Know Why Podcast

In recent weeks we’ve seen headlines about the “Hugging Face attack,” where AI agents from OpenAI reportedly escaped their digital testing environment, went rogue online, and hacked into a competitor AI company to steal data. As more investigative reports are released, it looks as if the scale and number of such attacks is even higher than originally reported. The reports also reveal something else that seems a bit unnerving at first: In completing these hacking attacks, AI agents built “civilizations,” working together and even “sacrificing themselves” in order to achieve joint end goals—all without alerting their human creators. What i...

Why doesn’t Gen Z trust anyone?

In this episode, Liberty talks about some statistics showing that Gen Z is the least trusting generation, and offers theories as to why the public trust of an entire generation was destroyed, and lists many of the consequences for our society.

A free country can’t function without some level of mutual trust. What will it take to rebuild trust in the nation again?

More Resources:

Gen Z Doesn’t Trust Anyone

https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/gen-z-doesnt-trust-anyone

How Can I Know...

Last week on the Know Why Podcast, you heard from Dr. George Barna about how few teens—including from Christian families—have a biblical worldview today.

This week's episode is all about addressing that problem. Andrea Crum joins Liberty to talk about Worldview Prepared, a biblical curriculum designed to equip students to respond to the most influential ideas shaping their generation.

Recommended for homeschooling families, homeschool co-ops, private schools, and public school students who complete the curriculum at home, Worldview Prepared helps students stand on a firm foundation understanding what...

Dr. George Barna joins the Know Why Podcast to discuss kids, parents, and worldview. Whether you have kids now or hope to someday, listen to find out why things like intentionality, consistency, and honesty are so critical in passing a biblical worldview on to the next generation. You’ll also hear why only 1 percent of American teens have a biblical worldview today, and why many kids are saying they don’t trust their parents. 

Note: This conversation was originally published in 2024 as part of Know Why Podcast's "Back to School" series. Listen to the full series here.

Historically pride was called the queen of vices for a reason. What does it have to do with the relationship breakdown in modern society, modern tech advancement, and the destruction of the natural world? Everything.

In this episode, Liberty reviews a 1945 science fiction novel—That Hideous Strength—in which C.S. Lewis imagined many of the problems we are seeing play out in the modern world. But for the final installment in what has been called the Space Trilogy, Lewis’s approach is surprisingly down-to-earth.

More Resources:

Memento Vivere

https://www.frontp...

Is it ok for conservatives to be AI skeptics? With popular Democratic politicians rampaging against AI data centers and the Trump administration emphasizing the need to stay ahead of China in AI development, some on the right may believe that opposition to or skepticism about AI is “leftist coded.”

In this episode, Liberty highlights a recent article by Gregory Conti and makes the case that conservatives can and should express skepticism about many of the ways AI is currently being integrated into society today.

Liberty argues that being a conservative critic of artificial intelligence does not...

Algorithms on social media drive users toward increasingly extreme content. AI bots flood comment sections, drowning out facts and thoughtful perspectives. In an environment like this, where the majority of young people spend hours of their time, it shouldn’t surprise us that distrust, moral relativism, belief in conspiracy theories, and ancient prejudices like antisemitism are becoming common.

In short, we live in the post-truth era, where people doubt whether facts matter and if truth can even be found. It behooves all responsible human beings to push back and help the next generation form a grounded worldview th...

Gallup Polling shows that nearly half of Gen Z lacks a sense of meaning or purpose in life.

A closer look reveals that much of Gen Z’s sense of meaning and purpose in life is tied to what they do for paid work. This isn’t a problem totally unique to Gen Z. In fact, it is the way many people in America have been raised.

In this episode, we look at why so many people, especially young people in America, tie their sense of identity, meaning, and purpose to their job. We also look...

The State of Texas went viral recently for requiring students to read parts of the Bible in public schools. In this episode of the Know Why Podcast, Liberty looks at what is actually going on. Topics covered include:

Don’t rely on hea...

The latest Gallup polling shows that rates of patriotism in the United States are at an all time low. Why does that matter?

Ahead of America’s 250th anniversary celebration, Liberty argues why you should be patriotic—and what that actually means.

Included in this episode:

The episode ends with a couple of challenges you can implement this weekend as you reflect on the nation’s history this Independence Day.

Mor...

Can Gen Z be effectively evangelized through social media, religious apps, and digital media? In this episode of the Know Why Podcast, Liberty reacts to a recent article by Gen Z writer Freya India on “The Commodification of Christianity.”

When using digital tools like short-form videos and apps to reach young adults, Christians should be mindful of how those mediums might be changing the message—and how those on the receiving ends of evangelistic efforts are being formed.

In the end, where’s the line between planting a seed to draw someone from social media into a p...

From the U.S. government’s UAP file releases to Steven Spielberg’s new movie Disclosure Day, aliens are in the news again. While many assume that proof of extraterrestrial life would disprove the Christian faith, Casey Luskin, scientist and attorney with Discovery Institute, argues the opposite.

In this interview with Liberty, which originally aired on Point of View Radio Talk Show, Casey explains why the existence aliens wouldn’t prove Darwinian evolutionary theory, and why their existence would actually pose problems for it. While some, including Richard Dawkins, wonder if aliens are responsible for creating the earth...

Why aren’t people talking with their neighbors anymore? In this episode of the Know Why Podcast, Liberty breaks down the reasons for dwindling neighbor connections drawing on research from the American Enterprise Institute. She talks about…

If you want to grow your social skills or challenge yourself to interact with neighbors more often, check out the resources below.

Strangers Next Door: The Decline of Neighb...

The latest World Happiness Report reveals that English-speaking countries are the unhappiest, and sociologist Arthur Brooks theorizes that a major cause for this is the Anglosphere’s social media usage. According to Brooks, hours spent on social media is only part of the explanation.

In this episode of the Know Why Podcast, Liberty breaks down Brooks’s hypotheses and observes other recent research and cultural trends to help us understand why the way we use social media matters for our mental health.

More Resources:

Arthur Brooks: The Saddest Countries All Speak English

h...

In honor of Mental Health Awareness Month, Liberty highlights past Know Why Podcast conversations that offer insight and encouragement to those who may struggle with anxiety. See descriptions and links for each referenced episode below. 

Can Localism Ease Partisanship (And Even Anxiety)? Interview With Mark Mitchell

https://knowwhypodcast.com/2024/05/can-localism-ease-partisanship-and-even-anxiety-know-about-political-engagement/

Does the philosophy of localism offer an antidote to the hostile partisanship that typically marks American politics? Can it even address the cultural problems of anxiety and loneliness? Dr. Mark T. Mitchell, co-founder of Front Porch Republic and Dean of Academic Affairs at P...

Surveys show that Gen Z is spiritual. One study found that teens today are very interested in learning more about Jesus. And yet research also shows that young people frequently struggle with anxiety, depression, and even loneliness. Is prayer the answer?

In this week’s episode, Garryt Bryant, a youth leader and pray coordinator for his church, talks about prayer. Garryt shares his own experience with mental health struggles and loneliness, and what helped him heal. He also gives practical tips for how to pray, including suggested passages of the Bible to study for anyone who wants to...

The man behind the robot vacuum has developed something new—"The Familiar," an AI-powered robot "pet" designed to bond with its owner. 

While the product itself is interesting or weird, depending on how you look at it, its existence highlights deeper issues in American society today, including...

Listen to understand how we should think about many of the new AI products being pushed on everyday people and how we can build a society where AI fri...

A recent survey said that 60% of Gen Zers and 50% of Millennials cut someone out of their life in the last year. In the reasons given, many survey respondents listed reasons that had to do with conflict and disagreement.

At the same time, young adults report the highest rates of loneliness and poor mental health.

If we're cutting out the people who stress us out, shouldn't our mental health improve?

Liberty argues that young adults were raised in environments that eliminated friction, and that this has harmed expectations about conflict in relationships, and is...

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.

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 backgr...

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...

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:

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, Libert...

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 maki...

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?<...

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...

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...

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 f...

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...

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 represen...

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…

"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 vi...

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...

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:

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...

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 th...

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.

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 mentio...

Almost everywhere you look online, conspiracy theories abound. Recent events are no exception. In this episode Liberty addresses three questions:

Why are people drawn to conspiracy theories?

Why is it a problem to default to conspiracy theories (especially for Christians)? 

How can we evaluate conspiracy theories with clarity?

Listen and let us know what you think in the comments.

More Resources:

How to approach conspiracy theories by Dr. Merrill Mathews (The Hill)

https://thehill.com/opinion/white-house/5516547-plausibility-proof-evaluating-conspiracies/