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What happens when God dies? Not literally, but culturally—when science explains away the mysteries that once required faith, and decadence fills the void left behind? This profound question forms the backbone of our latest episode exploring the tension between virtue and venality in modern society.

I frame this discussion through the lens of our current cultural divide, not to push a political agenda, but to examine the philosophical underpinnings of where we find ourselves today. The MAGA movement represents something deeper than politics—a "primal scream" from traditional America yearning for virtue in an increasingly decadent world. Meanwhile, progressivism embraces what I call venality: victimhood narratives and boundary-less living that feels good but undermines social foundations.

Drawing from Stoicism's four pillars—justice, moderation, wisdom, and courage—I propose a philosophical framework for those who can't find meaning in traditional religion but seek a virtuous path forward. The nuclear family stands at the center of this vision, where parental sacrifice replaces self-absorption, and where marriage represents commitment beyond convenience.

My personal journey from "smiling villain" to Stoic philosopher informs this conversation. Prison provided me a monastic experience to reflect deeply on virtue, helping me understand that evil always comes smiling, pressing all the right buttons until we find ourselves justifying actions we once would have condemned.

For society to flourish, we must choose virtue over venality. Whether through revitalized religion or philosophical frameworks like Stoicism, we need a moral compass that transcends political tribalism. Because history teaches us one consistent lesson: when decadence overtakes virtue, democracy itself dies.

Join me in this exploration of how we might navigate our post-religious world with meaning, purpose, and virtue intact. Your thoughts on this journey are welcome—share this episode and continue the conversation that might just help us find our way forward.

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