Join Aaron in this eye-opening podcast episode with Rick Reinhardt, an expert on the intersection of urbanism and religion, as they dive into the growing crisis of America's emptying churches. With up to 100,000 churches facing closure, what happens to these historic buildings and their land? From affordable housing to community spaces, discover the challenges and opportunities of redeveloping sacred spaces in urban areas. Learn about the decline in church attendance, the financial burdens of maintaining historic properties, and innovative solutions for repurposing church real estate. Don’t miss this fascinating discussion on faith, urban planning, and the future of America’s communities!

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 - Introduction: The Church Closure Crisis)
(10:12 - Why Are Churches Closing Across America?)
(03:27 - Case Studies: Buffalo, Ottumwa, and Beyond)
(05:28 - The High Cost of Maintaining Historic Churches)
(08:05 - The Role of Churches in Communities)
(09:59 - Real Estate Opportunities: From Condos to Affordable Housing)
(12:58 - Using Church Land for Parking, Gardens, and More)
(15:27 - Affordable Housing: A Growing Trend for Church Properties)
(18:12 - Zoning and Regulatory Challenges)
(23:19 - Selling Churches: Who Buys Them and Why?)
(26:55 - Barriers to Redevelopment: Denominational Control and NIMBYs)
(30:07 - Cities and Tax-Exempt Properties)
(33:30 - Advice for Struggling Congregations)
(38:51 - Resources for Learning More)
(41:32 - Closing Thoughts)

RICK REINHARD LINKS:
🌐 Affordable Housing: YIGBY (“Yes in God’s Backyard”) Movement Seeks to Counter NIMBY Movement - https://urbanland.uli.org/property-types/housing-affordable-and-workforce/affordable-housing-yigby-yes-in-gods-backyard-movement-seeks-to-counter-nimby-movement
🌐 Can Struggling Houses of Worship Be Turned Into Housing? Not Always - https://www.governing.com/urban/can-struggling-houses-of-worship-be-turned-into-housing-not-always
🌐 Sacred Spaces, Civic Value: Making the Case for the Future of Faith-Built Assets - https://canurb.org/publications/sacred-spaces-civic-value/

CONNECT & FOLLOW:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

An inspiring conversation with Reverend Jake Dell, pastor of the First Congregational Church of Woodbury, Connecticut, founded in 1659. Rev. Dell shares his journey to become an Episcopal priest, then to taking on leadership of a dying historic church in an attempt to revive a congregation with 355 year legacy. Also discover his bold vision for a donor intent litigation trust to hold mainline institutions accountable and revive America’s Christian heritage.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 Introduction)
(01:04 Rev. Dell’s Journey to Ministry)
(05:02 The Need for Operation Reconquista)
(08:51 What Is Operation Reconquista?)
(12:29 Why Rev. Dell Is Optimistic About Revival)
(14:31 Understanding Congregational Churches)
(17:25 Reviving a 350-Year-Old Church)
(27:52 Secrets to Growing a Congregation)
(34:08 The Donor Intent Litigation Trust Idea)
(47:58 Next Steps for the Litigation Trust)
(50:01 Closing Thoughts)

REV. DELL'S LINKS:
🌐 The First Congregational Church of Woodbury - https://www.firstchurchwoodbury.org/

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron Renn as he sits down with Doug Reed, president of Partnership International and author of Ten Men: The Rich Connections Every Man Needs. In this insightful podcast, Doug explores the powerful relationships in King David’s life from the Bible, revealing the ten types of men every man needs to thrive—mighty mentors, covenant friends, spiritual fathers, and even ordained opposition. Discover how these biblical principles can transform modern masculinity and foster deep, meaningful connections.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 - Introduction)
(00:21 - About 10 Men and King David’s Relationships)
(00:47 - Why Doug Wrote About Masculine Relationships)
(02:10 - Mighty Mentors: The Role of Joab in David’s Life)
(06:26 - Covenant Friendships: David and Jonathan’s Bond)
(09:52 - The Decline of Male Friendships Today)
(14:18 - Spiritual Fathers: Samuel’s Impact on David)
(18:01 - Ordained Opposition: How Goliath and Saul Shaped David)
(26:12 - Closing Thoughts)

Buy Ten Men: The Rich Connections Every Man Needs - https://www.amazon.com/Ten-Men-Connections-Every-Needs-ebook/dp/B0D938929B/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron Renn as he sits down with policy wonk Robert Ordway to explore the vibrant and complex world of America's multiracial working class. Growing up in the steel town of Lake Station, Indiana, Ordway shares his journey from a blue-collar upbringing to working in the halls of power, offering unique insights into the values, challenges, and political shifts of working-class communities. From his roots in a Southern migrant family to his affiliations with both the NAACP and NRA, Robert’s story sheds light on the cultural and economic dynamics shaping places like Northwest Indiana. Discover how faith, family, and community anchor these communities and why figures like Donald Trump resonate with them. Don’t miss this heartfelt and revealing conversation about the heart of America’s working class.

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 Introduction)
(01:01 Why Robert Is a Life Member of Both the NRA and NAACP)
(04:34 Growing Up in Gary: A Family History)
(10:36 Life in Lake Station: A Working-Class Childhood)
(21:31 Racial and Ethnic Dynamics in Northwest Indiana)
(28:36 Politics in Lake Station: Trump and Ticket-Splitting)
(33:37 The Appeal of Trump’s Style to the Working Class)
(37:00 A Life-Changing Scholarship: From Steel to College)
(53:07 Staying Connected to Working-Class Roots)
(58:39 Conclusion: Understanding the Working-Class Heart)

ROBERT ORDWAY'S LINKS:
🌐 The Reality of America’s Multi-Racial Working Class - https://www.aaronrenn.com/p/multi-racial-working-class
🌐 Robert Ordway's Substack - https://www.robertordway.com/

CONNECT & FOLLOW AARON RENN:
🐦 Twitter/X: https://x.com/aaron_renn
🌐 Newsletter - In-depth cultural analysis: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron Renn as he dives into the alarming global fertility crisis with Daniel Hess, the voice behind the More Births X account and Substack. In this eye-opening podcast, they uncover the shocking decline in birth rates worldwide, its devastating implications for economies and societies, and what we can do to reverse this trend. From South Korea’s record-low fertility to the power of suburbs and pro-natal beliefs, this discussion is a wake-up call for anyone concerned about the future of humanity.

CHAPTERS:
(0:00:00 Introduction)
(0:01:03 Why Daniel Hess Cares About Fertility Decline)
(0:03:47 Personal Story: Raising Six Kids and Social Influence)
(0:05:00 The Case for More Births: Debunking Overpopulation Myths)
(0:08:03 South Korea’s Crisis: Highest Innovation but Lowest Birth Rates)
(0:11:29 How Severe Is the Fertility Crisis? Economic and Social Impacts)
(0:19:23 Worst-Hit Countries: China, Italy, and Beyond)
(0:23:33 Drivers of Fertility Decline: The Multifaceted “Fertility Stack”)
(0;26:46 Israel’s Secret: Pro-natal Beliefs and High Fertility)
(0:29:22 Marriage Decline: A Key Culprit in Falling Birth Rates)
(0:34:25 Housing Matters: Why Suburbs Beat High-Rises for Families)
(0:43:10 Land Ownership and Affordability: Lessons from Utah and Canada)
(0:53:01 Solutions: Education, Religious Freedom, and Policy Ideas)
(1:06:37 Closing Thoughts: A Call to Action for Pro-natalism)

Follow Daniel Hess on X: https://x.com/morebirths

Daniel Hess' website: https://www.morebirths.com/

Julian Simon's The Ultimate Resource: https://www.amazon.com/Ultimate-Resource-Julian-Lincoln-Simon/dp/0691003815/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Why did religion become obsolete? Dr. Christian Smith, a renowned sociologist from the University of Notre Dame and author of the new book Why Religion Went Obsolete, joins us to explore the cultural shifts that have led to the decline of traditional religion in America since the 1990s. From the impact of neoliberal capitalism and postmodernism to the rise of the internet and changing family structures, Dr. Smith unpacks the complex forces reshaping faith. We also discuss the rise of alternative spiritualities, the role of Christian nationalism, and what this all means for society’s future. Don’t miss this deep dive into the sociology of religion and its place in modern America!

CHAPTERS:
(00:00 - Introduction)
(00:28 - What Does "Obsolete" Mean for Religion?)
(04:40 - What Happened in 1991?)
(08:28 - Cultural Fragmentation and the Digital Revolution)
(11:20 - How Neoliberal Capitalism Undermined Faith)
(13:08 - The Impact of Postmodernism)
(15:27 - September 11 and Religious Scandals)
(18:54 - Changing Family Structures and Religion)
(20:33 - Has Postmodernism Faded?)
(23:37 - Explaining the Decline: Causal Mechanisms)
(27:30 - Religion’s Self-Inflicted Wounds)
(29:48 - What Can Religious Communities Do?)
(31:41 - The Rise of Traditionalist Micro-Movements)
(34:15 - Has the Rise of the “Nones” Plateaued?)
(39:22 - Obsolescence and the Future of Religion)
(46:22 - Societal Impacts of Religious Decline)
(52:52 - Closing Thoughts and Book Recommendation)

Buy Why Religion Went Obsolete: The Demise of Traditional Faith in America - https://www.amazon.com/Why-Religion-Went-Obsolete-Traditional-ebook/dp/B0DXSZZYPF/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

A fascinating discussion with Ian Fletcher, co-author of the comprehensive new book Industrial Policy for the United States (Cambridge University Press). In this episode, Ian unpacks the critical role of industrial policy in shaping America’s economic future, challenging the myths of free trade, and exploring how the U.S. can protect and grow its advantageous industries. From historical successes like the Morrill Act to modern challenges like China’s rise and the overvalued dollar, this conversation covers the past, present, and future of U.S. industrial strategy.

Chapters:

(00:00 Introduction)
(01:17 Regarding Free Trade)
(02:43 What is Industrial Policy?)
(04:07 National Security and Deindustrialization Risks)
(07:49 The Role of Government in Innovation)
(09:37 Defining Advantageous Industries)
(12:29 Tariffs and Strategic Industries)
(13:55 U.S. Industrial Policy Through History)
(18:26 Government’s Role in Aviation and Tech)
(23:31 Industrial Policy Failures: Synthetic Fuels & Solyndra)
(29:48 Case Study: China’s Industrial Policy Success)
(38:21 Case Study: The UK’s Industrial Policy Failure)
(43:13 What Should the U.S. Do Today?)
(49:27 Evaluating Trump’s Tariff Policies)
(53:36 Key Takeaways from the Book)
(54:28 Ian’s Advice: Trust Economic History, Not Theory)

Buy Industrial Policy for the United States: https://www.amazon.com/Industrial-Policy-United-States-Competition/dp/1009243071/?&_encoding=UTF8&tag=theurban-20

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/

Join Aaron Renn as he sits down with Philip Howard, founder of Common Good, to discuss the crippling bureaucratic red tape stifling America’s ability to build and innovate. In this eye-opening episode, Howard delves into his Manhattan Institute paper, Escape from Quicksand: A New Framework for Modernizing America, revealing how a compliance-driven system has paralyzed infrastructure projects—like the $42.5 billion broadband initiative with zero results after four years. From the New Deal’s rapid achievements to today’s endless legal labyrinths, Howard proposes a bold solution: a framework rooted in human responsibility and accountability to restore America’s can-do spirit. Tune in to learn why we’re stuck, how we got here, and what it’ll take to break free.

CHAPTERS
(00:00 - Introduction)
(01:00 - The Problem: America’s Bureaucratic Quicksand)
(04:13 - New Deal vs. Today: A Stark Contrast)
(09:13 - Extortion by Law: How the System Enables Delays)
(15:27 - Solutions: Rebuilding a Framework for Action)
(23:02 - Political Challenges: Why Reform is Tough)
(29:01 - The Role of the Judiciary in Blocking Progress)
(37:43 - Conclusion: A Call to Replace the System)

Escape from Quicksand A New Framework for Modernizing America - https://manhattan.institute/article/escape-from-quicksand-a-new-framework-for-modernizing-america

Common Good - https://www.commongood.org/

Subscribe to my newsletter: https://www.aaronrenn.com/