A growing number of young men would rather text an AI chatbot than call a friend. As young men move their lives online, they are missing out on genuine friendships and personal formation. They are becoming the face of the loneliness epidemic.
But loneliness doesn’t have to be the end of the story. In this conversation, Dr. Jeff Myers, president of Summit Ministries, gave me a blueprint for brotherhood, mentorship, and wisdom.
Jeff has spent decades helping young people think critically and build an unshakable worldview, and I walked away inspired. We talk about why the technology we use every day is designed to capture our attention but not to grow us. We also talk about why knowledge alone will never become wisdom, and how God designed us from the very beginning for work, responsibility, and relationship. If you’ve ever felt like you have to figure life out on your own, I believe this episode will set you free.
Then we get practical. Jeff shares the four words every young man should write down, a simple exercise that tunes your heart to wisdom, and how to ask someone to mentor you without it feeling awkward. We also talk with parents about surrounding their kids with goal-directed people, and with churches about moving beyond sermons into real vocational discipleship. Friendship, faith, and purpose are closer than you think.
Who is Jeff Myers?
Dr. Jeff Myers has authored nearly 20 books and textbooks on faith and culture that are studied by tens of thousands of students worldwide, generating more than three billion views across his extensive national media appearances. As a leading expert in youth leadership development and communication theory with a PhD from the University of Denver, he has spent decades teaching younger generations how to think critically and build an unshakeable worldview. He specializes in helping young adults cut through superficial modern clichés so they can confidently navigate complex cultural conversations face-to-face rather than retreating into digital isolation.
Jeff’s links
Scriptures
The LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.
Genesis 2:15 ESV
Tune your ears to wisdom, and concentrate on understanding.
Proverbs 2:2 NLT
The beginning of wisdom is this: Get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding.
Proverbs 4:7 NIV
As iron sharpens iron, so a friend sharpens a friend.
Proverbs 27:17 NLT
