Uploaded December 2025 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Penn State professor Dr. Sam Richards teaches the largest race and cultural relations course in America (@SOC119) and millions have watched his lessons challenge students to think deeper, listen better, and face uncomfortable truths. In this rare Maybe God interview, Sam opens up about Gen Z, DEI, politics, Charlie Kirk, empathy, and why he believes stepping into someone else’s shoes is the only way forward. He also shares his surprising thoughts on faith and God—despite calling himself an atheist. This conversation will push you, stretch you, and might just change the way you see people who think differently.
Download the free ebook mentioned in this episode: https://worldinconversation.psu.edu/our-book/
WATCH “Voddie Baucham SPEAKS UP About Trump, Wokeism, Growing Up Fatherless” ➜
youtube.com/watch?v=KfOxyqSibXA&list=PL-COO4tFnDMJEHvaq4WhhhHs8ygOcPnXN
WATCH “Why This Man Risks His Life Debating Islam” ➜
youtube.com/watch?v=6grORv1Ro24&list=PL-COO4tFnDMITozSv8ct1p1jd6kWdE5eV&index=5
Subscribe to Maybe God Podcast ➜ youtube.com/@MaybeGodPod
Support our mission to explore the mystery of God through storytelling ➜
maybegodpod.com/donate
Follow Maybe God ➜
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Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to SOC 119
02:20 - Why critical thinking is so important now
06:15 - Challenges of Gez Z
09:50 - Are college campuses hotbeds of “wokeism”
14:30 - Response to his techniques and backlash
21:40 - The goal of his classroom & empathy
34:20 - His thoughts on faith and his argument with God
43:40 - Moral relativism
46:30 - Charlie Kirk in his classroom
56:50 - Equality vs. Equity
1:01:00 - How can we have better conversations with people who disagree
Penn State professor Dr. Sam Richards teaches the largest race and cultural relations course in America (@SOC119) and millions have watched his lessons challenge students to think deeper, listen better, and face uncomfortable truths. In this rare Maybe God interview, Sam opens up about Gen Z, DEI, politics, Charlie Kirk, empathy, and why he believes stepping into someone else’s shoes is the only way forward. He also shares his surprising thoughts on faith and God—despite calling himself an atheist. This conversation will push you, stretch you, and might just change the way you see people who think differently.
Download the free ebook mentioned in this episode: https://worldinconversation.psu.edu/our-book/
WATCH “Voddie Baucham SPEAKS UP About Trump, Wokeism, Growing Up Fatherless” ➜
youtube.com/watch?v=KfOxyqSibXA&list=PL-COO4tFnDMJEHvaq4WhhhHs8ygOcPnXN
WATCH “Why This Man Risks His Life Debating Islam” ➜
youtube.com/watch?v=6grORv1Ro24&list=PL-COO4tFnDMITozSv8ct1p1jd6kWdE5eV&index=5
Subscribe to Maybe God Podcast ➜ youtube.com/@MaybeGodPod
Support our mission to explore the mystery of God through storytelling ➜
maybegodpod.com/donate
Follow Maybe God ➜
instagram.com/maybegodpod
facebook.com/maybegodpod
Chapters
00:00 - Introduction to SOC 119
02:20 - Why critical thinking is so important now
06:15 - Challenges of Gez Z
09:50 - Are college campuses hotbeds of “wokeism”
14:30 - Response to his techniques and backlash
21:40 - The goal of his classroom & empathy
34:20 - His thoughts on faith and his argument with God
43:40 - Moral relativism
46:30 - Charlie Kirk in his classroom
56:50 - Equality vs. Equity
1:01:00 - How can we have better conversations with people who disagree
