The Aaron Renn Show

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/

James Davison Hunter, a renowned sociologist at the University of Virginia, introduces listeners to the concept of 'hybrid Enlightenment' and its role in today's cultural fragmentation. He discusses the evolution of America's political conflicts, particularly the abortion debate, emphasizing the dangerous effects of dehumanizing opposition. Hunter highlights the importance of solidarity in maintaining democracy and critiques how progressive ideologies dominate institutions. He offers insights into navigating the current culture war, advocating for dialogue and courageous leadership.

Joshua Klein, editor of Mortise and Tenon magazine, joins me to talk about his love of traditional wood construction techniques, and the value of craftsmanship and manual work. In addition to the magazine, Klein is also an Associate Fellow in Mechanical Arts at Greystone Theological Institute. Buy Mortise and Tenon Magazine: https://www.mortiseandtenonmag.com/Greystone Theological Institute: https://www.greystoneinstitute.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Jon Tyson, founding pastor of Church of the City in New York, dives into the evolving landscape of urban ministry post-COVID. He explores the challenges of a transient city and the unique characteristics of Generation Z, who are less inclined to plant churches. Tyson discusses cultural shifts, the impact of migration on Manhattan, and how social media is bridging gaps in cultural understanding. He emphasizes the need for respectful dialogue in ministry and offers insights on guiding spiritual explorations in today's society.

Oren Cass is founder of American Compass, a reformist center-right think tank seeking to look beyond dogmatic adherence to libertarian economics. He joins me to talk about the future of the American worker.American Compass: https://americancompass.org/Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Artificial intelligence is the hot topic of the tech world today. But how do we make sense of it? Dean Ball is a Research Fellow in the Artificial Intelligence & Progress Project at the Mercatus Center, who also writes a Substack on the subject. He joins me to discuss this new AI technology and how to regulate it.Subscribe to Dean Ball's Substack: https://www.hyperdimensional.co/Subscribe to my Substack: https://www.aaronrenn.com/