The Critic as Artist (ft. Dana Gioia)

In this episode, Christopher Caldwell joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Why the AfD Wins” from the October 2026 issue of the magazine.

Further reading:Darel E. Paul, “Jason Arday and the Therapeutic Academy”  (First Things)Carl R. Trueman, “How the Therapeutic Killed Academic Standards” (First Things)Bethel McGrew, “Jason Arday and the Merciless Lie” (First Things)Tyler Austin Harper, “Why I Quit the Tenure Track” (The Atlantic)R. R. Reno, “The Failed 9/11 Memorial” (First Things)

In this episode, Brad Littlejohn joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Left to Our Own Devices,” from the August/September 2026 issue of the magazine.

In this episode, James F. Keating joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his new bimonthly topical newsletter for First Things, The Fourth Watch.

In this episode, Dana Gioia joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his most recent piece for Portico, "The Last of the Lost Generation."

In this episode, J. J. Kimche joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his new bi-monthly topical newsletter for First Things, "The Jew From Nowhere."

In this episode, Nathan Pinkoski joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent introduction to Éric Zemmour's book, "The Suicide of France."

In this episode, Matthew Schmitz joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Our Strange Catholic Moment” from the June/July 2026 issue of the magazine.

In this episode, Sam Zeno Conedera joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent review, “Ratzinger in the Whirlwind” from the May 2026 issue of the magazine.

In this episode, James R. Wood joins R. R. Reno on The Editor's Desk to talk about his recent essay, “Liberalism Is Christianity’s Prodigal Child” from the June/July 2026 issue of the magazine.