Friends, in the latest episode of the Word on Fire Show, I sat down with Matthew Petrusek to examine the dark and difficult aspects of internet culture. We explored René Girard’s insights on scapegoating; the rise of toxicity, mobs, and weaponized anonymity; and how, with the help of the cardinal virtues, we can still make evangelical headway online.

00:00 | Introduction
01:46 | Bishop Barron celebrates 40 years
02:50 | Bishop Barron’s early days online
06:58 | Online changes in recent years
12:16 | Anonymity online
17:42 | Applying the cardinal virtues: 1) Temperance
22:23 | 2) Fortitude
24:05 | 3) Justice
26:15 | Recognizing sins of speech
29:23 | 4) Prudence
31:23 | How we move forward
34:23 | Listener question: How would you define respect?
36:23 | Join the Word on Fire Institute