Know Why Podcast

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...

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...

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 larg...

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,...

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 Ame...

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 Yo...

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?'" h...

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 covena...

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… Is it ok that the vast majority...

"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 m...

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 fro...

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 assumptio...

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...

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 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 chi...

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...

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:...

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 calli...

What does it mean to be a woman? The culture has wrestled with this point for decades. Ironically, diametrically opposed sides often make the same mistake: conflating the aesthetics of femininity with its definition. Many who embrace transgender ideology argue that feeling feminine and dressing the part are all it takes to identify oneself as “woman.” On the other hand, many reacting against moder...

You can’t have healthy marriages without healthy individuals, and healthy individuals are people who understand themselves and their purpose in life. Perhaps one reason more young men aren’t getting married, despite many desiring to do so, is because they lack understanding about who they are and what they were made for. The left tells men that being masculine is “toxic.” On the far right, misogyn...

Young men on the far right and young women on the far left have little in common—except for their views on marriage. Leading voices in the “manosphere” argue that marriage is of no benefit to men, especially when it comes to finances. Many women believe the same lie. According to a robust body of research compiled by Dr. Brad Wilcox in his book “Get Married,” men who get married experience a signi...

Why is marriage good? Is it only good for the material benefits it may provide individuals, like relational security and legal protection? Or is there an intrinsic good to marriage that can't be analyzed with science? Social and political philosopher John Mancini joins the podcast to kick off the next series, Know About Family Formation. John argues that there is a transcendent good to marriage th...

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 ext...

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...

Are you trying to find your calling in life? Are you just trying to find a job? Either way, it can be a frustrating time. The job market is changing. AI is threatening many collar jobs. A bachelor’s degree isn’t the ticket to success it once was. Meanwhile, culturally accepted wisdom about passion, vocation, and job satisfaction isn’t always rooted in the truth—about happiness, about God, or even...