Should Faith Influence the Way We Vote? | Midterm Special

In honor of the 2026 midterm elections, we’re revisiting a lecture Dennis Prager delivered in 2007, exploring the role of religion, faith, and traditional values in American politics.

At the time, the 2008 presidential race was beginning to take shape, and religion had become a major topic in the campaign. Candidates such as Mitt Romney, whose Mormon faith drew national attention, and Mike Huckabee, a former Baptist minister, brought questions about personal faith and public leadership to the forefront of the political conversation. Voters and commentators were debating how much a candidate’s religious beliefs should matter in choosing a president.

Against that backdrop, Dennis makes the case that religious Americans have just as much right as secular Americans to bring their beliefs and values into the public square. He examines America’s Judeo-Christian foundations, the meaning of the separation of church and state, the relationship between Jews and Christians, and why voters should judge political candidates by their values and integrity rather than simply by their religious identity.

Nearly two decades later, Dennis’s questions about faith, freedom, and the values that shape our nation remain relevant: What role should religion play in American public life, and what principles should guide the leaders we elect?

What Should You Talk About on a First Date? | Male/Female Hour

What should you talk about on a first date? On this episode of the Male Female Hour, Dennis Prager challenges the conventional approach to dating, arguing that too many people focus on superficial conversation instead of discussing what truly matters when looking for a lasting relationship.

Dennis explains why shared tastes in movies, television, and food may have less to do with long-term compatibility than people think. If you’re dating with the hope of finding a spouse, he argues, you should focus on understanding your potential partner’s character, values, priorities, and outlook on life. He also emphasizes the importance of knowing yourself and understanding what you want in a relationship.

Listeners call in to share their experiences and offer different perspectives on first dates, from observing manners and personal presentation to discussing religion, politics, family, and future goals. One caller shares how a list of personal priorities helped him evaluate potential partners, while another explains why she chose to ask serious questions early in her dating life.

Is it better to keep things light or get straight to the important questions? How much do shared interests matter, and is attraction enough to build a lasting relationship? Dennis explores these questions in a lively discussion about dating, compatibility, and finding the right person.

The Most Important Verse in the Bible | Ultimate Issues Hour

Is there a God, and why does the answer matter so much? On this episode of The Ultimate Issues Hour, Dennis Prager explores what he considers the most important question in life and explains why our answer shapes how we understand meaning, morality, and human existence.

Dennis discusses his new PragerU course, “The Most Important Verse in the Bible,” which focuses on Genesis 1:1: “In the beginning, God created the heavens and the earth.” He explains why he believes this verse provides the foundation for life’s meaning and purpose, and why the question of God’s existence deserves a central place in our education and public conversation.

Taking calls from listeners, Dennis addresses questions about who created God, whether atheists can be wise and virtuous, where our moral values come from, and whether life can have ultimate meaning without a Creator. He also examines the relationship between religious belief, the sanctity of human life, and the foundations of Western civilization.

Does morality require belief in God? Can people live good lives without faith? And if there is no God, does anything ultimately matter? Dennis tackles these questions and more in a wide-ranging discussion about faith, reason, and the meaning of life.

Happiness Is a Serious Problem | Dennis Prager’s Original 1987 UCLA Lecture

Rediscovered from the archives, this special episode of Timeless Wisdom features Dennis Prager’s original 1987 lecture, “Happiness Is a Serious Problem,” recorded at Chabad of UCLA. Decades before the book of the same name, Dennis explored why happiness can be so difficult to achieve and why so many people struggle to find lasting contentment.

In this thought-provoking lecture, Dennis identifies six obstacles to happiness, including our own nature, the mistake of pursuing happiness directly, confusing fun with fulfillment, expecting life to be free of pain, and a culture that encourages dissatisfaction. He explains why happiness is not simply the absence of suffering or the presence of pleasure, but something deeper that requires perspective, appreciation, meaningful relationships, and a commitment to values beyond ourselves.

Dennis also reflects on the importance of religion, community, history, and our connection to something greater than ourselves. Through humor, personal stories, and enduring insights, he challenges listeners to reconsider what happiness really means and how we can build lives marked by greater purpose and inner peace.

A Scared People Will Never Be Free | Sunday Fireside Chat

Fireside Chat Ep. 165 — America the Fearful | Fireside Chat originally aired on December 17th, 2020

The pandemic has shown how much America has changed for the worse. Our American ancestors were incredibly courageous people but today, we live in fear—of illness, of our fellow neighbors, of intellectual diversity, of alternative ideas, of climate change, of dying from COVID. The world never stopped before because of a virus. How did Americans become conditioned to be so fearful?

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Gnats, Flies, and Boils, Oh My! | Weekend Torah Teaching

Why did God send the ten plagues against Egypt? In this Torah teaching, Dennis Prager examines the deeper purpose behind the plagues, explaining why the Exodus was about more than freeing the Israelites from slavery. Through the plagues of blood, frogs, gnats, flies, livestock disease, boils, and hail, Dennis explores how God challenged Egypt’s idols, confronted its belief in multiple gods, and demonstrated His sovereignty over nature.

Dennis also examines Pharaoh’s repeated refusal to keep his promises, the distinction between Pharaoh hardening his own heart and God later hardening it, and the ways the plagues reveal both divine justice and compassion. He highlights Moses’s concern for innocent Egyptians, the protection of the Israelites in Goshen, and the Egyptian magicians’ eventual acknowledgment that the plagues were the work of God.

Ultimately, Dennis argues that the Exodus carries a message for the entire world: the purpose was not simply to liberate the Jewish people, but to teach humanity about God, His power, and His nature. Through these dramatic events, the Torah raises enduring questions about faith, justice, human stubbornness, and our understanding of God.

The Biggest Mistakes Parents Make | The Happiness Hour

Could the way parents treat their children today shape the adults they become tomorrow? On this episode of the Happiness Hour, Dennis Prager is joined by psychiatrist Dr. Stephen Marmer to examine the most common mistakes parents make and how early childhood experiences can influence a person’s happiness, confidence, and relationships for years to come.

Dr. Marmer identifies four major parenting mistakes: humiliating children, failing to listen to them, being inconsistent, and allowing too much mindless activity. He explains how seemingly harmless behaviors, such as mocking a child, dismissing their feelings, or responding unpredictably, can undermine their sense of security and self-worth. Dennis and Dr. Marmer also discuss how these experiences can contribute to patterns of unhappiness or mistreatment that carry into adulthood.

But is a difficult childhood a life sentence? The conversation explores how parents can help older children, how adults can begin to overcome painful childhood experiences, and why patient listening, loving relationships, and consistent guidance matter so much. Dennis and Dr. Marmer make the case that one of the most important things a parent can do is treat a child with dignity and never use their greater power or experience to humiliate them.

Memory Is Who We Are | Sue Halpern

What makes our memories so important to who we are? On this episode of Timeless Wisdom, Dennis Prager speaks with author and researcher Sue Halpern about the science of memory, why we forget things, and what researchers are learning about Alzheimer’s disease. Halpern, author of Can’t Remember What I Forgot: The Good News from the Front Lines of Memory Research, explains how scientists are gaining new insights into the disease and exploring potential treatments that could one day slow its progression.

Dennis also discusses his own lifelong struggle to remember people’s names, while Halpern explains the connection between attention and memory and why stress can make forgetfulness worse. The conversation explores common memory problems, the effects of aging, and the potential impact of exercise on brain health. Listeners also call in with questions about memory loss, brain injuries, and other factors that may affect how the brain functions.

From the personal significance of our memories to the scientific effort to understand and preserve them, this episode explores what memory reveals about the human mind and the promising possibilities emerging from memory research.

How Much Should You Criticize Your Spouse? | Male/Female Hour

How much criticism is too much in a marriage? On this episode of the Male Female Hour, Dennis Prager explores the difficult balance between offering helpful advice and constantly criticizing the person you love. He discusses why the way criticism is delivered matters, how to recognize whether it comes from genuine concern or hidden anger, and why a relationship filled with criticism can slowly undermine confidence and affection.

Dennis argues that while loving criticism can help spouses and friends grow, a constant stream of negative comments can damage even the strongest relationships. He encourages listeners to consider the ratio of compliments to criticisms, avoid humiliating a spouse in front of others, and learn to accept feedback from someone who genuinely wants the best for them. He also highlights the destructive role of contempt, arguing that respect is essential to a lasting marriage.

Through calls from listeners sharing their own marital experiences, Dennis offers a practical reminder: the goal should not be to eliminate all criticism, but to make it less frequent, more loving, and more constructive. A happier relationship may begin with a simple question: Am I helping the person I love, or am I making them feel like they can never do anything right?