Episode Player

What happens when the desire to belong begins to replace the search for truth?

In this episode of Catholic in America, Jason Adkins sits down with author, entrepreneur, and Catholic University scholar Luke Burgis to discuss his newest book, The One and the Ninety-Nine: How to Find Identity and Cultivate Individuality in an Age of Social Contagion. 

Together they explore one of the defining questions of modern life: How do we remain true to ourselves while living in community?

Drawing from Scripture, philosophy, psychology, the Rule of St. Benedict, René Girard, and Catholic social teaching, Burgis explains why today's culture often rewards conformity over conscience and why authentic communion requires strong, well-formed individuals.

Topics discussed include:

• Why social contagion shapes modern culture
• The difference between community and communion
• How technology and artificial intelligence influence identity
• Why friction and suffering help form virtue
• The importance of conscience in Catholic life
• The danger of groupthink, even inside the Church
• What the Parable of the Lost Sheep teaches about personal identity
• How families, education, and work help form the "solid self"

Whether you're navigating social media, raising a family, leading a business, or simply trying to live your faith with integrity, this conversation offers practical wisdom for becoming the person God created you to be.

Links

The One and the Ninety-Nine
https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250373038/theoneandtheninetynine/

Wall Street Journal Review
https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/books/the-one-and-the-ninety-nine-review-a-study-in-selves-688114da

Luke Burgis
https://lukeburgis.com/

Jason Adkins, host of Catholic in America, engages our own time, culture, and political milieu with the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to explore how to live more fully Catholic. With so much to explore, we have guests from a variety of perspectives and faith backgrounds, and conversations do not necessarily constitute endorsements. 

Catholic in America is an OSVNews.com podcast partnership. Support Catholic in America by becoming a patron of the show here.