683: The Meaning of the Scopes Monkey Trial 100yrs Later with Chris Staron

The Holy Post

New data shows the nations with the highest standards of living are seeing the sharpest declines in wellbeing, while people in poorer countries are reporting more happiness. What’s going on? David Brooks’ recent article looked at data from 142 countries, and he concludes that spirituality and social connection, not just wealth, are critical to human flourishing. In related news, since legalizing euthanasia in 2016 and expanding access to it, Canada has seen an alarming trend. Then, it’s been 100 years since the Scopes Monkey Trial. Phil talks to Chris Staron, creator of the Truce podcast, about what really happened at the trial and how fictional retellings of the event are still impacting American culture. Also this week—a fox with a footwear fetish.

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0:00 - Show Starts

2:03 - Theme Song

2:26- Sponsor - AG1 - Get the AG1 welcome kit worth $76 for FREE when you order from https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST

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5:00 - French Friday Theme Played for Chris Christie?

6:48 - Foxes Swiping Shoes?

13:15 - Why Are We So Hopeless?

30:40 - Canada is killing itself

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50:24 - Sponsor - World Relief - Nearly half of all refugee children won’t attend school this year. Learn about how you can partner monthly with World Relief to provide safety, stability and hope for children and families in crisis at https://www.worldrelief.org/holypost

52:00 - Interview - Listen to Chris Staron’s Truce Podcast episode on the Scopes Monkey Trials! https://trucepodcast.com/the-scopes-monkey-trial-dayton-tennessee-william-jennings-bryan-clarence-darrow/

54:00 - Scopes Monkey Trials—Who Cares?

1:10:16 - How We Misremembered

1:18:27 - What’d the Trails Change?

1:28:46 - End Credits

Links from News Segment:

Foxes Swiping Shoes!

https://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/fox-shoe-theft-grand-teton/

Why More People in the World Are Feeling Hopeful by Arthur Brooks:

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/08/07/opinion/happiness-community-wealth.html

Less Religion, less babies!

https://www.newsweek.com/less-religion-less-babies-declining-birth-rate-2110254

Canada is Killing Itself:

https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2025/09/canada-euthanasia-demand-maid-policy/683562/

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