Podcast appearances and mentions of will wright

What happens when journalists cover politics without understanding the religion shaping the story?Brian Kaylor, president and editor-in-chief of Word&Way and the leader of A Public Witness, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain why religion reporting matters in an era of Christian nationalism, government-sponsored worship, and growing confusion about the role Christianity plays in American public life. Kaylor describes how political reporters can miss biblical references, theological claims, and denominational differences that are central to understanding events such as January 6, presidential elections, and the political influence of conservative Christianity.The conversation then turns to Kaylor's reporting on Christian worship services organized inside the Pentagon and other federal agencies. He explains the involvement of Pete Hegseth, Doug Wilson, Franklin Graham, Southern Baptist leaders, defense contractors, violent biblical rhetoric, and a prayer borrowed from Pulp Fiction. The episode also examines the constitutional difference between a private religious group using a government building and the government planning and hosting its own worship service.The final episode of Church & State 250 returns to the principle at the center of the series: America's most significant religious experiment was the decision to separate church and state. Kaylor argues that this separation protects religious minorities, government employees, and Christianity itself from the corrupting influence of political power.Guest BioBrian Kaylor, PhD, is president and editor-in-chief of Word&Way, an independent Christian media organization founded in 1896, and the leader of A Public Witness, a publication covering religion, politics, and culture. A Baptist minister with a doctorate in political communication from the University of Missouri, Kaylor is an award-winning journalist, author, speaker, and scholar whose work focuses on Christian nationalism, political rhetoric, religious liberty, church-state separation, and the ways Christianity is used to support government power. He is the author or co-author of seven books, including Sacramental Politics, Baptizing America, and The Bible According to Christian Nationalists. His Government Worship Watch project documents worship services organized by the Pentagon and other federal agencies, making his reporting central to understanding the current relationship between Christianity and the federal government.Books MentionedThe Bible According to Christian Nationalists: Exploiting Scripture for Political Power by Brian KaylorBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780827203501Baptizing America: How Mainline Protestants Helped Build Christian Nationalism by Brian Kaylor and Beau UnderwoodBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780827203389Relevant Links & ResourcesBrian Kaylor Official WebsiteURL: https://briankaylor.com/A Public WitnessURL: https://publicwitness.wordandway.org/Word&WayURL: https://wordandway.org/

Today's Mystery: Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is sent to Boston after a priceless jade statue known as the Mei-Ling Buddha is reportedly spotted for sale in a Paris antique shop—even though it should still be locked inside the home of its late owner. Johnny soon discovers that an impossible theft demands an equally unexpected solution.Original Radio Broadcast: June 28, 1959Originating from HollywoodStarring Bob Bailey as Johnny DollarAlso featuring Virginia Gregg, Paul Dubov, Will Wright, and Boris AplonWritten, produced, and directed by Jack JohnstoneSupport the podcast monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: NoneSupport the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.netMail a donation to:Adam GrahamPO Box 15913Boise, ID 83715Take our listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call: 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at https://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter/X at https://twitter.com/radiodetectivesJoin us again next time for another adventure with Yours Truly, Johnny Dollar.

Today's Mystery: Insurance investigator Johnny Dollar is sent to Boston after a priceless jade statue known as the Mei-Ling Buddha is reportedly spotted for sale in a Paris antique shop—even though it should still be locked inside the home of its late owner. Johnny soon discovers that an impossible theft demands an equally unexpected solution.Original Radio Broadcast: June 28, 1959Originating from HollywoodStarring Bob Bailey as Johnny DollarAlso featuring Virginia Gregg, Paul Dubov, Will Wright, and Boris AplonWritten, produced, and directed by Jack JohnstoneSupport the podcast monthly at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netPatreon Supporter of the Day: NoneSupport the show on a one-time basis at https://support.greatdetectives.netMail a donation to:Adam GrahamPO Box 15913Boise, ID 83715Take our listener survey at https://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call: 208-991-4783Follow us on Instagram at https://instagram.com/greatdetectivesFollow us on Twitter/X at https://twitter.com/radiodetectives

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when Christians begin to believe they are entitled to rule over everyone else? Matthew D. Taylor, a scholar of religion and politics and visiting scholar at Georgetown University's Center on Faith and Justice, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain how Christian nationalism fits inside a much older story of Christian supremacy, empire, and political power. Taylor traces the pattern back to Constantine, Christendom, and the long history of Christians using Jesus to justify conquest, coercion, and rule. He then brings the story into the present through MAGA Christianity, the New Apostolic Reformation, the Seven Mountain Mandate, prophecy around Donald Trump, Paula White-Cain, Lance Wallnau, spiritual warfare, and January 6. The conversation helps listeners understand why Christian nationalism is not one movement, but a spectrum of beliefs and networks competing for power. It is also a warning about what America's 250th means if Christians try to restore the divine right of kings.Guest BioMatthew D. Taylor, PhD, is a scholar of religion and politics and a visiting scholar at Georgetown University's Center on Faith and Justice. His work focuses on Christian nationalism, religious extremism, Christian supremacy, American Islam, and the role of religious pluralism in defending democracy. He is the author of Scripture People, The Violent Take It by Force, and the forthcoming Defying Tyrants: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists. He also created Charismatic Revival Fury, an audio documentary series on the New Apostolic Reformation and the Christian leaders and ideas that helped fuel January 6. His research connects directly to this episode's focus on Christian imperialism, MAGA Christianity, prophecy, spiritual warfare, and the fight over America's democratic future.Book MentionedThe Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy by Matthew D. TaylorBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781506497785Defying Tyrants: Following Jesus in a World of Christian Antichrists by Matthew D. TaylorBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798341900370Relevant Links & ResourcesMatthew D. Taylor Official WebsiteURL: https://www.drmatthewdtaylor.com/Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat does “Christian nationalism” actually mean, and how can people tell the difference between public faith, patriotism, and a political project built around power? Andrew Whitehead and Samuel Perry, two leading sociologists of religion and politics, join Pastor Josh Burtram and Will Wright to explain Christian nationalism as a cultural framework that fuses a particular kind of Christianity with American civic life. They discuss how survey data connects Christian nationalism with attitudes about race, immigration, voting access, authoritarianism, gender, and who really belongs in America. The conversation also clarifies why they often use the phrase “white Christian nationalism,” what critics misunderstand or misrepresent, and why public prayer or Christians voting their values is not the same thing as Christian nationalism. This is a practical guide to understanding one of the most important forces shaping American politics, churches, and democracy today.Guest BioAndrew L. Whitehead is a professor of sociology at Indiana University Indianapolis and one of the leading scholars of Christian nationalism in the United States. Samuel L. Perry is the Sam K. Viersen Presidential Professor of Sociology at the University of Oklahoma. Together, they co-authored Taking America Back for God, one of the most influential empirical studies of Christian nationalism in America. Perry is also the co-author of The Flag and the Cross, and Whitehead is the author of American Idolatry. Their work helps this episode explain Christian nationalism as a measurable social framework connected to race, democracy, religious identity, and political power.Book MentionedTaking America Back for God: Christian Nationalism in the United States by Andrew L. Whitehead and Samuel L. PerryBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780190057886Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comHow did Christian music become one of the most powerful forces shaping evangelical identity and politics? Leah Payne, professor of American religious history at Portland Seminary and author of God Gave Rock and Roll to You, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain why contemporary Christian music is more than a soundtrack. It is a business, a discipleship tool, and a form of cultural power. Payne traces CCM from Pentecostal and revivalist roots to Billy Graham, the Jesus Movement, Amy Grant, DC Talk, purity culture, worship music, and even January 6. She argues that music often forms people more deeply than doctrine because it teaches Christians what to fear, what to defend, what feels sacred, and who belongs. This conversation helps listeners see how evangelical politics was shaped not only by sermons, denominations, and elections, but by songs, celebrities, markets, mothers, youth culture, and worship.Guest BioLeah Payne, PhD, is professor of American religious history at Portland Seminary and faculty lead for the Doctor of Ministry in Faith & Cultural Engagement program. Her work focuses on American religion, evangelicalism, Pentecostalism, popular culture, music, media, gender, and politics. She is the author of God Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music, published by Oxford University Press, and co-host of Rock That Doesn't Roll, a Public Radio Exchange podcast about Christian rock and its listeners. In this conversation, Payne helps explain how CCM, worship music, Christian celebrity, purity culture, and evangelical media shaped American religious identity and political life.Book MentionedGod Gave Rock and Roll to You: A History of Contemporary Christian Music by Leah PayneBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780197555248Relevant Links & ResourcesLeah PayneURL: https://www.drleahpayne.com/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comHow did “biblical manhood” become so tied to aggression, politics, and power? Kristin Kobes Du Mez, professor of history at Calvin University and author of Jesus and John Wayne, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain how white evangelical ideas about masculinity helped shape American Christianity and American politics. Du Mez traces the rise of rugged Christian manhood through culture, Cold War politics, the Religious Right, Ronald Reagan, fear of feminism and secularism, anti-Muslim rhetoric, and the culture war machinery that turns complicated issues into loyalty tests. She also connects masculine power to institutional self-protection, including the Southern Baptist Convention's response to women in leadership and sexual abuse reform. This conversation is not just about men. It is about how gender, theology, fear, capitalism, and political power worked together to shape modern white evangelicalism, and why America's 250th raises urgent questions about religious liberty and democracy.Guest BioKristin Kobes Du Mez, PhD, is a historian, New York Times bestselling author, and professor of history at Calvin University. Her work focuses on the intersection of gender, religion, politics, and American evangelicalism. She is the author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation, A New Gospel for Women, and the forthcoming Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made. She is also a Senior Democracy Fellow with PRRI. In this conversation, Du Mez helps explain how white evangelical ideas about masculinity, femininity, fear, family, politics, and power shaped the modern church and the country around it.Book MentionedJesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes Du MezBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781631499050Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made by Kristin Kobes Du MezBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781324090977Relevant Links & ResourcesKristin Kobes Du Mez Official WebsiteURL: https://kristindumez.com/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comCan America tell its religious history honestly without confronting race? Jemar Tisby, historian, public scholar, author, and founder of Tisby Media, joins Will Wright for Church and State 250 to explain why race does not “enter” the American story later. It has been there from the beginning. Tisby connects the Declaration of Independence, the Three-Fifths Compromise, slavery, voting rights, segregation, the Black Church, and white Christian nationalism to show how Christianity has been used both to defend racial hierarchy and resist it. He explains how churches labeled slavery and race “political” when doing so protected money and power, while still speaking freely on other moral issues. The conversation also highlights how enslaved people heard a liberating gospel despite distorted biblical teaching, and why America's 250th should be a moment to reclaim patriotism, defend democracy, and work toward a more perfect union.Guest BioJemar Tisby, PhD, is a historian, New York Times bestselling author, public scholar, and founder and creative director of Tisby Media. His work focuses on race, religion, American history, democracy, and justice. He is the author of The Color of Compromise, How to Fight Racism, and The Spirit of Justice, along with several books for younger readers. He is also the executive producer of Jesus Was a Migrant, a documentary from Tisby Studios. In this conversation, Tisby helps explain how race and religion have been intertwined from America's founding through slavery, segregation, voting rights, the Black Church, white Christian nationalism, and the ongoing fight for democracy.Book MentionedThe Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church's Complicity in Racism by Jemar TisbyBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780310113607How to Fight Racism: Courageous Christianity and the Journey Toward Racial Justice by Jemar TisbyBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780310154358The Spirit of Justice: True Stories of Faith, Race, and Resistance by Jemar TisbyBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780310144854Relevant Links & ResourcesJemar Tisby Official WebsiteURL: https://jemartisby.com/Jesus Was a MigrantURL: https://jesuswasamigrant.com/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when religious freedom becomes a legal tool for imposing religion on others? Andrew L. Seidel, constitutional attorney, author, and Vice President of Strategic Communications at Americans United for Separation of Church and State, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain how church-state law has shaped American public life. Seidel walks through the Establishment Clause, the Free Exercise Clause, Article VI's ban on religious tests, and major Supreme Court cases including Everson, Brown v. Board, Lemon v. Kurtzman, Kennedy v. Bremerton, and Carson v. Makin. He argues that separation of church and state is larger than one clause in the First Amendment. It is woven through the Constitution's structure and protects people of every faith and no faith. The conversation also explores public schools, vouchers, Christian nationalism, Leonard Leo's influence on the courts, and why America's 250th is a moment to defend religious liberty for everyone.Guest BioAndrew L. Seidel is a constitutional and civil rights attorney, author, and Vice President of Strategic Communications at Americans United for Separation of Church and State. His work focuses on religious freedom, church-state separation, Christian nationalism, and the way constitutional law affects public life. He is the author of The Founding Myth: Why Christian Nationalism Is Un-American and American Crusade: How the Supreme Court Is Weaponizing Religious Freedom, and co-editor of Law and Religion: Cases and Materials. His legal and public writing helps explain how First Amendment law, religious liberty claims, public schools, and Supreme Court doctrine shape the rights of believers and nonbelievers alike.Book MentionedAmerican Crusade: How the Supreme Court Is Weaponizing Religious Freedom by Andrew L. SeidelBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781454943921Relevant Links & ResourcesAmericans United for Separation of Church and State - Andrew L. SeidelURL: https://www.au.org/about-au/people/andrew-l-seidel/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

The Prime Minister just told a room of fund managers that your super is a national asset that belongs to the country, not to you. Albanese called Australia's $4.5 trillion retirement pool "hard money to provide soft power" and pointed to the $500 million already shipped into Indian infrastructure as proof it is happening now. The boys break down what Canberra really wants with your money, why even the Westpac CEO told the government to back off, and the one asset they cannot take unless you hand over your seed phrase.Take control and build your wealth your way

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comCould enslaved Africans become Christians, and if they did, should baptism lead to freedom? Katharine Gerbner, Associate Professor of History and Director of Religious Studies at the University of Minnesota, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain how religion shaped slavery and race in the Protestant Atlantic world. Gerbner's book, Christian Slavery, examines a tension many Americans rarely consider: early Protestant slaveholders often treated Christianity as a marker of freedom, while missionaries wanted to convert enslaved people without disrupting slavery. That conflict helped produce what Gerbner calls “Protestant supremacy,” a religious framework that came before the legal solidification of whiteness and helped justify slavery through religious difference. The conversation moves through Quakers in Barbados, baptism, Catholic and Protestant slave systems, enslaved Christians, and theologies used to defend bondage. It is a hard but necessary look at how Christian language could be used both to seek freedom and to preserve power.Guest BioKatharine Gerbner is Associate Professor of History and Director of the Religious Studies Program at the University of Minnesota. Her work examines how religion shapes, and is shaped by, race, freedom, politics, and technology. She is the author of Christian Slavery: Conversion and Race in the Protestant Atlantic World, which argues that religion was central to the development of both slavery and race in the Protestant Atlantic world, and Archival Irruptions: Constructing Religion and Criminalizing Obeah in Eighteenth-Century Jamaica. Her scholarship connects directly to this episode's focus on Christian slavery, Protestant supremacy, baptism, enslaved Christians, and the religious arguments used to justify or challenge slavery.Book MentionedChristian Slavery: Conversion and Race in the Protestant Atlantic World by Katharine GerbnerBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780812224368Relevant Links & ResourcesKatharine Gerbner Faculty ProfileURL: https://cla.umn.edu/about/directory/profile/kgerbner Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comHow did white Southern evangelicals use the Bible to defend segregation after slavery ended?J. Russell “Rusty” Hawkins, Dean of the John Wesley Honors College and Professor of Honors Humanities and History at Indiana Wesleyan University, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain the theological arguments behind Jim Crow Christianity. Hawkins, author of The Bible Told Them So, shows how white evangelicals read stories like Babel, Levitical separation laws, Acts 17, and Revelation as evidence that God intended racial separation. The conversation moves through the Civil War as a theological crisis, Brown v. Board of Education, Christian colleges, Bob Jones University, local church resistance, and the rise of “colorblindness” as a religious argument against integration. This episode matters because it shows that segregation was not defended only through politics or culture. For many Christians, it was defended as biblical truth, which should make today's believers more humble about certainty.Guest BioJ. Russell “Rusty” Hawkins is Dean of the John Wesley Honors College and Professor of Honors Humanities and History at Indiana Wesleyan University. He is the author of The Bible Told Them So: How Southern Evangelicals Fought to Preserve White Supremacy, published by Oxford University Press in 2021, and co-editor of Christians and the Color Line: Race and Religion after Divided by Faith. His work focuses on religion, race, white evangelicalism, segregation, and the civil rights era, making him a strong guide for understanding how theology shaped resistance to racial equality in American life.Book MentionedThe Bible Told Them So: How Southern Evangelicals Fought to Preserve White Supremacy by J. Russell HawkinsBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780197571064Relevant Links & ResourcesJ. Russell “Rusty” Hawkins Faculty ProfileURL: https://www.indwes.edu/academics/faculty/profiles/rusty-hawkins Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Adam Stoker talks with Will Wright, managing partner of UK-based Destination Core, about the content-centric, owned-media-first website platform they've quietly built together. They dig into why traditional destination websites function as glorified directories, how their first joint client, Play Golf Myrtle Beach, put the concept to the test, and why the best DMOs now win by answering travelers' questions and inspiring them, rather than just chasing bottom-of-funnel metrics. Subscribe to our ⁠⁠⁠⁠newsletter⁠⁠⁠⁠! The ⁠⁠⁠⁠Destination Marketing Podcast⁠⁠⁠⁠ is a part of the ⁠⁠⁠⁠Destination Marketing Podcast Network⁠⁠⁠⁠. It is hosted by Adam Stoker and produced by Brand Revolt. If you are interested in any of Brand Revolt's services, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ or visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thebrandrevolt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.To learn more about the Destination Marketing Podcast network and to listen to our other shows, please visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠www.thedmpn.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. If you are interested in joining the network, please email ⁠⁠⁠⁠adam@thebrandrevolt.com⁠⁠⁠⁠.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when Christianity becomes a tool for defending racial hierarchy? Robert P. Jones, founder and president of PRRI and author of White Too Long, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy, and the forthcoming Backslide, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to examine how white Christianity shaped slavery, segregation, public memory, and American democracy. Jones traces the story through his own Southern Baptist family history, the denominational splits over slavery, the religious defense of the Confederacy, lynching, the Lost Cause, segregation academies, and the long refusal of many white Christians to fully repent of white supremacy. The conversation also looks at why terms like “white Christian” and “white evangelical” are uncomfortable but necessary, and how racial identity still shapes religious and political behavior. This episode asks a hard question: if Christians once used the Bible to justify slavery and Jim Crow, what are Christians being asked to confront now?Guest BioRobert P. Jones, PhD, is the president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute, known as PRRI, and a New York Times bestselling author. His work examines the intersection of religion, race, politics, democracy, and American identity. He is the author of The End of White Christian America, White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future, and the forthcoming Backslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy. His research and writing connect directly to this episode's focus on white Christianity, slavery, segregation, Christian nationalism, public memory, and the future of democracy.Book MentionedBackslide: Reclaiming a Faith and a Nation After the Christian Turn Against Democracy by Robert P. JonesBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/56272/9781250431134The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy  by Robert P. JonesBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781668009529Relevant Links & ResourcesPRRI - Robert P. JonesURL: https://prri.org/staff/robert-p-jones-ph-d/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Australian banks are now deciding what you can do with your own money. CommSec just went sell-only on every Bitcoin ETF, one broker has had $8.9 million in client deposits blocked this year alone, and the AUD money supply is up 60% since 2020. The boys break down why the banks are really doing this, the tokenised equity wave Australia is missing out on, and why the Michael Saylor "death spiral" doesn't survive basic math.Want to learn Bitcoin the safe and simple way?

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWas America founded as a Christian nation, or has that story been repeated so often that it feels true? Warren Throckmorton, retired professor of psychology and author of The Christian Past That Wasn't and co-author of Getting Jefferson Right, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to test popular founding myths against primary sources. Throckmorton walks through claims about the Constitution, religious tests, Benjamin Franklin's prayer motion, Thomas Jefferson, the Danbury Baptists, the Cape Henry prayer, the 1774 Continental Congress prayer, and David Barton's influence on modern Christian nationalist history. He argues that many Christian nation claims depend on selective quotation, invented stories, or ignoring the actual records of the Constitutional Convention. The conversation also explores why these myths are emotionally powerful. Fear, identity, and power can make bad history feel comforting, especially when people believe their faith or country is being taken away.Guest BioWarren Throckmorton, PhD, is a writer, researcher, and retired professor of psychology at Grove City College. His work examines Christian nationalism, American religious history, psychology, and the misuse of historical claims in public life. He is the author of The Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History and co-author, with Michael Coulter, of Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims About Thomas Jefferson. In this conversation, Throckmorton brings together historical fact-checking and psychological insight to explain why myths about America's Christian founding remain powerful, why primary sources matter, and why separation of church and state protects religious freedomBook MentionedThe Christian Past That Wasn't: Debunking the Christian Nationalist Myths That Hijack History by Warren ThrockmortonBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889835820Getting Jefferson Right: Fact Checking Claims About Thomas Jefferson by Michael Coulter and Warren ThrockmortonBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798990900622Relevant Links & ResourcesThe Throckmorton InitiativeURL: https://warrenthrockmorton.substack.com/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Today's Mystery: When an insurance company begins receiving anonymous monthly payments for a $50,000 fraudulent claim, Johnny Dollar is assigned to identify the mysterious sender. His investigation into a suspicious insurance payout leads him to the widow of a famous sculptor—only to discover that she died months earlier.Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 14, 1959Originating from HollywoodStarring: Bob Bailey as Johnny DollarAlso starring Herb Vigran, Edgar Barrier, Carlton G. Young, Will Wright, and Lawrence DobkinWritten, produced, and directed by Jack JohnstoneAnnouncer: Dan CubberlyWhen making your travel plans, remember johnnydollarair.comBecome one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.netThank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Brenda, Patreon supporter since September 2025Take the listener survey at survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook at facebook.com/radiodetectivesFollow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectivesFollow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today's Mystery: When an insurance company begins receiving anonymous monthly payments for a $50,000 fraudulent claim, Johnny Dollar is assigned to identify the mysterious sender. His investigation into a suspicious insurance payout leads him to the widow of a famous sculptor—only to discover that she died months earlier.Original Radio Broadcast Date: June 14, 1959Originating from HollywoodStarring: Bob Bailey as Johnny DollarAlso starring Herb Vigran, Edgar Barrier, Carlton G. Young, Will Wright, and Lawrence DobkinWritten, produced, and directed by Jack JohnstoneAnnouncer: Dan CubberlyWhen making your travel plans, remember johnnydollarair.comBecome one of our Patreon Supporters at patreon.greatdetectives.netThank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Brenda, Patreon supporter since September 2025Take the listener survey at survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook at facebook.com/radiodetectivesFollow us on Twitter/X at twitter.com/radiodetectivesFollow us on Instagram at instagram.com/greatdetectives

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWas America founded as a Christian nation, or is that question usually about today's politics more than the eighteenth century? John Fea, historian of early America and American religion, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to slow the conversation down. Fea explains why many Americans historically believed they lived in a Christian nation, while also showing why that does not settle what the founders intended. The discussion moves through state constitutions, religious tests, the First Amendment, Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, the Constitutional Convention, anti-Federalist objections, and the difference between religious freedom and religious toleration. Fea argues that Christianity clearly mattered in the founding era, but the federal Constitution did not create a Christian republic. The episode also asks what America's 250th should mean if we want better history, better citizenship, and a more honest public conversation about faith and democracy.Guest BioJohn Fea, PhD, is a historian of early America, American religion, and the founding era. He is Senior Fellow at the Lumen Center for the Study of Christianity and Culture in Madison, Wisconsin, and taught U.S. history at Messiah University for more than two decades. He is the author or editor of several books, including Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?, Why Study History?, Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump, and the forthcoming In God We Trust: Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? His work helps listeners think historically about the founders, religious liberty, the Constitution, Christian nationalism, and the difference between using the past responsibly and using it for present-day political agendas.Book MentionedIn God We Trust: Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? by John FeaPublisher: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780664269579 Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Fr. Chuck Kieffer joins us to reflect on Sunday's Gospel. Will Wright explores the history of the Church in America, we'll hear from young adults in their experience in the Church. You'll also get up to date on the latest news and events in the Diocese of Phoenix.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comHow did Christianity become so deeply woven into the American story? Matthew Avery Sutton, professor of history at Washington State University and author of Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain why American Christianity and American history cannot be told as separate stories. Sutton traces Christianity's influence from Columbus, Spanish Catholic missions, Jamestown, Puritans, Quakers, Catholics, enslaved Muslims, Indigenous nations, and the First Amendment to revivalism, slavery, abolition, apocalyptic evangelicalism, and Christian nationalism. He argues that disestablishment did not remove religion from public life. Instead, it created a competitive religious marketplace where churches had to persuade, organize, innovate, and grow. The conversation also challenges both oversimplified “Christian nation” claims and overly clean secular founding myths. This episode helps listeners see America's 250th as a moment for humility, honesty, and a fuller reckoning with the faiths that shaped the country.Guest BioMatthew Avery Sutton is a historian of American religion and politics at Washington State University. His work examines how Christianity, evangelicalism, revivalism, missions, apocalyptic belief, and political power have shaped American public life. He is the author of Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity, American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evangelicalism, Double Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War, and Aimee Semple McPherson and the Resurrection of Christian America. In this conversation, Sutton helps frame the Church and State 250 series by showing how Christianity has been both a force for power and reform throughout American history.Book MentionedChosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity by Matthew Avery SuttonBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781541646339American Apocalypse: A History of Modern Evangelicalism by Matthew Avery SuttonBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780674975439Relevant Links & ResourcesMatthew Avery Sutton Faculty ProfileURL: https://history.wsu.edu/faculty/wsu-profile/sutton/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comHow did Manifest Destiny become a Christian story about land, providence, and moral duty? L. Daniel Hawk, Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Ashland Theological Seminary and author of Undoing Manifest Destiny, joins Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram to explain how theology helped justify conquest, removal, and Indigenous erasure. Hawk traces Manifest Destiny through John O'Sullivan's famous phrase, the Doctrine of Discovery, Lewis and Clark's “Corps of Discovery,” Genesis 1:28, and the settler belief that land had to be owned, fenced, cultivated, and turned into property before it counted as rightly used. He also challenges a common assumption: early Americans did not usually justify westward conquest by directly appealing to the book of Joshua. The deeper story, he argues, was a Christianized vision of dominion, civilization, and national innocence. This conversation helps listeners understand how biblical language shaped American expansion, and why that history still matters for churches, politics, and America's 250th.Guest bioDr. L. Daniel Hawk is Professor of Old Testament and Hebrew at Ashland Theological Seminary. He is the author of Undoing Manifest Destiny: Settler America, Christian Colonists, and the Pursuit of Justice. His work helps explain how biblical interpretation, settler colonialism, and American national identity shaped Christian justifications for conquest, land seizure, and Indigenous erasure.Book MentionedUndoing Manifest Destiny: Settler America, Christian Colonists, and the Pursuit of Justice by L. Daniel HawkBookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781514008645Relevant Links & ResourcesL. Daniel Hawk Faculty ProfileURL: https://seminary.ashland.edu/faculty-and-staff/l-daniel-hawk/ Support Sarah Stankorb's work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/Support the showKeep the conversation going.Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, suggest a future guest, or connect with us directly?Visit our website:faithfulpoliticspodcast.comBrowse our bookstore, featuring books from many of our guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstoreSupport the show and help us keep these conversations going:patreon.com/cw/FaithfulPoliticsSubscribe for behind-the-scenes content, reflections, and updates:faithfulpolitics.substack.comContact the hosts:Josh Burtram, Faithful Host: Josh@faithfulpolitics.comWill Wright, Political Host: Will@faithfulpolitics.comFollow Faithful Politics:Instagram: faithful_politicsFacebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast

A US billionaire who has managed $165 billion says the S&P is about to implode, AI is the biggest bubble in history, and Bitcoin is going to zero, and he's comparing it to the run up to the Great Depression. The guys pull the claim apart and counter it with what's actually happening in Bitcoin right now, from record ETF outflows to a $200 billion treasury company raise.Want to learn Bitcoin the safe and simple way?

“STEVE & NAN CELEBRATE MARILYN MONROE'S 100th BIRTHDAY” - 6/22/2026 (145) In honor of what would have been Marilyn Monroe's 100th birthday, From Beneath the Hollywood Sign celebrates the enduring magic of one of Hollywood's most beloved and influential stars. In this special episode, we revisit some of our favorite Marilyn Monroe films, exploring the performances, charisma, comedic brilliance, and screen presence that made her a timeless icon. From sparkling comedies to memorable dramatic turns, we discuss the movies that continue to enchant audiences and showcase the remarkable talent behind the legend. Join us as we celebrate Marilyn's centennial and reflect on the cinematic legacy that keeps her shining brightly a century after her birth. SHOW NOTES: Sources: Goddess: The Secret Lives of Marilyn Monroe (2012), by Anthony Summers; Robert Mitchum: ‘Baby, I Don't Care' (2002), by Lee Server; A Director's Cut: A Memoir of 60 Years in Film and Television (2000), by Roy Ward Baker; Marilyn Monroe: The Biography (1993), by Donald Spoto; Preminger: An Autobiography (1977), by Otto Preminger; Wikipedia.com TCM.com; IMDBPro.com; IBDB.com; Brittanica.com; Movies Mentioned: Ladies of the Chorus (1948), starring Adele Jergens, Marilyn Monroe, Rand Brooks, Nana Bryant, Eddie Garr, & Steven Geray; Don't Bother To Knock (1952), starring Marilyn Monroe, Richard Widmark, Elisa Cook Jr, Anne Bancroft, Jim Backus, Lurene Tuttle, Donna Corcoran & Jeanne Cagney; River of No Return (1954), starring Robert Mitchum, Marilyn Monroe, Rory Calhoun, & Tommy Rettig; Niagara (1953), starring Marilyn Monroe, Jean Peters, Joseph Cotten, Max Showalter, Denis O'Dea, Richard Allan, Don Wilsion, Lurene Tuttle & Will Wright; Bus Stop (1956), starring Marilyn Monroe, Don Murray, Arthur O'Connell, Betty Field, Eileen Heckart, Hope Lange, Robert Bray & Max Showalter; The Seven Year Itch (1955), starring Marilyn Monroe, Tom Ewell, Evelyn Keyes, Sonny Tufts, Robert Strauss, Oscar Holmolka, Marguerite Chapman & Victor Moore; --------------------------------- http://www.airwavemedia.com Please contact sales@advertisecast.com if you would like to advertise on our podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

SpaceX just had the biggest IPO in history. Bitcoin is sitting in a 50% drawdown. Every trader on the planet is chasing the shiny object. The guys think that's exactly the wrong move, and they've got the data to back it up.This week Adam, Bish, Sean and Will cover an Aussie who lost their entire super balance through one bad decision, a Coinspot client blocked from withdrawing their own Bitcoin, and why chasing the SpaceX IPO while Bitcoin sits at 50% off is the trade most people will regret. If your coins are still sitting on an exchange, this episode is for you.Want to learn Bitcoin the safe and simple way?

Comedy on a WednesdayFirst,  a look at this day in History.Special added attraction:  The sounds of the final day of CBS News Radio from May 22, 2026. Preserved for history. Then, The Lucky Strike Program starring Jack Benny, originally broadcast  June 3, 1951, 75 years ago.  The last show of the season. Jack reads one of Mary's lines and cracks up the cast. Mahlon Merrick is introduced as the writer of all the singing commercials and music director of the program. The Sportsmen do not appear, so the rest of the cast sings the very clever commercial. Artie Auerbach is introduced as "Mr. Kitzel." Joseph Kearns is introduced as the vault keeper and one of the men from the Internal Revenue Department. Will Wright is the other tax man. Sheldon Leonard is introduced as the race track tout.Followed by the Great Gildersleeve starring Willard Waterman, originally broadcast June 3, 1953, 73 years ago, Birdie may Move.   Gildersleeve decides that Birdie would be happier working for Marjorie, but life isn't the same without her. Then, Fibber McGee and Molly, originally broadcast June 3, 1947, 79 years ago,  Citizenship Test.   Fibber has no birth certificate, so he's going to study for his citizenship papers.Followed by Old Gold Comedy Theater starring Harold Lloyd, originally broadcast June 3, 1945, 81 years ago, Having a Wonderful Crime.  A lawyer and two honeymooning friends are on the lam from a murder rap. Pat O'Brien, June Duprez, and Tom Conway star in this adaptation of a 1945 picture.  Finally, Claudia, originally broadcast June 3, 1948, 78 years ago, Dinner in the Kitchen. Kathryn Bard and Paul Crabtree star.  Thanks to Bill B for supporting our podcast by using the Buy Me a Coffee function at http://classicradio.streamCheck out Professor Bees Digestive Aid at profbees.com and use my promo code WYATT to save 10% when you order! Find the Family Fallout Shelter Booklet Here: https://www.survivorlibrary.com/library/the_family_fallout_shelter_1959.pdfhttps://wardomatic.blogspot.com/2006/11/fallout-shelter-handbook-1962.html

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when people believe in religious pluralism, but still lean into Christian nationalism when they feel threatened?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with political scientists Brooklyn Walker and Paul Djupe about their research on Christian nationalism, religious pluralism, and why appeals to tolerance do not always work the way we assume. Their work shows something surprising: many Christian nationalists already say they support ideas like religious freedom, diversity, and pluralism. The issue is that when they feel their identity, rights, or way of life are under threat, those pluralistic beliefs often get pushed aside. Brooklyn and Paul help unpack why Christian nationalism is different from simply being Christian or patriotic. It places boundaries around who fully belongs in America and who the country is meant to serve. They also explain why threat plays such a powerful role in shaping political behavior, especially when religious and political leaders repeatedly tell Christians they are being persecuted, silenced, or replaced.The conversation gets into some unexpected findings, including why some Black, Latino, LGBTQ, and religiously pluralist Americans may still hold Christian nationalist views. Rather than treating Christian nationalism as one simple ideology held by one type of person, this episode looks at the deeper identity dynamics that shape how people think about belonging, fear, citizenship, and power.Research / Articles“The weakness of anti-Christian nationalism: when religiously inclusive orientations can't increase tolerance” by Paul A. Djupe and Brooklyn Walker, Politics and Religion: https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/politics-and-religion/article/weakness-of-antichristian-nationalism-when-religiously-inclusive-orientations-cant-increase-tolerance/ABD3180209B76C360FC85AA2FECD0372Guests biosBrooklyn Walker is an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. Her research focuses on American politics, religion and politics, public opinion, and political psychology, with particular attention to Christian nationalism and how religious identity shapes political and social attitudes. Paul Djupe is a Professor of Political Science at Denison University and Director of the Data for Political Research Program. His work focuses on religion and politics, democratic life, public opinion, and the role religious identity plays in American political behavior. Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when the justice system becomes one of the central battlegrounds of American politics?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Adam Klasfeld, veteran legal journalist and editor in chief of All Rise News, about several major legal fights unfolding in the Trump era. Adam has spent years covering high-profile court cases from inside the courtroom, including Trump's criminal and civil cases, the E. Jean Carroll litigation, the Epstein prosecution, impeachment proceedings, and major cases involving civil rights and due process.The conversation begins with Trump's proposed $1.776 billion anti-weaponization fund. Adam explains where the fund came from, why its structure is raising alarms, and how taxpayer money could potentially be distributed with little public oversight. He also walks through why Capitol Police officers Harry Dunn and Dan Hodges are challenging the fund, and what the fight says about January 6, political loyalty, and accountability.The episode then turns to Kilmar Abrego Garcia, the Maryland man who was sent to El Salvador despite a court order blocking his removal. Adam explains why this case has become such an important due process fight, why judges across the political spectrum have raised concerns, and why the case matters even to people who may not follow immigration law closely.Finally, Adam breaks down the Trump Justice Department's case involving the Southern Poverty Law Center. He explains the government's claims about SPLC's former informant program, the connection to Charlottesville and Unite the Right, and why the case raises larger questions about civil rights organizations, extremism, and the rewriting of recent history.Relevant links for Adam Klasfeld:All Rise Newshttps://www.allrisenews.com/https://substack.com/@klasfeldreportshttps://x.com/KlasfeldReportshttps://www.instagram.com/adamklasfeld/Guest BioAdam Klasfeld provides some of the “best legal writing inside the courtroom” (MSNBC's Lawrence O'Donnell) and insights that are “always so smart and on the money” (MSNBC's Katie Phang). For more than a decade, he's covered the top stories and court cases from state, federal and military courts across the United States.A senior journalism fellow at Just Security, an online forum affiliated with NYU School of Law, Adam has served as a legal contributor for MSNBC's The Last Word. Previously, Adam served as the senior legal correspondent for The Messenger, the managing editor for Law&Crime, and a reporter for Courthouse News. He has appeared as a guest on the Dan Abrams Show on NewsNation, the Lawrence O'Donnell Show on MSNBC, CBS's Inside Edition, the BBC, and NBC on a variety of topics. He hosted the podcast "Objections: with Adam Klasfeld" and was prominently featured in the documentary "Who Is Ghislaine Maxwell?" — which premiered on the Starz Network and the UK's Channel 4. International television appearances include Sky News, CBC, and CTV, discussing Jeffrey Epstein's thwarted prosecution. Radio appearances: National Public Radio's “All Things Considered,” “Here and Now,” and “Trump, Inc.”; BBC (World, Scotland and Wales); Radio New Zealand; SXM Canada Talks; Sirius FM and more. He cut his teeth at the legal news beat for a decade at Courthouse News, and his bylines also have appeared on NBC, Organized Crime and Corruption Reporting Project, and other outlets. Most major news outlets have cited his scoops and reporting, including the New York Times, Washington Post, NBC, The Guardian, The Atlantic, Al Jazeera, Newsweek, Reuters, U.S. News and World Report and the Associated Press.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when LGBTQ students navigate faith, identity, and education inside religious schools?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright talks with Jonathan Sawyer, a PhD in education policy from the University of Colorado Boulder, about his research on LGBTQ students in Catholic schools. His dissertation explores how educators support these students while working within a traditionally conservative religious framework.The conversation looks at what these schools actually feel like for students, how experiences vary by region and leadership, and how some teachers lean on principles like dignity and care rather than directly challenging doctrine.They also dig into bigger questions around school vouchers, public funding, and how religious freedom intersects with non-discrimination laws. Sawyer shares his own background in conservative Christian spaces and connects it to broader issues of faith-based harm and student well-being.The episode adds context to a topic often reduced to politics, focusing instead on how students and educators navigate faith, identity, and belonging in real time.Guest BioJonathan Sawyer recently earned his PhD in education policy from the University of Colorado Boulder, where his research focuses on the intersection of religion, law, and LGBTQ student experiences in K-12 schools. His work examines First Amendment issues, school voucher policies, and the impact of religious education on marginalized students. His dissertation explores how Catholic educators support LGBTQ students within a conservative doctrinal framework using an ethics of care approach.Support the show

On this week's Amigos, we lay down our pheromone trails and avoid the jaws of the local spider to review SimAnt on the Amiga, Will Wright's wonderfully eccentric backyard colonization simulator.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram talk with historian D.G. Hart about Christian nationalism, church-state separation, the American founding, and what can happen when Christianity becomes too closely tied to political power. Hart brings a distinctive perspective to this conversation. He is a conservative Presbyterian and a historian of American religion, but he is deeply skeptical of efforts to make Christianity dependent on government power.Hart argues that one of the unusual features of the American experiment is that the United States broke from a long history of church-state entanglement. That separation was not just a legal technicality. It created space for religious pluralism and helped prevent Christianity from becoming coercive through the power of the state.Book:D.G. Hart, Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780268210823Guest BioD.G. Hart is a historian of American religion and professor of history at Hillsdale College. His work focuses on Protestantism, American religious history, church life, and the relationship between Christianity and political authority. He is the author of several books, including Benjamin Franklin: Cultural Protestant and Protestants and Patriots: Presbyterians in the Age of Revolution. In this conversation, Hart brings a historically grounded and theologically conservative perspective to debates about Christian nationalism, church-state separation, and the American founding.Support the show

On this week's Amigos, we lay down our pheromone trails and avoid the jaws of the local spider to review SimAnt on the Amiga, Will Wright's wonderfully eccentric backyard colonization simulator.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this Faithful Politics POV episode, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram examine the Trump administration's anti-Christian bias report and ask whether it proves real discrimination against Christians or mostly reframes policy disagreements as persecution. They discuss the FACE Act, the Richmond FBI memo involving traditionalist Catholics, IRS scrutiny of Christian nonprofits, vaccine exemptions, Liberty University fines, and the broader politics of religious liberty. The conversation is less about defending one administration and more about how Christians should evaluate evidence, resist easy outrage, and protect religious freedom without turning every conflict into persecution.Wait, We're the Oppressed Ones? Part Eight: https://faithfulpolitics.substack.com/p/wait-were-the-oppressed-ones-part-535?r=1bt7sxOur live POV episodes happen every 2nd Thursday. Support the show

I'm Blake, and this week we're joined by crypto educator and coach Will Wright — better known online as @cryptocoachwill — who's built a strong following helping everyday people actually understand this space, instead of just chasing headlines and memes.And honestly… this week feels like one of those moments where crypto starts looking a lot more mature than people expected.Bitcoin has just had its biggest week of the year, briefly touching $82,000 for the first time since January before cooling off again. We'll unpack what actually drove the move, why the rally stalled where it did, and whether this is the beginning of a bigger market shift… or just another short-term burst of optimism.Then we get into one of the more fascinating stories we've seen in a while. After last month's massive $292 million Kelp DAO exploit, the DeFi ecosystem has somehow managed to coordinate a $320 million rescue effort for affected Aave users — and the story now reportedly includes a bizarre legal twist involving North Korea.And finally, BlackRock is doubling down on blockchain in a very serious way. The world's largest asset manager has just filed for two brand new tokenised funds with the SEC, adding even more fuel to the rapidly growing real-world asset sector — a market that's already pushing past $30 billion.Let's get into it

Dan caught up with former Liverpool striker Neil Mellor to discuss the issues faced by the Reds in the centre-forward position this season and the future of Will Wright. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Dev Game Club, where this week we continue our series on 1997's Dungeon Keeper. We talk about its tone again, and delve into a number of design topics including interface choices, verbs, and level design. Dev Game Club looks at classic video games and plays through them over several episodes, providing commentary. Sections played: Three more levels-ish Issues covered: tonal neutrality vs tonal specificity, constructing a fantasy world, having a clear identity, villainous UI choices, white standing out, a subtle tiling system, feeling like increasing a hoard, increasing the verb space through direct interaction, picking and dropping things to direct them, units you're not meant to care about, camera choices, shortcuts to get around, preferring the zoom level as it was, the magical moment of possessing a creature, more RTS than expected, the early RTS curve repeating itself, not wanting to lose the builder choices, having to research all the rooms again, needing canvas space to paint, not knowing when units change over to you, finding idols and small rooms, economic victory, pincer moves, having the multiplayer options with the meta, power-up timing loops, starting with multiplayer first, how we have time for all this, trading off time with other games or hobbies, Tim the baby designer.  Games, people, and influences mentioned or discussed: Civilization, Sid Meier, SimCity, Will Wright, Firaxis, Maxis, Populous, Lionhead, The Movies, Peter Molyneux, Black and White, StarCraft, Homeworld, Blizzard, Dragon Quest Builders, Minecraft, Thomas Pynchon, id Software, Doom 2, Quake (series), Halo, Unreal Tournament, Ben, Dark Souls, Bloodborne, Saros, Hollow Knight, Valheim, Diablo (series), Mortimer and the Riddles of the Medallion, Kirk Hamilton, Aaron Evers, Mark Garcia.  Next time: More Dungeon Keeper! Twitch: timlongojr and twinsunscorp YouTube Discord DevGameClub@gmail.com 

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Bunni Pounds to unpack America Reads the Bible, a national initiative tied to the 250th anniversary of the United States. The project brings together leaders from government, ministry, and culture to publicly read Scripture with the goal of addressing what Pounds calls a growing problem: biblical illiteracy.The conversation explores how Scripture has shaped American political thought, why this moment matters in today's cultural and technological landscape, and what it looks like to engage faith without political prescription. They also examine tensions around representation, unity across denominations, and how Christians can approach civic engagement in a polarized environment.Relevant LinksAmerica Reads the Bible: https://americareadsthebible.comChristians Engaged: https://christiansengaged.orgGreat American Pure Flix (livestream platform mentioned): https://www.pureflix.comGuest BioBunni Pounds is the founder and president of Christians Engaged, a nonprofit organization that equips Christians to participate in civic life through prayer, voting, and community involvement. She spent over a decade working with members of Congress, gaining firsthand experience in how policy and leadership decisions are shaped. Today, her work focuses on connecting biblical understanding with civic responsibility, helping individuals engage political issues through the lens of faith. She is also the author of Stepping Up to Lead: Rebuilding a Nation in the Footsteps of Nehemiah, which explores leadership and national renewal from a biblical perspective.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with sociologists Michael Emerson and Glenn Bracey to unpack the core ideas behind their book The Religion of Whiteness.The conversation explores a challenging but important question: how cultural identity—specifically whiteness—can operate as a system of belief that competes with or even overrides Christian teaching. Emerson and Bracey define the “religion of whiteness” as a set of beliefs, practices, and symbols that elevate white identity as sacred while marginalizing what falls outside of it.They walk through the data behind their research, including survey findings showing how white Christians often respond differently to biblical teachings when those teachings challenge racial hierarchies. The discussion also examines how symbols like a white Jesus, the merging of the cross and the American flag, and even attitudes toward political violence can reinforce this framework.The episode doesn't stay abstract. It connects these ideas to real-world dynamics inside churches—why conversations about race are often resisted, how “stay out of politics” can function as a boundary, and why awareness itself can feel threatening.This is a direct, data-driven conversation about faith, identity, and the tension between cultural loyalty and religious conviction.Guest BioMichael Emerson is a sociologist specializing in race, religion, and inequality in the United States. He is currently a professor at Rice University and is widely known for his research on how religious communities shape racial attitudes and structures. He is the co-author of Divided by Faith and The Religion of Whiteness. Glenn E. Bracey II is a sociologist at Villanova University whose work focuses on race, religion, and social inequality. His research examines how systems of belief and power interact within American institutions, particularly in the context of race and Christianity. He is the co-author of The Religion of Whiteness.Relevant LinksThe Religion of Whiteness by Michael Emerson and Glenn Bracey: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780197746288Divided by Faith by Michael Emerson and Christian Smith: https://booSupport the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with political theorist and historian Hyrum Lewis to challenge one of the most basic assumptions in American political thinking: the left-right spectrum.Drawing from his work on The Myth of the Left and Right, Lewis explains why reducing politics to a single line fails to capture how people actually think and act. Instead of treating political identity as one fixed position, he argues for a more granular approach—one that looks at individual issues on their own terms.The conversation moves beyond political labels into deeper questions about truth, history, and how we interpret the American founding. Lewis breaks down why both conservatives and progressives engage in preserving and changing society, and why those labels often obscure more than they clarify.They also explore how history is used in modern political debates—especially around the claim that America was founded as a Christian nation. Lewis offers a nuanced framework for understanding the founders, arguing that while Christian ideas shaped the culture, the founding itself reflects a broader and more complex intellectual tradition.The episode closes with a practical takeaway: how to think more clearly about politics, avoid false binaries, and engage issues with more precision and humility.Guest BioHyrum Lewis is a professor of history and political theory at Brigham Young University–Idaho, where he leads the American Foundations program. His work focuses on the history of ideology and how political ideas shape culture and society. He is the co-author of The Myth of the Left and Right and the author of There Is a God: How to Respond to Atheism in the Last Days. His research challenges common assumptions about political identity and encourages a more nuanced understanding of how beliefs are formed. Relevant LinksThe Myth of the Left and Right by Hyrum Lewis and Verlan Lewis: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780197680629There Is a God: How to Respond to Atheism in the Last Days by Hyrum Lewis: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781462120413Support the show

Today's Mystery: Johnny goes to California to investigate a case of modern day pilots robbing a yacht at sea.Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 15, 1959Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.Virginia Gregg, Eleanor Audley, Vic Perrin, Howard McNear, Lawrence Dobkin, Will Wright, Carleton G. Young, Jack EdwardsWhen making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.comBecome one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netThank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Larry, Patreon supporter since July 2023Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectivesJoin us again tomorrow for another detective drama from the Golden Age of Radio.

Today's Mystery: Johnny goes to California to investigate a case of modern day pilots robbing a yacht at sea.Original Radio Broadcast Date: March 15, 1959Originated from HollywoodStars: Bob Bailey as Johnny Dollar.Virginia Gregg, Eleanor Audley, Vic Perrin, Howard McNear, Lawrence Dobkin, Will Wright, Carleton G. Young, Jack EdwardsWhen making your travel plans, remember http://johnnydollarair.comBecome one of our Patreon Supporters at https://patreon.greatdetectives.netThank you to our Patreon Supporter of the Day: Larry, Patreon supporter since July 2023Take the listener survey…http://survey.greatdetectives.netGive us a call 208-991-4783Become one of our friends on Facebook.Follow us on Twitter @radiodetectives

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat does it actually mean to “deconstruct” your faith—and why are so many people doing it?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Margaret Rose Bronson, founder of Deconstruction Doulas, a support network helping people navigate religious trauma and high-control church environments. Drawing from her own experience inside patriarchal and authoritarian church systems, Margaret explains the difference between deconstruction and deconversion, and why that distinction matters.The conversation explores how certain theological frameworks can lead to control, shame, and harm—particularly for women—and how these systems often operate beneath the surface of otherwise “normal” church communities. Margaret also breaks down the role of a “deconstruction doula,” someone who walks alongside individuals as they process their beliefs, ask hard questions, and rebuild their understanding of faith on their own terms.They also discuss the real-world cost of deconstruction, including shunning, loss of community, and long-term emotional impact on individuals and families. This episode provides a grounded, firsthand look at how religious systems can both shape and distort faith—and what it takes to reclaim it.Deconstruction Doulas: https://www.deconstructiondoulas.comThe Rise of Christian Nationalism (CNN): https://www.cnn.com/audio/podcasts/the-whole-story-with-anderson-cooper/episodes/10f01a2c-b8ef-11f0-99d9-ebc70f76e43cGuest Bio:Margaret Rose Bronson is the founder of Deconstruction Doulas, a support network helping people navigate faith deconstruction and recover from religious trauma. A survivor of high-control church environments, she now works with individuals rebuilding their beliefs, identity, and sense of autonomy after leaving harmful systems.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com*Note* Appologies for my audio, it was a bad microphone day! - Will What role does Christian Zionism play in shaping American politics and foreign policy?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright sits down with investigative journalist Kiera Butler of Mother Jones to unpack the growing influence of Christian Zionism—particularly within charismatic evangelical movements and political leadership. Drawing from her recent reporting, Butler explains how theological beliefs about Israel, biblical prophecy, and the end times are influencing real-world decisions, including reactions to U.S. military action in Iran.The conversation explores the divide within Christian nationalist circles, where some groups celebrate geopolitical conflict as part of a prophetic timeline while others reject intervention entirely. Butler also breaks down the rise of movements like the New Apostolic Reformation, the role of influential figures and organizations, and how these ideas are spreading from pulpits to policy.They also examine how changes to the Johnson Amendment, generational shifts among evangelicals, and the growing political visibility of Christian Zionism could shape upcoming elections.Trump's Holy Warriors Finally Got the Apocalypse They've Prayed For: https://www.motherjones.com/politics/2026/03/trumps-holy-warriors-finally-got-the-apocalypse-theyve-prayed-for/Guest BioKiera Butler is a senior investigative reporter at Mother Jones, where she covers religion, politics, and the growing influence of movements like Christian nationalism and Christian Zionism. Her reporting focuses on how belief systems shape real-world policy and political behavior.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat happens when faith becomes a source of harm instead of healing?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with therapist Morgan Piercy, who specializes in religious trauma, deconstruction, and identity rebuilding after high-control faith environments. Drawing from both clinical experience and personal background, Piercy explains how religious trauma forms, why it often surfaces after someone leaves a church, and how it reshapes identity, relationships, and mental health.The conversation breaks down key concepts like the overlap between trauma and deconstruction, the role of grief and loss of certainty, and how systems of control can operate within religious spaces. Piercy also introduces practical frameworks like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) and the BITE model to help listeners understand how belief systems can influence behavior, thought patterns, and emotional well-being.The episode also explores how pastors and faith leaders can better recognize signs of distress in their congregations, the psychological impact of purity culture and moral anxiety, and the challenges faced by LGBTQ individuals navigating faith communities. Throughout the discussion, the focus stays on autonomy, agency, and the process of rebuilding a belief system that aligns with one's lived experience.This is a grounded conversation for anyone working through questions about faith, identity, and what it means to move forward after leaving a rigid religious environment.Resources & LinksMorgan Piercy Website: https://www.morganpiercy.comDeconstruction Counseling: https://www.deconstructionkc.comGuest Bio Morgan Piercy is a licensed professional counselor who specializes in religious trauma, faith deconstruction, and identity development after high-control religious environments. Her work focuses on helping individuals navigate complex trauma, anxiety, OCD, and the psychological impact of rigid belief systems. Drawing from both clinical training and personal experience, she uses evidence-based approaches like Acceptance and Commitment Therapy to help clients rebuild autonomy and aliSupport the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat if the abortion debate is missing the most important framework entirely?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Angela Weszely, founder of ProGrace and author of Becoming ProGrace. Drawing from her experience in both ministry and pregnancy support work, Angela explains why the traditional “pro-life vs pro-choice” divide breaks down—and how a different, Jesus-centered approach could reshape the conversation.They explore how political language fuels division, why many Christians feel tension with both sides, and what it would look like to prioritize grace, dignity, and shared responsibility for both women and children. This conversation moves beyond policy debates and focuses on how the church can better reflect the character of Jesus in one of the most contentious issues in society.Learn more: https://prograce.org/Book: Becoming ProGrace: Expanding the Abortion Conversation Beyond Life Versus Choice: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781514011683Guest Bio Angela Weszely is the founder and CEO of ProGrace, an organization that equips Christians to engage conversations about abortion in ways rooted in the example of Jesus rather than political reflexes. She previously spent nearly a decade leading development for a pregnancy support organization in Chicago, where her experiences exposed the tension between messaging and practice in the abortion space.Her work now focuses on reframing the conversation around grace, dignity, and shared responsibility. She is the author of Becoming ProGrace, where she outlines a new approach aimed at helping Christians move beyond the traditional pro-life vs pro-choice divide.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, about the growing legal and political battles over religion in American public life. Laser argues the country is in a “code red” moment for church-state separation as court rulings and policy efforts increasingly blur the lines between religious belief and government authority.The conversation explores recent controversies including efforts to post the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, parental rights claims affecting school curriculum, and religious freedom challenges to abortion laws. Laser explains how these cases reflect deeper tensions in a religiously diverse country where different faith traditions often interpret moral and legal questions very differently.Throughout the discussion, the hosts examine how these conflicts are shaping debates over religious liberty, public education, and constitutional protections, while asking whether church-state separation remains the best framework for protecting both faith and pluralism in American democracy.Guest BioRachel Laser is the President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to defending religious freedom and ensuring that religion and government remain separate. She has spent her career working in civil rights advocacy and public policy, including leadership roles at the Open Society Foundations and other national organizations focused on democracy and human rights.Resources and LinksAmericans United for Separation of Church and Statehttps://www.au.orgSummit for Religious Freedomhttps://www.thesrf.orgSupport the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat if the basic way we talk about politics is fundamentally flawed?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Verlan Lewis, professor of constitutional studies at Utah Valley University and co-author of The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America. Lewis argues that the familiar political spectrum dividing society into “left” and “right” oversimplifies political reality and distorts how Americans understand issues, parties, and even each other.Lewis explains how the left-right framework emerged historically, why it became dominant in modern political discourse, and how it encourages ideological tribalism. Instead of seeing politics as a complex set of issues where people may agree on some topics and disagree on others, the spectrum pushes citizens to sort themselves into rigid teams. According to Lewis, this mindset can reduce intellectual humility, weaken meaningful dialogue, and contribute to the rising hostility in American politics.The conversation explores how media ecosystems reinforce ideological identities, why political beliefs often cluster together even when they have little logical connection, and how faith communities can offer a different approach to civic engagement. Lewis suggests moving beyond ideological labels and focusing on individual issues, allowing for more thoughtful discussion and collaboration across differences.For listeners interested in understanding polarization, political identity, and how faith might shape a healthier civic culture, this episode offers a thoughtful examination of the assumptions that structure modern political debate.The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780197680629Guest BioVerlan Lewis is an associate professor of political science and constitutional studies at Utah Valley University and a fellow at the university's Center for Constitutional Studies. He is co-author of the book The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America, which challenges the idea that modern politics can be accurately uSupport the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhat do the numbers actually tell us about Christian nationalism in the United States?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), to walk through the latest national data on Christian nationalism and what researchers are seeing across the country.Deckman explains how PRRI measures Christian nationalism, why the concept is often misunderstood in public debate, and what the data reveals about who tends to hold these views. The conversation explores how religion, identity, and politics intersect in American life, along with the demographic and cultural patterns researchers are tracking.They also discuss how survey questions are designed, why some people react strongly to the label “Christian nationalism,” and how researchers try to measure belief systems without reducing complex identities to a single label.For anyone trying to understand the role of religion in American politics today, this conversation offers a clear look at what the research actually shows. Recommended Links and ResourcesPRRI – Public Religion Research Institute: https://www.prri.orgMapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States: Insights from PRRI's 2025 American Values Atlas: https://prri.org/research/mapping-christian-nationalism-across-the-50-states-insights-from-prris-2025-american-values-atlas/Guest BioMelissa Deckman is the CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), one of the nation's leading research organizations studying the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. She previously served as the Louis L. Goldstein Professor of Public Affairs at Washington College and is a political scientist whose work focuses on religion, gender, and civic engagement in American political life.Support the show

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comHow secure are America's elections, and what actually happens behind the scenes when votes are cast and counted?In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Josh Burtram sit down with election journalist Jessica Huseman, Editorial Director of VoteBeat, to walk through the real mechanics of the U.S. voting system. The conversation explores the proposed SAVE Act and what it would change about voter registration, why some counties are returning to hand-counting ballots, and the logistical strain election administrators face as redistricting reshapes districts just before key primaries.Huseman also addresses claims about non-citizen voting, the FBI raid on stored ballots in Fulton County, and how technical systems and local election offices adapt when political decisions force rapid changes. The discussion pulls back the curtain on how elections actually work on the ground, why misinformation spreads so easily, and why the biggest fights over election legitimacy often happen after the ballots are cast. Guest Bio:Jessica Huseman is the Editorial Director at VoteBeat, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering election administration and voting policy across the United States. She is an award-winning investigative journalist who has spent years reporting on how elections are run at the local and state level, focusing on the mechanics of voting systems, election law, and the people responsible for carrying out elections. Huseman previously reported for ProPublica and has become one of the country's leading journalists covering election infrastructure, misinformation, and voting policy.Relevant Links:VoteBeat – https://www.votebeat.orgSupport the show

Contractor Interview: Will Wright – Integrity Exterior Cleaning On this episode of The Wood Care Podcast — Where Experts Talk Wood — we sit down with Will Wright of Integrity Exterior Cleaning. Will shares his journey in the exterior cleaning and wood care space, including how he built momentum in a competitive market and developed systems that support consistent growth. We dive into what it takes to build trust with customers, balance production with leadership, and create a business that operates beyond just daily labor. This conversation covers: • Building a reputation in exterior cleaning and wood care • Creating systems that support steady growth • The transition from operator to business leader • Maintaining quality standards while scaling • Lessons learned from real-world projects and customer relationships This episode is about discipline, long-term thinking, and doing the work that most people avoid. If you're serious about building a sustainable service business in the wood care or exterior cleaning space, this conversation will challenge and sharpen you. Watch the Full Video Version See the full conversation on YouTube on the Stain & Seal Supply channel and on The Wood Care Podcast Facebook page. Join the Conversation Join our Facebook group, Stain & Seal University, to connect with other wood care professionals, share insights, and continue learning. Become a Pro Partner The Pro Partner Program is built for serious wood care professionals who want better margins, priority access, and direct expert support. It's a working partnership designed to help you grow smarter and more profitably. See if you qualify here:https://stainandsealsupply.com/pages/become-a-pro-partner Download the App Download the Stain & Seal Experts iOS app for access to our stain calculator, virtual fan deck, product ordering, tools, social channels, and podcast access — all in one place. Episode SponsorsThis episode is brought to you by:Stain & Seal SupplyProfessional-grade stains, tools, and equipment for serious contractors.StainandSealSupply.comEXPERT Professional Wood CareAdvanced wood stains, cleaners, and protection systems trusted by contractors worldwide.EXPERTWoodCare.comGopher WoodFactory-finished and pre-stained lumber solutions for builders and wood care professionals.GopherWood.usIf this episode brought value, leave a review and share it with another wood care professional.