
Queer Catholic Book Club
Queer Catholic Book Club is a podcast by two queers on the texts that shape the Catholic imagination. Currently reading through Dante's Divine Comedy.
Queer Catholic Book Club is a podcast by two queers on the texts that shape the Catholic imagination.
Show overview
Queer Catholic Book Club has been publishing since 2024, and across the 2 years since has built a catalogue of 64 episodes. That works out to roughly 60 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a fortnightly cadence.
Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 51 min and 1h 3m — and the run-time is fairly consistent across the catalogue. None of the episodes are flagged explicit by the publisher. It is catalogued as a EN-language Religion & Spirituality show.
The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 weeks ago, with 9 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 43 episodes published. Published by Queer Catholic Book Club is a podcast by two queers on the texts that shape the Catholic imagination..
From the publisher
Join religious studies professor Michael Pettinger (@michael.pettinger) and artist Dexter the Angel (@dextertheangel) as they read through Dante's Divine Comedy. Starting in the Hell of The Inferno, this is Queer Catholic Book Club: a podcast where two queers examine the influence of Catholicism and its art on the greater culture. Come for the insights, stay for the church giggles. aplaceforuspod.substack.com
Latest Episodes
View all 64 episodesParadiso: Canto 12

Paradiso: Canto 11
Dante is told the life of Francis of Assisi from the vantage of Thomas Aquinas. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 10
Dante meets the dancing girls of the Heaven of the Sun. They are all academic men. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 9
Dante encounters the great sluts of Paradise in the sphere of Venus. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 8
“If we all come from a single ancestor, why are we all so different?” Dante asks Charles Martel d’Anjou in the sphere of Venus. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 7
What’s the difference between Divine Wrath and Salvation? Beatrice explains to a doubtful Dante. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 6
A brief history of the Roman Empire according to Justinian in the sphere of Mercury. What does political conflict look like from heaven? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 5
Before departing from the Moon, Beatrice satisfies Dante’s confusion about Divine Love. What can be offered to God in place of a broken vow? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 4
Beatrice explains that what Dante is seeing isn’t the complete reality but instead God’s generous condescension so he can begin to perceive the true bliss of heaven. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 3
Dante and Beatrice meet the souls of those who could not fulfill their vows on Earth. Nevertheless they enjoy the bliss of heaven!Thank you for excusing our irregular posting schedule during the Christmas season. We will resume regular posting after the 12th Day of Christmas. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Paradiso: Canto 2
Beatrice explains the order of Heaven and the spots on the moon. Dante warns - from here on out the poem will only get more difficult. Buckle up - we are in for a bumpy ride. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 33
In the final canto of Purgatorio Dante drinks from the spring of Eunoë and is fortified to ascend to the heavens. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 32
Beatrice presents the history of the human race up to the time of Dante… no notes given. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 31
Dante confesses his sins to Beatrice and is dragged through the River Lethe by Matelda. With his sins now forgotten he can now see Beatrice’s smile. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 30
Virgil vanishes as Beatrice appears leaving Dante with a final reckoning in Purgatorio. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 29
Dante beholds the Mystical Procession of Eden featuring Angels, Elders, Walking Candelabras, and a Chariot pulled by a Griffin. No explanations offered. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 28
Atop Mt. Purgatorio Dante meets a maiden in a beautiful garden gathering flowers and singing. Is this an invitation to carnal bliss or something much bigger? This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 27
Egged on by the promise of Beatrice, Dante walks through the Fires of Chastity. After this final purgation, Virgil crowns and mitres Dante as an innocent soul free to follow his own pleasures. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 26
Dante meets his idol Guido Guinizelli in the Terrace of the Lustful only to learn that the greatest modern poet wrote in Provençal not Italian! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe

Purgatorio: Canto 25
How does one suffer and how does one transform without a body? Approaching the Terrace of the Lustful Dante learns about the metaphysical mechanics of spiritual purgation. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit aplaceforuspod.substack.com/subscribe