Podcast appearances and mentions of megan phelps roper

We are living through one of the most unpredictable periods in recent history. A time of profound, destabilizing social upheaval. A time of barely-imaginable technological advancements. A time of emerging new philosophies that will reshape the world around us (for better or for worse).  And, it's a very exciting time to be a curiosity-driven, non-ideological journalist. But there's a problem: trust in journalism—especially in journalistic institutions—is at an all-time low. We're seeing a crisis of confidence unlike anything since the days of yellow journalism during the Industrial Revolution. In fact, recent polls show that Americans trust journalists even less than they trust Congress. When Matt Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, and I created The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling, we set out to rebuild that trust. And here on Reflector, we've been continuing that mission. Today, we're here to announce that what began as a small project between Matt and me—recorded in my bedroom in small-town Illinois and Matt's studio in Chicago—is about to evolve into something far bigger and more ambitious. For the last few months, we've been working behind the scenes to transform this experiment into a full-fledged independent outlet.  Soon, we'll be publishing more podcasts and investigative series, continuing to blend rigorous journalism with artful storytelling. With these new resources, we'll be able to break more stories, dive into more topics, and speak with a wider range of voices—all while bringing clarity and context to the most consequential issues in the world. For the time being, we're taking a brief hiatus, but when we return, expect new hosts, fresh shows, and a lot more reporting. If you're one of our paid supporters, starting today, your payments will be paused. And when we return, we'll be sure to reach out with details on the expanded subscriber perks we'll have on offer. Thank you to all of you who have been with us for this first chapter. Looking forward to seeing you soon in the next one.

Throughout history we have found ways to regulate human behaviour through the threat of social exclusion. But while the idea of ‘cancellation' is not new, the online sphere has radically shifted the way we hold people to account and punish perceived wrongdoing.  Is redemption possible in the digital age? And can narratives of growth and forgiveness help us shift the power from condemnation to compassion? What does ‘forgiveness' look like in the digital age?    David Baddiel is an accomplished comedian, author, screenwriter and television presenter. His works include the Sunday Times Politics Book of The Year – his polemic Jews Don't Count, and The God Desire. Roxane Gay is an author whose works include Ayiti, An Untamed State, The New York Times' bestselling Bad Feminist, and The New York Times' bestselling Hunger: A Memoir of My Body and the nationally bestselling Opinions: A Decade of Arguments, Criticism, and Minding Other People's Business. Andy Mills is an American reporter and podcast producer who co-created The Daily at The New York Times, Reflector and several documentary series including Rabbit Hole and The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. Megan Phelps-Roper is an author and podcast producer who left a life of religious extremism in 2012. She has spent the past decade using her experiences to work with schools on anti-bullying campaigns, with law enforcement organisations investigating deradicalisation, and with tech companies on the intersection of safety, free speech, and the value of dialogue across ideological divides. She hosted and produced The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling. Chaired by philosopher, Tim Dean.

Today in our third and final installment of this series, we delve into what may be the most contested election in American history. We also take stock of the already historic and unprecedented 2024 presidential campaign season. What happens when both sides of our political divide increasingly view the other as an anti-democratic threat? Our aim with these episodes is to listen carefully to those who feel cheated, move beyond the daily political drama, and inspire deeper reflection on where our society stands and the challenges we face. Special thanks to Washington Post columnist, Megan McArdle and to Megan Phelps-Roper. Thank you to our sponsor Ground News. You can visit them here to learn more: GROUND.NEWS To become a paid subscriber, just click here

 @JordanBPeterson  Satanism: Fear, Manipulation, & Suffering | Zeena Schreck | EP 471 https://youtu.be/EmWXuEKTLcY?si=s0GEARqSIw3TUbkB   @WhiteStoneName  Dialectical Behavioral Therapy can save the World?! Luke Stream about...pesonalist knowing https://www.youtube.com/live/S6sCejOS1yo?si=4jf4AigHtOhdbAVr   @JordanBPeterson  Prophecy, Revelation, & the Spiritual Battle | John Rich | EP 470 https://youtu.be/kXovxPwQzDI?si=ShIAVp9mHUrp28yQ   @MarkDParker  Build to Last: Christianing in the Age of Ambiguity https://www.youtube.com/live/8O0kzi9l2og?si=--gj-scht6M8gYyf   @TheAnadromist  Diving Into The Symptom Pool: More Thoughts On Social Contagion https://youtu.be/UjjvBQROp5E?si=ci_d5RVzVFs-Fa7M   @TED  I grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church. Here's why I left | Megan Phelps-Roper https://youtu.be/bVV2Zk88beY?si=DKMi1uDUDypbHMkT  https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/dispatch-faith/after-virtue-came-strongman-politics/  @psychacks  Understanding the SYMPTOM POOL: how the world goes mad https://youtu.be/NkxN_x5YZdU?si=GBSbmEkfb2W-Zvor  Paul Vander Klay clips channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCX0jIcadtoxELSwehCh5QTg Bridges of Meaning Discord https://discord.gg/nRrFnqFP https://www.meetup.com/sacramento-estuary/ My Substack https://paulvanderklay.substack.com/ Estuary Hub Link https://www.estuaryhub.com/ If you want to schedule a one-on-one conversation check here. https://calendly.com/paulvanderklay/one2one There is a video version of this podcast on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/paulvanderklay To listen to this on ITunes https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/paul-vanderklays-podcast/id1394314333  If you need the RSS feed for your podcast player https://paulvanderklay.podbean.com/feed/  All Amazon links here are part of the Amazon Affiliate Program. Amazon pays me a small commission at no additional cost to you if you buy through one of the product links here. This is is one (free to you) way to support my videos.  https://paypal.me/paulvanderklay Blockchain backup on Lbry https://odysee.com/@paulvanderklay https://www.patreon.com/paulvanderklay Paul's Church Content at Living Stones Channel https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh7bdktIALZ9Nq41oVCvW-A To support Paul's work by supporting his church give here. https://tithe.ly/give?c=2160640 https://www.livingstonescrc.com/give  

Here in our second installment into the recent history of stolen election claims, we've got angry voters, disappointed politicians, and a few tech-savvy democrats who see signs of hacking, fraud, and illegitimacy in three different elections. We'll discuss the allegations about hacked voting machines in Ohio in 2004, claims that the 2016 election was stolen from Hillary Clinton, and how stolen election claims in the 2018 gubernatorial election in Georgia helped make Stacey Abrams a national star. Next time in Part 3, we'll dive into the unprecedented 2020 election and the Stop the Steal movement. We'll also share our thoughts on the 2024 presidential election and our expectations for what might happen on Election Day. Special thanks to Megan McArdle and Megan Phelps-Roper. To become a subscriber visit us at reflector.show Email us at: hello@reflector.show Thank you to our sponsor. You can visit them here to learn more: GROUND.NEWS

Today we've got a very special Hindsight episode that revisits the themes explored in our "Filthy Slime" episodes (Parts 1 & 2). We're delighted to be joined by living legend and recent Grammy winner Killer Mike. He discusses his view of "rap on trial" and the complex relationship between art, crime, and life for young people in some of America's toughest neighborhoods. We also explore the legend of Stack Lee – AKA Stagger Lee – and the hundreds of songs and performances inspired by his most infamous crime. Writer, poet, and Washburn University professor Eric McHenry explains why this story continues to resonate more than a century after the notorious saloon murder. As a new show, we're still experimenting with different formats to tell stories and explore ideas. We'd love to hear your feedback! Please reach out to hello@reflector.show with your thoughts, questions, and story suggestions. Special thanks for this episode go to Killer Mike, Kmele Foster, Van Lathan, Megan Phelps-Roper, Claire Reynolds, and Eric McHenry. Links: Playlist of some of the music featured in this episode Listen to Killer Mike's recent album Read more from Eric McHenry here or check out his essay on Stagger Lee, which he's currently developing into a book called Original Gangster.

About a year ago, the team that makes this show (Matt Boll and me, Andy Mills) along with our dear friend Megan Phelps-Roper (who also helps with each episode of Reflector), put out the final installment of The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling.  The show was a big hit with millions of listeners, even as it split — and in some cases enraged — media critics. Our aim was to tell the story of Rowling's two major public controversies — both the witchcraft accusations from the late 90's and the current backlash around sex and gender — as a way to uncover deeper truths about human nature. Today, Megan again joins us to ask: Where do things stand now? For Rowling, for the debate around sex and gender, and for our society's willingness to have hard conversations in public. Here in Part 1, author and journalist Helen Lewis guides us through the latest developments in women-only sports, women-only spaces, and youth transition medicine. We explore the ways in which the United States is becoming more of an outlier, and how J.K. Rowling's career has continued to thrive amidst the backlash against her. In Part 2, we dive into thoughts and criticism — of J.K. Rowling, of the series we made about her, and of our team itself — from three members of the trans community, each with a unique perspective. This includes two of listeners' favorite guests from the original series: Natalie and Noah. For paid subscribers you can listen to that episode right away. To become a paid subscriber visit us at reflector.show As always we appreciate your time and attention, and would be delighted if you'd share this show and give us a rating on Apple or Spotify. If you have any feedback, story suggestions, or criticisms, feel free to shoot us an email at hello@reflector.show

It's Friday and we're rounding up the news of the week. First, Kyle Clark's stellar performance as a moderator for the Congressional District 4 debates caught the attention of Jimmy Kimmel, so we had to ask him about it. The 9News anchor also joins host Bree Davies and producer Paul Karolyi to talk about the Colorado GOP's weird week involving the slandering of Pride and a friendly nod to the Westboro Baptist Church. Then, an epic city council sidewalk disappointment, a celebration of the zipper merge, and more wins and fails of the week. We talked about our special series Lauren Boebert Can't Lose, as well as both Kyle and Bree's interviews with congressional district candidate Valdamar Archuleta. Kyle mentioned 9News' review of the handling of the initial investigation into Elijah McClain's death and Paul shouted out Representative Steph Vigil's legislation supporting gig workers. Bree talked about American Culture's show this weekend at D3 Arts — and you can hear “Hey Brother, It's Been a While”, the band's latest release on Bandcamp. For more on the Westboro Baptist Church, Paul recommends this interview with former Westboro member Megan Phelps-Roper. It's from a podcast he produced a few years ago, hosted by the badass local pastor Nadia Bolz-Weber.  What do you think about Kyle Clark's performance at the CD4 debate last week? Text or leave us a voicemail with your name and neighborhood, and you might hear it on the show: 720-500-5418‬ For even more news from around the city, subscribe to our morning newsletter Hey Denver at denver.citycast.fm. Follow us on Instagram: @citycastdenver Chat with other listeners on reddit: r/CityCastDenver Support City Cast Denver by becoming a member: membership.citycast.fm/Denver Learn more about the sponsors of this episode: Central City Opera Arvada Center Summer Concert Series Museum of Outdoor Arts  PineMelon Looking to advertise on City Cast Denver? Check out our options for podcast and newsletter ads at citycast.fm/advertise Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The forces of media, technology, and even the wiring of our own brains seem aligned to draw people toward extremism. But never fear: Asher, Jason, and Rob unpack why we're so susceptible to wackadoodle viewpoints and offer ways to tamp down extremist thinking and behavior in ourselves, our communities, and across society. Along the way, they tour the worlds of extreme sports, extreme politics, and extreme yogurt. They even question their own decidedly non-mainstream views on the environment and the economy.Warning: This podcast occasionally uses spicy language.Sources/Links/Notes:Kevin Roose's article in the New York Times “A QAnon ‘Digital Soldier' Marches On, Undeterred by Theory's Unraveling”Definition of extremism from the Anti-Defamation LeagueConcepts of “malignant bonding” and “scarcity mind” in the article “Widening the ‘We'” by Colin Greer and Eric LaursenZeynep Tufecki's 2018 article in the New York Times “YouTube, the Great Radicalizer”Kari Paul's 2021 article in the Guardian “‘It let white supremacists organize': the toxic legacy of Facebook's Groups”Peter D. Kvam et al., “Rational inference strategies and the genesis of polarization and extremism,” Nature, May 5, 2022.Statistics on rising levels of hate crime in the United StatesStatistics on domestic terrorism in the United StatesStatistics on antisemitism around the worldCrazy Town episode 78, which includes the six questions Megan Phelps-Roper developed to challenge her entrenched beliefs.Rapoport's Rules for constructive criticismPost Carbon Institute's Deep Dive on Building Emotional ResilienceDiane Benscoter's nonprofit, Antidote.ngo, which runs recovery groups for people caught up in disinformation.Thought reform consultationCrazy Town episode 89 on escaping individualism, in which we discussed mutual aid networksLawsuit to allow social media users to control their algorithmsRanked choice votingSupport the Show.

While all of hip hop prizes authenticity, as Van Lathan put it in Filthy Slime Pt 1: “In street rap authenticity is more important than skill”. Today we dive into the ways that this genre's prizing of authenticity has evolved to a point where some rappers aren't just merely making artful commentary or provocations about gang life, but are using their lyrics to document and at times admit their involvement in serious crimes, including murder. Here in the second installment of our deep dive into rap on trial, our guests Van Lathan and producer 4-IZE help us examine this cultural debate in the larger context of an evolution happening right now in rap music. We look at the role played by everything from social media to record labels, and try to grapple with what this means not only for Young Thug's RICO case but for the future of artists living in high crime neighborhoods. Special thanks to Prince Paul, Jason Kramer, Bill Donahoe, Kmele Foster, 4-IZE, Megan Phelps-Roper, and Van Lathan. Music in this episode from Cobey Bienart and Peter Lalish Email your feedback, criticisms and story suggestions to hello@reflector.show We will read all feedback and respond in a future episode.  Our website: reflector.show Thank you to our sponsors. You can visit them here to learn more: FIRE GROUND.NEWS Other links: Van Lathan's Higher Learning Podcast Spotify Playlist of Songs in this episode Check out 4-IZE's Music

Music has been a feature of American culture wars since at least the time of Elvis Presley's gyrating dance moves on The Ed Sullivan show in 1956. But amidst all the moral panics about hip-shaking and backmasking, there is a legitimate and fascinating question about the role and influence that popular music plays on human behavior and on society more broadly.  Today, we are publishing the first episode in our breakdown of the debate around Rap on Trial and what it says (and misses) about the role of music in culture. We begin in 1985 with Tipper Gore's fight against Prince and the obscenity of 80's rock music, then dive deep into the rapper Young Thug's current RICO case in Atlanta Georgia and other cases where music is being brought into criminal trials. Our goal, as always, is to try and understand this story and everyone involved in the best faith possible. Which, yes, means we are going to steel-man Tipper Gore, Young Thug and T.I. all in the same story. To listen to Filthy Slime Part 2 right now: SUBSCRIBE Special thanks to our guests, Billboard Magazine's Bill Donahoe and Van Lathan from The Higher Learning Podcast. As well as Prince Paul, Jason Kramer, Kmele Foster, and Megan Phelps-Roper. Music in this episode from Cobey Bienart and Peter Lalish Email your feedback, criticisms and story suggestions to hello@reflector.show We will read all feedback and respond in a future episode.  Our website: reflector.show Thank you to our sponsors. You can visit them here to learn more: FIRE GROUND.NEWS Other links: Van Lathan's Higher Learning Podcast Spotify Playlist of Songs in this episode

We've all seen the awful signs the Westboro Baptist Church holds up at their disgusting pickets, whether that be at soldier's funerals, university campuses, pride events and more. In today's episode we are doing a deep dive on the WBC from the founder's birth to where they are today. So, buckle up buttercup because, this shit is hateful! Trigger Warnings: CultHomophobia RacismAnti SemitismHate SpeechPhysical AbuseReligious AbuseSpiritual Abuse1 Animal Muder (Not Graphic) Mentions of AbortionDementiaLauren Drain tells her story through her new podcast called Triggered. https://itunes.apple.com/WebObjects/MZStore.woa/wa/viewPodcast?id=1680976469&i=1000607603644Lauren Drain's Link Treehttps://linkgenie.net/laurendrainfitBanished | Lauren Drain's Bookhttps://amzn.to/3QTqSCs(Commision Link) Unfollow | Megan Phelps Roper Bookhttps://amzn.to/3QvfqeZ(Commision Link)Phelps Kids interview on The Rosie Showhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hxEmCFLMq7o&t=665sDortha Bird Interviewhttps://www.facebook.com/fromhatetohope/videos/1887570784796901/Interview with Mark Phelpshttps://www.facebook.com/fromhatetohope/videos/1887563688130944Interview with Nate Phelpshttps://www.facebook.com/fromhatetohope/videos/1887575568129756Loui Th. Documentary Links (3 Parts)https://ia804509.us.archive.org/20/items/Louis_Theroux_-_Surviving_Americas_Most_Hated_Family_m0006vv7_signed/Louis_Theroux_-_Surviving_Americas_Most_Hated_Family_m0006vv7_signed.mp4https://watchdocumentaries.com/the-most-hated-family-in-america/https://watchdocumentaries.com/americas-most-hated-family-in-crisis/ Follow Us On Social Media The PodcastTik Tok @DeadlyFaithPodcastInstagram @DeadlyFaithPodcastLaciTik Tok @Laci_BeanInstagram @Laci__BeanLolaTik Tok @hellotherelolaInstagram @Spellbound_Shears

How does questioning our core beliefs and assumptions lead to more informed and empathetic viewpoints? What practical steps can we take to achieve this? In this episode, Aya and Josh challenge some of their own deeply held beliefs, drawing inspiration from Megan Phelps-Roper's podcast “The Witch Trials of JK Rowling” and Anne-Laure Le Cunff's insights in “Deliberate Doubt: The Art of Questioning Our Assumptions," exploring deliberate doubt vs. indiscriminate skepticism (e.g., conspiratorial thinking), the scientific method, the reliability of trusting one's gut, the challenges of polarization, the gun debate, Megan Phelps-Roper's 6 questions to ask ourselves, the value of listening to opposing views (e.g., Jordan Peterson, Ben Shapiro, Sam Harris, Matt Walsh), notable practitioners of deliberate doubt (e.g., Socrates, Galileo, Marie Curie, Albert Einstein), and the pitfalls of making beliefs a part of one's identity (e.g., religious beliefs).

Megan Phelps-Roper is the author of the book, Unfollow: a journey from hatred to hope, about her upbringing in and departure from the Westboro Baptist Church. Megan is also the host of the podcast series The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling, produced by The Free Press, which dissects the backlash against Rowling from a perspective informed by Megan's own experience on both sides of vitriol, as sender and receiver. What does it mean to be lost in faith, to lose our faith in an ideology or in a person, and how do we find our balance in aftermath? Get early access to ad-free episodes, bonus content, and more by supporting Labyrinths on patreon. www.patreon.com/knoxrobinson www.knoxrobinson.com Twitter: @amandaknox | @manunderbridge IG: @amamaknox | @emceecarbon Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This podcast is a commentary and does not contain any copyrighted material of the reference source. We strongly recommend accessing/buying the reference source at the same time. ■Reference Source https://www.ted.com/talks/megan_phelps_roper_i_grew_up_in_the_westboro_baptist_church_here_s_why_i_left ■Post on this topic (You can get FREE learning materials!) https://englist.me/247-academic-words-reference-from-megan-phelps-roper-i-grew-up-in-the-westboro-baptist-church-heres-why-i-left-ted-talk/ ■Youtube Video https://youtu.be/edk2kPKkv0I (All Words) https://youtu.be/o2O6t-9Lt_Y (Advanced Words) https://youtu.be/ARsWeKV5Zbg (Quick Look) ■Top Page for Further Materials https://englist.me/ ■SNS (Please follow!)

At the end of the show a question from producer Brian McAlpine Recommendations: Stuart Reuters News Reuters News delivers breaking news, analysis and market data from the world's most trusted news organisation. Explore a seamless stream of articles, pictures and videos on your phone or tablet. https://www.reuters.com/tools/mobile/us Eamonn Muscles & Mayhem: An Unauthorised Story of American Gladiators In the '90s, TV's stunt-filled "American Gladiators" thrilled fans. This docuseries explores the show's success — and how it almost ended before it began. https://www.netflix.com/gb/TITle/81462151 Angela The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling is an audio documentary that examines some of the most contentious conflicts of our time through the life and career of the world's most successful author. In conversation with host Megan Phelps-Roper, J.K. Rowling speaks with unprecedented candor and depth about the controversies surrounding her—from book bans to debates on gender and sex. The series also examines the forces propelling this moment in history, through interviews with Rowling's supporters and critics, journalists, historians, clinicians, and more. https://music.amazon.co.uk/podcasts/66896636-8562-466b-a50d-81b85b14b8f2/the-witch-trials-of-j-k-rowling?ref_=dmm_acq_mrn_d_ds_rh_z_-c_c_632415191007_t_dsa-1670569866842&gclid=CjwKCAjwqZSlBhBwEiwAfoZUIMTHzFODREbxWIDWRyuVTIa84UjpuHsEM7MVLf8EpSsdMuLw6VAThRoCzkUQAvD_BwE The Trouble with KanYe In October 2022, Ye, formerly known as Kanye West, drew widespread condemnation after wearing a White Lives Matter T-shirt at his Paris Fashion Show. That controversy was swiftly followed up with a series of antisemitic statements on social media. With his dangerous statements making global headlines, Ye doubled down by sharing dangerous and inflammatory mistruths during a series of interviews. In the face of backlash, Ye told the paparazzi that he was planning to run for president of the United States in 2024. Unfolding against the backdrop of Ye's recent behaviour and his rumoured 2024 presidential campaign, this documentary sees award-winning journalist Mobeen Azhar travel to the United States to try and discover how one of America's most celebrated artists became a megaphone for hate and division. https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001nc6f

Megan Phelps-Roper is a social activist, public speaker and author known for her insights into religious extremism. Harry Potter is the most banned book of the 21st century. Firstly frowned upon by far Right Christian groups for its promotion of witchcraft, the controversy has recently pivoted to the far Left who have concerns that JK Rowling is promoting transphobia. The obvious question is, how did one of the most beloved children's authors of all time end up here? Expect to learn the reason behind the widespread backlash and cancellation of JK Rowling, whether Rowling is worried about ruining her legacy, how the platforms like 4chan and Tumblr were so pivotal in this movement, just how similar the trans rights movement is to the gay rights movement, Megan's perspective on the “What Is A Woman” documentary, how Megan's upbringing in the Westboro Baptist Church gives her a unique insight on this story and much more... Sponsors: Get 10% discount on all Gymshark's products at https://bit.ly/sharkwisdom (use code: MW10) Get £150 discount on Eight Sleep products at https://eightsleep.com/modernwisdom (discount automatically applied) Get 15% discount on Craftd London's jewellery at https://craftd.com/modernwisdom (use code MW15) Extra Stuff: Listen to The Witch Trials Of JK Rowling - https://open.spotify.com/show/2K186zrvRgeE2w0wQjbaw7 Get my free Reading List of 100 books to read before you die → https://chriswillx.com/books/ To support me on Patreon (thank you): https://www.patreon.com/modernwisdom - Get in touch. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/chriswillx Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/chriswillx YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/modernwisdompodcast Email: https://chriswillx.com/contact/  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Texish Brothers are back in the Studio this week, and they're comin in hot! New t-shirts, hard and fast opinions on Bird Hunter Baseball edition, and frozen Margaritas. If anyone knows Megan Phelps-Roper, she has an open invitation to sit down and tell us how J.K. Rowling's house smells. 

Megan Phelps-Roper (The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling, Unfollow) is a journalist, author, and podcaster. Megan joins the Armchair Expert to discuss what it was like to leave the Westboro Baptist Church community, her views on organizations who use shame to control people, and what power people can have in asking questions. Megan and Dax talk about why having compassion for people who are different from you is important, being taught to question everything no matter the cost, and why freedom of speech is such a controversial topic. Megan explains how she was argued out of her belief system, why she agreed to be apart of a podcast about J.K. Rowling, and why having dissenting opinions is the key to a successful pluralistic society. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Be open to other perspectives.Listen actively.Cultivate empathy.Ask thoughtful questions.Engage respectfully.Seek common ground.Challenge ideas, not individuals.Be willing to revise your own beliefs.Distrust adrenaline. Trust calm.Distrust the heady feeling of being right.

"America is rigidly divided between red and blue." That's what we're constantly being told by pundits, politicians and media outlets, both left and right.But what if that wasn't quite true?On a surprisingly large number of issues, Americans agree on the broad outlines of public policy. Author, conflict mediator, and social entrepreneur, Bill Shireman makes the case that the middle 70% of the public should have a much greater say in who gets elected to make laws and decide policy."All it takes is a small number of folks who are aware of how we're being gamed to build a bridge between the political left and right, Bill says. "We need a relatively small percentage of voters who will not divide the way we are triggered to divide," Bill argues that the media and political industry make money and gain power by dividing Americans and making us mad at the other side."The middle 70%" does not necessarily mean moderates. Bill calls them "the silenced majority of us who are common-sense, reality-based voters who can work out our differences." Some are conservatives or progressives, while others have a mix of opinions on social and economic issues. The House of Representatives vote for the debt ceiling bill is an example of what Bill is talking about. Despite furious denunciations by legislators on the progressive left and Freedom Caucus right, the compromise bill passed by an overwhelming margin. President Biden and House Republican leaders quietly worked together. More about Bill Shireman: Host of the podcast series "A Moment of BS Bill Shireman Disrupts the Dividers". President of Future 500, where he invites Greenpeace, ExxonMobil, Rainforest Action Network, Mitsubishi and other corporate and environmental leaders to work together.Bill co-chairs the Donor Roundtable and its citizen recruitment initiative, In This Together.He's the author of seven books. The most recent is "In This Together: How Republicans, Democrats, Capitalists and Activists are Uniting to Tackle Climate Change and More.Bill teaches leadership and negotiations at the Berkeley Haas School of Business, University of California Berkeley.Recommendation: Richard listened to and was moved by the documentary podcast series "The Witch Trials of JK Rowling", hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The US seems to be more divided than ever today. Especially when the topic at hand is a sensitive issue that has to do with identity and human rights, it's understandable that people are passionate about their positions. In this episode, we explore a number of controversial topics that have provoked vehement debate and division, and pose the question of whether or not the sensitivity around each topic is warranted. Where is the fine line between cultural appropriation and cultural appreciation, and how does that perspective change based on whether you're taking the perspective of a multicultural country like the US or a more homogenous/global perspective from a different country? Is Drag Queen Story Hour appropriate for children? And why is it being conflated with outlier occurrences of sometimes sexually-explicit drag show performances at schools? Is JK Rowling genuinely transphobic? How does her perspective of wanting to protect women from violence inflicted by cis men who take advantage of gender-fluid spaces play into the discussion? Should young people be allowed to get gender affirming care/surgery while they are minors? If so, what is the proper process that should be followed, and how does parental consent play into that? On this show, we try our best to keep open minds about topics that can be quite polarizing. While it may be difficult to hear a perspective that is contrary to your own, we neither assert that one opinion or the other is more or less correct. Open dialogue simply shows respect for others, but does not require you to agree with their perspective. ------- CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONAL CONTEXT: - “The Witch Trials of JK Rowling” is a podcast hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, an extreme Christian sect that has been categorized by some as a hate group - There is no standardized timeline for getting approval for gender affirming care and surgery across the United States, though many facilities encourage multiple sessions with a professional/therapist prior, as well as one year of presenting in one's chosen gender identity prior to procedures being done. There is no known legislation dictating a specific timeline. - In 2022, the World Professional Association for Transgender Health lowered its recommended minimum age for starting gender transition treatment to 14 years old (down from 16), and starting some surgeries as early as 15 or 17, depending on the procedure. ARTICLES REFERENCED: - “I Thought I Was Saving Trans Kids. Now I'm Blowing the Whistle” by Jamie Reed: https://www.thefp.com/p/i-thought-i-was-saving-trans-kids ------- Follow us on TikTok at @butwhereareyoureallyfrom and on Instagram at @whereareyoufrompod --- Support this podcast: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/butwhereareyoureallyfrom/support

Comedian, writer, producer and author Jena Friedman on her bone to pick with Elon Musk's Twitter and the wider problem with billionaires, then speaks of her ongoing upset at the lack of female reproductive rights in the US, and why it's possible to view Megan Phelps-Roper, formerly of the Westboro Baptist Church, within a new context having fled the repressive cult. Produced by Ped Hunter and Chris Skinner. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we have a more casual (but still passionate) discussion about current events, which inevitably was centered on the legislative and cultural attack on trans and gender-expansive people in the United States and the conservative moral panic over “wokeness.” We also discuss our disappointment with Megan Phelps-Roper's podcast that paints J. K Rowling in a positive light, and April discusses DL Mayfield's Substack post about the connection of ABA therapy for autistic people to conversion therapy for LGBTQ+ people. Savy Writes Books YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@SAVYLEISER/videos DL's Newsletter: https://dlmayfield.substack.com/ We have merch! Get your Bible Dyke Energy Tee and more here: https://www.redbubble.com/people/rtgardenpodcast/shop  Our social media: @reclaimingthegarden on Insta, @RtGardenPodcast on Twitter, and Reclaiming the Garden on Facebook. Our personal accounts: @thatpunchabletheaternerd, @April_TheWriter (April is on Twitter and Insta). Also, our podcast account follows a bunch of awesome folks + podcasts in the exvangelical/deconstruction world and progressive Christian world, so if you're looking for more resources, that's a great place to start!

If the name Megan Phelps-Roper doesn't immediately ring a bell for you, her former church and home might - the incredibly controversial and almost universally despised Westboro Baptist Church. Megan was raised in the church and from just 5 years of age, was on the picket line day and night hoping to save those her family believe needed to be saved.  10 years ago, Megan left the church. And she's since made a living by using her own example of how her belief system could be challenged to show the power of changing people's minds through conversations in good faith. Which, is what led her to this year, make a podcast called The Witch Trials Of J. K. Rowling.  Megan sat down with Rowling and discussed why she believes the things she does. It's been met with a fair amount of controversy, but it's not about choosing a ‘side' for Megan. It's about listening, learning, and conversation THE END BITS: With thanks to Megan Phelps-Roper.  You can buy her book Unfollow at any good bookstore, and listen to The Witch Trials of J.K Rowling in your podcast app. Feedback? We're listening! Call the pod phone on 02 8999 9386 or email us at podcast@mamamia.com.au Need more lols, info, and inspo in your ears? Find more Mamamia podcasts here. CREDITS: Host: Mia Freedman. You can find Mia on Instagram here and get her newsletter here. Executive Producer: Elissa Ratliff Producer: Emmeline Peterson Audio Producer: Madeline Joannou Mamamia acknowledges the Traditional Owners of the Land we have recorded this podcast on, the Gadigal people of the Eora Nation. We pay our respects to their Elders past and present, and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures. Just by reading or listening to our content, you're helping to fund girls in schools in some of the most disadvantaged countries in the world - through our partnership with Room to Read. We're currently funding 300 girls in school every day and our aim is to get to 1,000. Find out more about Mamamia at mamamia.com.au Become a Mamamia subscriber: https://www.mamamia.com.au/subscribeSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Megan Phelps-Roper, the host of the podcast The Witch Trials of J. K. Rowling, returns to talk about the backlash from the trans community to the podcast, and how she tried to give all sides of the discussion a voice. Plus, Mike has a lot that he doesn't want to talk about, though he is in the mood to sing. And ABC's coverage of black farmers. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Megan Phelps-Roper, the host of the podcast The Witch Trials of J. K. Rowling, created a podcast weaving her own experience into the task of exploring the views of the famous author who created Harry Potter. She and Mike discuss how to do that fairly, why to do that at all, and how to define "good-faith." Plus, the norm of abnormal gun violence. And how insulting CNN hosts seems to have become a right of passage for Republican elected officials. Produced by Joel Patterson and Corey Wara Email us at thegist@mikepesca.com To advertise on the show, visit: https://advertisecast.com/TheGist Subscribe to The Gist Subscribe: https://subscribe.mikepesca.com/ Follow Mikes Substack at: Pesca Profundities | Mike Pesca | Substack Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

--- 0:30 - My daughter asked me to read the first chapter of her upcoming book. 2:15 - Podcast Recommendation - The Witch Trials of JK Rowling, Hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper. Regardless of your position on the issue, I found it to be a very fair and detailed dissection of the issue of trans rights and the state of the union regarding who is allowed to talk about them. Thoughts explored include whether people with platforms should speak up about issues they are passionate about, whether or not you can argue your opposition's point articulately and therefore understand what you're disagreeing with, whether or not rights for one group can mean loss of rights for another, etc. It also addresses one of the most important concepts in discourse: “What if I'm wrong?” 7:48 - Yes, they're still trying to make the “Harry Potter” Books into a TV Show:  Harry Potter TV Series on the Books https://deadline.com/2023/04/harry-potter-tv-series-hbo-max-jk-rowling-produce-1235317141/ 21:30 - The New York Times is losing their top film critic to books. Why?: Why A.O. Scott is quitting film criticism and transitioning to the Book Review page. Essentially, it's corporate-driven IP franchise filmmaking. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/03/23/podcasts/the-daily/ao-scott-film-critic-american-cinema-movies.html  ----- Thanks for joining us! If you enjoy our show, PLEASE please tell your friends. Recommend us. That is how we grow. ----- Executive Producers: Conner Dempsey • Dustin Weldon Theme Music by Dustin Weldon Produced & Engineered by Conner Dempsey Powered by Zoom, Skype, QuickTime, Adobe Audition, & Adobe Premiere Pro Special Thanks to Anchor FM FOR ENTERTAINMENT PURPOSES ONLY. This is critique, protected under Fair Use. I DO NOT OWN THIS CONTENT. CONTENT IS IN THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. Copyright Disclaimer Under Section 107 of the Copyright Act 1976, allowance is made for "fair use" for purposes such as criticism, comment, news reporting, teaching, scholarship, and research. Fair use is a use permitted by copyright statute that might otherwise be infringing.  Non-profit, educational or personal use tips the balance in favor of fair use. ---

Sam Harris speaks with Megan Phelps-Roper about her new podcast series, “The Witch trials of J. K. Rowling.” If the Making Sense podcast logo in your player is BLACK, you can SUBSCRIBE to gain access to all full-length episodes at samharris.org/subscribe. Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That's why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life's most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

Sam Harris speaks with Megan Phelps-Roper about the new podcast series she hosts and produced, “The Witch Trials of J. K. Rowling.” The series is also produced by Andy Mills and Matt Boll for The Free Press. Born and raised in the Westboro Baptist Church, Megan Phelps-Roper left a life of religious extremism in 2012. She has spent the past decade using her experiences to work with schools on anti-bullying campaigns, with law enforcement organizations investigating deradicalization, and with tech companies on the intersection of safety, free speech, and the value of dialogue across ideological divides. Her journey has been chronicled in a trio of BBC documentaries, a TED talk, and her memoir Unfollow. Podcast: The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling Twitter: @meganphelps Learning how to train your mind is the single greatest investment you can make in life. That’s why Sam Harris created the Waking Up app. From rational mindfulness practice to lessons on some of life’s most important topics, join Sam as he demystifies the practice of meditation and explores the theory behind it.

Host Megan Phelps-Roper asks J.K. Rowling to respond to pushback from some of her critics. The two also discuss the difficulty of discernment—why it can be so hard to know what's right. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.

Transgender fans of Harry Potter share their criticism of J.K. Rowling—and the experiences that inform their views. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, and Candace Mittel Kahn, with special thanks to Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.

In this episode, we examine a series of Sam’s conversations centered around religion, atheism, and the power of belief. First, we hear the stories of three guests who have fled their respective oppressive religious organizations. We begin with Sarah Haider, founder of the advocacy group Ex-Muslims of North America, who details how her encounters with militant atheists catalyzed her journey to secularism. Then our narrator, Megan Phelps-Roper, walks us through her story of abandoning the Westboro Baptist Church. Finally, Yasmine Mohammed presents her harrowing account of escaping fundamentalist Islamism and Sam’s role in inspiring her public advocacy work. We then tackle the concept of belief more broadly, diving into Sam’s understanding of atheism and what sets it apart from the views of other atheist thinkers like Matt Dillahunty and Richard Dawkins. We also revisit an infamous conversation between Sam and Jordan Peterson, wherein they attempt to come to some universal definition of the word “truth.” The episode concludes with two Q&A portions from life events in which Sam addresses some real concerns about purpose and meaning in the absence of religion. About the Series Filmmaker Jay Shapiro has produced The Essential Sam Harris, a new series of audio documentaries exploring the major topics that Sam has focused on over the course of his career. Each episode weaves together original analysis, critical perspective, and novel thought experiments with some of the most compelling exchanges from the Making Sense archive. Whether you are new to a particular topic, or think you have your mind made up about it, we think you’ll find this series fascinating.

In this episode, we examine a series of Sam's conversations centered around religion, atheism, and the power of belief.  First, we hear the stories of three guests who have fled their respective oppressive religious organizations. We begin with Sarah Haider, founder of the advocacy group Ex-Muslims of North America, who details how her encounters with militant atheists catalyzed her journey to secularism. Then our narrator, Megan Phelps-Roper, walks us through her story of abandoning the Westboro Baptist Church. Finally, Yasmine Mohammed presents her harrowing account of escaping fundamentalist Islamism and Sam's role in inspiring her public advocacy work. We then tackle the concept of belief more broadly, diving into Sam's understanding of atheism and what sets it apart from the views of other atheist thinkers like Matt Dillahunty and Richard Dawkins. We also revisit an infamous conversation between Sam and Jordan Peterson, wherein they attempt to come to some universal definition of the word “truth.” The episode concludes with two Q&A portions from life events in which Sam addresses some real concerns about purpose and meaning in the absence of religion.   About the Series Filmmaker Jay Shapiro has produced The Essential Sam Harris, a new series of audio documentaries exploring the major topics that Sam has focused on over the course of his career. Each episode weaves together original analysis, critical perspective, and novel thought experiments with some of the most compelling exchanges from the Making Sense archive. Whether you are new to a particular topic, or think you have your mind made up about it, we think you'll find this series fascinating.

After years of observing the conflict between advocates for trans rights and women's rights, J.K. Rowling weighs in. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.

The movement for trans rights hits its stride in the early 2010s, but encounters fierce resistance from an unexpected source. J.K. Rowling watches the battle unfold with mounting unease. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.

The early days of the internet collide with the feverish fandom of “Harry Potter,” and a sprawling, global community emerges. But the hopefulness of this new technology brings with it the darker impulses of human nature. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.

I interview Joseph Monninger, a college professor and novelist who discovered, only three days after his retirement, that he had terminal lung cancer and likely only months to live. His memoir Goodbye to Clocks Ticking is a heartfelt, humanistic account of facing death and processing an unexpected reprieve. Buy a copy of Goodbye to Clocks Ticking for yourself, and be sure to check out Joe's other books. Reading/listening recommendations: Nonverts by Stephen Bullivant. "The Defiance of Salman Rushdie," a profile in The New Yorker magazine by David Remnick. The Witch Trials of J. K. Rowling, a podcast hosted by Megan Phelps-Roper. Theme music courtesy of Body Found. Follow American Freethought on the intertubes: Website: AmericanFreethought.com  Twitter: @AMERFREETHOUGHT Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/21523473365/ Libsyn Classic Feed: https://americanfreethought.libsyn.com/rss Contact: john@americanfreethought.com Support the Podcast: PayPal funds to sniderishere@gmail.com

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit smokeempodcast.substack.comTwo recent controversies prove the power of words, and also our country's near-hopeless division. Publishers of Roald Dahl's children's classics, including Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, were busted making edits that removed “offensive” passages for modern audiences, an effort spearheaded by a group called Inclusive Minds (“consultants and campaigners,” according to their website). Nancy and Sarah sift through the reactions and dangerous implications, and wonder: What are we asking — or rather, enforcing — that our children give up? Could it be delight?Meanwhile, Nancy and Sarah are loving a new podcast from The Free Press, “The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling.” Hosted by Westboro Baptist Church apostate Megan Phelps-Roper, and masterminded by exiled The Daily producer Andy Mills, the show interviews the author born as Joanne Rowling and reveals her to be sympathetic, deep-thinking, and (of course) complicated. The show has only dropped two episodes, but it's Sarah's current vote for Podcast of the Year. Whatever you think of Rowling (and can anyone tell us how to pronounce her last name?), this podcast is an extraordinary peek into a pressing controversy — not that such value would ever stop the haters.Also: Sarah sings the Oscar Meyer jingle. MILF Manor gets a new MILF. Who is Nancy's vote for the most popular humorist of the past 50 years? (Hint from Sarah: It's not the most popular humorist.) And: Is Dave Barry funny? A debate.

Host Megan Phelps-Roper writes a letter to J.K. Rowling—and receives a surprising invitation in reply: the opportunity for an intimate conversation in Rowling's Scottish home. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.

As "Harry Potter" becomes an international phenomenon, it coincides with the culture wars of the 1990s. In the backlash from Christians across America, author J.K. Rowling is accused of mainstreaming witchcraft and poisoning children's minds. Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, and Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe. This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org.

The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling premieres Tuesday, February 21, 2023. Learn more Read an essay by host Megan Phelps-Roper

About Brian Hall: After decades of personal experience with religious trauma and abuse, Brian decided to take all that he experienced and overcame to help others see their abuse as a gift, and learn how to reconnect with their true Self. Brian uses his educational background gained, along with his MDiv and several years of counseling training in his career as a military chaplain and a hospice chaplain, to help guide clients on their individual journey to quickly explore their true beliefs and learn to create a life where they are abundant and full of joy. At Pneuma Counseling, Brian focuses on complex PTSD-based religious trauma recovery and integration of true personal beliefs into everyday life.   In this episode, Kim Andryc, Lora Solomon, and Brian Hall discuss: Taking back control after life in a cult.  Brian's experience with QHHT and his journey to find his true Self.  What religious trauma is and how it impacts individuals.  The transformative discipline of gratitude.  Holding space to share and connect, regardless of beliefs.    Key Takeaways: A cult, essentially, hypnotizes people to believe a narrative and they use a lot of different things to enforce that hypnosis. Religious trauma can affect individuals in different ways. It does not look the same for everyone.  Meditation and gratitude can help you to connect with your highest and best self. In our developmental years, we are easily influenced by everyone and everything around us. But we can erase and rewrite over those habits and patterns that we were taught.  "This religion that I was a part of is supposed to give you hope, I felt very hopeless throughout that entire process. The only time that hope came into me is when I knew that I could control my own destiny and I knew that I have freedom. Then a plethora of hope came into me." — Brian Hall  Resources Mentioned:  7 Ways Religion Traumatizes People: https://youtu.be/7HwSGXPKzw8 I grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church. Here's why I left. | Megan Phelps-Roper: https://youtu.be/bVV2Zk88beY Global Center for Religious Research: https://www.gcrr.org/ The Inside Out Experience: https://theinsideoutexperience.com/ Freedom From Religion Foundation: https://secure.ffrf.org/  Mark Karris: https://markgregorykarris.com/    Connect with Brian Hall:  Website: www.PneumaCounseling.org  Email: brian@pneumacounseling.org  LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/pneuma-counseling-spiritual-services/  Connect with Sacred Rebellion:  Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LoraAndKim  Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacredrebellionpodcast/ Email Lora:  connect@lorasolomon.com Email Kim: kim@kimandryc.com Show notes by Podcastologist Chelsea Taylor-Sturkie   Audio production by Turnkey Podcast Productions. You're the expert. Your podcast will prove it.

Brian Brushwood (@shwood) has spent the last 20 years entertaining and teaching people how to harness the deceptive (and self-deceptive) skills of scientists, spies, criminals, and con artists. He is the author of Scam School: Your Guide to Scoring Free Drinks, Doing Magic, and Becoming the Life of the Party. [Note: This is a previously broadcast episode from the vault that we felt deserved a fresh pass through your earholes!] What We Discuss with Brian Brushwood: Why being interesting isn’t a gift — it’s a practice. How fixed action patterns help us get others to do what we want them to do. (Important note: for good — not evil!) How to control a conversation by asking the right questions. The best way to convince someone to help us? By making it their idea. Why we’re all susceptible to being duped in spite of our highly developed human brains — and how practicing magic can train us to be more resistant to the fraudulent. And so much more… Full show notes and resources can be found here: jordanharbinger.com/722 Sign up for Six-Minute Networking -- our free networking and relationship development mini course -- at jordanharbinger.com/course! Miss our two-parter with former Westboro Baptist Church spokesperson Megan Phelps-Roper? Make sure to catch up starting with episode 302: Megan Phelps-Roper | Unfollowing Westboro Baptist Church Part One here! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!

In a time when people are more dug in than ever on partisan beliefs about the world, is it ever possible to change anybody's mind? Science journalist David McRaney, author of the new book How Minds Change, says yes. He and Virginia investigate the psychology of how we come by our beliefs — and the tried-and-true methods social scientists recommend using to change peoples' minds — even on hot-button issues.Listen to David's podcast with ex-Westboro Baptist Church member Megan Phelps-Roper here.

Ayaan speaks with Megan Phelps-Roper about leaving the Westboro Baptist Church. They discuss how we can bridge the divide and have empathetic conversations across ideological lines. Megan Phelps-Roper was raised in the Westboro Baptist Church, the Topeka, Kansas church known internationally for its daily public protests against members of the LGBTQ community, Jews, other Christians, the military... Source

Megan Phelps-Roper grew up inside the notorious Westboro Baptist Church family. In 2012 she left the church, and her family, to live in the world she once reviled (R)

Editor and publisher Sean McDonald and novelist Monica West join co-hosts Whitney Terrell and V.V. Ganeshananthan to discuss how the “reopening” of the country is affecting authors and the publishing industry. First, McDonald, founder of MCD Books, a division of Farrar, Straus and Giroux, talks about publishing in the pandemic, and how that experience may shape the industry going forward. Then, West reads from her debut novel, Revival Season, and shares what it's been like to launch a book during (fingers crossed!) the pandemic's waning days. To hear the full episode, subscribe through iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, Spotify, or your favorite podcast app (include the forward slashes when searching). You can also listen by streaming from the player below. Check out video excerpts from our interviews at LitHub's Virtual Book Channel and Fiction/Non/Fiction's YouTube Channel, and don't miss our brand-new website: https://www.fnfpodcast.net/ This podcast is produced by Andrea Tudhope. Selected readings: Sean McDonald MCD x FSG The Electric Eel newsletter Monica West Revival Season   Others: “FSG Names McDonald Head of Experimental Imprint,” Publishers Weekly Beowulf: A New Translation by Maria Dahvana Headley Sharks in the Time of Saviors by Kawai Strong Washburn Until Proven Safe by Geoff Manaugh and Nicola Twilley The Mamba Mentality by Kobe Bryant, Phil Jackson and Pau Gasol Hummingbird Salamander by Jeff VanderMeer Sorrowland by Rivers Solomon F/N/F Season 3, Episode 10: Coronavirus and Contagion: Laurie Chen and Richard Preston on Writing About the Spread of Disease F/N/F Season 4, Episode 3: Monsters for President: Maria Dahvana Headley on Modern Mythmaking F/N/F Episode 26: Garrard Conley and SJ Sindu on the Mainstreaming of Queer Identity F/N/F Season 3, Episode 6: Rene Denfeld and Megan Phelps-Roper on Isolating the Language of Abuse in Politics, Gender Relations, and Sexual Abuse F/N/F Season 3, Episode 24: Summer Books Extravaganza: Margot Livesey and Jaswinder Bolina on Beach Reading When the Beach is Closed   Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It's exhausting to talk about Westboro Baptist Church. This small cult, made up almost entirely of a single family and their kids' spouses, has caused a tremendous amount of pain around the country. Not only do they hurt those they picket, like families of fallen military heroes, they're often trotted out by media outlets as an example of Christian bigotry. Somehow Christians are often forced to answer for a group that horrifies all of us. Like I said, it's exhausting. Megan Phelps-Roper is the granddaughter of Westboro founder Fred Phelps. She made news a few years ago when she escaped and renounced the cult of her childhood, an experience she describes in a new book. Her story, which I've followed since she first left the so-called church, is absolutely fascinating. And in her recent interview with popular atheist podcaster Sam Harris, Phelps-Roper offers a glimpse into the evil philosophy behind Westboro. According to Phelps-Roper, the group's motivation for publicly celebrating terrorist attacks or praising their so-called God for a deadly famine, is all grounded in a perverted interpretation of God's sovereignty. Because God always accomplishes his will, they believe, and because 1 John 5 says it's not burdensome to love God and His commandments, Phelps and company concluded we must celebrate everything that happens. It's a deeply inconsistent worldview to be sure: Why would they call others to repentance while rejoicing at their arrival into Hell as being God's will?  Nor is it clear how Westboro explains the loving Father God who created His people to enjoy Him forever that is revealed to us throughout the Biblical narrative. Why would we believe that God rejoices in our pain if He sent his Son to suffer and die in order to heal our pain? How many times in the Old Testament do we read that God “hears the cries” of His people? How many times is God described as “the God of all comfort”? Jesus cried when His friend died, and upon seeing the pain that death caused to His siblings, just before He turned their tears into rejoicing by bringing Lazarus back to life! The Phelps family believes so many wrong and damaging ideas, but at the root of them all is a bad idea about God. That bad idea leads to another: that the world today is exactly the way God always intended (not just allowed) it to be. Romans 8 tells us that the creation itself begs (and groans) to differ. Of course, we cannot gloss over the fact that Westboro's goal has always been to get attention. They go where the cameras are. Bad actions are never justified by bad theology, but bad theology does help to explain bad actions. After all, ideas have consequences - and bad ideas have victims. One really bad, wrong idea about God can infect the way we read the Bible and see the world until what comes out of us is nothing less than hateful nonsense. To be clear, Westboro's theological fatalism has much more in common with Islam than Christianity, both in their view of God and in their view of how He acts within human history. Many Muslims see within the Qur'an that Allah does what he wills without any particular affection for his creation. That one idea even infects how the Muslim world handles its own infrastructure. For example, in 2015, after a construction crane collapsed near the Muslim holy site of Mecca, killing 118 people, the Saudi company that operated the crane claimed zero responsibility. What happened was a holy act of Allah, they said. This is why Paul tells Christians to work out their faith. We need to be conscious about what we believe and why we believe it. We need to be vigilant about what ideas we hold, knowing which ideas are shaping our beliefs. That, of course, is why BreakPoint and the Colson Center are here: To bring clarity to the issues and trends surrounding us, and to help believers understand them in the light of a Christian worldview. Nothing brings me more joy than when a mom or a dad stops me at an event somewhere and tells me how BreakPoint provides their dinner table conversations. I know this daily commentary, founded by Chuck Colson nearly thirty years ago, is helping Christians connect their faith to the world around them. I am very thankful to be a part of this. And we exist because of generous listeners like you. So please consider giving a year-end gift. 

Megan Phelps-Roper is a social media activist, lobbying to overcome divisions and hatred between religious and political divides. Formerly a prominent member of the Westboro Baptist Church, she left the church with her sister Grace in November 2012.