Joshua Spatha majored in anthropology with a minor in Old Testament studies and has served in full-time missions since 2006, primarily across the Middle East and Asia. An ordained minister and disciple‑maker with Youth With A Mission (YWAM), Joshua blends frontline ministry with academic insight, as he prepares for long-term ministry in Central Asia. In our conversation, you'll hear how Western culture’s reliance on materialism and humanism has fueled a deep meaning crisis, and why happiness alone no longer sustains us. Joshua shares compelling analogies to illustrate how adopting a self‑centered framework inevitably leads to emptiness and incoherence. He challenges the question, “What’s in it for me?” as the wrong foundation. This episode is not just about morality: it’s about how reason and spiritual depth intertwine, why faith isn’t a blind leap, and how a rational embrace of the supernatural reclaims meaning. Thank you for listening.   SHOW LINKS: Support the Show on: Patreon Listen to the Podcast on: YouTube | Apple | Spotify Follow us on: X | Reddit | Instagram | LinkedIn   OUTLINE: 00:00 Introduction 01:44 The Modern Meaning Crisis 07:48 Enlightenment’s Impact on Faith 11:23 From Religion to Self-Focus 14:55 Science, Truth & Worldviews 20:02 Personal Meaning vs Objective Reality 31:45 Christianity’s Case for Human Flourishing 36:49 Secular Morality Under the Microscope 44:42 Chaos, Materialism & Ethics 01:07:16 Implicit Spirituality & Cognitive Dissonance 01:16:29 The Universal Conscience 01:19:29 Free Will and Belief Change 01:53:39 Miracles: Chance or Design? 02:22:05 Practicing and Testing Faith 02:32:47 Final Thoughts & Outro   JOSHUA SPATHA LINKS: Joshua's Website & Book   CONTACT LINKS: Click here to come on the podcast, share feedback, ask a question, or reach out for any other reason.   This episode has been co-produced by Kate van Leeuwen.