The Natasha Crain Podcast

Why are so many young adults embracing socialism today, despite its historical failures? And what role are universities playing in shaping their views?In this episode, I talk with Dr. Corey Miller, president of Ratio Christi and author of The Progressive Miseducation of America, about how universities have become one of the most powerful forces shaping our culture—and why Christians need to understand what's happening on college campuses, even if they don't have college-age kids.We discuss how American universities shifted away from their Christian foundations, how Marxist ideas have become increasingly influential in higher education, why socialism appeals so strongly to young adults, the difference between socialism and democratic socialism, and how ideas about oppression, justice, and equality are shaping the next generation. We also discuss why these ideas extend far beyond economics and what Christians can do to respond.Mentioned in this episode:Ratio Christi: https://ratiochristi.org/Corey Miller's book, The Progressive Miseducation of America: https://www.amazon.com/Progressive-Miseducation-America-Confronting-Revolution/dp/0736992375Corey Miller's website: https://www.drcoreymiller.com/For more on what's going on in universities today, see these past interviews on my podcast:The State of Christian Colleges, with Dr. Everett Piper: https://natashacrain.com/the-state-of-christian-colleges-with-dr-everett-piper/Most Christian Colleges Are Compromised (and Here's What Should Be Done), with Dr. Len Munsil: https://natashacrain.com/podcast/most-christian-colleges-are-compromised-and-heres-what-should-be-done-with-dr-len-munsil/How College Challenges Students' Faith: What Parents Must Know, with Jonathan Morrow: https://natashacrain.com/podcast/how-college-challenges-students-faith-what-parents-must-know-with-jonathan-morrow/

What happens when a culture decides that reality is something we can create for ourselves?In this episode, I’m joined by Frank Turek and Phoenix Hayes, authors of the new book The War on Reality, to talk about the ideas that have radically changed the way our culture understands truth, morality, identity, human nature, and even reality itself. We discuss questions like:• What are the basic “rules of reality”?• Why there’s no such thing as “your reality” and “my reality”• What syncretism is (and why so many Christians fall prey to it)• How postmodernism changed Western culture• The oppressor/oppressed worldview and cultural Marxism• Why believing people are basically good has enormous spiritual consequences• Why Christians and secular culture increasingly seem to be operating from completely different premises• How AI can reinforce our biases and personalize realityRESOURCES MENTIONED:Pre-order The War on Reality: www.thewaronreality.comUnshaken Faith episode: “The Deconstruction Playbook: Jen Hatmaker and the Rejection of Hell”https://youtu.be/44vXKHDT6nQ?si=qoY2Jah_I_tfhBFSNathan Crain on Frank's podcast: “17-Year-Old Tech Prodigy Explains What Every Christian Needs to Know About AI”https://youtu.be/wu1rUBGsIkg?si=3-06CyxNrLqgYBZ_&t=1My book, When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Squarehttps://www.amazon.com/When-Culture-Hates-You-Persevering/dp/0736984313Connect with Frank: https://crossexamined.org/Connect with Phoenix: https://phoenixhayes.com/

"Conversion therapy" is one of the most controversial—and misunderstood—terms in today's culture.The media portrays it as inherently harmful, while lawmakers increasingly use the term to justify restrictions on counseling related to sexuality and gender identity. But what exactly qualifies as conversion therapy? Are all forms of counseling in this category abusive? And what are the implications for religious liberty when governments begin regulating conversations about biblical sexuality?In this episode, I talk with counselor, author, and speaker Joe Dallas, who has spent nearly 40 years helping individuals and families navigate questions related to same-sex attraction and Christian faith. Topics include:• Joe's personal journey with homosexuality• Five things parents can do right when a child says, "I'm gay"• What "conversion therapy" actually means—and why definitions matter• Harmful practices Christians should reject• What legitimate biblical counseling looks like• Why 23 states have banned forms of counseling for minors• The recent Supreme Court case involving Colorado's conversion therapy ban• The difference between changing behavior and changing attractions• How Christians can balance conviction, compassion, truth, and freedomIn a culture that often reduces complex issues to slogans, this conversation brings much-needed nuance, clarity, and biblical perspective.Learn more about Joe, his work, and his many resources at joedallas.com.If you found this episode helpful, be sure to subscribe, leave a review, and share.

My guest today, Dr. Jonathan Morrow, says college usually doesn’t create a faith crisis; it reveals one that was already happening beneath the surface. But when students set foot on campus, the worldview pressures are everywhere, and most students simply aren't prepared for what they're about to encounter at every level of campus life.Jonathan is the Director of Cultural Engagement and Student Discipleship at Impact 360 Institute and the author of Welcome to College. In this episode, we discuss: Why students often drift from faith before collegeHow screens and social media quietly disciple young peopleThe “death by a thousand nudges” effect on worldviewWarning signs parents should watch forThe hidden worldview assumptions in general education classesWhich majors tend to create the biggest worldview challengesWhy Christian colleges present their own challengesWhat parents should prioritize when choosing a collegeHow to help students build a faith they truly ownWhether your child is heading to college this fall or is still years away, this conversation will help you think more carefully about preparing the next generation for what they'll encounter on the college campus. Learn more about Jonathan Morrow and Welcome to College:https://www.jonathanmorrow.org/https://www.amazon.com/Welcome-College-3rd-Centered-Changing/dp/0825452511Follow and donate to Equipping the Persecuted:https://equippingthepersecuted.org/Learn more about Cross Examined Instructor Academy:https://cia.crossexamined.org/

Today I’m joined by author, speaker, and former US congressional candidate Heidi St. John to discuss the growing and destructive influence of progressivism, socialism, and communism in America...and why Christians should care about saving this country. We connect the dots between leftist ideologies and their unbiblical worldview foundations by considering their assumptions about human nature, moral authority, societal goals, the role of government, the nature of the family, the definition of justice, and more.Leftist ideologies aren't merely political. They are profoundly theological. This conversation will challenge you to think more deeply about why America’s founding principles still matter and how they intersect with biblical teachings on the nature of reality.Learn more about Heidi St. John and check out her podcast and resources at: https://www.heidistjohn.net/Learn more about how Christians should advocate for righteousness in society with my latest book, When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square https://www.amazon.com/When-Culture-Hates-You-Persevering/dp/0736984313 Learn more about Summit Ministries and save $500 when you register for a session in Colorado or South Carolina by March 31 with code NATASHA26: https://www.summit.org/natasha

In today’s Christian culture, it often feels like the biggest offense isn’t unbiblical teaching—it’s pointing it out. But if the New Testament is clear that Christians are to divide truth from error, why are so many Christians uncomfortable with public discernment?Today I offer 10 reasons why, using backlash to my recent Unshaken Faith episode with Alisa Childers and Melissa Dougherty as a case study. In that episode, we reviewed the New York Times bestselling book Practicing the Way by John Mark Comer. Almost immediately we starting hearing the familiar responses:"Christians shouldn't criticize each other so much." "Content like this destroys unity in the church.""You should have gone to him first.""If you took the time to dig into his other resources,  you would understand what he meant.""But it's been helpful to me."Here I explain why these critiques and several others don't hold up to biblical scrutiny. Check out our full episode on Practicing the Way here:https://youtu.be/YcaRbsDiJEQ?si=YDHjeXFACPFbcLaMSubscribe to my new YouTube channel (and watch this episode) here: https://www.youtube.com/@Natasha_Crain

After Trump’s election, many believers assumed cultural hostility toward biblical values in the public square was fading. But subsequent events—from the public celebrations of Charlie Kirk’s murder to backlash tied to Christian support for Trump—have shattered what was always an illusion.On this one year anniversary of the release of my book When Culture Hates You, Frank Turek and I discuss what Jesus said about culture’s perennial hatred of Christians, why the anger hasn’t gone (and won’t go) away, why Christians are increasingly blamed for cultural and political unrest (most recently with ICE), and why this moment cannot be explained by politics alone. SHOW NOTES:Get my book, When Culture Hates You: Persevering for the Common Good as Christians in a Hostile Public Square www.amazon.com/When-Culture-Hates-You-Persevering/dp/0736984313Frank's website, CrossExamined: crossexamined.org/Donate to CrossExamined: donor.crossexamined.org/Frank's new kid's book with Brave Books, Milo's Mission: www.bravebooks.com/frank

Are today’s kids ministries actually helping—or unintentionally hurting—the faith of the next generation?Today I’m joined by family ministry veteran Dr. Josh Mulvihill for a candid, biblically grounded conversation about seven key problems in modern kids and youth ministry and why Christians can no longer afford to ignore them.Drawing from Scripture, church history, and current research, Josh challenges some of the most unquestioned assumptions in evangelical churches today, such as age-segregated worship, attractional entertainment models, and the growing confusion between the church’s role and parents’ God-given responsibility to disciple their children. This conversation is not a hit piece on kids ministry. Both of us love and support children’s and youth ministry when they’re aligned with Scripture. Instead, we hope this episode will be a wake-up call for parents, pastors, grandparents, and church leaders to evaluate how their churches can better reach the next generation. SHOW NOTES:Go to summit.org/natasha to learn about Summit Ministries' conferences for kids ages 13-22 and use code NATASHA26 to get $500 off an in-person conference when you register by March 31.Josh's website and podcast: https://gospelshapedfamily.com/Josh is the Executive Director of Church and Family Ministry at  Renewanation: https://www.renewanation.org/Josh is a board member of Awana: https://www.awana.org/Get Josh's book, "Family Ministry: How Your Church Can Shepherd Parents and Grandparents to Make Disciples": https://www.amazon.com/Family-Ministry-Shepherd-Grandparents-Disciples/dp/1951042093For more on how Dr. George Barna assesses the worldview of survey respondents, see: https://natashacrain.com/what-is-a-biblical-worldview-with-george-barna/. Learn more about my three apologetics books for parents and teachers: https://natashacrain.com/books/Curricula recommended by Josh: Bright https://britecurriculum.com/Gospel Story https://martymachowski.com/book/gospel-story-curriculum/

AI isn’t worldview neutral—and that should deeply concern Christians. In this episode, I talk with Brandon Maddick, co-founder of Dominion, a Christian AI platform created as a biblical alternative to tools like ChatGPT, to explore how artificial intelligence is shaping the way we think. We talk about the secular assumptions built into mainstream AI models, why those assumptions matter as people increasingly turn to AI for guidance and productivity, and how Dominion was intentionally designed to operate from a biblical worldview. Christians need to think carefully about the worldview embedded in the tools we use...because when we ask AI for answers, we should be asking who (or what) is discipling us. SHOW NOTES:Check out Dominion AI for yourself: https://dominion.chat/Subscribe to my new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@natasha_CrainGet my latest book, When Culture Hates You: https://www.amazon.com/When-Culture-Hates-You-Persevering/dp/0736984313 

Most Christians know the Bible teaches that "for those who love God all things work together for good" (Romans 8:28), but in times of suffering, it can be difficult to reconcile that truth with our experiences. My guests today are best-selling authors Clay and Jean E. Jones. They've written an insightful and very practical new book to help believers do exactly that: "How Does God Use Suffering for Our Good?: Living with Hope While Making Sense of Life." Clay and Jean E. have experienced much suffering in their own lives and share very personally how they have lived out biblical truths about suffering in a God-glorifying way. SHOW NOTES:Get their new book here: https://www.amazon.com/How-Does-God-Suffering-Good/dp/0736992235Clay's website: https://clayjones.net/Jean E.'s website: https://www.jeanejones.net/Get my latest book, When Culture Hates You: https://www.amazon.com/When-Culture-Hates-You-Persevering/dp/0736984313Subscribe to my new YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@natasha_CrainFollow me on:Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/natashacrainauthor/IG: https://www.instagram.com/natasharcrain/X: https://x.com/Natasha_Crain