AUTHENTIC with Shawn Boonstra

Most of us still have this collective sense that the world is not supposed to be like this—filled with evil, pain, and loss. Most of us seem to remember a time when things were a whole lot better. Shawn Boonstra says it's because God has put eternity in our hearts.

Are some ideas too dangerous to remain in circulation? There's a disturbing new trend where people think banning certain types of speech is not only OK, but the right thing to do. Shawn Boonstra talks about why that's actually a really bad idea.

Have you ever started something with the intention of doing something good and inadvertently ended up doing the exact opposite? Unintended consequences are, unfortunately, a part of life. But what can you do about it? Shawn Boonstra explores why your human judgment can often betray you.

Imagine going into a room to make a presentation, knowing that nobody really wants you there—and they’re probably going to laugh at you the whole time. Would you still be willing to do it? What would it take to make you persist? Shawn Boonstra takes a look at what Jesus experienced throughout his life here on Earth.

We're living in an increasingly impatient world, aren't we? Even though we're easily the most affluent generation in the history of the world, somehow we still seem to think we deserve a little more, as soon as possible. And sometimes, that attitude can even show up in church.

It can be incredibly hard to trust in others. Over and over, the world and its people fail us. How would God be any different? Shawn Boonstra explores how we truly judge our judges.

Some people are worth every bit of ridicule and disgust you can give ’em, right? After all, they stand for something you abhor. Maybe they stand for the wrong politics. Or maybe they chose the wrong religion. And to top it off, they're rude! But wait a sec... Who gave you the right to determine someone else's worth?

A lot of people don't like organized religion—and for good reason. History is full of atrocities in the name of Christianity. But are they throwing out the baby with the bathwater? Shawn Boonstra makes a case for closer examination.

Music can actually help you find the ultimate meaning of life. Shawn Boonstra talks about the brain science.

Did Christopher Hitchens lie? Or did he just interpret things differently? We're revisiting claims from the well-known "atheist evangelist" who said that religion poisons everything.

Atheists love to praise Christopher Hitchens—one of the "Four Horsemen" of New Atheism. But they leave out some pretty critical info that should really change how you evaluate his claims.

How do you really know what you know? How can you be so sure? Shawn Boonstra revisits the writings of Ayn Rand, one of the most influential thinkers of the 20th century.

Chances are, she's changed the way you think...and not necessarily in a good way. Shawn Boonstra explores the writings of one of the most influential—and controversial—thinkers in modern American history: Ayn Rand.

A brutal pandemic. Surging unrest. It's happened before...and it'll happen again. But much worse, and on a scale that few people can comprehend.

Find out about a secret so big that you can actually bend the universe in your direction...if it's true.

Find out about a small piece of real estate—just 37 acres big—that some people think might spark a global war.

What's the point of investing in your future, if everyone's going to die anyway? Shawn Boonstra tackles one of life's biggest questions.

You might think that miracles are proof enough that God exists—but miracles are not the essence of a meaningful relationship with God. Shawn Boonstra talks about why miracles shouldn’t be the foundation of our faith.

In a meaningless world, why live? For life itself—according to many. But there could be something even MORE worth fighting for, says Shawn Boonstra.

Does the Bible really say Jesus is God? Shawn Boonstra investigates.

You CAN live forever—lessons from Frankenstein.

Find out how an old poet can teach you to live life with zero regrets.

We all feel like we're here for a reason—like we should make the world better than it is. But why? Shawn Boonstra digs into what our ancestors thought about that question. Turns out they were pretty smart cookies.

Knowing your history is critical. Without it, a person could all too easily slip into the role of persecutor. And Shawn Boonstra says that could be the reason other people stop trusting Christians.

Seems like we're ripping apart the very foundations of our stable society. Shouldn't we stop to ask why? Shawn Boonstra says these “deconstructors” are building on long-forgotten and wrongheaded ideas.