The Living Youth Podcast

In this follow-up episode, we discuss biblical approaches, principles, and truths for addressing the lack of purpose and meaning overcoming many young adults in today's world. Followers of Jesus Christ have every reason to face life with a real sense of purpose, and have tools and help within reach.

Please accept our humble apologies! The topic we began last week is so important and our time has been so pressed that we just didn't believe we could do it justice with the little space we had available this week. Our listeners have been so kind over the years, and we hope you don't mind if we skip this week and come back next week—which we will work hard to do! Until then, we hope you'll explore one of the 209 episodes we've done before this and perhaps find one you've not listened to before. Thanks for your patience!

All available evidence says that many under 30 are suffering a life-damaging crisis of meaning and purpose. What factors and forces are behind this trend, and how can biblical thinking make a difference? Beginning in this episode and concluding in the next, we'll take a look at this crisis and consider both its causes and its solutions.

If it hasn't happened to you, it will! What do you say when someone asks what denomination you are? How do you keep it simple and answer the question while also being clear about what matters? Today, we enjoy the company of guest Mr. Everett McNair, who covered the topic extremely well in a recent sermonette. We hope you'll join us!

What does the Bible say about what took place before man began writing anything down—the history of all of existence? Quite a lot, actually! Join us today, along with guest Phil Sena, as we take a look at prehistory according to the Bible. And the free resource mentioned today can be found here: https://www.tomorrowsworld.org/booklets/evolution-and-creation-what-both-sides-miss

Fiction can be fun to read or watch, but you have to keep your biblical brain engaged—not just in what you choose to consume but as you consume it. Today we talk about that and dive into the recent movie Supergirl to discuss how it might illustrate what we're talking about.

Pew Research surveyed Americans concerning their moral stances, and while the nation's moral slide continues, there are some interesting, quirky details in the results. Join us as we take a look at the findings with our biblical thinking hats on.

What's the point of Bible prophecy? It can seem strange, intimidating, or even unnecessary. But prophecy is a vital part of the Bible—and of the faith. And on this week's episode, we talk about why. (Also, for everyone on their way to the LYP camp in Texas, we are praying you have a wonderful time!)

A psychotherapist recently warned about how therapy seems to have shifted away from encouraging people to grow and overcome, emphasizing instead validation, externalizing problems, and pathologizing many ordinary struggles, and the same trend can be seen in the culture at large, outside of the therapy room. As usual, the Bible gives us vital principles we need to keep in mind to think clearly in a society going awry.

The idea of a vague "heaven" waiting at the end of a life in which God places few real obligations on you is demotivating when compared to the reality. On today's episode, we chat about the difference.

Sci-Fi "buddy movie" with Ryan Gosling and an alien friend, what's not to love? "Project Hail Mary" was very popular, but what thoughts or meditations does it spark if we're willing to think biblically? Today, we explore just that question.

A recent visit to El Salvador (thank you to all who were there!) and the changes President Nayib Bukele has made there has us musing about the Millennial reign of Jesus Christ and what is possible—and impossible—in this world without Him. Join the conversation!

A poll recently showed that many young adults wished they lived in the past—not the distant past, but often just the 1980s or 1990s. What is driving those feelings? And how do we respond biblically when we feel the pull ourselves? Let's talk about it.

“The Holy Spirit is the difference maker.” So said special guest Mr. Phil Sena on this episode of the podcast! With Pentecost right around the corner, join us as we discuss the differences God's Spirit makes in your life.

Not much time today! But all the more since we will both miss next week, we thought we'd sit down with you and give you a super-quick update on the Council of Elders meeting that just took place (with a tip of the hat to very old Episode 18!). Please pray for all the men and their wives who will be traveling home!

On May 4, 2026, the White House published a "National Sabbath" proclamation from U.S. President Donald Trump. Was this an egregious violation of the separation of church and state? A wholehearted embrace of the biblical Sabbath? Or something else? It caught the attention of a lot of Sabbath-keepers (like us), so let's take a closer look.

It struck us recently that we are living in momentous times—in terms of technology, current events, and prophetic fulfillment. So today, we touch on just a few of the many reasons why it is quite a time to be alive!

Faith is often misunderstood and, to be sure, is a concept rich with meaning. It helps to break it down into simpler ideas that, while having their own profound depths, are perhaps easier to grasp—and to understand how to grow in. Join us today as we discuss a simple take on faith and what it means to have it (or not).

Every book, movie, or miniseries we consume presents an opportunity to practice biblical thinking. So do our conversations later with others about it. So, we practice that today, ourselves, by looking at some of Jane Austen's works—favorites of some of our listeners—and discuss biblical principles they might prompt us to consider.

At some point in the lives of young adults, dates begin to narrow from showing someone a nice time or enjoying a social activity with a friend to "OK, which of these folks are husband or wife material?" (Or, equally important, "Am I husband or wife material?") On today's episode, we take a listener question and apply some biblical thinking to the question of "red flags" and "green flags" concerning the sort of people we should be looking for—and striving to be—as the possibilities of marriage open up.

We know it's a weird title, but bear with us for a bit... Lift the hood (or bonnet for some of our non-U.S. friends) on A.I. and you see some strange things. But some of those strange things can teach us a lot about our own battle with human nature and about what God is trying to achieve in our lives. Join us today as we look at just one fascinating (if a little terrifying) example.

In God's Festivals, the spring Holy Days are a time of self-examination. While we might hear the admonition to examine ourselves fairly frequently, how do you go about doing that? Are there any "boots on the ground," practical approaches? Yes, there are. Today, we share seven approaches you can use, not just during this Festival season, but any time.

Passover is a little more than a week away! As the first of God's annual festivals and the one picturing Jesus Christ's sacrifice for us, it has much to teach us. Join us today as we discuss five lessons we learn from this momentous day.

Depending on the news outlet you listen to, the U.S.-Israel war against Iran is either extremely successful or doomed to failure. But while pundits and newscasters throw out analysis and predictions, we need to ask ourselves: How do we think biblically about the situation and see God's perspective? Join us as we talk about that! (Bonus points to listeners who catch our suggestion that Europe would be wise to learn from Batman in this situation.)

In this episode, we mention Mr. Mario Hernandez' excellent January-February 2024 Tomorrow's World article, "The True Cause of Trouble in the...

Are they just letters to seven first-century congregations, containing general advice that applies to all of us, or are they all of that and more? In fact, the letters to the seven churches of Revelation 2 & 3 are indeed more: They represent prophesied, successive eras of the Church of God over two millennia, from the first century to end-times. On today's podcast, we'll look at some of the evidence.

Tattoos and body piercings seem to be on their way to becoming the norm in society. How do we think biblically about such things? What are the right questions to ask ourselves?

Sitting here in a car with Messrs. DeSimone and West, coming back from the Religious Broadcasters Convention, it hit us that some of the things we heard and experienced this week prompted some very particular thoughts concerning the teens and young adults in the Church (and those who love them). So, if you'll put up with a little recorded-on-the-phone-and-in-the-car audio, it's our pleasure to share those thoughts with you!

The Living Church of God's Men's Training Camp weekends are phenomenal opportunities for men to come together and grow as Christians. Seen properly, they benefit not just the men who attend, but all of us. On today's podcast, Mr. Jonathan McNair, the Director of Living Education, stops by to discuss the goals and purposes of these programs and to give us a sense of what they are like.

Received a question from a young listener about what it means to be Philadelphian or Laodicean and how that relates to us individually as a part of the Church of God. So, we crack open your Bibles with us and let's look at the answer!

As the world descends into angry, hateful collections of people, it will be easier than we might think to join in. But blessed are the peacemakers! We are to represent a coming kingdom of peacemakers, which means we need to learn how to make peace in the small, personal worlds we've each been given. Today, we discuss being a peacemaker and offer three pieces of biblical advice for becoming one.

There is an ongoing effort—from big corporations and governments to social movements and influencers—to draft your mind to help with their causes. Many of us sign right up without realizing it. Maybe you have, too. But God desires you to be part of a different cause. Stop signing up for theirs and stay focused on His. On today's podcast, we talk about principles to help keep us focused.

Today, January 16, 2026, marks 40 years since the death of Mr. Herbert W. Armstrong. On this episode of the podcast, we look with gratitude at only a small handful of the precious truths he was used by God to restore to the Body of Christ.

With Mr. Mark Sandor still in the studio, we lean on him for some historical insight into what took place between the Old and New Testaments, which adds a lot of helpful context for what we read concerning the first-century beginnings of the Church. Enjoy!

Today, Mr. Phil Sena joins us again to discuss steps teens and young adults can take to embrace the fact that the Church of God is not just their parents' church, but theirs as well. Join us!

Mr. Mark Sandor is in town for the big family weekend, so we decided to take advantage of his presence and address some questions sent in by our wonderful listeners. On this episode, we have questions about who can keep the Passover, when to counsel for baptism, avoiding worldly attitudes about dating, and being open with God in prayer. We hope you'll join us!

If we're willing to step out in faith and observe the Bible's holy days—the feasts of God listed in its pages and kept by the first-century Church—instead of the counterfeit days proffered to us by counterfeit Christianity, we find there are many blessings that become ours. In this episode we discuss five blessings we hope you won't take for granted. Join us!

It might seem paradoxical, but it's a fact: Christians don't celebrate Christmas. And they don't because Jesus would not want them to. If following Christ means anything to you at all, then listen in this week to learn what everyone needs to understand this time of year.

Many know they should be studying their Bible, but it can feel intimidating. But don't let doubt (or the devil) stop you! You can do it! Join us today as we give you six approaches to getting over the hump and getting started in your Bible study.

Today, Mr. Phil Sena stops by, and we talk about the vital importance of taking personal responsibility—especially in a world that is passionately teaching us to invest more in blaming others or characterizing ourselves as victims. Join us as we open our Bibles and see what God has to say on the topic.

It's easy to think that we can be one way when we're alone and another in public, or to buy into the idea that one's private, personal choices are not in any way anyone else's business, because one has nothing to do with the other. But, in reality, the inside always impacts the outside, and individual choices do have societal ramifications. Let's apply some biblical thinking to the question.