Special Broadcasts

Bishop Barron is traveling overseas to film the last two episodes of his Pivotal Players series. So in this episode, we share a clip from one of his classic study programs, “Seven Deadly Sins, Seven Lively Virtues”. The clip focuses on the sin of pride and the corresponding virtue of humility. Get access to the full study program (and all of Bishop Barron’s films) when you join the Word on Fire In...

In this lesson, Dr. Jan George, a retired university teacher of literature with a Master of Theology from the University of Dallas and founder of Sacred Heart Productions, discusses: Jesus’ Last Words, Jesus Dies and Is Buried, and The Road to Emmaus. To find a study guide for each part of the program and to learn more visit: sacredheartproductions.org/

All of Christianity comes down to one question: does God have permission to love you?

Why does Bishop Barron focus heavily on ad extra evangelization, the type of ministry aimed at the peripheries of the culture? That’s the focus of this episode. Bishop also responds to some of the criticisms he’s received for his appearances at Facebook, Google, and Amazon, along with his interviews with Dave Rubin, Ben Shapiro, and Jordan Peterson. A listener asks how why Jesus often tells people...

In this lesson, Dr. Jan George, a retired university teacher of literature with a Master of Theology from the University of Dallas and founder of Sacred Heart Productions, discusses: The Last Supper and The Passion of Christ. To find a study guide for each part of the program and to learn more visit: sacredheartproductions.org/

When following Jesus, the first things He invites us to give up are safety and control.

Bishop Barron spoke to all the U.S. bishops about the “nones” during their recent USCCB gathering. In this episode, we walk through Bishop Barron’s talk and discuss some of the criticism he’s received about his presentation, particularly his reference to the Jordan Peterson phenomenon. A listener asks how we can stay optimistic as Catholics in light of all the challenges the Church faces.

During the first part of this month's episode, the Rutten brothers reflected on their movie of the month: What's Eating Gilbert Grape. In the second part of the hour, they talked about the theme of freedom and what freedom means to us as Catholics.

In this lesson, Dr. Jan George, a retired university teacher of literature with a Master of Theology from the University of Dallas and founder of Sacred Heart Productions, discusses: The Authority of Christ and His Church Is Heavenly in Origin, Christ’s Warning About the Last Days, and The Psalms Teach us How to Pray. To find a study guide for each part of the program and to learn more visit: sacr...

As the Word on Fire Institute launches a new course by Dr. Christopher Kaczor on “Myths of the Catholic Church,” Bishop Barron and host Jared Zimmerer talk about seven of the most common misunderstandings people have about Catholicism. A listener asks about blessings–what they are, and what they do.

In this eleventh lesson, Dr. Jan George, a retired university teacher of literature with a Master of Theology from the University of Dallas and founder of Sacred Heart Productions, discusses: The Corrupt Judge and the Importunate Widow, The Pharisee and the Tax Collector, and Zacchaeus’ Encounter with Jesus. To find a study guide for each part of the program and to learn more visit: sacredheartpro...

In his recent interview with Ben Shapiro, Bishop Barron said that he wants to “re-Judaize Catholicism”—to read Christ, the Bible, and the Christian faith through the lens of Israel. How do we do this? That’s what he and host Jared Zimmerer discuss in today’s episode. A listener asks why the East and West churches split, and why they haven’t been reunited.

In this tenth lesson, Dr. Jan George, a retired university teacher of literature with a Master of Theology from the University of Dallas and founder of Sacred Heart Productions, discusses: The Parable of the Enterprising Steward, The Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus, and The Healing of the Ten Lepers. To find a study guide for each part of the program and to learn more visit: sacredheartproduct...

The promised Holy Spirit gives many gifts, but few are more powerful and profound than the Spirit’s gift of peace.

Non-Catholic listeners send in their questions for Bishop Barron. Questions include: As a Christian, do you ever think, “What if God doesn’t exist”? How are Adam and Eve guilty of disobedience if they had no knowledge of good/evil until after they ate of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? Why did the disciples betray Jesus despite seeing miracles? Why is God almost exclusively referred to...

Not all of us can have influence, but we can all be an example.

Several recent bestselling books have focused on the Enlightenment, including Stephen Pinker’s Enlightenment Now: The Case for Reason, Science, Humanism, and Progress. But what was the Enlightenment, and how should we view its effects? Bishop Barron offers his take today. A listener asks how Christians determine which parts of the Mosaic law in the Old Testament are still in effect today.

During the first part of this month's episode, the Rutten brothers reflected on their movie of the month: Winter's Bone. In the second part of the hour, they talked about fatherhood and how spiritual fathers have similar roles to biological fathers.

During this hour, hosts Steve Splonskowski and Karen Gebes sat down with Megan Fassero, Cheri Frame and Anne Bielejeski as they hosted live from the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.

During this hour, hosts Michael Goldsmith and Karen Gebes sat down with David Stokman and Sonya Romens, as they hosted live from the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.

During this hour, hosts Fr. Randal Kasel and Michael Goldsmith sat down with Seminarian Nick Vance, Amber Sechser, and Laurie Mueller, as they hosted live from the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.

During this hour, hosts Steve Splonskowski and Fr. Randal Kasel sat down with Cathie Baier, Stephen Maas, and Walter Crawford, as they hosted live from the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, MN.

Failure is not final and failure is not fatal. As long as we don’t stop, and as long as we are willing to learn from our failures, they have no power to defeat us but only to educate us and make us better.

A recent bill proposed in the California Senate will force priests to report any crimes of sexual abuse they hear about in the confessional, breaking the seal of Confession. Bishop Barron speaks about the sacredness of this sacrament and what the Church should do if, suddenly, the sacrament of Confession becomes functionally illegal.

During this hour, host Jack Kennelly sat down with Doreen Kennelly, Colleen Kranda & Jean Eppler, as they hosted live from the Fargo studio.