Category: Podcasts

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Podcasts

Why Men (And All Humans) Need Sacrificial Relationships

Summer series 2025

Young men are in crisis. A recent article argues that married fatherhood is the key to solving the masculinity crisis, because married fatherhood gives men the meaning in life they inherently desire. It’s true that humans need human relationships to be fulfilled, and that marriage incentivizes fathers to invest in their children. But is there more to it that that?

What if our need for other people is more than an evolutionary accident, and actually a sacred design? What if marriage is more than a cultural construct that incentivizes paternal involvement, and actually a demonstration of the highest form of love? What if all of us—not just men—need to know that we are needed, and find our greatest fulfillment in sacrificial love over selfish pursuits?

Listen to know why, and don’t forget to check out past series at KnowWhyPodcast.com.

More Resources:

Married Fatherhood Is the Key To Solving The Masculinity Crisis 

Is looking for a “best friend” getting in the way of building a village? 

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Podcasts

Should You Be Friends With Political Opponents?

Summer Series 2024

How politically diverse is your friend group? If your answer is “not very,” you’re not alone. Nearly half of U.S. voters view their political opponents as “downright evil,” according to a 2024 poll. Fewer and fewer people live in politically diverse areas, and digital media exacerbates our ideological bubbles.

But Americans miss out on a lot of good things when we avoid people who think differently than we do. In this episode, Liberty discusses why political polarization has worsened, why it’s a problem, and how we can fix it.

More Resources:

You Don’t Need the Same Politics to Surf Together

How Can I Keep Faith Above Partisanship? Interview With Chris Butler 

Them: Why We Hate Each Other—And How to Heal by Ben Sasse 

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Are Your Beliefs Based on Hot Takes or Ideas?

Plus: Know Why’s 100th Episode Celebration!

Are your opinions based more on hot takes or real ideas? Liberty spends the first half of this episode discussing why young adults are more likely to build their worldview on a foundation of “takes” rather than carefully considered ideas. This results from things like social media algorithms to the way modern classrooms teach English and literature.

Then, she switches gears to commemorate Know Why Podcast’s 100th episode! You’ll hear short clips from Know Why’s top five most popular episodes, which showcase the range of topics and perspectives featured on the podcast.

We don’t want you to have takes, but ideas you can hold with confidence, which is why the Know Why Podcast started in the first place. Help us celebrate episode 100 by liking, commenting, subscribing, and sharing Know Why with a friend!

More Resources:

The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books (The Atlantic)

KnowWhyPodcast.com

Why is Anger Unhealthy? Know About Jesus: Interview with Brant Hansen (Part 2) 

Is Social Media Robbing Me of a Richer Life? Know About Healthy Tech Habits: Interview With Dr. Brad East

Does Christmas Have Pagan Origins? Interview with Joshua Barnes 

Did Jesus Prescribe Gender Roles? Know About Jesus: Interview with Dr. Sandra Glahn (Part 2)

Are All Pro-Lifers Religious? Know About Pro-Lifers: Interview With Monica Snyder (Part 1) 

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Podcasts

Coping With Fear and Anxiety Amid World Chaos

Summer Series 2025

If you’re on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, you’ve seen the videos—reels using satire, sarcasm, and dark humor to react to recent events in the Middle East. Cynical, offbeat humor is typical of a generation accustomed to “unprecedented times,” but is often used to mask a deeper sense of fear and anxiety about what’s going on.

In this episode, Liberty draws on principles found in the Bible and often repeated by mental health experts for truly coping with anxiety about global events. It is possible to find inner peace with Jesus in a dangerous, unstable world.

More Resources:

Gen Z, Iran, and the Mass Panic Happening on TikTok – USA Today

How Can I Feel Safe in an Unstable World? Interview With Dr. Tanita Maddox 

What Did Jesus Say About Overcoming Anxiety? Interview With Lauren McAfee 

Is it Possible to Thrive With Anxiety and Depression? Interview With Ben Bennett 

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Podcasts

Why is Gen Z Returning to Religion?

Summer Series 2025

For decades, religious affiliation has dropped off with each new generation. But with Gen Z, that trend appears to be stalling. Why are young adults returning to religion, especially traditionally conservative expressions of religion like Catholicism?

Liberty suggests that in today’s chaotic world, young people want more than vague spirituality and moral relativism, and they’re finding it in the pews their parents abandoned.

More Resources:

Why is Gen Z More Religious Than Previous Generations? (Northeastern Global News)

How Catholicism Got Cool (The Free Press) 

“Know About Creating,” Know Why Podcast Series

“Know About Jesus,” Know Why Podcast Series

“Know Why God is Good,” Know Why Podcast Series 

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Podcasts

What Gen Z’s Work Priorities Reveal About Human Needs, Longing, and Purpose

Summer Series 2025

Deloitte’s 2025 Global survey of Gen Zs and millennials reveals that at work, young adults prioritize mentorship, meaning, and financial security. But survey answers reveal deeper themes at play, including strong needs for a secure identity and a sense of purpose. What do these deeper themes reveal about who we are as humans? That’s what Liberty tackles in this 20-minute episode, drawing on experts featured in Know Why’s past series, “Know About Thriving at Work.”

More Resources:

Deloitte 2025 Global Survey on Gen Z and Millennials

Know About Thriving At Work: A Know Why Podcast Series

The Religion of Workism is Making Americans Miserable

The Secret to Happiness at Work 

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Podcasts

God’s Goodness, Foundations of Humanity, and AI

Recap and Preview

Liberty recaps this season’s two series, Know Why God is Good and Know About AI. Then, she previews what viewers can expect from the Know Why Podcast over the summer and in the months ahead.

Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share!

More Resources:

Know Why God is Good series

Know About AI series

Contact Liberty

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Podcasts

Can Government Protect Families in the Age of AI?

Interview with Michael Toscano and Jared Hayden

President Donald Trump has pledged to “solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans.”

“It is the policy of the United States to sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance in order to promote human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security,” an Executive Order from January 2025 states.

But how will enhanced “global AI dominance” affect the American family? Drastically and negatively, if we’re not careful. That’s what Michael Toscano and Jared Hayden of the Institute for Family Studies argue. But there is hope if government officials are willing to incorporate family-focused safeguards in their AI policies and investments.

Michael and Jared join this episode of the Know Why Podcast to discuss their public comment submitted to the Trump administration, which details “5 Recommendations for the White House’s AI Action Plan.”

More Resources:

Report Brief: Protecting the Family in the Age of Artificial Intelligence

Institute for Family Studies

A Future For the Family

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Podcasts

Will AI Boost or Kill Human Connection?

Quick Question With Liberty

Some AI enthusiasts argue that artificial intelligence will usher in a new age of human thriving, even sparking a renaissance of deeper and more meaningful human connection. Others argue that AI chatbots can offer social benefits, providing a “friend” to those in need.

Are these optimistic takes on AI’s potential impact valid? Or are they the result of delusion? Liberty considers these arguments in light of existing evidence on how AI is already impacting humans, and discusses why we have the need for relationship at all.

More Resources:

AI Will Change What it is to be Human. Are We Ready?

Your Chatbot Won’t Cry if You Die? 

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Podcasts

Does AI Threaten Social Connection?

Quick Question With Liberty

A recent Teen Vogue article explores common ways college students are using ChatGPT. The anecdotes in the article align with other reporting on common uses for AI, leading Liberty to explore three trends…

  • Using AI to replace or assist in interpersonal conversations
  • Using AI to replace brainstorming solutions for difficult situations
  • Using AI in place of or in addition to a therapist for mental health purposes.

Are there valid aspects to these uses, or just risks? Liberty discusses the alleged pros and potential cons of each trend, with a focus on how each use of AI impacts social connections and responsibilities in our individualistic society. 

More Resources: 

How Are Students Using ChatGPT? For Therapy, Breakups, and Even Texting Friends (Teen Vogue)

When There’s No School Counselor, There’s a Bot (The Wall Street Journal)

Our Epidemic of Loneliness and Isolation: The U.S. Surgeon General’s Advisory on the Healing Effects of Social Connection and Community (2023)

Can Localism Ease Partisanship (And Even Anxiety?) Know About Political Engagement: Interview With Dr. Mark T. Mitchell (Episode 51)

How Will Chatbots Affect My Soul? Know About Healthy Tech Habits: Interview With Kate Lucky (Part 1) (Episode 26)

Should Chatbots Scare Me? Know About Healthy Tech Habits: Interview With Kate Lucky (Part 2) (Episode 27)