Category: Podcasts

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Understanding Transhumanism With Help From Tolkien, Lewis, and Ancient Literature

Sam Altman talks about uploading his brain to the cloud. Elon Musks says humans should merge biological intelligence with digital intelligence. Peter Thiel isn’t sure if the human race should continue without that kind of human-tech merger. What do these tech leaders have in common? Transhumanism—the idea that humans should be able to change, or even eradicate, their physical bodies by merging with technology.

This may sound sci-fi, but the core tenets of transhumanism aren’t actually new. In fact, humans have been moving toward this idea for a long time. Some even predicted it.

In this episode, Liberty discusses how ancient and classic literature and thinkers of the past, including J. R. R. Tolkien and C. S. Lewis, can help us understand transhumanism and the “brave new world” we find ourselves in.

More Resources:

Do You Want to Live Forever? A Tolkienian Critique of Transhumanism by Julie Miller

Do You Want to Live Forever?

The Abolition of Man by C. S. Lewis

Christians Reading Classics by Nadya Williams

https://zondervanacademic.com/products/christians-reading-classics

Inside the alarming cyborg future ‘transhumanists’ Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, and Sam Altman are already preparing for

https://nypost.com/2026/04/15/tech/inside-the-alarming-cyborg-future-transhumanists-elon-musk-peter-thiel-and-sam-altman-are-preparing-for

How Ben Sasse is Living Now That He’s Dying

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Can Young Adults Escape Hustle Culture and Still Achieve the American Dream?

Interview With Cole Douglas Claybourn

Is the American Dream dead for Millennials and Gen Z? Is there a version of traditional success that’s still attainable? How are young adults redefining their life dreams in the face of economic instability and loss of trust in institutions? 

This week on the Know Why Podcast, Cole Douglas Claybourn and Liberty discuss all this and more. A journalist and former English teacher, Cole talks about fighting back against the lies we are prone to believe on his Substack blog “The Road Home” and on his In No Hurry podcast.

Both Millennials with similar backgrounds, Cole and Liberty break down why the traditional American Dream isn’t panning out for many young adults who are still struggling to pay off college loans, buy a house, and start a family. 

They also contrast the expectations Millennials and Gen Z grew up with—change the world, go far in life, do great things—with the realities of what makes life more fulfilling, like local connection and a slower pace of living. 

In short: Millennials and Gen Z are steeped in what feels like a never-ending hustle culture due to economic pressures and a cultural obsession with productivity. And it’s negatively affecting everything from our diets to our creativity to our families. 

If you’re a young adult wondering if you’re the only one struggling to feel successful in life, or if you’re a listener who wants to better understand the challenges facing Millennials and Gen Z, this episode is for you. 

More Resources:

The Road Ahead (Cole’s Substack)

https://coledouglasclaybourn.substack.com

In No Hurry (Cole’s podcast)

https://www.youtube.com/@innohurrypodcast

The Unplugged Hours: Cultivating a Life of Presence in a Digitally Connected World by Hannah Brencher

Come Matter Here: Your Invitation to Be Here in a Getting There World by Hannah Brencher

To Hell with the Hustle: Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent, and Overconnected World by Jefferson Bethke

The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer

Eddie LaRow on Substack

https://eddielarow.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

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Humanoid Robot Teachers? No Thanks

First Lady Melania Trump recently asked Americans to imagine a humanoid robot tutor named “Plato.” Meanwhile, many schools are already incorporating AI into the classroom, in some cases eliminating human teachers altogether. Can AI help solve America’s education problems? Or should we draw a line and protect the classroom from AI encroachment?

In this episode, Liberty offers three reasons why AI doesn’t belong in education. First, from a Christian perspective, education is discipleship, and AI can’t disciple. Second, education requires relationship, which research confirms, and AI can’t truly relate. Third, studies are already showing evidence of cognitive decline in AI users, and education technology has, in general, been a large failure.

Learn more about these arguments in the full episode, where Liberty also shares some practical tips for parents to make sure their kids are truly learning to think in the age of AI. Dig in deeper by checking out the resources below, cited in the episode.

More Resources:

Ed Tech is Profitable. It is Also Mostly Useless. (The Economist) https://www.economist.com/united-states/2026/01/22/ed-tech-is-profitable-it-is-also-mostly-useless?utm_campaign=shared_article

Investment in AI is Exploding (Reuters)

https://www.reuters.com/graphics/USA-ECONOMY/AI-INVESTMENT/gkvlqbgxkpb/

There’s a Good Reason You Can’t Concentrate (The New York Times)

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/27/opinion/technology-mental-fitness-cognitive.html?unlocked_article_code=1.ZFA._SqR.AQ0f5SxBmABw&smid=url-shar

Does AI Belong in the Classroom? Emily Harrison on the Know Why Podcast

https://youtu.be/NbSWxQKU7RQ?si=dxhJsR3OAnfO81-k

Dear Christian Parent (Emily Harrison on Substack) https://dearchristianparent.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

First Fish Chronicles (Emily Cherkin on Substack) https://firstfish.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

The Anxious Generation https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/

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Is There Evidence for Jesus’ Resurrection?

Interview With Robby Lashua (Repost)

Did Jesus really do the impossible—come back to life? In this interview, reposted in honor of Holy Week, Stand to Reason apologist Robby Lashua walks listeners through the historical evidence for Jesus’ resurrection, including what non-Christian historians have to say about the event. 

More Resources

See the following resources recommended by Robby for more historical scholarship regarding the resurrection:

GaryHabermas.com

The Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary Habermas

The Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach by Michael Licona

The Resurrection of the Son of God by N. T. Wright

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Entertainment in 20 Years: Choose Your Own Adventure?

Why That’s Not a Great Idea

A recent story in The Wall Street Journal includes predictions that in 20 years, AI-augmented entertainment will be so customizable that people can watch the same show and choose their own endings—or even entire plot paths—via “unobstrusive” devices like contact lenses or BCIs. 

While this prediction may sound futuristic or outlandish to some, it’s consistent with a trend we’re already seeing: the perception of art as entertainment, a matter of personal taste rather than formation of character.  Does it matter that our culture largely views art this way? Yes, and in this episode, Liberty shares reasons why. 

If you care about art, our understanding of humanity, the formation of moral character, and the preservation of a culture’s “collective memories,” listen to this episode and comment with your thoughts about where the entertainment industry is headed. 

More Resources:  What Entertainment Might Look Like in 20 Years https://www.wsj.com/arts-culture/ente…

Christians Reading Classics by Nadya Williams https://zondervanacademic.com/product…

On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/prod…

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Why Your Story of Reality Matters

Why do some social movements seem religious in nature? Why do some even seem like a cult, where questioning the narrative is not allowed? Looking at others’ actions—and our own lives—through the lens of story can help us understand. Everyone lives within a story of reality that they are either telling themselves, or that they have accepted as true. Often, we don’t even realize which “story” we’re living in; we just absorb the story the culture around us tells. That story is our worldview. Every story tries to answer three fundamental questions. If things aren’t making sense, it’s probably because you’re trying to live within a false story of reality.

In this episode of the Know Why Podcast, Liberty draws on philosophical insight from Nancy Pearcey’s popular book, Total Truth, to analyze the different stories in our culture. She argues that there is one true story, and when we acknowledge it, the world makes sense. What story are you telling yourself? Is it true?

More Resources:

Confessions of a Former Climate Activist https://www.thefp.com/p/confessions-o…

Confessions of a Former Pro-Palestine Activist https://www.thefp.com/p/confessions-o…

Total Truth: Liberating Christianity From its Cultural Captivity by Nancy Pearcey https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/tot…

Is the Bible Reliable? Josh Barnes on the Know Why Podcast    • Is the Bible Reliable? Josh Barnes on the …  

Is There Evidence for Jesus’ Resurrection? https://knowwhypodcast.com/2024/01/is…

Does This New Study Reveal the Keys to Human Flourishing?    • Does This New Study Reveal the Keys to Hum…  

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What to Know About the Online Sports Betting Craze

Interview with Philip Bunn

Did you notice the ads for sports betting apps during the Super Bowl? Maybe you’ve seen them pop up on your favorite social media platform or YouTube streamer’s videos. In this episode featuring returning Know Why Podcast guest Philip Bunn, we answer questions about the online sports phenomenon, including…

Why does it seem like sports betting is suddenly everywhere? How popular is online sports betting?

What are some of the individual and cultural side effects of pervasive gambling?

How is the men’s loneliness epidemic connected to the rise in online gambling?

Why should Christians, including pastors, care about addressing this issue?

Listen for a conversation that addresses the legal background of legalized sports betting, the “why” behind many states’ support for legalized gambling, a Christian angle on the issue, and more.

More Resources:

Pastors, Please Take Sports Betting Seriously (article by Philip Bunn) https://byfaithonline.com/pastors-ple…

Addiction By Design (book by Natasha Dow Schull) https://www.amazon.com/Addiction-Desi…

Why My Generation Is Turning to ‘Financial Nihilism’ (The Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/…

Meet the Young Men Rushing Into Betting Markets (The Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/business/media/me…

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Do All Religions Point to the Same Truth?

Interview With Jon Noyes

James Talarico is a Texas State Representative and senatorial primary candidate, a Democrat, and a Christian. In recent viral podcast interviews with both Joe Rogan and The New York Times’ Ezra Klein, Mr. Talarico sparked some controversy with his claims about religion, Jesus, and the nature of truth.

Mr. Talarico’s comments garnered attention in part because he has made his Christian faith a large part of his progressive political platform. But they’re worth examining, because his comments touch on sincere questions that many people have about faith in general and Christianity in particular.

For instance… Is ultimate truth a mystery, or can it be known? Are all religions ultimately pointing to the same universal truth, just (to use Mr. Talarico’s metaphor) in different languages? What’s most important to understand about Jesus? And what is the point of religion, anyway? Is it to understand the story of reality—or to understand the story within ourselves?

Atheist-turned-Christian apologist Jon Noyes joins the Know Why Podcast to examine these questions closely and reveal that ultimate truth can be known, and share why finding it matters.

More Resources: How Should We Then Live? By Francis Shaeffer https://www.amazon.com/Should-Then-Li…

Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433502208/…

Stand to Reason https://www.str.org/home

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Why Young Men Need Spiritual Mentors in an Age of AI Companions

Interview with Matt Trayler

Young men are craving mentors. But in an era of AI companions, social isolation, and for many, an uncertain economic future, finding the kind of guidance and support a mentor provides can be a challenge.

That’s where CBMC comes in. Christian Business Men’s Connection was founded during the Great Depression, another time period that found many men struggling with disenfranchisement, discouragement, and a lack of direction.

In this episode of the Know Why Podcast, CBMC Director of Programs Matt Trayler talks about…

  • The problems facing many young men today
  • Why men need community
  • Why spiritual mentorship matters
  • Practical tips for finding connection as a mentor or mentee
  • And more.

Listen and check out the free programs and resources at the link below, or share them with a man in your life.

More Resources

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What Was So Special About George Washington?

Interview with Richard Lim

Through travel and research, historian Richard Lim discovered something most Americans don’t know: people around the world are still huge fans of George Washington. Why?

In this episode, Richard explains why Washington’s decision to step down from power at the dawn of the republic still reverberates around the world. He shares historical insight about the American Revolution and other parts of American history, and argues that Washington’s vision for the USA can offer hope and encouragement for a cynical generation.

More Resources:

https://www.richardmlim.com/

https://www.thisamericanpresident.com/