The Be Unbound Podcast

Be Unbound
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The Be Unbound Podcast teaches young adults and their parents how to ask the right questions, take action, and understand key truths that will enable them to live well, by showcasing conversations with guests who display what it looks like to be extraordinary at the ordinary.

  1. Everyone Should Be a Runner

    6D AGO

    Everyone Should Be a Runner

    This episode started the way some of our favorite conversations do: by accident. Right before we hit record, David made a bold claim: everyone should be a runner. We hadn’t talked it through, we hadn’t outlined it, and we hadn’t even agreed on it. So naturally, we decided to hit record and see where the conversation went. We talk about why physical discomfort matters, why distance running in particular teaches patience and mental endurance, and how doing hard things on purpose shapes the way we handle everything else. From goal-setting and planning to community, habit-building, and resisting temptation, this conversation connects physical training to Christian formation in a surprisingly direct way. You don’t have to love running to get something out of this episode. But you might finish it thinking differently about comfort, discipline, and the kind of person you’re becoming. What We Talk About David’s bold claim that everyone should be a runnerThe difference between short, intense effort and long, patient enduranceWhy distance running is as much mental as it is physicalGoal-setting, failure, and learning how to adjust when plans breakHow physical discomfort trains resilience for everyday lifeWhy modern life has eliminated most natural “resistance training”The surprising connection between physical training and resisting temptationThe danger of comparison—and why the only real competition is with yourselfTraining not to win races, but to be ready for life Whether it’s running, lifting, hiking, cold mornings, disciplined routines, or something else entirely—find a way to regularly do something that’s hard, inconvenient, and requires you to tell yourself, “Do it anyway.” Thanks for starting this new year with us. We’re grateful you’re here, grateful for this community, and excited about what this season holds. As always, be unbound. Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/ Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer Producer: Kyle Hill

    31 min
  2. Andrew Pudewa: Reading, Writing, and the Fight to Stay Human

    JAN 7

    Andrew Pudewa: Reading, Writing, and the Fight to Stay Human

    Welcome to 2026! This episode is special for us—not just because it’s our first episode of the new year, but because we get to kick things off with a conversation we’ve been looking forward to for a long time. We’re joined by Andrew Pudewa, and if you’ve ever heard him teach, you know that when Andrew starts talking about education, language, and the human mind, you lean in. This conversation ranges widely from AI and education, to reading and writing, to entertainment, creativity, and what it actually means to live a full human life in a hyper-digital age. Along the way, we wrestle with questions like: What happens to the soul when entertainment replaces creation?Why does reading a book change the way we think in ways videos never do?How does writing force clarity in a world that rewards speed and shortcuts?Why using AI as a counselor or companion should deeply concern usAnd what it looks like to be deliberate rather than reactive in how we use technology This isn’t an anti-technology episode. We’re not calling for retreat or nostalgia. We are calling for discernment. We believe AI, like every powerful tool before it, will do both good and harm—and Christians shouldn’t be surprised by that. The real question is whether we’ll choose to stay fully human in the middle of it. If you’re a parent, educator, student, or simply someone trying to think clearly in a noisy world, this episode will challenge you, encourage you, and probably make you reconsider how you spend your time and attention. We’re grateful to start the year with this conversation, grateful for Andrew, and grateful for you for listening with us. Welcome to 2026. As always, Be Unbound. Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/ Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer Producer: Kyle Hill

    50 min
  3. Best Of - College Students Have Become Human AI Assistants

    12/31/2025

    Best Of - College Students Have Become Human AI Assistants

    As we wrap up 2025 and head into the new year, we're sharing one of our most talked-about conversations from the past year. Because if anything, it feels even more relevant now than when we first recorded it. In this episode, we dig into a growing crisis in higher education: students who are increasingly disengaged, underprepared, and incentivized to outsource their thinking to AI. We talk through a sobering article by a longtime philosophy professor describing today’s “average” college classroom, alongside reporting that shows just how widespread AI cheating has become, even at Ivy League schools. But this isn’t just a rant about “kids these days.” What we’re really wrestling with here is the deeper issue: when education becomes purely transactional, curiosity dies, integrity erodes, and students are trained to become assistants to machines rather than thoughtful, creative humans. We contrast that reality with what we see every day in environments built around purpose, community, and meaningful learning—and why those alternatives matter more than ever. We also zoom out to ask some bigger questions: What does this mean for the future of work? What kind of people are we forming when convenience replaces character? And how do we choose a better path for ourselves and for the next generation? There are some troubling trends happening around us, but there's always hope. There are better ways forward, and we believe choosing them has never mattered more. Thanks for listening with us this year. We’re incredibly grateful for this community and excited for what’s ahead in 2026. Until then, be unbound. Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/ Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer Producer: Kyle Hill

    37 min
  4. Best Of - No Such Thing as "Adulting"

    12/24/2025

    Best Of - No Such Thing as "Adulting"

    Since this episode is airing on Christmas Eve, we’re doing what we hope you’re doing too—slowing down, stepping away from the usual rhythm, and spending time with family. While we take a short break from recording, we wanted to bring back one of the most downloaded and most talked-about conversations from the past year. This episode started, quite honestly, because Jonathan heard the word “adulting” one too many times. What followed was a wide-ranging, honest, and surprisingly deep conversation between the two of us and our friend Trent Emmack about responsibility, purpose, young adulthood, and why our culture seems so confused about what it actually means to become an adult. We talk about... Why the word “adulting” drives us crazy (and what it reveals culturally)How college became an extended holding pattern instead of a launch pointThe difference between experiences and purposeWhy chasing “fun” without meaning leads to emptinessThe real gap behind “I don’t know how to be an adult”Education systems vs. real-world preparationWhy purpose (telos) matters more than specific life skillsThe Christian vision of purpose beyond occupation or careerWhy responsibility—given early and often—is the key to maturityHow resilience is built slowly, not magically overnightWhy this work matters for families, churches, and civilization itself This is one of those conversations that keeps coming back up as we talk with each other, parents we talk with, and the young adults who are trying to find their footing. The topics we talk about in this episode haven’t gone away, and if anything, they’ve become more important. Whether you’re a parent, a mentor, a pastor, a young adult, or just someone who cares about the future, this episode gets to the heart of what’s actually broken—and what we can realistically do about it. And if you happen to be listening on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day, we hope you’re surrounded by people you love and moments that matter. Thank you for walking with us through another year of conversations, questions, and challenges that really matter. We’re grateful for you, grateful for this community, and excited about what’s ahead. Merry Christmas, and as always, Be Unbound! Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/ Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer Producer: Kyle Hill

    35 min
  5. Best Of - Andy Andrews: How to Become a Professional Noticer

    12/17/2025

    Best Of - Andy Andrews: How to Become a Professional Noticer

    This week, as the Christmas season is here and we take a short break to be with family and friends, we wanted to bring you one of our favorite and most meaningful conversations from the Be Unbound archive. This episode features bestselling author and speaker Andy Andrews—someone whose thinking has deeply shaped both of us and the way we approach teaching at Unbound. Andy joined us earlier this year to talk about something that sounds simple but is surprisingly challenging: how we think. He shares his remarkable story—from living under a pier after losing his parents, to becoming “The Professional Noticer”—and explains why the greatest threat to reaching our potential isn’t what we don’t know, but what we’re absolutely sure we do know. What We Talk About Why certainty can actually shut down growthThe difference between truth and “what’s working right now”Andy’s journey from homelessness to bestselling authorWhy biographies changed the trajectory of his lifeHow questions lead to better thinking—and better livingWriting as discipline, not inspirationLetting go of “my best plan” in favor of God’s willWhy contentment and ambition aren’t oppositesAndy’s vision behind Wisdom Harbor and building a better cultureHow beauty, excellence, and storytelling shape formation across generations Why We’re Replaying This Episode This conversation continues to shape how we think, teach, and lead. Andy has been a quiet mentor to us for years, and every time we revisit this episode, we’re reminded to slow down, think more deeply, and stay curious, especially in a world that rewards fast answers. If you’ve heard this episode before, we hope it meets you in a new way this season. If this is your first time hearing Andy, we’re really glad you’re meeting him here. Andy Andrews — andyandrews.comWisdom Harbor — wisdomharbor.comLearn more about Unbound at https://beunbound.us/ Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer Producer: Kyle Hill

    41 min

  6. 12/10/2025

    The Sin and Redemption in New Technologies

    In this episode, we sit down together to process a pretty startling headline: teens forming romantic relationships with AI. But instead of letting the shock factor drive the conversation, we dig into the deeper question—what does it look like to live as awake, intentional Christians in a world shaped by both technological opportunity and human brokenness? As we talk, the discussion moves from AI to hunting rifles, from the nature of culture to the roots of Christian realism. We share why so many people operate subconsciously, why believers are called to look reality full in the face, and how the gospel invites us not just to resist broken culture but to create something better. Along the way, we explore: Why new technology almost always gets used more for sin than for goodHow we can help young people avoid loneliness and unhealthy digital intimacyThe long Christian tradition of “choosing not to participate” in destructive cultural patternsWhat firearms, hunting, and craftsmanship teach us about using the world’s tools redemptivelyHow strong Christian community makes destructive behaviors look absurd—not appealingAnd yes… even the unexpected connection to a classic hymn If you’re thinking about AI, parenting, discipleship, or simply trying to follow Jesus in a complicated world, this conversation is one we think you’ll find grounding, clarifying, and encouraging. And because you're dying to hear the song mentioned at the end of the show, here's a link to enjoy the rock version of A Mighty Fortress is Our God. 01:39 AI and Its Impact on Relationships 05:20 Christian Realism and Technology 11:17 Practical Advice for Young Christians 28:11 The Role of Community and Church 32:39 Concluding Thoughts and Hymn Reflection Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/ Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer Producer: Kyle Hill

    39 min
  7. What Old Cathedrals Teach Us About Beauty, Worship, and the Church Today

    12/03/2025

    What Old Cathedrals Teach Us About Beauty, Worship, and the Church Today

    Today, we welcome back our friend and teammate Trent Emmack—fresh off a three-week journey across Europe and the UK. From climbing a Swiss Alp to visiting Churchill’s estate to wandering through one-thousand-year-old churches, Trent brings a fresh set of reflections on architecture, beauty, and what past generations believed about building for the glory of God. We explore why historic churches were built to last for centuries, what these massive undertakings reveal about generational vision, and how their beauty shapes our understanding of God. We also wrestle with a modern dilemma: why so many breathtaking cathedrals today house dwindling congregations, and why many American churches have swung to the opposite extreme—valuing utility over beauty. This wide-ranging conversation touches on art, theology, craftsmanship, emotional experience, and the ways our physical spaces influence our spiritual lives. Whether you’ve stood in the shadow of a European cathedral or have only ever worshiped in a gym-turned-sanctuary, this episode helps you think more deeply about what our buildings say about our beliefs. Highlights & Topics Trent’s first trip outside the U.S. and the biggest surprises along the wayClimbing the Stockhorn in Switzerland and standing where Germany, France, and Switzerland meetA Churchill pilgrimage: Chartwell, gravesite, statues, and moreThe shock of stepping into churches nearly 1,000 years oldGenerational vision: why cathedrals were designed by people who knew they would never see them completedHow beauty in architecture points us toward GodThe contrast between European cathedrals and American utilitarian church designWhy many beautiful buildings now house spiritually empty congregationsThe inverse question: Can ugly or neglected church buildings reflect theological problems?The role of emotional experience in worship and whether beauty can be misusedExamples from David’s current church and its intentional cultivation of beautyA conversation on craftsmanship, liturgy, and how physical spaces form the soul 03:00 The Significance of Religious Architecture 08:55 Comparing Church Experiences 13:37 The Role of Beauty in Worship Spaces 21:23 Theological Reflections on Church Buildings Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/ Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer Producer: Kyle Hill

    40 min
  8. College, the Trades, and the Jobs Available Right Now

    11/26/2025

    College, the Trades, and the Jobs Available Right Now

    Today, we take a deep dive into one of the most urgent and misunderstood issues facing young adults today: the shifting landscape of work, higher education, and the trades. We've had some recent conversations with local business leaders about what they're looking for in their employees, and the common trends are surprising. We explore why the traditional “go to college, get a white-collar job” path is breaking down, and why blue-collar careers and trade skills are creating unprecedented opportunity. In This Episode, We Cover: • The disappearing stigma of trades work. Cultural narratives over the last 50 years pushed young people away from trades, but those assumptions are now completely outdated. • The real economics behind the college pipeline. Government subsidies, admissions incentives, US News rankings, and the pressure on schools made college the default option for everyone, even when it wasn’t a good fit. • The reality employers are facing today. Businesses across the country (from electricians to welders to refrigeration specialists) are desperate for skilled workers. This shortage is reshaping the job market. • Why trades are now one of the fastest paths to six-figure earnings. Trades work is more stable, more future-proof, and often more lucrative than many college-track careers. • The danger of simply replacing “go to college” with “go to trade school”. Not every trade requires formal schooling, and in many cases, companies will gladly pay you to learn on the job. • The power of hybridization. There are virtually limitless career paths with autonomy, income, and entrepreneurial potential when you combine four essential skills. 01:40 The Growing Demand for Tradesmen 03:36 The Shift in Higher Education 06:00 The Reality of Blue Collar Jobs 06:37 The Impact of Government and Rankings on Education 09:41 The Rise of Trade Schools 15:42 Entrepreneurial Opportunities in Trades 18:59 Hybridization: Combining Trades with Modern Skills 21:55 Real-Life Success Stories 25:36 The Potential of Community-Based Trade Businesses 33:09 Conclusion: Embracing a Different Path 35:04 Unbound's Ascend Program Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/ Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer Producer: Kyle Hill

    38 min
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Ratings & Reviews

4.8
out of 5
16 Ratings

About

The Be Unbound Podcast teaches young adults and their parents how to ask the right questions, take action, and understand key truths that will enable them to live well, by showcasing conversations with guests who display what it looks like to be extraordinary at the ordinary.

Information

  • Creator
    Be Unbound
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    198
  • Rating
    Clean
  • Copyright
    © All rights reserved.
  • Show Website
    The Be Unbound Podcast

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