Know Why Podcast

Are we at risk of live streaming our lives away? In a world where large amounts of young people spend more time "connecting" online than in physical life, where we are constantly plagued by FOMO and the urge to share every moment on social media, we risk losing the very life we are trying to preserve in digital memory. While convenient and sometimes helpful tools, social media and smart technology...

What makes people happy in life? In this episode, Liberty highlights research from the Global Flourishing Study, a 5-year research project that measures human flourishing using a broad range of questions. Led by social scientists from Harvard and Baylor University, and in partnership with Gallup and the Center for Open Science, the Global Flourishing Study has produced findings indicating that our...

Young men are in crisis. A recent article argues that married fatherhood is the key to solving the masculinity crisis, because married fatherhood gives men the meaning in life they inherently desire. It's true that humans need human relationships to be fulfilled, and that marriage incentivizes fathers to invest in their children. But is there more to it that that? What if our need for other people...

How politically diverse is your friend group? If your answer is "not very," you're not alone. Nearly half of U.S. voters view their political opponents as "downright evil," according to a 2024 poll. Fewer and fewer people live in politically diverse areas, and digital media exacerbates our ideological bubbles. But Americans miss out on a lot of good things when we avoid people who think differentl...

Are your opinions based more on hot takes or real ideas? Liberty spends the first half of this episode discussing why young adults are more likely to build their worldview on a foundation of "takes" rather than carefully considered ideas. This results from things like social media algorithms to the way modern classrooms teach English and literature. Then, she switches gears to commemorate that thi...

If you're on social media apps like TikTok and Instagram, you've seen the videos—reels using satire, sarcasm, and dark humor to react to recent events in the Middle East. Cynical, offbeat humor is typical of a generation accustomed to "unprecedented times," but is often used to mask a deeper sense of fear and anxiety about what's going on. In this episode, Liberty draws on principles found in the...

For decades, religious affiliation has dropped off with each new generation. But with Gen Z, that trend appears to be stalling. Why are young adults returning to religion, especially traditionally conservative expressions of religion like Catholicism? Liberty suggests that in today's chaotic world, young people want more than vague spirituality and moral relativism, and they're finding it in the p...

Deloitte's 2025 Global survey of Gen Zs and millennials reveals that at work, young adults prioritize mentorship, meaning, and financial security. But survey answers reveal deeper themes at play, including strong needs for a secure identity and a sense of purpose. What do these deeper themes reveal about who we are as humans? That's what Liberty tackles in this 20-minute episode, drawing on expert...

Liberty recaps this season's two series, Know Why God is Good and Know About AI. Then, she previews what viewers can expect from the Know Why Podcast over the summer and in the months ahead. Don't forget to subscribe, rate, review, and share! More Resources: Know Why God is Good series Know About AI series Contact Liberty

President Donald Trump has pledged to “solidify our position as the global leader in AI and secure a brighter future for all Americans.” “It is the policy of the United States to sustain and enhance America’s global AI dominance in order to promote human flourishing, economic competitiveness, and national security,” an Executive Order from January 2025 states. But how will enhanced “global AI domi...

Some AI enthusiasts argue that artificial intelligence will usher in a new age of human thriving, even sparking a renaissance of deeper and more meaningful human connection. Others argue that AI chatbots can offer social benefits, providing a "friend" to those in need. Are these optimistic takes on AI's potential impact valid? Or are they the result of delusion? Liberty considers these arguments i...

A recent Teen Vogue article explores common ways college students are using ChatGPT. The anecdotes in the article align with other reporting on common uses for AI, leading Liberty to explore three trends... Using AI to replace or assist in interpersonal conversations Using AI to replace brainstorming solutions for difficult situations Using AI in place of or in addition to a therapist for mental h...

Next up in our series "Know About AI," Liberty recalls three past interviews on the Know Why Podcast with illustrators who addressed the purpose of creation and the affect of artificial intelligence on art. Featured artists are best-selling author and illustrator John Hendrix, author, illustrator, and mechanical engineer Ross Boone, and illustrator Jared Boggess, the art director for Christianity...

The efficiency of generative AI can be tempting. But Philip Bunn, assistant professor of political science at Covenant College, argues that we may be sacrificing part of our humanity—and eventually our freedom—for the apparent perfection of AI results. When we allow ourselves do things badly instead of relying on AI, we're forming important parts of ourselves, Philip argues. Don't miss this latest...

Is it cheating to have ChatGPT give feedback on your research paper?  What if you just ask ChatGPT to check your math homework? Should professors stop fighting the use of AI and incorporate it into collegiate-level assignments?  How can teachers mitigate the negative effects of technology overload in their classrooms?  We cover all these questions and more in the second installment of our Know Abo...

In the kick-off to our Know About AI series, Peter Goeman of The Bible Sojourner YouTube channel joins the Know Why Podcast to talk about artificial intelligence from a Christian perspective. Specifically, Peter explains what it means when the Bible says humans are made in the image of God, and what implications that has for our relationship with AI technology. Don't miss this conversation, which...

Chances are you know someone who has deconstructed their faith or is in that process. Maybe that person is you. Wherever you are in your faith journey, you'll appreciate this interview with Ian Harber, who has experienced deconstruction of faith first hand. Ian shares his own story, including what led to his crisis of faith and how he managed to rebuild belief in God's goodness after his lowest mo...

There are more voices competing for our attention than ever before, and they all have a different interpretation of reality. Is there such a thing as absolute truth, and if so, how can we find it?  Joining the Know Why Podcast to discuss this important question is Andrea Crum, the leader of Genuine Family Ministries. Andrea helps us understand why there is a crisis of truth, how we can identify an...

At a time when many church-raised millennials and Gen Zers are deconstructing, Know Why Podcast host Liberty McArtor is still a Christian. Why? In this episode, Liberty shares her journey with faith and how two things kept her from completely abandoning God during a season of struggle. She also discusses the difference between education and propaganda and why knowing the difference could strengthe...

So far, our quest to know why God is good has led us to biblical stories of God himself. But why should we accept biblical accounts as evidence for God's goodness if we aren't even sure the Bible is true? Josh Barnes, pastor and host of the popular YouTube channel The Bible Explained, talks us through three categories historians use to judge a historical text's reliability: authenticity, accuracy,...

Newly confirmed HHS secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. claims that America is in a "spiritual crisis." Is this true? In this 20-minute episode, Liberty examines religious trends and sociological research to evaluate the truth of RFK's claim and shares her opinion on why it matters.  More Resources: https://news.gallup.com/poll/358364/religious-americans.aspx https://www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archi...

Safe. That definition may change from person to person, but there's no denying that today's generation seeks to feel and promote physical and emotional safety. Our world is anything but safe. How do we cope with this? Dr. Tanita Maddox is a Gen Z expert and veteran Young Life leader. In this conversation, she shares why this is an important question, how we can align our definition of safety to Go...

Does God actually care about the marginalized? If so, why does he seem so harsh in the Old Testament? Why do Christians seem like hypocrites today? In this episode, returning Know Why favorite Dr. Sandra Glahn tackles these hard questions. Dr. Glahn is an author, professor, and sought-after expert in issues relating to Jesus, Scripture, women and gender, and more. More resources: https://sandragla...

It's our second annual "Best Of" episode! We looked at our most-downloaded episodes of 2024 and compiled the highlights here. Listen for excerpts from five of listeners’ favorite episodes of the year, with selections from our "Know About Jesus" series, our "Know About Political Engagement" series, and more! In this episode, you’ll hear snippets of the following interviews (click to listen to the f...

Why do we celebrate the birth of Jesus? Is it merely cultural tradition...or something more significant?  In this repost of one of last year's most popular episodes, Joshua Barnes of The Bible Explained demonstrates why Jesus' birth is unique compared to the origin stories of mythical gods. Josh also highlights intriguing prophecies that predicted details of Jesus' birth hundreds of years before i...