The Aaron Renn Show

Join Aaron Renn as he dives into the alarming global fertility crisis with Daniel Hess, the voice behind the More Births X account and Substack. In this eye-opening podcast, they uncover the shocking decline in birth rates worldwide, its devastating implications for economies and societies, and what we can do to reverse this trend. From South Korea's record-low fertility to the power of suburbs and pro-natal beliefs, this discussion is a wake-up call for anyone concerned about the future of humanity.CHAPTERS:(0:00:00 Introduction)(0:01:03 Why Daniel Hess Cares About Fertility Decline)(0:03:47 Personal Story: Raising Six Kids and Social Influence)(0:05:00 The Case for More Births: Debunking Overpopulation Myths)(0:08:03 South Korea's Crisis: Highest Innovation but Lowest Birth Rates)(0:11:29 How Severe Is the Fertility Crisis? Economic and Social Impacts)(0:19:23 Worst-Hit Countries: China, Italy, and Beyond)(0:23:33 Drivers of Fertility Decline: The Multifaceted “Fertility Stack”)(0;26:46 Israel's Secret: Pro-natal Beliefs and High Fertility)(0:29:22 Marriage Decline: A Key Culprit in Falling Birth Rates)(0:34:25 Housing Matters: Why Suburbs Beat High-Rises for Families)(0:43:10 Land Ownership and Affordability: Lessons from Utah and Canada)(0:53:01 Solutions: Education, Religious Freedom, and Policy Ideas)(1:06:37 Closing Thoughts: A Call to Action for Pro-natalism)Follow Daniel Hess on X: https://x.com/morebirthsDaniel Hess' website: https://www.morebirths.com/Julian Simon's The Ultimate Resource: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Resource-Julian-Lincoln-Simon/dp/0691003815/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Why did religion become obsolete? Dr. Christian Smith, a renowned sociologist from the University of Notre Dame and author of the new book Why Religion Went Obsolete, joins us to explore the cultural shifts that have led to the decline of traditional religion in America since the 1990s. From the impact of neoliberal capitalism and postmodernism to the rise of the internet and changing family structures, Dr. Smith unpacks the complex forces reshaping faith. We also discuss the rise of alternative spiritualities, the role of Christian nationalism, and what this all means for society's future. Don't miss this deep dive into the sociology of religion and its place in modern America!CHAPTERS:(00:00 - Introduction)(00:28 - What Does "Obsolete" Mean for Religion?)(04:40 - What Happened in 1991?)(08:28 - Cultural Fragmentation and the Digital Revolution)(11:20 - How Neoliberal Capitalism Undermined Faith)(13:08 - The Impact of Postmodernism)(15:27 - September 11 and Religious Scandals)(18:54 - Changing Family Structures and Religion)(20:33 - Has Postmodernism Faded?)(23:37 - Explaining the Decline: Causal Mechanisms)(27:30 - Religion's Self-Inflicted Wounds)(29:48 - What Can Religious Communities Do?)(31:41 - The Rise of Traditionalist Micro-Movements)(34:15 - Has the Rise of the “Nones” Plateaued?)(39:22 - Obsolescence and the Future of Religion)(46:22 - Societal Impacts of Religious Decline)(52:52 - Closing Thoughts and Book Recommendation)Buy Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America - https://www.amazon.com/Why-Religion-Went-Obsolete-Traditional-ebook/dp/B0DXSZZYPF/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/ 

A fascinating discussion with Ian Fletcher, co-author of the comprehensive new book Industrial Policy for the United States (Cambridge University Press). In this episode, Ian unpacks the critical role of industrial policy in shaping America's economic future, challenging the myths of free trade, and exploring how the U.S. can protect and grow its advantageous industries. From historical successes like the Morrill Act to modern challenges like China's rise and the overvalued dollar, this conversation covers the past, present, and future of U.S. industrial strategy. Chapters:(00:00 Introduction)(01:17 Regarding Free Trade)(02:43 What is Industrial Policy?)(04:07 National Security and Deindustrialization Risks)(07:49 The Role of Government in Innovation)(09:37 Defining Advantageous Industries)(12:29 Tariffs and Strategic Industries)(13:55 U.S. Industrial Policy Through History)(18:26 Government's Role in Aviation and Tech)(23:31 Industrial Policy Failures: Synthetic Fuels & Solyndra)(29:48 Case Study: China's Industrial Policy Success)(38:21 Case Study: The UK's Industrial Policy Failure)(43:13 What Should the U.S. Do Today?)(49:27 Evaluating Trump's Tariff Policies)(53:36 Key Takeaways from the Book)(54:28 Ian's Advice: Trust Economic History, Not Theory)Buy Industrial Policy for the United States: https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Policy-United-States-Competition/dp/1009243071/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron Renn as he sits down with Philip Howard, founder of Common Good, to discuss the crippling bureaucratic red tape stifling America's ability to build and innovate. In this eye-opening episode, Howard delves into his Manhattan Institute paper, Escape from Quicksand: A New Framework for Modernizing America, revealing how a compliance-driven system has paralyzed infrastructure projects—like the $42.5 billion broadband initiative with zero results after four years. From the New Deal's rapid achievements to today's endless legal labyrinths, Howard proposes a bold solution: a framework rooted in human responsibility and accountability to restore America's can-do spirit. Tune in to learn why we're stuck, how we got here, and what it'll take to break free.CHAPTERS(00:00 - Introduction)(01:00 - The Problem: America's Bureaucratic Quicksand)(04:13 - New Deal vs. Today: A Stark Contrast)(09:13 - Extortion by Law: How the System Enables Delays)(15:27 - Solutions: Rebuilding a Framework for Action)(23:02 - Political Challenges: Why Reform is Tough)(29:01 - The Role of the Judiciary in Blocking Progress)(37:43 - Conclusion: A Call to Replace the System)Escape from Quicksand A New Framework for Modernizing America - https://manhattan.institute/article/escape-from-quicksand-a-new-framework-for-modernizing-americaCommon Good - https://www.commongood.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join host Aaron Renn as he sits down with Elizabeth Landis, author of The Forgotten Realm: Civics for American Christians, to explore why Christians need to engage more deeply in the civil realm. From local government to federalism, Elizabeth shares her journey from a concerned citizen to a passionate advocate for civic involvement, offering practical insights and biblical wisdom for Christians navigating governance. Discover how to move beyond voting, build relationships across political divides, and become a winsome force for change in your community. Get your copy of The Forgotten Realm via the link below.(00:00 - Introduction: Welcome to the Podcast)(01:03 - Why Civics is the "Forgotten Realm" for Christians)(02:37 - What Sparked Elizabeth's Civic Awakening)(06:38 - A Primer on American Government: From Local to Federal)(09:15 - Uncovering Federalism and Election Systems)(12:38 - Engaging with Local Government in Moscow, Idaho)(17:07 - Building Unexpected Friendships Across Ideologies)(19:17 - Opportunities for Christians in Civic Roles)(24:21 - The Call for Christians to Care About Governance)(29:02 - Christian Diplomacy: A Winsome Approach to Civics)(33:06 - Conclusion: Key Takeaways and Book Info)Buy The Forgotten Realm: Civics for American Christians - https://www.amazon.com/Forgotten-Realm-Civics-American-Christians/dp/1963505085/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

This fascinating conversation with writer Sheluyang Peng explores the profound influence of Friedrich Nietzsche on American thought. From Emerson's impact on him to the way his philosophy found similarities with American pragmatism to his role in shaping modern political and cultural landscapes, this episode uncovers Nietzsche's surprising connections to American philosophy, theology, and even infamous historical events like the Leopold and Loeb case. Yang shares insights into how Nietzsche's ideas resonate with both the left and the right, and why his philosophy remains relevant today.(00:00 - Introduction) (01:03 - Why Yang Got Interested in Nietzsche: A Preacher's Kid Perspective)(03:30 - Nietzsche's American Connection: Ralph Waldo Emerson's Influence)(05:12 - American vs. European Views of Nietzsche)(06:53 - Nietzsche's Role in American Pragmatism)(08:02 - H.L. Mencken and Popularizing Nietzsche in America)(10:33 - Nietzsche and the Leopold and Loeb Murder Case)(13:47 - Nietzsche's Surprising Influence on Christian Thinkers)(18:58 - Nietzsche in Modern American Politics)(20:56 - Bronze Age Pervert and Right-Wing Nietzscheanism)(25:27 - Nietzsche and René Girard's Mimetic Theory)(28:56 - Is Nietzsche Whatever You Want Him to Be?)(30:14 - The Future of Nietzschean Thought in America)(31:27 - Closing Remarks and Where to Read More)SHELUYANG PENG LINKS:

Join Aaron Renn as he sits down with Geoffrey Kabaservice, Vice President of Political Studies at the Niskanen Center and author of Rule and Ruin: The Downfall of Moderation and the Destruction of the Republican Party, From Eisenhower to the Tea Party. In this compelling episode, they dive into the decline of moderate Republicanism, tracing the transformation of the GOP from the era of Dwight Eisenhower to the rise of Ronald Reagan, the Tea Party, and beyond. Why did moderate Republicans fade from prominence? What role did populism play in reshaping the party? And is there a future for pragmatic, effective governance in today's polarized America? This conversation explores the historical shifts, key figures, and structural challenges facing the Republican Party, offering insights for anyone interested in American political history.GEOFFREY KABASERVICE LINKS:

In this eye-opening episode, Aaron Renn sits down with Saagar Enjeti, co-host of Breaking Points and The Realignment, to dive deep into the explosive rise of sports betting in America. Following the 2018 Supreme Court decision that opened the floodgates, sports gambling has become a predatory industry, hooking millions with sophisticated algorithms, addictive apps, and aggressive marketing. Saagar breaks down the public policy failures, the devastating impact on problem gamblers, and the complicity of sports leagues and states in this growing crisis. From skyrocketing bankruptcies to increased domestic violence, the societal costs are staggering. Tune in to learn why Saagar calls for banning online gambling and how we can fight back against this dystopian trend. CONNECT & FOLLOW SAAGAR ENJETI:

Join me for this exclusive conversation with former Vice President Mike Pence, as we dive deep into faith, marriage, and navigating life in the public square. In this heartfelt episode, Pence shares his journey to Christianity, the secrets behind his 40-year marriage to Karen Pence, and the truth about the controversial "Mike Pence Rule." He also offers inspiring advice for those hesitant to enter public life, emphasizing how character and faith can thrive in today's challenging political landscape. Don't miss this powerful discussion filled with wisdom and encouragement.Mike Pence's Books:

Why can't America build like it used to? What happened to our mojo? In this eye-opening episode, special guest Tanner Greer dives deep into the cultural and institutional decline that's left America struggling to get things done. From building the Empire State Building in a year to endless delays today, we explore what's gone wrong—comparing the decisive Spanish Flu response of 1918 to the chaos of COVID-19—and uncover solutions from high-agency groups like the U.S. Marine Corps, LDS Church, and Silicon Valley. If you're curious about why our institutions feel broken and how we can rebuild a culture that gets results, this episode is a must-listen! Tanner Greer: "On Cultures That Build": https://scholars-stage.org/on-cultures-that-build/Tanner Greer: "A School of Strength and Character": https://www.palladiummag.com/2023/03/30/a-school-of-strength-and-character/Inc. Magazine: "Corps Values": https://www.inc.com/magazine/19980401/906.htmlTanner Greer's Homepage: https://scholars-stage.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron as he sits down with William Wolfe, Executive Director of the Center for Baptist Leadership (CBL), to discuss the future of the Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), the fight against liberal drift in the church, and the intersection of faith and politics. From grassroots reform to meeting President Trump in the Oval Office, William shares CBL's mission to revitalize Baptist identity and equip a new generation of leaders. 

In this episode of Aaron Renn's series on religious minorities in America, he speaks with Josh Hammer, senior editor-at-large at Newsweek Magazine and author of the book Israel and Civilization. Josh shares his personal journey from an assimilated Jewish upbringing to becoming fully observant, discusses the challenges of practicing Judaism in modern America, and offers insights on Jewish-Christian relations, contemporary anti-Semitism, and Israel's role in American foreign policy.Note: My audio level was poorly adjusted in this recording. GUEST LINKS:

In this first episode in a new series exploring the religious minority experience in America, I sit down with author, educator, and entrepreneur Haroon Mogul to discuss his experiences as a Muslim in the United States. Born to Pakistani immigrant parents in Connecticut and raised in New England, Haroon offers unique insights into navigating dual identities, building community across ethnic lines, and finding his place in a country where Muslims remain a small but diverse minority. From childhood memories of Christmas trees to raising his own children in Cincinnati, Haroon's story illuminates the challenges and opportunities of maintaining faith in a society that isn't built around you.Chapters:0:00 - Introduction to the series2:17 - Meeting Haroon Mogul3:33 - Growing up Muslim in New England7:56 - Navigating dual identities13:15 - Diversity of American Muslims20:45 - Ethnic diversity in American mosques27:23 - Moving from NYC to the Midwest28:23 - Facing opposition to mosque construction33:33 - American law and Muslim practices40:58 - Living in a "neutral world" as a religious minority47:13 - ConclusionHaroon Mogul was named as one of the 50 most influential Muslims in the Americas by EqualityX in 2023 and 2024.

Join host Aaron as he interviews Christopher Schlecht, Senior Fellow of History and Director of the Classical and Christian Studies Program at New St. Andrews College. They discuss Schlecht's fascinating doctoral dissertation "Onward Christian Administrators," which explores how business management practices transformed American Protestant churches in the early 20th century. Discover how this administrative revolution influenced church architecture, theological controversies, and even women's ordination in unexpected ways.Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

In this thought-provoking conversation, wealth manager and author David Bahnsen challenges conventional wisdom about work, retirement, and purpose. Managing $7.1 billion in assets hasn't stopped Bahnsen from questioning our culture's assumptions about work as something to escape from. His book "Full-Time: Work in the Meaning of Life" presents a radical rethinking of vocation as central to human flourishing. Bahnsen argues that our focus on consumption over production and our eagerness to retire represent fundamental misunderstandings of what gives life meaning. Whether you're planning for retirement, questioning your work-life balance, or searching for greater purpose, this conversation offers a refreshing perspective on finding fulfillment through productive contribution.Buy Bahnsen's book Full-Time: Work and the Meaning of Life - https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CCMMFGJY/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter - https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Tony Carnes, sociologist, journalist, and founder of "A Journey Through NYC Religions," joins us to explore how New York City has transformed from a secular metropolis into what he calls "America's first post-secular city." Tony shares fascinating stories from his project documenting every religious site in New York City, revealing the vibrant religious communities that thrive in neighborhoods across all five boroughs. From Hasidic synagogues in Brooklyn to storefront churches in the Bronx, discover how faith communities have shaped the city's culture and politics.Visit A Journey Through NYC Religions: https://nycreligion.info/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron as he welcomes back Brad Littlejohn, author of "Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License" and fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. In this thought-provoking conversation, they explore the true meaning of freedom from a Christian perspective and how it contrasts with modern society's understanding of liberty as unlimited choice. Brad unpacks how technology, despite promising greater freedom, often leads to new forms of enslavement, and explains why the Christian concept of freedom through service to Christ offers a more fulfilling path to genuine liberty.Note: The audio levels on this podcast are unequal. I am migrating to a new podcasting system and still getting the hang of it. Bear with me as I learn the new softwareBuy Called to Freedom: Retrieving Christian Liberty in an Age of License: https://www.amazon.com/Called-Freedom-Retrieving-Christian-Everything/dp/1087779502?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

In this wide-ranging conversation, writer and editor Titus Techera explores how media has evolved from America's founding to today's social media landscape. We discuss how different forms of media - from Revolutionary War pamphlets to modern podcasts - have shaped American democracy and character.Techera breaks down how technological changes have repeatedly disrupted elite institutional control, and why legacy media's attempts to maintain power in the digital age keep backfiring. We explore the roles of figures like Joe Rogan, Christopher Rufo, and Elon Musk in transforming modern media dynamics.The Third Wave of Journalism: https://lawliberty.org/the-third-wave-of-journalism/The Postmodern Conservative: https://pomocon.substack.com/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

NYT columnist Ross Douthat joins me to discuss his new book Believe: Why Everyone Should Be Religious. We explore why skeptics and non-believers should consider religious faith, examining evidence from science, philosophy, and human experience. Douthat makes the case that religious belief is not only reasonable but arguably obligatory for thinking people in our age.Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Why-Everyone-Should-Religious-ebook/dp/B0D8VNGWKL/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Princeton Classics PhD Alex Petkas argues against the "Great Books" model of classical education and makes the case for returning to traditional classical training focused on Greek and Latin languages. He explains why Plutarch's Lives was one of early America's most influential books and why it deserves renewed attention today.Alex Petkas is host of the Cost of Glory podcast, exploring great thinkers and events in classical civilization.Alex Petka's article in the American Mind: “Great Books” Is for Losers: https://americanmind.org/salvo/great-books-is-for-losers/The Cost of Glory Podcast: https://www.costofglory.com/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

In this episode, Ruy Teixeira, one of America's leading political analysts, discusses the dramatic realignment of American political coalitions and what it means for the future. A longtime Democratic insider and co-author of The Emerging Democratic Majority, Teixeira explains his journey from progressive think tanks to the American Enterprise Institute, unpacks the Democrats' struggles with working-class voters, and offers a three-point plan for rebuilding the Democratic coalition.The Liberal Patriot: https://www.liberalpatriot.com/Buy The Emerging Democratic Majority: https://www.amazon.com/Emerging-Democratic-Majority-John-Judis-ebook/dp/B0036QVPEU/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

P. Jesse Rine, director of the Center for Academic Faithfulness and Flourishing (CAFF), joins us to talk about the state of Christian higher education. He will also showcase CAFF's new online Christian college guide, which is the most comprehensive collection of information about Christian colleges available.Note: This podcast may be best on Youtube because it involves a demonstration of a web site with beta data: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hGoVYk06TwIChristian College Guide: https://www.christiancollegeguide.com/ Center for Academic Faithfulness and Flourishing: https://www.faithfulcolleges.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

In this episode, a deep dive with Matthew Continetti on his book The Right: The Hundred Year War for American Conservatism. We explore how American conservatism developed, from its birth in in the 1920s and opposition to FDR's New Deal through today's populist resurgence. Continetti explains why conservative populism keeps returning, how elites lost their grip on the right, and what the future might hold for American conservatism.Matthew Continetti is the Director of Domestic Policy Studies and the Patrick and Charlene Neal Chair in American Prosperity at the American Enterprise Institute.Buy: The Right: The Hundred Year War for American Conservatism - https://www.amazon.com/Right-Hundred-Year-War-American-Conservatism/dp/1541600517/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

In this episode, Tim Chapman discusses how traditional conservatives are engaging with the Trump administration. He's the president of Advancing American Freedom, an advocacy group set up by former Vice President Mike Pence.We discuss:What traditional conservatism is and what it's future is in the age of populism and TrumpismWhat Advancing American Freedom doesEngaging with the Trump administration: supporting China tariffs and a Tik Tok ban, tax cuts, deregulationWhy AAF opposes RFK, Jr.'s nomination to be Secretary of Health and Human Services over abortion.Advancing American Freedom: https://advancingamericanfreedom.com/Follow Tim Chapman on Twitter/X: https://x.com/TimChapmanGet my analysis of Christianity, family, cities, politics, society and economics: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

In this episode, sociologist Musa al-Gharbi discusses his book We Have Never Been Woke: The Cultural Contradictions of a New Elite. How should we understand the "woke" phenomenon? Where did it come from? Why do elite whites claim to be marginalized, while showing little care for genuinely marginalized people around them like the service workers they rely on? Article referred to in the podcast about China interfering to elect Bill Clinton president in the 1990s: https://musaalgharbi.com/2018/03/01/democrats-unlearned-lessons-2020/4/GUEST LINKS:

Jon Askonas is a professor of politics at Catholic University. He wrote an interesting piece for Comment magazine on how Americans went from seeing technology as a source of progress to viewing it as leading us to an apocalypse. He joins us to discuss: How and why did this shift take place? Why are we so anxious? How should we live in this age of anxiety?Read "Building a Future in the Face of the Apocalypse": https://comment.org/building-a-future-in-the-face-of-the-apocalypse/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Academia is almost entirely dominated by the left. Robert George, McCormick Professor of Jurisprudence at Princeton, has thrived in it as a strong Catholic. But is it possible for conservatives and Christians to follow the same path today? What are the signs of optimism both for conservatives in academia, but also for a healthier climate for academia itself? George joins me to discuss these topics and what's he's personally been doing to push academia in a healthier direction.Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Ryan Williams is the president of the Claremont Institute. Claremont is the institutional base of West Coast Straussianism, and has long been known for its fellowship programs and quarterly journal The Claremont Review of Books. It has attracted controversy in the Trump era for its willingness to engage with dissident ideas. It published the mega-viral "The Flight 93 Election Essay" and also the first mainstream review of the book Bronze Age Mindset. Williams joins me to talk about Claremont and how they've navigated our new political world.Claremont Institute: https://www.claremont.org/The Flight 93 Election: https://claremontreviewofbooks.com/digital/the-flight-93-election/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Despite major progress in civil rights, black economic uplift, and even electing a black President, the question of race continues to be an ongoing major issue in the United States. There are continuing significant racial disparities between races. A black underclass still remains in America. And political and cultural debates around race continue to be major flashpoints. This includes within the evangelical church, where debates over race have become very intense. Joining me to discuss the ongoing question of race is Robert "Bob" Woodson, Sr. He is one of American's foremost civil rights leaders and experts on alleviating poverty. He's been an advisor to Presidents, a MacArthur Genius Grant Award winner, and recipient of numerous other awards. He's the founder of the Woodson Center and editor of the new book A Pathway to American Renewal.What actually is the state of racial inclusion in America? Where has progress been made, and where does it still remain? How many of the problems around race today are actually class related? How should American evangelicals think about the question of race and how should they seek to engage on it? What are some of the most encouraging initiatives and leaders that he sees in the country today? Buy A Pathway to American Renewal: https://www.amazon.com/Pathway-American-Renewal-White-Black-ebook/dp/B0D4HDLSN2/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20The Woodson Center: https://woodsoncenter.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Justin Shubow is the president of the National Civic Art Society, a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that promotes the classical and humanistic tradition in public art and architecture. He was also formerly the chairman of the US Commission of Fine Arts. He joins me to talk about our public buildings and how to make them beautiful.Note that this podcast includes a discussion of specific buildings. Pictures of these buildings are shown in the video version of the podcast, which you can watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6MwHNiEgcQNational Civic Art Society: https://www.civicart.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Bestselling author Rod Dreher has a knack for putting his finger on what people are going to be talking about next. He's done it again with his new book on re-enchantment, Living in Wonder. He joins us today to talk about embracing what historian Tom Holland calls the "weird stuff" in Christianity.  What does it mean for the world to be enchanted? Isn't enchantment just superstition? What does the trend towards psychedelics and the occult tell us about the public's longings? Are demons real?Note: There are some quality issues on Dreher's audio feed.Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Living-Wonder-Finding-Mystery-Meaning/dp/0310369126/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Os Guinness is an author and social critic. Yes, he is related to the Guinness brewing family. He has an incredible life story, being born in China to medical missionaries and living through the communist takeover there. He has a DPhil from Oxford and has been involved with many eminent organizations ranging from the Brookings Institution to the Trinity Forum. He's also the author of many books, including his latest Our Civilizational Moment: The Waning of the West and the War of the Worlds, which he joined me to discuss today. What is a "civilizational moment"? Why did Christianity lose its purchase on the West? Why have some contenders to replace it fared better than others? What should Christians in the Wes be doing today?But Our Civilizational Moment: https://www.amazon.com/Our-Civilizational-Moment-Waning-Worlds/dp/B0DL3LW558/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Delano Squires is a Research Fellow in Life, Religion and Family at the Heritage Foundation, and a contributor to the Blaze. He joins me today to talk about the enduring relevance of the call to manhood and family, and how to live that out in today's world. Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Stephen Eide is a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute who studies homelessness and mental illness. He joins me to discuss his new article in National Affairs magazine about how to help the homeless and those who struggle at the very bottom of society.Read Eide's article: https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/uplifting-the-man-farthest-downSubscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Austin Knuppe is an assistant professor of political science at Utah State University specializing in Foreign Policy, International Politics, Middle East Politics, and War. He's the author of a recent book on how Iraqis survived the Islamic State.He joins me to discuss Christians in the Middle East. Once sizable Christian populations there have declined noticeably in the past 100 years. He argues that America's Global War on Terror, however, has accelerated the decline of Christian communities in Middle Eastern countries.Austin Knuppe: There Are Always Consequences: https://americanreformer.org/2024/08/there-are-always-consequences/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Journalist and AEI Senior Fellow Tim Carney joins me to discuss his new book Family Unfriendly: How Our Culture Made Raising Kids Much Harder Than It Needs to BeRead Jason Jewell's review of the book: https://americanreformer.org/2024/09/the-war-on-ordinary-families/ Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Family-Unfriendly-Culture-Raising-Harder-ebook/dp/B0C592J1TF/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Nate Fischer, Founder and CEO of New Founding, joins us to talk about his firm's investment strategy, and particularly the macro forces that will be shaping the society and economy of tomorrow. Read the New Founding Strategy: https://www.newfounding.com/post/strategySubscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

While divorce rates have fallen from their peak, they are still very high, with women initiating the vast majority of them. The divorce rate among American Christians is also too high. While divorce is difficult for non-religious men, Christian men face unique issues. Their churches are likely to blame them for the divorce, and they are likely to lose their friend network at church as well.Men's devotional writer and podcaster Chris Bolinger joins me to discuss what Christian men need to know to survive divorce.Buy Chris Bolinger's 400,000 copy selling men's devotional Daily Strength for Men: https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Strength-Men-365-Day-Devotional/dp/1424557534/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20My article on what to do when your wife divorces you: https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/newsletter-40-what-to-do-when-your My article on how to help your friends whose wive's divorced them: https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/newsletter-41-how-to-help-our-friendsSubscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

James Davison Hunter is a renowned sociologist at the University of Virginia who introduced the term "culture war" to the US discourse. He's a leading expert on cultural change and cultural battles in America.He joins me to discuss his new book Democracy and Solidarity: On the Cultural Roots of America's Political Crisis, which tells the deep cultural story underlying today's polarized politics. This important book describes the deep structure of American culture as resting on what he calls the "hybrid Enlightenment," joining various strands of European Enlightenment thinking with largely Calvinist Christianity. The various contradictions in this hybrid Enlightenment, such as slavery, were worked out over time. But that hybrid Enlightenment also became unraveled over time, leaving Americans without the cultural underpinnings necessary to sustain solidarity. The result is nihilism and culture war. Democracy and Solidarity is a compelling and important read to understand our present cultural moment.Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Democracy-Solidarity-Cultural-Americas-Political-ebook/dp/B0CW17D3N3/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Dr. Hunter is also the publisher of the Hedgehog Review magazine: https://hedgehogreview.com/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Joshua Klein, editor of Mortise and Tenon magazine, joins me to talk about his love of traditional wood construction techniques, and the value of craftsmanship and manual work. In addition to the magazine, Klein is also an Associate Fellow in Mechanical Arts at Greystone Theological Institute. Buy Mortise and Tenon Magazine: https://www.mortiseandtenonmag.com/Greystone Theological Institute: https://www.greystoneinstitute.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Jon Tyson, founding and senior pastor of Church of the City in New York, joins me to talk about the urban church in today's world. Tyson discusses:How to deal with the constant population churn in the city?The differences between pre-Covid and post-Covid New YorkHow Covid wiped out 70% of what Tim Keller and others built over the previous 35 years in terms of New York City church plantsThe flow of church planters into New York drying upWhat's unique about Generation Z? Includes that they don't want to plant churches.Why New York is not as different from the rest of the country culturally as it used to be.The impact of the migrant influx on ManhattanThe future of the cultural engagement model of churchWhat he thinks of Trumpist culture war ChristianityHow he talks about flashpoint cultural issuesAdvice for church planters thinking about New York City.Visit Church of the City: https://www.church.nyc/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Oren Cass is founder of American Compass, a reformist center-right think tank seeking to look beyond dogmatic adherence to libertarian economics. He joins me to talk about the future of the American worker.American Compass: https://americancompass.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Artificial intelligence is the hot topic of the tech world today. But how do we make sense of it? Dean Ball is a Research Fellow in the Artificial Intelligence & Progress Project at the Mercatus Center, who also writes a Substack on the subject. He joins me to discuss this new AI technology and how to regulate it.Subscribe to Dean Ball's Substack: https://www.hyperdimensional.co/Subscribe to my Substack: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

BYX (Beta, Upsilon, Chi in Greek, for Brothers Under Christ and pronounced "Bucks") is a Christian college fraternity. National director Jared Musgrove and Georgia chapter member Will Pesch join me to talk about this fraternity and how it shapes young men in a campus environment.BYX Website: https://byx.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Miami and South Florida have been booming. City of Miami Mayor Francis Suarez joins me to talk about their success and the "Miami model" of urbanism. We discuss:- Miami's transition from America's most dangerous big city to one of its safest.- Why Miami is an emerging national and global business center- The inflection points that boosted Miami's trajectory- How Mayor Suarez, a Republican, and his party have found success in a big, dense, diverse, heavily Latino city.- What Miami will do next that will surprise people.Read my profile of Miami as an under-heralded urban success story: https://www.governing.com/urban/miami-the-under-appreciated-urban-success-storyRead my article on why conservatives should care about cities: https://americancompass.org/conservatives-should-care-about-cities/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

American Enterprise Institute scholar Yuval Levin joins me to discuss his new book American Covenant: How the Constitution Unified Our Nation—and Could Again. While many today argue that the US Constitution is dead or obsolete, Levin argues that the Constitution is actually the path forward for creating unity in our deeply divided republic.Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/American-Covenant-Constitution-Unified-Nation_and/dp/0465040748/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Miles Smith is an assistant professor of history at Hillsdale College. He joins me to discuss what he learned from reading exvangelical memoirs and books about Christian nationalism.Miles Smith's "Reading the Exvangelicals": https://mereorthodoxy.com/reading-the-exvangelicalsSubscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Matthew Peterson, editor-in-chief of the Blaze and founding editor of the American Mind, joins me to talk about the media and conservative media landscape in America today.Visit the Blaze: https://www.theblaze.com/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Georgetown Professor Joshua Mitchell, author of the book American Awakening: Identity Politics and Other Afflictions of Our Time, joins me to talk about what factors caused the rise of identity politics in America. Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/American-Awakening-Identity-Politics-Afflictions/dp/1641771305/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Newsweek opinion editor Batya Ungar-Sargon joins me to discuss her recent book Second Class: How the Elites Betrayed America's Working Men and Women. It's a look at the travails facing America's working class.Read my review of Second Class: https://www.city-journal.org/article/review-of-second-class-by-batya-ungar-sargonBuy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Second-Class-Betrayed-Americas-Working/dp/1641773618/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Richard V. Reeves is the president of the American Institute for Boys and Men. He's also the author of the acclaimed book Of Boys and Men: Why the Modern Male Is Struggling, Why It Matters, and What to Do about It. He joins me to discuss the problems facing today's American men, and why he thinks "keep it boring" is the right strategy.Buy the book: https://www.amazon.com/Boys-Men-modern-struggling-matters/dp/1800751036/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20Visit the American Institute for Boys and Men: https://aibm.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/