Podcast appearances and mentions of brad onishi

In this episode of the Straight White American Jesus Sunday Interview, host Leah Payne speaks with award-winning journalist and historian Caleb Gayle about his acclaimed book Black Moses: A Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State. Caleb Gayle is an award-winning journalist and professor at Northeastern University. He is the author of We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power and a contributing writer at The New York Times Magazine. His work has also appeared in The Atlantic, TIME, The Guardian, Guernica, The New Republic, and The Boston Globe. Longlisted for the National Book Award for Nonfiction, named one of The Washington Post's Best Nonfiction Books of the Year, and selected as a New York Times Editors' Choice, Black Moses tells the remarkable story of Edward McCabe, a Black political leader who nearly succeeded in founding a Black-governed state in the Oklahoma Territory at the turn of the twentieth century. Together, Payne and Gayle explore McCabe's ambitious political vision, the racial politics of the American West, and the broader historical context of Reconstruction, westward expansion, and Indigenous displacement. The conversation also reflects on how forgotten stories like McCabe's challenge familiar narratives about American democracy, race, and political imagination. In this episode: The cinematic structure of Black Moses and how Gayle and his editor shaped the narrative Who Edward McCabe was and why his story has largely disappeared from mainstream American history McCabe's audacious plan to create a Black state in the Oklahoma Territory The Reconstruction-era search for Black self-determination and how McCabe's vision differed from projects in Liberia or Haiti The American West as a site of competing dreams—and conflicts—among Black settlers, white settlers, and Indigenous nations McCabe's political strategy: organizing, coalition building, and attracting Black migration to Oklahoma Why Oklahoma ultimately aligned itself with Jim Crow politics during statehood The unfinished project of American democracy and the importance of political imagination Black Moses: A Saga of Ambition and the Fight for a Black State by Caleb Gayle Can the Rodeo Save a Historic Black Town? One woman's quest to rescue Boley, Oklahoma, The Atlantic, by Caleb Gayle In This EpisodeLinks: We Refuse to Forget: A True Story of Black Creeks, American Identity, and Power by Caleb GayleFind Professor Gayle at www.calebgayle.com, Instagram: @calebgayle, Twitter: @gaylecalebFind Dr. Leah Payne at drleahpayne.com, subscribe on Substack, follow her on most social media platforms at @drleahpayne, listen along at Spirit & Power: Charismatics & Politics in American Life & Rock that Doesn't Roll: the Story of Christian Rock, and read along: God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Welcome back to Straight White American Jesus. In this episode, Brad Onishi and co-host Dan Miller dig into the resignation of Joe Kent and the unraveling narrative around Iran. Kent's claim—that Iran posed no imminent nuclear threat—directly contradicts statements from figures like Mike Johnson and exposes what the hosts see as a familiar pattern: shifting justifications, vague timelines, and a disregard for expertise in favor of political loyalty. The conversation traces how dissent from within MAGA ranks—especially from someone like Kent—signals fractures in the movement, even as those critiques are quickly dismissed by Donald Trump. For Onishi and Miller, the deeper issue is a political culture where intelligence, experience, and even firsthand knowledge of war are subordinated to rhetoric, loyalty, and “feelings” about national security. The episode then widens its lens, connecting foreign policy to a broader “culture of death” that the hosts argue defines the current political moment. From Pete Hegseth's blunt justification that “it takes money to kill bad guys” to the rhetoric emerging from his religious circle—where his pastor Brooks Potteiger and podcast host Joshua Haymes discussed James Talarico in terms that included prayers for his death and suggestions he should be “stopped by any means necessary”—Onishi and Miller highlight a throughline of violence, dehumanization, and theological justification for harm. They argue that this kind of language—casting opponents as enemies of God or demonic threats—creates a moral framework where violence becomes not just acceptable but righteous. The result is a dangerous fusion of nationalism, militarism, and extremist theology, where political disagreement is reframed as spiritual warfare and the stakes are nothing less than life, death, and the future of American democracy. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the end of his chapter on men as “warriors,” we finally get to his full vision of what a “warrior” is. What does Hawley have to tell us? Is there anything specifically “war-like” about his warriors? Or anything specifically Christian? Or even anything particularly masculine. Not so much, as it turns out. As Dan argues in this episode, Hawley's really just in it for the culture war. Take a listen and check it out! Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Brad Onishi takes on a provocative question: is James Talarico really a “liberal Christian nationalist,” as critics on both the right and left have claimed following his primary victory over Jasmine Crockett? Drawing on the widely cited definition from sociologists Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry, the episode breaks down what Christian nationalism actually is: a fusion of Christian and American identity, a belief in divine sanction for political domination, and a moral framework that privileges Christians as uniquely legitimate citizens. Onishi argues that simply being a religious politician—or even using theological language in public debate—does not meet this threshold, pushing back on claims from figures like William Wolfe and C.J. Engel, as well as critiques from scholars like Heath Carter. Through close analysis of Talarico's own words and political theology, the episode contends that his emphasis on pluralism, the separation of church and state, and universal human dignity stands in direct opposition to Christian nationalist ideology. Rather than advocating for a theocratic state or privileging Christians above others, Talarico frames his faith as a call to inclusive democracy and care for all neighbors. Onishi warns that labeling figures like Talarico as “Christian nationalists” risks flattening important distinctions and obscuring the anti-democratic aims of actual Christian nationalist movements. The result is a deeper exploration of how faith can show up in politics without undermining democracy—and why precision in our language matters now more than ever. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In this Sunday Interview, Bradley Onishi sits down with historian Matthew Avery Sutton to discuss his sweeping new book Chosen Land. Sutton argues that from the colonial era onward, Americans have pursued a centuries-long project to transform North America into a “holy land” that could usher in God's millennial kingdom. Paradoxically, the founders' decision to create a secular Constitution and protect religious freedom through the First Amendment helped fuel the explosive growth and innovation of American Christianity. Without a state church, religious leaders became entrepreneurs—competing for followers through media, technology, and spectacle—helping make the United States far more publicly religious than many other Western democracies. The conversation explores how a long-standing Protestant cultural dominance shaped American politics and public life, from Abraham Lincoln navigating religious expectations in the 19th century to Barack Obama confronting controversy over Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Sutton also explains the decline of mainline Protestantism, the rise of evangelical branding, and why the very term “evangelical” is largely a modern reinvention rather than a continuous tradition stretching back to figures like Jonathan Edwards. The episode closes with a look at today's Christian nationalism, culture-war politics, and apocalyptic thinking—from debates about Israel to interpretations of global conflict—asking whether the United States is witnessing the last gasp of white Protestant dominance or simply another revival in a long and turbulent religious history. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 On this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller dive headfirst into the Trump administration's approach to Iran—and the deeper worldview shaping it. They examine the escalating conflict, the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz, and the administration's apparent failure to anticipate Iran's most obvious leverage point. But beyond the geopolitics, Brad and Dan argue that something larger is at play: a model of “MAGA masculinity” that prizes action over thought, rejects expertise, and treats diplomacy and long-term relationships as weakness. From Pete Hegseth's press conferences to the firing of intelligence experts and counter-terrorism staff, they trace how a culture that glorifies brute force and disdain for knowledge can produce catastrophic decision-making—with real human costs. In the second half of the show, the conversation turns to newly released depositions from former DOGE officials tasked with slashing federal grants. The clips reveal young operatives with little expertise making sweeping cuts based largely on whether projects referenced feminism, LGBTQ people, or racial minorities—raising serious questions about the real meaning behind the administration's war on “DEI.” Brad and Dan connect these revelations back to their broader theme: a governing philosophy rooted in domination, resentment, and the rejection of intellectual or moral accountability. They close by asking whether the Iran conflict could fracture the MAGA coalition ahead of the midterms—and by reflecting on what healthier forms of masculinity, leadership, and public responsibility might look like in contrast. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The third role Josh Hawley tells us that men are called to play is that of “warrior”? But what does that mean? Where might we look for an exemplar? One of Josh Hawley's answers is another Joshua, the figure from the Hebrew Bible, tasks with reclaiming the “Promised Land” for the Israelites. But the biblical book of Joshua commands the “utter destruction” of the inhabitants of the land, raising profound concerns about genocide and ethnic cleansing. Is this really the model of masculinity Hawley says we should follow? Listen to this week's episode to hear Dan's discussion of how Hawley responds, and what this tells us about “manhood” as he imagines it. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Host Annika Brockschmidt sits down with historian Thomas Zimmer for a wide-ranging conversation about the politics of history in the age of Trumpism—and why Zimmer ultimately decided to leave the United States after years teaching at Georgetown and return to Germany with his family. Reflecting on the increasingly hostile climate for scholars and public commentators, Zimmer discusses how harassment, threats, and the broader erosion of democratic norms shaped that decision. From there, the conversation turns to a deeper historical question: how the Trump administration and its intellectual allies are attempting to reshape the story Americans tell about their past. Brockschmidt and Zimmer analyze recent speeches and rhetoric from figures like Donald Trump, JD Vance, Marco Rubio, and Senator Eric Schmitt, arguing that the contemporary right is moving away from the traditional language of American ideals toward a vision rooted in ancestry, heritage, and “blood and soil” nationalism. They place this rhetoric in historical context, tracing the long-running conflict between civic and ethnic visions of American identity—from the nation's founding through the Civil Rights era and into today's MAGA movement. The result, they argue, is not simply partisan messaging but a broader political project aimed at redefining who counts as a “real” American and rolling back the pluralistic aspirations that emerged from the civil rights revolution. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller break down the Trump administration's military action against Iran and the political and religious rhetoric surrounding the conflict. They examine the contradictions in Republican messaging, with some officials describing the action as a war while others insist it is not. Brad and Dan also discuss the lack of a clear public justification similar to what preceded previous conflicts like Iraq and Afghanistan, the internal divisions within the MAGA coalition over foreign intervention, and the growing criticism coming from prominent conservative voices. The conversation also explores how Christian nationalist rhetoric is being used to frame the conflict, with several political and religious leaders describing the situation in explicitly religious terms or invoking biblical responsibility toward Israel. Brad and Dan contrast these narratives with dissenting voices within conservative and Catholic circles who oppose military escalation. The episode also turns to the Texas primary results, including James Talarico winning the Democratic Senate nomination, record Democratic turnout, and the high profile Republican runoff between John Cornyn and Ken Paxton. Together, these developments highlight ongoing fractures within the Republican coalition and shifting political dynamics heading into the next election cycle. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What drives people into the arms of white Christian nationalism — and why does it hold them so completely? In this episode, I go beneath the politics and into the psychology, using psychoanalytic theory to deconstruct what the movement is actually doing at the level of the unconscious. Drawing on Philip Gorski and Samuel Perry's The Flag and the Cross, Pamela Cooper-White's landmark paper "God, Guns, and Guts," and the testimony of former evangelical minister Brad Onishi, I examine white Christian nationalism not as a fringe aberration but as a religious power order — a cosmology of hierarchy held together by fear, trauma, and the desperate human need for order in a world that feels like it's coming apart. I move through Freud's group psychology, the narcissistic leader, Klein's paranoid-schizoid splitting, castration anxiety and gun culture, and end with the most unsettling question of all: who is carrying the shadow the rest of us won't claim?

Josh Hawley informs us that one of the distinctive roles men are called to play is that of “warrior.” But what, exactly, makes a warrior? What are the distinctively masculine “warrior virtues” men are called to live out? It turns out that Hawley's answers to these questions are not what we might expect. In fact, it's not clear what, precisely, makes a “warrior” at all. Listen to this week's episode as Dan explains. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MAGA Christians are splitting over Donald Trump's strike on Iran, with high-profile voices like Megyn Kelly, Tucker Carlson, and Marjorie Taylor Greene arguing the move betrays “America First” principles. For them, foreign intervention—especially on behalf of Israel—undermines the nationalist, anti-entanglement ethos that fueled Trump's rise. Some Catholic and post-liberal thinkers, including Edward Feser and Sohrab Ahmari, have also criticized the action as strategically incoherent and politically dangerous. This wing of the coalition views the conflict not as a divine mandate but as another costly overseas engagement that risks American lives without clear national benefit—raising fresh questions about Trump's alignment with the movement he leads. At the same time, influential charismatic leaders such as Lance Wallnau and Sean Feucht interpret the Iran conflict through an apocalyptic lens, tying it to biblical prophecy, Purim imagery, and end-times theology. Rooted in strands of premillennial evangelicalism, this faction sees Israel as central to God's unfolding plan and views confrontation with Iran (ancient Persia in biblical narrative) as prophetically significant. The result is a theological and political fracture inside MAGA: one camp prioritizes nationalist restraint and geopolitical realism, while the other embraces a providential vision that frames war as part of a larger divine drama. How Trump navigates this divide could shape not only his coalition's unity but the future direction of Christian nationalism in American politics. Subscribe for $3.65:⁠ ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter:⁠ ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠⁠ Donate to SWAJ: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In this episode of Straight White American Jesus: The Sunday Interview, Brad Onishi speaks with CNN Chief Investigative Correspondent Pamela Brown about her new documentary examining Christian nationalism, the rise of the Communion of Reformed Evangelical Churches (CREC), and the growing influence of Idaho pastor Doug Wilson. Brown discusses her viral interview with Wilson, her reporting from Moscow, Idaho, and how Christian Reconstructionist theology is gaining mainstream political visibility. The conversation explores Christian nationalism's connection to classical Christian schools, patriarchal theology, and its alignment with contemporary conservative politics. The documentary also centers the voices of survivors who left CREC-aligned and other Christian nationalist communities. Women share firsthand accounts of spiritual abuse, rigid gender hierarchy, and authoritarian church structures that made leaving extraordinarily difficult. Brown and Onishi examine how movements promising certainty, biblical order, and “traditional values” have expanded in the wake of COVID-19 and cultural polarization. This interview offers critical insight into Christian nationalism, church and state debates, religious extremism, and the future of American democracy. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller break down the spectacle and subtext of the recent State of the Union. While the speech itself felt predictable—long on grievance, short on substance—the real story lies in what surrounded it: questions about presidential mental acuity, the resurfacing of Epstein-related controversies, renewed attacks on Hillary Clinton, and escalating federal retaliation against so-called “blue states” like Minnesota. Brad and Dan explore how retribution politics, culture war theater, and the weaponization of “fraud” narratives are shaping the administration's strategy—often at the expense of basic governance and public trust. Then the focus sharpens. With ICE planning a $38 billion expansion of detention infrastructure, Brad and Dan confront what they argue is the normalization of a nationwide network of camps—and the Christian leaders defending it. Analyzing figures like William Wolfe and Kevin Roberts, they expose the theological sleight of hand at work: “order” elevated above human dignity, “our people” defined in narrowing ethnic and national terms, and violence reframed as righteousness. This isn't abstract theology—it's a moral justification for mass detention and exclusion. The episode names it plainly and challenges listeners to reckon with what kind of Christianity, and what kind of country, is being built in its name. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Hawley argues that men are called to be fathers, and that fatherhood is defined by sacrificing oneself. But is it? Should it be? Why does high-control religion demand “sacrifice,” and how does Hawley's account of masculinity reinforce these demands? How does he use this demand for sacrifice to demonize those who don't share his social vision? And how do appeals to sacrifice mask the interests that lie behind his vision of masculinity? So many questions—take a listen to this week's episode to hear the answers. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this brief episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi dissects a revealing interview between Tucker Carlson and Mike Huckabee, using it as a window into the growing rift inside the MAGA coalition. At the center of the clash is a theological and political divide: Christian Zionism versus a rising strain of Christian anti-semitism - nationalist, isolationist populism that increasingly traffics in anti-Jewish tropes. Brad unpacks how debates over Genesis 15, biblical land claims, and U.S. foreign policy toward Israel expose deeper fractures—ones that pit older religious right leaders like Huckabee against a younger, more conspiratorial wing associated with figures such as Candace Owens and Marjorie Taylor Greene. The result is a struggle over theology, nationalism, and who truly defines “America First.” Brad also explores how the Epstein files, Gaza, and the language of “protecting children” are being weaponized within this intra-MAGA battle. On one side stands a Christian Zionist framework that collapses biblical covenant, modern nation-state politics, and unconditional U.S. support for Israel. On the other stands an isolationist populism that critiques foreign aid and military alliances but often slips into conspiratorial and antisemitic rhetoric. Neither camp, Brad argues, offers a healthy path forward. Instead, this moment reveals how theology, demographics, generational divides, and media ecosystems are reshaping the American right in real time—and why the consequences extend far beyond Israel policy alone. Subscribe for $3.65:⁠ ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter:⁠ ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi:⁠ ⁠⁠⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠⁠ Donate to SWAJ: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and political scientist specializing in gender, religion, and public opinion, joins host Leah Payne, author of God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music (Oxford University Press, 2024) and host of Spirit & Power: Charismatics & Politics in American Life. In this Sunday interview, Leah Payne talks with Dr. Melissa Deckman about PRRI's February 2026 release of findings from the 2025 American Values Atlas—a massive nationwide survey (22,000+ adults across all 50 states) that maps the reach of Christian nationalism and its intersections with race, religious practice, party, geography, age, education, media trust, and attitudes toward political violence. Deckman explains what PRRI means by “Christian nationalism,” why PRRI measures it with a five-item scale (instead of asking people whether they identify with the label), and what the data can—and cannot—tell us about religion and politics in the U.S. today. Mapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States (Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas) Charismatic Revival Fury: The New Apostolic Reformation (Matthew D. Taylor / Axis Mundi Media) Right Wing Watch on Sean Feucht and federal partnerships tied to America's 250th anniversary programming Dara Delgado, “Black Pentecostal and charismatic Christians are boosting their visibility in politics — a shift from the past” Melissa Deckman, The Politics of Gen Z: How the Youngest Voters Will Shape Our Democracy,(Columbia University Press) Melissa Deckman, School Board Battles: The Christian Right in Local Politics, (Georgetown University Press) Ansley Quiros, Ph.D., PRRI Spotlight: Why Black Americans Identify as Christian Nationalists: Religiosity, Theology, and History Matter Michael R. Fischer Jr., PRRI Spotlight, Understanding Differences Between Black and White Christian Nationalism Adherents and Sympathizers Links and resources mentionedFind Dr. Melissa Deckman at PRRI, LinkedIn, Substack and BlueSkyFind Dr. Leah Payne at drleahpayne.com, subscribe on Substack, follow her on most social media platforms at @drleahpayne, and listen along at Spirit & Power: Charismatics & Politics in American Life, and Rock that Doesn't Roll: the Story of Christian Rock Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Doug Wilson's appearance at a Pentagon prayer service hosted by Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth is more than a symbolic moment—it's a window into the kind of Christianity being elevated at the highest levels of American power. Wilson, a self-identified Christian nationalist and longtime pastor in Moscow, Idaho, has built an influential religious and media network rooted in a theology that centers male authority, rejects pluralism in the public square, and frames “Christ is King” as a political claim over the nation itself. His record—documented by journalists like Brian Kaylor and Sarah Stankorb—includes defending rigid patriarchal structures, opposing women's suffrage, limiting public religious freedom to conservative Protestantism, and mishandling abuse cases within his orbit. That this theology is now platformed inside the Pentagon, amid ongoing fallout from the Epstein scandal and broader debates about power, sexuality, and accountability, raises urgent questions about what kind of moral vision is being fused with state authority—and who it protects. At the same time, CBS's decision not to air Stephen Colbert's interview with Texas State Representative James Talarico—an outspoken Christian critic of Christian nationalism—reveals the other side of the equation. Talarico, a seminary student and public school teacher, argues that separating church and state protects both democracy and the integrity of Christian faith. His warning that Christian nationalism is “a cancer on my religion” stands in sharp contrast to Wilson's vision of public Christianity. The juxtaposition is stark: a hardline theocrat welcomed at the Pentagon, and a soft-spoken Christian democrat sidelined from broadcast television. Together, these events underscore a growing dynamic in American public life—where the state appears increasingly willing to privilege one brand of religion while marginalizing dissenting voices, even within Christianity itself. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Josh Hawley argues that “modern-day Epicureans” abandon all notions of “history, family, home, and tradition.” He argues that without these, humans have no identity, and that these “Epicureans” have no real sense of who they are. But is this true? Does everyone who disagrees with Hawley's understanding of the human person lack any identity? And do “history, family, home, and tradition” really define us completely? Join Dan for this week's episode and find out! Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/⁠ Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This month we are talking about purity culture and its impact on individuals who grew up male in this system. We are thrilled to have Dr. Bradley Onishi on the podcast today as our professional who has done research on purity culture and client-facing work in this area as well as being a purity culture poster boy himself. Join Brad and Laura as they discuss the unique impacts of purity culture on men, shame, the expectations of being a “Godly man” and what happens when you don't measure up to that, as well as the importance of men learning how to step out of of the prescribed roles and mentality that both purity culture and patriarchy prop up. Resources Mentioned: Fair Play (book and game) by Eve Rodsky Mild at Heart podcast series (can be found on the website below and using “Mild” in the search bar)Guest: Brad OnishiWebsite: https://www.straightwhiteamericanjesus.comInstagram/TT: @straightwhitejcThis podcast is brought to you by the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery: an online trauma coaching company whose practitioners are trauma informed and trauma trained to work with individuals, couples and families who have experienced high control religion, cults, and religious trauma. For more information on the support that CTRR provides, for resources–including courses, workshops, and more–head to traumaresolutionandrecovery.com or follow us on Instagram: @traumaresolutionandrecovery The views and opinions expressed by Sunday School Dropouts are those of the hosts and not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Center for Trauma Resolution and Recovery. Any of the content provided by our guests, sponsors, authors, or bloggers are their own ideas and opinions.The Sunday School Dropouts podcast is not anti-religion but it is anti -harm, -power and control, -oppression and, -abuse and will speak to the harmful practices and messaging of fundamentalist groups. Follow Andrew on Instagram and TikTok @deconstruct_everything To begin working with Andrew as a coach, schedule your FREE inquiry call hereFollow Laura on Instagram and TikTok @drlauraeanderson or on her website: www.drlauraeanderson.com To work with Laura as a coach, therapist, consultant, or to inquire about other services, you can do so hereHosts: Laura Anderson and Andrew KerbsMusic by Benjamin Faye Music @heytherebenji

Dr. Andrew Whitehead joins Brad Onishi to discuss his groundbreaking research revealing a disturbing connection: Christian nationalism is one of the strongest predictors of discrimination against Americans with disabilities. As the Trump administration slashes protections, funding, and civil rights for disabled people, from dismantling DEIA efforts to appointing RFK Jr. to HHS, this conversation exposes the theological and ideological roots of ableism in the Christian nationalist movement. Whitehead's peer-reviewed research shows that those who embrace Christian nationalism are three times more likely to believe we've "done enough" for people with disabilities and twice as likely to say disabled Americans "demand too much." The discussion traces these attitudes through Project 2025, prosperity gospel theology, and the historical fusion of Christian nationalism with free-market capitalism that elevates economic productivity as the measure of human worth. This episode challenges listeners to confront how certain strains of Christianity have interpreted disability as divine punishment or an opportunity for charity, rather than recognizing structural barriers that demand collective responsibility. From religious school vouchers that exclude disabled students to the dangerous myth that autism is spreading like a disease, Whitehead and Onishi reveal how the imagined "ideal American body" in Christian nationalist ideology is explicitly straight, white, native-born, and able-bodied. The conversation offers a powerful counter-vision through theologians like Nancy Eiesland, who reimagined God as disabled, and calls for Christians to vote for policies that truly value all people, not just prayers, but action. Subscribe for $3.65: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/⁠ Subscribe to our free newsletter: ⁠https://swaj.substack.com/⁠ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: ⁠https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In this episode of Straight White American, Jesus, we unpack the unraveling of Pam Bondi's moral rhetoric under the weight of the Epstein files. Bondi once ran campaign ads promising to protect children from trafficking “monsters,” yet when Epstein survivors stood behind her in a hearing room, she refused to turn around and acknowledge them. Pressed about Donald Trump's and Howard Lutnick's ties to Jeffrey Epstein, she lashed out at questioners and deflected to stock market numbers. The hypocrisy is hard to miss: a movement that built its identity on “saving the children” now treats actual survivors as political inconveniences. When Jared Moskowitz held up the Trump-branded Bible and noted that Trump's name appears in the Epstein files more times than God's appears in Scripture, the exchange crystallized the contradiction—commodified faith, selective outrage, and a refusal to confront abuse when it implicates one's own side. We also turn to the Twin Cities, where clergy and neighbors continue resisting ICE operations on the ground. As Axios reports, faith leaders are organizing prayer circles, serving as human shields, and explicitly naming Christian nationalism as incompatible with the teachings of Jesus. The theological divide is stark: Christian nationalists invoke Romans 13 to defend “state-authorized violence,” while progressive clergy center the red-letter teachings—love your neighbor, protect the least of these—even when it puts them in harm's way. From the politics of the Epstein files to the culture-war meltdown over Bad Bunny's Spanish-language Super Bowl performance, the throughline is clear: whose America is this, and whose lives count? As always, we follow the code. Subscribe for $3.65: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Subscribe to our free newsletter: https://swaj.substack.com/ Order American Caesar by Brad Onishi: https://static.macmillan.com/static/essentials/american-caesar-9781250427922/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this Weekly Roundup, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller unpack the National Prayer Breakfast and what it revealed about the collapsing boundary between religion and state power in the Trump era. They analyze Paula White's over-the-top praise of Trump, Trump's own religious illiteracy, and his threats to weaponize tax-exempt status against critics, all while positioning Democrats as incapable of genuine faith. The conversation highlights how these moments reflect a broader push toward state-controlled religion and the dangers that poses to democratic pluralism. The episode also examines the racial and cultural flashpoints shaping the current moment, from Trump's reposting of a racist video depicting Barack and Michelle Obama, to Speaker Mike Johnson's theological defense of ICE and mass deportation. Brad and Dan break down how scripture is distorted to justify ethnonationalism, what they call “ICE-egesis,” and how figures like Stephen Wolfe are reshaping Christian nationalism. The episode closes with a look at Super Bowl culture wars, contrasting evangelical counter-programming with Bad Bunny's public resistance, and exploring how Christian parallel culture has shifted from evangelism to exclusion. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 1000+ episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new American Caesar: Now Available for Pre-Order HERE. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi—author of American Caesar: How Theocrats and Tech Lords Are Turning America into a Monarchy —is joined by co-host Dan Miller, Professor of Religion and Social Thought at Landmark College. They begin by unpacking the ongoing ICE operations in Minnesota, framing the federal crackdown as a clash between authoritarian state power and a deeply organized, nonviolent response by ordinary Minnesotans. Drawing on political theory and on-the-ground reporting, Brad and Dan argue that what's unfolding in the Twin Cities is not a partisan skirmish but a vivid example of democracy in action: neighbors mobilizing to protect one another against coercion, violence, and the erosion of basic rights. The conversation then turns to two deeply troubling developments with national implications. First, they examine the killing of Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse and legal gun owner, and the Trump administration's sudden hostility to Second Amendment arguments—revealing how rights are selectively applied depending on political loyalty. Finally, they analyze the FBI raid on a Georgia election office, tracing its roots to Trump's refusal to accept the 2020 election results and warning of the chilling precedent this sets for future elections. Taken together, these stories reveal a pattern: the criminalization of dissent, the dehumanization of political opponents, and an accelerating effort to use state power to intimidate, suppress, and control. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 1000+ episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Straight White American Jesus digs into the Minnesota church protest that's been framed as “anti-Christian”—and explains why that framing collapses on contact. Brad Onishi and Dan Miller connect the dots between City's Church, ICE, Doug Wilson's theological orbit, and the ideology behind The Sin of Empathy, showing how a strain of Christian nationalism produces pastors who see no contradiction between pulpit ministry and state violence. What looks like an isolated protest turns out to be part of a much larger story about power, theology, and the weaponization of “law and order,” with unsettling links that stretch from Minneapolis to Washington, D.C. From there, the conversation widens to the ICE occupation of the Twin Cities, the general strike, and the moral backlash unfolding across religious lines—Catholic clergy, mainline Protestants, and everyday residents standing watch in subzero temperatures to protect their neighbors. Brad and Dan confront the human cost of these policies, including the detention of a five-year-old child and the warrantless arrest of a U.S. citizen, and ask what it means when empathy itself is declared a sin. The episode closes by zooming out to Davos, Trump's open flirtation with dictatorship, and what it means to live in a moment of rupture—not transition—where democracy is being tested not in speeches or elections, but in the streets. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 1000+ episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Donate to SWAJ: https://axismundi.supercast.com/donations/new Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MLK Day, Postliberalism, and the Assault on Civil Rights On Martin Luther King Jr. Day 2026, Brad Onishi reflects on the legacy of civil rights in a moment when those rights are under unprecedented threat, one year into Donald Trump's second term. From Trump's humiliating and dangerous letter asserting U.S. control over Greenland to the escalation of ICE abuses in Minnesota, this episode argues that the core idea of civil rights—inalienable human dignity promised to all—has entered a period of open attack. Drawing on King's own words, Brad frames civil rights not as radical demands, but as a fight for what the United States has always claimed to promise: equality under the law, due process, and freedom regardless of race, religion, immigration status, or identity. Brad then introduces the real engine behind this moment: postliberalism. Joined by theologian and political theorist Dr. David Congdon, the episode unpacks how postliberal movements—rooted in both Christian theology and Silicon Valley technocracy—reject liberal democracy, individual rights, and pluralism in favor of hierarchy, authoritarian power, and state-enforced moral order. From JD Vance to Catholic integralists to tech elites dreaming of CEO-rule, these movements converge in their hostility to democracy and civil rights. This conversation situates Trump's second term as the first sustained experiment in federal postliberal rule, explaining how backlash to the Civil Rights Movement itself helped fuel today's authoritarian turn—and why understanding postliberalism is essential to grasping what is happening to American democracy right now. David Congdon, Who is a True Christian? https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/who-is-a-true-christian/2DA88468C8824BD55EBE9AE94CFCDF73 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Straight White American, Jesus, Brad Onishi kicks off 2026 by unpacking a new framework that helps make sense of the escalating cruelty, chaos, and seemingly self-destructive moves of the Trump administration—from ICE violence in Minnesota to threats against Greenland and Venezuela. Drawing on a recent paper by scholars Stacey Goddard and Abraham Newman, Brad introduces “neo-royalism”: a vision of power that rejects democracy in favor of loyalty to a sovereign, enforced by political, economic, and military elites. This theory, Brad argues, clarifies Trumpism as a project of extraction, hierarchy, and domination rather than governance, and mirrors the core argument of his forthcoming book, American Caesar: How Theocrats and Tech Lords Are Turning America into a Monarchy. Paragraph 2 Brad shows how neo-royalism operates both abroad—through tariffs, territorial threats, and deal-making with other strongmen—and at home, where protection, funding, and even basic rights are treated as rewards for loyalty to the king. He connects this logic to Christian nationalism's shift from nostalgia for the 1950s to a far older vision rooted in monarchy, divine right, and exclusion, where cruelty is justified and institutions are dismantled because they limit absolute power. The episode closes with updates on the show's expanded 2026 plans, including new long-form Sunday interviews and the launch of Reign of Error with Sarah Posner, plus an invitation to subscribers to dive deeper into how neo-royalism, Christian nationalism, and authoritarian politics are reshaping the American experiment. Goddard and Newman, https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/international-organization/article/further-back-to-the-future-neoroyalism-the-trump-administration-and-the-emerging-international-system/ABB12906CA345BBCA5049B544363D391 Reign of Error: https://redcircle.com/shows/fbed712f-0027-40af-a33b-fd9de05efc5chttps://redcircle.com/shows/fbed712f-0027-40af-a33b-fd9de05efc5c Subscribe: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi is joined by the Reverend Angela Denker to discuss the killing of Renee Nicole Good by ICE in Minneapolis on January 7th. As video footage circulates and national leaders offer sharply conflicting accounts—from Minnesota officials describing an unjustified killing to figures like JD Vance and Kristi Noem framing it as lawful self-defense—the episode centers on the human cost of gaslighting and state-sanctioned violence. Denker, a Minneapolis resident who lives near the site of the shooting, offers an on-the-ground account of the aftermath: canceled schools, traumatized children, vigils and protests, and a city once again forced to grieve amid gaslighting and cruelty from those in power. Drawing on her experience as a Lutheran pastor, journalist, and leading critic of Christian nationalism, Denker reflects on courage, solidarity, and the widening scope of state-sanctioned violence. Together, she and Onishi explore why this killing—of a white American woman—has jolted public consciousness, even as similar violence has long been inflicted on Black, Indigenous, and immigrant communities. The conversation situates Minneapolis's response within its history of resistance, faith-based organizing, and collective care, while naming the lie that white supremacy protects anyone. This episode is a raw, urgent meditation on grief, truth-telling, and the moral stakes of this political moment—and a call to remember Renee Nicole Goode not only in death, but in the fullness of her life and humanity. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this end-of-year episode of Straight White American, Jesus, Brad Onishi steps away from headlines, interviews, and analysis to offer something closer to a sermon—a reflection shaped by grief, exhaustion, and defiance at the close of 2025. Naming this past year as the hardest in the life of the show, Brad traces the weight of watching democratic erosion, state violence, and everyday cruelty unfold alongside ordinary life: birthday parties, school pickups, conversations about weather and sports. Drawing on biblical myth, philosophy, and personal memory, he asks what it means to remain human—self-aware, vulnerable, morally implicated—when it would be easier to numb ourselves, to live like giants who only eat, sleep, and survive. This episode is an argument for joy as resistance, not escapism. Brad reflects on loss, fear, and doubt, while insisting that the fight for justice is inseparable from the small, ordinary pleasures that make life worth defending: shared meals, family rituals, love, curiosity, creativity, and care. As we look toward 2026, this is a call to hold wonder alongside sorrow—to refuse the theft of our humanity by authoritarians, cynicism, or despair. The work continues, both in the streets and in the quiet moments that remind us why we fight at all. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Onishi sits down with Pulitzer Prize winner Paul Starr to dig into his new book, American Contradiction, and the idea that the United States is less a shining city on a hill and more a city built on a fault line. Starr traces how the nation's promise of liberty has always coexisted with exclusion, hierarchy, and inequality, and how those tensions erupted in new ways during the 1990s. Together they unpack how the end of the Cold War, the rise of culture wars, and the shockwaves of policies like NAFTA reshaped party coalitions, fueled resentment, and set the stage for today's political divide. Starr explains why the 90s were a turning point and how institutional structures like the Senate and Electoral College amplify polarization rather than contain it. The conversation also explores the growing gap between social progress and economic inequality and the challenges facing a Democratic Party trying to represent both progressive activists and working class voters. Bradley and Paul talk about the power of political storytelling, from nostalgia for an imagined past to despair over historical injustices, and how both shape the current moment. Despite everything, Starr ends with a measure of hope that the United States still has the capacity for reinvention and surprise if it can finally reckon with its contradictions and build a more inclusive national story. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Brad Onishi is joined by Dr. Laura Field, author of Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right, for a fascinating look into the intellectual roots of the MAGA movement and its rising political stars, including JD Vance. Together they trace the philosophical and theological threads that tie together the Claremont Institute, National Conservatives, and Postliberal Catholics—three camps shaping the hard right's challenge to American liberalism. From Patrick Deneen's critique of modernity to Adrian Vermeule's “common good constitutionalism,” the discussion unpacks how these thinkers frame a moral and political alternative to liberal democracy, and how their ideas inform Vance's worldview and public persona. The conversation also explores what's at stake when intellectuals try to fuse religion, nationalism, and governance into a single moral vision for America. Brad and Laura discuss the deep cultural anxiety driving this movement, the narratives of victimhood that sustain it, and the potential consequences of replacing pluralism with authoritarian moral certainty. They close with reflections on how to counter these ideas with honest, accessible scholarship and renewed democratic imagination. Get Dr. Laura Field's book Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right⁠ HERE Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Dr. Brad Onishi dives into the ideological roots of one of Peter Thiel's most significant ventures, Palantir. Drawing from Thiel's reflections on Leo Strauss's philosophy and the aftermath of 9/11, Onishi explores how Palantir embodies a tech-driven strategy for national defense. The discussion extends to Thiel's collaborations with figures like Alex Karp and how their collective efforts align with a vision of Western superiority, national security, and technological dominance. This episode also touches on the broader implications of Palantir's integration into U.S. government and surveillance, raising crucial questions about civil liberties and geopolitical strategies. www.axismundi.us www.swaj.supercast.com #peterthiel #news #trump #armageddon #antichrist #palantir #ice #theology #philosophy #politics #religion #tech Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, Brad Onishi sits down with Rev. Alba Onofrio—executive director of Soulforce and host of Teología Sin Vergüenza—for a powerful exploration of faith, queerness, and resistance. Together, they unpack how white Christian nationalism and institutions like ICE perpetuate spiritual violence against marginalized communities, and how Soulforce responds through nonviolent resistance and liberative theology. Rev. Alba shares their own remarkable story—from growing up in Appalachia and coming out, to embracing the name “Reverend Sex” and reclaiming spirituality as a site of freedom rather than shame. The conversation dives into the roots and mission of Soulforce, highlighting its Spirit Resource Library and the movement's commitment to equipping activists with tools for justice and healing. Rev. Alba reflects on the power of queer and trans ancestors, the complexity of belonging for Latinx and mixed-race individuals, and the importance of creating inclusive, full-bodied faith communities. Through Teología Sin Vergüenza, they continue to cultivate space for unapologetic conversations about faith, identity, and justice—challenging listeners to imagine a world where love and liberation guide our spiritual lives. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Subscribe to Teología Sin Vergüenza Subscribe to American Exceptionalism Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this recording of a livestream from October 6, 2025, Dr. Brad Onishi delves into the complex religious worldview of Peter Thiel, exploring his beliefs about Christianity, technology, and the future. Thiel's perspective on Armageddon, the Antichrist, and the role of innovation in society is examined, alongside his influences from political theorists like Carl Schmitt and Leo Strauss. The discussion also touches on the concept of mimesis and scapegoating in human behavior, and how these ideas shape Thiel's vision for a future led by tech founders.Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this livestream from 9/29, Brad Onishi discusses the implications of sending troops to Portland, the gathering of military leaders, and the broader context of political authoritarianism in the United States. He explores the motivations behind these actions, the framing of American citizens as enemies, and the potential threats to democracy and voting rights. The conversation also touches on how Christian nationalists see the death of Charlie Kirk as the bullet to the neck of lefitsm in the USA. The deployment of troops to Portland is largely symbolic and politically motivated. The American right views Portland as a representation of everything they oppose. The gathering of military leaders raises concerns about loyalty and the potential for oppression. The current administration is focusing on domestic threats rather than foreign adversaries. The framing of American citizens as enemies is a dangerous trend. Voting rights are under threat, and the system is being manipulated to ensure votes don't count. Christian nationalists are increasingly vocal about their desire for a violent response to progressivism. Historical parallels can be drawn between current events and authoritarian regimes like Franco's Spain. The definition of the 'enemy' is expanding to include various groups and individuals. Awareness and mobilization are crucial in the face of these threats to democracy. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $40 for the entire year to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 700-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, co-hosts Brad Onishi and Dan Miller analyze the rise of fascism in the United States, discussing Trump's failing health and the regime's maneuvers to cement control before he exits the scene. They explore how ICE raids and aggressive deportation tactics are undercutting Steven Miller's totalitarian aims, and the notable resistance by Democratic governors who are increasingly emphasizing state rights. The conversation also touches on the shifting narratives around big government, with the Trump administration epitomizing invasive, socialist policies. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this special edition of Straight White American Jesus, host Dr. Brad Onishi reflects on the harmful legacy of James Dobson, who just passed away. Known as the founder of Focus on the Family, Dobson's teachings on the nuclear family, gender roles, and corporal punishment have left a traumatic impact on evangelical communities. Onishi connects Dobson's work to the broader themes of eugenics and Christian nationalism, noting Dobson's early association with eugenicist Paul Popenoe. The episode discusses how Dobson's views on family structure, purity culture, and authoritarian parenting continue to shape American society and politics today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of 'Straight White American Jesus,' host Brad Onishi welcomes Leah Litman, a professor of law at the University of Michigan Law School , author of "Lawless," and co-host of the podcast 'Strict Scrutiny.' They discuss the political nature of the Supreme Court. Litman highlights conservative grievances, the rise of conspiracy theories influenced by these grievances, and the implications for judicial decisions affecting voting rights, LGBT equality, and reproductive rights. They explore the detrimental impact of originalism and the influence of the Federalist Society on judicial appointments. The conversation concludes with potential reforms to democratize the Supreme Court, including court expansion and ethics codes. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: ⁠⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Lawless: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Lawless/Leah-Litman/9781668054628 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode of 'Straight White American Jesus', host Brad Onishi dives into the pressing issue of gerrymandering, which has recently taken center stage in national politics. Onishi discusses its widespread impact, from Texas to Illinois, and emphasizes the potential dangers to democracy if these actions continue unchecked. Special focus is given to Texas, where state Democrats have fled to avoid a quorum. The episode also touches on the problematic appointment of a former rioter as an advisor to the Department of Justice. Amidst these challenges, Onishi highlights a forthcoming series aimed at showcasing global resistance to authoritarianism, offering a glimmer of hope and strategies for effective pushback. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Redistricting and Political Turmoil in TexasIn this special edition of Straight White American Jesus, host Brad Onishi interviews Forrest Wildler from Texas Monthly to discuss the ongoing political upheaval in Texas. The conversation focuses on the Democrats' strategic exodus to break quorum in response to the Texas GOP's redistricting efforts, driven by Trump's demand for a more favorable playing field for Republicans. The episode delves into the humanitarian crisis ignored by the legislature, the potential consequences on both state and national politics, and the broader implications for democracy. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad Onishi sits down with Dr. Anand Pandian, author of Something Between Us, to explore the everyday “walls” that divide Americans—from SUVs and suburbs to video doorbells and noise-canceling headphones. Drawing on James Baldwin's influence, Pandian reveals how our built environments and habits foster suspicion, loneliness, and disconnection. They exacertabe the ruthlessness of our political age. Onishi and Pandian discuss how activism, like the “Aunt Flow” movement, and simple neighborly acts can help rebuild empathy and community. This episode is a powerful reminder that polarization isn't just political—it's personal, physical, and fixable. Anand Pandian's book: https://anand.studio Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In the first ever live-audience recording of a SWAJ episode, Brad Onishi and and Dan Miller discuss the unholy alliance between the White House and PragerU to generate AI slop that rewrites the words of Founding Fathers to fit ultra-conservative narratives. They highlight the deeper implications of this partnership, including the potential impact on education, the distortion of historical truth, and the broader socio-political atmosphere. The episode also touches on questions from the audience related to Christian nationalism, Reconstructionism, and current political controversies. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: ⁠https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree:⁠ https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC⁠ Order Brad's book: ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ n this episode of Straight White American Jesus, hosts Brad Onishi and Dan Miller dive deep into the ongoing fight over birthright citizenship and the Trump administration's efforts to reshape American identity. They explore: The latest court battles over the 14th Amendment and birthright citizenship, including recent nationwide injunctions and their significance. The Trump administration's use of propaganda, including the Department of Homeland Security's posting of the iconic “Progress” painting by John Gast, and how it ties into white Christian nationalism. The historical roots of Manifest Destiny, settler colonialism, and the exclusion of Indigenous and other marginalized groups from the American narrative. The religious and philosophical ideas that have shaped American policies, including the role of Christian nationalism and the reinterpretation of “Native American” identity by white Christian nationalists. The intersection of current events, including the Epstein case, immigration policy, and the destruction of emergency food supplies, with broader themes of justice, exclusion, and national identity. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

MSNBC's Antonia Hylton hosts "The Beat" on Wednesday, July 23, and reports on The Wall Street Journal's bombshell report that the “Justice Department told Trump in May that his name is" in the Epstein files. Hylton also covers Stephen Colbert calling out Trump and Trump's budget that allocates over $37 billion per year to ICE. Michael Cohen joins the show, along with Brad Onishi, Rev. Al Sharpton, Emily Bazelon, and Catherine Christian.

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ What does the Supreme Court's latest ruling mean for trans rights in America? In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi is joined by Dr. Kelsy Burke, sociology professor at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, to unpack the Supreme Court's decision in EDI v. United States. The case—centered on gender-affirming care for minors—has far-reaching consequences for trans healthcare across the country, especially in states like Tennessee. Brad and Dr. Burke explore how the case originated, the political and religious forces behind the legislation, and the deep influence of conservative Christian groups. They examine shifting public opinion on trans rights and the troubling silence from Democratic leaders in response to this wave of anti-trans policymaking. With clarity and urgency, this conversation brings historical context to one of the most pressing civil rights battles in America today. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Is Trump Preparing for a Holy War? In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi examines Donald Trump's mixed messaging on U.S. involvement in Israel's conflict with Iran—through the lens of evangelical influence. He unpacks how Christian nationalist leaders frame the conflict as a cosmic battle between good and evil, and how that spiritualized rhetoric could shape Trump's future actions. Brad also investigates the growing signs that the ideology behind January 6th is becoming embedded in U.S. institutions—highlighted by the presence of the “Appeal to Heaven” flag at key government sites. He then turns to the media's uneven response to recent political violence, comparing coverage of two alleged shooters and what it reveals about race, ideology, and public perception. The episode wraps with updates on military and judicial developments tied to the Trump era—and what they signal about where we might be headed next. Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad Onishi welcomes back Dr. Andrew Whitehead, sociology professor at Indiana University and co-author of Taking America Back for God. They unpack how Christian nationalism uses ideas about gender, family, and sexuality to shape political identity—especially among white working-class Americans. Dr. Whitehead shares key insights from public opinion data that reveal a strong link between Christian nationalist beliefs and support for authoritarian leaders. The conversation explores the myth of the “nuclear family,” the politics of fear, and how nostalgia and hierarchy fuel the MAGA movement. Andrew's Substack: https://andrewwhitehead.substack.com Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163 Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal: www.betterhelp.com Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this emergency episode of 'Straight White American, Jesus,' host Brad Onishi discusses the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband by a shooter impersonating a police officer. Brad provides details about the suspect, Vance Boelter, and his background, including his ties to Donald Trump, anti-abortion views, and Christian ministry. Scholar Matt Taylor explains Boelter's connections to the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), diving into the history and influence of Christ for the Nations Institute, a significant institution in the independent charismatic Christian world. Their comments contextualize the violent act within the broader landscape of political violence and radicalization in the U.S., highlighting the dire implications of such events. Subscribe for $5.99: www.axismundi.us. Charismatic Revival Fury: https://redcircle.com/shows/charismatic-revival-fury-the-new-apostolic-reformation Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The most annoying convert TradCath in the world, JD Vance, whose cherubic face belies all his bootlicking aggression, gets his moment with Pope Bob. Usha stands behind him in a black mantilla. He hands the pontiff an oversized envelope: an invitation from Donald and Melania to a White House dinner. Bob smiles guardedly as he takes it and without looking at it, setting it on his desk. “I'll read that at some point,” Vance sputters, “of course, of course.”  The scene is set for the Church-State tension of whatever phase of global fascism we're now entering. These ghouls who jail students, disappear immigrants, and lobby for the Trump Gaza resort, shuffle into the Vatican with hats in hand to meet a fellow American who is nothing like their boss, asking for pats on the head, wondering what kind of alliance they can forge, perhaps through anti-wokeness discourse. The enigmatic response from Pope Bob sums up where we all are as we read the incense swirls for whether he's going to keep steering the world's 1.4B Catholics against the tides of late-stage capitalism and environmental protection, Francis-style.  Show Notes Michelle Remembers | Satanic Panic Patreon Collection  Brief: Deep Church Conspiracy (w/David Lafferty)  Brief: The CPAC Pope and the Icicle Babies (w/ Brad Onishi) 183: Woke Pope Cancels America's Bishop (w/Mike Lewis) Sisters of the Little Way Vatican's financial watchdog reports decrease in suspicious activities reports in 2024 Why the next Pope faces major money challenges Pope warns the Vatican pension fund needs urgent reform as employees demand transparency Cardinal convicted of embezzlement won't participate in conclave for Pope Francis's successor A cardinal is convicted of embezzlement and sentenced to 5 1/2 years in Vatican trial  Church defends Indigenous peoples: ‘Doctrine of Discovery' was never Catholic Vatican Denounces ‘International Law of Colonization' Reparations for empire: What the new pope owes to Africa | Slavery Catholic Order Pledges $100 Million to Atone for Slave Labor and Sales The Dark History of How the Catholic Church Built Its Massive Wealth The Vatican—Bulwark of Imperialism Indigenous leaders hope Vatican's repudiation of oppressive colonial concepts leads to real change The Man Who Took On Pope Francis: The Story Behind the Viganò Letter The Excommunication of Archbishop Viganò - Crisis  Bishop Strickland removed from diocese after accusing pope of backing 'attack on the sacred' Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 800-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC In this bonus episode of 'Straight White American Jesus,' hosts Brad Onishi and his cohost delve into a critical analysis of a tumultuous press conference between President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky. They explore how the event sheds light on Trump's worldview and his approach to foreign policy, characterized by dominance and transactional relationships, a stark departure from traditional American exceptionalism. They discuss the implications of Trump's tactics, contrasting his approach with historical U.S. policy and the symbolic significance of Zelensky's stance. The episode also features listener questions and a humorous story from Dan. For subscribers - a story from Dan's church days about a woman at church getting very personal during Sunday school + listener Q+A. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices