Today, we explore the question of how to redeem our time in a world that constantly pulls us in different directions. What's the right balance between productivity and rest? Can we really find the right blend of work, rest, and spiritual growth? Whether it's through building skills, investing in relationships, or taking well-deserved rest, we talk about the value of asking the right questions and approaching each moment with gratitude and purpose.

01:28 The Struggle with Time Management

03:12 Cultural Norms: Hustle vs. Leisure

04:27 Three R's: Recreation, Redemption, and Rest

06:39 Defining Redemption and Holiness

13:40 Purpose and Discipline in Redeeming Time

20:28 Practical Tips for Redeeming Time

Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill

In this episode of the Be Unbound podcast, we talk with Sarah Holliday from the Family Research Council. Sarah gives us a candid look into her journey as a Christian journalist working on Capitol Hill. We discuss the challenge of fulfilling her role in reporting news from a biblical worldview, the importance of being rooted in scripture and prayer, and how to engage in politics without losing compassion for those with opposing views. Sarah's perspective has some valuable insights into maintaining faith while navigating the polarizing landscape of modern politics. You'll be encouraged by our conversation about living out your faith in challenging environments and bringing truth to a field often filled with manipulation and lies.

The Washington Stand: https://www.washingtonstand.com

Family Research Council: https://www.frc.org

03:14 Sarah's Role at the Family Research Council

06:24 Current Events and Major Headlines

11:24 Challenges and Perspectives in Christian Journalism

14:15 Sarah's Journey: From Secular University to Bible College

18:35 The 2012 FRC Incident and Its Impact

24:11 Balancing Faith and Politics

32:31 Engaging in Politics as a Christian

Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill

Welcome back for the final episode in our series about the ADULT learning framework: Act, Do, Understand, Live, and Thrive. Today, we're joined by Victoria Schurter to uncover what it means to not just survive, but create a deeply satisfying life.

In this episode, we talk about why so many of us are stuck in the cycle of chasing happiness, and why joy is a totally different (and way more satisfying) pursuit.

Jonathan opens up about the difference between dopamine-driven distraction and the kind of joy that’s rooted in something deeper. We get into how identity, faith, and even our relationships shape what we’re really chasing—and how we can stop settling for shallow happiness when we’re wired for so much more.

You’ll hear us wrestle through:

• What joy actually is (and isn’t)
• Why happiness can feel so empty
• How we can be both content and longing at the same time
• What this means for how we live day to day

This conversation felt like a reset for us, and we hope it does the same for you.

01:48 Deep Dive into the Concept of Thriving

04:08 The Challenges and Rewards of Thriving

12:46 Embracing Fear and Failure as Part of Growth

19:04 The Importance of Community and Service

22:08 Reflecting on When We Fail to Thrive

Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill

Welcome back to the Be Unbound podcast! In this episode, we’re diving into the fourth part of the ADULT model: Live. This one is big because it's all about what it actually looks like to take full responsibility for your life and live with purpose.

We brought our good friend and teammate Riley Maas back on the show for this conversation. Honestly, she’s more like family around here, and she brings a ton of insight, practical wisdom, and the kind of perspective you get from someone who’s living this stuff out every day.

Together, we unpack what it means to live a full, satisfying life. Not just one filled with fleeting moments of fun, but a life rooted in responsibility, purpose, and community. It's about choosing the kind of life that doesn't just happen to you, but one you're actively building with purpose.

If you're a young adult navigating this stage of life, or a parent walking alongside one, we hope this episode encourages you to lean into responsibility. Not as a chore, but as a path to meaning and joy.

02:08 Welcoming Riley Maas

03:09 Defining Adulthood and Responsibility

06:19 The Cultural Shift in Responsibility

18:18 The Importance of Community

26:25 Balancing Fun and Fulfillment

Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill

In this episode, we sat down with a group of high school students from Acton Academy who created something pretty incredible: a documentary called Age of Isolation. It’s all about loneliness, the loss of social connection, and how we’ve slowly let go of the “third places” that used to bring us together, like coffee shops, libraries, and bowling alleys.

We talked about how COVID-19 and social media have shaped their generation, what they discovered while making the film, and what they’re doing now through something they started called The Connection Project. Their perspective challenged us, encouraged us, and honestly gave us a lot of hope.

If you’ve felt the weight of disconnection or wondered why it’s harder to build community these days, this conversation is for you.

Find out more about "Age of Isolation" at The Connection Project Website: https://theconnectionproject.us/

02:22 Meet the Guests: Students Behind 'The Age of Isolation'

03:52 The Making of 'The Age of Isolation'

09:05 Challenges and Surprises in Filmmaking

14:23 The Importance of Third Places

18:02 Personal Experiences with Third Places

19:10 Challenges in Finding Modern Third Places

20:24 Historical Perspective on Community Spaces

21:25 Social Media's Impact on Connection

23:37 Personal Reflections on Social Media

30:49 The Role of Shared Experiences

Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill

We're back with the 3rd episode in our series, breaking down the ADULT Learning framework that guides all of our programs here at Unbound. We've already explored the first two words in the acronym: ASK, and DO. In today's episode, we talk with our resident deep thinker, Trent Emmack, about the third word in the acronym: UNDERSTAND. This conversation places us right at the heart of gaining the wisdom that's necessary to make effective choices and take the right actions. Plus, we have some exciting updates about our Ascend program that kicks off for the fall semester.

04:18 The Importance of Asking Questions

05:23 Applying Understanding in Real Life

08:48 Workplace Dynamics and Personal Growth

18:25 Understanding in Relationships and Culture

22:27 The Mindset of Continuous Learning

31:15 Trent's Real-Life Example: Handling Crisis

Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill

Welcome to a special live episode of the Be Unbound podcast! We're thrilled to have a live audience as we discuss the unique benefits of the Ascend program. From developing practical skills like time management and project execution, to fostering an extraordinary community that supports and uplifts its members, we explore how Ascend prepares young adults for real-world success. Join us as we share heartfelt stories, answer live questions, and reveal exciting new pricing options designed to make this transformative experience accessible to more students. Don't miss out on this deep dive into what makes Ascend a life-changing journey!

03:33 The State of Higher Education

06:14 Jonathan's Background in Traditional Education

09:18 The Ascend Approach to Career Preparation

16:12 Developing Practical Skills in Ascend

32:24 The Reality of Modern Work

32:40 Embracing Failure as a Learning Tool

32:56 Ascend's Unique Approach to Education

33:18 Ridgeline Project: A Case Study

35:41 Building Community and Overcoming Challenges

38:12 Supporting Military and Mobile Families

41:02 Stories of Community and Support

50:25 Program Flexibility and Enrollment

54:39 Unbound's Commitment and New Pricing

01:00:36 Final Thoughts and Contact Information

Learn more about the Ascend program: https://beunbound.us/ascend

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill

We're back with the 2nd part of our series as we unpack the ADULT model we use here at Unbound to structure all of our programs. ADULT stands for Ask, Do, Understand, Live, Thrive.

In the last episode, we talked about the importance of asking good questions and shifting to a question-based paradigm. Today, we discuss the next letter in the acronym: DO. It's not enough to ask good questions. We must put knowledge into action. Much like money that isn't invested, knowledge that isn't applied loses its potential value. We talk about the reality of modern work, whether remote or office-based, and the importance of creating value. Plus, we reflect on the critical balance between productivity and self-worth, emphasizing that our work should be a reflection of our identity and gifts, not the source of our value.

01:33 Understanding the 'Adult' Framework

02:15 The Importance of 'Do' in the Framework

03:12 Challenges of the Information Age

04:44 Remote Work and Productivity

09:21 Creating Value in Modern Work

13:39 The Philosophical Perspective on Knowledge and Action

20:02 Balancing Productivity and Self-Worth

25:51 Spiritual Perspective on Work and Identity

Learn more about Unbound: https://beunbound.us/

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill