The RYM Podcast

The Dopamine Delusion - Episode 7: Concluding Thoughts

In this final episode of the season, the hosts and guests pull back the curtain on the making of The Dopamine Delusion. They discuss the season’s highlights—including wisdom from Anna Lembke, Arcadian Wild’s theme song, the launch of RYM’s Substack, and the creative editing process.

Join the conversation about how dopamine shapes our lives, as well as the simple, actionable steps families and leaders can use to model healthier digital habits.

The Dopamine Delusion - Episode 6: Dopamine and Sports Betting

Daniel Darling and Kurt Cooper join host John Perritt to unpack how legalized sports betting and addictive apps exploit dopamine, target young men, and threaten families and communities. They discuss the predatory tactics of the industry, the role of technology, pastoral concerns, and practical steps for parents and churches to warn and help those at risk.

The Dopamine Delusion - Episode 5: Dopamine and Sexuality

Therapist and author Jay Stringer explains that sexuality is a beautiful, God-given gift and that unwanted sexual behaviors—pornography, affairs, fantasy—can be navigated in a path toward healing rather than a life sentence.

Combining original research and the science of dopamine, he shows how childhood wounds, family patterns, and digital dopamine loops shape desire, and offers practical guidance for parents and leaders to form healthy sexual desire through proactive and responsive conversations.

The Dopamine Delusion - Episode 4: Dopamine and Consumerism

This episode examines how modern marketing taps into our deepest spiritual longings—the "God-shaped vacuum"—and uses dopamine-driven techniques to influence behavior, especially among children and teens.

Guest Walt Mueller unpacks persuasion strategies and individualized targeting via social media and AI, showing how ads sell worldviews as much as products.

Practical takeaways include nurturing a biblical identity for kids and recognizing marketing's tactics to help families think critically about media and consumerism.

The Dopamine Delusion - Episode 2: Dopamine 101 & Our Broader Culture

Host John Perritt and co-host Linda Oliver interview Dr. Anna Lembke, author of the book Dopamine Nation, about how dopamine shapes desire, addiction, and motivation in today’s tech-saturated world. Dr. Lembke explains how overstimulation from social media, food, and games can blunt dopamine signaling, creating a chronic reward deficit that drives compulsive behavior.

They discuss why teenagers are especially vulnerable, imparting the value of dopamine breaks and boredom for resetting reward pathways, as well as practical steps for individuals and society to reduce digital harms. 

The Dopamine Delusion - Podcast Trailer

This is the trailer episode of The RYM Podcast's brand new season of "The Dopamine Delusion: Parents, Teens, and the Pursuit of Peace." This trailer begins with a clip from Netflix's Secret Mall Apartment, recounting how local artists secretly built and lived in a hidden cinderblock-walled apartment beneath Providence Place Mall for four years, leading viewers to ask the question, "why?"

One potential answer to this question and many others is the elusive topic of dopamine and the effects it has on our day to day actions and desires. The RYM Podcast will spend several episodes this season in a brand new video format discussing dopamine from a Christian perspective, featuring experts like Anna Lemke and discussions on sexuality, consumerism, and sports betting to help parents and youth leaders understand and guide the next generation.

Digital Christianity - Episode 15: Where Do We Go From Here

Join us as we revisit the iconic 2007 Macworld keynote by Steve Jobs where he unveiled the revolutionary iPhone, merging music, mobile phones, and internet communication into a single device. Discover how this launch shaped the future of technology and communication.

Dive into a critical discussion on digital Christianity and the challenges faced by today's youth amidst the growing influence of technology and social media. We'll also explore conversations in the media from actors and creators like Stephen Graham and David Harbour, as they reflect on societal pressures, the responsibility of nurturing young talents, and the role of community in addressing the challenges brought by social media and digital fame.

Technology in our modern age is a difficult road to navigate, especially with youth. Our last episode of the series reminds us that there is really only one answer--the Gospel of Jesus Christ. 

Digital Christianity - Episode 14: The Exhausting and Strenuous Process of Scrolling

In this episode of the RYM Podcast, host John Perritt touches on the pervasive issue of digital addiction and its impact on our lives. With insights from Bill Smith, pastor and author of "A Student's Guide to Rest," and A.J. Swoboda, professor and author of "Subversive Sabbath," the discussion reveals the challenges of balancing technology with true rest.

Exploring themes of productivity and busyness in today's fast-paced world, our guests emphasize the need for a digital Sabbath—a dedicated time to disconnect from screens and reconnect with the Lord.

Tune in to discover how implementing a digital sabbath into your weekly routine can be a transformative act of discipleship, fostering spiritual formation and health.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zh-AcF_4Hao

https://www.crossway.org/books/scrolling-ourselves-to-death-tpb/

https://www.amazon.com/Obsessed-Your-Phone-Disconnecting-Connect/dp/194813036X

https://www.amazon.com/Track-Rest-Students-Guide/dp/1527108449

Digital Christianity - Episode 13: Breaking Up With Our Devices

In this episode of 'Digital Christianity', we delve into the profound impact of smartphones on our relationships and on our own souls. Explore how a community comes together to combat digital addiction through a 28-day digital fast, fostering increased devotion and reduced distractions.

Hear firsthand from Joey Odom, co-founder of Aro, a tech platform designed to encourage time away from phones and strengthen family and spiritual bonds. Learn how religious groups can lead the charge in transforming the digital landscape, inspired by the collective action principles shared by Jonathan Haidt and successful stories from various churches.

Join us as we examine the role of technology in our lives and discover actionable steps to reclaim control and rediscover what truly matters.

Digital Christianity - Episode 12: Rejecting and Redeeming Technology

In Episode 12 of Digital Christianity, "Rejecting and Redeeming Technology," we dive into the pervasive presence of technology in modern life, particularly focusing on its impact on worship and education. Join us as we explore how digital devices distract churchgoers from meaningful worship and pose significant challenges in classrooms, affecting children's educational outcomes and mental health.

You'll hear a past clip from a public seminar given by Sophie Winkleman on how social media and screen time are changing societal dynamics, leading to a crisis in collective spiritual and mental well-being. We also hear from Patrick Miller and Jen Pollock-Michelle, who discuss the dangers of school-issued screens and the complexities of parenting in a digital age.

Additionally, Dr. Read Schuchardt offers a glimpse into the lifestyle of the Amish, highlighting their thoughtful approach to technology and the lessons contemporary Christians might actually learn from them. As we grapple with balancing technology's benefits and pitfalls, this episode urges us to consider rejecting harmful aspects while redeeming its potential for good.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7V6nucKFK88

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/dear-pastor-bring-your-bible-to-church/?amp=1

https://www.thegospelcoalition.org/article/resist-school-screens/