683: The Meaning of the Scopes Monkey Trial 100yrs Later with Chris Staron
New data shows the nations with the highest standards of living are seeing the sharpest declines in wellbeing, while people in poorer countries are reporting more happiness. What’s going on? David Brooks’ recent article looked at data from 142 countries, and he concludes that spirituality and social connection, not just wealth, are critical to human flourishing. In related news, since legalizing euthanasia in 2016 and expanding access to it, Canada has seen an alarming trend. Then, it’s been 100 years since the Scopes Monkey Trial. Phil talks to Chris Staron, creator of the Truce podcast, about what really happened at the trial and how fictional retellings of the event are still impacting American culture. Also this week—a fox with a footwear fetish. Ad-Free Version of this Episode https://www.patreon.com/posts/136881579/ 0:00 - Show Starts 2:03 - Theme Song 2:26- Sponsor - AG1 - Get the AG1 welcome kit worth $76 for FREE when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 3:52 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 5:00 - French Friday Theme Played for Chris Christie? 6:48 - Foxes Swiping Shoes? 13:15 - Why Are We So Hopeless? 30:40 - Canada is killing itself 48:08 - Sponsor - Glorify - Sign up for the #1 Christian Daily Devotional App to help you stay focused on God. Go to https://glorify-app.com/en/HOLYPOST to download the app today! 49:25 - Sponsor - Policy Genius - Secure your family’s tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 50:24 - Sponsor - World Relief - Nearly half of all refugee children won’t attend school this year. Learn about how you can partner monthly with World Relief to provide safety, stability and hope for children and families in crisis at https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost 52:00 - Interview - Listen to Chris Staron’s Truce Podcast episode on the Scopes Monkey Trials! https://trucepodcast.com/the-scopes-monkey-trial-dayton-tennessee-william-jennings-bryan-clarence-darrow/ 54:00 - Scopes Monkey Trials—Who Cares? 1:10:16 - How We Misremembered 1:18:27 - What’d the Trails Change? 1:28:46 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Foxes Swiping Shoes! https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/fox-shoe-theft-grand-teton/ Why More People in the World Are Feeling Hopeful by Arthur Brooks: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/opinion/happiness-community-wealth.html Less Religion, less babies! https://www.newsweek.com/less-religion-less-babies-declining-birth-rate-2110254 Canada is Killing Itself: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/09/canada-euthanasia-demand-maid-policy/683562/ Other Resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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682: Why We Still Need the Institutional Church with Brad Edwards
The Holy Post crew is suspicious of a new study that finds MAGA supporters score higher in authoritarianism, social dominance, and malevolent personality traits, while liberals score higher in compassion and empathy. Church planter, Brad Edwards, says many of us hold beliefs, language, and values that sabotage our ability to benefit from participation in a church. He talks to Kaitlyn about his new book, “The Reason for Church,” and why our anti-institutional instincts are self-defeating. Also this week, the Secretary of Defense reposted comments from his pastor that women shouldn’t be allowed to vote. The Catholic Church says ICE detainees are being denied their religious rights. And robo-bunnies of death. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/136333510/ Bonus Interview with Brad Edwards: https://www.patreon.com/posts/136265237/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:25 - Theme Song Updated! 3:48 - Sponsor - Poncho - If you’ve been looking for the perfect shirt—something breathable, fits great, feels even better, and stands out in a good way—give Poncho a try. Get $10 off your first order by using this link: https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/holypost 5:27 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 7:06 - Okoboji! 12:53 - Robo-Rabbits vs Snakes! 18:53 - Hegseth Opposes Women’s Suffrage? 22:42 - Priests Alligator Alcatraz 28:22 - Conservative/Liberal Empathy Study 48:50 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month 50:00 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware! 51:11 - Interview - The Reason for Church: Why the Body of Christ Still Matters in an Age of Anxiety, Division, and Radical Individualism by Brad Edwards: https://amzn.to/45y9zNz 53:48 - Where’s the Church at? 1:01:33 - Institution vs Therapy Speak 1:14:00 - Compassion as Moral Framework 1:26:15 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Robot Bunnies in Florida: https://www.popsci.com/environment/robot-bunnies-florida-invasive-pythons/ Priests going to Alligator Alcatraz: https://religionnews.com/2025/08/07/archbishops-win-at-alligator-alcatraz-exposes-gop-religious-freedom-hypocrisy/ Women’s Suffrage in question? https://www.thebulwark.com/p/pete-hegseth-shares-video-about-ending?utm_source=flipboard&utm_content=user%2FTheBulwark Conservative vs Liberal Empathy Study: https://scottbarrykaufman.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/07/Neumann-Ngo-2025-Malevolent-vs.-benevolent-dispositions-and-conservative-political-ideology-in-the-Trump-era.pdf Other Resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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1:26:49
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1:26:49
681: Strategically Small Churches with Brandon O'Brien
A whites-only community has launched in Arkansas under the legal guise of a “private membership association.” The founders claim it’s about preserving culture, but Skye and Phil aren’t buying it. Then, Brent Leatherwood, head of the Southern Baptist Convention’s public policy arm, has resigned after years of pressure from hardline conservatives. What does his departure reveal about the denomination’s political realignment? And, this week’s guest is Brandon O’Brien, author of The Strategically Small Church. As American Christianity grapples with shrinking attendance and fading influence, O’Brien offers a compelling vision for why small congregations might be not just inevitable, but essential. Also Phil learns way too much about penguin poop. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/135810167/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:30 - Theme Song 3:50 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout. 4:45 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order 6:15 - Penguin Poop Saves the World? 15:50 - Whites-Only Community in Arkansas? 28:47 - SBC Commission President Steps Down! 43:48 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 25% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST 44:55 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month 46:05 - Sponsor - Church at the Crossroads - How should churches respond to the crisis in Gaza? Join a conference to break the silence. Go to https://www.churchatthecrossroads.com and use code HOLYPOST for 20% off! 47:21 - Interview 51:09 - Appetite for Small Churches? 59:00 - Beholden to Budget 1:09:15 - Unanxious 1:20:46 - End Credits Links from News Segment: All White Community in Arkansas: https://news.sky.com/story/inside-the-whites-only-settlement-in-arkansas-the-group-building-a-fortress-for-the-white-race-13399875 Brent Leatherwood Steps Down: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/07/erlc-brent-leatherwood-resign-sbc-southern-baptist-politics/ Other Resources: The Strategically Small Church: Intimate, Authentic, and Effective by Brandon J. O’Brien: https://a.co/d/fgdjXcQ Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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1:21:21
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1:21:21
680: Cancelling Colbert, Starving Gaza, & American Charisma with Molly Worthen
CBS has cancelled the top-rated late-night talk show. Was it really a financial decision, or was it done to get the Trump administration to approve a corporate merger? And will Stephen Colbert now come on the Holy Post? Horrific images of starvation are coming out of Gaza as pressure builds on the Israeli government to end the war, but when does pro-Palestinian activism cross the line into antisemitism? Historian Molly Worthen’s new book, “Spellbound,” explains how charismatic political and religious movements have shaped America, and why they depend more on a compelling story than a persuasive leader. Also this week— Phil is back from his European vacation with stories of schnitzel and chicken dancing. Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview with Molly Worthen: https://www.patreon.com/posts/135231773/ Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/135245929/ 0:00 - Show Starts 2:30 - Theme Song 2:50 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/holypost 3:55 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Brooklyn Bedding is offering up to 25% off sitewide for our listeners! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/holypost 5:04 - Phil’s Chicken Dance Adventure 15:05 - Colbert Cancelled? 24:21 - Antisemitism and Protesting Israel 42:43 - Sponsor - Poncho - If you’ve been looking for the perfect shirt—something breathable, fits great, feels even better, and stands out in a good way—give Poncho a try. Get $10 off your first order by using this link: https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/holypost 44:23 - Interview 47:50 - Building vs Destroying Institutions 58:56 - What Charismatic Movements Succeed? 1:09:45 - Charismatic Leader vs Charismatic Story 1:16:00 - Secular yet Spiritual 1:23:19 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Holding Israel accountable isn’t antisemtic—harming Jews is: https://religionnews.com/2025/07/16/holding-israel-accountable-isnt-antisemitic-harming-jews-is/ Other Resources: Spellboard: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump: https://a.co/d/4IWVyNX Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
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1:23:52
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1:23:52
679: Individualism, Transhumanism, & Learning from Abolitionists with Daniel Lee Hill
Why is our society so fractured and angry? David Brooks’ recent article draws from the work of moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre to explain how we got here, but what is the solution? With the growth of A.I., some Christians think technology may be how God redeems humanity and gives us eternal life. But is this still Christianity or a strange new Silicon Valley heresy? Kaitlyn talks to Daniel Lee Hill about his latest book, “Bearing Witness: What the Church Can Learn from Early Abolitionists.” Also this week—dolphins learn to puff the magic fish. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134724718/ 0:00 - Show Starts 2:05 - Theme Song 2:27 - Sponsor - World Relief - Join The Path as a monthly partner with World Relief! https://www.worldrelief.org/ 3:30 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware! 4:55 - Dolphins High Off Pufferfish Toxins 10:15 - David Brooks on Moral Philosophy 36:36 - Transhuminist Christians 52:20 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month 53:20 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout. 54:16 - Interview 56:12 - Why Write Bearing Witness? 1:03:40 - What Do We Learn from Abolitionists? 1:19:23 - Communal History in the Church 1:29:46 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Dolphins Doing Drugs: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dolphins-seem-to-use-toxic-pufferfish-to-get-high-180948219/ David Brooks Article on Moral Philosophy: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/07/trump-administration-supporters-good/683441/ Russell Moore on AI and God: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/07/image-god-ai-era-artificial-intelligence-russell-moore/ Other Resources: Bearing Witness: What the Church Can Learn from Early Abolitionists by Daniel Lee Hill: https://a.co/d/8SrFKpm Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Join VeggieTales and What's in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer and co-host Skye Jethani (author, speaker, pastor) for a fast-paced and often funny conversation about pop culture, media, theology, and the fun, fun, fun of living a thoughtful Christian life in an increasingly post-Christian culture.
UK