Amanda Prestigiacomo

It debuted at number one in all categories back in December, and it still remains in the top 10 on the Apple charts. And there are many other Christian shows gaining steam in the podcast space. Catholic Discussion Podcast, Pints with Aquinas, and Bishop Robert Barron's The Word on Fire each get millions of views just on YouTube.

And Allie Beth Stuckey's Protestant Christian Perspective Podcast Relatable gets comparable numbers. There's also the Catholic prayer and meditation app called Halo, which has been endorsed by stars like Mark Wahlberg and Gwen Stefani. The numbers there are also staggering.

And Allie Beth Stuckey's Protestant Christian Perspective Podcast Relatable gets comparable numbers. There's also the Catholic prayer and meditation app called Halo, which has been endorsed by stars like Mark Wahlberg and Gwen Stefani. The numbers there are also staggering.

That app has over 22 million installs, and around Easter time last year, Halo landed at number one on the Apple App Store, marking the first time a health, wellness, meditation, or religious app ever accomplished such a feat.

That app has over 22 million installs, and around Easter time last year, Halo landed at number one on the Apple App Store, marking the first time a health, wellness, meditation, or religious app ever accomplished such a feat.

Well, alternative media in general is booming, but it's definitely new for faith-based content to hold the number one ranking on the charts. And I should also note, the reigning podcast king Joe Rogan has increasingly been bringing on Christian perspective guests.

Well, alternative media in general is booming, but it's definitely new for faith-based content to hold the number one ranking on the charts. And I should also note, the reigning podcast king Joe Rogan has increasingly been bringing on Christian perspective guests.

The same week Rosary in a Year was climbing the Apple charts, Rogan dropped a highly anticipated episode with biblical scholar Wesley Huff. Just a week later, he brought an outspoken Catholic actor, Mel Gibson, who right now is working on the sequel to the massively successful Passion of the Christ. Here's a taste of Gibson and Rogan discussing the martyrdom of 11 of the 12 apostles.

The same week Rosary in a Year was climbing the Apple charts, Rogan dropped a highly anticipated episode with biblical scholar Wesley Huff. Just a week later, he brought an outspoken Catholic actor, Mel Gibson, who right now is working on the sequel to the massively successful Passion of the Christ. Here's a taste of Gibson and Rogan discussing the martyrdom of 11 of the 12 apostles.

The discussion of faith on Rogan's podcast is probably the biggest example of faith breaking through the mainstream. The Joe Rogan Experience audience is mostly male and not particularly religious, and the reach is massive. It's the most popular podcast on Spotify with 14.5 million followers, and episodes average around 11 million views each.

The discussion of faith on Rogan's podcast is probably the biggest example of faith breaking through the mainstream. The Joe Rogan Experience audience is mostly male and not particularly religious, and the reach is massive. It's the most popular podcast on Spotify with 14.5 million followers, and episodes average around 11 million views each.

Never.

Never.

Yeah, so an average of all 2023 Gallup polling found that about 22% of Americans are not affiliated with religion, which is the highest it's ever been. And nearly half of all Zoomers, those born between 1997 and 2012, they're not religiously affiliated according to a 2022 YouGov survey. But there is also data showing a shift toward religion.

Yeah, so an average of all 2023 Gallup polling found that about 22% of Americans are not affiliated with religion, which is the highest it's ever been. And nearly half of all Zoomers, those born between 1997 and 2012, they're not religiously affiliated according to a 2022 YouGov survey. But there is also data showing a shift toward religion.

A Springtide Research Institute survey from 2023, for example, found that a third of people aged 18 to 25 believe more than doubt in the existence of a higher power. That's an increase from only about a quarter in 2021. There are also other signs, like the significant spike in Bible sales, or things more anecdotal, like the trend online noticing more athletes talking about their faith.

A Springtide Research Institute survey from 2023, for example, found that a third of people aged 18 to 25 believe more than doubt in the existence of a higher power. That's an increase from only about a quarter in 2021. There are also other signs, like the significant spike in Bible sales, or things more anecdotal, like the trend online noticing more athletes talking about their faith.

At the same time, though, it is undeniable that there is a more extreme push away from God in the mainstream. The explosion of OnlyFans, which is basically a subscription pornography site, is a prime example of this. I spoke to Father Mark Mary of Rosary in a Year about that polarity in culture, and here's what he told me.

At the same time, though, it is undeniable that there is a more extreme push away from God in the mainstream. The explosion of OnlyFans, which is basically a subscription pornography site, is a prime example of this. I spoke to Father Mark Mary of Rosary in a Year about that polarity in culture, and here's what he told me.

Right, and a positive trend.