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/

Join host Aaron Renn and cultural diagnostician Dr. John Seel in this thought-provoking podcast episode as they dive into the crisis of masculinity, the unraveling of modern culture, and the path to aspirational manhood. From the influence of sociologists like James Davison Hunter and Peter Berger to the societal implications of nihilism and technology, this conversation explores headwater issues shaping families, society, and civilization. Dr. Seel also introduces his new book, Aspirational Masculinity, offering a bold vision for men rooted in faith and purpose. Don’t miss this engaging discussion that challenges conventional narratives and calls for a renewed understanding of what it means to be a man today.

CHAPTERS:
(0:00:01 - Introduction and Welcome)
(0:00:49 - Dr. John Seel on Masculinity)
(0:01:31 - Working with James Davison Hunter and Oz Guinness)
(0:08:23 - The Cultural Inflection Point: Nihilism and Modernity)
(0:11:10 - Technology’s Acceleration vs. Cultural Decline)
(0:13:41 - Power, Authority, and Nietzschean Nihilism)
(0:22:03 - The Crisis of Masculinity: A Headwater Issue)
(0:26:51 - Framing the Masculinity Problem)
(0:31:16 - Identity Formation: Postmodern, Modern, and Biblical Views)
(0:39:37 - Aspirational Masculinity and Christ-Centered Identity)
(0:49:01 - Grace, Nature, and Masculinity)
(0:58:14 - The Parable of the Talents and Agency)
(1:03:28 - The Marines: A Secular Model for Identity)
(1:09:50 - Final Thoughts on a Positive Vision for Masculinity)
(1:11:18 - Book Announcement: Aspirational Masculinity)

JOHN SEEL'S LINKS:
📖 Buy Aspirational Masculinity: https://store.standrewsalmanor.org/products/aspirational-masculinity/

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

Join host Aaron Renn as he sits down with David Yancey, president of Presbyterians for the Kingdom, and Generation Z influencer Redeemed Zoomer to discuss their mission to renew the Presbyterian Church (PCUSA) and the broader Operation Reconquista movement. They dive into the challenges and opportunities of restoring traditional theology within mainline Protestant denominations, the role of young conservatives in this revival, and their plans for the future. From institutional commitment to the power of historic churches, this episode explores why they’re staying to reform rather than leaving.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 - Introduction)
(00:33 - What is Presbyterians for the Kingdom?)
(01:07 - Operation Reconquista and Its Inspiration)
(02:48 - Networks within the PCUSA)
(06:21 - Challenges of Mainline Decline)
(08:19 - A Generational Shift Toward Conservatism)
(11:11 - Personal Ties to the PCUSA)
(16:11 - Perceptions of the Movement within PCUSA)
(19:46 - Institutional Commitment in the PCUSA)
(27:01 - Balancing Word and Sacrament in Reformed Theology)
(33:40 - Biblical Case Against Splitting from the Church)
(37:06 - Stewardship of Historic Resources)
(42:30 - Future Plans for Presbyterians for the Kingdom)

GUEST LINKS:
🌐 Presbyterians for the Kingdom Website: https://www.kingdompresbyterians.com/
🐦 Presbyterians for the Kingdom Twitter/X: https://x.com/kingdompresbys

🌐 Redeemed Zoomer's Youtube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@redeemedzoomer6053
🐦 Redeemed Zoomer Twitter/X: https://x.com/redeemed_zoomer

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

Join host Aaron Renn as he sits down with Caleb Morell, author of A Light on the Hill, to explore the rich history of Capitol Hill Baptist Church in Washington, D.C. Founded in 1878, this evangelical church, located just blocks from the U.S. Capitol and Supreme Court, has remained steadfast in its theological convictions while navigating cultural, political, and social changes over 150 years. From its founding by Civil War veterans to its role in the fundamentalist-modernist controversy, urban challenges, and the revitalization under pastor Mark Dever, this episode uncovers what makes this church a unique case study in American Christianity. Learn how Capitol Hill Baptist has maintained its gospel-centered mission amidst D.C.’s evolving landscape, including its response to suburbanization, gentrification, and even a lawsuit against the city during COVID-19.

CHAPTERS:
(00:01 - Introduction)
(00:24 - What Makes Capitol Hill Baptist Unique?)
(03:33 - Founding and Early History (1878))
(05:42 - Capsule Summary of the Church’s History)
(09:24 - The Fundamentalist-Modernist Controversy)
(14:56 - Suburbanization and Desegregation in the Mid-20th Century)
(20:54 - Urban Planning and Parking Lot Disputes)
(22:12 - Racial Integration and Social Engagement)
(27:31 - The Marion Barry Era and Urban Violence)
(32:13 - Mark Dever’s Arrival and Church Revitalization)
(35:50 - Gentrification and Its Impact)
(38:38 - COVID-19 Lawsuit and Church Response)
(41:38 - Commitment to Single-Service Gatherings)
(45:09 - Political Engagement Over Time)
(49:17 - The Importance of Institutions)
(52:11 - Closing Remarks)

CALEB MORELL'S LINKS:
📖 A Light on the Hill: https://www.amazon.com/Light-Hill-Surprising-Influenced-Evangelicalism/dp/1433592894/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20
🌐 Capitol Hill Baptist Church: https://www.capitolhillbaptist.org/

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