What It Takes to Start a Religion: Identity, Community, and the Search for Meaning | Colin Campbell

EPISODE SUMMARYWhat does it actually mean to start a religion—and why would someone do it in the modern world? In this episode we sit down with Colin Campbell, founder of Aretéanism, a nontheistic religion designed to build stronger individuals and communities from the ground up.Colin shares his journey from being a deeply committed Mormon missionary to leaving the church, navigating identity loss, and eventually rethinking the role religion plays in human life. What emerges is a provocative reframe: religion isn’t just about belief in God—it’s about the systems, rituals, and shared meaning that bind people together. From the psychological power of community and “third places” to the limitations of modern individualism, this conversation explores what many people feel but struggle to articulate.The discussion also dives into bigger systemic questions: why culture—not politics—is the real driver of societal change, how identity shapes behavior, and why declining trust and connection may require new frameworks for belonging. Whether you’re skeptical of religion or searching for something deeper, this episode offers a fresh lens on how we organize meaning, purpose, and collective life in a rapidly changing world.ABOUT COLIN CAMPBELLColin Campbell has had an eclectic career that has bounced him between such things as: being a Mormon missionary, a Marine Corps veteran of the conflict in Afghanistan, an intelligence analyst and operations planner, a refugee advocate and charity worker, a political activist for progressive causes, a game designer, a videographer, and much much more.His most important work however has been the 2016 founding of Aretéanism, a nontheistic religion which aims to transform society at a grassroots level.LINKS🌐 Website / FAQwww.areteanism.org/faq📸 Instagramhttps://www.instagram.com/areteanism/🎵 TikTokhttps://www.tiktok.com/@areteanism📺 YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@areteanism🦋 BlueSkyhttps://bsky.app/profile/areteanism.bsky.social💬 Join the community (Discord)https://discord.gg/Nku5ajBDt8Key Themes:Rethinking what “religion” actually meansIdentity, belonging, and community in modern lifeThe psychological power of ritual and shared meaningCulture vs. politics in shaping societyBuilding better individuals as a path to systemic change