The RYM Podcast is brought to you by Reformed Youth Ministries. Since 1972, RYM has sought to reach and equip youth for Christ. This podcast aims to equip youth leaders, pastors and parents with the same desire. For more information on RYM’s summer youth conferences, training offerings and resources, visit rym.org.
Episodes
4 days ago
4 days ago
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.
Monday Mar 24, 2025
Monday Mar 24, 2025
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/
Monday Mar 17, 2025
Monday Mar 17, 2025
This episode of Digital Christianity delves into the profound effects of smartphones and social media on our lives, featuring insights from comedian Bo Burnham and Dr. Read Schuchardt. As these digital tools become increasingly integrated into our everyday existence, Burnham highlights the evolving nature of phones and their spiritual interaction with our lives. Dr. Schuchardt discusses the pervasive grip smartphones have on youth, advocating for a return to tangible, embodied experiences.
Listeners will explore the societal pressure to engage constantly with technology and the potential to reclaim personal focus and meaning. Additionally, Jen Pollock Michel and Dr. Schuchardt emphasize the importance of balancing digital interactions with real-world connections, underscoring the value of church and community in cultivating a rich, meaningful life.
https://www.crossway.org/books/scrolling-ourselves-to-death-tpb/
Monday Mar 10, 2025
Monday Mar 10, 2025
This episode of Digital Christianity explores the parallels between a 1961 dystopian story and the current challenges faced by today's generation with our guest Collin Hansen from The Gospel Coalition. We delve into the impact of constant digital notifications on teenagers and how they deal with declining attention spans. We also highlight the struggles preachers face in maintaining attention and authority in the age of smartphones, where an abundance of information and distractions are at everyone’s fingertips.
https://www.crossway.org/books/scrolling-ourselves-to-death-tpb/
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
Saturday Mar 01, 2025
In Episode 9 of Reformed Youth Ministries' "Digital Christianity," we dive into the pervasive issue of addiction in our tech-driven world. Drawing insights from Anna Lembke's book, Dopamine Nation: Finding Balance in the Age of Indulgence, we explore the intricate balance between the pleasures and pains of modern life, and how technology has become a new frontier for addiction.
The episode features Patrick Miller, a pastor and podcast host, as he navigates the intersection of faith and technology, emphasizing both the benefits and risks of digital engagement. Join us as we uncover how modern media designed for dopamine release influences today's culture and faith practices.
https://www.crossway.org/books/scrolling-ourselves-to-death-tpb/
Monday Feb 24, 2025
Monday Feb 24, 2025
In this episode of Digital Christianity, explore the subtle but significant ways TikTok potentially harms its users. Delve into the concerns raised by Dr. O. Alan Noble about the platform's algorithm-driven content that can distort perceptions of beauty and encourage detrimental filter bubbles. Discover insights on the hidden pressures of social media, the dangers of glorifying mental health struggles, and the potential consequences of these digital interactions on the youth. With references to articles and discussions on the future of social media platforms, this episode challenges listeners to reconsider the role and impact of TikTok in their lives.
https://www.npr.org/2024/10/11/g-s1-27676/tiktok-redacted-documents-in-teen-safety-lawsuit-revealed
https://www.honest-broker.com/p/are-social-media-platforms-the-next
Monday Feb 17, 2025
Monday Feb 17, 2025
In this episode of Digital Christianity, we dive into the intricacies of living authentically in a digital age. Through firsthand accounts, including the tragic story of Dave Hollis, we explore the pressures of performative online lives and their impact on our humanity. Join us as we discuss how faith and wisdom can help navigate the digital landscape, highlighting resources like 'Digital Liturgies' by Samuel D. James. We also reflect on personal experiences that illustrate the profound changes that disconnecting from social media can bring, inviting listeners to consider a more human-centered approach to their digital interactions.
Monday Feb 10, 2025
Monday Feb 10, 2025
In this thought-provoking episode, we explore the complexities of identity in the age of social media and technology. The discussion delves into "confessional intimacy," a term coined to describe the personal and often revealing nature of online interactions. We question whether social media platforms help or hinder our self-awareness and investigate the alluring yet elusive quest for wisdom and guidance in a culture increasingly moving towards digital interactions.
We also address the phenomenon of online voyeurism and the strong human desire for insider information, examining how it shapes both content creators and consumers. Moreover, the episode highlights the struggle for genuine human connection in a world where artificial intelligence and influencers often play a significant role in shaping our perceptions and behaviors.
Join us as we seek wisdom from Jen Pollock Michel, Andy Crouch, and Brett McCracken for practical advice on maintaining genuine human connections despite the digital onslaught, urging listeners to be mindful of their embodied existence and to seek out real-life interactions that foster authentic community and personal growth.
Monday Feb 03, 2025
Monday Feb 03, 2025
In this episode, we explore the profound impact of technology on culture through the lens of influential thinkers Neil Postman and Andy Crouch. Delve into Crouch's personal journey with technology, his insights into the societal effects of digital advances, and his advice on cultivating healthier relationships with our devices. Discover the importance of embodied living and reconnecting with nature in an increasingly disembodied world. Join us as we discuss how to nurture meaningful conversations and relationships in a digitally-driven society.
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Monday Jan 27, 2025
Join us for a captivating discussion about Dr. Neil Postman, a renowned scholar in semantics and communication theory. As the former chair of the Department of Culture and Communication at NYU, Postman has been a prominent voice on the societal impacts of technology and media. In this episode, we explore his skepticism of technological progress and the profound influence of his classic work "Amusing Ourselves to Death." Listen in as we delve into Postman's foresight into today's media-saturated world and the enduring relevance of his critiques.
Hear firsthand accounts from those who knew Postman personally and professionally, as they share insights into his teaching style and storytelling prowess. The episode also connects Postman's theories with present-day media phenomena, drawing parallels to predictions made in seminal dystopian works. As listeners, you'll gain an understanding of why Postman's perspectives continue to resonate in the digital age.