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The Word on Fire Show - Catholic Faith and Culture

Bishop Robert Barron
Bishop Robert Barron
Freedom
The Bible
Catholicism
Spiritual Works Of Mercy
Catholic Church
Vatican II
Christmas
Ignatius Press
Theological Education
Cardinal Francis George
Responsibility
Objective Values
Christianity
Incarnation
Corporal Works Of Mercy
Catholic Intellectual Tradition
St. Thomas Aquinas
Hans Urs Von Balthasar
Henri De Lubac

Join Bishop Robert Barron for a weekly podcast on faith and culture. Find more episodes at WordOnFireShow.com and submit your questions at AskBishopBarron.com.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes522Founded10 years ago
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ChristianityReligion & Spirituality

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Artwork for The Word on Fire Show

Latest Episodes

Welcome back to the Word on Fire Show. I'm Matthew Petrusek, senior director of the Word on Fire Institute and the host of the Word on Fire Show. Thank you for joining us. Today, we're bringing you a special episode—a conversation from our very own E... more

Welcome back to the Word on Fire Show. I'm Matthew Petrusek, senior director of the Word on Fire Institute and the host of the Word on Fire Show. Thank you for joining us. As we continue this second half of a conversation from last year's Good News C... more

The Enlightenment believed reason was its own authority. Heteronomous authority was anathema. Autonomy was the ideal. Thus, the Church's hierarchical structure was viewed as enslaving. In light of this critique, Newman offered an insightful defense o... more

Welcome back to the Word on Fire Show. I'm Matthew Petrusek, senior director of the Word on Fire Institute and the host of the Word on Fire Show. Thank you for joining us. In 2025, Word on Fire Catholic Ministries celebrated its twenty-fifth annivers... more

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Recent Guests

Dr. Todd Warner
Editor in Chief of Evangelization and Culture, the journal at the Word on Fire Institute.
Word on Fire Institute
Episode: WOF 504: The Meaning and Purpose of Beauty (Part 2)
N.T. Wright
Senior Research Fellow at Wycliffe Hall, Oxford and biblical scholar
Wycliffe Hall, Oxford
Episode: WOF 493: The Bigger Story of the Bible with N.T. Wright (Part 1)
Tammy Peterson
Converted to the Catholic Church through significant life experiences
Episode: WOF 461: The Importance & Power of Prayer w/ Tammy Peterson: Part I
Patrick Deneen
Professor of Political Science at the University of Notre Dame
University of Notre Dame
Episode: WOF 448: Freedom & Political Order w/ Patrick Deneen—Part I
Bishop Robert Barron
Founder of Word on Fire and Bishop of Winona-Rochester
Word on Fire
Episode: WOF 448: Freedom & Political Order w/ Patrick Deneen—Part I
Ro Khanna
Congressman representing California's 17th Congressional District
U.S. Congress
Episode: WOF 428: Talking Politics & Religion w/ Ro Khanna
Father Joseph Fessio
Founder of Ignatius Press and a well-formed theologian under key figures in Catholic theology
Ignatius Press
Episode: WOF 422: Being Formed by Ratzinger, De Lubac, and Balthasar w/ Fr. Joseph Fessio

Host

Dr. Matthew Petrusik
Senior Director of The Word on Fire Institute and the host of The Word on Fire Show.

Reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars from 8.1k ratings
  • This show is a gem

    I never regret pressing “play” on this show. It’s such a breath of fresh air compared to the news, politics, cultural chaos of other shows. Bishop Barron is so incredibly generous with his decades worth of knowledge. You can tell he’s truly invested in the Word and the Way. He loves his history and philosophy, so it’s not light listening but it forces the listener to really focus which is actually nice.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Simpleton Saint Rose
    United States3 months ago
  • Heart Moving

    Wonderful show for Chrisrians of all denominations! Great thoughts on theology! I myself am of a Protestant denomination most of my life but have been searching. This presents the Catholic way of worship very well.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Old timer person
    United States6 months ago
  • Nice podcast for general education, but not the truth

    For this very reason, God exalted him to a superior position and kindly gave him the name that is above every other name. Like 2000 years ago, it is the scribes who mislead. The ordinary members of the church understand logic. The truth is not difficult. An arrogant and condescending bishop.

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Steinar Arntsen
    Norway8 months ago
  • Love this show

    I thought NT Wright was supposed to be intelligent? He proved the opposite this episode.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Lagor123
    United States8 months ago
  • Brilliant and Brittle

    In the vein of Fulton Sheen, Bishop Barron has managed to reintroduce Christianity to a very broad audience in America and around the world. His passion and verve for sharing the gospel with depth is refreshing. He manages to bring together the seemingly mundane and the truly profound with beauty and in what he would describe as “panache.” He seems willing to speak with anyone. We need more like him. I pray for him and for WOF. While I believe in and support his mission, he is at times very brit... more

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    Hagridsbeard1
    United States9 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the depth of knowledge and insight provided, particularly praising Bishop Barron's ability to make complex theological concepts accessible.
Feedback indicates a positive reception of the podcast's production quality and its capacity to evoke thoughtful conversations.
There is a strong appreciation for the engaging discussions on contemporary issues as they relate to faith and spirituality.
Some listeners express disappointment with certain stances taken by Bishop Barron, highlighting varied expectations from the content.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

WOF 526: The Early Days w/ Bishop Barron & Fr. Steve (pt. 1)
Q: What were you hoping to accomplish when Word on Fire was in its infancy?
The goal was to introduce people to Jesus and emphasize outward proclamation rather than internal church disputes.
WOF 524: The Dangers of Life Becoming Too Easy
Q: How can we respond to fallen away Catholics who say God loves them just the way they are?
God loves us and wills our good, wanting us to grow beyond patterns of life that hurt us, urging a return to the faith for true fulfillment.
WOF 522: What's It Like to Be a Catholic Bishop?
Q: What made you become a priest?
Bishop Barron shares that he felt a calling, initially sparked by St. Thomas Aquinas, which transformed from an intellectual interest into a heartfelt commitment to give his life to God.
WOF 520: Defending Religious Freedom
Q: How can we be certain that the Catholic faith is the one true religion?
To know something is true, test it against reality; Catholicism coherently fits with various perspectives and experiences.
WOF 518: What Is the Christian Way of Caring for the Poor?
Q: How do we understand the category of social or structural sin in relationship to individual sin?
While sin is ultimately individual, certain societal elements can contribute to sinful behavior, hence we can speak of a 'sinful structure' that enables these behaviors.

Audience Metrics

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Frequently Asked Questions About The Word on Fire Show

What is The Word on Fire Show about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast presents an engaging exploration of faith and culture through thoughtful discussions, primarily led by Bishop Robert Barron. Episodes often focus on significant themes within Catholicism, such as the role of theology in education, the church's social teachings, and the intersection of contemporary issues with religious beliefs. Noteworthy topics include the importance of beauty in worship, the nature of the Nicene Creed, and strategies for evangelization among youth. The format encourages listeners to reflect deeply on their faith while challenging cultural narratives, making it suitable for those interested in a serious examination of Christianity and its place in modern society.

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How many listeners does The Word on Fire Show get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Word on Fire Show have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Word on Fire Show?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Word on Fire Show:

1. Bishop Barron’s Sunday Sermons - Catholic Preaching and Homilies
2. Pints With Aquinas
3. The Thomistic Institute
4. Catholic Saints
5. The Fr. Mike Schmitz Catholic Podcast

How many episodes of The Word on Fire Show are there?

The Word on Fire Show launched 10 years ago and published 522 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Word on Fire Show?

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What guests have appeared on The Word on Fire Show?

Recent guests on The Word on Fire Show include:

1. Dr. Todd Warner
2. N.T. Wright
3. Tammy Peterson
4. Patrick Deneen
5. Bishop Robert Barron
6. Ro Khanna
7. Father Joseph Fessio

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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