The World and Everything In It (Oct 3, 2025)

Episode Summary:
This episode explores the intersections of conscience, culture, and spiritual revival in America, discusses the surprising contributors to the “Reagan” movie soundtrack, and captures the joy and competitive spirit of rock skimming in Pennsylvania. The hosts, along with guest Katie McCoy, engage in timely discussions about the implications of AI in media, the contours of current spiritual revival, and honor the late preacher Voddie Bauckham. Additional reporting provides in-depth looks at both music and community traditions.

Main Segment 1: Culture Friday – AI Actors, Conscience, and Revival

[06:40 - 21:24]

The Rise of AI in Hollywood

• Discussion kicks off around "Tilly Norwood," an AI-generated actress starring in a fully AI-written comedy sketch.
• Hosts and guest Katie McCoy delve into both business and ethical anxieties caused by this innovation:
  • Katie McCoy [08:11]:
    “This is actually pretty terrifying ... we've long been desensitized to the idea of dividing parts of the human identity. So why should the simulation of a body have any meaning? … we are sleepwalking into a nightmare.”
  • The discussion covers how AI blurs real vs. virtual reality, with real-time consequences for both the entertainment industry and society's understanding of personhood:
  • Katie McCoy [10:25]:
    “The difference is quite simply that animation, we recognize that we're seeing in animation. With these AI creations, it's designed so that you don't realize you're looking at an artificial construction of a human being.”
• The proliferation of AI raises significant ethical concerns, especially with regard to objectification and commodification, such as the emergence of “cyber brothels” in Germany.

The Human Image: Theology and AI

• Katie McCoy articulates a biblical worldview:
  • Katie McCoy [11:41]:
    “At the core of it … humanity is in the image of God, has a capacity for a relationship with God. … An AI is not in the image of God. It's in the image of man.”

Potential Silver Linings?

• Michael Knowles’s tongue-in-cheek suggestion that AI may save some women from the pitfalls of Hollywood is quickly teased out for deeper implications:
  • Katie McCoy [12:40]:
    “Women are still going to have their lives ruined through the increasing objectification and commoditization ... through the advancement of AI.”

Are We Experiencing a Revival?

• Attention turns to the question of spiritual revival in America, drawing on comments from John Stonestreet and influential pastors:
  • John Stonestreet emphasized the hallmarks of true revival:
    “Jesus is exalted, sin is abhorred and repented of. … It's happening in churches with highly doctrinal preaching, strong preaching, and it's happening among young people.” [14:24]
  • Josh Howerton’s assertion that political conservatism fosters Christian growth is discussed:
    • Josh Howerton [15:06]:
      “When political conservatism spreads, more people become Christians... Conservatism in general calibrates the conscience in such a way that it pushes people toward the God from whom the principles came.”
• Katie McCoy agrees that revival is happening and ties it to the societal roles of law, moral order, and mediating community institutions:
  • Katie McCoy [16:05]:
    “We’re seeing people come to Christ. … There’s an emphasis on faith, family, personal responsibility, respect for authority [in conservatism] … These mediating institutions ... provide far more social cohesion ... and loyalty.”
  • Quotes John Adams:
    “Our constitution was made only for a moral and religious people. It is wholly inadequate to the government of any other.” [18:53]

Remembering Voddie Bauckham

• Tributes given to preacher Voddie Bauckham, recently passed at 56:
  • Katie McCoy [19:23]:
    “Anytime you can still remember what a preacher said 20 years later, you know, there was something really special about it… he told us things I had never heard before, like how reliable Scripture was… It bolstered my faith.”
  • She recalls Bauckham’s signature line:
    “It's not true because it works. It works because it's true.”

Main Segment 2: Soundtrack to a President – “Reagan” Music Feature

[22:34 - 30:28]

What’s New on the Reagan Biopic Albums

• Music critic Arsenio Orteza reviews two newly released albums tied to the Ronald Reagan biopic:
  • The “official motion picture soundtrack” and an album of “Songs Inspired by the Film.”
  • Notable tracks:
    • Scott Stapp (Creed) – “Swinging on a Star”
    • Mariah – “Bei Mir Bist Du Schoen”
    • Robert Davi – Sinatra classics
    • Commodores, Kathie Lee Gifford, and more– new love songs reflecting the Reagan/Nancy romance
  • Arsenio Orteza [23:45]:
    “One is the official motion picture soundtrack, the other an album of songs inspired by the film. … The good news is that the albums were worth the wait.”

Noteworthy Musical Cameos

• Bob Dylan records “Don’t Fence Me In” for the film’s credits:
  • Mark Joseph, producer [28:58]:
    “Don't Fence Me In kind of summarizes both Bob and Ronald Reagan in one swoop. You can't predict what Bob Dylan's gonna do next … and the same with Ronald Reagan.”
• Gene Simmons of KISS covers “Stormy Weather” after a private screening.
• The soundtrack is lauded for variety and star power, drawing a parallel between the unpredictability of its contributors and Reagan himself.
• Story of Lauryn Hill’s emotional response and impromptu song-writing for previous collaborations is recalled.

Main Segment 3: Competitive Rock Skimming – A Slice of Americana

[30:55 - 37:25]

The Rockin’ River Festival, Franklin, Pennsylvania

• Amy Lewis reports from the annual rock-skipping competition:
  • Young competitors, “Sully” (7) and Ben (8), battled for the kids’ trophy, with winning skips of 29 and 31, respectively.
  • Sully [31:32]:
    “I would have got first if Ben wouldn't get 31 … He was still going to share the fudge with me though.”
• The culture and science of rock skipping:
  • Kurt Steiner, world champion (record: 88 skips):
    • Kurt Steiner [32:41]:
      “88 clear skips … judges ... gave an 88 and an 89 and a 90. So I submitted the 88 for the record.”
  • Steiner discusses technique: targeting near the body, unique middle finger grip.
• International perspectives:
  • UK “skimming” focuses on distance; Japan highlights aesthetics; Allegheny’s festival draws global and local amateurs alike.
• Contestant Katina Earhart on teaching and perfecting the art:
  • Katina Earhart [34:06]:
    “Find the biggest, bulkiest, weirdest shaped rock … and say, I'm gonna get two skips out of this. Start throwing things that shouldn't skip, and then you find a flat rock and like, ooh, that sails.”
• Festival finale:
  • Steiner wins again with 41 skips; Ben and Sully aspire to ‘professional’ level.
  • Ben [36:59]:
    “My favorite part, I could find my 31 … like, went straight, so I try to find it.”
  • Advice for beginners: plant your feet, throw at an angle, don’t aim flat.

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “This is actually pretty terrifying… we are sleepwalking into a nightmare.” – Katie McCoy on AI actors [08:11]
• “It’s a great opportunity… to talk about what is truly a human being.” – Katie McCoy [11:41]
• “When political conservatism spreads, more people become Christians... Conservatism in general calibrates the conscience” – Josh Howerton [15:06]
• “Anytime you can still remember what a preacher said 20 years later ... there was something really special about it.” – Katie McCoy on Voddie Bauckham [19:23]

Episode Flow & Highlights

• [00:05–06:32]: News headlines (terrorist attack in England, U.S. policy on drug cartels, government shutdown, market news, earthquake in the Philippines, Ten Commandments law in Texas)
• [06:32–21:24]: Culture Friday with Katie McCoy (AI in Hollywood, spiritual revival, tribute to Voddie Bauckham)
• [22:34–30:28]: Reagan biopic soundtrack feature – Arsenio Orteza
• [30:55–37:25]: Competitive rock skimming at Rockin’ River Festival – Amy Lewis
• [37:25–End]: Wrap-up, credits, encouragement to worship and sign-off

Tone & Style

The episode combines thoughtful, measured cultural analysis (grounded in Christian worldview) with both joyful Americana storytelling and critical engagement of new technologies. The tone is reflective, sometimes witty, with a respectful and conversational style.

Useful for listeners who missed the show:
This summary covers all key discussions, highlights moments of humor and insight, and offers direct quotes for the core takeaways—a deep dive into AI’s impact on culture, the signs and implications of revival, appreciation for Christian thinkers past and present, and a vivid community portrait of an age-old sport.