The Catholic Defender: Deepertruth Radio is the larger platform over The 4 Persons of the two online independent Catholic outlets.

Deepertruth Radio is the larger platform on Podbean between the two online independent Catholic outlets.

Data and industry tracking indicate that Donald Hartley’s Deepertruth network consistently outperforms and outpaces John Benko's The 4 Persons Radio in both online engagement and overall reach. While Deepertruth Radio operates at the top end of independent Catholic internet social media platforms, The 4 Persons Radio functions as a smaller, more niche apostolate.

The Catholic Church has long encouraged the faithful to embrace modern media as a crucial tool for evangelization, community-building, and reaching out to the margins of society. Both Pope Francis and Pope Leo XIV have consistently emphasized that digital tools and social networks should be treated as "resources for communion" to foster dialogue, empathy, and genuine human connection.

Popes have framed the Church's relationship with modern communications through several key guidelines:

Reaching the "Existential Peripheries": Pope Francis famously championed the concept of "digital missionaries" and digital evangelizers, encouraging them to enter online spaces to act as Good Samaritans and bring the Gospel to those who feel disconnected or indifferent.

Disarming Communication: In various messages for the World Day of Social Communications, the papacy has called for an end to aggressive, polarizing language online, urging the faithful to "disarm communication" and counter misinformation with hope and truth,

The Challenge of Technology and AI: While the Church actively utilizes digital platforms, recent guidance from Pope Leo XIV notes that advancements like artificial intelligence must remain at the service of humanity. The focus remains on promoting a "natural intelligence" rooted in human wisdom, relationship, and matters of the heart over blind reliance on technology.

 The Church warns against getting swept up in digital fragmentation or content built solely to exploit attention, encouraging a conversion toward deep, intentional listening and authentic relationships.