The Ben Peterson Show

Why You Feel Lost, Angry & Disconnected

55 min · 22. maj 2026
episode Why You Feel Lost, Angry & Disconnected cover

Description

This week on The Ben Peterson Show, we dive into one of the most important conversations happening in our culture today, the hidden science behind violence, identity, and human behavior. Ben sits down with violence prevention expert Robert Mahoney to unpack why violence is rarely random, how people slowly spiral toward destruction, and what society continues to misunderstand about anger, trauma, isolation, and belonging. From mass shootings and gang culture to AI addiction and emotional isolation, this conversation reveals the deeper psychological and spiritual crisis shaping modern culture. Robert explains how identity, purpose, and community can either heal people, or pull them toward darkness. Together, Ben and Robert explore the warning signs most people miss, why technology is reshaping human connection, and how AI is beginning to replace real relationships for an entire generation. This episode is more than a conversation about violence, it’s about what happens when people lose meaning, lose connection, and lose hope. WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.  📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families-      ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian 📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK:  https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.com NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers.   Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review! LET'S CONNECT:      Follow us on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny     Follow us on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/   Follow us on Pray.com: / https://www.pray.com/benpeterson Timestamps: 00:00 – Introduction to the science behind violence 02:00 – Why violence is rarely random 05:00 – The broken systems failing people in crisis 10:00 – Identity, purpose, and community explained 12:00 – Deconstructing radicalization and grievance culture 15:00 – The Dayton shooter case study 19:00 – Why prevention matters more than response 22:00 – The connection between suicide and violence 25:00 – Ben shares his Iraq combat anger experience 27:00 – Why society misunderstands aggressive behavior 31:00 – Intervention vs negotiation psychology 35:00 – AI, Gen Z, and emotional dependency 38:00 – How chatbots create emotional attachment 40:00 – Dopamine addiction and social media 42:00 – The terrifying unknown future of AI 44:00 – Why AI struggles with contextual understanding 46:00 – Surveillance culture and predictive technology 50:00 – Why human connection still matters most 53:00 – Helping struggling people before violence happens

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159 episodes

episode Before You Trust AI... Watch This First artwork

Before You Trust AI... Watch This First

This week on The Ben Peterson Show, Ben Peterson shares one of his most urgent messages yet on the intersection of faith, artificial intelligence, and the future of our world. Drawing from Scripture, military experience, and history, Ben explains why he believes our generation is witnessing the modern-day Tower of Babel, and why Christians cannot afford to be spiritually asleep. From the rise of AI and its impact on culture, to the cycles of history that have shaped nations for centuries, this message explores how technology, truth, and faith are colliding in unprecedented ways. Ben also shares his personal journey from the battlefield to ministry, revealing how God transformed deep pain into a mission to reach military members with the hope of Christ. More than a warning, this is a call to prepare. As darkness increases, God is raising up His Church for one of the greatest spiritual awakenings in history. The question is: will we decrease so Christ can increase? WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.  📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families-      ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian 📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK:  https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.com NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers.   Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review! LET'S CONNECT:      Follow Engage Your Destiny on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny     Follow Engage Your Destiny on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenpeterson/ Timestamps: 00:00 – The greatest evil and greatest good will collide 01:00 – Welcome to The Ben Peterson Show 02:00 – The military revival and Engage Your Destiny 05:00 – America at a turning point 06:00 – The Vikings story and the gift of time 09:00 – "He must increase, I must decrease" 10:00 – Hard times create strong men 15:00 – Why history repeats itself 16:00 – AI and the modern Tower of Babel 18:00 – The spiritual battle behind artificial intelligence 20:00 – Why Christians must stay awake 20:30 – The Great Awakening and hope for revival 22:00 – Three ways to decrease so Christ can increase 25:00 – AI, Gen Z, and the future of faith 26:00 – Ben's testimony from combat to Christ 28:00 – Prayer and surrender 30:00 – Reaching military members with the Gospel 31:00 – Become a Guardian and help save lives

15. juli 202633 min
episode Could America Defend Against an AI War? | Sean Hagerty artwork

Could America Defend Against an AI War? | Sean Hagerty

This week on the Engage Your Destiny Podcast, Ben Peterson sits down with a retired Special Operations veteran who spent more than 25 years serving America on the front lines of modern warfare. From surviving brutal firefights in Afghanistan to helping advise America's Defense Science Board on the future of AI and national security, Sean Hagerty shares what he's learned about courage, faith, leadership, and the rapidly changing battlefield. But this conversation goes far beyond military stories. What happens when artificial intelligence begins making decisions faster than humans? Is drone warfare replacing soldiers? Is China really prepared to challenge America? And what happens when technology begins changing not just warfare, but the way we live, think, and worship? Sean offers a rare insider perspective on the future of AI, autonomous weapons, cybersecurity, America's military readiness, and why faith has never been more important in an increasingly digital world. If you've ever wondered where technology, national security, and biblical faith collide, this conversation is one you don't want to miss. WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.  📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families-      ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian 📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK:  https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.com NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers.   Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review! LET'S CONNECT:      Follow Engage Your Destiny on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny     Follow Engage Your Destiny on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenpeterson/ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction & Why This Conversation Matters 01:15 Sean Hagerty's Military Career & Faith Journey 04:30 First Combat Deployment to Afghanistan 08:00 Surviving a Three-Hour Firefight 12:00 Faith Under Fire, Trusting God in Combat 17:00 What Modern Fear Reveals About Our Culture 20:30 Has America Lost Its Moral Foundation? 23:30 China, Taiwan & America's Military Advantage 30:00 AI, Autonomous Drones & The Future of Warfare 37:00 Can Artificial Intelligence Outpace Humanity? 43:00 AI Hacking, Cyber Warfare & National Security 47:00 Microwave Weapons, Drones & Tomorrow's Battlefield 50:00 Could America Become Its Own Greatest Threat? 53:00 Technology, Faith & Why Human Connection Still Matters

8. juli 202655 min
episode America 250! A Special 4th of July Message artwork

America 250! A Special 4th of July Message

This Independence Day, join Ben Peterson for a special message celebrating 250 years of America and the incredible story of faith, freedom, and God's providence. As America marks its 250th birthday, Ben reflects on the courage of the Founding Fathers, the miracles that shaped our nation, and why gratitude, prayer, and unity matter now more than ever. From the Revolutionary War to today's cultural challenges, this message is a reminder that America has endured because of sacrifice, resilience, and God's faithfulness. This is more than a celebration of history. It's a call for every believer to pray for our nation, support those defending our freedom, and become a light for the Gospel in a generation that desperately needs hope. WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.  📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families-      ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian 📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK:  https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.com NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers.   Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review! LET'S CONNECT:      Follow Engage Your Destiny on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny     Follow Engage Your Destiny on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenpeterson/ Timestamps 00:00 – Happy Birthday America: A Prayer for the Nation 02:00 – The Founding Fathers and America's Impossible Beginning 03:15 – Why America Has Been a Light to the World 04:05 – The Power of Gratitude and God's Blessing 04:45 – America's Greatest Trials Throughout History 05:25 – A Call to Pray for America, Our Military, and Our Leaders 05:55 – Celebrating America's 250th Birthday

4. juli 20266 min
episode Emergency PODCAST: AI Just hacked the National Security Agency artwork

Emergency PODCAST: AI Just hacked the National Security Agency

Artificial intelligence is advancing faster than anyone expected. But what happens when AI becomes powerful enough to challenge national security, reshape global power, and influence the way we seek truth? In this emergency episode of The Ben Peterson Show, Ben unpacks the shocking reports surrounding AI systems capable of exposing vulnerabilities in one of the world's most secure intelligence agencies, why government leaders are beginning to intervene, and what the race toward Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) could mean for every person alive. More importantly, this conversation isn't just about technology. It's about faith. As AI becomes more intelligent, more persuasive, and more integrated into our daily lives, Christians must wrestle with an important question: Are we allowing technology to become our guide instead of God? Ben explores the biblical story of Saul consulting a medium, the dangers of seeking guidance from artificial intelligence, and why believers must remain grounded in God's Word in an age where information is unlimited but wisdom is increasingly rare. WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.  📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families-      ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian 📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK:  https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.com NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers.   Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review! LET'S CONNECT:      Follow Engage Your Destiny on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny     Follow Engage Your Destiny on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenpeterson/ Timestamps: 00:00 – AI reportedly hacks the National Security Agency 02:10 – Why this emergency episode matters 03:00 – Government response and the AI freeze 05:00 – The global AI race with China 07:20 – What Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) really is 10:00 – Why AI raises spiritual concerns 12:20 – Moral relativism and the dangers of AI 14:10 – Saul, mediums, and seeking guidance 16:00 – AI as a tool, not a guide 18:15 – Dopamine, smartphones, and spiritual formation 19:40 – Preparing your faith for the age of AI 20:30 – Ben's new book and how you can support the mission

2. juli 202621 min
episode The Truth About AI, Dopamine and the Future artwork

The Truth About AI, Dopamine and the Future

What if the reason you can't focus, feel restless, or struggle to find satisfaction isn't a lack of discipline, but the way your brain has been trained? In this episode of The Ben Peterson Show, Ben explores how AI-driven technology, social media, pornography, and endless short-form content are reshaping our brains through dopamine. While the world promises constant excitement, it leaves us less satisfied with our work, our relationships, and even our walk with God. Ben explains why dopamine isn't the brain's "pleasure chemical," but its pursuit system, and how today's technology is conditioning us to crave what's new instead of valuing what truly matters. From weakened attention spans and broken focus to strained marriages and spiritual distraction, this episode reveals why the battle for your attention has become one of the greatest spiritual battles of our generation. Most importantly, Ben shares a path forward. Learn why boredom can become a gift, how discipline rebuilds your mind, and why true satisfaction is found through prayer, purpose, meaningful relationships, and a life fully surrendered to Christ. WATCH UNTIL THE END - this story could change how you see pain, purpose and the power of redemption. Engage Your Destiny (EYD) is a 501(c)3 on a mission to help combat the deadly epidemic of military suicide with faith.  📢 WANT TO BE PART OF THE MISSION? | Help us continue to reach U.S. military members, veterans, and their families-      ❤️ DONATE TODAY: http://engageyourdestiny.org/becomeaguardian 📕 PRE-ORDER BEN’S NEW BOOK:  https://whenintelligenceisnthuman.com NEW EPISODES EVERY WEDNESDAY! SUBSCRIBE to never miss an episode & TURN ON NOTIFICATIONS to see how faith is impacting our soldiers.   Want to see more behind-the-scenes, more interviews, or something different? Drop a comment or leave a review! LET'S CONNECT:      Follow Engage Your Destiny on Facebook: / https://www.facebook.com/engagedestiny     Follow Engage Your Destiny on Instagram: / https://www.instagram.com/engage.your.destiny/ Follow Ben on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thebenpeterson/ Timestamps: 00:00 Introduction: How AI is eroding our satisfaction with life 02:05 Dopamine: the brain's pursuit system 03:00 How short-form content hijacks your attention 04:10 Why constant novelty weakens focus 05:20 The addictive cycle of scrolling and pornography 06:15 Why discipline disappears under pressure 07:15 How technology impacts relationships and family 08:35 Retraining your brain through purpose and discipline 09:15 Three practical steps to break the dopamine loop 10:10 Why boredom is essential for healing 11:00 Resisting temptation and renewing your mind 11:45 Finding lasting satisfaction in Christ 12:20 Breaking free from AI's grip on your attention 13:10 Prayer for focus, freedom, and purpose

1. juli 202614 min