Dr. Joe Rigney is a Fellow of Theology at New Saint Andrews College. In his controversial bestselling book "The Sin of Empathy" (Canon Press) he argues that empathy becomes sinful when divorced from truth and biblical standards. In our conversation, Dr. Rigney explains how weaponized empathy manipulates through emotional validation demands rather than genuine care. He describes how many Christians have internalized a "progressive gaze" that judges their faithfulness by secular approval rather th...
May 30, 2025•58 min•Season 9Ep. 233
James Lindsay is an author and founder of "New Discourses," and he's studied the influence of Gnostic ideas on Western politics and culture. In this conversation, he explains how ancient mystical traditions transformed during the Enlightenment into social and political movements that promise to elevate humanity to higher levels of consciousness. Lindsay argues that both woke leftism and emerging radical right-wing movements share the same underlying Gnostic patterns of claiming special knowledge...
May 23, 2025•3 hr 26 min•Season 9Ep. 232
Courtenay Turner is a podcast host and aerial acrobatic performer who studies esoteric influences on modern society. In our conversation she explains how algorithms create feedback loops that program people's perceptions, connecting topics from education reform to transhumanism. She traces philosophical movements like Game B and Dark Enlightenment back to ancient mystery schools, showing how they drive society toward a technological singularity. The episode also explores how reading primary sour...
May 16, 2025•2 hr 15 min•Season 9Ep. 231
This episode marks a key moment in my journey, as I share the joyful news of my engagement to Tamara! This is also a milestone that dovetails with the evolution of this podcast. I'm also announcing a shift in the format of the show, specifically discontinuing my extended monologue intros. They may no longer serve the intended purpose of honoring my guests. This change is driven by a genuine desire to allow my conversations to shine without my extended opining, in the hopes that it may create a m...
May 09, 2025•12 min•Season 9Ep. 230
Aly Dee aka RealFemSapien joined the podcast to discuss motherhood, marriage, and the unexpected vulnerability new mothers face after childbirth. She explained how having children reveals fundamental differences between men and women, often testing marriages in ways couples aren't prepared for. Aly also shared how social media can negatively impact new mothers, suggesting that women need strong community support rather than digital connection during the postpartum period. She closed with advic...
May 02, 2025•2 hr 23 min•Season 9Ep. 229
Matthew Everhard, a PCA pastor and author, emphasizes the crucial distinction between worship that honors God and the increasingly popular trend of "worshiptainment" that prioritizes entertainment over reverence. In our discussion, we dig into his recent book, "Worshiptainment: The Modern Church's Golden Calf," where he critiques contemporary worship practices that stray from biblical teachings. Everhard articulates the importance of adhering to the Regulative Principle of worship, which insists...
Apr 25, 2025•1 hr 44 min•Season 9Ep. 228
Jason Mironchuck, host of Mironchuck Now, presents a compelling thesis regarding the current societal shift towards what he terms “vengeful sons.” Together we explore the intricate dynamics of cultural transformation, tracing a trajectory from the oppressive “tyrannical father” archetype, through the “devouring mother,” and into the present state characterized by the anger and disillusionment of young men. Mironchuck articulates how these archetypes influence contemporary masculinity and societa...
Apr 18, 2025•2 hr 16 min•Season 9Ep. 227
Pastor Doug Wilson joins for the 6th edition of Will & Doug's Book Club, this time with a discussion about the impact of human folly as articulated in Carlo Cipolla's book, "The Basic Laws of Human Stupidity." The book explores the nature of stupidity, its pervasive presence across all demographics, and its implications for institutional building and leadership. Pastor Wilson & I explore how economic policies, such as tariffs, intertwine with the challenges of navigating contemporary soc...
Apr 11, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 9Ep. 226
Mike Gendron joins the podcast to discuss the critical issue of salvation and the teachings of the Catholic Church. He shares his journey from being a devout Catholic to becoming a biblical apologist, emphasizing the stark contrast between Catholic doctrine and scriptural truths regarding salvation. Gendron argues that many evangelicals are leaving their faith for Catholicism, often due to misunderstandings of scripture and the allure of tradition. Through his extensive experience, he aims to eq...
Apr 04, 2025•1 hr 18 min•Season 9Ep. 225
Dr. Jared Longshore, Associate Pastor at Christ Church in Moscow, Idaho, and the Dean of New St. Andrews College, explores the pressing issues facing young Christian men in today's society. In this discussion, he highlights the detrimental effects of modern cultural influences on masculinity and the importance of adhering to timeless standards of Christian virtue, particularly through the lens of J.C. Ryle's writings. Longshore emphasizes the necessity for young men to cultivate a deep sense of ...
Mar 28, 2025•1 hr 11 min•Season 9Ep. 224
Nick Jonsson climbed the corporate ladder for over a decade before realizing his success came at a devastating personal cost. After hitting rock bottom with alcoholism, depression, and failed relationships, he found the courage to admit he needed help. By embracing vulnerability and making amends to those he had hurt, Nick discovered a new path forward based on honesty and connection rather than achievement alone. His experience revealed how many high-powered executives suffer silently behind pr...
Mar 21, 2025•1 hr 21 min•Season 9Ep. 223
Mike Williams, the creator of the Paul is Dead YouTube channel, unravels the intricate tapestry of the Beatles' cultural significance, which he argues extends far beyond mere musical innovation. Through meticulous documentation and analysis, Mike posits that the ascent of the Beatles was not merely a product of artistic evolution, but rather a calculated orchestration by record companies and media entities aimed at reshaping societal values. This episode explores how the Beatles became the face ...
Mar 14, 2025•3 hr 43 min•Season 9Ep. 222
Lennox Kalifungwa, the host of the podcast Of Flames and Crowns, joins us to discuss his journey from Zambia to the United States. He reflects on his upbringing in sub-Saharan Africa and the cultural contrasts he has experienced. Throughout this dialogue, Lennox emphasizes the importance of a Christian worldview in combating contemporary societal challenges. He critiques the superficial understanding of identity that divides people based on ethnicity rather than uniting them through shared faith...
Mar 07, 2025•1 hr 23 min•Season 9Ep. 221
Dino, aka The Art of Purpose, a former public school teacher and now a successful entrepreneur, shares his transformative journey back to Christianity. He discusses his experience of leaving the public school system during the COVID-19 pandemic and how it led him to explore his faith more deeply. Dino emphasizes the importance of community and faith in overcoming a transactional mindset that dominates modern culture. He encourages listeners to engage authentically and meaningfully, advocating fo...
Feb 28, 2025•2 hr 17 min•Season 9Ep. 220
In this episode, Spencer Smith, a pastor and filmmaker, delves into the intricate relationship between modern Christianity and ancient mysticism. He highlights how the 'Third Adam' documentary series exposes the alarming trends of occult practices infiltrating churches. Smith argues that many charismatic movements are essentially repackaged forms of paganism, leading believers away from foundational biblical teachings. Through his work, he seeks to inform Christians about these influences and en...
Feb 21, 2025•2 hr 11 min•Season 9Ep. 219
Cody Lawrence, host of the Spare No Arrows podcast, is a prominent voice against contemporary ideologies that threaten traditional values. Lawrence articulates a vision of courage that transcends mere bravado, advocating for a selfless commitment to truth and righteousness inspired by historical Christian principles. The discussion extends to the cultural phenomena of the 'woke right,' which Lawrence critiques as a misalignment of true conservative values, prompting an in-depth analysis of what ...
Feb 14, 2025•1 hr 53 min•Season 9Ep. 218
Vince Miller is an esteemed author and speaker who has dedicated nearly three decades to men's ministry. In this episode, we explore his insights into the challenges and opportunities men face today, as well as the essential elements of forging godly men. Vince draws upon his personal experiences, including the transformative influence of his grandfather, to offer a much-needed perspective on what it truly means to be a man in today's world. We discuss the importance of using natural gifts for s...
Feb 07, 2025•2 hr 4 min•Season 9Ep. 217
Special Birthday Episode! This Twitter/X Space recorded with the outstanding account @DarwinToJesus traces my path from deep involvement in the rave scene and New Age practices to ultimately finding my faith in Christianity. This in-depth testimony includes key moments for me like exploring psychedelics, studying the Kabbalah, and experiencing transformative events like Burning Man. Looking back, I can see how each step of this spiritual journey led me to embrace a Christian worldview, reflectin...
Jan 31, 2025•4 hr 20 min•Season 9Ep. 216
Joshua Haymes is the host and founder of the Reformation Red Pill podcast, where he explores significant theological concepts and cultural issues from a Reformed perspective. His journey includes a remarkable transition from a church planter in Los Angeles to a committed member of a confessional church in Tennessee, driven by a desire to engage meaningfully with the challenges facing modern Christianity. Throughout the conversation, Joshua discusses his experiences with the complexities of bapti...
Jan 24, 2025•2 hr 8 min•Season 9Ep. 215
Aaron Smith, co-founder of Marriage After God, articulates the essential role of faith in navigating the complexities of marriage and relationships. He reflects on his own journey, including the challenges he and his wife faced early in their marriage, and how those experiences shaped their mission to help others. Smith emphasizes that both men and women have a vital part to play in fostering healthy relationships and that mentorship from older generations can significantly impact younger couple...
Jan 17, 2025•1 hr 31 min•Season 9Ep. 214
Carl Teichrib, a Christian author and researcher, comes on the show to discuss his impactful book, *Game of Gods: The Temple of Man in the Age of Re-Enchantment*. Teichrib shares his insights on the rise of progressive spirituality, its roots in historical movements, and how it shapes contemporary culture. The conversation highlights the transformative experiences at events like Burning Man, where participants often seek deeper meaning through communal rituals that blur the lines between various...
Jan 10, 2025•3 hr 31 min•Season 9Ep. 213
A re-presentation of my Poetry for Men episode from October 2022 featuring William Butler Yeats' "A Dialogue of Self and Soul." I return to new episodes, interviews, and guests next week, on January 10, 2025. Happy New Year, and see you then. - Will Read "A Dialogue of Self and Soul" 🌟 The Will Spencer Podcast was formerly known as "The Renaissance of Men." FOLLOW US FOR MORE Biblical Men's Mentorship - START HERE Will Spencer Podcast Home Substack Twitter/X YouTube Instagram Buy Me a Coffee FR...
Jan 03, 2025•56 min•Season 9Ep. 212
Examining the challenges facing modern masculinity, Will Spencer and Steve Cruz engage in a thought-provoking discussion that spans issues from the impact of childhood upbringing to the responsibilities of adult men in society. Cruz reflects on the consequences of a culture that often undermines traditional family structures, advocating for a return to strong, moral leadership in homes. The conversation weaves through topics such as the normalization of immodesty in contemporary fitness culture ...
Dec 27, 2024•2 hr 12 min•Season 9Ep. 211
(Thanks to my bro Matt for pinch-hitting for me on the intro this week, while I've been out sick. - Will) Matt Reynolds, founder and CEO of Barbell Logic, joins The Will Spencer Podcast to discuss his new book, "Undoing Urgency." The central theme of their conversation revolves around the idea that urgency often crowds out the important aspects of life, leading to a diminished quality of existence. Reynolds emphasizes the necessity of identifying core values and prioritizing actions that align w...
Dec 20, 2024•2 hr 9 min•Season 9Ep. 210
Tilly Dillehay, author of the thought-provoking book "My Dear Hemlock," explores the complexities of women's inner lives and the unique challenges they face in today's world. Dillehay delves into the themes of self-understanding, societal expectations, and the often-overlooked struggles women encounter in their relationships and faith. The conversation highlights the importance of personal responsibility and the power of gratitude in fostering healthy relationships, making it a compelling listen...
Dec 13, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 9Ep. 209
The final episode of the three-part series from Fight, Laugh, Feast 2024 features Andrew Bornman, a missionary farmer living among the Tarahumara Indians in Mexico, and his son Samuel, a young author with a thought-provoking fantasy book. Andrew shares his unique experiences of integrating into a remote community plagued by malnutrition and pagan beliefs, emphasizing that true transformation comes through spiritual engagement rather than just providing food. Samuel discusses his book, which addr...
Dec 06, 2024•1 hr 18 min•Season 9Ep. 208
My second episode from Fight Laugh Feast features conversations with Dr. James White of Alpha & Omega Ministries and Jim Hunter of Alps Precious Metals Group, and opens a rich dialogue about the intersection of faith and modern economic practices. First, Jim Hunter shares his compelling journey from a successful career in high finance to running a Christian precious metals trading company. His insights into the corruption within the financial industry and the importance of investing in tangi...
Nov 29, 2024•1 hr 30 min•Season 9Ep. 207
Isaac Botkin (TRex Arms) and Logan Reyser (Crux Art) join Will Spencer for a compelling discussion—live at the 2024 Fight Laugh Feast Conference!—that delves into the intersection of faith, creativity, and the evolving landscape of gun culture. The conversation begins with Reyser's journey into glassblowing, where he shares the transformative power of art in glorifying God and engaging with culture. He discusses creating significant pieces like a 30-foot glass oak tree and an eight-foot cross fe...
Nov 22, 2024•1 hr 12 min•Season 9Ep. 206
Pastor Doug Wilson returns to The Will Spencer Podcast for his fifth appearance, bringing an insightful analysis of the recent election results and the cultural landscape of America. He emphasizes the importance of understanding ideological idolatry as outlined in Herbert Schlossberg's book, "Idols for Destruction," which Wilson strongly recommends as essential reading. The conversation delves into the implications of the election outcomes for evangelical Christians and discusses the potential f...
Nov 15, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 9Ep. 205
Alex Kocman, the Director of Communications for the Association of Baptists for World Evangelism and co-host of the Missions Podcast, joins host Will Spencer to discuss the evolving landscape of global missions, particularly in light of recent political changes in the United States. They emphasize the importance of grounding missionary work in community and family values, moving away from hyper-individualism towards a more collective approach that prioritizes the local church's role in sending a...
Nov 08, 2024•2 hr 1 min•Season 9Ep. 204
