Podcast Summary

Podcast: The World and Everything In It
Episode: 11.21.25 Culture Friday on marriage without mission, a review of Wicked: For Good, and Listener Feedback
Date: November 21, 2025
Hosts: Myrna Brown, Nick Eicher
Featured Guest: John Stonestreet (Colson Center, Breakpoint Podcast)
Special Segments: Colin Garbarino (Wicked for Good review), Listener calls and feedback

Episode Overview

This episode examines key cultural topics through a biblical lens, with a particular focus on contemporary confusion about the purpose of marriage, a critical review of the film "Wicked for Good," and a heartfelt listener feedback segment. The hosts and guests discuss new data on Gen Z’s attitudes about marriage, shifts in public Christian traditions in Europe due to security threats, and the mixed messages presented by modern entertainment. The episode concludes with thoughtful listener responses, reinforcing the show's commitment to field reporting and long-form, theologically grounded storytelling.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

Culture Friday: Gen Z and the Mission of Marriage

(07:00–18:30)

Gen Z’s Contradictory View of Marriage

• Barna survey: Gen Z values the idea of marriage but is the generation least likely to believe marriage is important for raising children.
  • Nick Eicher (07:11): “If you detach marriage from its mission, what exactly is it that you’re valuing?”
• “What is marriage for?”
  • John Stonestreet (08:02):

    “We’ve lost what marriage is. We’ve lost what marriage is for. And this study, I think, just points to that... It even points to it in the church.”

  • Marriage historically viewed as a cornerstone for building an adult life, not just a capstone for personal fulfillment.
  • Jesus' teaching in Matthew 19 is highlighted—marriage is a created institution aligned with God’s design, containing both primary (mission, creation mandate) and secondary (personal fulfillment) purposes.
• The “bounce back” thesis:
  • Nick Eicher (10:45): “If Gen Z says it values marriage even if not for the right reasons, is that still a meaningful opening?”
  • John Stonestreet (11:42):

    “It’s good news to like marriage rather than not like marriage…part of that is just the challenges of reality.”

  • The challenge: prevailing culture reduces marriage to adult happiness, requiring a re-categorization and clear articulation of marriage’s intended purpose.
• Gender trends: More young men than women want to marry—a reversal of previous trends, possibly reflecting diverging values among young adults.
• Saving the West:
  • Reference to late Charlie Kirk: preserving the institution of marriage is key to cultural renewal and supporting young men.
  • John Stonestreet (13:28):

    “There’s not a saving of the lost boys of the West outside of rebuilding the institution of marriage. If you have a broken down marriage culture, you have broken down young people.”

Christian Culture under Threat in Europe

(14:18–18:23)

• Germany’s Christmas markets are being canceled, not for lack of interest, but due to unaffordable security costs following terror threats.
• Myrna Brown (14:18): “What happens when public expressions of Christianity require extraordinary security just to continue?”
• John Stonestreet (15:40):

  “Civilizations don’t last forever…this choice is being made. It is not important enough to maintain these traditions…this was known up until yesterday as common sense, and now it’s called something else.”

• He connects the decline in public Christian practices to broader cultural and demographic changes, suggesting a victory for competing worldview systems and foreseeing a possible grassroots revival in response to loss of tradition.
• Reference to Samuel Huntington's "clash of civilizations" thesis—ongoing cultural fault lines between Islam and the post-Christian West.
• Uncertain future: Will cultural attachment to traditions like Christmas markets prompt a return to Christian practices or continued decline?

Movie Review: "Wicked for Good"

(19:41–25:09)
Reviewed by Colin Garbarino (WORLD’s Arts & Culture Editor)

Overall Assessment

• The sequel “Wicked for Good” opens, picking up after the previous film. While the original was acclaimed for its exuberance and joy (“a joyful romp full of over the top dance numbers,” 20:07), this installment is “a bit of a letdown” (21:41).
• The film is tonally darker, with the protagonists now in adult, adversarial roles instead of enjoying carefree college days.
• Colin Garbarino (21:41):

  “Last year’s Wicked felt like such a triumph because it was fun…this movie isn’t as good as the first one. It’s not entirely [director] Jon M. Chu’s fault. The Broadway musical’s best songs come during Act 1.”

Notable Criticisms

• The second act’s music is less memorable, pacing is slow, and the story is much more emotionally heavy.
• Increased suggestiveness: The film includes a more overtly suggestive bedroom scene than is typical for a PG-rated film.
  • Colin Garbarino (23:30): “Parents might want to think twice about bringing young children.”
• Thematically, the movie explores the moral ambiguity of its characters:
  • Colin Garbarino (24:08):

    “No one’s good. No one’s Wicked. We’re all just doing stuff, trying to survive…It starts to feel like postmodern moral relativism.”

• The film’s condemnation of tyranny and “oppression of truth” is overshadowed by the sense that there’s no absolute truth, just personal narratives.

Memorable Quotes

• “Think of what we could do together.” (23:27, Nick Eicher quoting film dialogue)
• “I know I’m who I am today because I knew you.” (23:01, film song sequence)

Listener Feedback

(25:37–32:12)

Aviation & ATC Privatization

• Laura Laster (Letourneau University pilot and professor): Warns that privatizing air traffic control would make learning to fly more expensive and less accessible compared to the US’s current system. Advocates for policy (Aviation Funding Stability Act) to insulate FAA operations from future shutdowns. (25:57)

AI and Human Relationships

• Megan Blanchard: Responds to prior commentary about Christian engagement with AI, underscores the importance of keeping relationships “with things that have a heartbeat” and the subtle ways digital relationships encroach on human living. (26:47)

US Border and God’s Kingdom

• Jeb Rice: Cautions against equating God’s work solely with the US, reminding listeners God’s purposes transcend national borders. (27:47)
  • “Our commands from God can be fulfilled anywhere in the world, not just in the US.” (28:10)

Reporting & Global Coverage

• Sally Driscoll, Mary Norton: Express gratitude for the podcast’s field reporting, particularly on Ukraine, Nigeria, and Sudan. (28:38–29:36)
  • Mary Norton: “Thank you for having Boots on the ground…That encourages me to keep praying for the people of Ukraine, the people of Nigeria and Sudan.”

Long-form Interviews

• Matt Brown, Lorraine from Menifee, Paul Kingsnorth: Praise for the long-form episode with CCM pioneer Twila Paris; listeners highlight its rich theological conversation and the role of Christian music as spiritual encouragement. (29:48–30:28)

Preview: Paul Kingsnorth Interview

• Teaser for in-depth conversation with author Paul Kingsnorth on his book “Against the Machine”—exploring humanity’s quest to control creation, technology, and the age-old temptation to "be as gods." (30:49–31:47)
  • Paul Kingsnorth: “We have been trying to build a world in which we are in control...it’s the same story that played out in the first book of Genesis where we decide...to become as gods.”

Notable Moments and Quotes

• “We’ve lost the plot. We’ve lost what marriage is. We’ve lost what marriage is for.”
  —John Stonestreet (08:02), on why Gen Z is confused about marriage’s meaning

• “If you have a broken down marriage culture, you have broken down young people, and eventually the need outgrows the ability to meet the need.”
  —John Stonestreet (13:28), on marriage as foundational for individual and civilizational health

• “No one’s good. No one’s Wicked. We’re all just doing stuff, trying to survive.”
  —Colin Garbarino (24:08), critiquing the film’s postmodern moral relativism

• “If, as a Christian, I thought God only was active in the United States, then we should let everybody come here…God is extremely active all over the world.”
  —Jeb Rice (28:07), on a global Christian perspective

Important Segment Timestamps

• Gen Z and the Purpose of Marriage: 07:00–14:18
• Christmas Market Closures in Germany & Public Christianity: 14:18–18:23
• Wicked for Good Review: 19:41–25:09
• Listener Feedback Highlights: 25:37–32:12
• Paul Kingsnorth Interview Teaser: 30:49–31:47

Episode Tone & Language

• Thoughtful, biblically anchored analysis
• Nuanced cultural critique with both concern and hope
• Respectful, engaged responses from listeners and hosts

This episode of The World and Everything In It offers a considered examination of how foundational concepts—like marriage, tradition, and objective truth—are being reexamined or eroded in today’s culture. The hosts and guests underscore the importance of return to biblically grounded understandings, strong institutions, and a countercultural witness in both public life and personal relationships. The listener feedback affirms WORLD Radio’s impact in providing in-depth, faith-driven journalism and conversation.