The World and Everything In It 1.2.26 Culture Friday on fading mediating institutions, a preview of 2026 movies, and a podcast leadership transition
7 snips
Jan 2, 2026 
John Stonestreet, President of the Colson Center and host of Breakpoint, dives deep into the decline of civic institutions and emphasizes the importance of civic education in maintaining societal stability. He critiques the modern 'soft life' mindset of Gen Z regarding work, offering a more meaningful perspective on vocation. Meanwhile, Collin Garbarino, World Arts and Culture editor, gives an exciting preview of 2026's film landscape, discussing major releases like Pixar's Hoppers and the latest in the Star Wars franchise.
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Episode notes
Mediating Institutions Are Waning
- America has lost much of its mediating institutions like strong families, local civic groups, and prominent churches.
- John Stonestreet warns that losing these institutions undermines the civic virtue needed to sustain the republic long-term.
Civic Education Is Failing
- Civic education has weakened and often teaches a critical framework that reverses moral categories.
- Stonestreet argues poor civic education leaves citizens unable to understand or steward the American experiment.
Expect Churches, Not Just The State, To Teach Faith
- Don't expect the state to bear the full burden of preserving Christian truth in public life.
- Hold churches to high standards in preaching the Bible plainly and resisting consumerizing Christmas and Easter messages.
