is joined by historian Magnus Lundberg, Professor of Church and Mission History at Uppsala University in Sweden, to explore the strange…
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How Project Spire will hurt England's parishes
August 8, 2026 · 21 minIn this week’s episode of Holy Smoke, Damian Thompson is joined by Madeline Grant to dive into the contentious topic of Project Spire, the Church of England's ambitious plan to allocate £100 million in reparations for its involvement in…
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Coffee House Shots: Britain's first Catholic PM
July 31, 2026 · 19 minIs Andy Burnham the country's first catholic Prime Minister, and how might it influence his leadership? Despite his faith drawing him to Labour, he doesn’t attend mass and rarely emphasises his religion publicly. To unpack his faith and…
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When Mary Calls: why Protestants are praying to the Mother of God
July 19, 2026 · 36 minFor many Christians, devotion to the Virgin Mary is deeply moving. For others, it raises uncomfortable theological questions. Is the veneration of Mary a vital part of Christian faith or does it risk elevating her to something resembling a…
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How religion shapes football
July 10, 2026 · 17 minFrom idolising players to faithfully following a club, football is often described as the world’s secular religion. But religion has long been woven into the fabric of the game itself. From the sectarian roots of Glasgow’s Old Firm rivalry…

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