Ep 117: Evangelizing Men plus Inception

Never in recorded history have we seen the kind of long-term fertility decline that has been unfolding for decades. Are current predictions accurate? What are the consequences of decreasing birthrates for the foreseeable future? How can marriage fuel a reversal? Jesús Fernández-Villaverde, the Howard Marks Presidential Professor of Economics at the University of Pennsylvania joins to discuss the future of the human population at the national and global levels.  To view the data and see more episode notes, check out the video version of this episode on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RDaPpL86PHU&

Michael Marinaccio of the Center for Responsible Technology joins to discuss “artificial intelligence” and relationships. How are recent technological developments shaping cultural attitudes toward the person and relationships? What does the Church have to say about it?   More information in the video description on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K9vTVoS6uYc&  

Clare Morell and Fr. Allen Hoffa join to discuss the fight against pornography. What does the Supreme Court’s decision in Free Speech Coalition v. Paxton mean for how we protect ourselves and loved ones against addiction? How do we shield against tech advancements that make it easier to get hooked at a young age?   More information in the video description on Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9X8Un6vyeMM

After a long time off, we have an exciting announcement about the future of this podcast feed! To see our new home, visit LoveMeansMore.org!   Update to the update: the first new episode is out now! The audio-only version will drop in this feed soon, but you can view it now on Youtube!

Jose Pulido knows what it takes to evangelize men and to drive men to evangelize others. He's done it in his ministry At the Service, and he knows how scripture can help make it happen. Later, (21:10) Kara joins to get a jump on the upcoming Christopher Nolan film Oppenheimer by looking back at Inception and its overlooked emphasis on the role of objective reality in truly loving relationships. Episode Notes

We're back with the rest of our conversation with Jason Evert on his book Male, Female, Other? and how it can help us approach gender theory and those who experience gender discordance. Then (19:35), Kara joins to finish talking about Pixar's Inside Out.   Episode Notes

Jason Evert of the Chastity Project joins to discuss his new book Male, Female, Other?, which addresses the current state of gender theory in our culture. He goes into great detail about how to address the problems in the ideology, but more importantly he provides insight into how to lovingly speak and listen to someone struggling with gender discordance, not as an advocate, but as a child of God. Later (18:55), Kara joins in advance of Pixar's new film Elemental to talk about another Pixar movie, one that has a lot to say, both true and misleading, about the human person: Inside Out. Will Andrew be able to restrain his philosophical finger-pointing to recognize the positive elements? Only one way to find out! Episode Notes

Does God need us? Why would he create us (or anything) if he didn't? How is God's relationship with us and with the world different than any other religion's account? How does it change the way we love? Bishop Robert Barron, head of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester and Word on Fire, discusses how the Christian distinction answers all of those questions and more. Episode Notes

Our conversation on human ecology continues with Dr. Jennifer Frey, who dives deeper into the mind of the Church and the work of the Institute for Human Ecology. Then (19:15), we celebrate Mother’s Day with Kara by talking about Lady Bird. The prestigious 2017 movie has a surprisingly nuanced take on family life and love-related wounds, without turning its nose up at Christianity. Episode Notes

When talking about humanity's relationship with nature, John Paul II used the phrase "human ecology". Benedict XVI used a similar phrase. So did Francis. What do they all mean by it? Dr. Jennifer Frey, of the Institute for Human Ecology and a philosophy professor at the University of South Carolina, helps unpack this theme in the Church's recent tradition. Kara hops in to talk about Guardians of the Galaxy vol. 2 (20:25) and its bad dad before the release of volume 3. Episode Notes