The other day I received a press release about an intriguing album of keyboard music by 16th- and early 17th-century composers, three Englishman and a Dutchman, played on the modern piano by Mishka Rushdie Momen, one of this country’s most gifted and intellectually curious young concert pianists. It’s called Reformation, and before I’d heard a note…

Here's an episode of Holy Smoke to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Anton Bruckner later this year. This embarrassingly eccentric genius was, perhaps, the most devoutly Catholic of all the major composers – but you don't have to be religious to appreciate the unique consolation offered by his gigantic symphonies. On the other hand, it's h…

When did supposedly religious funerals turn into ‘celebrations of life’ that are more about entertaining the congregation than mourning the dead person – who, these days, hasn’t died but ‘passed’? In this episode of Holy Smoke I’m joined by one of my favourite American priests, Fr Joe Krupp, a self-described ‘redneck’ from Michigan who reaches mill…

In this episode of Holy Smoke, I'm joined by The Spectator's features editor William Moore, who asks in this week's issue of the magazine whether the Church of England is 'apologising for Christianity'. A report by the Oversight Group, set up by the Church Commissioners to make reparations for African slavery, not only wants to see unimaginable sum…

Welcome to the Holy Smokes podcast. In this emotional episode of Holy Smokes, our host, Steve Reiter, sits down with guest Mark Bendorf for a profound and heartfelt conversation. Mark shares his experiences with cigars, his love for family, and his challenges. From growing up near Camp Randall in Madison, Wisconsin, to serving in the Marine Corps a…

At a press conference in Rome last week, an ex-nun claiming to have suffered ritual sex abuse at the hands of Fr Marko Rupnik turned the heat on Pope Francis. How much did he know about the stomach-turning charges levelled at the Slovenian mosaic artist, who was a Jesuit until he was thrown out of the order? And, more important, when did he know? W…

Welcome to Holy Smokes, the podcast where faith, friendship, tobacco, and drinks come together in meaningful and thought-provoking conversations. In this episode, our host, Steve Reiter, sits down with the inspiring Dave Bechtold and the engaging Mark Bendorf. Together, they delve into a wide range of topics, from childhood memories and personal gr…

Welcome to Holy Smokes, where we delve into the compelling stories of faith, community, and personal growth. In this episode, we feature Dave Bechtold and Mark Bendorf, who share their experiences in Madison, Wisconsin, organizing events such as Holy Grounds and "Burgers and the Bible" with a mission to spread joy, hospitality, and the message of J…

Can the Church of England escape from the deadly grip of bishops and bureaucrats who spend their entire time genuflecting to the metropolitan Left? Why does Archbishop Justin Welby wade obsessively into secular political battles when his churches are emptying? And do worshippers realise that eye-watering sums of money are being siphoned off from th…

Welcome to a sizzling new episode of Holy Smokes! In this electrifying installment, we're joined by the illustrious Tobin Arthur, who regales us with riveting tales from his high school baseball triumphs to his dynamic career in business and healthcare. Grab your favorite Crossfire cigar and a piping hot cup of coffee as we delve into Tobin's journ…

Donald Trump now seems certain to be the Republican presidential candidate in this year's US presidential elections. That's a prospect that horrifies liberal America and quite a few other Americans besides. The former president secured overwhelming support from evangelical Christians in Iowa and New Hampshire and some commentators are speculating t…

Just before Christmas, the Vatican's new doctrinal chief Cardinal Victor ‘Tucho’ Fernandez unveiled a new style of blessing designed to make gay couples feel at home in church without changing the Church's teaching on marriage. The Argentinian Tucho has for years been Pope Francis's protégé – but for how much longer? The new gay blessings, supposed…

Welcome to another exciting episode of Holy Smokes with Steve Reiter and Mitch Smith! Mitch shares his journey from resigning from his job to starting his own business and finding success in the learning management platform industry. He discusses his experiences, including meeting influential individuals, building strong client relationships, and t…

Welcome to Holy Smokes, a gathering place where faith, friendship, excellent tobacco, and good drink collide to spark meaningful conversations. Caleb Allen, a preacher from Denison, Kansas, joins host Steve Reiter on this episode. They delve deeply into Caleb's personal path, from being a conscientious youngster to his atypical career goals and spi…

In this festive episode of Holy Smoke, we're taken back to the Christmasses of the 1950s and 60s by Raymond Arroyo, Fox News and EWTN presenter, whose enemies in the Vatican have been trying to silence him for years. They've failed, thankfully – and now silencing him is even harder. Raymond, who trained in musical theatre, has produced an album ent…

You might imagine that a political project to place modern nation states under the supreme authority of the Catholic Church would stand zero chance of success anywhere in the world, including in traditionally Catholic countries. And you'd be right. Even so, a movement known as Integralism – whose 20th-century incarnations were closely related to fa…

Welcome to another episode of Holy Smokes. In this episode, our host, Steve Reiter, sits down with a very special guest, Steve Van Diest. Steve opens up about his journey from ministry to joining a missional order called Project Revive. He shares the challenges he faced when 60% of his donors left him after making the shift. He tells us how he infu…

Welcome back to another episode of Holy Smokes! In today's episode, a very special guest is joining us - the incredible Jimmy Graham. Jimmy opens up about his admiration for George Washington's leadership, thoughts on Jordan Peterson's impact, and the importance of setting boundaries for his children. He shares his vision of creating a safe space t…

Welcome back to another episode of Holy Smokes! I'm your host, Steve Reiter, and today, we have a very special guest joining us: Ashley Early. In this episode, Ashley shares their personal journey of making a significant life change, one that involved leaving their job and moving back to their hometown. They open up about the emotional process of m…

When I was in Rome last month, I watched the 'synod on synodality' fizzle out while the Marko Rupnik sex scandal took another sinister turn (and various Catholic journalists shamefully tried to suppress the story). But don't worry: this episode of Holy Smoke is devoted to more uplifting matters. I visited the ancient little church of Saints Cosmas …

Welcome to another exciting episode of Holy Smokes! Welcome back to another episode of Holy Smokes! In today's episode, titled "Seattle Chapter," we dive into the captivating and life-changing stories of new people joining our sacred circle. Host Steve Reiter, along with guests Zack, Buzz Leonard, and Jim Canfield, share their personal experiences …

Welcome to another episode of Holy Smokes. In this week's episode our host, Steve Reiter, sits down with a special guest, Jim Canfield, to discuss a wide range of captivating stories and experiences. During the episode, Jim takes us on an adventurous journey, starting with his experience of buying a house through a short sale. From panicking about …

Pope Francis's much-hyped 'synod on synodality' began in Rome this week and to say that it has got off to a rocky start is putting it mildly. On Monday, five leading conservative cardinals bounced Francis into making a highly ambiguous statement apparently opening the door to gay blessings. Meanwhile, and this subject is being played down by certai…

In todays Holy Smokes episode guest Stan Wallace shares his journey of deepening his understanding and grounding in his faith while navigating the challenges of academia. Stan discusses the importance of Christians engaging in philosophy, history, literature, and neuroscience, and bringing biblical principles into the conversation. He highlights th…

In today's episode, host Steve Reiter is joined by the passionate and experienced fisherman, Sam Vandervalk. Get ready to dive into the captivating world of fishing as Sam shares his insights on changing fishing conditions, the joy of creating memorable experiences for guests, and the power of connecting with others through the sport. Tune in as th…

Earlier this week, the Rome correspondent of the Times found himself mugging up on the history of Genghis Khan's Mongol Empire, and this is what he reported: While the empire brought stability, it was created through the large-scale massacre of anyone who refused to submit to Mongol rule, leading to the death of millions. Mongol troops triggered fa…

On this episode of Holy Smokes, host Steve Reiter welcomes guest Brett Clemmer, who shares a personal journey of faith, marriage, and professional growth. Brett recounts the challenges he and his wife faced in their first year of marriage and their subsequent return to faith. He discusses their experiences working at a homeless shelter, starting a …

In this episode of Holy Smokes, Steve Reiter is joined by guest Travis Bowman as they dive into the fascinating story of Peter Francisco, an American Revolutionary War hero. Travis, who is a descendant of Peter Francisco, shares his journey of discovering his ancestor's impactful legacy and his determination to bring his story to life through a boo…

King Charles III is the first British monarch to inherit a post-Christian kingdom. Less than half of his subjects identify themselves as Christian, and only about one in 20 adults in the UK go to church on Sundays. Since 1980 church attendance has more than halved – and that's broadly the situation in most of Western Europe. In the traditionally Go…

In this episode of Holy Smokes, host Steve Reiter and guest Andrew Lawson dive into the world of cigars, sharing their experiences exploring different cigar shops and discovering hidden gems in the Central Florida area. They discuss the Corona Cigar family, particularly Jeff Borsoitz and his impressive farm, as well as other favorite spots like Exe…

Conservative Catholic critics of Pope Francis are referring to 2023 as his 'Year Zero' – a time of revolutionary upheaval initiated by an 86-year-old pontiff who feels liberated by the death of his predecessor Benedict XVI on New Year's Eve. Events are moving fast. This October, the world's bishops will gather for a synod in which left-wing lay act…

Eric Reinhold made a pier lounge at his place in the Orlando-area, and Steve sits down to talk about the conception and construction of his hangout. —————————————— Be sure to click 'Subscribe' on your favorite podcast app, so you don't miss an episode, and please share this with someone. Make a tax-deductible donation via PayPal: https://paypal.me/…

Steve Reiter sits down with Eric Reinhold to talk about his writing, financial career, and personal life. Eric created a fictional town, Mount Dora, which was featured in his book and popular with the Chamber of Commerce. He also talks about his financial career and launching his own business with his children involved. Eric talks about his approac…

For 75 years, the most anti-Christian regime in modern history has thrown its citizens into prison camps if they are suspected of the slightest dissent. Ten per cent of people live in modern slavery; perhaps 200,000 are behind bars. I'm talking about North Korea, of course – a regime even more abhorrent than Stalinist Russia, but which attracts sus…

Steve sits down with guest Joe Dalton to discuss his journey from struggling with addiction to owning a thriving cigar lounge. Joe shares his story of hitting rock bottom and the importance of taking things one day at a time. He also talks about his admiration for his grandfather's wisdom and commitment to his family. In addition to his business ve…

In the ancient Syro-Malabar Church of south India, clergy who try to change the liturgy do so at their peril. At St Mary’s Cathedral Basilica in Ernakulam last December, a long-standing dispute over whether the priest should face the people led to scenes in which protestors attacked clergy in the middle of the service, sending the sacred vessels cr…

A charming octogenarian who plays ruthless games with the people who think they're going to succeed him: I reckon Logan Roy would have recognised a kindred spirit in Pope Francis, despite their diametrically opposed politics. Like many of you, I'm heartbroken that Succession has come to an end – but if you're missing the back-stabbing melodrama the…

The Sicilian Mafia is one of the most murderously amoral organisations on the planet – yet babyishly sentimental when it comes to Italian peasant Catholicism. And, like other branches of Italian organised crime, questions exist over whether they have allies in the Vatican, some of whose senior officials are as keen on money-laundering as the Mafia,…

The Coronation in Westminster Abbey is the only occasion at which our monarch declares himself or herself to be a Protestant, thus ensuring that no Catholic can sit on the throne of the United Kingdom. Yet, paradoxically, the Coronation is the only English Royal ceremony which is replete with Catholic symbolism – the King will even wear robes whose…

Ludwig van Beethoven had a profound faith in God. He was born and raised a Catholic and on his deathbed he asked to receive the Last Rites. He told the priest, 'I thank you, ghostly sir – you have brought me comfort.' One of his closest friends, Archduke Rudolf of Austria, was made a cardinal (before being ordained priest and bishop, something inco…

This week we heard the unfamiliar sound of one of the Catholic Church's most influential cardinals turning the handle of a door that has remained firmly shut for 2,000 years. It's marked 'Catholic women priests', a development – such is the pace of chaotic change under this pontificate – that is now a real long-term possibility. Pope Francis says h…

The Abrahamic Family House is the name for three giant concrete cubes – a church, a mosque and a synagogue – that have just officially opened their doors in Abu Dhabi. The project is the fruit of a controversial agreement signed there in 2019 by Pope Francis and the Grand Imam of Al-Azhar, Ahmad Al-Tayyeb, that disturbed many Christians with its st…

Cardinal Arthur Roche, the Pope's famously ambitious liturgy chief, has stepped up his campaign against the Traditional Latin Mass, which he's been trying to suppress ever since he was Bishop of Leeds 15 years ago. This week he persuaded Francis to back his ruling that the ancient Mass can only be celebrated in parish churches with his permission –…

The fallout from the death of Benedict XVI has been unexpectedly dramatic. Pope Francis's behaviour at his predecessor's Requiem on Thursday struck many observers as graceless. The liberal Catholic journalist Robert Mickens, a long-time opponent of many of Benedict's policies, wrote that Francis 'looked unpleasant throughout the liturgy and, surpri…

It's time for the Holy Smoke Christmas episode! The studio is decorated like a Dolly Parton festive special c. 1977, and my guest is the fearless and feisty Anglican church organist Lois Letts. Our theme is the urgent need to save children from the agitprop 'worship songs' that crop up in nativity and carol services even in Church of England primar…

In this episode of Holy Smoke, I interview Fr John Lovell, who is one of a growing number of American Catholic priests who claim to have been suspended from ministry simply because their conservative views offend their bishops. Fr Lovell's Coalition for Cancelled Priests is gathering support among US traditionalists – which is hardly surprising giv…

Last week, out of a mixture of curiosity and boredom, I ended up watching an online Church of England Eucharist from a parish church in Hereford. The text of the liturgy was almost identical to that of the Catholic Mass I had attended the night before. We'd even sung the same hymn, and the celebrant’s vestments were indistinguishable from those of …

Ten years ago the Catholic Church happily celebrated the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Second Vatican Council. Most people thought it was a good thing – and those who had their doubts were careful to express them diplomatically. Sixty years on, by contrast, Vatican II is the source of rancorous division in a collapsing Church. Liberals, de…

Reuben Ndjerareou is relatively new to the Holy Smokes community, but he's an active member, and when Steve kept being told by a handful of 2022 Conclave participants that he NEEDED to interview him, he jumped at the opportunity. Hear Reuben's story of splitting his childhood between his home country of Chad and the US and his heart for his African…

This headline may seem sensational, but the evidence is overwhelming. The Catholic Church is experiencing a bewildering range of crises, some of them long-term and familiar, such as demographic collapse and the continuing scandal of sex abuse. Others are being manufactured by a Pope who is allowing a faction of Catholic boomers to push an incoheren…