Podcast Summary

Podcast: This Past Weekend w/ Theo Von
Episode: #607 - Young Amish Male
Host: Theo Von
Guest: Timothy (Young Amish man from Lanesboro, MN on Rumspringa)
Date: September 3, 2025

Overview

In this episode, Theo Von sits down with Timothy, a young Amish man currently on his Rumspringa, to discuss life within the Amish community, the intricacies of Amish tradition, differences with the outside world (“English”), and Timothy’s personal experiences and future decisions. Through stories, humorous exchanges, and thoughtful questions, the episode provides a rare inside look at Amish culture, beliefs, daily living, and the complexities facing young Amish people choosing their path.

Key Topics & Insights

1. Amish Language, Heritage, and Education

• Pennsylvania Dutch: Timothy shares that Amish in his community speak Pennsylvania Dutch (a dialect of German), not standard German, though they learn to read and sing hymns in German at school (03:15–04:10).
  • “Pennsylvania Dutch is like a dialect of German… We learn, like, to read and spell it, but I don’t understand most of the German that I’m reading.” — Timothy [03:15]
• Amish Schools: One-room schoolhouses serve grades 1–8, with all children taught together by one teacher. Students arrive by horse and buggy, and classes include hymn singing, reading, and “arithmetic” (26:01–27:20).
  • “One year we actually had like 25 kids in the building. That was the most we ever had… everyone’s sitting in the same room.” — Timothy [26:40]

2. Distinct Community Life

• Church Structure: Amish worship is done in homes, rotating from family to family every other week. Setting up for church is a communal task (09:18–10:55).
  • "All of our church happens at our homes... we take turns." — Timothy [10:06]
• Labels for Non-Amish: Non-Amish are called "English" in English, or "ho hilet" ("high people") in Pennsylvania Dutch (11:38–11:56).

3. Rules, Cultural Practices, and Humor

• Rumspringa: Rumspringa begins at about 16–16.5 years old. Most Amish youth participate, allowing them to explore life and make choices about joining the church, often involving more freedom and secret activities (16:24–17:14, 40:11–43:54).
  • “It’s kind of spontaneous when it happens. Your parents are like, ‘you can go,’ and then you just go.” — Timothy [40:11]
• Consequences for Leaving/Returning: If someone leaves before officially joining the church, the reaction varies by family; if after, they may be shunned (43:05–43:54).
  • "If you leave and you're already a member… you get shunned." — Timothy [43:05]

4. Social Life, Recreation, and Dating

• Daily Fun: Amish kids play games like "rapid" (a dodgeball/rabbit hybrid), hide-and-seek, and board games, often all together regardless of gender (28:34–31:01).
• Dating: Dating usually begins on Rumspringa, often at “singings” and community parties. Intermarriage can occur between second cousins, but never first; genetic closeness is discussed openly (31:42–32:32).
  • “My mom and dad… weren’t allowed to date until they were 18, but now it basically happens whenever now. As soon as you join Rumspringa.” — Timothy [64:58]
• Attraction and Sex: There is little to no sex education; kids are left to learn on their own or via technology (55:25–56:01).
  • "All that stuff, you actually have to, like, figure out." — Timothy [55:40]

5. Modern Influences & Secret Technology

• Phones & Snapchat: Many young Amish secretly own smartphones, especially using Snapchat to communicate (67:03–67:15, 87:20–87:51).
  • “Pretty much every Amish that has a phone, that’s not for business… has Snapchat. That’s how we communicate. It’s like our new messenger pigeon.” — Timothy [87:41]
• Music & Media: Although “officially” forbidden, young Amish enjoy a range of music on the down-low, from country and classic rock to EDM and rap (“house music really bumps when you turn it up!”) [07:34–08:03, 75:51–76:45].
  • “If you turn that stuff all the way up, it really shakes something… that building starts shaking.” — Timothy [07:34]
• Movies: Some Amish youth (often during Rumspringa) watch DVDs and sneak media; titles mentioned include Dukes of Hazzard, Grumpy Old Men, and Weird Al’s "Amish Paradise" (14:04–14:57, 76:33–76:43).

6. Family, Discipline, and Community Philosophy

• Family Ties: Family and the broader Amish community are described as very close, supportive, and mutually interdependent, especially in times of hardship, illness, or need (72:08–74:31).
  • “If someone gets hurt or needs help, the whole community will come together and help pay or build or whatever’s needed.” — Timothy [71:56]
• Respect and Discipline: Children receive discipline, often a few swats if they misbehave. “Discipline seems to be stronger in the Amish community” (69:16–70:13).
• Mental Health: Depression and disorders are less common compared to the general U.S. population due to strong social ties and communal support (83:01–83:48).

7. Work, Roles, and Gender

• From Farms to Trades: Where past generations primarily farmed, now many Amish work in construction, cabinet/furniture-making, other crafts, or retail (72:58–74:09).
• Gender Roles: Women primarily manage the home, children, gardening, and even finances. Men work outside, but offer help at home as needed (57:24–58:36).
• Strong Cooking & Traditions: Amish food is celebrated, with favorites like garlic breadsticks, mashed potatoes with applesauce (to cool hot food!), and classic desserts (shoofly pie, peanut butter pie) (58:47–60:00).

8. Unique Traditions & Misconceptions

• Distinct Holidays: Amish children celebrate Valentine’s Day at school (with lunch box swaps), but not Halloween due to its "devilish" origins (84:19–86:19).
• Misconceptions: Most people think all Amish are the same; in reality, there are many branches, each with distinct rules and customs (88:13–89:06).
  • "There's not a single community that's exactly the same… there’s always a little bit of rules or difference." — Timothy [88:33]
• Modern “English” Life: Timothy is fascinated (and a little alarmed) by life outside the Amish world, including hotel stays, electricity, technology, TVs, and the ever-present McDonald's [94:43–94:46].

9. Rumspringa: Experiences and Reflections

• Exploring the Outside: Timothy speaks of driving a Corvette, going on a helicopter ride, attending concerts, and preparing to go skydiving—his first-ever airplane experience (47:35–93:01).

  • “This week is… I think this is a week I’ll never forget… I’m gonna go on a plane for the first time, and jump out of it.” — Timothy [92:13]

• Future Decisions: Timothy hasn't decided yet if he’ll join the church or leave; the lack of a local bishop complicates official membership, and he weighs the pros and cons (79:07–79:44, 91:28–91:57).

  • “The final decision… probably in, like, two years or so. It’s a big decision.” — Timothy [79:07]
  • “I like the Amish lifestyle… the food and all that stuff is good. The only thing I don’t like too much are the rules.” — Timothy [91:56]

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On not having ADD or ADHD:
  • Theo: “Do they have ADD in the Amish community?”
    Timothy: “I don’t even… what do you know? What is ADD? I’m not even quite sure.” [04:42]
• On hiding phones:
  • “Amish hide their phones in the barn, back of the buggy, sometimes a culvert… and hope it doesn’t rain.” — Timothy [87:23]
• Amish vs. ‘English’ Names:
  • “So, if we’re talking English, we call regular people ‘English’ people. In Pennsylvania Dutch, ‘ho hilet’—literal translation is ‘high people’.” — Timothy [11:38]
• On Modern Life Temptations:
  • “There’s a lot of people in the world trying to get back to the roots of their culture… I almost feel like you guys are already there. In some ways.” — Theo [93:48]
• On Amish Snapchat Usage:
  • “That’s how we… communicate. It’s like our new messenger pigeon.” — Timothy [87:41]

Timestamps for Important Segments

• Amish Language & School: 02:34–06:01, 25:43–28:34
• Cultural Rules & Church Life: 09:18–10:55, 40:11–43:54
• Rumspringa Details & Experiences: 16:24–17:14, 47:35–49:59, 92:13–93:19
• Family & Shunning: 43:05–44:15, 77:55–78:30
• Technology (phones, Snapchat): 67:03–67:15, 87:20–87:51
• Fun & Games, Dating: 28:34–31:01, 63:30–65:16
• Food & Traditions: 58:47–60:00
• Amish Work Evolution: 72:58–74:31

Closing Thoughts

The conversation is open, genuine, and full of humor—shedding light on the Amish experience with respect and curiosity. Timothy’s stories introduce listeners to a world many have never encountered, highlighting both the joys of community life and the challenges of making life-changing choices in the face of tradition versus modernity.

For a deep dive into Amish youth, Rumspringa, and the push-pull of tradition, listen to the full episode!