The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

Fr. Robert Spitzer, keynote speaker on the evidence for God from science, discusses the growing evidence for God found in contemporary science, including the belief in God among young scientists and the fine-tuned universe for life. He also explores the concept of the multiverse, evidence for God from near-death experiences, and the existence of a trans-physical soul.

Chris Rufo, writer, filmmaker, and activist, joins Bishop Barron to discuss America's Cultural Revolution. They explore woke ideology's Marxist roots, the rise of atheism, rejection of mathematics within wokeism, and the loss of objective values. They emphasize the need for a coherent moral framework rooted in eternal law.

Fr. Steve Grunow, Word on Fire's CEO and resident Halloween expert, discusses the meaning of Halloween and how Catholics can embrace it. Topics include the origins of Halloween, connection to All Saints Day, criticism towards the holiday, relationship with Memento Mori, and a Catholic perspective on celebrations.

This podcast explores the rise and fall of the New Atheism movement, discussing its appeal to young people and its failure to provide a satisfying alternative to religion. It also explores the search for meaning and the shifting landscape of atheism, as well as addressing questions about the gender of the Holy Spirit and introducing a book on Catholic classical education.

Today, we share a fun discussion between Brandon Vogt and Haley Stewart, Editor of Word on Fire Spark, our new imprint of books for young readers. Topics include: Were you a reader growing up? What were some of your favorite books? How would you assess the current landscape of childrens’ books? What’s good? What’s missing? What is Word on Fire Spark and how did it come to be? What is the mission/vision for Spark? How will Spark books stand out among other books for children? Upcoming books from Word on Fire Spark Forthcoming “Spark the Imagination” podcast The Spark Bible – a new Bible for young Catholic readers Links Word on Fire Spark Saintly Creatures: 14 Tales of Animals and Their Holy Companions by Alexi Sargeant NOTE: Do you like this podcast? Become a patron and get some great perks for helping, like free books, bonus content, and more. Word on Fire is a non-profit ministry that depends on the support of our listeners…like you! So be part of this mission, and join us today!

In this podcast, Bishop Barron discusses the Word on Fire Institute, its origins, purpose, and future. They explore the qualities of a fully formed evangelist and emphasize engaging with popular culture. They also discuss the courses offered by the Institute and the partnership with the University of St. Thomas for a master's degree program in evangelization and culture.

Bishop Barron's keynote talk on G.K. Chesterton's biography of St. Francis, understanding St. Francis from natural and supernatural perspectives, exploring the destructive power of false worship, spiritual purification of historical figures, concept of radical dependency and the existence of God, and the relationship between giving, gratitude, and spirituality.

In this podcast, they discuss our inclination to distract ourselves from important matters and delve into the life and insights of philosopher Blaze Pascal. They explore the paradoxical appeal of distractions and highlight the importance of contemplation. The speakers offer ways to escape distractions and focus on the essentials, including prayer and study. They also touch on the role of lay people in building unity in the Church and introduce a book on saints' interactions with creatures.

Ethan and Maya Hawke, well-known Hollywood actors, join Bishop Barron in a delightful conversation about their new film about Catholic writer Flannery O'Connor. They discuss the themes in O'Connor's work, the intersection of imagination, faith, and reality, and the power of unexpected breakthroughs. They also explore humility, the challenges faced by O'Connor as a female writer, and the role of men in her life. The conversation touches on suffering, love, and the symbolism of birds in O'Connor's stories. Enjoy this wide-ranging discussion!

The hosts explore the concept of online scapegoating and ways to escape this trap. They discuss the life and work of Catholic philosopher Renee Girard. The chapter also delves into the theory of scapegoating and its connection to memetic desire. They discuss how scapegoating has worsened in the digital age. They recommend books by Girard and share thoughts on classical education schools.