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 us
• And 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

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

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 point
• The difference between experiences and purpose
• Why chasing “fun” without meaning leads to emptiness
• The real gap behind “I don’t know how to be an adult”
• Education systems vs. real-world preparation
• Why purpose (telos) matters more than specific life skills
• The Christian vision of purpose beyond occupation or career
• Why responsibility—given early and often—is the key to maturity
• How resilience is built slowly, not magically overnight
• Why 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

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 growth
• The difference between truth and “what’s working right now”
• Andy’s journey from homelessness to bestselling author
• Why biographies changed the trajectory of his life
• How questions lead to better thinking—and better living
• Writing as discipline, not inspiration
• Letting go of “my best plan” in favor of God’s will
• Why contentment and ambition aren’t opposites
• Andy’s vision behind Wisdom Harbor and building a better culture
• How 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.com
• Wisdom Harbor — wisdomharbor.com

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

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill

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 good
• How we can help young people avoid loneliness and unhealthy digital intimacy
• The long Christian tradition of “choosing not to participate” in destructive cultural patterns
• What firearms, hunting, and craftsmanship teach us about using the world’s tools redemptively
• How strong Christian community makes destructive behaviors look absurd—not appealing
• And 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

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 way
• Climbing the Stockhorn in Switzerland and standing where Germany, France, and Switzerland meet
• A Churchill pilgrimage: Chartwell, gravesite, statues, and more
• The shock of stepping into churches nearly 1,000 years old
• Generational vision: why cathedrals were designed by people who knew they would never see them completed
• How beauty in architecture points us toward God
• The contrast between European cathedrals and American utilitarian church design
• Why many beautiful buildings now house spiritually empty congregations
• The inverse question: Can ugly or neglected church buildings reflect theological problems?
• The role of emotional experience in worship and whether beauty can be misused
• Examples from David’s current church and its intentional cultivation of beauty
• A 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

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

In this powerful episode of the Be Unbound Podcast, we sit down with Pastor Dakota Smith, senior pastor of Ottawa Bible Church in Kansas—a church that has grown from 70 to 700 people in just six years. Dakota shares why he believes this growth is the fruit of simple, consistent faithfulness: preaching God’s Word, cultivating personal integrity, prioritizing discipleship, and developing future leaders.

We talk about the beauty and the cost of pastoral ministry, the dangers of legalism and license, and the incredible movement of God happening among young adults today. If you care about the local church, student discipleship, and long-term faithfulness in ministry like we do, you'll definitely learn something from this episode.

Here are a few things that we cover:

• Dakota’s background as a pastor, missionary, Bible teacher, and father of (soon) six
• How Ottawa Bible Church has grown by 1,000% — and why the strategy is simply obeying Scripture
• The difference between ministry and discipleship, and why it matters
• Why many churches struggle to train leaders — and how Dakota is changing that
• Legalism, licentiousness, and true Christian liberty
• How young people can understand spiritual growth without chasing metrics
• The cost of leadership: criticism, conflict, and learning humility
• The deep joys of ministry: reconciled marriages, salvation stories, and generational discipleship
• Why Dakota believes the harvest among students and young adults is plentiful right now
• A hopeful vision for the future of the church

05:08 Keys to Church Growth and Discipleship

13:55 Balancing Legalism, Licentiousness, and Liberty

21:06 Challenges and Joys of Ministry

38:52 Encouragement and Final Thoughts

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

Hosts: Jonathan Brush, David Rethemeyer

Producer: Kyle Hill