In this episode of the Current Reality Podcast, hosts Michael Clary and Wade Thomas discuss the profound impact of absent or sinful parents on children's lives. They examine historical and cultural trends contributing to the increasing father and mother hunger in modern society. The episode explains various statistics which illustrate the rise of single-parent households, children born to unmarried women, and the normalization of dual-income families. Hosts critique the valorization of single-parenthood and feminism's influence on family dynamics. Michael and Wade argue that fathers provide authority, stability, and discipline, while mothers bring warmth, beauty, and life to a home—elements essential for a child's development. They address the silence on maternal sins and call for a balanced critique of both paternal and maternal failures. Ultimately, the podcast offers a message of hope, encouraging listeners to strive to be the nurturing and present parents they may not have had themselves, emphasizing God's grace in overcoming these familial wounds.

00:00 Introduction to the Current Reality Podcast

00:44 Exploring Father and Mother Wounds

02:40 The Impact of Absent Parents

10:05 Andrew Tate and Distorted Masculinity

19:17 Career Women and Motherhood

35:23 The Crisis of Single-Parent Households

46:41 The Role of Stepparents

47:29 Personal Experiences with Stepparents

50:40 The Impact of Government on Family Issues

52:07 The Crisis of Multiple Partners

52:53 The Cost of Working Mothers

55:15 The Emotional Impact of Daycare

01:00:19 The Importance of Fathers

01:13:23 The Role of Mothers

01:22:09 Addressing Feminine Sins

01:29:53 A Reason for Hope

For questions or comments, send us an email at currentrealitypodcast@gmail.com.

Our church is Christ the King Church in Fort Thomas, KY.

The Current Reality Podcast is a resource of King's Domain, Fort Thomas, KY.

Follow us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/dmichaelclary

https://twitter.com/wadethomasjr

Michael's Book "God's Good Design" is now available everywhere

• God's Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality
  

In this episode of the Current Reality Podcast, hosts Michael Clary and Wade Thomas discuss the impact of stories in shaping our understanding of the world, particularly from a Christian perspective. They cover how stories teach us what is true, normal, and beautiful, and the ways in which popular media subtly catechizes us. The episode includes examples of good stories and literature, highlights the importance of recounting personal and biblical narratives, and offers practical advice for discerning media consumption. They emphasize the necessity of putting yourself in true stories, especially those found in the Bible, and the formative role of the church in helping believers maintain a biblical worldview.

00:00 Welcome to the Current Reality Podcast

00:25 Setting the Scene: Recording in a Pediatrician's Waiting Room

01:55 The Magic of AI in Audio Editing

04:49 Future-Proof Christianity Conference

11:08 The Importance of Stories in Shaping Beliefs

20:33 Contrasting Worldviews in Fiction: Tolkien vs. Martin

32:10 The Impact of Atheistic Narratives

47:20 Chance and Randomness in Modern Storytelling

49:59 The Power of Stories in Shaping Beliefs

50:26 Analyzing Sci-Fi Narratives: 2001 and Prometheus

53:40 The Influence of Music in Movies

55:55 Subversive Themes in Modern Films

56:29 Normalization of Controversial Topics Through Media

58:14 Romance Novels and Their Impact on Women

01:05:56 The Role of Fiction in Shaping Worldviews

01:13:21 Critique of Modern Nature Documentaries

01:15:48 Recommendations for Good Fiction and Biographies

01:24:19 The Importance of Christian Family Histories

01:29:13 Unmasking Cultural Sophistry

01:30:57 Biblical Stories as a Source of Truth

01:34:54 Reasons for Hope in a Secular World

For questions or comments, send us an email at currentrealitypodcast@gmail.com.

Our church is Christ the King Church in Cincinnati, OH.

The Current Reality Podcast is a resource of King's Domain, Cincinnati, OH.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• University of Notre Dame article on Tolkien’s faith

• Desiring God on Tolkien and Lord of the Rings

• George R.R. Martin on Religion

• Jennifer Lee, writer and director of Frozen on her documentary “Feminist: Stories from Women’s Liberation.”

• Jennifer Lee Women’s History Month Interview with Disney

Follow us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/dmichaelclary

https://twitter.com/wadethomasjr

Michael's Book "God's Good Design" is now available everywhere

• God's Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality
  

In this episode of the Current Reality Podcast, hosts Michael Clary and Wade Thomas from Christ the King Church discuss a listener-requested topic on opting out of childbearing. The hosts examine why married couples, particularly Christians, should not deliberately avoid having children. They explore historical Christian teachings, biblical directives, and practical arguments, dismantling the narrative that children are merely financial burdens. Furthermore, they stress the importance of prioritizing family over material comforts and discuss the broader societal impacts of declining birth rates. They provide hope grounded in God's goodwill, the gospel's assurance, and the church's role, encouraging listeners to re-evaluate their views on parenthood within the light of Scripture.

00:00 Introduction to the Current Reality Podcast

00:20 Transition to Fort Thomas, Kentucky

01:24 Today's Topic: Opting Out of Childbearing

03:05 Historical and Biblical Perspectives on Childbearing

04:53 Modern Contraception and Moral Considerations

07:18 The Decline in Birth Rates and Its Implications

13:26 Cultural Narratives on Childbearing

26:55 Biblical Teachings on Marriage and Childbearing

47:24 The Cost of Raising Children: Myth vs. Reality

51:25 Personal Experiences and Family Dynamics

54:05 Cultural Expectations and Comfort

56:07 Financial Decisions and Moral Agency

57:13 Biblical Perspective on Family and Comfort

01:03:42 Economic Realities and Leisure Time

01:07:32 Childcare Costs and Family Structure

01:10:51 Historical and Cultural Comparisons

01:13:46 The Value of Children and Family

01:26:46 Biblical and Theological Insights

01:34:21 Encouragement and Personal Testimonies

01:41:22 Final Thoughts and Reasons for Hope

For questions or comments, send us an email at currentrealitypodcast@gmail.com.

Our church is Christ the King Church in Fort Thomas, KY.

The Current Reality Podcast is a resource of King's Domain, Fort Thomas, KY.

Resources mentioned in this episode

• Parents Magazine Article on People Opting Out of Having Kids

• 24/7 Wall Street on Home Sizes by Decade

• Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis on American Leisure Time

• Christianity Today Article on Married Couples Opting Out of Childbearing

• Christianity.com article on Married Couples Opting Out of Childbearing

  
  

Follow us on Twitter

https://twitter.com/dmichaelclary

https://twitter.com/wadethomasjr

Michael's Book "God's Good Design" is now available everywhere

• God's Good Design: A Biblical, Theological, and Practical Guide to Human Sexuality