2.3M
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2814
Episodes
I am a minister in the Christian Reformed Church. I have a YouTube channel where I do commentary on religion, theology, belief, and thought leaders like Jordan Peterson, Eric and Bret Weinstein, the IDW and anything else I find interesting. I also have conversations with many in my audience.
Episodes
32 minutes ago
32 minutes ago
1 hr 43 min
00:00 Welcome & Introduction (Paul Vander Klay)
00:39 Growing Up in Hastings, Michigan & Family Dynamics
04:45 Dyslexia, Theater Parents, & Finding a Love for Books
08:12 High School Rebellion, Blue-Collar Labor, & Self-Education
14:23 Searle's Chinese Room & Discovering Behavioral Psychology
24:17 Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Western Michigan University
31:06 Working in Mental Health, Marriage, & The Grief of Divorce
41:31 Deconstructing Atheism: Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Haidt, & C.S. Lewis
55:06 Visiting the Anglican Church & The Power of Sacred Liturgy
01:01:09 The Moment of Faith: Seeing the Whole Picture Cohere
01:02:29 Writing "The Evolution of Consciousness"
01:11:05 An Anglican Bishop's Call to Ordained Ministry
01:20:47 Managerial Breakdown & The Danger of Artificial Nostalgia
01:32:55 Faith, Works, & Serving "Bread to Celiacs" (The Estuary Project)
01:43:32 Session Wrap-Up & Closing Remarks
In this conversation, Pastor Paul Vander Klay sits down with behavior analyst and author Nick Acker for a deep dive into his journey from a secular, theater-infused upbringing in Hastings, Michigan, to traditional Anglican faith. Nick shares how early struggles with dyslexia and high school rebellion eventually gave way to a voracious love for reading, leading him to study philosophy, John Searle's "Chinese Room" thought experiment, and Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) at Western Michigan University. Following a painful divorce and season of grief, Nick began questioning strict materialist reductionism through the writings of Jordan Peterson, Jonathan Haidt, and C.S. Lewis. After visiting an Anglican church during COVID and being moved by the liturgy and sacraments, Nick experienced a profound spiritual conversion. Together, Paul and Nick discuss the evolution of human consciousness, behavioral psychology, the Anglican bishop's invitation for Nick to pursue ordained ministry, and the challenge of pastoring a generation navigating the collapse of modern managerial assumptions.
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net
The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter a few years ago: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
2 days ago
2 days ago
2 hr 18 min
n this conversation, Pastor Paul Vander Klay sits down with Beau (Bo) Erickson, a precision rifle machinist and doctoral student exploring cultural theology and the philosophy of Owen Barfield
. Beau shares his journey from a mountain childhood in Casper, Wyoming, and a formative missionary assignment in civil-war-era Albania to serving in the U.S. Marine Corps, where military hardship and loss triggered a deep sense of nihilism and spiritual disillusionment
. After years working in corporate megachurches and precision machining, Beau encountered the work of Michael Heiser and "The Little Corner" (TLC), eventually discovering Owen Barfield's Saving the Appearances and its framework on the evolution of human consciousness
. Together, Paul and Beau examine how Barfield shaped the imaginations of C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, the danger of converting living faith into literalistic idols, and how local churches can cultivate participatory faith through story and faithful presence
.
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool: https://thislittlecorner.net
The Best Flotilla List we've got right now: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Vanderklips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
Bridges of Meaning Discord Link: https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
For the audio podcast mirror on Podbean http://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
Also on Odysee: https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
2 days ago
2 days ago
38 min
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net
The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter a few years ago: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
4 days ago
4 days ago
25 min
@A24 You Can See Everything | Official Teaser HD | A24 https://youtu.be/GGJSRFWALTI?si=lu0phX1BHikFDJV-
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net
The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter a few years ago: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
4 days ago
5 days ago
5 days ago
27 min
Summary and final talk at the Sacramento Estuary Conference. Whole video: https://youtu.be/BrPUP8zvtpQ
Sacramento Estuary Conference Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCucqIm7dfWU
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net
The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter a few years ago: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
6 days ago
6 days ago
1 hr 7 min
Sacramento Estuary Conference Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCucqIm7dfWU
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net
The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter a few years ago: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
7 days ago
7 days ago
1 hr 38 min
In this closing plenary address from the Sacramento Estuary Conference at Living Stones CRC, Pastor Tim Blackmon delivers a moving address titled "Sold Separately: Religious Institutions, Deconstruction, and the Technologies of Consolation." Beginning with the story of a 75-year-old Michigan newsstand selling adult magazines behind cardboard to lonely patrons, Tim explores theologian Simeon Zahl’s concept of "affective technologies"—the liturgies, prayers, meals, and funeral songs that historically mediated comfort within covenant communities. Tim argues that when religious institutions deconstruct, these technologies of the heart don't disappear; instead, they come loose and are "sold separately" by the market as addictive commodities like social media feeds, substances, and AI companions. Following the address, Pastor Paul Vander Klay, Dave Busuttil, Raj, and Jared Smith join Tim for a panel discussion and audience Q&A examining creaturely comfort in Genesis, existential lament, ministering to suicidal despair, and whether independent channels risk becoming the very institutions they seek to replace.
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net
The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter a few years ago: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
7 days ago
7 days ago
24 min
Jared participated in the Sacramento Estuary Conference. Playlist: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLCucqIm7dfWU
Following Panel Discussion and Q/A Session: https://youtu.be/nSxsKldV4rM
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net
The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter a few years ago: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Oct 27, 2026
Oct 27, 2026
1 hr 44 min
In this Saturday morning plenary address from the Sacramento Estuary Conference at Living Stones CRC, Jared Smith (creator of the Atheist Church Audit YouTube channel) delivers a thought-provoking lecture titled "Proximity, Distance, and the Task of Criticism." Drawing a striking parallel between the evolution of warfare technology—where increasing distance insulates soldiers from human face-to-face contact—and modern social media communications, Jared explains why online critique so easily devolves into dehumanizing caricatures. He shares his foundational channel rule: never criticize a community or religious tradition without sitting in their pews in person first. Following the address, Pastor Paul Vander Klay, Tim Blackmon, Dave Busuttil, and Raj join Jared for an engaging panel discussion and audience Q&A exploring Johan Huizinga’s theology of play (Homo Ludens), algorithmic incentives, Chesterton’s neighborly love, whether proximity softens necessary truth, and why seeing humanity in our opponents transforms how we critique.
00:00 Welcome & Technical Setup (Paul Vander Klay)
05:52 Plenary Address: Proximity, Distance, & Criticism (Jared Smith)
06:30 The History of Warfare: From Hand-to-Hand Contact to Atomic Distance
11:00 Communication Evolution: How Social Media Lengthens Distance
15:20 Jared’s Golden Rule: "Never Criticize What You Haven't Seen in Person"
19:30 Auditing Churches & Cults: Finding Humanity Behind Caricatures
25:00 A Motley Crew of Friends & Calling Groups After Publishing
28:45 Panel Reaction: "This Time It's Personal" (Dave Busuttil)
34:29 Johan Huizinga, Magic Circles, & Inhabiting Space (Tim Blackmon)
43:53 Boundaries, Accountability, & Constructive Critique (Raj)
52:11 Audience Q&A: The Personal Cost of Maintaining Proximity (Rod Hugen)
57:50 Algorithmic Incentives vs. Physical Presence (Neal Daedalus)
01:04:15 Handling Anger & Manipulation During Audits (Dave)
01:12:35 Does Proximity Change Your Personal Convictions? (Ray)
01:20:51 Does Proximity Lead to Soft-Pedaling Truth? (David Jacobs)
01:23:51 "Are You Really an Atheist?" (Sonny & Jared Smith)
01:27:19 Is Proximity the Goal or the Tool? (Katie)
01:30:09 Chesterton, Loving the Neighbor, & Depth vs. Breadth (Brandon)
01:34:39 The Most Emotionally Overwhelming Audit Moment (Jacob)
01:37:36 Disillusionment with Politics & Personal Reflection (John Van Donk & Jared Smith)
01:41:49 Session Wrap-Up & Announcements (Paul Vander Klay)
What is the TLC? ("This little corner of the Internet" also know as "the corner" https://youtu.be/Y3vqSjywot8?si=IVS3bnriwje5syPO
TLC Search tool. https://thislittlecorner.net
The Flotilla List: https://thislittlecorner.net/channels
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give
Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg
https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/
My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/
Bridges of meaning https://discord.gg/UKg8k93c
Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/
Retro PVK Merch by his daughter a few years ago: https://www.redbubble.com/people/raindoodles1/shop
There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay
To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333
If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/
All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.
https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay
Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay
https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay
Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A
To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640
https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give