In this episode, Aaron welcomes real estate developer Bobby Fijan to discuss one of the most overlooked crises in American urban life: the dramatic decline of children in major cities. Once filled with kids playing in the streets, neighborhoods in New York, San Francisco, Chicago, and beyond are now increasingly childless. Bobby and Aaron explore the causes—from Richard Florida’s influential “creative class” vision that reshaped city priorities, to financial incentives driving developers to build studios and one-bedrooms instead of family-sized apartments, to skyrocketing private-school costs and the loss of family-friendly infrastructure.They also examine why this matters: cities are engines of opportunity and culture, but forcing ambitious young people to choose between career growth and starting a family is a societal failure.

Bobby shares his vision for “baby maybe” housing, practical ways to make cities welcoming for young families again, and why a biblical image of elderly people watching children play in the streets should inspire modern urban planning. The conversation ends with a provocative look at how cities have become extraordinarily dog-friendly—at the expense of being kid-friendly.If you care about the future of America’s greatest cities, this is a must-listen.

CHAPTERS
(00:00 - Intro & Welcome Bobby Fijan)
(00:55 - The Collapse of Children in Big Cities)
(03:17 - Why Kids Disappear After Age 5 (And Now Even Younger))
(04:31 - Richard Florida and the Rise of the Creative Class)
(07:13 - How Cities Catered to Young Singles—and Forgot Families)
(10:55 - The Insane Cost of Private Schools in Cities)
(12:47 - Decline of Catholic/Parochial Schools)
(14:22 - Why Childless Cities Matter)
(17:48 - Economic & Cultural Hubs Need Families Too)
(19:45 - Texas Cities vs. Legacy East Coast Cities)
(23:35 - Why We Keep Building Studios & One-Bedrooms)
(26:23 - Financialization of Housing & Developer Incentives)
(28:28 - Introducing “Baby Maybe” Housing)
(31:29 - How to Fix the System (Fair Housing, Subsidies, Vision))
(36:36 - Dogs, Kids, and the Future of Urban Life)
(46:47 - Closing Thoughts)

BOBBY FIJAN LINKS:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/bobbyfijan

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

MENTIONED IN THIS EPISODE:
📖 Richard Florida: The Rise of the Creative Class: https://www.amazon.com/Rise-Creative-Class-Richard-Florida-ebook/dp/B07M77X5ZQ/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20

A special Christmastime podcast reflecting on some of the guests I've hosted this year, along with a special fundraising appeal during my limited time only discount window.

Through December 12, you can support the podcast and get great benefits by becoming a Member at a special rate of 30-40% off. You'll not only help me work, but also get paid subscriber access to Substack, an exclusive monthly solo podcast, Member-only Zooms, and access to a private Slack community discussion group.

You can become a Member annually for $360/year - 40% off the regular monthly price: https://www.aaronrenn.com/subscribe?selectedPlanId=founding36000usd

You can also become a Member monthly for $35/month - 30% off the regular price: https://www.patreon.com/aaron_renn/membership

Thank you so much for your support. Send me your podcast feedback and suggestions.

Are the Gospels historically reliable, or just late legends? Philosophers and top apologists Dr. Tim McGrew and Dr. Lydia McGrew join me to dismantle the biggest myths about Gospel authorship, dating, and accuracy. From undesigned coincidences that criss-cross all four Gospels, to Luke’s stunning geographical and political precision in Acts, to the statistically perfect 1st-century Jewish names—the evidence is far stronger than mainstream scholarship admits.If you’ve ever wondered whether the New Testament can stand up to rigorous historical scrutiny, this episode will blow your mind.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 Intro & Welcome to Tim and Lydia McGrew)
(02:42 What mainstream New Testament scholars actually believe)
(06:40 Why small differences between Gospels are evidence FOR reliability)
(08:18 Markan priority: the harmless version vs. the skeptical version)
(10:40 The criterion of embarrassment & heads-I-win-tails-you-lose arguments)
(13:35 The astonishing match of 1st-century Jewish names in the Gospels)
(19:30 Why everyone trusts Josephus but doubts the Gospels)
(21:05 Oldest New Testament manuscripts & textual reliability)
(25:09 Undesigned coincidences: the hidden interlocking details)
(28:15 The feeding of the 5,000 – why Jesus asked Philip (John 6 + Luke 9))
(29:00 Green grass in Mark + Passover timing in John)
(29:50 Luke’s insane accuracy in Acts (even Pliny the Elder got it wrong!))
(36:50 Pointless but vivid details that scream eyewitness memory)
(37:17 Peter puts his coat ON before jumping in the water (John 21))
(41:25 The mysterious “dispute about purification” in John 3)
(43:55 153 fish – fishermen gonna fish)
(45:20 Recommended books by Tim & Lydia)

TIM AND LYDIA MCGREW LINKS:
📖 The Eye of the Beholder: The Gospel of John as Historical Reportage: https://www.amazon.com/Eye-Beholder-Gospel-Historical-Reportage/dp/1947929151/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
📖 Testimonies to the Truth: Why You Can Trust the Gospels: https://www.amazon.com/Testimonies-Truth-Why-Trust-Gospels/dp/1947929232/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
📖 The Mirror or the Mask: Liberating the Gospels from Literary Devices: https://www.amazon.com/Mirror-Mask-Liberating-Gospels-Literary-ebook/dp/B0896W473Q/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Doug DeVos, former President and current co-chair of Amway, joins Aaron Renn to discuss the 50th-anniversary re-release of his father Rich DeVos’ 1975 classic book Believe!

In an era of cynicism and drift, Rich’s unapologetic optimism, faith in people, love of America, and defense of free enterprise feel more urgent than ever. From sinking boats off Cuba to building one of the world’s largest private companies, this is a conversation about risk, patriotism, and perseverance.

CHAPTERS
(00:00 Introduction)
(03:20 “You can do it!” – Why failure doesn’t make you a failure)
(04:20 The flight school, the sunken boat, and the spirit of adventure)
(06:30 Why the most interesting people always go off-script)
(08:40 Rich DeVos’ old-school, hand-over-heart patriotism in the 1970s (and today))
(11:50 How to stay relentlessly positive when everything looks dark)
(13:30 Why Doug decided to bring the book back in 2025)
(15:10 The multi-generational friendship between the DeVos and Van Andel families)
(19:30 Why socialism keeps sounding good when a country starts “drifting”)
(22:20 Rich DeVos’ simple definition of free enterprise)
(25:25 The regulatory state: What would Rich say about today’s red tape?)
(28:35 America vs. China – Are we really falling behind?)
(30:40 A 90-year-old planning the next 50 years: the ultimate long-term thinking)
(33:20 Final message: The glass is still half full)

DOUG DEVOS LINKS:
📖 Buy Believe! A Timeless Endorsement of American Principles: https://www.amazon.com/Believe-Timeless-Endorsement-American-Principles-ebook/dp/B0FPXPCK92/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
🌐 The Believe Journal: https://www.thebelievejournal.com/

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

In this eye-opening conversation, I sit down with Darel Paul, Professor of Political Science at Williams College and author of From Tolerance to Equality: How Elites Brought America to Same-Sex Marriage, to discuss his provocative First Things article "Feminism Against Fertility."

We explore a stunning reversal in gender dynamics that challenges everything we thought we knew: women are now less interested in marriage, dating, and parenthood than men. Through data and careful analysis, Darel explains how we're experiencing an unprecedented retreat from lifelong care relationships, the apocalyptic consequences of global fertility collapse, and what this means for the future of society.

From depopulation in rural areas to the rise of right-wing populism in response to immigration pressures, this conversation covers the massive societal transformations happening right now that most people aren't talking about.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 Introduction)
(00:48 The Retreat from Care Relationships)
(03:18 Data Showing Women Less Interested in Marriage & Kids)
(04:31 Why Public Discourse Hasn't Caught Up)
(06:43 The Feminist Sensibility vs. Reality)
(10:45 Fertility Rates and Global Demographics)
(21:04 Depopulation: From Rural Areas to Ghost Towns)
(23:02 Immigration, Assimilation & Political Consequences)
(25:23 What Should Young People Do?)
(26:57 The Role of the Church in Matchmaking)
(27:53 Closing Thoughts)

DAREL PAUL LINKS:
📖 From Tolerance to Equality: https://www.amazon.com/Tolerance-Equality-Brought-Same-Sex-Marriage/dp/1481306944/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
🌐 Feminism Against Fertility: https://firstthings.com/feminism-against-fertility/
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/darelmass

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Joseph Holmes—film critic, culture writer, and contributing film critic on my newsletter—joins the show to talk about his debut feature film Jim vs. the Future, releasing November 11, 2025 on digital and DVD.  

An ordinary guy, a Christmas Eve breakup, and time-traveling kidnappers from competing futures all fighting to force one decision that will save their timeline…and erase the rest. Think Primer meets It’s a Wonderful Life—with theology, multiverse genocide, and a guy who’s tired of being a doormat.

Note: This video version of this podcast includes the trailer to Jim vs. the Future. You can watch the video version on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ET4JMYZu1I

CHAPTERS:
(0:00 – Introduction)
(1:09 – Jim vs. the Future Plot (No Spoilers))
(2:45 – From Desperation to Debut Feature)
(5:27 – TRAILER)
(8:06 – Christianity in a Multiverse Movie)
(10:40 – Why Hollywood Loves the Multiverse (And What It Reveals))
(14:50 – Christian Imagination vs. Worldview)
(22:30 – Romance, Men, and the “Doormat” Trap)
(27:35 – The Shift: Faith Films Go Male-Coded)
(30:50 – Horror + Faith = 2025’s Big Winners)
(34:46 – Wrap & Release Info)

JOSEPH HOLMES LINKS:
🌐 Watch the Trailer: https://vimeo.com/1102228507
🌐 Links to Watch Jim vs. the Future: https://linktr.ee/JosephHolmes

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron Renn as he interviews Leah Libresco Sargeant, author of The Dignity of Dependence: A Feminist Manifesto. In this thought-provoking episode, Leah explores a bold vision of feminism rooted not in independence, but in the inherent dignity of human dependence. From kitchen counter heights to breast pumps, investment banking hours to factory design, they discuss how modern systems often demand standardization at the expense of human flourishing, especially for women and families. Leah challenges the myth of autonomy, celebrates the interdependence of men and women, and calls for workplaces, communities, and tools that serve real people—not abstract, interchangeable workers. Whether you're a parent, a policymaker, or just tired of the grind, this conversation offers fresh insight into building a society that honors care, weakness, and mutual need.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 - Introduction)
(02:45 - The Hyattsville Catholic Community)
(04:35 - STEM to Storytelling: How Math Shaped a Writer)
(05:40 - What Is The Dignity of Dependence?)
(06:25 - Why Call It a Feminist Manifesto?)
(07:44 - Kitchen Counters, Breast Pumps, and Industrial Design)
(09:36 - Critiquing Modernity: Tools vs. Human Needs)
(11:09 - Redesigning Work for Parents (Not Just the Elite))
(13:24 - The Bruderhof Model: Factories Built for Community)
(14:17 - Efficiency vs. Human Good: Where to Make Trade-Offs)
(16:33 - Middle-Class Flexibility & Real-World Parenting)
(18:31 - No Going Back: Living Thoughtfully in Modernity)
(20:36 - Men, Strength, and the Call to Protect)
(24:43 - Men’s Need: To Be Needed)
(27:28 - Autonomy: The Modern Myth of the Untouchable Self)
(29:56 - Abortion, Euthanasia, and the Logic of Dependence)
(31:39 - Final Thought: Weakness Is Not Failure)

LEAH LIBRESCO SARGEANT LINKS:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/LeahLibresco
📖 Buy The Dignity of Dependence: https://www.amazon.com/Dignity-Dependence-Feminist-Manifesto-Catholic/dp/0268210330/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron Renn as he sits down with Dr. Mark David Hall, Director of the Religious Liberty in the States Project at First Liberty's Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy. In this episode, they dive into the critical role of state-level laws in protecting religious freedom, the surprisingly high ranking of states like Illinois, and why some red states like Indiana and West Virginia lag behind. Learn how you can advocate for stronger religious liberty protections in your state.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 - Introduction)
(00:58 - Why State-Level Religious Liberty Matters)
(02:47 - The Religious Liberty in the States Index)
(04:37 - Key Protections for Religious Freedom)
(07:34 - Religious Liberty and Parents' Rights)
(08:38 - Surprising State Rankings: Illinois Shines)
(11:22 - Why Red States Like Indiana Rank Low)
(14:13 - Corporate Influence and Religious Liberty)
(17:15 - Red States Making Progress)
(23:31 - How You Can Advocate for Change)

MARK DAVID HALL LINKS:
🌐 Religious Liberty in the States: https://religiouslibertyinthestates.com/
🌐 Center for Religion, Culture, and Democracy: https://crcd.net/
🌐 First Liberty: https://firstliberty.org/

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join us for an incredible conversation with A. M. Hickman, aka "Shagbark Hick," one of the most unique voices on X. From living as a self-described "homeless" hitchhiker to owning a $33,000 home in rural America without a mortgage, Hickman shares his unconventional journey to a life of freedom, frugality, and purpose. Discover how he lives on just $600 a month, rejects the corporate grind, and builds a fulfilling life with his family of three in the northern Adirondacks. This episode is packed with insights on rethinking the American Dream, finding affordable land, and embracing a simpler, more meaningful way of living. 

Shortly after we recorded this podcast, Hickman's early life as an anarchist was profiled in the Wall Street Journal, so be sure to check that out too.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 Introduction to Shagbark Hick)
(01:29 Celebrating New Beginnings: Hickman’s First Child)
(02:22 From Homeless to Property Owner: An 8-Year Transformation)
(03:43 Choosing a Life of Adventure: Hickman’s Hitchhiking Days)
(04:56 Joining the Coast Guard: A New Chapter)
(06:18 Rejecting the Credentialist Path)
(08:22 Life in a Dying Rural Town)
(10:26 Making a Living as a Rural Writer)
(12:43 How to Live on $600 a Month)
(14:38 Escaping the Consumer Treadmill)
(16:34 Debunking the Housing Crisis Myth)
(18:43 Finding Love in an Unconventional Life)
(20:59 The Power of Owning Land)
(24:35 The Magic of $10,000)
(27:41 Managing a Tiny Mortgage)
(28:53 Healthcare Hacks with the Amish)
(31:20 The Mindset Shift America Needs)
(34:34 Homesteading vs. Hickman’s Philosophy)
(36:37 Why Rural America Matters)
(37:46 Wrapping Up with Shagbark Hick)

A. M. HICKMAN LINKS:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/shagbark_hick
🌐 Hickman's Substack: https://shagbark.substack.com/
🌐 Recent profile of Hickman's earlier life in the Wall Street Journal: https://www.wsj.com/tech/how-two-young-men-got-pulled-into-internet-darkness-and-how-they-got-out-814d0214

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join us for a compelling conversation with Chris Arnade, author of Dignity, as he shares his journey from Wall Street quant to amateur ethnographer, walking through America’s toughest neighborhoods. From McDonald’s as community hubs to the growing cultural and educational divides in the U.S., Chris offers a unique perspective on the state of America and its challenges. Don’t miss this deep dive into the heart of our cities and the people who call them home.

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:33 About Dignity
01:25 Walking America’s Cities
02:08 From Physics to Wall Street to Ethnography
06:18 Navigating Tough Neighborhoods
09:00 Breaking the Ice with Strangers
10:55 The Power of Being an Outsider
13:14 Street Photography and Storytelling
16:24 McDonald’s as Community Centers
22:55 Lessons for the Front Row
27:36 Rediscovering Faith
28:34 Is America Becoming a Third-World Country?
34:28 Dysfunction in U.S. Public Services
39:01 The Decline of the Commons
43:34 Building a High-Trust Society
46:23 Policy Solutions for a Healthier America
50:00 Closing Thoughts

CHRIS ARNADE LINKS:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/Chris_arnade
📖 Buy Dignity: https://www.amazon.com/Dignity-Seeking-Respect-Back-America/dp/0525534733/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
🌐 Chris Arnade on Walking Michigan City: https://walkingtheworld.substack.com/p/walking-michigan-city-indiana

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/