Q Podcast

Does social contagion play a part in young people's gender identity? In today's episode, we’re digging into our content library to share one of our most popular talks that we presented several years ago on the topic of Identity, Teens & Gender. Preston Sprinkle, a biblical scholar, interviews Helena Kerschner, a former transgender man who gives a powerful perspective. Tune in as Helena shares her personal story of transitioning and de-transitioning, and as they discuss the topic of rapid onset gender dysphoria, including the related social contagion and mental health impact. Resources Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com. More LGBTQ content from THINQ Register for Next Gen Summit, November 8-9, 2024 in Nashville.

Do you know someone who is wrestling with wanting to transition genders? How do we navigate this complicated topic from a biblical worldview? In today’s episode, we’re featuring a talk from Vernadette Broyles, an attorney who has dedicated herself to working against the accelerating gender agenda in our culture.  Let’s listen in as she shares about representing children and parents in complicated custody cases and to learn what we can do to better understand and faithfully navigate the gender agenda in our schools, in our churches, and in our parenting.   Resources Child and Parental Rights Campaign Resources Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com. More LGBTQ content from THINQ Register for Next Gen Summit, November 8-9, 2024 in Nashville. 

How do we value both male and female? Lisa Bevere, co-founder of Messenger International, helps us put into perspective the history of the LGBTQ movement and how it’s come to undermine how God very uniquely created us to be male and female. Listen in as she shares with bold conviction and encourages us to ask better questions and get informed. Resources The Fight for Female: Reclaiming Our Divine Identity Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com. More LGBTQ content from THINQ Register for Next Gen Summit, November 8-9, 2024 in Nashville.

“We are not just people who bounce back; we are people who weather storms throughout the entirety of our lives.” In this THINQ episode, author and speaker Rebekah Lyons brings a powerful message on Building Resilience in a time where we continue to see a growing mental health epidemic and the rise of suicide. Listen in as she unpacks the 5 Rules of Resilience she’s discovered in her personal journey and pursuit of building a resilient life. If you want to learn more on this topic, you can check out her book Building a Resilient Life at rebekahlyons.com. Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

What does it look like to live a life of true freedom? In this episode, Author and Pastor Jonathan “JP” Pokluda draws us nearer to God and the freedom He has for us. JP brings the hard truth of the gospel and challenges us to submit to God's authority. Listen in as JP tells us about the healing and freedom God intends for us to have and have abundantly. Resources: Sign up for Next Gen Summit, November 8-9, 2024 in Nashville. Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

Do you live in a "fast faith" or a "sacred slow"? Author and speaker Alicia Britt Chole calls out how we’ve normalized being busy and distracted in our culture. But what is that doing to our hearts, minds, and souls? Tune in as she encourages us to embrace boredom, become more attentive to God's presence, and understand He is with us in every moment. Resources: Sign up for Next Gen Summit, November 8-9, 2024 in Nashville. Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

If you aren't convicted about the small things in your life, will you be convicted about the big things? Revivalist Luke LeFevre gives a unique perspective as a young adult ministry leader about how the next generation is gradually descending into compromise because they don’t realize how far they are from God and His Word. Tune in to this episode of the THINQ Podcast as Luke challenges us to consider our calling toward being a holy people in a culture that is controversial to our faith. Resources: Sign up for Next Gen Summit, November 8-9, 2024 in Nashville. Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

Do you believe science has its roots in Christian thought? In this episode, Gabe talks with Dr. Denis Alexander, Emeritus Director of The Faraday Institute for Science and Religion and Emeritus Fellow of St Edmund's College, Cambridge. They discuss what science can and can’t tell us. They also discuss Dr. Alexander’s books, including his latest, Coming to Faith Through Dawkins, which is a compilation of the faith journeys of 12 men and women from different backgrounds who all reached the same conclusion: that Christianity is more intellectually undeniable than New Atheism. Listen in as they highlight a few of these stories and how Christian theology dispels even the strongest arguments New Atheism makes. Resources: Coming to Faith Through Dawkins Is There Purpose in Biology?: The Cost of Existence and the God of Love Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

Since Biblical times, God has used dreams to talk to people.  In this episode, Gabe interviews Connie Svob, Assistant Professor of Clinical Psychology (in Psychiatry) at Columbia University Irving Medical Center and the Whitaker Scholar in Developmental Neuropsychiatry. They discuss the significance of dreams and memories and how they intersect our faith and mental health. Connie shares from her research and makes the distinction between nightmares, existential and transcendent dreams. She also describes her work to bridge autobiographical memory, religious beliefs and mental health. Listen in as Connie reveals how dreams can help us make sense of the world around us. Resources: Learn about LifePlan Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

Is there intelligent life outside of earth? In this episode, Gabe poses this question and many others to Dr. Luke Barnes, a theoretical astrophysicist, cosmologist and postdoctoral researcher at Western Sydney University. Dr. Barnes is a Christian whose faith inspires him in his work to explore God’s unique creation and look for patterns and reasons behind what’s happening in the universe as a whole. Tune in as they talk about stars, planets, galaxies, and supercomputer simulations that reveal what would happen if even one particle or force is changed in the universe. Resources: A Fortunate Universe: Life in a Finely Tuned Cosmos Closer to Truth episodes Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

In this episode, Gabe discuss people’s perceptions of God with Dr. Kathryn Johnson, an associate research professor in the Department of Psychology at Arizona State University. Dr. Johnson has developed a scale for measuring how people think about God, based on the theory that people generally view God as either authoritarian or benevolent. Listen in as they discuss how these perceptions direct people’s values, beliefs, and behaviors. Plus, hear how non-human agents, like diseases, artificial intelligence, and demons, also play into people’s perceptions and how they interface with God. Resources: Exorcisms & Demonology - Adam Blai  Spiritual Warfare Q&A – Adam Blai and Gabe Lyons Confronting Demons – Fr. Carlos Martins Demons and Exorcisms Q&A – Fr. Carlos Martins and Ryan Bethea Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

In this episode, Gabe speaks with Dr. Ian Hutchinson, Professor of Nuclear Science and Engineering at MIT, about his research in the field of fusion energy and how it relates to his faith in God. As a plasma physicist, Dr. Hutchinson describes the marvels in the universe created by God he’s witnessed through his work. Dr. Hutchinson dispels several cultural myths that science is somehow at odds with the Christian faith. From his own research and that of several famous scientists throughout history, such as Galileo and Isaac Newton, Dr. Hutchinson shows us there is in fact a deep consonance between science and Christianity. Tune in to find out how he encourages parents to cultivate environments for children where science and faith are compatible. Resources: Dr. Hutchinson’s Book: Can a Scientist Believe in Miracles?: An MIT Professor Answers Questions on God and Science Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

Do you remember your very first image or concept of God? Your first thoughts about death and the afterlife? In this episode, Gabe talks to Dr. Melanie Nyhof, a developmental psychologist at Carthage College who conducts cross-cultural developmental research examining the development of religious and cultural concepts. Gabe and Melanie specifically discuss her research of children’s cognitive development related to how they view God and the afterlife. She explains that in addition to different religious and cultural practices, various other sources can influence a child’s first interpretations and understanding of God, such as TV shows, movies, and even cartoon-like drawings of God in children’s bibles. Tune in to learn what advice Melanie offers to parents as they help their children cultivate an understanding of and belief in God. Resources: Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com.

“...in no way could [the theory of evolution] replace, much less undermine, morality,” says Dr. David Lahti, Assistant Professor of Biology at Queens College, City University of New York. In this episode, Gabe has a fascinating conversation with David, covering everything from the learned behaviors of birds and what makes birds happy to why young people are leaving the church. They dive into the age-old nature-nurture debate and discuss why scientism cannot explain away morality. Tune in to hear more about Dr. Lahti’s research and the complexities he’s found at the intersection of idealism, scientism, and cultural relativism. Resources: Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com. Lahti Lab Veery Bird Song

In this episode, Gabe interviews Dr. Rosalind Picard, a renowned scientist, inventor, engineer, and member of the faculty of MIT's Media Lab. Rosalind helps us define and understand affective computing and what role empathy, emotion, and human connection have in relation to A.I. and other technologies. They talk about the relational and ethical tensions in building technologies that people come to rely on. Rosalind also shares a powerful example of how wearable technologies can save lives.  Listen in as Gabe and Rosalind ask the tough questions around affective computing and discern whether or not we’re becoming more or less human with the help of these technologies. Resources: Create a free THINQ Account to access more trusted content like this on topics from all channels of culture at thinqmedia.com. Rosalind’s Ted Talk: An AI Smartwatch that Detects Seizures MIT's Media Lab Affective Computing Research Group MIT's MindHandHeart Initiative Center for Neurobiological Engineering

“…the Bible gives us a grounding for what it means for us to be human, but science can give us a bigger window into the mechanics of how we then apply that meaning on a day-to-day basis,” says psychiatrist and author Dr. Curt Thompson. In this episode, Gabe continues our Science and Faith series with Curt, discussing how God has designed our brains to function and how much this design reveals the unique nature of every human being. Curt draws neurobiological correlations to the biblical narrative, specifically about our human need for relationship in order to flourish. He shares how our lack of relationship and community caused by our cell phone and social media usage is driving the mental health crisis. Tune in to hear what Curt suggests we can do to simplify our lives and foster community, comfort and confidence in ourselves and our children. Resources:  https://curtthompsonmd.com THINQ Talk: Mental Health Practices, Curt Thompson THINQ Talk: Q&A: Mental Health + Suicide, Curt Thompson, Scott Sauls,

“In the United States, we wait for people to bottom out,” says New York Times bestselling author and psychologist Lisa Miller. But she reminds us “we were built for this,” describing how God designed and equipped us with an awakened brain made of three circuits that we can access: We are guided. We are loved and held. And we are never alone.  THINQ Co-Founder, Gabe Lyons, kicks off our special Science and Faith Series with Lisa, discussing the compelling science and data behind our human capacity for spirituality and how our brains literally become more resilient and robust as we engage in our faith and relationships. Tune in as Gabe and Lisa dig into how important this truth is for combatting suicide and mental health issues, specifically in our military and our children. You’ll learn ways to encourage and prioritize spiritual development and promote mental and physical health. Resources: The Awakened Brain: The New Science of Spirituality and Our Quest for an Inspired Life The Spiritual Child: The New

People seem to be waking up. Awake to God’s heart, to hope and to the possibilities that what we’ve read about in days of old could happen again. Asbury University represents a place where the veil became thin and we want to have a conversation about it and what it may mean for all of us. What God is doing in Asbury wasn’t meant to stay in Kentucky, it’s meant to permeate our families, our churches and our homes. Engage with a special edition podcast where Rebekah Lyons and Grant Skeldon discuss their inspiring and challenging experience visiting Asbury.

In this episode, Q Ideas president Gabe Lyons reflects on some of the most important moments at our events this year. As the year comes to a close, we've appreciated being able to go back, slow down, and think about some of this year's big ideas. While there are prevailing cultural narratives, as Christians we have a unique place to stand due to our access to eternal truth. May that truth sustain us as we head into the new year.  As our gift to you, watch any of these full talks in its entirety. Visit qideas.org/top10 to find them all.

Technology is forming us. Our longing for relationship makes our devices seem especially alluring, but do they give us what we long for? Moreover, who is technology inspiring us to become? Felicia Wu Song, professor at Westmont University, joins us to talk about these very questions. This episode is the last episode in our 5 part series on character and virtue.