Tag: Liberty McArtor

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How to Build the Village Your Family Needs

Interview With Nadya Williams

“It takes a village.” Parents often hear this old adage, and having a community to help with childcare or call on during emergencies sounds nice. But the reality for many parents today is that their “village” is nowhere to be found.

Author, academic, and homeschooling mother Nadya Williams joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss an overlooked village source that historically played a major role in more Americans’ lives—the local church. Reflecting on the state of parenthood today, Nadya offers practical advice for building a village right where you are. She reminds parents that villages are about more than “insurance friends” to call during an emergency…they’re about thriving.

More Resources:

What’s a Village For? A Response to Olga Khazan by Nadya Williams (IFS) https://ifstudies.org/blog/whats-a-vi…

Nadya Williams on Substack https://substack.com/@nadyawilliams?u…

The Gospel Comes With a House Key: Practicing Radical Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World by Rosaria Butterfield https://www.amazon.com/Gospel-Comes-H…

Scruffy Hospitality — Google Search https://www.google.com/search?q=scruf…

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What Should Christians Think About the ‘Charlie Kirk Effect?’

Quick Questions With Liberty

In the three weeks since the assassination of Charlie Kirk, something is rippling across the nation that many are calling the “Charlie Kirk Effect.” On social media, individuals are professing Christian faith, returning to church, or going to church for the first time, citing Charlie Kirk’s life and public death as their inspiration.

While many Christians are celebrating this effect and even calling it a revival, others are wrestling with Kirk’s full legacy, even expressing dissatisfaction with other Christians’ public admiration of Kirk’s life and work.

In this episode, Liberty asks the question: How should Christians think about the “Charlie Kirk Effect?” Looking at Scripture and history can help, because when we look closely at the so-called “heroes” of the faith, what we see are people who have failed again and again…and still been used by God. And maybe that’s the point.

Share your thoughts below.

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Is It Ok to Be Mediocre?

Summer series 2025

A 22-year-old founder of two multi-million dollar businesses recently made headlines for claiming that “Work-Life Balance Will Keep You Mediocre.” In this last episode of Know Why’s 2025 summer series, Liberty looks at whether Emil Barr’s extreme sacrifices, including giving up relationships and even sleep, are worth it.

Noting that Mr. Barr makes a few good points, Liberty argues that such an extreme focus on future material success can distract from our true purpose as human beings. In fact, the life some call “mediocre” could be a life of immeasurable eternal impact. Listen to know why.

More Resources: ‘Work-Life Balance’ Will Keep You Mediocre — The Wall Street Journal 

Know About Creating: Why We Write Stories (And Why You Don’t Have to Rush) || Interview With Chelsea and Jonathan Boes — Know Why Podcast

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Three Reasons Why Medically-Assisted Suicide is Wrong

Summer Series 2025

This episode looks at the issues of medically-assisted suicide, also called doctor- or physician-assisted death, and euthanasia. Referring to a recent feature in The Atlantic, Liberty uses examples from Canada to show three problems that arise when medically-assisted death is legalized in a society, and three reasons why it is wrong.

TW: The episode includes several mentions of medically-assisted death, including real-life anecdotes, and mentions of suicidal ideation.

More Resources:

Canada is Killing Itself (The Atlantic) 

How Can I Help a Friend Struggling With Suicidal Thoughts? (Know Why Podcast) 

988 Lifeline

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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

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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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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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)

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Podcasts

Does AI ‘Perfection’ Harm Our Souls?

Interview With Philip Bunn

The efficiency of generative AI can be tempting. But Philip Bunn, assistant professor of political science at Covenant College, argues that we may be sacrificing part of our humanity—and eventually our freedom—for the apparent perfection of AI results. When we allow ourselves do things badly instead of relying on AI, we’re forming important parts of ourselves, Philip argues.

Don’t miss this latest installment in the series “Know About AI” where Liberty and Philip discuss the AI crisis in academia, the purpose of education, 18th century economist Adam Smith’s predictions about technology and “mental mutilation,” and tips for preserving independent judgement in a culture that increasingly depends on AI.

More Resources:

Digital Liturgies: Rediscovering Christian Wisdom in an Online Age by Samuel James

The Common Rule: Habits of Purpose for an Age of Distraction by Justin Whitmel Earley

A Web of Our Own Making: The Nature of Digital Formation by Anton Barba-Kay

EverythingWasBeautiful.Substack.com

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Podcasts

How Should Christians Interact With AI?

Interview With Peter Goeman

In the kick-off to our Know About AI series, Peter Goeman of The Bible Sojourner YouTube channel joins the Know Why Podcast to talk about artificial intelligence from a Christian perspective.

Specifically, Peter explains what it means when the Bible says humans are made in the image of God, and what implications that has for our relationship with AI technology.

Don’t miss this conversation, which provides a helpful framework for our future episodes on AI!

More Resources:

Artificial Intelligence and the Christian: Understanding AI’s Promises and Pitfalls by Peter Goeman

The Bible Sojourner (YouTube Channel)