Faithful Politics

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will and Josh speak with Holly Berkley Fletcher, historian, essayist, former CIA Africa analyst, and author of The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism. Drawing from her childhood in Kenya as an MK and years of research on the American missionary movement, Holly explores how missionary culture has shaped white evangelical identity, race narratives, and U.S. religious politics for more than a century.She discusses the history of American missions, the deep roots of evangelical “calling,” the romanticized myth of the missionary saint, and why missionary children often carry the hidden costs of their parents' spiritual ambitions. The conversation dives into race, colonial influence, trauma, American exceptionalism, Christian nationalism, global evangelicalism, and how missions became both a mirror and mask for white American Christianity. Holly also shares personal stories—from boarding school trauma to growing up surrounded by stark inequality—that illuminate the insider/outsider vantage point MKs uniquely bring.If you care about global Christianity, American evangelical culture, deconstruction, mission work, or the complicated intersection of faith and identity, this episode offers an honest, challenging, and deeply human lens.Buy: The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889832034Guest Bio Holly Berkley Fletcher is a historian, essayist, and former Africa analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency, where she spent nearly two decades focusing on political, cultural, and security trends across the continent. Raised in Kenya as a missionary kid, she later earned a PhD in American History, giving her a unique insider/outsider perspective on evangelical culture. Her book, The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism, blends memoir and research to examine the American missions movement, the psychology of calling, racial narratives, and the long-term impact on children raised in missionary families. Her work explores faith, identity, trauma, and globSupport the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comInvestigative reporter Jennifer Smith Richards of ProPublica joins Will and Josh to break down her major reporting on Oklahoma's controversial education overhaul under Superintendent Ryan Walters. She explains how Christianity was woven into new academic standards, why educators across the political spectrum objected, and how figures like PragerU, David Barton, and Heritage Foundation president Kevin Roberts influenced the proposed curriculum. Jennifer also walks through the dramatic rollback of civil-rights enforcement at the U.S. Department of Education and what the loss of federal oversight means for students with disabilities, racial discrimination claims, and families seeking accountability. This is a sobering, deeply important look at the future of public education, Christian nationalism in policy, and the stakes for parents and students nationwide.Additional ResourcesThis Is Ground Zero in the Conservative Quest for More Patriotic and Christian Public Schools: https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-education-department-oklahoma-public-schoolsPragerU Kids curriculum referenced by Oklahoma DOE: https://www.prageru.com/kidsGuest BioJennifer Smith Richards is an investigative reporter at ProPublica, specializing in education, civil rights, and systemic failures affecting children and families. Her reporting has uncovered national patterns in school discipline, civil-rights enforcement, curriculum changes influenced by political movements, and the real-world impact of state-level education policy. Her work is widely recognized for its depth, clarity, and public impact.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comHow do we argue without tearing each other apart? Corregan Brown joins us to explore the art of disagreement in an age of outrage. He breaks down the difference between arguing policy and clarifying principles, showing how many of our public fights aren't about facts but about unspoken values. Brown also explains why recognizing power differentials matters in civic discourse and how “unbundling” political coalitions allows for more authentic and constructive engagement across divides.We dig into the practical side of argument—what it means to enter a tense conversation without triggering defensiveness, how to recover when debates go sideways, and why empathy doesn't mean compromise. Brown brings insight from both his engineering and faith-based backgrounds, offering a model for conversation rooted in curiosity, integrity, and shared purpose. His message is clear: productive disagreement isn't about winning—it's about understanding enough to build something better together.Guest Bio:Corrigan Brown leads in-store technology teams at Chick-fil-A—covering point-of-sale, kitchen operations, and digital fulfillment—and serves as an educator with Be the Bridge, facilitating historically grounded conversations around race, faith, and civic life. He blends a background in engineering, leadership, and reconciliation work to help communities navigate complex social and political divides with empathy and clarity. Brown appeared on Faithful Politics in a personal capacity and not as a representative or employee of Chick-fil-A.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will and Josh talk with China expert William Nee about the major October 2025 crackdown on Beijing's Zion Church, one of the largest underground Christian networks in China. William explains what actually happened during the coordinated raids, why Pastor Ezra Jin (Jin Mingri) and nearly 30 church leaders were charged with “illegally using information networks,” and how all of this connects to Xi Jinping's tightened national-security agenda.The conversation steps back to look at the broader picture: how “Sinicization” works, why the Chinese Communist Party fears independent faith communities, and what life is like for ordinary Christians when church gatherings, youth religious education, and online ministry can all trigger state action.William also describes how the U.S. government and human-rights groups are responding, why international attention matters, and what this moment means for Christians, Uyghur Muslims, Tibetans, and others facing religious restrictions in China. If you want clear, grounded insight into what's really happening inside China's religious-freedom landscape, this episode gives you the context you need.Guest bio:William Nee is the Senior Manager for East Asia at the National Endowment for Democracy (NED), where he focuses on China's human-rights landscape, civil society, and religious freedom. Before NED, he served as a China researcher at Amnesty International and worked with Chinese Human Rights Defenders. His work often covers the CCP's efforts to control faith communities, including the recent crackdown on Zion Church and its founder, Pastor Ezra Jin.RELEVANT LINKSZion Church background:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Beijing_Zion_ChurchPastor Ezra Jin biography:https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jin_MingriReuters report on the 2025 arrests:https://www.reuters.com/world/china/china-undergrSupport the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this return visit to Faithful Politics, political scientist Dr. Ethan J. Hollander helps us take a hard, honest look at the health of American democracy—and why so many people around the world are tempted by strongman rule. Drawing on his Great Courses series Democracy and Its Alternatives, Ethan walks through a clear, working definition of democracy, why “constitutional republic vs. democracy” is mostly a semantic dodge, and how all political systems are constantly trading freedom for order.Will and Josh press into the mechanics of democratic backsliding: court-packing, weaponizing the bureaucracy, gerrymandering, hollowing out norms, and the “they did it first” spiral that turns politics into a race to the bottom. Along the way, Ethan explains why ranked-choice voting can reward bridge-building candidates, why demonizing the “deep state” is so dangerous, and why, even in failing democracies, the public is still the final check on authoritarian power. This is a hopeful but unsentimental tour through the dictator's playbook—and what it will take for ordinary citizens to keep the republic.Guest Bio Dr. Ethan J. Hollander is an Associate Professor of Political Science at Wabash College, specializing in comparative politics, authoritarianism and democratization, ethnic conflict, and the politics of the Holocaust. He is the author of Hegemony and the Holocaust: State Power and Jewish Survival in Occupied Europe, and the creator of the Great Courses series Democracy and Its Alternatives, which explores how democracies thrive, why they fail, and the lessons their authoritarian competitors offer. His scholarship also includes work on democratic transitions in Eastern Europe and the Arab Spring, and he is a frequent commentator on the future of democracy around the world.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comCan you stay in hard conversations without trying to “win” or walk away? In this episode, Harvard Law School Senior Fellow and USA Today bestselling author Bob Bordone joins us to unpack conflict resilience—the ability to stay grounded, curious, and compassionate when everything in you wants to shut down or strike back. Bob helps us understand how to build this muscle in our homes, workplaces, and even in our faith communities. He explains why persuasion mode often backfires, how identity threat hijacks our nervous system, and what neuroscience reveals about giving our brains a “bigger, better offer” than defensiveness. Together we explore the cost of avoidance, the limits of performative civility, and how faith can model a braver kind of engagement that doesn't sacrifice truth or relationship. By the end, Bob leaves us with tools to disagree well—without giving up or giving in—and reminds us that healing our political divides begins in the small, sacred act of really listening.Learn more and buy his book: https://www.bobbordone.comGuest bio:Bob Bordone is a USA Today bestselling author, Senior Fellow at Harvard Law School, and one of the nation's leading experts on negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution. For more than two decades, he has helped organizations, governments, universities, and faith communities navigate their toughest conversations. His latest book is Conflict Resilience: Negotiating Disagreement Without Giving Up or Giving In.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIs the real crisis in American politics actually a crisis of biblical authority and interpretation? In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with former U.S. Senator Jim DeMint to talk about his new book, What the Bible Really Says: About Creation, End Times, Politics, and You. Drawing on more than two decades in business, Congress, and the conservative movement, DeMint argues that Western civilization—and especially the United States—was built on biblical, Judeo-Christian assumptions about morality, family, and public life, and that those foundations are now being systematically discredited. Will presses DeMint on what it actually means to say America was founded on Christian values, especially in light of the violent treatment of Indigenous peoples, while Josh reflects on his own journey from “America as a Christian nation” to a more complicated, historically informed view. Together, they explore DeMint's big claim that the Bible itself is true, but many of our long-held interpretations—about creation, science, and the end times—may not be. The conversation ranges from Galileo and the church's resistance to science, to how Christians should think about nation-states, markets, and political power without confusing America with the kingdom of God. If you're wrestling with faith, Scripture, and the future of American democracy, this is a thoughtful, challenging listen.Buy the book: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781956454901Guest Bio:Jim DeMint is a conservative leader, author, and former U.S. Senator from South Carolina. After a career in marketing and business, he served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1999 to 2005 and in the U.S. Senate from 2005 to 2013. He later became president of The Heritage Foundation and now serves as chairman of the Conservative Partnership Institute, an organization focused on training and supporting conservative lawmakers and staff in Washington, D.C.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat does it really mean to say Christianity is “rooted in Judaism”? In this conversation, Dr. Gavin D'Costa—Emeritus Professor of Catholic Theology at the University of Bristol and visiting professor at Rome's Angelicum—unpacks the argument of his new book From Sinai to Rome: Jewish Identity in the Catholic Church. We explore how early Christian faith grew from Jewish soil, where continuity ends and discontinuity begins, and why terms like “Judeo-Christian” both clarify and confuse. We also dive into Hebrew Catholicism, Messianic movements, Passover and the Eucharist, interfaith empathy, immigration anxieties, and what a Christ-honoring “rubric” looks like when discerning which practices to carry forward.Dr. D'Costa challenges modern Christians to rediscover the richness of their Jewish roots without collapsing distinctions or erasing theological difference. He argues that recovering this lineage isn't simply an academic exercise—it's a spiritual one that can help the Church understand itself, its liturgy, and its moral imagination in a fragmented age. For listeners wrestling with how faith and identity intersect in pluralistic societies, this conversation offers both historical grounding and a compelling call toward deeper empathy and continuity within the Christian story.Buy the book From Sinai to Rome: Jewish Identity in the Catholic Church https://ignatius.com/from-sinai-to-rome-fstrp/Guest bio:Born in Kenya to Indian parents, Gavin D'Costa has shaped contemporary conversations on how Christians theologically relate to Jews and Muslims. He is Emeritus Professor of Catholic Theology at the University of Bristol and serves as a visiting professor at the Angelicum in Rome. His books include Vatican II: Catholic Doctrines on Jews and Muslims (OUP, 2014), Catholic Doctrines on the Jewish People after Vatican II (OUP, 2019), and (as co-editor) From Sinai to Rome: Jewish Identity in the Catholic Church (Ignatius Press, 2025).Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comCan Christians hold fast to biblical convictions about marriage and still radically love their LGBTQ+ neighbors? In this deeply honest and thought-provoking conversation, Dr. Preston Sprinkle, president of the Center for Faith, Sexuality & Gender, joins Will Wright and Josh Burtram to explore one of the most polarizing conversations in the church today.Drawing from his books People to Be Loved and Does the Bible Support Same-Sex Marriage?, Dr. Sprinkle unpacks how to hold theological clarity with pastoral compassion—and why kindness isn't weakness but a biblical command. The discussion ranges from Jonathan Haidt's moral psychology to the difficulty of having civil discourse in today's polarized climate, and even touches on the civic versus theological tension around marriage and religious freedom.If you've ever wondered how faith, love, and truth can coexist in modern America, this episode will stretch your mind and soften your heart.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat does it actually take to cool down American politics without compromising your convictions? In this episode, former Florida state representatives Jennifer Webb (D) and Kurt Kelly (R) join Faithful Politics to share how their unlikely partnership is helping Floridians rebuild trust and truth through Sunshine 100—a cross-partisan network supported by The Carter Center.They unpack what “truth in politics” really means, why facts alone aren't enough, and how small acts of proximity—like serving at a food pantry or walking a neighbor to an immigration hearing—can do more to prevent political violence than any debate ever will. This conversation isn't about kumbaya civility; it's about hard, disciplined empathy and courage in the public square.Whether you're a pastor, teacher, or just someone tired of shouting matches, this episode gives you a practical blueprint for reclaiming democracy from the ground up.Guests Bio:Jennifer WebbJennifer Webb is a former Florida state representative who made history as the first out lesbian elected to the Florida legislature. Trained as a cultural anthropologist, she has spent her career bridging divides between faith, politics, and community life. Webb now co-leads Sunshine 100, a Carter Center–supported, cross-partisan network that helps Floridians strengthen truth in politics and prevent political violence. Her work focuses on fostering dialogue, civic education, and practical collaboration across ideological lines.Kurt KellyKurt Kelly is a former Florida state representative and CEO of the Florida Coalition for Children. A lifelong Republican and ordained minister, Kelly has dedicated decades to public service, education, and child advocacy. As co-leader of Sunshine 100, he partners with Democrats, independents, and faith leaders to lower the temperature of political discourse and promote evidence-based, nonviolent engagement. His approach combines conviction, compassion, and a deep belief in the redemptive power of community service. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Josh and I sit down with Dr. Kevin Burke from the University of Georgia, co-author of the National Education Policy Center report Christian Nationalism and Educational Policy in the United States. We explore how Christian nationalism is reshaping public education—from classroom prayer and Ten Commandments laws to school choice and state-funded religious schools.Dr. Burke explains how recent Supreme Court decisions like Kennedy v. Bremerton and Carson v. Makin opened the door for religion to play a larger role in public life and what that means for the future of church-state separation. We also talk about whether this movement reflects a moral revival or a coordinated political project.It's a candid, challenging look at how faith, politics, and education collide in today's culture wars—and what's really at stake for America's classrooms.Watch or listen on YouTube or wherever you get your podcasts.Read the report: https://nepc.colorado.edu/sites/default/files/publications/PB%20Burke-Hadley_0.pdfGuest Bio: Dr. Kevin J. Burke is an Associate Professor at the University of Georgia, specializing in curriculum theory, educational policy, and the cultural intersections of faith, politics, and schooling. His research examines how belief systems—particularly Christian nationalism—inform classroom practices, legislative agendas, and the broader purpose of public education in a democracy.He is the co-author of Christian Nationalism and Educational Policy in the United States, a policy brief published by the National Education Policy Center (NEPC), and has written extensively on religion's influence in American schooling. Dr. Burke's work challenges educators and policymakers to engage ethical dialogue across ideological divides and to safeguard pluralism in public education. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Dr. Brandon Bloch, historian and assistant professor at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, about his groundbreaking book Reinventing Protestant Germany: The Religious Nationalists and the Contest for Post-Nazi Democracy (Harvard University Press).Dr. Bloch explores how German Protestants grappled with complicity, guilt, and renewal after World War II, tracing how theology, nationalism, and moral reconstruction intertwined in the decades following Hitler's rise. The discussion connects these historical lessons to modern America—especially the resurgence of Christian nationalism and the uneasy dance between faith and political identity.Listeners will come away with a deeper understanding of how religion can both sustain democracy and undermine it, depending on how believers interpret power, patriotism, and divine authority.Guest Bio – Dr. Brandon BlochDr. Brandon Bloch is an Assistant Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin–Madison, specializing in modern European history, political theology, and human rights. His research focuses on how religion, nationalism, and democracy intersected in 20th-century Germany. His book, Reinventing Protestant Germany: The Religious Nationalists and the Contest for Post-Nazi Democracy (Harvard University Press), examines how German Protestants rebuilt faith and moral authority in the wake of Nazism.Dr. Bloch's work has been featured in academic and public forums for its insight into how religious identity can both challenge and reinforce authoritarian power. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Ilana Trachtman, an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker, about her newest documentary, Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round. The film uncovers the little-known story of the 1960 civil rights protest at Glen Echo Amusement Park in Maryland—a powerful moment when Howard University students and white Jewish neighbors joined forces to integrate a local amusement park, facing down segregationists and even the American Nazi Party.Trachtman shares how her childhood visits to the park inspired the film, what it means to tell history through intimate personal storytelling, and the unexpected intersections of faith, justice, and memory that emerge when ordinary citizens act on conviction. The conversation explores the emotional layers behind forgotten movements, the role of Jewish allies in early civil rights activism, and how filmmakers like Trachtman use art to preserve moral clarity in divided times.Website: aintnoback.comGuest Bio: Ilana Trachtman is an Emmy Award-winning filmmaker with over 30 years of experience producing documentaries for PBS, HBO, Showtime, ABC, and A&E. Her acclaimed works—Praying with Lior, Black and Latin America, and The Pursuit: 50 Years in the Fight for LGBT Rights—explore identity, belonging, and justice through deeply personal stories. Her latest film, Ain't No Back to a Merry-Go-Round, chronicles the interracial protests that desegregated Glen Echo Amusement Park in 1960, blending historical footage with intimate interviews to illuminate how ordinary people shaped the civil rights movement. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this eye-opening episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with journalist and election reform advocate David Daley to unpack one of the most misunderstood forces shaping American politics—gerrymandering. Daley explains how invisible district lines can determine not only who wins elections but how our representatives govern once in office.Drawing on his investigative work and his books Ratf**ked and Unrigged, Daley details the Republican-led “Redmap” strategy that weaponized redistricting after the 2010 census, how both parties manipulate maps today, and why the result is a democracy where fewer than 10% of congressional races are truly competitive. The conversation also explores Trump's proposed executive order on mail-in voting, the role of voter ID laws, the health of the Voting Rights Act, and the future of American electoral fairness.Through it all, the hosts and Daley examine how Christians—and all citizens—can think faithfully about fairness, representation, and truth in an era where the rules of democracy itself are being rewritten. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Daniel Darling, director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and author of more than 20 books, including In Defense of Christian Patriotism. Darling joins the hosts to discuss the difference between Christian nationalism and Christian patriotism, arguing that love of country can be a form of discipleship—so long as it's rightly ordered under a higher allegiance to Christ.The conversation explores the nuanced relationship between faith, politics, and national identity, unpacking how patriotism can both inspire civic virtue and, when disordered, slip into idolatry. Darling challenges the modern assumption that religious expression in public life is inherently dangerous, showing instead how a grounded Christian worldview can strengthen democracy.Guest BioDaniel Darling is the Director of the Land Center for Cultural Engagement at Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary and a professor at Texas Baptist College. A bestselling author and respected voice on faith and public life, he has written more than 20 books, including In Defense of Christian Patriotism, The Characters of Christmas, and The Dignity Revolution. His work has been featured in outlets such as USA Today, Christianity Today, and The Gospel Coalition.Darling is known for his ability to engage cultural and political issues with biblical depth, humility, and conviction—calling Christians to participate in public life without losing sight of the kingdom of God.Learn more at danieldarling.com and follow him on X (Twitter) @dandarling.In Defense of Christian Patriotism (Bookshop): https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780063413948 Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this deeply human and revealing episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Noelle Cook, ethnographer, filmmaker, and author of The Conspiracists: Women, Extremism and the Lure of Belonging. Cook's award-winning documentary and forthcoming book explore how ordinary women become entangled in conspiracy movements—from QAnon to spiritualized extremism—while searching for meaning, identity, and community.Cook recounts how the January 6th insurrection inspired her to study women drawn into these spaces and what she discovered: that many were mothers, caregivers, and former churchgoers who turned to online conspiracies to fill the void of belonging. Through intimate storytelling, she shares her road trip with two women convicted for their roles in January 6th, revealing how trauma, faith, and hope intertwine in the psychology of belief.Together, the hosts and Cook unpack questions of empathy, extremism, and how conspiratorial thinking becomes a kind of spiritual coping mechanism in a fractured America. The conversation explores what churches, communities, and even families can learn from these stories about the human desire for connection—and the danger of mistaking belonging for truth.Learn more: https://www.noellecook.com/aboutGuest Bio:Noelle Cook is an ethnographer and filmmaker whose work examines the intersections of gender, conspiracy, and extremism. She is the author of the forthcoming book The Conspiracists: Women, Extremism and the Lure of Belonging and associate producer of the award-winning documentary The Conspiracists, which won Best Feature Documentary at the Miami Women's Film Festival and an Exceptional Merit Award at Documentaries Without Borders. Her research focuses on how digital spaces, spirituality, and trauma intersect to shape modern extremist movements. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram welcome back Kiera Butler, a senior correspondent for Mother Jones, to unpack her recent 5,000-word investigative feature on Christian Zionism—a movement where American evangelical theology intersects with foreign policy and billion-dollar influence in Israel.Butler explains how deeply-funded evangelical groups like the International Fellowship of Christians and Jews (IFCJ) and Christians United for Israel (CUFI) funnel hundreds of millions of dollars into Israel, often with motivations tied to end-times theology. The conversation covers the movement's theological roots in dispensationalism, the controversial Red Heifer Project, and the rising political influence of Christian Zionists under figures such as Mike Huckabee, Pete Hegseth, and Speaker Mike Johnson.The hosts and Butler also discuss the humanitarian and ethical implications of groups like the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the complex partnership between the Israeli government and American evangelicals, and how religious beliefs are increasingly shaping U.S. foreign policy. It's a rich and candid conversation that reveals how theology, politics, and money converge in ways that most Americans—and even many Christians—rarely see.Guest BioKiera Butler is a Senior Correspondent at Mother Jones, where she reports on religion, culture, and politics. Known for her deeply researched investigative features, her recent work explores how American evangelical movements are shaping international policy—most notably through her long-form piece on Christian Zionism. Butler's reporting often examines the intersections of faith, identity, and power, from rural prayer rallies to the global implications of theology-driven policy.Read the article: God's “Blank Check”: Christian Zionists Are Pouring Billions of Dollars Into Israeli Extremism - https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2025/09/christian-zionism-evangelicals-israel-trump-foreign-policy/ Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Dr. Nathanael Blake to discuss his new book, Victims of the Revolution: How Sexual Liberation Hurts Us All. Blake argues that the sexual revolution—once heralded as a movement for personal freedom and fulfillment—has in fact left a legacy of loneliness, dissatisfaction, and moral confusion. He traces how the rejection of traditional Christian sexual ethics in favor of “liberation” has reshaped our social fabric, from family life and marriage to identity and faith.The conversation moves through the promises and failures of the sexual revolution, the meaning of Christian “prudishness,” and the ways modern society's views on sex and identity have altered relationships, institutions, and even the church. Blake discusses purity culture, the rise of the “sex recession,” and how pornography, delayed marriage, and technology have changed intimacy. The hosts challenge him on issues such as women's rights, LGBTQ inclusion, and the role of government in defining marriage—leading to a candid and thought-provoking exchange about what it truly means to be human, embodied, and free.Victims of the Revolution: How Sexual Liberation Hurts Us All: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781621647706Guest BioDr. Nathanael Blake is a postdoctoral fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center (EPPC) and a Senior Contributor to The Federalist. His research and writing focus on culture, politics, and faith, with a particular emphasis on the moral costs of modern liberalism and the legacy of the sexual revolution. In his new book, Victims of the Revolution: How Sexual Liberation Hurts Us All (Ignatius Press, 2025), Blake argues that the pursuit of personal freedom in matters of sex and identity has eroded community, family stability, and true fulfillment. He holds a Ph.D. in political theory and has written widely on Christian ethics, social policy, and cultural renewal. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when the Bible gets treated like a political toolkit instead of a sacred text meant to form our lives? In this conversation, Pastor Josh and Will sit down with Brian Kaylor—editor in chief of Word&Way, Baptist minister, and author of The Bible According to Christian Nationalists—to unpack seven common ways scripture gets twisted to serve power. We talk about why Christian nationalism functions as a theological heresy, not just a political ideology, and how to separate healthy patriotism from a fusion of church and state that distorts the gospel.Brian walks us through how numerology frames like “Ephesians 6:11 at 6:11” go viral after violent events and why chapter and verse numbers were never meant to carry hidden messages. We dig into the difference between loving your neighbors and trying to rule them, the history behind public Ten Commandments displays and classroom mandates, and how commodifying the Bible turns faith into a brand. We also get practical about reading in community, broadening the voices that shape our interpretations, and cultivating the humility to say I might be wrong. If you care about faith, civic life, and the integrity of scripture, this episode offers language and tools to navigate a polarized moment without surrendering your soul.Book: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780827203501Guest BioBrian Kaylor is the editor in chief of Word&Way, a Baptist minister, and a scholar of political communication whose work sits at the intersection of faith, civic life, and media. He is the author of The Bible According to Christian Nationalists, a field guide to recognizing and resisting seven common misuses of scripture in public life, and the coauthor of Baptizing America, which traces how mainline Protestants helped cultivate the soil for Christian nationalism to grow.  Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when telling the truth collides with the full force of the state, and who gets to be called a patriot when the dust settles? In this episode, Josh and I sit down with Reality Winner, former Air Force linguist, NSA contractor, and author of I Am Not Your Enemy, to talk candidly about the choice that changed her life and the system that tried to define her. Reality walks us through why she leaked a top secret document in 2017, what the Espionage Act does and doesn't allow a jury to hear, and how her time in federal prison during COVID reshaped her understanding of justice, race, and power in America. We talk about sentencing disparities, the economics of incarceration, and the quiet ways local policy shapes people's lives far more than a single president ever will. We also explore how her new memoir lands in a moment when government secrecy and document mishandling keep making headlines, and why her story resists neat political boxes while still pushing us to ask better questions about transparency and accountability. Along the way, you'll hear about her family's grit, her work rescuing dogs in Texas, and why she's betting on local change over national theatrics. If you care about truth telling, faith in public life, and the human cost of our systems, this one will stay with you. For context on the new book's release and coverage, see the publisher page and recent features that situate her story in today's debates. Whistleblower Aid: https://whistlebloweraid.orgFind the book on Bookshop to support local stores: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781954118843Guest Bio: Reality Winner is a former U.S. Air Force linguist and NSA contractor who, in 2017, leaked a classified report on Russian interference in U.S. elections. She served more than four years in federal prison, the longest sentence ever imposed in the United States for leaking to the press. Since her release, Reality has become a voice for prison reform, government transparency, and mental health awareness. Her memoir, I Am Not Your Enemy, offers an unvarnished account of her choices, the legal Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens to Christian faith when hell is no longer the centerpiece of the story? In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram talk with Brian Recker—public theologian, former evangelical pastor, and author of the upcoming book Hellbent—about how a fixation on hell distorts the Christian life.Brian shares his powerful journey from fundamentalist Baptist roots and Bob Jones University, through service as a Marine officer and years as an evangelical pastor, to becoming a voice for deconstruction, healing, and inclusive Christianity. We dig into his critique of fear-based religion, his embrace of Jesus' love ethic over punitive theology, and why he believes rethinking hell is central to creating a more compassionate and just faith.Along the way, Brian explains how doctrines of eternal punishment shape evangelical politics, why leaving hell behind frees us for restorative justice, and how re-centering Christianity on Jesus' life and love could transform both the church and society.If you're wrestling with questions about deconstruction, hell, universalism, evangelicalism, or inclusive faith, this conversation will give you language, perspective, and courage to keep going.Guest Bio:Brian Recker is a Raleigh-based public theologian, former evangelical pastor, and Marine Corps officer turned author and speaker. A graduate of Bob Jones University, Brian has lived through the arc of fundamentalist Christianity, mainstream evangelicalism, and the difficult but liberating process of deconstruction. His work invites people to move from fear-driven religion to a spirituality rooted in love, justice, and inclusion.Brian's forthcoming book, Hellbent, makes the case that an obsession with hell has warped Christian spirituality, pushing believers toward fear and exclusion rather than love and transformation. Through his writing, videos, and public speaking, Brian seeks to help Christians reimagine their faith, embrace restorative justice, and rediscover Jesus' radical call to love. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when the language of faith is weaponized for politics? In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Karrie Gaspard Hogewood, a licensed social worker and PhD candidate at Tulane University, whose research explores the growing influence of Christian nationalism and spiritual warfare rhetoric in American politics.Karrie explains how spiritual warfare, once a personal practice of prayer and discipleship, has evolved into a collective political strategy rooted in the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR) and neo-charismatic movements. She walks us through the shift from evangelism to domination, the rise of the Seven Mountain Mandate, and how imagery of good versus evil fuels political engagement—from “Jericho marches” to Stop the Steal rallies. We also discuss the connection between these movements and broader themes of dominion theology, Christian Reconstructionism, and charismatic expressions of faith.Listeners will learn how this rhetoric not only mobilizes believers to vote, protest, and organize, but also raises concerns about political violence and democratic stability. Drawing from her dissertation research, Karrie offers insight into how narratives about “principalities and powers,” demon mapping, and America's supposed covenant with God shape today's most polarizing debates.Guest BioKarrie Gaspard Hogewood is a licensed social worker and PhD candidate in sociology at Tulane University. Her research explores the ways religion, politics, and social movements intertwine, with a particular focus on spiritual warfare rhetoric and its role in shaping political engagement. Raised in Louisiana's Southern Baptist tradition, Karrie brings both personal experience and scholarly expertise to her work. Her dissertation examines how Christian nationalist groups construct “the enemy” and use spiritual warfare language to mobilize political action, from school board campaigns to national rallies. She has been featured in academic and public conversations about Christian nationalism, the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation, and the growing influence of Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat does it really mean to follow Jesus when it comes to justice? In this episode, we sit down with Rev. Joash P. Thomas to talk about his new book The Justice of Jesus. Joash doesn't shy away from hard truths—he argues that much of Western Christianity inherited what he calls a “colonizer's gospel,” one that separated salvation from justice and made it easier to ignore the pain of marginalized people.Joash shares his own story of going from Republican political consultant to international human rights leader and now pastor, and how that journey reshaped the way he sees both the church and the world. We get into what restorative justice really looks like, why “cheap justice” leaves us empty, and how the Gospel must be good news for both body and soul. We also wrestle with the tension of unity in the church when it comes to issues like LGBTQ inclusion, authority, and truth.If you've ever wondered how faith can speak with clarity into our divided politics and hurting communities, this conversation will stretch your imagination and maybe even your theology. Subscribe, share, and keep the conversation going.Buy the book: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781587436666Guest Bio:Rev. Joash P. Thomas is a public theologian, international speaker, and ordained minister in the Diocese of St. Anthony (Communion of the Evangelical Episcopal Churches). Born and raised in India, he previously ran a political consulting and lobbying firm in the U.S. before leading international human-rights advocacy. He lives in a multiethnic community in Hamilton, Ontario, and is the author of The Justice of Jesus Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy are nearly half of Gen Z unaffiliated with organized religion—and what does that mean for campuses wrestling with conscience and rights? Kevin Bolling, Executive Director of the Secular Student Alliance, joins Will and Josh to unpack the lived reality behind the headlines: church–state separation, “10 Commandments in classrooms,” chaplains replacing counselors, school vouchers, and the legal fights around drag shows and student speech. From Texas organizing to LGBTQ student protections, Kevin shares how secular and religious students often work together to protect religious liberty for all, even as white Christian nationalism reshapes public policy. We also explore the family side of belief change—how parents and students can navigate identity, community, and care without coercion. Learn more: https://secularstudents.orgGuest BioKevin Bolling is Executive Director of the Secular Student Alliance (SSA), serving since 2017. He's a veteran nonprofit leader with two decades of experience in student organizing, higher-ed programs, and civil society advocacy, focused on church–state separation, LGBTQ inclusion, and student leadership. Under his leadership, SSA supports chapters nationwide across high schools, colleges, and virtual communities. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat explains the persistence and appeal of Christian patriarchy in contemporary America? In this episode, journalist and author Sarah Stankorb (Disobedient Women) examines the theological and institutional architecture surrounding **Doug Wilson, Christ Church, Canon Press, and the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC)*. Drawing on years of investigative reporting, Stankorb situates Moscow, Idaho, as both a local case study and a national model for the diffusion of patriarchal theology through publishing, education, and digital media.The conversation explores how discourses of submission and hierarchy provide not only a template for family and congregational life but also a framework for civic and political engagement. We analyze the implications of head-of-household voting, institutional cover-ups of abuse, and the theological rationales that normalize gendered power disparities. Stankorb highlights survivor narratives as essential sources of data, underscoring how authority structures can perpetuate cycles of harm under the guise of religious fidelity.By situating Wilson's project within broader debates over Christian nationalism, religious liberty, and political theology, this episode raises critical questions about the entanglement of faith and authoritarianism in the American public square.Disobedient Women:How a Small Group of Faithful Women Exposed Abuse, Brought Down Powerful Pastors, and Ignited an Evangelical Reckoninghttps://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781546003816Articles by Sarah:https://www.vice.com/en/article/inside-the-church-that-preaches-wives-need-to-be-led-with-a-firm-hand/https://www.elle.com/life-love/opinions-features/a64637668/tradwives-escaping-patriarchy-social-media-interview-2025/ Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when the Bible that was meant to bring life becomes a source of harm? Pastor Zach W. Lambert, founder of Restore Austin and co-founder of the Post-Evangelical Collective, joins the Faithful Politics Podcast to talk about his new book, Better Ways to Read the Bible. Drawing from his own journey out of Southern Baptist fundamentalism, Lambert explores how scripture was weaponized in his youth and how he rediscovered a Jesus who brought hope, not fear.We unpack his framework of “lenses” for reading scripture—why harmful approaches like moralism and literalism distort God's heart, and how healthier lenses like fruitfulness, context, and Christ-centeredness can transform the way we engage the Bible. Lambert shares pastoral stories of people hurt by misused verses, insights from his time at Dallas Theological Seminary and Duke Divinity, and his church's inclusive ministry in Austin.The conversation doesn't shy away from tough issues: hell, patriarchy, LGBTQ inclusion, and the grief of leaving behind certainty. Lambert reminds us that the answer to bad Bible reading isn't no Bible reading—it's better Bible reading. If you've wrestled with faith, struggled with scripture, or wondered if there's a more life-giving way forward, this episode will encourage, challenge, and equip you.Buy the book Better Ways to Read the Bible: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781587436680Guest BioZach W. Lambert is the lead pastor and founder of Restore Austin, a thriving church in Texas committed to radical inclusivity and justice. A graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and current doctoral student at Duke Divinity School, Lambert brings a unique blend of evangelical roots and academic depth. He co-founded the Post-Evangelical Collective and serves on the boards of the Austin Church Planting Network and Multi-Faith Neighbors Network. His debut book, Better Ways to Read the Bible (Brazos Press, 2024), equips Christians to move beyond harmful interpretations toward healthier, Christ-centered engagement with scripture Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat do Americans really believe about LGBTQ rights, same-sex marriage, and religious liberty? In this episode of the Faithful Politics Podcast, we're joined by Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), one of the nation's most trusted voices on the intersection of faith, culture, and politics. Deckman unpacks PRRI's groundbreaking American Values Atlas, a massive data project that tracks shifts in public opinion across all 50 states, and shares insights from new research on the growing number of exvangelicals leaving the church.Together, we explore why support for non-discrimination protections remains strong—even among many faith communities—how attitudes toward same-sex marriage have evolved since the Obergefell decision, and why religious refusals continue to spark debate in the courts and in everyday life. Deckman also explains how generational divides, mistrust of institutions, and regional differences complicate the story of religion and democracy in America.If you want to understand how religion is shaping political debates on LGBTQ rights, abortion, immigration, and the future of American democracy, this conversation provides clarity, context, and the data to back it up.American Values Atlas: https://ava.prri.orgExvangelicals: Who They Are, Why They Left, and What They Believe: https://prri.org/spotlight/exvangelicals-who-they-are-why-they-left-and-what-they-believe/Guest BioMelissa Deckman, Ph.D. is the CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), a nonpartisan research organization at the forefront of studying the intersection of religion, culture, and American politics. A political scientist and widely published scholar, Deckman has written extensively on gender, religion, and public opinion. Under her leadership, PRRI has produced landmark studies like the American Values Atlas and recent reports on the rise of exvangelicals. Her expertise makes her one of the leading voices on how faith communities influence—and are influenced by—the shifting tides of American democracy Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat does it mean to live out brave faith in the world's most violent neighborhoods? In this episode of Faithful Politics, we sit down with Dr. Kurt Alan Ver Beek, a sociologist, missionary, and co-founder of the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ) in Honduras. Dr. Ver Beek's decades of work tackling systemic corruption, homicide reduction, and police reform are the focus of Ross Halperin's book Bear Witness: The Pursuit of Justice in a Violent Land.From moving his family into one of Honduras's toughest neighborhoods to helping lead a national police purge that cut homicide rates by nearly 70%, Dr. Ver Beek shares the risks, faith, and persistence behind real change. This conversation dives into Christian courage, the challenges of confronting drug trafficking and corrupt systems, and how ordinary people can build trust where institutions have failed.Guest BioDr. Kurt Alan Ver Beek is a sociologist, missionary, and co-founder of the Association for a More Just Society (ASJ), a faith-based nonprofit dedicated to fighting corruption and defending the vulnerable in Honduras. For more than 30 years, he and his wife Joanne have lived in one of Tegucigalpa's most dangerous neighborhoods, working alongside local leaders to reduce homicide, reform policing, and advocate for systemic justice. Ver Beek's leadership helped drive Honduras's historic police purge, which dismissed thousands of corrupt officers and introduced new accountability structures. His work is profiled in Ross Halperin's book Bear Witness: The Pursuit of Justice in a Violent Land (available on Amazon). Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy do claims of “persecution” surge whenever Christians lose cultural power? PRRI's 2024–25 state-by-state analysis shows three in ten Americans qualify as Christian nationalism Adherents or Sympathizers—a durable share shaping law, policy, and public life.  Sociologist Andrew L. Whitehead—author of American Idolatry and coauthor of Taking America Back for God—joins Will and Josh to unpack why power, fear, and violence function like modern “idols,” and how that maps onto fights over schools, parental rights, religious liberty, and the 2024–26 political landscape. Moving from gut-level intuition (Haidt's “elephant”) to reasoned analysis (the “rider”), we explore how Christian nationalism frames “liberty” as domination, why persecution narratives persist, and what the latest PRRI data reveals across all 50 states. Keywords: Christian nationalism, religious liberty, school choice, persecution narratives, 2024 election, SCOTUS, political theology. If you're wrestling with faith, power, and democracy—and what a faithful public witness might look like—this conversation brings clarity without the culture-war fog. Andrew L. Whitehead is a professor of sociology at Indiana University Indianapolis and executive director of the Association of Religion Data Archives (ARDA). He is the author of American Idolatry: How Christian Nationalism Betrays the Gospel and Threatens the Church and coauthor (with Samuel L. Perry) of Taking America Back for God. His research and commentary appear in outlets like The New York Times, NPR, and Time. 

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comMore than 60 years after MLK's “Letter from Birmingham Jail,” 11 a.m. on Sunday remains one of the most segregated hours in America. Why? And can the church finally become a catalyst for real racial healing?In this compelling conversation, Dr. David McFadden joins hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to discuss Kingdom Racial Change, a new book co-authored with Pastor Michael A. Evans and sociologist Michael Emerson. Drawing from lived experience and decades of ministry, medicine, and research, McFadden unpacks why systemic racism remains embedded in our institutions—and how the church must become a diverse force for justice rather than a segregated echo chamber.The episode explores micro, meso, and macro levels of racial inequality, interracial church collaboration, and the emotional and spiritual cost of pushing for unity in a divided time. For anyone committed to building a kingdom “on earth as it is in heaven,” this conversation offers both conviction and hope.➡️ Subscribe, share, and join the conversation.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy doesn't the U.S. Constitution mention God—and what does that silence mean?Steven Smith, one of the nation's foremost legal scholars on law and religion, joins Will and Josh to unpack the complex—and often misunderstood—relationship between the Constitution, religious liberty, and American identity. His new book, The Godless Constitution and the Providential Republic, argues that while the Constitution omits references to God, the nation's political life has long been shaped by a providential worldview.Together, they explore landmark court cases like Engel v. Vitale and Kennedy v. Bremerton, the shift toward secular governance in the 1960s, and the ongoing culture war over Christian nationalism. Smith challenges both theocracy and militant secularism, offering a third path: a framework rooted in institutional church-state separation that preserves space for pluralism and public faith expression.If you've ever wondered whether America is—or was ever meant to be—a “Christian nation,” this conversation offers clarity, nuance, and constitutional insight.Subscribe, share, and join the conversation.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy do everyday Americans feel more divided than ever—despite living side by side?Anthropologist Anand Pandian joins Faithful Politics to explore the literal and metaphorical walls shaping American life. Drawing from his new book, Something Between Us: The Everyday Walls of American Life and How to Take Them Down, Pandian reflects on how gated communities, armored SUVs, and isolated media bubbles reinforce our moral divisions and political tribalism. From border walls to suburban surveillance, the conversation investigates how social infrastructure amplifies fear, reduces neighborly contact, and fosters moral distance.Pandian doesn't just critique—he models empathy across difference, even recounting his own experience at a Trump rally. Together with hosts Will and Josh, the episode challenges listeners to reconsider what “safety” really means and how we might rediscover shared belonging.Whether you're wrestling with polarization, cultural identity, or moral responsibility, this episode offers a hopeful reframe grounded in anthropology, faith, and civic curiosity.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy does so much political dysfunction begin before Election Day? In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright speaks with Nick Troiano, Executive Director of Unite America and author of The Primary Solution. They unpack how gerrymandering and redistricting battles in states like Texas and California are only part of the problem. The real issue? Closed primaries that shut out millions of voters and reward partisan extremes.Troiano explains how open primaries, ranked choice voting, and reforms already working in states like Alaska, Colorado, and New Mexico could restore competition, accountability, and majority rule to American elections. This conversation blends history, constitutional context, and on-the-ground reform efforts to show how we can strengthen democracy from the ground up.If you've ever wondered why your vote feels like it doesn't matter—or what can be done about it—this episode is your roadmap to meaningful reform.Guest BioNick Troiano is the Executive Director of Unite America, a nonpartisan organization advancing political reform to foster a more representative and functional government. A nationally recognized leader on electoral reform, Troiano has been at the forefront of efforts to end gerrymandering and promote open primaries across the country. His book, The Primary Solution (2024), makes the case for abolishing closed party primaries and empowering voters with real choice. He has been featured in national outlets including The New York Times, The Washington Post, and C-SPAN, and is widely regarded as one of the leading voices on fixing the structural roots of polarization in American politics.Relevant LinksNick Troiano's book: The Primary Solution https://bookshop.org/p/books/the-primary-solution-nick-troiano/Unite America: www.uniteamerica.org Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when your zip code determines your child's future?In this episode, Will and Josh talk with Jason Bedrick, a research fellow at the Heritage Foundation's Center for Education Policy, to unpack the complex—and often contentious—landscape of school choice. Bedrick shares his 20+ year journey in education reform, tracing his advocacy for parental rights and religious liberty back to a post-9/11 awakening and Milton Friedman's theories.The conversation explores vouchers, education savings accounts (ESAs), the history and distortion of school choice post-Brown v. Board, and how pandemic-era frustrations accelerated parental engagement. Bedrick also addresses the tension between religious freedom and government schooling, pushing back on claims that school choice fuels segregation or undermines civic unity.If you're wondering how school choice intersects with parental rights, government responsibility, First Amendment protections, or the values debate in public schools, this episode is a must-listen.Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we examine what true educational freedom looks like—and who gets to decide.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comMore than half of all historical carbon emissions have occurred since 1989—after world leaders knew the risks. So why do we still believe we can innovate our way out of collapse?In this sobering and deeply philosophical conversation, Roy Scranton—former soldier, literary scholar, and author of Impasse: Climate Change and the Limits of Progress—joins Will to explore why our faith in progress may be our greatest liability. Drawing from his experience in Iraq and his study of civilizational decline, Scranton dismantles the optimistic narratives that shape American culture, from techno-utopianism to climate heroism.They discuss everything from American exceptionalism and carbon optimism to moral psychology, Jonathan Haidt's “elephant and rider,” and the ethical case for pessimism. Scranton argues that rather than trying to save the world, we should focus on how to live meaningfully in a collapsing one—with compassion, honesty, and courage.Whether you're a climate realist, a techno-optimist, or just anxious about the future, this episode will stretch your mind.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when a religious sect rooted in patriarchy and Christian nationalism gains influence over America's largest government agency?Dr. Samuel P. Perry, a scholar of race, religion, and rhetoric at Baylor University, joins Will to unpack the rise of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC)—a small but strategically influential network founded by Doug Wilson in Moscow, Idaho. Perry explains how the CREC uses media, schools, and publishing arms like Canon Press to shape a hyper-patriarchal, theocratic vision of society. He also explores the implications of Pete Hegseth—Trump's Secretary of Defense—being a member of a CREC church.The conversation covers Christian reconstructionism, the erosion of church-state separation, militant rhetoric, and the creeping normalization of extreme ideology through polished media ecologies. Perry also warns how these theological fringes have real-world implications, from women in combat to anti-LGBTQ policies in the military.If you've never heard of the CREC, now is the time to pay attention.Subscribe, share, and join the conversation.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comNearly 60% of Americans still believe the Pope speaks infallibly—but what does that actually mean?In this illuminating episode, Dr. Stephen Okey, a Catholic theologian at Saint Leo University, helps us unpack the mysteries of the papacy—from apostolic succession and the theology of confession to why popes change their names and how AI may shape the next Catholic revolution. With humor and clarity, Okey demystifies concepts like papal infallibility and ex cathedra pronouncements, clarifying that only two infallible statements have ever been made—and both were about Mary.As the Catholic Church wrestles with moral leadership in an age of automation, this episode also explores the social teachings of Pope Leo XIII, how they inspired the new Pope Leo XIV, and what all this means for the dignity of work, human agency, and religious liberty in 2025.Subscribe, share, and join the conversation as we ask: How should theology engage public life in a digital world?Guest BioDr. Stephen Okey is a Catholic theologian and Associate Professor of Theology at Saint Leo University, where he specializes in theological anthropology, Catholic social teaching, and the intersection of faith, technology, and public life. He writes the Substack Okey Doxy and hosts a podcast where he interviews leading theologians.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comNearly 4 in 10 Americans now say they actively avoid the news. Why is our information landscape leaving so many people overwhelmed, cynical, or checked out?In this episode, Will and Josh sit down with award-winning journalist Julie Rose, host of the Top of Mind and Uncomfy podcasts, to explore the moral cost of our fast-paced, sensational news culture. After years at NPR stations and BYUradio, Julie burned out—and reimagined journalism from the ground up. She now creates longform conversations designed to slow us down, challenge certainty, and foster empathy.Together, they unpack media bias, bridge-building across ideological divides, abortion discourse, and why persuasion may not be the goal of dialogue—but curiosity might be. If you've ever felt disillusioned with the news, this is your invitation to rethink how you consume—and contribute to—the conversation.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com80% of white evangelicals voted for Trump in the 2024 GOP primaries—despite everything. Why? And what does it reveal about the state of the Christian conscience?In this raw and pastoral conversation, Will and Josh speak with Pat Kahnke—author of A Christian Case Against Donald Trump—about the moral cost of evangelical allegiance to Trump. A former pastor and lifelong Republican, Kahnke shares his journey from voting a straight GOP ticket to being “deported” from the party for refusing to support Trump. Together, they explore how fear, political power, and theological drift have distorted the witness of the Church.The episode dives into key moral foundations: care vs. harm, truth vs. deception, and justice vs. oppression. With rare empathy and candor, Pat explains why he believes the Church needs a “40-year wilderness” before it can heal.Listen in for a conversation that challenges, convicts, and—most importantly—calls us to a better way.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comCan the Bible affirm same-sex relationships without compromising its authority?More than half of LGBTQ youth raised in non-affirming Christian households report suicidal thoughts, according to The Trevor Project. In this timely and vulnerable conversation, Matthew Vines—author of God and the Gay Christian and founder of The Reformation Project—joins Will and Josh to explore the moral, theological, and pastoral implications of excluding LGBTQ people from covenantal love.Raised in an evangelical church, Matthew shares his deeply personal story of coming out, challenging the “clobber verses,” and making a theologically conservative case for full LGBTQ inclusion. The conversation also unpacks celibacy mandates, biblical context vs. timeless principles, and how churches can (and can't) offer belonging without affirmation.Josh remains non-affirming, but open. The result is a rare, emotionally intelligent dialogue that refuses easy answers—and models what truth-seeking looks like across deep difference.Guest BioMatthew Vines is the author of God and the Gay Christian and founder of The Reformation Project, a nonprofit dedicated to advancing LGBTQ inclusion in the church while upholding biblical authority. A Harvard-trained theologian turned advocate, Vines is known for articulating an affirming theology rooted in evangelical hermeneutics and traditional biblical scholarship.God and the Gay Christian (Amazon)https://www.amazon.com/God-Gay-Christian-Biblical-Relationships/dp/1601425163The Reformation Project Websitehttps://reformationproject.org/Matthew Vines on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/@ReformationProject Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when the church adopts the worldview of its cultural critics?According to recent data, nearly 60% of American Christians now say it's more important to be “kind” than to uphold biblical truth. But what if that kindness is shaped by a secularism that quietly undermines Christian convictions? In this episode of Faithful Politics, we sit down with Dr. John West—author of Stockholm Syndrome Christianity and VP of the Discovery Institute—to explore how secular assumptions have infiltrated the church from within. West, a longtime scholar of politics, religion, and science, argues that many church leaders have internalized a materialist worldview that strips faith of its power to transform.We talk homelessness, public policy, marriage, religious liberty, and why Christians need to recover a holistic view of human dignity—not just “throw money at problems.” It's a thought-provoking dialogue on the tensions between compassion, conviction, and cultural conformity.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com81% of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump in 2016—and for many lifelong churchgoers, that moment was a spiritual breaking point. In this episode, author and podcaster Erin Hicks Moon joins the show to talk about what happens when the faith you inherited no longer feels like home. Erin, co-host of Faith Adjacent and author of I've Got Questions: The Spiritual Practice of Having It Out with God, unpacks what it means to deconstruct, grieve spiritual loss, and stay tethered to Jesus in a time of disillusionment. With honesty and humor, she explores questions around religious trauma, purity culture, Christian nationalism, and how to find peace without pretending the damage never happened. If you've ever found yourself wondering whether faith can survive doubt—or whether you can still love Jesus after being hurt by his followers—this episode is for you.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWe're breaking from our usual Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday release schedule to address a topic making headlines: the Johnson Amendment.What is the Johnson Amendment—and why are some Christian leaders eager to repeal it? Enacted in 1954, the law prohibits churches and other nonprofits from endorsing or opposing political candidates. While critics argue it silences pastors, Amanda Tyler, Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty, says it actually protects the integrity of both church and state.In this episode, Tyler explains how repealing the Johnson Amendment could politicize the pulpit, erode sacred trust, and compromise true religious freedom. With legal expertise and deep Baptist roots, she offers a compelling defense of why churches should stay out of electoral politics.If you've ever wondered whether pastors should endorse candidates from the pulpit, this conversation offers both moral clarity and constitutional insight.Editor's Note:In this episode, there is a brief misstatement regarding the Texas lawsuit and litigation strategy. Amanda mistakenly stated that Texas sued the Department of Justice, when in fact it was the DOJ that sued Texas. A White House press release confirms this. While the procedural detail was misstated, the broader point being made remains unchanged.Guest BioAmanda Tyler is Executive Director of BJC (Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty), a constitutional lawyer, and a leading voice in the fight against Christian nationalism. Under her leadership, BJC has mobilized faith communities to protect religious liberty for all, including through initiatives like Christians Against Christian Nationalism. She is the author of How to End Christian Nationalism.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn 1954, white Southern churches declared that school integration “defied God's design.” Seven decades later, many of those congregations champion “color-blindness” instead. What changed—and what hasn't? Historian Rusty Hawkins (Indiana Wesleyan University), co-editor of The Bible Told Them So: How Southern Evangelicals Fought to Preserve White Supremacy, joins Faithful Politics to trace the theological through-line from Jim Crow sermons to modern debates over CRT and DEI. Hawkins explains how pastors and laypeople alike used Scripture to sanctify segregation, then re-branded the same resistance as a fight for “quality education” and “parental choice.” He also argues that today's church can still become a force for racial reconciliation—if it learns from the prophetic witness of the Black church and rejects power for service. Whether you're a pastor, activist, or history buff, this conversation equips you with the receipts—and the hope—to confront racism's religious roots.Guest BioRusty Hawkins is Associate Professor of History at Indiana Wesleyan University, specializing in American religion and race. He co-edited the award-winning The Bible Told Them So and is currently writing a religious biography of Alabama Governor George Wallace. Hawkins's scholarship appears in Christianity Today, the Journal of Southern Religion, and other outlets, making him a leading voice on how evangelical theology has shaped—and been shaped by—America's color line. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn June 2024, Louisiana passed a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom—reviving old debates about church-state separation and moral authority. But what if we've misunderstood the Ten Commandments all along?Dr. Mark Glanville, Old Testament scholar, jazz pianist, and director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at UBC, joins the podcast to reframe how we read scripture in public life. Drawing on his essay “Ten Commandments, Zero Context,” Glanville explains how these ancient laws were never about symbolic domination or individual morality, but about shaping a just, compassionate community freed from oppression.From biblical law's roots in slave emancipation to today's debates over Christian nationalism, immigration, and public theology, this episode asks: What kind of society are we really trying to build? And whose law are we following—Pharaoh's or God's?

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com88% of Americans believe our political system isn't working—and they're not wrong. In this episode, Will sits down with Meredith Sumpter, CEO of FairVote, to unpack one of the most promising reforms in American democracy: ranked choice voting (RCV). With over 800 elections already conducted using RCV and growing bipartisan support in states like Maine and Alaska, this episode explores how RCV reduces negative campaigning, empowers majority rule, and encourages candidates to actually engage with all voters—not just their base.Meredith explains how RCV works, where it's spreading, and why local communities are leading the charge. Can a voting method really make elections more civil? What would it take to implement RCV nationwide? And why are some politicians resisting it, even if their constituents support it?This isn't just a conversation about ballots—it's about restoring faith in the democratic process.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy does Xi Jinping, one of the world's most powerful leaders, believe the Communist Party deserves unwavering loyalty—even after it persecuted his own family?Author and political historian Joseph Torigian joins Faithful Politics to unpack his groundbreaking biography, The Party's Interest Come First, a deeply researched portrait of Xi Zhongxun, father of China's current president. With insights drawn from rare archival material, spy memoirs, and even interviews with the Dalai Lama, Torigian helps us understand how personal suffering shaped the elder Xi's devotion to party discipline—and how that legacy forged Xi Jinping's authoritarian vision for modern China. We explore the moral logic of elite politics in Beijing, the party's uneasy relationship with religious minorities like Christians and Catholics, and why understanding history is essential to forecasting China's future.As China's global influence grows and tension with the West intensifies, this conversation couldn't be more timely—or more vital.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comMost of us think we know more than we do. But what if our beliefs—especially political ones—are shaped less by facts and more by the people around us? In this mind-expanding episode, Dr. Steven Sloman, professor at Brown University and co-author of The Knowledge Illusion, explores how humans think, why we rely on others for knowledge, and how sacred values—not reasoned analysis—drive political polarization. He explains the tension between intuitive and deliberative thinking, the communal nature of belief, and why asking people why they believe something rarely changes minds—but asking about consequences might. If you're wondering why people dig in on issues like immigration, tariffs, or abortion—and how to bridge deep divides—this episode is for you.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy would the U.S. strike Iran's nuclear facilities—and what does it mean for global stability?In this episode, former U.S. diplomat and Middle East expert Ethan Chorin returns to break down the escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. Chorin, author of Benghazi and writer of The Middle East Told Slant, gives a nuanced view of how the region arrived at this inflection point—from the JCPOA withdrawal to the October 7 Hamas attack and the long shadow of the Abraham Accords.With deep knowledge of regional proxy wars, U.S. foreign policy, and Iran's theocratic regime, Chorin explores how power, ideology, and politics collide across borders. He unpacks why Iran's nuclear ambitions are so destabilizing, how Israel's strategy has evolved, and what the American public often misunderstands about both allies and adversaries.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when your faith and your politics collide? In this powerful episode, content creator and author April Ajoy shares her journey from being a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist to becoming a progressive Christian voice calling out religious extremism. Raised in a family of traveling evangelists, April grew up believing America was a Christian nation blessed by God—until personal tragedy, political disillusionment, and her brother's coming out shattered that worldview.She opens up about her time working at the 700 Club, the pain of deconstructing toxic theology, and how humor became her tool for resistance. April's story offers a deeply personal window into how faith can evolve without being abandoned—and why standing up to Christian nationalism is both necessary and hopeful.