Know Why Podcast

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 societal 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 https://www.amazon.com/Unplugged-Hours-Cultivating-Digitally-Connected/dp/0310367700 Come Matter Here: Your Invitation to Be Here in a Getting There World by Hannah Brencher https://www.amazon.com/Come-Matter-Here-Invitation-Getting/dp/0310350840 To Hell with the Hustle: Reclaiming Your Life in an Overworked, Overspent, and Overconnected World by Jefferson Bethke https://www.amazon.com/Hell-Hustle-Reclaiming-Overworked-Overconnected/dp/0718039203 The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry: How to Stay Emotionally and Spiritually Alive in the Chaos of the Modern World by John Mark Comer https://www.amazon.com/Ruthless-Elimination-Hurry-Emotionally-Spiritually/dp/0525653090 Eddie LaRow on Substack https://eddielarow.substack.com/?utm_source=global-search

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 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/

Historical tests affirm that the New Testament we read today accurately reflects the original documents—but were the authors of the New Testament telling the truth? 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.comThe Case for the Resurrection of Jesus by Gary HabermasThe Resurrection of Jesus: A New Historiographical Approach by Michael LiconaThe Resurrection of the Son of God by N. T. Wright

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 mere 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/entertainment-in-20-years-d6d5ac9b?st=pycwWj&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink Christians Reading Classics by Nadya Williams https://zondervanacademic.com/products/christians-reading-classics On Reading Well by Karen Swallow Prior https://bakerpublishinggroup.com/products/9781587435836_on-reading-well

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-of-a-former-climate-activist?utm_source=publication-search Confessions of a Former Pro-Palestine Activist https://www.thefp.com/p/confessions-of-a-former-pro-palestine?utm_source=publication-search Total Truth: Liberating Christianity From its Cultural Captivity by Nancy Pearcey https://www.wtsbooks.com/products/total-truth-nancy-pearcey-9781433502200?srsltid=AfmBOopl4ihicqmKe1gRIpOaV9aipBT-PBgBCQwP7fn7Mse8ZdpVS0h_ Is the Bible Reliable? Josh Barnes on the Know Why Podcast https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kosxhlxC-WI&t=803s Is There Evidence for Jesus' Resurrection? https://knowwhypodcast.com/2024/01/is-there-evidence-for-jesus-resurrection-know-about-jesus/ Does This New Study Reveal the Keys to Human Flourishing? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g3tobGiNVvM&t=23s

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 on 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-please-take-sports-betting-seriously/ Addiction By Design (book by Natasha Dow Schull) https://www.amazon.com/Addiction-Design-Machine-Gambling-Vegas/dp/0691160880 Why My Generation Is Turning to 'Financial Nihilism' (The Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/personal-finance/financial-nihilism-gen-z-gambling-meme-stocks-options-kyla-scanlon-7ae4f2aa?st=AQH3GB&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink Meet the Young Men Rushing Into Betting Markets (The Wall Street Journal) https://www.wsj.com/business/media/meet-the-young-men-rushing-into-betting-markets-f135de39?st=DMq19k&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink

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-Live-LAbri-Anniversary/dp/1581345364 Total Truth by Nancy Pearcey https://www.amazon.com/dp/1433502208/?bestFormat=true&k=total%20truth%20book&ref_=nb_sb_ss_w_scx-ent-bk-v2_k0_1_12_de&crid=2XDVND7YFVESB&sprefix=total%20truth%20 Stand to Reason https://www.str.org/home

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 Program Director Matt Trayler talks about... Listen and check out the free programs and resources at the link below, or share them with a man in your life. More Resources https://cbmc.com/

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/

Should Christians use chatbots like ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok? Is AI simply a neutral tool that humans can use for either good or evil? How does the book of Genesis offer clarity to the AI conversation? Kicking off Know Why's 2026 season is Doug Smith, longtime software engineer, lifelong student of the Bible, and author of [Un]Intentional: How Screens Are Secretly Shaping Your Desires and How You Can Break Free, and the forthcoming [Un]Intelligence: The Lies Behind Today's AI and the Truths You Need to Thrive. In this deep-dive interview, Doug helps us think through the following topics: Listen to this fascinating conversation for a unique perspective on AI and chatbots that is thoroughly informed by a biblical worldview and relevant for every human being. More Resources: https://thatdougsmith.com/ https://www.estherlightcapmeek.com/ How People Are Really Using AI (Harvard Business Review) Empire of AI by Karen Hao That Hideous Strength by C. S. Lewis How Bad Are AI Delusions? We Asked the People Treating Them (The New York Times) Against the Machine by Paul Kingsnorth

It's time for Know Why Podcast's annual "Best Of" Episode! In 2025, most popular episodes among Know Why listeners and viewers included... "Is the Bible Reliable?" With Josh Barnes https://youtu.be/kosxhlxC-WI?si=QJvsjc7rwO1Vh4HW "Does AI 'Perfection' Harm Our Souls?" With Philip Bunn https://youtu.be/Zp_fVegLcx0?si=qhxuawgVb4EkwrTO "What Should Christians Think About the 'Charlie Kirk Effect?'" https://youtu.be/LuZgzFwcLr8?si=nVX4IAFfRirFILJO "Neither Trans nor Tradwife: Understanding True Femininity" with Rachel Schroder https://youtu.be/eVuEz6KKLr8?si=NUAP9zw6sxruGtwK "Is it Ok to be Mediocre?" https://youtu.be/rQiFswisHIY?si=KxAamuuCU_ysECGI These top 5 most popular episodes are a great representation of the kinds of topics and series Know Why has covered in 2025. If you've enjoyed the Know Why Podcast or found any episode helpful or informative, let us know by emailing info@knowwhypodcast.com, and let us know what you'd like to see the Know Why Podcast cover in 2026. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

At the beginning of the Know About Family Formation Series, we asked why marriage is good. In today’s episode with Andrea Crum, we wrap up the series talking once again about marriage—specifically the God’s design for marriage and sex that is articulated in the Bible. Andrea addresses questions such as… Why do Christians often avoid talking about sex? Why is biblical marriage described as a covenant between one man and one woman? What would happen if everyone followed a biblical sexual ethic? How does healthy marriage represent God to the world? Despite secular cultural narratives, there is spiritual significance to God’s design for sex and marriage. Listen to know why. More Resources: AndreaCrum.com GenuineFamilyMinistries.com

In Vitro Fertilization (IVF) accounts for 2 percent of births in the United States, and that percentage is expected to grow. In the U.S., it’s a largely unregulated, multi-billion dollar industry which more and more families are utilizing to form their families. But there are ethical questions that can’t be ignored, which Liberty explores in this episode, including… Listen and decide whether you agree that the IVF process as it currently exists is unethical, and comment with your thoughts. More Resources The missing fine print on IVF (World Magazine) https://wng.org/opinions/the-missing-fine-print-on-ivf-1761622557 Championing a little-known IVF alternative (World Magazine) https://wng.org/roundups/championing-a-little-known-ivf-alternative-1759865267 What I Went Through to Meet My Daughter (The Free Press) https://www.thefp.com/p/what-i-went-through-to-meet-my-daughter-ivf-fertility The Next Parenting Trend Starts Before Conception (The New York Times) https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/opinion/genetics-children-noor-siddiqui.html Secular Pro-Life Resources on Personhood and IVF https://secularprolife.org/index/#You_arent_a_person_until Are All Pro-Lifers Religious? Know About Pro-Lifers (Interview With Monica Snyder, Part 1) (Know Why Podcast) https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-g8t6t-14893e3 Are All Pro-Lifers Religious? Know About Pro-Lifers (interview With Monica Snyder, Part 2) (Know Why Podcast) https://www.podbean.com/eas/pb-m9ker-1491a02

"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) Nadya Williams on Substack The Gospel Comes With a House Key: Practicing Radical Ordinary Hospitality in Our Post-Christian World by Rosaria Butterfield Scruffy Hospitality — Google Search

Many young adults are worried that having children will overburden a planet that’s already overpopulated and further damage the environment. They’re also worried about what kind of environment their kids will be born into. Are these valid concerns — and if not, why not? In this episode of the Know Why Podcast (originally aired in 2023), Liberty takes listeners through research and perspectives from millennials, parents, climate scientists, and more, exploring a question many young adults are asking. More Resources: Why I Stopped Being a Climate Catastrophist Three tough truths about climate by Bill Gates Anxiety over climate warming is leading some young adults to say they don't want children (AP) Climate Anxiety vs. Reality (The Free Press)

News outlets have reported Harvard University's students' reactions to the threat of stricter academic standards, after a commission found that grades were massively inflated despite a decline in academic involvement at the college. Some reacted by worrying they wouldn't find their classwork enjoyable or fulfilling if academic standards were raised. Beyond Harvard, is there an underlying assumption in modern culture that life is to be enjoyed? Liberty examines that assumption, identifies why it's problematic in everything from education to relationships, and recalls research that points to what makes humans more deeply fulfilled. More Resources: All A's at Harvard (World) https://wng.org/opinions/all-as-at-harvard-1762387132 The Perverse Consequences of the Easy A (The Atlantic) https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/08/harvard-college-grade-inflation/684021/ Does This Study Reveal the Key to Human Flourishing? (Know Why Podcast) https://youtu.be/g3tobGiNVvM?si=iTTyLQRqobwWKmGQ

Is autonomy the default state of human existence? Is freedom from other's neediness a human right? If the answer to those first two questions is "yes," where does that leave individuals who, through no fault of their own, are not autonomous? In her book The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto, Leah Libresco Sargeant argues that modern society has been built on a "false anthropology," which is the lie that we are autonomous creatures by nature. Liberty shares insights from the book, as well as a recent interview with Leah on Point of View Radio Talk Show. Listen to learn how accepting the reality of our own needs and learning to live in mutual dependence can create a more just society for every member of the family. More Resources: Full Interview With Leah Libresco Sargeant on Point of View Radio Talk Show: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/point-of-view-november-03-2025-hour-2-the/id333209607?i=1000735119200 The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto by Leah Libresco Sargeant https://www.amazon.com/Dignity-Dependence-Feminist-Manifesto-Catholic/dp/0268210330/ref=sr_1_1?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.OYjUX7bQQ2aHfZB2uJEnDFB3F2twIAOA8X_w2LOGsPvvRVdJ1q-Icgm_4lS1ibjPZC6s5n4yAjSgwtBItBdBcbC8rRK6goSeWyYF1KP8SIm_7HN8ESn1e1vXIL3hMQ5Vm6Jx4UnKyJBKVRXQKs6B5w.hkExGOsWMFpP1aTpR3hOujTLHjHfq-iF5WDCRC3Ewwk&dib_tag=se&hvadid=580694231644&hvdev=c&hvexpln=0&hvlocphy=9026959&hvnetw=g&hvocijid=15896085238039775592--&hvqmt=e&hvrand=15896085238039775592&hvtargid=kwd-2424453398105&hydadcr=20588_13321902&keywords=the+dignity+of+dependence&mcid=f8bd510d0b4f3bb6a918931f280808cb&qid=1762300177&sr=8-1

The "Know About Family Formation" series is highlighting the good of marriage and family. But what if you already know family is good, and you desire family, but for one reason or another, that desire remains unfulfilled? Chelsea Sobolik understands what it is like to wrestle with that kind of grief. Author "Longing for Motherhood: Holding Onto Hope in the Midst of Childlessness," Chelsea joins the Know Why Podcast to share her story—as well as hope for those who may be walking through infertility, prolonged singleness, or other kinds of grief and suffering. In this episode, Chelsea addresses topics including: Listen or share with someone you know who is longing for family. More Resources: Chelsea's Books, including Longing for Motherhood: https://www.amazon.com/stores/Chelsea-Patterson-Sobolik/author/B07CP1LPCX?ref=ap_rdr&isDramIntegrated=true&shoppingPortalEnabled=true&ccs_id=f24ad87a-b543-4beb-9993-19a4274fbd28 Dads Hurt Too: A Father's Memoir of Miscarriage by Eric Shumacher https://www.amazon.com/Dads-Hurt-Too-Fathers-Miscarriage/dp/1736408038 Abbey Wedgeworth https://www.abbeywedgeworth.com/all-books Brittany Lee Allen https://brittleeallen.com/miscarriage-and-infertility/

Many millennials and Gen Zers are intentionally avoiding parenthood, and the number one reason cited is cost. But when it comes to kids, can crunched numbers really capture the gamut of costs AND benefits, stresses AND joys that one experiences over a lifetime? As it turns out, spreadsheets fail to convey the lived experience of many mothers, who, statistically, report being happier than their childless counterparts. That doesn’t mean people must have kids to be happy, but media warnings about daycare costs and lost wages fail to capture the full picture of parenthood. Ivana Greco is an attorney and homeschooling mom of four who writes about women, children, families, and family policy. She joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss her article, “What is the Price of Parenting?” published with Commonplace Magazine. More Resources: What is the Price of Parenting? https://www.commonplace.org/cp/172950941

Do you believe in soulmates? In finding "the One?" If so, you're not alone—according to surveys, a majority of young singles hold some version of the soulmate view of marriage. Unfortunately, that's also the marriage view most likely to lead to divorce. In this episode, Liberty summarizes research compiled by Dr. Brad Wilcox in his book "Get Married," explaining why soulmates are a myth and why a different view of marriage—"family first," or mission-minded—aligns better with our overall purpose and function as human beings made in God's image. P.S. Liberty also mentions a resource for parents in this episode—a discount code for $10 off registration to the Raising Biblical Kids Conference for Parents in Grapevine, Texas! See more information below. P.P.S. Comment to share your thoughts—or if you listen long enough to understand what "yellow butterflies" means! More Resources: Get Married: Why Americans Must Defy the Elites, Forge Strong Families, and Save Civilization by Brad Wilcox https://www.amazon.com/Get-Married-Americans-Families-Civilization/dp/0063210851 Raising Biblical Kids Conference https://raisingbiblicalkidsconference.com/