Josh Hawley offers us a story about men, masculinity, and American society.
But his patriarchal vision, with its appeals to Rome and medieval Christendom, is not a popular story—it's not a story that most Americans are eager to hear.
So how does Hawley try to make that story more attractive? How does he make it feel more inviting and reasonable?
He does it the same way other storytellers might—he creates antagonists that an audience will hate and fear. Check out this week's episode to hear more.
FFRF Co-Presidents Dan Barker and Annie Laurie Gaylor sit down with evolutionary biologist and psychologist David P. Barash to tackle one of religion’s most enduring claims: the human soul. Drawing from his book "The Soul Delusion," Barash breaks down what people mean when they talk about souls, why the concept persists, and how science explains consciousness without invoking the supernatural.
In the aftermath of the devastating 2024 election—as 2025 hurtles toward an authoritarian takeover—legacy media and Democratic strategists have the same question on their lips: What is going on with young men? Though Kamala Harris won the overall 18- to 29-year-old demographic, Trump improved his share by 9 points. Men in this age group voted for Trump by 16% more than women did. What explains this?
Perhaps this is due to the right inflaming the anxieties and resentments of young men online. Red-pilled, hyper-masculine, anti-woke conspiracy influencers are filling the gap created by the “meaning crisis.” Maybe the left needs its own Joe Rogan! Not to worry: top political consultants Ilyse Hogue and John Della Volpe have pitched a new research initiative to the Democratic Party donor class.
Their response, the widely derided SAM (Speaking with American Men), comes with a proposed $20M budget. No cap, bro, they'll low-key give center-left corporate politics the rizz it needs to slay the MAGA simps and cape for democracy. Interview:
Exposure to car exhaust from leaded gas, which was phased out in 1996, resulted in anxiety, depression and ADHD symptoms in generations of people, researchers found...
The survey found that people between ages 18 and 34 are more likely than older adults to report that they feel "consumed" by their worries about money.
Climate worry is also becoming a more common complaint. Online searches for subjects related to climate anxiety have surged…
…mental health practitioners are increasingly recognizing the importance of stepping back to look at the broader problems that affect people, including racism, income inequality and barriers to accessing mental health services…
In the latest episode of the Cross Examiner podcast, we delve into the fascinating journey of Dr. John Dehlin, host of the Mormon Stories podcast. ( / mormonstories ) (Part 1 was here.)
Dr. Dehlin, an ex-Mormon, has dedicated his career to exposing the truths behind Mormon practices and helping others navigate their own faith crises. This episode is a continuation of our in-depth conversation with him, exploring the psychological and social impacts of religious indoctrination, the rise of Christian nationalism, and the role of misinformation.
Dr. Dehlin's journey is both compelling and relatable. Raised as a sixth-generation Mormon, he was taught to obey and follow the church's teachings without question. However, cracks began to form in his faith as he encountered various inconsistencies and ethical concerns, particularly during his mission in Guatemala. His experiences there, coupled with the rise of the internet and the availability of information, led him to question the very foundations of his beliefs.
One of the most striking aspects of Dr. Dehlin's story is the concept of the "shelf." In the Mormon and post-Mormon world, individuals are encouraged to put doubts and questions on a metaphorical shelf, trusting that answers will come in time. For Dr. Dehlin, the shelf eventually became too heavy to bear, leading to a profound crisis of faith. This journey of questioning and seeking truth is something many can relate to, regardless of their religious background.
The episode also delves into the broader implications of religious indoctrination and the rise of secular support systems. Dr. Dehlin discusses the importance of organizations like Recovering from Religion and the Secular Therapy Project, which provide crucial support for individuals leaving high-demand religions. These organizations offer a safe space for people to explore their doubts and find a community that understands their struggles.
One of the most powerful moments in the episode is when Dr. Dehlin talks about the psychological impact of leaving a high-demand religion. He shares how many individuals experience anxiety, depression, and even suicidal thoughts as they grapple with the loss of their faith and the subsequent social and familial fallout. This highlights the critical need for mental health support and resources for those undergoing such transitions.
Dr. Dehlin's work with the Mormon Stories podcast has not only helped countless individuals but also shed light on the broader human experience. As he aptly puts it, "The Mormon story is the human story." By sharing personal narratives, his podcast fosters empathy and understanding, encouraging listeners to see the common threads that connect us all.
For those interested in exploring these themes further, we highly recommend tuning into this episode. Dr. Dehlin's insights and experiences offer a valuable perspective on the intersection of religion, truth, and personal transformation. Whether you're grappling with your own faith or simply curious about the human condition, this episode is sure to resonate.
Don't miss out on this enlightening conversation. Listen to the full episode now and join us on this journey of discovery and understanding.
The anxiety disorders suffered by Americans are real, and they apparently are growing. But instead of regarding them solely as personal disorders, maybe we need to understand them at least partly as social disorders – and get to work remedying them as a society...
From the moment they are old enough to understand, millions of people raised in certain Christian communities are taught that the rapture is something that can happen at any time. Though there are different schools of thought as to how such an event would go, the basic idea is the same: Righteous Christians ascend into heaven, while the rest are left behind to suffer. However it happens, it is something to be both feared and welcomed, to be prayed about and prepared for every moment of a believer's life...
Transgender teenagers who receive gender-affirming hormone treatments are more comfortable with their appearance and experience fewer depression and anxiety symptoms, according to a US study. The researchers recruited 315 transgender and nonbinary people aged 12-20 receiving testosterone or estradiol, and asked them to report how they felt their appearance matched their gender identity, their overall life satisfaction and answer questions about their mental health over a period of two years. The researchers say depression and anxiety levels dropped over the study period and appearance congruence and life satisfaction improved...
"The anxiety, its response to diazepam, and the changes in amygdala gene expression are not limited to the aspartame-exposed individuals but also appear in up to two generations descending from the aspartame-exposed males," the researchers report…
Young people today are dealing with fallout from much more than the pandemic.
"We have a big crisis with our children and our young adults that hasn’t ... been measured well," stress scientist Elissa Epel says. "But we see it happening."
Climate anxiety. Social unrest. Racism. Politics.
An endless stream of negativity on TV, on the radio, on their phones ... everywhere.
"Naturally they’re developing a pretty negative view of their future," Epel adds.
Today, On Point: Kids and pessimism. We hear why it's time for grown-ups to grow up, and give our kids some hope. Interview:
In a moving talk, journalist Johann Hari shares fresh insights on the causes of depression and anxiety from experts around the world -- as well as some exciting emerging solutions. "If you're depressed or anxious, you're not weak and you're not crazy -- you're a human being with unmet needs," Hari says.... https://youtu.be/MB5IX-np5fE
