Deciding to Ask Bigger Questions: Spencer Klavan on Science, Faith & Building a Meaningful Business // REPLAY
Episode description
What’s the real point of your business — and your life?
In this mind-opening conversation, scholar and cultural commentator Spencer Klavan joins host Sanger Smith to explore one of the most overlooked foundations in entrepreneurship: God.
Spencer, associate editor of the Claremont Review of Books and host of Young Heretics, draws from ancient philosophy, Western civilization, and his own theological lens to examine what happens when faith, science, and leadership intersect.
Whether you’re leading a company, raising a family, or just trying to figure out why the world feels so off lately — this conversation pulls back the curtain on the real questions we’re all wrestling with.
This episode isn’t just philosophical — it’s deeply practical. It's a wake-up call for any leader building something on shaky ground.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Is there more to this than money, metrics, and growth?” — this is the episode to press play on.
KEY TOPICS
Why you can’t separate science from theology — and why that matters for leaders today
How the Protestant Reformation and the Scientific Revolution were asking the same question: “What is truth?”
Why the collapse of secularism is fueling a spiritual hunger in business, culture, and everyday life
The rise of AI, the myth of human replacement, and the eternal longing tech can’t fill
What Russell Brand, Ion Hirsi Ali, and modern seekers reveal about the return to faith
The role of humility in leadership — and how to be the mentor people run to at 2AM
Why the telos (final cause) of your company may be the most important question you’re not asking
CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
01:20 The Role of Theology in Business
03:31 Scientific Revolution and Religion
07:21 Philosophy and Science Intertwined
17:02 Modern Atheism and Its Decline
21:02 Spirituality in Business Leadership
30:01 Defining True Christianity
32:09 Debating the Apostle Creed
33:02 Historical Context of Christian Creeds
34:39 Modern Converts and Cultural Christianity
36:37 Stages of Faith Development
38:56 Challenges in Faith and Personal Responsibility
47:21 The Role of Technology in Faith
53:00 Final Thoughts and Leadership Insights
CONNECT WITH US
Join us on Instagram: www.instagram.com/decidedlypodcast
Join us on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/decidedlypodcast
Shawn’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/shawn_d_smith
Sanger’s Instagram: www.instagram.com/sangersmith
MAKING A FINANCIAL DECISION?
At Decidedly Wealth Management, we focus on decision-making as the foundational element of success, in our effort to empower families to purposefully apply their wealth to fulfill their values and build a thriving legacy.
LEARN MORE
SUBSCRIBE TO OUR WEEKLY DECISION-MAKING TIP EMAIL
Join us every Wednesday for more strategies to DEFEAT bad decision-making - one episode ata time!
CONNECT WITH SPENCER KLAVAN
- Instagram: @sklavan Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SpencerAKlavan/
- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/spencer-klavan-0a963631/
- How to Save the West: Ancient Wisdom for 5 Modern Crises
- Light of the Mind, Light of the World: How New Science is Illuminating Ancient Truths About God
- The New Jerusalem Substack: https://thenewjerusalem.substack.com/
- Rejoice Evermore Substack: https://rejoiceevermore.substack.com/
- Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/young-heretics/id1513602173
Spencer Klavan is a scholar, associate editor of the Claremont Review of Books, and host of the Young Heretics podcast. A graduate of Yale, he earned his doctorate in ancient Greek literature from Oxford University.
Spencer’s deep understanding of the roots of Western civilization makes him a trustworthy guide for navigating our evolving culture, and what we can do to help. His analysis: The situation is dire. But every crisis we face today we have faced—and surmounted—before.