The Aaron Renn Show

Despite major progress in civil rights, black economic uplift, and even electing a black President, the question of race continues to be an ongoing major issue in the United States. There are continuing significant racial disparities between races. A black underclass still remains in America. And political and cultural debates around race continue to be major flashpoints. This includes within the evangelical church, where debates over race have become very intense. Joining me to discuss the ongoing question of race is Robert "Bob" Woodson, Sr. He is one of American's foremost civil rights leaders and experts on alleviating poverty. He's been an advisor to Presidents, a MacArthur Genius Grant Award winner, and recipient of numerous other awards. He's the founder of the Woodson Center and editor of the new book A Pathway to American Renewal.What actually is the state of racial inclusion in America? Where has progress been made, and where does it still remain? How many of the problems around race today are actually class related? How should American evangelicals think about the question of race and how should they seek to engage on it? What are some of the most encouraging initiatives and leaders that he sees in the country today? Buy A Pathway to American Renewal: https://www.amazon.com/Pathway-American-Renewal-White-Black-ebook/dp/B0D4HDLSN2/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20The Woodson Center: https://woodsoncenter.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Justin Shubow is the president of the National Civic Art Society, a non-profit organization headquartered in Washington, D.C. that promotes the classical and humanistic tradition in public art and architecture. He was also formerly the chairman of the US Commission of Fine Arts. He joins me to talk about our public buildings and how to make them beautiful.Note that this podcast includes a discussion of specific buildings. Pictures of these buildings are shown in the video version of the podcast, which you can watch on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n6MwHNiEgcQNational Civic Art Society: https://www.civicart.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Rod Dreher, bestselling author and cultural commentator, dives into his latest work, Living in Wonder. He discusses the idea of re-enchantment in modern life, contrasting it with secular views and the role of spirituality. Dreher explores the rise of psychedelics and the occult, reflecting on the public's search for meaning. He tackles the complex relationship between mental illness and perceived demonic influences through personal narratives. Ultimately, he encourages embracing the divine in everyday experiences, showcasing the transformative power of faith.

Os Guinness, an author and social critic with a rich background as a child of medical missionaries in China, shares profound insights into our current civilizational challenges. He discusses pivotal moments in Western history and the decline of Christianity's influence. The rise of secularism is examined, revealing its deep impact on faith today. Os emphasizes the urgent need for ideologically clear choices in society and critiques the growing interest in alternative spiritual experiences. His call for a revival rooted in historical truths is both timely and compelling.

Delano Squires, a Research Fellow at the Heritage Foundation and contributor to The Blaze, discusses the importance of manhood and family in today’s society. He addresses the challenges men face in education and work, emphasizing the need for strong male role models. Squires critiques modern narratives around masculinity and highlights the significance of traditional values and active community involvement. He also debunks myths about Black family dynamics and stresses the crucial role of family structure in children's well-being.

Stephen Eide, a Senior Fellow at the Manhattan Institute, joins the conversation to tackle the challenges faced by marginalized men, particularly those grappling with homelessness and mental illness. They discuss the need for accessible support systems and the gender disparities in mental health care. Eide critiques the social service industrial complex and proposes balanced strategies that combine rehabilitation and resource redistribution. The stigma attached to manual labor is also examined, emphasizing the value of all types of work in society.

Austin Knuppe, an assistant professor at Utah State University and expert on Middle Eastern politics, discusses the plight of dwindling Christian communities in the region. He highlights the historical significance of these groups, particularly in Lebanon and Egypt, and challenges misconceptions about their identities. Knuppe argues that America's Global War on Terror has accelerated their decline, particularly following the U.S. invasion of Iraq. The conversation also touches on the awareness gap among American Christians regarding the persecution faced by their Middle Eastern counterparts.

Tim Carney, a prominent journalist and AEI Senior Fellow, delves into his book 'Family Unfriendly,' addressing the struggles of raising kids today. He discusses the troubling decline in America's birth and marriage rates, revealing a cultural shift away from family values. Carney emphasizes the anxieties faced by modern parents, advocating for greater independence in child-rearing. He also highlights the importance of community connections to combat social isolation and reflects on the unexpected joys and personal growth that come with parenthood.

Nate Fischer, founder and CEO of New Founding, dives into macro investing and the economic trends shaping our future. He discusses the importance of investing against the grain in distressed real estate and the impact of political turmoil during the Trump era. Fischer highlights financial system fragility and calls for urgent changes. He critiques conventional leadership models, advocating for real-world experience. The conversation also covers innovative insurance solutions and the creation of values-aligned communities to drive social and economic change.

While divorce rates have fallen from their peak, they are still very high, with women initiating the vast majority of them. The divorce rate among American Christians is also too high. While divorce is difficult for non-religious men, Christian men face unique issues. Their churches are likely to blame them for the divorce, and they are likely to lose their friend network at church as well.Men's devotional writer and podcaster Chris Bolinger joins me to discuss what Christian men need to know to survive divorce.Buy Chris Bolinger's 400,000 copy selling men's devotional Daily Strength for Men: https://www.amazon.com/Daily-Strength-Men-365-Day-Devotional/dp/1424557534/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20My article on what to do when your wife divorces you: https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/newsletter-40-what-to-do-when-your My article on how to help your friends whose wive's divorced them: https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/newsletter-41-how-to-help-our-friendsSubscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/