PostEverything

Hosted by Brad Edwards and John Houmes

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May 2026

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How do you move forward when norms and expectations are changing faster than you can blink? With institutional trust at an all-time low, leaders on life support, and individualism compromising every inch of society, many of us are asking if it’s even possible (or sane) to build something that lasts. Join Brad Edwards and John Houmes as they dig beneath the surface of rapidly-shifting culture and explore how leaders and the people they serve can thrive in a post-everything world.

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May 20, 20261 hr 11 min

Staying Human in an AI World w/ Jay Kim

Brad Edwards sits down with Jay Kim, pastor of Westgate Church in Silicon Valley and author of Analog Church, to discuss the spiritual implications of artificial intelligence—and why church leaders urgently need a response. Key points: • The difference between attention economy (social media) and attachment economy (AI) • Why AI companions create relational attachment in ways social media never could • How tech workers in Silicon Valley are experiencing spiritual crisis over AI displacement • Marshall McLuhan's theory: When pushed to extremes, technology inverts on itself • The spiritual discipline of sober-mindedness in an age of endless stimulation • Why the church must become "weird" again to counter digital culture • Practical formation practices to help your congregation think deeply (not just consume) • How pastors can help disciples navigate vocational uncertainty in tech fields • The role of curiosity and meandering as countercultural spiritual practices Themes: • Spiritual formation in digital age • AI and human relationships • Church in Silicon Valley • Pastoral leadership in tech cities • Technology ethics and faith Key words: AI companion, Spiritual formation, Church leadership, Discipleship, Silicon Valley, Artificial intelligence, Technology ethics, Sober-mindedness, Pastoral care, Formation practices, Jay Kim, PostEverything, Digital culture, Embodied community, Tech workers CHAPTERS: 🎙️ Welcome to Post Everything — 00:00 👋 John Introduces Jay Kim — 01:05 💬 Brad Welcomes Jay — 02:17 📖 Analog Church's Cosmic Irony — 04:00 🏘️ Last In-Person Gathering — 05:00 😷 Pandemic Forces Publishing Decision — 06:15 ⛪ Church Growth Model Problem — 10:44 💻 Digital Cannot Replace Embodied — 12:19 📡 Technology Shapes What's Possible — 14:30 🤖 AI Isn't Built, but Grown — 15:26 ⚡ Efficiency Over Effortful Growth — 19:05 👁️ The Attention Economy Trap — 21:22 💔 Enter the Attachment Economy — 23:18 🧠 AI Creates Relational Bond — 25:27 ❓ Is This Really Human? — 27:12 🚨 Training Your Own Replacement — 29:36 🙏 Lament Before Theological Hope — 33:03 🤔 Curiosity as Vocational Superpower — 35:03 📺 Technology Inverts at Extremes — 39:08 🧠 Brain Losing Cognitive Capacity — 42:44 ⛪ The Church Must Be Weird — 53:26 🌐 Silicon Valley Exports Culture Worldwide — 57:28

April 30, 202658 min

Making Meaning by Making Enemies

Making Meaning by Making Enemies: Tribes, Mimetic Rivals, & Gospel Peace With John Houmes and Brad Edwards Why do we need enemies to feel like we belong? In this conversation, John and Brad unpack Trevin Wax's article "When the Tribe Eats the Church" through the lens of René Girard's scapegoat mechanism—revealing why communities (left and right) use the same tribal pattern to maintain unity. From mimetic desire to mythological justification, from McCarthyism to cancel culture, we're watching the same mechanism play out in real-time: communities make meaning by making enemies. But the Resurrection changes everything. 🎯 What You'll Hear • How expressive individualism evolved into tribalism • Girard's mimetic desire: we learn what to want by imitating others • The scapegoat mechanism: communities uniting through accusation and expulsion • McCarthyism vs. cancel culture—same pattern, different tribes • Why mythology hides the violence of persecution • How Christ's resurrection vindicated the innocent victim • Why double imputation means Christians don't need another scapegoat • What the church must offer: belonging rooted in worship, not enemies • How gathered worship reorders our tribal identity 💡 KEY QUOTES BRAD EDWARDS: "We don't know how to exist, how to make sense of the world and make meaning without an enemy. That is an incredible enslavement that we have willingly walked into." JOHN HOUMES: "We're living in a story that's way too small. Jesus is victorious over our deepest enemy—sin, death, and the devil. He rises from the dead in victory." 📚 RESOURCES Trevin Wax, "When the Tribe Eats the Church" (Gospel Coalition, April 9, 2026) René Girard, I See Satan Fall Like Lightning Luke Burgis, Wanting: The Power of Mimetic Desire in Everyday Life Eugene Peterson, The Pastor Michelle Margolis, From Politics to the Pews #Tribalism #Polarization #ScapegoatMechanism #RenéGirard #TrevinWax #Gospel #Church #Belonging #Identity #Discipleship #PostEverything Chapters 00:00 🎯INTRO 01:17 🏘️Trevin Wax: When Tribe Eats Church 01:44 👤What Are Tribes? Examples Everywhere 03:32 🎭Tribalism's New Function: Making Meaning 05:47 📱Eugene Peterson: Digital Ecstasy 07:30 🚫Escape Isn't Transcendence 08:51 👎Making Meaning by Making Enemies 09:15 🤖Algorithms Designed to Deliver Enemies 10:17 🏛️Digital Disembodies Everything 11:41 🐴Horseshoe Theory: Same Battlefield 14:16 💔Church Planting on Enemy Opposition 16:36 🔄Echo Chambers Refuse New Ideas 19:45 ❌Tribal Concerns Become Gospel Tests 24:24 🗳️Politics Replaced Religion as Primary 27:34 🔍Introducing René Girard 29:41 🧠Mimetic Desire: We Learn Wanting 30:52 🏆Mimetic Rivalry: Victory Over Object 34:13 🎪Scapegoat Mechanism Brings Peace 37:11 📖Mythology Justifies the Perpetrators 38:20 ☮️McCarthyism and Cancel Culture Parallel 42:30 ✝️Gospel Uniquely Sides With Victim 43:10 🙏Resurrection Breaks the Mechanism 43:55 💫Double Imputation Means No Scapegoats 45:52 📜Stories Too Small, Jeremiah Example 57:25 🤝Church: Thick Belonging, Gospel Posture

April 15, 202659 min

Paideia, Not Perfection w/ David Cassidy

Paideia Not Perfection: Kingdom Family Formation With Pastor David Cassidy What does it mean to disciple your children? It's not just rules and Bible verses. It's paideia—the ancient Greek word for formation, enculturation, shaping a person's reflexes, habits, and loves. In this conversation with Pastor David Cassidy from Spanish River Church, we explore: • Why behavior management isn't the goal (we don't want "chocolate soldiers") • The role of beauty, literature, and nature in forming kingdom citizens • How to start: Who's discipling YOU? • Why the dinner table is a sacred space • The difference between a family with Christian elements vs. a family enculturated in the kingdom • How to build resilient faith in your kids—faith that doesn't crumble when life disappoints David offers hope: this isn't about perfection. It's about direction. It's a slow drip over 18 years, not a weekend seminar. ⏱ CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:17 Welcome & Paideia overview 01:44 What is paideia? (Greek word unpacked) 04:52 Kingdom paideia vs. family with Christian elements 06:08 Theology comes at your fingertips 08:01 The centrality of love in formation 09:20 Christian worldview isn't enough 13:15 What does a resilient disciple look like? 15:40 Remember whose you are 17:11 Gospel astonishment and enjoyment of Christ 19:07 What shatters faith? 21:28 Chocolate soldiers vs. hearts of repentance 23:34 Fear of the Lord can be taught 25:12 Anti-discipleship forces 28:16 The church's role in kingdom paideia 32:34 Christian schools as an extension of discipleship 34:19 Partnership between parents, church, and school 35:05 How do we practically bring kingdom paideia home? 36:54 Who's discipling YOU? 39:11 Great classics to read 42:11 Taking trips 44:41 Slow drip, not a week-long retreat 44:53 Why the dinner table matters 47:38 Food as connector and sacred space 49:36 Three takeaways from John 📚 RESOURCES MENTIONED Ephesians 6:4 (paideia language) Edith Hamilton's Greek Mythology Augustine's Confessions Shakespearean Sonnets John Milton C.S. Lewis (The Kilns, his home) Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, Chronicles of Narnia Psalm 25 ("Remember whose you are") Westminster Shorter Catechism Heidelberg Catechism 💡 KEY QUOTES "We don't want chocolate soldiers. We want kids who have resilient faith." "Paideia is about forming reflexes, habits, loyalties, and loves. What kind of human being are we trying to produce?" "Theology comes at your fingertips—not just a statement of faith you sign your name to, but how you live." "Who's discipling YOU? That's where we start as parents." "The dinner table is not a sacrament, but it's a sacred moment." "This is about direction, not perfection. It's a slow drip over 18 years." 🎙️ ABOUT THIS CONVERSATION This is a crossover episode between PostEverything (a podcast on culture and formation) and Rooted by the River (a parenting podcast). While Rooted focuses on family discipleship, David's theology of formation through culture, beauty, literature, and everyday rhythms connects deeply to how the Church forms people in a post-Christian age. Rooted by the River is a Spanish River Church parenting podcast dedicated to equipping families to root deep in Jesus and His love. spanishriver.com | rootedbytheriver.com

April 1, 20261 hr 30 min

Compassion without Capture w/ Neil Shenvi

Neil Shenvi on Wokeness, Truth, and the Church What does it mean to respond to wokeness without panic, caricature, or reactionary tribalism? In this episode of Post Everything, Brad Edwards and John Houmes sit down with Neil Shenvi, co-author of Post-Woke, to talk about the cultural position of Christianity in 2026, the power of contemporary critical theory, and how churches can form people who are neither ideologically captured nor politically naive. The conversation explores the complexity of our current moment: Are we in a “negative world,” an apathetic world, or something even more fragmented? How should Christians think about “woke natives,” younger generations shaped by DEI frameworks, oppressor/oppressed binaries, and moral urgency? And how do pastors offer both compassion and clarity when so much of the culture is driven by polarization, fear, and identity conflict? Shenvi argues that critical theory is not merely a tool or political lens, but a worldview with its own account of identity, justice, truth, and righteousness. But he also warns Christians against responding with simplistic anti-woke rhetoric or drifting toward equally unbiblical reactionary movements on the right. Together they discuss: Christianity’s changing cultural position Why “woke” ideas appeal to younger generations The importance of reading primary sources and steelmanning arguments The danger of raising kids with no immunity to bad ideas How critical theory reshapes identity, justice, and moral authority Why worship is essential for resisting all totalizing worldviews How the Church can remain biblical without becoming reactionary This is a conversation about formation, truth, and the future of the Church in a deeply contested cultural moment. Key Themes Negative world, apatheism, and cultural fragmentation Compassionate clarity as a Christian posture Critical theory as a worldview, not just a method The formation of Gen Z and “woke natives” Identity, social binaries, and hegemonic power Reading primary sources instead of caricatures The danger of anti-woke overreaction Worship as resistance to ideological capture Chapters 00:00 Intro 02:37 Christianity’s Cultural Position 07:03 Clarity Without Dismissal 13:36 Dialogue, Sources, Truth 18:45 Theory Becomes Religion 25:29 Four Pillars Explained 30:48 When Theory Corrupts 33:41 Poison, Not Meat 35:34 The Woke Right 40:20 Gen Z's Tension 43:39 Can't Split Jesus 47:51 Formation Without God 52:10 Trust Replaces Power 57:23 Love and Truth 01:00:40 Worship Reorients Everything 01:05:33 Pillars as Religion 01:12:44 Justice Without King 01:19:23 God First Vertically 01:28:29 Get to Church

March 18, 20261 hr 3 min

Secularization Isn't Gravity w/ Stefan Paas

Secularization Isn’t Gravity Apatheism, Exile, and Mission Without Power (with Stefan Paas) Is Christianity declining in the West—or are we misunderstanding what’s happening? Missiologist Stefan Paas argues that secularization isn’t inevitable. It’s not gravity. Instead, it’s the result of millions of personal decisions—and that means its trajectory can change. In this episode of Post Everything, John Houmes talks with Paas about the rise of apatheism—a cultural moment where God isn’t rejected so much as ignored—and what it means for Christian mission in a post-Christian society. Rather than responding with panic, nostalgia, or attempts to reclaim cultural power, Paas suggests that the Church may need to rediscover something much older: faithful witness from the margins. Together they discuss: Why indifference may be a bigger challenge than hostility The surprising religious curiosity among younger generations What Christians can learn from the biblical experience of exile Why worship may be one of the most countercultural practices left How the Church can maintain its identity without resentment Why mission today may look less like conquest—and more like creating small “niches” of hope and beauty Chapters 00:00 Intro 03:50 🧐 Christianity's Current Social Position 09:20 Christian Proclamation Amidst Apatheism 11:20 ⚽️ Christians on Liverpool FC 12:00 🎙️ Proclamation through Podcasting 16:00 Worship as Rebellion 20:55 ✝️ 🇺🇸Faith Identity & National Identity 21:30 Secularization as Exile 27:30 Learning From Historic Black Church 29:00 Identity Maintenance in Exile 34:00 Formation as Preparation for Exile 35:30 ⛪️ Six Western Types of Churches 36:30 🇺🇸 American Impulses in Church Style 40:00 Love of Enemies in Exile 43:40 ⏱️ The Kingdom of God - Geography or Chronology? 44:30 Doxology & Mission Aren't Efficient 50:05 John's Favorite Paas Quote 52:53 Is God Behind Secularization? 55:00 🌎 ⛪️The Church & the World 56:00 Christian Spirituality & Identity in Exile 59:00 Secularization = Sum of a Million Decisions 1:01:45 So Many Enemies

March 4, 202632 min

Faithful in the Fracture

In this follow-up to our conversation with Dr. George Yancey, John and Brad wrestle with a pressing question: How do Christians live as holy, set-apart people—both hospitable and faithful—while navigating exile and cultural chaos? Drawing on current tensions in Minneapolis and the broader polarization shaping our moment, they explore how alienation on both the left and the right fuels entitlement, outrage, and a destructive feedback loop that makes collective problem-solving nearly impossible. But this episode isn’t just cultural analysis—it’s pastoral. Brad introduces a crucial distinction: revival chasing vs. remnant building. In a liminal age, the church’s calling may not be dramatic cultural takeover, but patient formation—becoming a people anchored in Christ, capable of loving our enemies without fear. In this episode: Why alienation is driving polarization on both sides How compassion becomes weaponized into coercion The “feedback loop” fueling culture-war escalation Why small churches may be uniquely positioned right now Revival chasing vs. remnant building Why loving our enemies is not optional Christianity Letting the Kingdom—not the culture—set the table for our faith At the heart of it all: Jesus did not come to defeat a political party. He came announcing the Kingdom of God. And He loved His enemies all the way to the cross. Hashtags: #PostEverythingPodcast #FaithfulInTheFracture #LiminalAge #ChristianLeadership #CulturalApologetics #SpiritualFormation #LoveYourEnemies #ChurchInExile Chapters: 00:00 – Intro 00:59 – Welcome Back 01:30 – The Big Question 03:39 – Beneath the Conflict 05:58 – A Human Example 07:21 – The Other Alienation 09:13 – Compassion and Power 10:53 – Entitlement Explained 13:12 – Minnesota Tensions 14:57 – The Feedback Loop 16:54 – Why It Feels Impossible 18:14 – The Small Church Moment 19:14 – Citizens in Exile 21:00 – Revival or Remnant 23:27 – Cultivating the Soil 25:09 – Human Effort, God’s Work 26:47 – Beyond the Cacophony 27:00 – The Kingdom Sets the Table 28:11 – “Are You for Us?” 29:53 – Discipleship First 30:30 – Love Your Enemies 31:47 – Closing Encouragement #FaithAndCulture #ChurchLeadership #SpiritualFormation

February 18, 202659 min

Everything is a Litmus Test w/ George A. Yancey

Identity Politics, Polarization & Moral Persuasion — with Dr. George Yancey Why does every political controversy feel like a Rorschach test? In this episode of Posteverything, sociologist Dr. George Yancey joins us to explore identity politics, polarization, and whether moral persuasion still works in a culture that rewards outrage over understanding. We discuss how framing everything through power and oppression reshapes public discourse, why polarization may be a crisis of moral formation rather than ideology, and what happens when shared moral language erodes. We also examine Tim Keller’s “Third Way,” the limits of political power, and the church’s role in forming people who can engage culture without being consumed by it. This is a conversation about truth, trust, leadership—and what kind of people we need to become in a liminal age. 🔍 Big Questions We Explore Is identity politics a strategy—or a substitute religion? When does moral persuasion break down? What happens when we lose shared moral language? What kind of people do we need to become in a liminal age? CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:15 The Cost of Identity Politics 06:59 Polarization and Its Consequences 13:38 The Evolution of Racial Dynamics 20:29 Understanding Identity Politics 28:19 Tim Keller's Third Way 34:34 Moral Persuasion and Its Challenges 40:20 The Role of the Church in Society 49:18 Navigating a Post-Secular World

February 4, 20261 hr 2 min

A.I. in Warfare & Society w/ Peter W. Singer

John and Brad welcome back renowned political scientist, ethicist and specialist on 21st century warfare, Peter Warren Singer. They discuss advancements in artificial intelligence (AI) and its implications for society. Singer reflects on the evolution of AI over the past two and a half years, highlighting both the positive and negative impacts it has had on various sectors, including politics and the economy. He emphasizes the dual nature of AI's influence, where it can drive economic growth while simultaneously raising concerns about job displacement and societal disruption. The conversation also touches on the military applications of AI, particularly in the context of the ongoing Ukraine conflict, where innovative uses of drones have transformed warfare dynamics. As the discussion progresses, Singer delves into the broader cultural and social ramifications of AI, noting how it affects personal identity and community roles. He shares insights from a survey of experts regarding the anticipated effects of AI on different aspects of life, including healthcare and social interactions. The episode concludes with a personal story from Singer about his son's charitable initiative, Cancer Kicks, which aims to support cancer patients while funding research, showcasing a positive response to adversity in the face of technological change. #warfare #artificialintelligence #cancer #dronewarfare #tech Chapters: 00:00-02:00 Intro 02:01-10:18 What's changed in two and a half years in AI? 10:18-20:29 Ukraine/Russia drone warfare and tech advances 20:30-35:00 U.S. Rivalry w/ China...and Taiwan 35:00-47:59 Military Advancements and Societal Impacts 48:00-54:05 Cancer Kicks (Peter's Son's Non-Profit) 54:06-1:07:33 John and Brad's Take-Aways Listen on: Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/2IduWunxhhDfZd8vYOGNab?si=a9c8901c0b5b43dc Apple Podast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/posteverything/id1676174977 Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/_posteverything Resources: Peter Singer books: https://pwsinger.com/books Cancerkicks: https://www.cancerkicks.org/ Cancerkicks store: https://store.cancerkicks.org/ Corporate Catalog (for groups buying with their own logo on the items): https://www.cancerkicks.org/wp-content/uploads/2025/10/CorporateCatalog.pdf

January 21, 20261 hr 21 min

Theology & Discipleship in the Age of AI w/ Michael Graham

S2E2 (#69) In this conversation, Mike Graham discusses the implications of artificial intelligence on cultural apologetics, focusing on the AI Christian Benchmark report. He explores the methodology behind the report, the theological reliability of AI outputs, and the challenges and opportunities presented by AI technology. The discussion also delves into the role of institutions, the church's response to technology, and the importance of navigating the complexities of AI in a redemptive manner. CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:00 Why Study AI? 05:30 Cultural Complexity and the Church 08:20 Is AI Just a Smarter Google? 10:15 Spiritual Questions People Ask AI 12:25 Differing Outputs from Different LLMs 17:50 Why Are the Models So Different? 23:00 Epistemological Scrambling and the Future 25:00 More on Using AI vs Googling 30:57 Gemini’s Response to the TGC Report 34:25 Will AI Disrupt Society Like Social Media Has? 41:50 TGC’s Plan for Discipleship Tools Around AI 43:10 Digital Divination 46:45 More on AI and Social Media 53:35 The Future of the Church 01:01:30 Triperspectivalism 01:02:39 The Complexity of the Future 01:08:21 Brad and John’s Take-Aways Follow Us Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/_posteverything Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PostEverythingPod

January 7, 20261 hr 9 min

A.I., Learning & Virtue w/ Alan Noble

S2E1 (#68) Alan Noble discusses the current state of higher education, the implications of AI, and the importance of holistic formation and mentorship. He emphasizes the need for community in education and the ethical considerations surrounding AI's role in learning. Noble advocates for a return to virtue and moral excellence in education, arguing that these elements are essential for preparing students to navigate a chaotic world. He also addresses the challenges posed by AI in academia and the necessity of embodying education in a community setting. #artificialintelligence #higherlearning #highereducation #virtue CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 02:06 The State of the Union of Higher Ed 08:46 What Should Higher Ed Be About? 13:25 Economics and Ideology and Education 14:54 Virtue, AI and Formation 29:59 Embodied Education and Life 37:35 Alan’s New Book: To Live Well 41:47 Are Virtues Anti-Holy Spirit? 49:48 Brad and John’s Take-Aways Follow Us Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/_posteverything Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@PostEverythingPod