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:

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