can chatbots be friends?

navigating transition with Dr. Steve Argue

Courtney has a conversation with Dr. Steve Argue, a leading expert on emerging adults, and professor at Fuller Theological Seminary in Pasadena, California. They're talking about big transition in life, and navigating change well!     Steve Argue [https://stevenargue.com/]  Fuller Youth Institute [https://fulleryouthinstitute.org/podcast/season-10]  Youth & Young Adult Discussion Guides [https://shop.fulleryouthinstitute.org/collections/discussion-guides]

Jen Pollock Michel - desiring connection

Kendra speaks with Jen Pollock Michel about the role of desire in life and faith, about moving towards connection, and how we sometimes get stuck. Jen is an author and speaker; you can find more of her work here: https://www.jenpollockmichel.com/about [https://www.jenpollockmichel.com/about]

can chatbots be friends?

A conversation about AI chatbots being used for emotional and mental support, and how to faithfully navigating a quickly shifting technological landscape.   ResourcesRisks & Benefits of chat bots as a therapist [https://www.npr.org/sections/shots-health-news/2025/09/30/nx-s1-5557278/ai-artificial-intelligence-mental-health-therapy-chatgpt-openai] What is a large language model? [https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/large-language-models] Stereotypes in chatbots [https://www.newscientist.com/article/2421067-ai-chatbots-use-racist-stereotypes-even-after-anti-racism-training/] Stanford study on AI "therapists" [https://hai.stanford.edu/news/exploring-the-dangers-of-ai-in-mental-health-care]

social media & our relationships

Talk of social media is everywhere these days - what do we know about how it impacts our minds and our offline lives? Sam and Kendra dive into the science in a conversation meant to get you thinking about how you use your digital spaces and the science behind why it's so captivating. Sources: Anxious Generation (2024) [https://www.anxiousgeneration.com/book] Andrew Huberman Podcast [https://www.hubermanlab.com/episode/optimize-and-control-your-brain-chemistry-to-improve-health-and-performance] Loneliness Epidemic – U.S. Surgeon General [https://www.hhs.gov/sites/default/files/surgeon-general-social-connection-advisory.pdf]

a theology of emotions - how internal harmony transforms us

Therapists Dr. James Hawkins and Nicola Hawkins talk about developing a healthy view of emotions, based on a Biblical understanding of how God created us. They share about finding harmony between emotion and logic, and how this transforms not only us, but our relationships and communities. Learn more about Doc Hawk [https://www.dochawklpc.com/about]  Dr. Hawkins' Chapel Message [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5mHxsc1Yu06xhq01AmCnlO?si=efd7181e578a4e80]