The Yours Truly Podcast

Conversation Craft — Ep. 129: The Meyers Faith, family, and conversation as a craft. Miles and Rebecca Meyers (of Our View from the Plains) share their journey—from early grief and a rocky start to marriage, to rediscovering a call to ministry and building a household shaped by prayer, table, and church. They talk candidly about repentance, identity, and how to move from one-time “conversion moments” to a way of life rooted in practice and ritual. Find the Meyers: ​⁠@OurViewFromThePlains (YouTube) ⸻ Support the work Join channel memberships • Substack • Podcast feed • Social links ⸻ Notes (from the conversation): their channel mission and “table → sacraments” frame; their family story and “where do we go from here?”; cultivation over one-off conversion; the “Friday concert / Saturday conference / Sunday liturgy” hierarchy; and “Sundays are holy.” 🎯 Core Episode Tags • Miles and Rebecca Meyers • Our View from the Plains • Conversation Craft podcast • Yours Truly Podcast • Christian Baxter ⸻ 🏠 Faith & Family Tags • Christian parenting • Marriage and faith • Homeschooling and theology • Family discipleship • Passing down the faith • Christian family legacy • Raising kids in faith ⸻ ✝️ Theological / Ecclesial Tags • Eucharist vs communion • Sacramental Protestantism • Sunday is holy • Call and response liturgy • Christian tradition and submission • Conversion vs cultivation • Practicing the faith • Legacy of the church fathers ⸻ 🌐 Digital / Corner Tags • This Little Corner of the Internet • Symbolic World community • Estuary conference • Digital vs embodied church • Online Christian community ⸻ 📈 Broad SEO Reach Tags • Faith and culture podcast • Christian YouTube channels • Christianity in modern America • Protestant sacramental theology • Christian family stories

Neil Daedalus joins me to trace a journey from Jordan Peterson’s Genesis lectures and Sam Harris debates, through Jung, grief, and a searing encounter at Mass, to entering the Catholic Church. We get into Babylon 5’s “Rangers” as a living metaphor for TLC, why Gen Z’s arena feels more political than personal, video games as training-grounds for agency, resentment/journaling as shadow work, and why grace (not optimization) breaks the frame. Along the way: PVK, Midwest Estuary, Jordan Hall, Mary Harrington, and the uneasy dance between individuation and personhood. To support the work of the channel you can do this throygh YouTube channel memberships: Join this channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join Check out the work @Neal_Daedalus is doing on his channel! Follow me over on X and Substack: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt?s=21 https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt?r=433pnb&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile People & works mentioned Jordan Peterson (Genesis lectures), Sam Harris (“What Is Truth?”), Joe Rogan, John Vervaeke, Paul VanderKlay (PVK), Jordan Hall, Mary Harrington, Rigel Thurston, Hector Avalos (The Bad Jesus), Babylon 5 (J. Michael Straczynski), ACTS/RCIA, Novus Ordo & TLM.

Guest: Henry ​⁠@Unfocusedfaiththoughts — a first rando telling of his story: nominal Christian home, rare congenital birth condition, a grandmother’s steady love, youth-group altar-call anxiety, getting black-pilled by comic-book culture wars, COVID isolation, college + ecclesial anxiety, and finding Peterson/PVK, House of Woo, and the spirit of play that rebuilt agency. We talk LEGO as imaginal practice, being the “responsible sibling,” teaching high school, and why randos still matter. Why this matters: Not every conversion comes with fireworks. Henry’s is about fidelity, friendship, and slow agency online. People & channels mentioned • Paul VanderKlay (PVK) • House of Woo • Jordan Peterson (Genesis lectures) • Neil “Daedalus” • Ethan Kahi • Grim Griz • Matt C / Kyrie / God’s Dog (context: comics + corner) • Andrew Peterson (song mention context) Themes Nominal to faithful; suffering to meaning; culture war fatigue - humane conversation; play lot agency; baptismal identity greater than altar-call theatrics. Support & links • Become a channel member to help me host more randos + essays Join: youtube.com/@christianbaxter_yt/join Link: Join this channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join • Podcast feed + socials: Substack: https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt?r=433pnb&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt?s=21 The Yours Truly Podcast, please check it out. https://www.podbean.com/pi/pbblog-y77sn-117e7a0 • Guest: https://youtube.com/@unfocusedfaiththoughts?si=rBbGilWonxHMUpPG Hashtags #RandoStory #SymbolicTheology #PVKCorner #LEGO #EcclesialAnxiety #JordanPeterson #ComicsCulture #Baptism

@PresidentFoxman - Substack in response to to Charlie Kirk’s Death: https://open.substack.com/pub/presidentfoxman/p/its-been-a-tough-few-days?r=433pnb&utm_medium=ios @AphraelPilotson stream on the thoughts after Kirk’s death - https://www.youtube.com/live/fpzfP1MUT80?si=79Wt6farcfk_tMXN Playlist of my other conversations with the panelists: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVdyuKdUJ45AWbbDC65gmQlQkz5I4nvTU&si=fBGyAjp6R_jHUeoY

In this conversation, Christian welcomes Courtney Trotter—a Beeson Seminary MDiv, language nerd (Greek/Hebrew), youth-ministry veteran, and now an Orthodox catechumen—to talk about growing up Southern Baptist on the Gulf Coast, discovering creed and calendar, and why “church that doesn’t feel like church” quietly hollowed out our formation. We trace Courtney’s path from Beeson through youth ministry, the shock of DEI language inside a church context, and the slow, estuarial work of hospitality-driven evangelism in North Carolina’s Triangle. Along the way: Jordan Peterson, Verveke’s 4Ps, “Big Eva,” the trend-train of worship, and how catechesis + liturgy give people a faith they can sing at a deathbed. My substack about “Sacrotheonomy” - https://open.substack.com/pub/christianbaxteryt/p/sacrotheonomy-a-long-remembering?r=433pnb&utm_medium=ios ⏱️ Chapters 00:00 – Intro: Courtney Trotter & coming out of the lurk 05:30 – Growing up Southern Baptist with Brazilian–Jewish roots 12:45 – Called to ministry & early love for the Bible 20:10 – Beeson Seminary, languages, and interdenominational formation 28:20 – Youth ministry in a liturgical Baptist church 36:00 – Jordan Peterson pipeline → Verveke’s 4Ps → youth discipleship 44:50 – Moving to Durham: culture shock in the Research Triangle 55:10 – DEI framework clashes with baptism call in youth group 1:05:40 – From startup church culture to estuarial table ministry 1:17:00 – Why “church that doesn’t feel like church” fails seekers 1:28:20 – Deathbed hymnody & the case for stable liturgy 1:40:00 – AI in church planting, techno-theocracy, and sacramental ontology People and Organizations mentioned: Jordan Peterson; John Vervaeke (4Ps of knowing); Tim Keller/Gordon-Conwell; ARC / Acts29 / TGC; Alister McGrath; Tom Holland (anti-Christianity thesis); DEI / “safe space”; Real Presence; Revised Common Lectionary; Orthodox catechumenate. #Orthodoxy #Evangelicalism #Liturgy #YouthMinistry #JordanPeterson #Verveke #BigEva #DEI #Catechesis #BeesonSeminary

Become a channel member to help support the channel! Join this channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join Roundtable Participants on YouTube @Landbeorht @greyhamilton52 @Freerilian On X https://x.com/landbeorht?s=21 https://x.com/g_m_h_?s=21 https://x.com/freerilian?s=21 https://x.com/clevergull?s=21

Aaron Renn from ​⁠@TheAaronRennShow joins Christian Baxter to chart a post-Keller, post-Driscoll landscape. We dissect Renn’s Negative World thesis, his call to “use your voice, not the exit,” why Redeemed Zoomer’s “Silicon-Valley-tier ambition” ruffles feathers, and how America’s reflex to exit rather than reform shapes churches, cities, and schools. Key topics: • Why the Young-Restless-Reformed moment cooled off • Mainline “Operation Reconquista” vs. endless schisms • Masculinity, the Manosphere, and evangelical blind spots • Act 60 school consolidation, civic health, & rural revitalization • Jordan Peterson “eating the church’s lunch” and what pastors can learn Chapters 00:00 Intro & Renn bio 05:12 Young-Restless-Reformed post-mortem 17:45 Voice vs Exit—Hirschman’s frame 32:10 Redeemed Zoomer & Reconquista playbook 44:55 Masculinity, servant-leadership reconsidered 56:40 Jordan Peterson, AI trust & digital frontiers 1:08:15 Rural schools, Act 60 & civic renewal 1:19:00 Hope index for 2050 1:25:40 Rapid-fire close & resources (adjust timecodes once final edit is locked) Mentioned: Tim Keller, Mark Driscoll, Redeemed Zoomer, Jordan Peterson, Paul VanderKlay, Bethel McGrew, Albert Hirschman. 👥 Support & Connect • Support the channel: Join this channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join • Substack: https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt?r=433pnb&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile • Twitter/X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt?s=21 • Guest: https://www.aaronrenn.com | Life in the Negative World 🛎️ Like, subscribe, and share to keep thoughtful conversations alive.

EVENT INFORMATION: Breakwater Festival Culemborg, The Netherlands: November 7-9 2025 Crowdfunding/Pre-sale ticket link: https://igg.me/at/BackingBreakwater Breakwater Email: contact.breakwater@gmail.com Breakwater Discord: https://discord.gg/8DQr77MR33 Cassidy VanderKamp returns to Yours Truly to preview the 4th Breakwater Festival (Nov 7-9 | Kattenburg, NL)—the estuary-style gathering born in Paul VanderKlay’s “This Little Corner.” Why it matters: Cassidy calls the original online estuary meet-ups “life-changing” and now hopes to “grow at the speed of relationships,” scaling conversations from Discord to embodied community. We unpack: • How Breakwater flips internet culture into flesh-and-blood hospitality • The new “naturally grungy” factory venue & speaker lineup (Joseph Foley, Nathan Jacobs, Jelle Houtman) • Crowdfunding model (tickets at cost, extras like a speaker-dinner & retreat housing) • Lessons from estuary hubs in NL, Germany & the UK—and why sustainability still matters • Moving from deconstruction to deeper faith, and why neutral “meaning spaces” help seekers reconnect to church life Chapters 00:00 Intro & Cassidy’s estuary origin story 05:40 “Life-changing” online Randos 08:10 Growing at the speed of relationships 17:30 Truth-seeking vs. “capital-T truth” showdowns 24:30 What Europe’s estuary leaders need next 36:00 Why Breakwater 2025 picked a ‘naturally grungy’ venue 44:15 Speaker roster & cross-pollination theme 50:00 Crowdfunding perks & how to attend 56:30 Closing encouragement & contact info (adjust once the final edit is locked) Mentioned: Paul VanderKlay, John van Donk, Taylor Swift, Jordan Peterson, Joseph Foley, Nathan Jacobs, Jelle Houtman, Christopher Hitchens. 👥 Support & Connect • Become a channel member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join • Substack: https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt?utm_source=user-menu • Twitter/X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt

Grey Hamilton—college tennis coach, husband, father, and rando from This Little Corner—joins me to share the long, winding story of how he moved from divorced-family disillusionment and elite achievement into Christian discipleship, awakening through Jordan Peterson and the TLC community. Raised without deep roots in church, Grey pursued excellence in tennis from childhood, eventually playing Division I at Ole Miss and entering the professional circuit. But his journey is far more than a sports story—it’s one of father wounds, cultural dislocation, relational idols, psychedelic descent, and personal resurrection. We walk through: • Grey’s early family fractures and his mom’s post-hippie secular progressivism • His friendship with a steadfast Christian teammate • A college romance with a rooted Southern Christian family • The Peterson pipeline and awakening through “12 Rules for Life” • His mushroom trip and the experience of unmoored identity and divine reorientation • His struggle to integrate faith with vocation • And the present tension: discerning where and how to plant roots for his family after losing his job at Baylor We end with a deep dialogue about generational presence, community, sacred memory, and the weight of choosing place over platform in an era where meaning has been traded for mobility. 🕰️ Timestamps 00:00 Intro – Grey Hamilton, rando from TLC 02:30 Growing up in Pinehurst, NC – sports, divorce, and secular drift 14:00 Tennis becomes life – success, loneliness, and escapism 26:15 College & culture shock – from Columbia to Ole Miss 36:20 Meeting Rob – a real Christian friend amid a team of atheists 44:10 Awakening begins – Peterson, humility, and curiosity 51:00 Dating Savannah – gospel witness through family and relationship 58:00 Losing idols – breakup, injury, and collapse 1:07:15 The mushroom trip – seeing beyond attachment and self 1:17:30 From secular NPC to sacramental seeker 1:25:00 What Paul VanderKlay, Peugeot, and TLC unlocked 1:33:00 Working at Baylor – the promise and the disillusionment 1:42:15 Job loss and the wilderness – how to discern what’s next 1:51:30 Should we stay or go? Generational trauma, place, and permanence 2:01:00 What makes a good life? Local roots and eternal vision ⸻ 🎙️ Guests Mentioned / Referenced • Paul VanderKlay • Jordan Peterson • Jonathan Pageau • John Vervaeke • Rob Henderson • Kale Zelden • Dallas Willard • CS Lewis • John Mark Comer • Ian McGilchrist • Jordan Hall • Ross Bird • Ryan Peterson (Grey’s old coach) ⸻ 📌 Stay Connected 🔔 Subscribe: @christianbaxter_yt 💬 Join the conversation in the comments 💒 Support rooted ministry & digital witness: Join as a Channel Member: Join this channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join 🐦 Twitter: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt?s=21 📖 Substack: https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt?r=433pnb&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=profile

In this episode of Yours Truly, I sit down with Nick—better known as Free Rilian—for a longform conversation about growing up in small-town Illinois, navigating revival culture, and trying to find God in the middle of depression, disappointment, and spiritual confusion. Nick shares his deeply personal story—from early days in a charismatic church and the soul-numbing pressures of purity culture, to chasing identity through performance, ministry, and eventually the promise of healing at Bethl’s School of Supernatural Ministry. Along the way, we talk about Jordan Peterson, fatherhood, the haunting beauty of old family land, and the surprising grace of Anglican liturgy. This isn’t a hot take. It’s a testimony. Honest, funny, raw, and full of the ache for something real. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro & Who is Free Rilian? 03:20 – Growing up in revival-town Illinois 06:45 – Pentecostal roots, prophetic women, and family salvation stories 13:50 – The quiet wound of an absent father in church 19:00 – Porn, shame, and the moralistic trap 29:00 – “What if she breaks up with me?” – High school heartbreak and the descent 34:00 – “God, I want to do this your way” – prayer and a slow climb back 36:00 – Worship as David’s harp in the dark 40:00 – Years at Bethl: chasing healing in the charismatic machine 48:00 – Discovering Peterson, truth-telling, and deconstruction 54:00 – Making the leap in a St. Louis restaurant 58:00 – Working as a janitor, listening to every Peterson lecture 1:03:00 – Sacraments, symbols, and the real presence of God 1:08:00 – Why Nick became Anglican 1:14:00 – Apostles Creed & Chill 1:18:00 – Local life, home, family, and the death of small towns 1:27:00 – On Midwest estuary and the TLC subculture 1:32:00 – Holding onto land, family legacy, and resisting fragmentation 1:40:00 – What we lose when everything becomes fair 1:50:00 – From synths to sacraments: reclaiming tradition 1:58:00 – Final reflections Mentioned: – Jordan Peterson – Jonathan Pageau – Paul VanderKlay – Matt C – Bethel Redding / BSSM – Apostles Creed Bar & Chill – Midwestuary 2025 https://www.midwestuary.com/ 📍 Stay connected: ☕ Support the channel & become a member: youtube.com/@christianbaxter_yt/join 🐦 Follow me on X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt 🎧 Podcast on Spotify/Apple: The Yours Truly Podcast

🎙 Episode 118 — Always Somewhere Else: Chronic Displacement, Faith, and Coming Home 🎧 DESCRIPTION In this deeply personal episode, Christian and Meg Baxter reflect on the emotional toll of chronic travel, the impact of arrested development, and the long road home—to marriage, family, and faith. Prompted by a quote from a Chris Williamson interview with members of the band Underøath, they explore how Christian's past in touring worship bands and recent years as a travel nurse have shaped their relationship and spiritual life. From NICU trauma to marriage fatigue, from fan culture in Christian music to the quiet pain of disconnection, this conversation is as raw as it is redemptive. It’s a love story shaped by absence and return, confession and rebuilding—a testimony of grace that can only come from living it all the way through. Whether you're wrestling with your own version of "chronic displacement," or trying to abide more fully where you are, we invite you into this honest space. ⏱️ Episode Themes The Quote That Hit Us – Chronic displacement, fight-or-flight, and life on the road Touring, Marriage, and Arrested Development – How early ministry shaped us The Cost of Absence – Travel nursing, disconnection, and placelessness Coming Full Circle – Returning to the NICU where our daughter was born Postpartum and the Fog of Shame – Meg’s honest reflection on bonding and grief Confession and Collapse – When truth shattered everything and became the path to healing Learning to Come Home – Reintegration, small talk, and invisible labor Faith After Failure – Why Christian still believes after betrayal, burnout, and brokenness Peace in the Valley – Meg on unshakable peace and the presence of God in darkness The Practice of the Better – Ending with poetry, presence, and a vision for wholeness 👥 PEOPLE MENTIONED – Chris Williamson (Modern Wisdom) @ChrisWillx – Underøath (Spencer Chamberlain & Aaron Gillespie) @underoathmusic – Jordan Peterson @JordanBPeterson – Esther Perel – Michael Tate (DC Talk / Newsboys) – Jonathan Pageau @JonathanPageau 📌 JOIN THE COMMUNITY 🕊️ Become a channel member: Join Here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join Follow on X: 📝 Subscribe to the Substack: https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt 🎧 Listen to Yours Truly wherever you get podcasts 🌐 Website: [Coming Soon]

Become a channel member to support the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join Midwestery 2025 and the “Fellowship of the Spirit” event link: https://www.midwestuary.com/ 🧑‍💻 Guest: Kale Zelden Catholic educator, writer, and cultural commentator 📰 UnHerd Author Page: https://unherd.com/author/kale-zelden/?us 🧠 YouTube Channel: @thekalezelden on X: https://x.com/kalezelden

A conversation on "The Meaning of Things" myth, and the search for an embodied, symbolic faith. 📺Jordan Peterson and the Gospel: Where Evangelicals Are Headed Next What happens when archetypes meet the altar? In this longform conversation with Eric Benjamin @meaningofthings we trace how Jordan Peterson's symbolic lens is influencing evangelical theology, confession, and spiritual formation. From the rise of internet spirituality to in-the-trenches church leadership, we explore the hunger for meaning reshaping the evangelical imagination — and why the gospel must remain more than myth, but not less than one. We wrestle with the question: Is the future of evangelicalism symbolic, sacramental, or something deeper still? 🔔 Subscribe and become a channel member to support more conversations like this. channel membership link: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Intro + The Symbolic World Summit and Evangelical Crosscurrents Christian reflects on the emerging overlap between Peterson’s ideas and evangelical influencers like Ruslan and “What Do You Meme.” 12:30 – Confession, Collapse, and Archetypal Awakening A personal story of failure, sacrifice, and how ancient symbols can become painfully real. 24:10 – Are Stories Just Symbols? Evangelical Bible Reading Reconsidered Eric and Christian examine the difference between moral lessons and spiritually participatory narratives. 34:55 – Jordan Peterson, Ladder Theology, and the Limits of Self-Help Christianity A critique of archetypal religion that tries to climb to God rather than receiving grace from Him. 46:40 – From Worship Teams to Embodied Faith: Can the Church Recover Participation? Why worship isn’t just music — and how structure and liturgy create space for real presence. 58:15 – The Role of Communion in Non-Sacramental Churches What does it mean when even low-church pastors admit “our communion sucks”? 1:10:20 – Discipleship, Gardens, and the Fractals of Worship From prayer journals to baking bread, how small, embodied acts shape a whole theology. 1:22:40 – Can Peterson Ever Walk Through the Door? Peterson holds the door open for seekers — but can he ever fully step through? 1:33:15 – Hell, Healing, and Rebuilding Self-Respect After Sin Christian shares how telling the truth didn’t fix everything — but started the path back. 1:42:30 – The Archetype and the Flesh: Why Jesus Must Be More Than a Pattern The gospel isn’t just a model to imitate — it’s a person to follow, trust, and be saved by. 🧠 Guests & Mentions: Eric Benjamin @meaningofthings Paul VanderKlay Jonathan Pageau Jordan Peterson Tim Mackie (BibleProject) Michael Heiser John Vervaeke Ruslan What Do You Meme 📌 Join the conversation: 🔗 Become a channel member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join 🎙️ The Yours Truly Podcast → https://www.youtube.com/@christianbaxter_yt 🐦 Twitter/X → https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt 📬 Substack → https://substack.com/@christianbaxteryt

Ever felt the pull of something ancient in the middle of modern life? In this episode, Cory shares his journey from a Baptist upbringing into the deep tradition of Catholicism. We talk about how the Eucharist became a turning point for him, why liturgy isn’t just ceremony, and what it means to recover sacred rhythms in a world that rarely slows down. Key Topics Covered: Understanding Liturgy: How liturgical practices shape our worship experiences. The Eucharist Explained: Why the Eucharist holds a central role in Catholic worship and its impact on faith. Tradition vs. Modernity: Balancing age-old practices with contemporary spiritual needs in today’s world. Community in Faith: The importance of connecting with others and fostering a sense of belonging in diverse Christian denominations. Whether you're a lifelong Christian, exploring your faith, or curious about the dialogue between different traditions, this conversation offers valuable insights into how we can navigate our faith journeys together. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and hit the notification bell for more enlightening conversations about faith, worship, and community! Connect with Christian: X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt Become a Channel Member! --- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join Join the conversation in the comments! #CoryKobel #Christianity #Liturgy #Eucharist #FaithJourney #Catholicism #Tradition #Community #ModernFaith

In this late-night studio hangout, Payton joins me in person for an unscripted conversation about Gen Z disillusionment, the spiritual hunger behind the return to tradition, and the fading influence of the post-WWII liberal consensus. We trace our shared history through early encounters with Jordan Peterson, meme culture, and ideological rabbit holes—from RCIA and Seventh-Day Adventist door-knockers to Bronze Age Pervert and Redeemed Zoomer. Together we wrestle with hard questions: – Is Jordan Peterson’s ambiguity enough in an age craving clarity? – Why is nihilism so normal among Gen Z men? – Can order and power be reclaimed without collapsing into authoritarianism? – What role do symbols, memes, and institutions play in the spiritual landscape ahead? Plus, we get personal about the search for truth, the hunger for embodied tradition, and the weird reality of doing this in the “TLC” digital corner. Timestamps: 00:00 – Intro + Studio Banter 02:20 – Art, Culture Wars & Meeting Jordan Hall 05:45 – Reaction Content & Payton's Catholic Journey 10:00 – Thoughts on TLC & Digital Ecumenism 13:00 – Who Are the New Sensemakers? 15:40 – Bronze Age Pervert, Redeemed Zoomer & Gen Z Ferocity 20:00 – Tech, AI, & the Death of Cool Church™ 24:00 – Are Roagan & Russell Brand Just Grifting Christianity? 28:00 – Vibe Shift & Return to Order 32:00 – Nihilism as the Norm? Gen Z's Crisis 36:00 – Peterson's Gospel Problem: Abstract vs Absolute 42:00 – Power, Violence & the Two-Headed Eagle 47:00 – Post-WWII Consensus Breakdown 51:00 – Symbolism, Swastikas & Jonathan Pageau 56:00 – Wrap-up + MidwestEstuary 2025 Preview Mentions: Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Pageau, Redeemed Zoomer, Bronze Age Pervert, Justin Brierley, Jordan Hall, Chris Williamson, Russell Brand, Joe Rogan, Paul VanderKlay, Nate Hile, Kanye West Links & Support: 🕊️ MidwestEstuary 2025 Aug 22–24 | Elmhurst, IL Updates: https://midwestuary.com 🎙️ Yours Truly Podcast → @christianbaxter_yt 💬 Join the conversation: X: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt 🙏 Support the channel: ▸ Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join ▸ Subscribe & share if this corner feels like home.

Join this channel to get access to perks: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join follow me on X: https://twitter.com/chrbaxter_yt 📍 About this episode: In this impromptu and deeply personal roundtable, I’m joined by Ethan Caughey, Skankenstein (Matt), and Luke Freeman for a rich conversation on Ross Byrd’s “Parish Manifesto”, the soul of evangelicalism, and what it means to recover roots, sacredness, and tradition in an age of digital disembodiment. We talk about: - Parish churches vs. megachurches - The tension between broadcast and participation - How modern worship aesthetics form (and deform) us - Sacred spaces, candles, cross, and communion by name - What the Church looks like if the internet disappeared tomorrow This is a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the Church, spiritual formation, and reclaiming the slow, human pace of parish life. 🧠 Topics Covered: Ross Byrd’s Parish Manifesto Evangelical identity & embodiment Gnosticism, orthodoxy, and modern liturgy Broadcast vs participation in worship The roots/fruit metaphor and church tech What the emergent church got right—and wrong Seminary, tradition, and the work of the people 👥 Guests: @ethan.caughey @lukefreeperson Matt / Skankenstein 📌 Mentioned: Ross Byrd, Chad the Alcoholic, Jonathan Pageau, John Vervaeke, Jordan Peterson, Robert Webber, Mike Cosper, Ian McGilchrist, Paul Kingsnorth, Wendell Berry, Neil DeGraide, and Redeemed Zoomer. 🙏 Support the Channel: If this conversation resonated with you, consider subscribing, liking, and sharing it with someone in your own “parish.” ▶️ Become a member: https://www.youtube.com/channel/YOURS/join 📡 Follow Christian Baxter / Yours Truly: Twitter → @theCBaxter Instagram → @theCBaxter Podcast → yourstrulypodcast.net 🎧 Available on YouTube Music | Apple Podcasts

**Episode Description:** In this episode of "Yours Truly," host Christian Baxter sits down with Derek Fiedler, a dynamic voice in the realm of digital storytelling and community building. Together, they explore the exciting transformation of creators who have begun their journeys on platforms like YouTube and have evolved into influential authors, speakers, and filmmakers. Derek shares his insights on how these interconnected stories are shaping the way we understand ourselves and our communities. 🎧 **What You'll Learn:** - The rapid growth of creative communities and their significance in today’s digital landscape. - How various creators are crafting meaningful narratives that resonate with audiences. - The importance of fostering creativity and storytelling within our families and professional lives. Derek discusses his journey, the projects he's involved in, including his collaboration with Symbolic World, where he delves into themes of language and symbolism in film and literature. Listeners will gain a deeper appreciation for the art of storytelling and how it can be used to cultivate purpose and connection. **Resources Mentioned:** - [Midwestuary 2025 Conference](https://derekjfiedler.substack.com/p/arrival-exodus-book?triedRedirect=true) - [Derek on YouTube](https://www.youtube.com/@DerekJFiedler) - [Derek on X](https://x.com/derekjfiedler) - [Symbolic World Projects](https://www.thesymbolicworld.com/team/derek-j-fiedler) **Subscribe and Connect:** Don't miss out on future episodes! Subscribe to "Yours Truly" for more engaging discussions on storytelling, creativity, and community. Join us on social media and participate in the conversation! Become a Channel Member! https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join **Listen, Share, and Join Us on this Journey of Exploration!**

"...if I lose sight of the tradition, if I lose sight of what we built and I'm not standing on anything when I'm doing that... you lose the utility of what it means to be conservative or liberal and how these things are functioning together." "...there's all kinds of ways to be, but there's only one truth. And you will never know what those ways to be are and how they could be beautiful in the world if it's not attached to the truth." - Neil DeGraide @dirtpoorrobins In this episode, Christian Baxter sits down with musician and filmmaker Neil DeGraide of Dirt Poor Robins for a rich and reflective conversation on creativity, truth, and the cultural imagination. From the front porch to the public square, Neil unpacks why the adventure you're called to might not look like the world's version of success—and why that’s exactly the point. Together they explore: The tension between progress and tradition Why our best cultural critiques start in the home and community The dangers of a purely merit-based system How artists and "nobodies" alike shape the spirit of an age And why grounding your life in truth—not just ideology—is essential Stick around to hear thoughts on the ARC conference, Oliver Anthony, and why Neil believes the soul grows when it doesn't get everything it wants. 👥 Mentioned in this episode: @oliveranthonymusic @arc_conference @JonathanPageau @PaulVanderKlay @johnvervaeke @thesacredpodcast Rod Dreher 🔗 Follow & Support 📍 Join the channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCU5SNBfTo4umhjYz6M0Jsmg/join 🐦 Follow Christian on X: https://twitter.com/chrbaxter_yt 🎧 Listen to Dirt Poor Robins: https://www.youtube.com/@dirtpoorrobins https://open.spotify.com/artist/16lGevDffmuRakKVvdJ983 ✝️ Yours Truly is a podcast for those learning to think out loud. We wrestle with truth, beauty, and belief—without skipping the mystery in between.

In this episode of the Yours Truly Podcast, host Christian Baxter engages in a thought-provoking conversation with Substack writer James Taylor Foreman. Together, they explore the intersections of language, technology, and storytelling, examining how the evolution from oral traditions to digital media shapes our understanding of reality and creativity. Join us as we delve into topics such as the impact of written language on cultural narratives, the rise of AI in the storytelling landscape, and the potential for personal expression in an era of hyper-connectivity. With insights on the return of intuitive communication and the significance of community in creative pursuits, this episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the future of storytelling and its implications for personal and collective meaning. Tune in for a rich dialogue that challenges conventional thoughts on creativity, technology, and the essence of our shared human experience. Don’t forget to subscribe, like, and share your thoughts in the comments below! 00:00 - Intro to the Episode and Guest Introduction 10:30 - Exploring the Concept of "Hyper Landscapes" in Culture 21:00 - The Impact of Written Language on Indigenous Cultures 31:30 - Comparing Language with the Movie "Arrival" 42:00 - The Effects of the Printing Press on Theology and Worship 52:30 - The Shift from Written to Oral Storytelling in Modern Media 1:03:00 - The Role of AI in Storytelling and Creative Expression 1:13:30 - Discussing the Future of Content Creation and Self-Publishing 1:24:00 - Navigating Copyright and Creative Freedom in a Digital Age 1:35:00 - Closing Thoughts and Future Projects from James Taylor Foreman Links: Follow James Taylor Foreman on Substack: https://open.substack.com/pub/taylorforeman?r=433pnb&utm_medium=ios Yours Truly Podcast Playlist: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLVdyuKdUJ45CuLY-O7c5ADb9e96YkCvPB&si=BKejBP69mnu4fiLM Connect with us on social media: https://x.com/chrbaxter_yt?s=21 #YoursTrulyPodcast #Storytelling #Language #Technology #AI #CreativeExpression

**Episode Description:** Welcome to this episode of The Yours Truly Podcast, where host Christian Baxter invites a diverse panel of guests to explore the intricate relationship between art, faith, and culture. In this engaging discussion, we delve into the effects of recent societal "vibe shifts" on artistic expression and the challenges artists face when navigating personal truth amidst external pressures. Join us as we reflect on the evolving landscape of contemporary culture, from the influence of political figures to the resurgence of nostalgia in our collective consciousness. Our guests share personal insights and experiences, emphasizing the importance of authenticity and beauty in creative work as a response to today's complexities. Whether you're an artist, a person of faith, or simply curious about the intersection of culture and creativity, this episode offers valuable perspectives on how embracing truth and beauty can inspire meaningful art. Don't forget to like, subscribe, and share your thoughts in the comments! **Timestamps:** 00:00 - Introduction Host Christian Baxter introduces the podcast theme and guests. 02:30 - Cultural Decorum and Modern Politics Discussing societal standards and their impact on politics today. 10:00 - Nostalgia for Past Political Figures Reflections on longing for figures like Romney amidst current trends. 18:15 - Defining the Current "Vibe Shift" Analyzing the meaning and implications of today's cultural vibe shift. 30:00 - Personal Truth in Artistic Expression Balancing faith and creativity for authentic artistic expression. 42:45 - The Role of Art in Society Art's reflection of culture and artists' societal responsibilities discussed. 55:20 - Encouraging Artistic Growth in Conservative Spaces Encouraging engagement with art and beauty from right-leaning viewpoints. 1:04:30 - AI and the Perception of Art Discussing AI's effects on creativity and art's definition. 1:17:00 - Exploring Faith and Artistic Integrity Integrating personal beliefs with creative expression in art discussed. 1:29:45 - Final Thoughts and Inspiration Concluding reflections on belief and staying true in artistry. **Connect with Us:** - Follow us on Socials @MattHylom @mcmosav JTF: https://open.substack.com/pub/taylorforeman/p/why-i-am-christian-again?r=433pnb&utm_medium=ios Chris Young: https://x.com/iamchrisyoung?s=21 Thank you for tuning in! Your support helps us continue these important conversations.