Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

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https://www.faithfulpolitics.us/

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com

Stuart Stevens' piece in The Atlantic - https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/antidemocratic-uprising-against-joe-biden/678865/

David French's column on the Aileen Cannon ruling - https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/09/opinion/thepoint#documents-case-dismissed

Comments on the Attempted Assassination of Former President Trump

Sun, 14 Jul 2024 17:01:00 -0700

The events of July 13, 2024 underscore the central question we've been asking on this program: How can we do better at talking about politics and religion without killing each other or is it even possible? In this special edition, we provide comments by several prior guests of TP&R as well as a number of other leaders from both parties. We included statements from David French, Monica Guzman on behalf of Braver Angels, Fred Guttenberg, former Congressman Joe Walsh, Elizabeth Neumann, Pete Wehner, Mike Madrid, and former Congressman Adam Kinzinger, all of whom have appeared on this podcast. We also shared statements from former President George W. Bush, former Congresswoman Liz Cheney, President Joe Biden, House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Senate Leader Chuck Schumer. There are other posts that are counterproductive at best, and arguably dangerous, from the likes of Marco Rubio, J.D. Vance, Tim Scott and MTG. These are referred to but are not worth giving any credence as we choose to focus on, as David French puts it, "recover(ing) our sense of decency and basic respect for the humanity of our opponents..." at such a time as this.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2024/07/09/opinion/thepoint?smid=url-share#trump-shooting-healing-america

https://www.theatlantic.com/politics/archive/2024/07/trump-pennsylvania/679004/

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It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

David French, Opinion columnist with the New York Times on faith, family, Constitutional law and religion in America

Wed, 10 Jul 2024 17:01:00 -0700

What's it like to get pounded by folks who passionately object to one's theological orthodoxy and political conservatism? And then to get mercilessly attacked for speaking out against the hypocrisy being exhibited by other supposed conservatives?

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https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-french

In this much anticipated conversation with New York Times columnist David French, we discuss the health of democracy, judicial and political issues, potential outcomes of a second Trump presidency, and the complexities of interacting with opposing viewpoints. David shares personal anecdotes, including his wife Nancy French's battle with cancer, insights into dealing with dishonesty within political movements and religious communities, and how these latest chapters of American Christendom have tested his own faith.

We delve into

The impact of polarized environments on political and social discourse
Insights into the current state of American Christendom versus Christianity
The judicial philosophy and significant rulings of the current U.S. Supreme Court
Strategies for engaging in meaningful conversations across political and ideological divides
Personal reflections on navigating public and private challenges with faith and integrity.

David Lee Roth... no wait... David French! David French is an Opinion columnist with the New York Times who writes about faith, friendship, marriage and parenting as well as foreign affairs and the latest developments in American constitutional law. He also writes about religion in America, with a particular focus on the health of the evangelical church. David graduated from Harvard Law and was a commercial litigator for a number of years, and then ultimately switched to constitutional law. Remarkably, well into his legal career, David decided to serve our country as an Army lawyer with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Diyala Province in Iraq during the height of the Surge in 2007. After spending much of his career defending free speech, religious freedom and due process in courtrooms across the country, David joined National Review as a senior writer, but left in 2019 to help start The Dispatch, a conservative media company, where he continues to contribute to their "flagship" podcast Advisory Opinions. He also became a contributing writer for The Atlantic. And just last year, he joined The Times.

03:53 David French on Personal and Family Challenges

06:49 Faith and Role Models

10:54 Navigating Faith and Politics

20:19 Concerns About American Christendom

33:42 Potential Threats of a Second Trump Term

45:37 Supreme Court and Judicial Philosophy

49:44 Classical Liberals vs. MAGA Conservatives

50:18 Supreme Court Decisions Frustrating MAGA

52:13 Thomas and Alito: MAGA's Favorite Justices?

57:08 The Rahimi Case and Judicial Philosophy

01:05:43 Breaking Out of Political Bubbles

01:07:59 Engaging with Opposing Views

01:18:20 PCA Cancellation and Personal Reflections

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Advisory Opinions, the flagship podcast of The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com/podcast/advisoryopinions/

https://www.threads.net/@davidfrenchjag

(Best of) Monica Guzman: How To Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times

Sun, 07 Jul 2024 18:00:00 -0700

This is a conversation with Mónica Guzmán from almost 2 years ago right after her book, I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY, came out. Moni is on the front lines of addressing the problem of polarization and helping people bridge the political divide in their everyday lives. Everything we discussed is even more pressing today than when we first talked.

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https://braverangels.org/

What can happen when people from different "tribes" actually get together in person? We often jump to conclusions based merely on how someone votes. But do we take the time to understand how they arrived at that decision? How can we bring our friends and neighbors from a posture of contentiousness to one of curiosity? To put down the weapons of the culture war and pick up a cup of coffee with someone from the "other side"? Does sharing facts change people's minds? Does the tactic of dropping the perfectly worded factoid actually convince anyone of anything? Is there a line someone might cross where they're no longer a person we can even have a conversation with? We can have conversations about what is true, what is meaningful and what is useful. Is that all the same conversation?

Monica Guzman is Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, the nation’s largest cross-partisan grassroots organization working to depolarize America; founder and CEO of Reclaim Curiosity, an organization working to build a more curious world; and cofounder of the award-winning Seattle newsletter The Evergrey. She was a 2019 fellow at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and a 2016 fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. She served twice as a juror for the Pulitzer Prize. A Mexican immigrant, Latina, and dual US/Mexico citizen, and is the author of I Never Thought of It That Way: How To Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.

https://www.moniguzman.com/

https://www.moniguzman.com/book

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Being Anti-Trump BECAUSE I'm a Christian (ICYMI)

Thu, 04 Jul 2024 08:41:02 -0700

ICYMI... Let's talk about the words, actions and character of Donald J. Trump in light of what the Bible says about virtue and vice. But instead of starting with our political preferences and prejudices and THEN backing shards of Scripture into what we want, what if we started with what the Bible actually says FIRST? Then we can more earnestly reckon with the implications of what we're dealing with today.

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Here are a few of the Scriptural references that came up:

Exodus 20: "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."
2 Kings 3: "(Jehoram) did evil in the sight of the Lord."
Proverbs 6: "There are six things that the Lord hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him..."
Proverbs 10: "Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool..."
John 2: "(Jesus) said, 'Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!'”

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Being Anti-Trump BECAUSE I'm a Conservative (ICYMI))

Sun, 30 Jun 2024 18:00:00 -0700

ICYMI... What does it mean to be a conservative? What about being a Christian? What does that mean in terms of how one would understand and uphold virtue vs vice? And if I am truly a conservative and a Christian, can I then support Donald Trump?

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In this edition, we explore the nuances of conservative values and Christian beliefs amidst our politically charged environment. To get clarity on what it means to be a conservative and a Christian, it requires NOT surrendering to the extremists who monopolize conversations around politics and religion. Our discussion dives into the foundational principles of conservatism, such as:

Individual Freedom,
Limited Government,
Rule of Law,
Peace through Strength,
Fiscal Responsibility,
Free Markets,
and *Human Dignity,

...contrasting these with the divisive and aggressive tactics often employed in Trump-era politics. Contrary to what passes for “conservative” in today’s political and media landscape, we’ll look at the way true conservatism respects the U.S. Constitution and promotes a healthy, engaged citizenry, devoid of blanket vilification via broad generalizations and dehumanization. We’ll also give a sneak peak into Part II of this discussion on Christian values, specifically targeting the misalignment of Trump's actions with biblical teachings. So, yeah, this one might tweak some beaks!

02:49 The Impact of Extremism on Public Discourse;

13:40 Exploring the True Meaning of Conservatism;

14:16 Principles of Conservatism vs. Trumpism;

27:29 The Importance of Human Dignity in Conservatism;

34:35 Teaser for the Next Episode: Christianity vs Trumpism

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Fred Guttenberg and Joe Walsh, are on very different sides of the gun debate but they're also "Two Dads Defending Democracy" together (Best of)

Wed, 26 Jun 2024 18:00:00 -0700

Had to share this one again partly because Fred's beloved Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup Champs! (The same Florida Panthers who beat Corey's favorite team, the New York Rangers, in the Eastern Conference Final.) But this wasn't just a conversation that brought rivals across hockey loyalties together; it brought together "Two Dads Defending Democracy," Fred Guttenberg and Joe Walsh, who are helping to bridge the gap during divisive times...

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orangeribbonsforjaime.org/

Fred Guttenberg became a nationally known activist on gun safety after his daughter Jaime was tragically murdered in the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. Former Congressman Joe Walsh has been a self-described "rabid gun rights advocate." So how did these two guys go from being on completely different sides of such a heated issue to becoming dear friends who are now collaborating on a national tour called TWO DADS DEFENDING DEMOCRACY?

In this special coming together, we explore Fred and Joe's evolution from adversaries to collaborators through their unique friendship. Initially at odds due to their differing views on gun control, they discovered a shared commitment to democracy and engaging in respectful dialogue across political and ideological divides. They speak about their collaborative initiative, "Two Dads Defending Democracy," aimed at encouraging Americans to participate in the democratic process, highlight the importance of conversations across differences, and reflect on personal stories that underscore their transformation. We talk about a number of ways they're both trying to make a positive difference including Fred's non-profit Orange Ribbons for Jaime, Joe's continued contributions on White Flag with Joe Walsh, and their appearances together demonstrating that instead of remaining enemies over any given issue, even those we're most passionate about, mutual respect wins every time.

00:42 Getting to Know Joe Walsh: From Congress to Gun Rights Advocate;

02:24 Fred Guttenberg's Journey: From Tragedy to Advocacy;

03:44 Bridging Divides: A Story of Friendship and Understanding;

07:39 Real Talk about Gun Safety;

13:20 The Power of Dialogue: Moving Beyond Polarization;

14:57 A Deep Dive into the Second Amendment and Gun Safety;

20:33 Finding Common Ground: The Path to Reducing Gun Violence;

30:58 Exploring Red Flag Laws: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly;

33:41 The Impact of 'White Flag' on Activism and Public Policy;

35:09 America's Shift in Gun Culture and the NRA's Influence;

42:31 More Bridging Divides: Two Dads Defending Democracy;

50:44 Engaging Across Differences: Strategies for Democracy;

52:41 Closing Thoughts: Hope, Engagement, and the American Experiment

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

fredguttenberg.com

twitter.com/WalshFreedom

White Flag with Joe Walsh: pod.link/1590913798

www.udel.edu/udaily/2024/january/joe-walsh-fred-guttenberg-snf-ithaca-initiative-democracy-speaking-tour/

joewalshwhiteflag@gmail.com

Renée DiResta, INVISIBLE RULERS: The People Who Turn Lies into Reality

Sun, 23 Jun 2024 17:01:00 -0700

"Disinformation. Spam and Scams. Trolls." For those of us paying attention, one thing is clear: We got problems! Fortunately, Renée DiResta is helping with exactly that by studying online manipulation, and what we can do about it. And yeah, we get quite a primer on the concept of "bespoke realities."

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https://www.reneediresta.com/

Renée DiResta is the Technical Research Manager at Stanford Internet Observatory. In this conversation we delve into the challenges of misinformation, online manipulation, and the impact of algorithmic curation on public discourse. Renée discusses her career journey, her work on election integrity, and the concept of "bespoke realities." The episode explores how media ecosystems shape our perception and the importance of fostering meaningful dialogue across differing viewpoints.

02:56 Renée DiResta's Background and Career Journey

06:35 The Birth of Vaccinate California

07:22 Facing Harassment and Public Backlash

16:01 Understanding Bespoke Realities

17:44 The Influencer-Algorithm-Crowd Trinity

27:17 The Role of Free Expression in Social Media

29:50 The Complexity of Free Expression and Moderation

31:10 Platform Policies and Government Regulation

32:23 Engaging with Conspiracy Theorists

33:48 Understanding Algorithmic Curation

34:38 Reflecting on January 6th and Political Polarization

39:51 Election Integrity Partnership: An Inside Look

46:22 Recognizing and Combating Propaganda

50:37 Concerns About a Second Trump Term

53:20 Fostering Better Conversations Across Differences

57:08 Engaging on Social Media: Strategies and Reflections

You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

https://www.threads.net/@renee.diresta

This American Church Chooses Neo-Crusaders Over Christ (and the Constitution)

Thu, 20 Jun 2024 12:25:31 -0700

Who's doing the canceling now? The leader doth protest too much... (the leaders of Presbyterian Church in America, that is.)

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https://julieroys.com/pca-cancels-anti-polarization-panel-david-french-being-too-polarizing/

In this edition, we take a look at a very public controversy surrounding the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and David French. We'll highlight a significant dispute within the PCA, where a planned panel on dealing with polarization was cancelled due to the inclusion of French. We explore articles and commentary (quoting extensively from a number of pieces), especially focusing on PCA Elder Ben Dunson's misleading attacks against French's views. In this inquiry, the mischaracterizations and false witness borne by Dunson get proper scrutiny so we can contextualize David (and Nancy) French's positions. The episode also explores broader implications of such church conflicts, stressing the importance of honesty, intellectual rigor, and faithfulness to Scripture.

01:38 Today's Topic: The David French PCA Controversy

02:17 Background on David French and the PCA

03:42 Criticism and Mischaracterization of David French

12:31 David French's Actual Stance on Drag Queen Story Hour

17:47 David French's Actual Views on Same-Sex Marriage

20:05 David French's Actual Position on Legislation Involving Transgender Youth

27:23 Addressing Personal Attacks on David and Nancy French

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/opinion/presbyterian-church-evangelical-canceled.html

https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/david-french-sohrab-ahmari-and-the-battle-for-the-future-of-conservatism?_sp=9d3e8c33-72cc-4872-b332-e14d92b13983.1718748473071

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/11/respect-for-marriage-same-sex-religious-freedom/676545/

https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/frenchpress/when-culture-wars-go-way-too-far/

https://www.deseret.com/politics/2024/04/16/nancy-french-ghosted-book-cancer-david-french/

https://americanreformer.org/2024/05/david-french-and-the-pcas-general-assembly/

Lt. Col. ALEXANDER VINDMAN understands what's happening around the world and WHY IT MATTERS (Best of)

Sun, 16 Jun 2024 11:07:00 -0700

What a great conversation to revisit on this Father's Day! Alex is a devoted dad and has such reverence and respect for his own father, all of which we covered in this talk. And yes, we also cover the grave risks of a potential 2nd Trump Administration, Lt. Col. Vindman's experience on the WH's National Security Council and so much more.

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Donald Trump's supposedly "perfect call" was the furthest thing from perfect. In this episode, Alexander Vindman tells us what was so dangerously wrong about it as well as WHY IT MATTERS.

Alexander Vindman, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and the director for European Affairs on the White House’s National Security Council, shares valuable perspectives on the Trump administration, Donald Trump’s unhinged lawlessness and the dangers the country faces if Trump is given another term. Dr. Vindman, having earned a Doctorate in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins, discusses international geopolitics, focusing particularly on Russian aggression and corruption. Lt. Col. Vindman offers a firsthand account of his experience in the Trump White House, the damage that’s already been done and the resilience of the U.S institutions that hold firm amidst these pervasive threats.

Throughout the conversation, Alex emphasizes the central role of local communities and the effectiveness of conversation in addressing divisive socio-political issues. His candid reflections on his own experiences - as an immigrant serving the country, in the face of profound institutional challenges and even his personal setbacks (eg. Operation Cabbage Patch) - offer a compelling narrative about American resilience and the ongoing pursuit of a 'more perfect union'. This was an in-depth primer on international affairs, national security threats and democratic values. Lt. Col. Vindman had so many valuable insights for listeners interested in understanding the complexities of today's political landscape and the role of dialogue in bridging societal divisions.

WHY IT MATTERS: alexandervindman.substack.com/

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Hagar Chemali: OH MY WORLD, weekly world news - quick and dirty!

Wed, 12 Jun 2024 17:18:00 -0700

"...expos(ing) the activities of dictators and human rights abusers, while sharing stories of those doing good around the world."

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https://youtube.com/@ohmyworldshow

Hagar Hajjar Chemali is a YouTube host and creator of “Oh My World!” which covers the major world news of the week in an easy-to-understand and entertaining way. Hagar is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center. She writes on national security and is featured regularly as a guest expert on MSNBC, CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, and one of our favorites, Politicology. Prior to all this, Hagar was Director of Communications and Spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations under President Obama, Spokesperson for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Director for Syria and Lebanon at the National Security Council at the White House, and she was a Senior Policy Advisor on Asia, and Policy Advisor on the Middle East in the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes at the U.S. Treasury. But the most important thing you need to know about Hagar is that she, her 3 kids and her dad are excellent dancers!

01:24 Guest Introduction: Hagar Hajjar Chemali

02:00 Hagar's Work and Background

04:32 The Crush List and Zeitouna

08:58 Civil Dialogue and Empathy

18:01 Navigating Media and Information

23:18 Columbia Protests and Student Engagement

43:28 Sanctions and Counter Illicit Finance

48:02 Global Economic Concerns

49:52 Ukraine Conflict: A Long-Term Struggle

52:09 The Role of U.S. Leadership

55:52 Transnational Repression and Authoritarianism

01:05:13 Mentorship and Career Reflections

01:19:06 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives

01:30:39 Conclusion and Future Conversations

You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

https://www.instagram.com/geekoutwithhagar

https://www.instagram.com/ohmyworldshow/

A Conservative and a Progressive Walk Into a Bar

Sun, 09 Jun 2024 17:01:00 -0700

No, this isn't the start of a joke... but it was pretty funny. This happened on the day Trump's convictions were announced. We were at a hotel pub with one self-described conservative and one progressive on each side of the bar. The truth is, there were some encouraging examples of how to connect across our differences. But there was also much that illustrated what NOT to do. And it might surprise you who ended up displaying the more virtuous way to engage.

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00:33 Big Announcement: Joining Patreon

03:01 The Bar Conversation: Setting the Scene

06:27 Engaging with Different Perspectives

10:03 Unexpected Interruption

20:12 Reflecting on the Encounter

27:46 Conclusion and Takeaways

You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Pete Wehner on Evangelicals’ Embrace of Trump: Moral Deformity? Blasphemy? Or the Epistemic Twilight Zone?

Wed, 05 Jun 2024 17:01:00 -0700

We’re joined by friend of the pod, Pete Wehner, contributing writer at The Atlantic and senior fellow at the Trinity Forum, to explore how Peter’s Christian faith influences his views on suffering, scriptural interpretation, and ethical dilemmas. The conversation addresses the current political climate, particularly focusing on Donald Trump's impact on the Evangelical community and the Republican Party. Emphasizing honest and empathetic dialogue, we discuss the challenges of maintaining faith in divisive times and envision potential paths for the church's and conservative movement’s future redemption. Highlighting the power of personal connections, there’s a fun story about 2 New York Rangers fans finding common ground across political differences while watching the game at a bar in LA, illustrating the broader theme of building relationships beyond political and ideological differences.

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https://www.theatlantic.com/author/peter-wehner/

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:32 Big Announcement: Join Us on Patreon

01:36 Introducing Today's Guest: Pete Wehner

02:46 Pete Wehner on Faith and Doubts

03:33 The Question of Suffering and Hermeneutics

07:32 Literal vs. Figurative Interpretation of Scripture

22:59 The Profundity of the Crucifixion

40:54 Evangelicals’ Support for Trump

52:23 Political Reactions to Trump's Conviction

57:40 The Cult of Personality in Modern Republicanism

01:02:46 The Future of the Republican Party

01:05:33 Hope and Redemption in Politics and Faith

You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

https://www.nytimes.com/column/peter-wehner

The Politics Guys with Michael Baranowski

Mon, 03 Jun 2024 11:07:00 -0700

This time, Corey was in the hot seat. He joins Michael Baranowski, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Northern Kentucky University and Host of The Politics Guys Podcast, for a conversation on their terrific show. Here are the show notes from TPG:

"Mike talks with Corey Nathan, host of the most excellent podcast, Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other. Corey shares his unique perspective as a “born-again Christian with a thick Jewish accent” and how his background has influenced his approach to discussing sensitive topics like politics and religion.

"Topics Mike & Corey Discuss Include:

– how and why Corey doesn’t fit the ‘Evangelical Christian’ stereotype

– discussing politics with evangelical Christians

– a Biblical approach to political issues like immigration and LGBTQ rights

– searching for the truth, as opposed to trying to ‘win’ every argument

– the value of regularly engaging with people with whom we disagree

"Follow Corey on X

The Politics Guys on Facebook | X

Mike’s other podcast is Sustainable Planet.

"Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys.

"The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it."

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

http://politicsguys.com/

Michael Wear on THE SPIRIT OF OUR POLITICS: Spiritual Formation and the Renovation of Public Life

Wed, 29 May 2024 17:01:00 -0700

Can you imagine a better and a healthier politics? If so, what does that look like? And how do we get from here to there?

In this conversation, we’re joined by Michael Wear, founder, president, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, about the intersection of faith and politics. Michael shares insights from his book, THE SPIRIT OF OUR POLITICS, discussing his personal journey of faith, the role of Christian resources in public life, and the importance of spiritual formation. The discussion also covers Michael's reflections on political sectarianism, the importance of integrating various aspects of one's soul, and the significance of engaging in productive, humble dialogue. We touch on practical antidotes to current political polarization, and how Christians and non-Christians alike can benefit from these insights.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

www.michaelwear.com/spirit-of-our-politics

01:03 Meet Michael Wear: Faith and Public Life

02:16 Personal Reflections and Faith

06:10 Christianity's Role in Politics

08:28 Navigating Diverse Beliefs

16:31 The Importance of Moral Knowledge

19:18 Dallas Willard's Influence

32:53 Ruby Bridges: A Lesson in Faith and Courage

40:54 Forgiveness and Public Testimonies

42:51 Misinterpretations of Biblical Actions

47:56 Political Sectarianism and Its Antidotes

50:15 Spiritual Practices for Modern Times

53:18 Introduction to 'Wear We Are' Podcast

55:37 Center for Christianity and Public Life

57:40 Apprenticeship to Jesus

01:03:37 Reflections on Political Engagement

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

www.ccpubliclife.org/

thatsoundsfunnetwork.com/podcasts/wear-we-are/

Mike Madrid, THE LATINO CENTURY: How America's Largest Minority Is Transforming Democracy

Wed, 22 May 2024 17:01:00 -0700

We welcome our favorite "travieso" and political consultant Mike Madrid, co-founder of the Lincoln Project, to discuss the evolving role of the Latino electorate within American democracy. We explore Mike's new book, THE LATINO CENTURY, and delve into contemporary political trends, generational perspectives, and economic challenges facing Latino communities. Our discussion highlights the impact of Latino voters on future elections, especially in key states like North Carolina. The episode underscores the need for introspection within political parties and promises an optimistic future driven by a younger, diverse generation.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Latino-Century/Mike-Madrid/9781668015261

01:04 A Warm Welcome to Mike Madrid

02:56 Mike Madrid's Journey on the Camino de Santiago

08:26 Exploring Latino Identity and Political Landscape

20:30 The Economic and Class Shift Among Latino Voters

27:07 Personal Stories of Family and Immigration

41:21 The Evolution of Republican Values and Latino Voters

47:55 Analyzing Latino Voting Trends and Political Affiliations

51:51 Analyzing the Political Landscape: Biden vs. Trump

52:50 Demographic Shifts and Electoral Strategies

56:09 The Latino Vote: A Missed Opportunity for Engagement

59:35 Campaign Insights: Villaraigosa and Gallego's Messaging

01:03:17 The Democratic Party's Challenges with Latino Voters

01:05:16 The Importance of Internal Critique in Political Parties

01:21:22 Optimism for America's Political Future

01:25:31 Strategies for Engaging Across Political Divides

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

twitter.com/madrid_mike

Relax. The Judiciary Branch Is Actually Working Well.

Sun, 19 May 2024 17:01:00 -0700

Some folks are worried about the conflicts of certain SCOTUS Justices (and their wives). Some are buying into conspiracy theories that have been distilled into talking points about a "weaponized Department of Justice." So we're taking a step back to say, "Relax. The judiciary branch is actually working well."

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

In this episode, we start out with a brief assessment of conversations around Israel, the protests and review this complex set of issues. But then we get into concerns related to the U.S. judiciary's actions, including cases from January 6th and high-profile trials involving Donald Trump. Despite some flaws, the judiciary is functioning well. So we highlight instances where the justice system upheld democratic principles. We also cover misconceptions about media consumption among different political factions and how that skews our understanding of important events.

01:48 Personal Reflections and Challenges in Civil Discourse;

03:36 Navigating Political Nuances and Campus Protests;

04:27 Examining the Anti-Left Sentiment and Media Ecosystem;

06:47 Debunking DOJ Weaponization Claims and Judicial Integrity;

10:24 Insight into January 6th Cases and the Judicial Process;

25:02 Analyzing the Judiciary's Role in Upholding Democracy;

36:03 Concluding Thoughts on Political and Religious Dialogue

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

x.com/MacFarlaneNews

John Inazu, LEARNING TO DISAGREE: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect

Wed, 15 May 2024 17:01:00 -0700

Can we learn to disagree with empathy and respect? Yes we can. And if you disagree with that, you're wrong... JK ;-)

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

www.amazon.com/Learning-Disagree-Surprising-Navigating-Differences/dp/0310368014

Dr. John Inazu is a law professor and political theorist who teaches at Washington University in St. Louis, where he is the Sally D. Danforth Distinguished Professor of Law and Religion. He teaches criminal law, law and religion, and various First Amendment courses. He writes and speaks frequently about pluralism, assembly, free speech, religious freedom, and other issues. John has written three books and published opinion pieces in the Washington Post, The Atlantic, Chicago Tribune, LA Times, USA Today, Newsweek, and CNN. Professor Inazu’s latest book is Learning to Disagree: The Surprising Path to Navigating Differences with Empathy and Respect which we discuss on this edition of TP&R.

00:59 Exploring Empathy and Disagreement with Dr. John Inazu;

13:41 The Practice of Empathy in Disagreement;

28:02 Understanding First Amendment Rights and Campus Protests;

32:36 Exploring Civil Disobedience and Its Consequences;

33:34 Personal Reflections: Reconnecting and Forgiving;

38:04 Navigating Difficult Conversations and Disagreements;

41:25 Choosing the Right Time and Place;

47:03 The Complexities of Faith, Patriotism, and Forgiveness;

57:30 Musical Influences and the Power of Jazz;

01:00:59 Closing Thoughts and How to Follow the Work

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

johninazu.substack.com/

Tim Alberta on American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism (Best of)

Sun, 12 May 2024 17:01:00 -0700

Tim Alberta is not only an excellent writer, he's also a practicing Christian and the son of an Evangelical pastor. So it's no wonder his recent book THE KINGDOM, THE POWER AND THE GLORY struck such a nerve as it "paints an expansive and profoundly troubling portrait of the American evangelical movement."

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Power-Glory-Evangelicals-Extremism/dp/006322688X

We're joined by Tim Alberta upon the publication of his new book, The Kingdom, The Power and the Glory: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism. After starting out with some fun banter about Tim's beloved Detroit Lions and veering off into kids' names, we delve into weighty topics such as whether Tim still considers himself an #evangelical - more specifically, if there are aspects of his faith he's begun to question. Much of this conversation is about the new book: "The main thing is no longer the main thing" for so many megachurch pastors; Donald Trump is "a creation of the culture gone crazy" (especially in the American Evangelical church); whether hucksters like Trump and Paula White, when they're behind closed doors, laugh at all their "suckers" that buy into their various schemes; who Tim thinks is the audience for THE KINGDOM, THE POWER, AND THE GLORY - and who he hopes the audience is; and we get to hear some input from Charles Mingus the 3rd!

Tim Alberta is a staff writer for The Atlantic and the former chief political correspondent for Politico, and has written for dozens of other publications, including the Wall Street Journal, Sports Illustrated, and Vanity Fair. He is the author of the New York Times bestseller American Carnage: On the Front Lines of the Republican Civil War and the Rise of President Trump and the newly released The Kingdom, The Power and the Glory. He co-moderated the final Democratic presidential debate of 2019 and frequently appears as a commentator on television programs in the United States and around the world. And as listeners will quickly learn, Tim is a big time Detroit Lions fan.

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

www.bytimalberta.com/

www.theatlantic.com/author/tim-alberta/

Rachel Bitecofer, Ph.D. | Hit ’Em Where It Hurts: How to Save Democracy by Beating Republicans at Their Own Game

Thu, 09 May 2024 11:07:00 -0700

On today’s edition, we shook it up a bit. Rachel Bitecofer, Ph.D. has dissected well-worn tactics that today’s Republican Party deploys with a great deal of success. Her latest book HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS is about how to “beat Republicans at their own game.” As former RNC Chair, Michael Steele, has said, “Democrats and Republicans who care about democracy would be wise to pay attention to her work.” (Yeah, you read that correct and it wasn't a typo - that's from the guy who used to head up the Republican National Committee.)

Rachel Bitecofer is a political scientist and election forecaster turned political strategist. You may have seen her interviews and analysis in such outlets as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Salon, Politico, The New Republic, Real Time with Bill Maher, CNN, MSNBC, and many other prominent news sources. She worked with Democratic Party candidates and organizations to implement negative partisanship strategy in the 2022 midterms. Rachel is also the author of HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS: HOW TO SAVE DEMOCRACY BY BEATING REPUBLICANS AT THEIR OWN GAME. But she came to prominence way before all this when she predicted the size (to the seat) of the Democrats’ Blue Wave in the 2018 midterms.

00:54 Spotlight on Rachel Bitecofer: From Political Scientist to Strategist;

01:49 The 2018 Midterm Predictions and Political Shifts;

05:31 Analyzing the 2024 Election Risks and Trump's Influence;

08:23 The Urgency of Understanding Project 2025;

15:16 Rachel Bitecofer's Personal Journey and Academic Background;

20:29 Strategies for the Democratic Party: A New Approach;

36:22 The Role of Journalism and Media in Democracy;

38:22 The Impact of Right-Wing Ecosystem on Public Belief;

38:41 The Role of Donald Trump in Shaping Public Distrust;

39:12 Manipulation of Journalism and Public Perception;

39:49 The Strategy Behind Republican Messaging;

40:59 Observing Real-Time Messaging During the Mar-a-Lago Raid;

41:14 The Power of Unified Messaging in Politics;

41:41 Media's Role in Legitimizing Questionable Narratives;

42:35 Challenging the Normalization of Extremism;

45:47 The Art of Electoral War: Strategies and Countermeasures;

47:14 Tackling Misinformation and Strategic Messaging;

59:46 Engaging in Political Conversations: Strategies and Insights;

01:01:50 Effective Communication Across Political Divides

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

https://www.hitemwhereithurts.com/

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

https://twitter.com/RachelBitecofer

And please remember that review: https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics

Have You Ever Spoken to One of "Them"? (Talkin’ Israel / Palestine)

Sun, 05 May 2024 17:01:00 -0700

We all have opinions. And there are more ways than ever to voice those opinions. But before expressing those opinions, have we really taken the time to understand the complexity of any given issue? More specifically, have we taken the time to speak with and consider the views of folks who are on the “other side” of that issue?

In this edition, we’ll be looking at the widespread phenomenon of campus protests across the country and the world. The initial plan was to compare campus protesters to January 6th insurrectionists; but instead, it was more valuable to explore the topic more thoughtfully, aiming to avoid fueling conflicts. So we examine diverse aspects of protests, including their objectives, the media's focus on sensational aspects (“nut picking”), and the potential ineffectiveness of disruptive tactics as well as the historical record that indicates how many such protests ultimately did more harm than good to their own cause. It was helpful to share the personal account from a friend who participated in peaceful demonstrations, offering insights into the protesters' perspectives and demands. We also review the importance of understanding and respecting the rights to free speech and assembly while considering reasonable restraints on those rights such as “time, place and manner” restrictions, as well as the impacts of protests on broader society. More broadly, it’s important to emphasize the need for balanced and informed conversations around contentious issues, advocating for empathy and open-mindedness in evaluating differing viewpoints.

01:31 A Deep Dive into Campus Protests;

05:58 Exploring the Other Side: Conversations with a Protest Participant;

07:43 Understanding the Demands and Goals of Campus Protests;

11:04 Reflecting on Free Speech and Its Complexities;

27:45 The Role of Universities in Nurturing Democracy;

35:26 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement for Dialogue

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

David French's 4/28/24 NYT piece "Colleges Have Gone off the Deep End. There Is a Way Out."

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/28/opinion/protests-college-free-speech.html

David Brooks 5/2/24 NYT piece "Why the Protests Help Trump"

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/02/opinion/student-protests-trump.html

Free Speech Center article on "time, place and manner" restrictions:

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/02/opinion/student-protests-trump.html

If Not Now Org - https://www.instagram.com/ifnotnoworg/

Haley Voters for Biden: Co-founder and Senior Advisor, Robert Schwartz

Thu, 02 May 2024 11:07:00 -0700

With Nikki Haley having dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination for president, why is she still getting so many votes in primaries all over the country? Even though it's been months since Haley suspended her campaign, she still gets significant percentages of the vote in the Republican primary contest. So where will those Haley voters turn in the general election? Robert Schwartz, the Co-founder and Senior Advisor to Haley Voters for Biden, is joining in a sweeping effort to persuade Nikki Haley supporters to vote for President Joe Biden this fall.

With a background in foreign affairs as a public policy professional focused on authoritarian regimes, Robert has a better understanding than many of what's at stake in 2024. So we were glad that he joined us to better understand this bloc of voters and so much more. Robert shares his journey from a politically curious teenager to a major advocate for bipartisan dialogue and action; his role in foreign policy and his time at Harvard's public policy program; and his efforts to promote democratic values against the backdrop of rising authoritarian tendencies. We also discuss the strategies and motivations behind the Haley Voters for Biden initiative, aiming to mobilize support among Republicans and independents who are disillusioned with Donald Trump's leadership. Then we get real as we explore the challenges facing American democracy, the potential impact of third-party candidates, and strategies for engaging voters across the political spectrum in meaningful conversations.

01:16 Introduction: Robert Schwartz, Co-Founder HV4B;

05:17 Navigating Political Philosophy and Activism;

08:17 Concerns Over American Democracy's Stability;

10:35 Exploring the Impact of Project 2025 and Political Strategies;

20:22 Analyzing the Republican Primary and Voter Dynamics;

29:23 Strategic Messaging and Targeting for Political Influence;

38:10 Decoding the Political Strategy: The Plus Two Concept;

41:00 The Swing State Focus: Key States in the Presidential Election;

58:26 The Challenge of Third-Party Voters in Swing States;

01:06:35 Engaging Across Political Divides: Strategies for Conversation

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

www.haleyvotersforbiden.org/

And here are some of their socials:

- twitter.com/HaleyVote4Biden

- twitter.com/HaleyVotersWG

- www.instagram.com/haleyvote4biden/

Being Anti-Trump BECAUSE I'm a Christian

Mon, 29 Apr 2024 11:07:00 -0700

Let's talk about the words, actions and character of Donald J. Trump in light of what the Bible says about virtue and vice. But instead of starting with our political preferences and prejudices and THEN backing shards of Scripture into what we want, what if we started with what the Bible actually says FIRST? Then we can more earnestly reckon with the implications of what we're dealing with today.

Here are a few of the Scriptural references that came up:

Exodus 20: "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me."
2 Kings 3: "(Jehoram) did evil in the sight of the Lord."
Proverbs 6: "There are six things that the Lord hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him..."
Proverbs 10: "Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool..."
John 2: "(Jesus) said, 'Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!'”

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Kate Cohen | WE OF LITTLE FAITH: Why I Stopped Pretending to Believe (And Maybe You Should Too)

Thu, 25 Apr 2024 11:07:00 -0700

Can an atheist and a Christian have a meaningful, friendly conversation? Can we explore our differences without being jerks to each other? Well, here's one atheist and one Christian who gave it a whirl!

Kate Cohen, a Washington Post contributing columnist, is a writer whose latest book, WE OF LITTLE FAITH, is "an impassioned call for nonbelievers to be honest with themselves and their families about their lack of belief—and help change the American cultural conversation." So, it was a special treat to have Kate on the program to discuss her journey to atheism and the implications of raising children as atheists in today's society. We explored a range of issues such as Kate's insights into the creative process, the importance of honesty in personal belief systems, and the intersection of atheism with culture, family, and politics. She also discusses the role of humor when tackling serious topics, the significance of understanding and openness in conversations about differing beliefs, and the perspective of facing mortality and legacy as an atheist. Additionally, we exchange personal stories, highlighting challenges and nuances in family dynamics when belief systems diverge, and explore the common ground atheists and religious folks can find in activism and moral responsibility.

01:46 The Art of Crafting a Book Title and Memoir Writing;

03:24 A Special Presenation from Jesse Cohen-Greenberg;

19:29 Navigating Family Dynamics and Beliefs;

27:02 Engaging with Atheism and Theism;

33:30 Understanding Atheism: Definitions and Personal Reflections;

46:36 The Importance of Community and Morality Beyond Religion;

48:25 Finding Awe and Wonder Without Supernatural Beliefs;

50:29 Legacy, Memory, and Making an Impact;

01:02:06 Navigating Family, Faith, and Identity;

01:18:23 Reflecting on Atheism, Activism, and Social Responsibility

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Kate's website: https://katecohen.net/

Her columnist page at the Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/kate-cohen/

Here's one of Kate's pieces in WaPo: Opinion | America doesn’t need more God. It needs more atheists. | https://wapo.st/3WaSjLl

A link to WE OF LITTLE FAITH: https://www.amazon.com/We-Little-Faith-Stopped-Pretending-ebook/dp/B0BV7MG25G?ref_=ast_author_mpb

And this is Jesse Cohen-Greenberg's music: When Will My Body Be Mine? | https://open.spotify.com/album/3GHFu2zZIBVzuwjhuK61j7?si=w_r4ZHGXQ8OJsVY3M2zYMg

Being Anti-Trump BECAUSE I'm a Conservative

Sun, 21 Apr 2024 17:01:00 -0700

What does it mean to be a conservative? What about being a Christian? What does that mean in terms of how one would understand and uphold virtue vs vice? And if I am truly a conservative and a Christian, can I then support Donald Trump?

Individual Freedom,
Limited Government,
Rule of Law,
Peace through Strength,
Fiscal Responsibility,
Free Markets,
and *Human Dignity,

00:40 Celebrating Listener Reviews and Engagement;

02:49 The Impact of Extremism on Public Discourse;

13:40 Exploring the True Meaning of Conservatism;

14:16 Principles of Conservatism vs. Trumpism;

27:29 The Importance of Human Dignity in Conservatism;

34:35 Teaser for the Next Episode: Christianity vs Trumpism

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Elizabeth Neumann | KINGDOM OF RAGE: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace

Thu, 18 Apr 2024 11:07:00 -0700

From 9/11 to 1/6; from growing up as a Christian to reckoning with the current state of the Evangelical church in America; Elizabeth Neumann, the former Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention at the US Department of Homeland Security, has the experience and has done the work to understand what's at stake in our country. So it was an honor to have her back on the program to discuss all this and more.

Elizabeth Neumann had a first hand look at the inner workings of the Trump Administration. What's clear from her experience is that there were a lot of people who were hard working public servants doing their best to serve the country's interests while, at the same time, having to navigate the daily chaos that defined Trump's time in office. And Elizabeth certainly has an informed perspective, having also served in the George W. Bush Administration. (Spoiler Alert: Those 2 admins couldn't have been more different.) So we delve into the historic bookends of September 11th, 2001 and January 6th, 2021. We also candidly explore, as Christians, how so many of our friends from church have become radicalized; are sympathic to or are dismissive of acts of violent extremism; and some who have even participated in demonstrations of extremism. Most importantly, as the subtitle of Elizabeth's book indicates, we explore the path back to peace.

ELIZABETH NEUMANN served as the Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism and Threat Prevention at the US Department of Homeland Security. Elizabeth is an ABC News contributor and the Chief Strategy Officer at Moonshot which builds solutions for one of the most pressing challenges facing communities around the world: violent extremism. She is also the author of the important new book, Kingdom of Rage: The Rise of Christian Extremism and the Path Back to Peace.

01:41 Elizabeth's Journey: From Counterterrorism to Author;

04:12 Exploring the Roots of Extremism and Personal Faith;

24:04 The Role of Media and Social Media in Shaping Views;

29:16 Raising Informed and Engaged Citizens;

33:51 Comparing the George W. Bush and Trump Administrations;

42:48 Navigating Trump's Influence and Policy Challenges;

44:09 Forecasting the Future: A Second Trump Administration;

44:26 The Impact of Inexperienced Appointees and Ideological Shifts;

45:15 The Global Implications of Withdrawing from NATO and Support for Ukraine;

47:31 Analyzing the January 6th Insurrection and Its Precursors;

55:24 The Role of Christian Extremism in Political Violence;

01:03:36 Addressing Extremism and the Importance of Local Engagement;

01:14:21 Conversations Across Differences: Strategies for Dialogue

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

elizabethneumann.org

elizabethneumann.org/book/

Voice of a Renegade: Adam Kinzinger on Democracy's Challenges (Best of TP&R)

Sun, 14 Apr 2024 17:01:00 -0700

"Bringing people together to learn how to do democracy again. And we're gonna go after the crazies in the political environment that do not have the interest of the country at heart." - Adam Kinzinger

Rep. Adam Kinzinger served with integrity during his time in the U.S. Congress as well as the Air Force. Yet, the mere mention of his name sends a certain ex-President (HINT: rhymes with Shmump) as well as many of that ex-prez's most loyal followers into a rage. So it was a special honor for us to speak with former Congressman Kinzinger. Having served in Congress from 2011 to 2023 and on notable committees such as the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack, he discusses the challenges of political extremism, the importance of compromise, and his journey from a conservative upbringing to questioning his beliefs, while staying true to deeply rooted, unimpeachable values. He addresses the toxicity of social media, the need for reconciliation across political and religious spectrums, and his work with Country First, aimed at promoting democracy and moderating political discourse. Adam's reflections on his faith, encounters with extremism, and the significance of genuine conversation across differences provide a nuanced perspective on navigating the complexities of current American political and religious landscapes.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023, representing Illinois’ 16th Congressional District. During his tenure, he served on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, as well as the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Kinzinger is the founder of Country First, an organization that works to activate the MUTED Majority to reject division and seek proven solutions to the challenges not being addressed by our leaders. He is also the author of RENEGADE: DEFENDING DEMOCRACY AND LIBERTY IN OUR DIVIDED COUNTRY. Prior to being elected to Congress, he served in the Air Force in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard and a Senior Political Commentator on CNN.

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

adamkinzinger.substack.com

www.country1st.com

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723495/renegade-by-adam-kinzinger-with-michael-dantonio/

Bill Kristol: Director of Defending Democracy Together and Editor at Large at The Bulwark

Thu, 11 Apr 2024 11:07:00 -0700

Are REPUBLICAN VOTERS AGAINST TRUMP our greatest BULWARK against authoritarianism and the most significant constituency in DEFENDING DEMOCRACY TOGETHER? (Dad jokes about the future of our Constitutional Republic aside...) Bill Kristol shares his thoughts on the state of our democracy and how this year's consequential election is shaping up.

So glad to be joined again by Bill Kristol, Editor at Large of The Bulwark; Director of Defending Democracy Together; and Host of Conversations with Bill Kristol. We took time to reflect on Bill’s early political experiences, including his roles in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush administrations, his academic career, and his work with the Project for the Republican Future. We also touch on our shared passion for baseball, particularly for the New York Mets! We then delve into Bill’s critical views on the Trump presidency, the rise of authoritarianism, and the importance of defending liberal democracy. He shares insights into his efforts with the Republican Voters Against Trump initiative and the importance of bipartisan engagement in preserving democratic norms. We then discuss the impact of social and political polarization, the significance of grassroots activism, and the need for open, exploratory dialogue across ideological divides. We wind down with Bill emphasizing the resilience of the American political system and the potential for positive change through collective action and constructive discourse.

00:52 Meet Bill Kristol: A Storied Career in Politics;

01:58 Baseball and Politics: A Personal Connection;

04:09 Navigating Political Ideologies: From Youth to Present;

05:41 The Evolution of Political Beliefs and the Impact of External Changes;

10:18 The Threat of Illiberalism and the Defense of Liberal Democracy;

15:21 Exploring the Dangers of Trumpism and Authoritarian Tendencies;

26:56 The Role of Intellectuals and Voters in Shaping Political Futures;

33:59 The Impact of Testimonials from Former Trump Voters;

34:53 The Strategy Behind Targeting Swing Voters;

35:54 Challenges and Strategies in Political Advertising;

36:55 Building a Broad Coalition Against Trump;

42:09 The Role of Money in Politics and Campaign Strategies;

44:34 Fostering Careers and Nurturing Talent in Politics;

50:43 The Evolution of Political Discourse and Outreach;

54:36 Final Thoughts on Political Engagement and Hope

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

www.thebulwark.com

www.defendingdemocracytogether.org

twitter.com/BillKristol

Not THE LEFT. And definitely not MAGA. Nope, I'm a French Davidian!

Sun, 07 Apr 2024 17:01:00 -0700

What do we say when others label us one way or another? Why do folks have a tendency to do that in the first place? Why is it important to engage when someone mischaracterizes our views? And, if we don't fall neatly into one category, what might be a more accurate way to describe how we do identify politically?

In this edition, host Corey Nathan goes through these questions including whether it's accurate to say he's part of THE LEFT and whether there would be anything wrong with such a political leaning. We go through recent right-wing podcasts and other media to better understand what many of our friends and neighbors are listening to and reading about THE LEFT including what Tucker Carlson's been up to and a couple of the recent episodes of Victor Davis Hanson's and Steven Crowder's shows. We look at defining principles of the MAGA movement and whether there are any principles so much as anti-partisanship. There's a response about those who've hijacked the ideas of conservatism as a philosophy and Christianity as an identity. We define what it means to be delusional and examine an illustration of it. And finally we look at what in the world a "French Davidian" is!

In all seriousness, we discuss writers, thinkers and leaders who see people with different positions not as enemies but as human beings that we can learn from and even befriend to arrive at a higher truth; people who can thrive in environments where their own views aren’t the dominant ones; those who leave room for the possibility of changing - who know that evolving one’s positions isn’t a sign of weakness but of having the strength that comes with humility; and people who can hold space for the complexity of our world.

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Danielle Allen is a Democracy Advocate, Harvard Professor and Nonprofit Leader who is "doing work on actually renovating our institutions"

Thu, 04 Apr 2024 11:07:00 -0700

Our democracy is brittle. Many would say our Constitutional Republic is in trouble. So what kind of work can we do on "actually renovating our institutions"?

We were fortunate to be joined by Dr. Danielle Allen, a democracy advocate, Harvard professor and nonprofit leader who's doing something about it. We talked about how to maintain a loving spirit when faced with "a lot of bleeps"; Danielle's fascinating family legacy and her "obsession" with democracy; what the heck a eudaemonist democratic pragmatist is; the ways the 5 freedoms articulated in the 1st Amendment are under threat; the merits of ranked choice voting, expanding the House of Representatives and other democratic renovations; the imperative of developing a civic portfolio; and how to "not let our differences take our humanity hostage."

Prof. Danielle Allen is James Bryant Conant University Professor at Harvard University. She is a professor of political philosophy, ethics, and public policy and director of the Democratic Knowledge Project and of the Allen Lab for Democracy Renovation. Outside the University, she is a co-chair for the Our Common Purpose Commission and Founder and President for Partners In Democracy, where she advocates for democracy reform to create greater voice and access in our democracy, and to drive progress towards a new social contract that serves and includes us all.

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

partnersindemocracy.us

Be sure to read Danielle's series in the Washington Post on How to Renovate American Democracy:

https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/2023/01/31/danielle-allen-american-democracy-renovation-series/

Fred Guttenberg and Joe Walsh, are on very different sides of the gun debate but they're also "Two Dads Defending Democracy" together

Sun, 31 Mar 2024 17:01:00 -0700

00:42 Getting to Know Joe Walsh: From Congress to Gun Rights Advocate;

02:24 Fred Guttenberg's Journey: From Tragedy to Advocacy;

03:44 Bridging Divides: A Story of Friendship and Understanding;

07:39 Real Talk about Gun Safety;

13:20 The Power of Dialogue: Moving Beyond Polarization;

14:57 A Deep Dive into the Second Amendment and Gun Safety;

20:33 Finding Common Ground: The Path to Reducing Gun Violence;

30:58 Exploring Red Flag Laws: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly;

33:41 The Impact of 'White Flag' on Activism and Public Policy;

35:09 America's Shift in Gun Culture and the NRA's Influence;

42:31 More Bridging Divides: Two Dads Defending Democracy;

50:44 Engaging Across Differences: Strategies for Democracy;

52:41 Closing Thoughts: Hope, Engagement, and the American Experiment

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

fredguttenberg.com

orangeribbonsforjaime.org/

twitter.com/WalshFreedom

White Flag with Joe Walsh - pod.link/1590913798

www.udel.edu/udaily/2024/january/joe-walsh-fred-guttenberg-snf-ithaca-initiative-democracy-speaking-tour/

joewalshwhiteflag@gmail.com

And just to be clear... LET'S GO RANGERS! ;-)

You do realize that when I criticize Donald Trump, I'm not attacking you, right?

Thu, 28 Mar 2024 17:12:28 -0700

Why is it that when there's a criticism of Donald Trump, that some folks who support him react as if it's an attack on them personally?

On this installment of our program, host Corey Nathan explores this phenomenon. There have been a number of times when Corey and/or the guests have examined the words, actions and character of Donald Trump - and let's face it, there's much to criticize. Like, every day. But it becomes problematic when a friend who happens to support Trump takes that critique as if it's an attack against them and their character. Corey shares several instances of when this has occurred in response to recent interviews and posts. He also scratches the surface of what's happening in right wing media as one possible explanation of where this is all coming from.

But by the end of this talk, we explore ways of how to engage with folks who do seem to take it personally when we openly critique something Trump says or does. Some of this includes setting clear understandings, finding ways to compliment the person, not tackling everything at once and, best of all, inviting them out for coffee or lunch!

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

Rachel Vindman, Co-host of The Suburban Women Problem: “...to make a difference, you simply need to keep moving forward.”

Sun, 24 Mar 2024 17:01:00 -0700

What’s it like to be targeted by Donald Trump? What’s it like to be viciously attacked and to have one’s family under threat due to the ex-President’s middle of the night rage tweets?

This is a story of resilience. It's a story of making a difference. But it's also about life being unpredictable and messy - and even having a messy kitchen! Mostly, it’s about how to “keep moving forward.”

Rachel Vindman is Co-host of The Suburban Women Problem, an excellent and timely podcast produced by Red Wine and Blue. Rachel and her family faced personal safety issues when her husband, Lt. Col. Alexander Vindman testified in the first Trump impeachment hearings. Despite the challenges, through the podcast and her beautifully candid Substack Keep Moving Forward, Rachel decided to speak out and use her voice to encourage women to stand up for policies and elected officials addressing issues important to women and families. #keepmovingforward

01:15 Introducing Rachel Vindman: A Voice for Democracy;

03:01 The Power and Pitfalls of Social Media;

08:16 Navigating Parenting in the Digital Age;

13:38 The Political Landscape and Suburban Women's Influence;

22:45 Exploring Family Backgrounds and Personal Journeys;

38:37 Election Day 2016: A Turning Point;

47:26 Navigating Hostility and Protecting Family;

53:19 Confronting Misinformation and Embracing Truth;

55:04 The Journey of Grief and Resilience;

01:06:18 Empowering Voices and Making a Difference;

01:24:22 Exploring Future Projects and Personal Reflections

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

redwine.blue/the-suburban-women-problem/

rachelvindman.substack.com/

redwine.blue/

Through the Fog with Elliot Kirschner, Emmy winning news producer, NYT bestselling author and documentary filmmaker

Thu, 21 Mar 2024 17:01:00 -0700

How do we harness the power of communication in bridging societal divides? We spoke with Elliot Kirschner, an Emmy award-winning journalist and documentary filmmaker, to help us “Through the Fog…”

Elliot shares his journey from CBS to his Substack “Through the Fog,” his dedication to science communication, and reflections on the role of journalism and science in democracy. We delve into his collaboration with Dan Rather, his academic pursuits in history and literature, and his current endeavors that strive to make science accessible to the public. Elliot also espouses the transformative potential of national service programs, science communication, and storytelling in healing our divisions, underlining the power of optimism and collaborative efforts in facilitating dialogue and understanding.

07:36 The Essence of Democracy and American Identity;

13:27 Transitioning from Producer to Personal Voice;

25:12 Cultural Heritage and Family Dynamics;

34:20 The Stakes of Democracy in Upcoming Elections;

40:47 Reflecting on Bipartisanship and Legislative Challenges;

42:24 Congressional Dysfunction and Its Impact;

46:26 The Evolution and Challenges of Modern Journalism;

53:15 The Potential of Hyper-Localized Journalism;

57:35 The Role of Science in Uniting People;

01:04:15 Fostering Conversations Across Divides

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

elliotkirschner.substack.com/

sciencecommunicationlab.org/

Jonathan Rauch on “America’s purest experiment in true totalitarianism”

Sun, 17 Mar 2024 17:01:00 -0700

Some might be inclined to believe recent discussions about totalitarianism are hyperbolic. In fact, the U.S. has a long history in which law, culture, medicine and religion have all been in the mix on exactly such experiments.

In our latest visit with Jon Rauch, we go into depth on his recent piece in The Atlantic, THE U.S. SHOULD APOLOGIZE TO GAY PEOPLE, which profiles America's historical attempts at erasing homosexuality, the impact this pervasive practice had on people's lives and what should be done to make it right. We also delve into Jon's personal experiences and his work on creating frameworks for productive conversations across political and religious divides. It's always worth revisiting Jon's landmark book, The Constitution of Knowledge. Plus we learn more about his personal connection to Justice Sandra Day O'Connor and her family.

05:12 The Happiness Curve: Personal and Societal Perspectives;

06:13 The Intersection of Religion, Democracy, and LGBTQ+ Rights;

08:28 Unveiling the History of Government-Led Discrimination Against Gay People;

32:24 The Importance of Acknowledging and Addressing Past Wrongs;

39:34 Personal Stories of Discrimination and Hope;

41:51 A Tribute to Sandra Day O'Connor: Personal Reflections;

51:11 The Constitution of Knowledge and Navigating Social Media Chaos

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

www.jonathanrauch.com

www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2024/01/lavender-scare-gay-people-public-service-erasure/677236/

www.amazon.com/Constitution-Knowledge-Jonathan-Rauch/dp/0815738862/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0

A Trump supporter took a victory lap after October 7th. It hasn’t gone well with us since.

Thu, 14 Mar 2024 09:55:22 -0700

If the goal here is to reach across our differences and at least to try and understand each other better, this was an epic FAIL!

This edition recounts an experience Corey had with someone he's known for a long time and has had many conversations with. But this pseudonymously named "Evan" did something after October 7th that put all subsequent dialogue on a much more strained path. Corey shares some of the comments that were made in the immediate aftermath of war breaking out in Israel as well as more recent exchanges with this individual. And the question is, how could this have gone better? Or is the right answer that sometimes you just have to know when to walk away... and stay away. As much as we might want to stay on the field, as much as we refuse to cede the entire village square to extremists, sometimes the best option is to simply know one's limitations and set healthy boundaries.

It's a sincere set of questions. So please let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

THE MAGA DIARIES: Tina Nguyen's Surreal Adventures Inside the Right Wing and How She Got Out

Sun, 10 Mar 2024 17:01:00 -0700

Gotta admit: This was fun! Tina Nguyen, national correspondent for Puck and author of THE MAGA DIARIES, gives us an inside look at the complexities within the right-wing movement, Trump's influence, the dynamics at play in today’s Republican party and her behind-the-scenes perspective at different political events (yes, those events). She also talks about what it was like to write this book and her approach to handling social media and online interactions. Oh, and Corey couldn’t help asking Tina about working for Tucker Carlson, the influence he wields and how she views him today. Tina’s so candid about the worlds she’s navigated, whether it's the conservative movement on campuses, the siloed ecosystem of right-wing media and even fringe ideas like the Convention of States initiative. It was also good to hear how Tina found a foothold beyond those early experiences and into other publications like Vanity Fair, Mediaite, Politico and now Puck.

00:05 Introduction to Tina Nguyen;

04:43 Understanding the Dynamics of the Activist Right;

14:35 The Influence of Media on Politics;

21:52 The Impact of Tucker Carlson on American Discourse;

31:25 Reflecting on Personal and Professional Trajectories;

38:59 Influence and Social Pressure in DC;

41:10 The Consequences of Speaking Out;

46:07 The Importance of Relationships in Career Development;

48:40 The Challenges of Social Media and Public Perception;

53:55 The Threat of the Convention of States

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-MAGA-Diaries/Tina-Nguyen/9781982189693

puck.news/author/tina-nguyen/

The Perniciousness of "Them"

Wed, 06 Mar 2024 16:02:52 -0800

In this episode we discuss the problem of vilifying and generalizing political and social groups. You know: “Them” or “those people.” Just as an exercise, Corey did a quick search of “top conservative podcasts” and it was quite revealing. There’s a consistent, pervasive use of sensationalist and divisive rhetoric to portray liberals, “leftists” and anyone not aligned with their respective views, which ultimately fosters misunderstanding and division. So it’s important to think of individual perspectives vs. the dangers of “nut picking”—highlighting extreme cases as representative of whole groups. We can engage in discussions about politics and religion with respect and patience. We can see people as individuals beyond their political beliefs. We also touch on the responsibility of media consumers to critically evaluate the sources and perspectives they engage with to avoid falling into the trap of “the perniciousness of them.”

01:12 The Perniciousness of "Them";

02:31 Exploring Top Conservative Podcasts;

03:53 The Impact of Media Consumption;

06:20 The Mischaracterization of "The Left";

06:54 The Question of Conservative Identity;

08:57 The Influence of Media on Perception;

09:58 The Decline of Traditional News Sites;

13:43 The Danger of Generalization;

28:00 Seeing the Individuality in Each Other

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Here's that article about the dropoff in traffic to news sites: https://www.therighting.com/therighting-unveils-2020-to-2024-election-year-traffic-comparison

Dr. Jonathan Haidt | After Babel: The Fragmentation of Everything, a special presentation of The Village Square

Sun, 03 Mar 2024 16:02:00 -0800

*What if, at a pinnacle of our civilization’s technological achievement, everything just broke — the institutions we’ve come to rely upon in navigating a modern complex world, the shared stories that hold a large and diverse democratic republic together, and even a common language through which to navigate the rising tide of crisis. According to renowned social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, this describes our current reality, one that he calls “After Babel.” In this new normal, we are scattered by a digital environment into feuding tribes that are governed by mob dynamics and driven by a minority of ideological outliers, made stupid at warp speed by group think, and — thanks to social media — armed with billions of metaphorical “dart guns” with which to immediately wound “the enemy” in ways that are hardly only metaphorical. What could go wrong?

Our very special guest, Dr. Jonathan Haidt, will delve into the profound impact of social media on democratic societies, dissecting the intricate web of challenges it poses to civic trust and civil discourse. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the foremost thought leaders of our time — one who has generously given his counsel to The Village Square, and countless efforts like ours — on this existential challenge of our time.

*The above was stolen lovingly from Village SquareCast's shownotes.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Read Why the Past Ten Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid in The Atlantic.

The program includes a preview of Haidt’s highly anticipated upcoming book The Anxious Generation, available at the end of March. You’re not going to want to miss it.

The Village Square and TP&R are proud members of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

jonathanhaidt.com/

www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/729231/the-anxious-generation-by-jonathan-haidt/

tlh.villagesquare.us/

Village SquareCast - pod.link/1520059234

That's completely WRONG! Oh wait, I think I agree with you.

Thu, 29 Feb 2024 16:09:44 -0800

Have you ever posted something on social media only to have someone drop in to completely disagree with you? Well, that sort of thing is the genesis of this conversation. Corey's buddy from high school, Rich Weiss, joins us to discuss politics, education, media influence, and the impact of social media on public discourse. Rich Weiss, a musician with the band Guilty Pleasures and an 8th grade teacher, and Corey explore their differing viewpoints on various political and societal issues, including the role of the media, education system challenges, and specific policies from the Trump administration. The dialogue also touches on the importance of listening, the potential benefits of ranked choice voting, and the ways to nurture relationships across differences. And believe it or not, Corey and Rich demonstrate how engaging in meaningful conversations about contentious topics is both possible and beneficial. We can do this!

01:10 Introducing Rich Weiss;

02:17 The Genesis of the Conversation;

02:54 Rich's Political Awakening and Journey;

09:20 Rich's Teaching Experience and Views on Education;

13:10 Rich's Views on Current Political Issues;

31:05 Discussion on Media Consumption and Information Sources;

39:26 The Double-Edged Sword of Media Democratization;

40:44 The Importance of Discernment in Consuming Media;

41:41 Challenging Political Assumptions;

44:14 The Role of Principle in Politics;

01:03:43 The Importance of Process in Politics;

01:09:10 Conclusion: The Power of Listening and Understanding

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Here's how you can follow Rich's band: www.instagram.com/guiltypleasuresmusic/

And here are just a handful of the articles and videos Rich shared:

Nancy French, GHOSTED: AN AMERICAN STORY - NY Times best selling author, investigative journalist, storyteller... yet still gloriously feral!

Sun, 25 Feb 2024 16:02:00 -0800

We’re joined by author, essayist, investigative journalist and the gloriously feral Nancy French. We discuss Nancy's new memoir, GHOSTED: AN AMERICAN STORY, which involves deeply personal topics such as her experiences with sexual abuse, faith struggles, being a ghostwriter for politicians, and increasing political turmoil. Nancy also talks about navigating her long-standing personal and professional relationships amid the Trumpification of the Republican party; how the party has drifted away from folks like her even though Nancy’s positions and philosophy haven’t changed; and how her Christian faith has played a significant role in the journey. We also candidly explore the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, the complexities in religious institutions, and being resilient in troubled times.

Nancy French is a five-time New York Times bestselling author, essayist, investigative journalist, and storyteller at the Moth. She’s published op-eds and articles in the Washington Post, USA Today, Time and many other publications. Her investigative journalism into abuse at Kanakuk Kamps appeared on the front page of USA Today. Nancy is also the co-author of The After Party with friend of the pod Curtis Chang and she’s the author of the new memoir GHOSTED: AN AMERICAN STORY.

01:20 Nancy French: A Brief Introduction;

05:14 The Art of Ghostwriting;

09:53 The Journey of Discovery and Art;

13:45 The Struggles of Writing Your Own Story;

19:38 The Challenges of Confronting Past Abuse;

31:10 The Power of Love and Relationships;

37:47 The Struggle with Faith and the Church;

40:25 Reflections on Christian Faith and History;

41:16 Experiences of Divine Intervention;

42:07 Discussing Faith with Non-Believers;

46:19 Political Writing and Its Consequences;

50:12 The Shift in Political Identity (Despite Not Having Changed);

52:11 The Impact of Political Polarization;

55:34 The Power of Human Connection Across Differences

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

www.nancyfrench.com

GHOSTED on Amazon - https://amzn.to/49tSNzO

www.threads.net/@nancyjanefrench

"I'm the bad guy?"

Thu, 22 Feb 2024 18:04:15 -0800

"I'm the bad guy?" This is about the whole idea of being part of group - the word "tribe" is often used - that thinks of itself as the good guys and anyone outside of that group as the bad guys. But do we ever stop to ask whether "I'm the bad guy?"

Here's the reference from the movie FALLING DOWN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLmuF-0P4tk

In this episode, Corey discusses the concept of personal accountability in the context of political and religious engagement. He explores his experiences with political disagreements, how personal conduct can alienate and vilify, and how the refusal to accept one's role as the bad guy can fuel conflict. There are specific instances where Corey owns up to failing to uphold the principles of peaceable conversation and draws attention to the fact that acknowledging personal fallibility can be a significant step toward grace and understanding. Admitting it is the first step, right?

02:11 Reflections on the Movie 'Falling Down'
03:51 Political Polarization and the 'Good Guys vs Bad Guys' Mentality
04:50 Personal Experiences with Political Disagreements
12:23 Continuation of Personal Experiences and Reflections
20:09 The Role of Virtues in Political Engagement
27:14 Confessions, Grace, and the Journey Towards Understanding
28:54 Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Lt. Col. ALEXANDER VINDMAN understands what's happening around the world and WHY IT MATTERS

Sun, 18 Feb 2024 16:02:00 -0800

Donald Trump's supposedly "perfect call" was the furthest thing from perfect. In this episode, Alexander Vindman tells us what was so dangerously wrong about it as well as WHY IT MATTERS.

WHY IT MATTERS: alexandervindman.substack.com/

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

Be sure to check out another great podcast, Beyond Politics. They've become friends of ours and are doing really important work.

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

It's gonna be okay. Even if it's not okay. It'll be okay.

Thu, 15 Feb 2024 17:19:56 -0800

I know, I know! Not everything’s okay. And yeah, there’s so much we can worry about. But, seriously. It’s gonna be okay.

In this episode, we take stock of a number of ways things have gone off the rails as well as what we’re looking at down the road. We get into the potentials of a second Trump term and its implications on American democracy. We outline potential threats of another Trump administration such as weaponizing the department of justice, using the military against domestic protest, and withdrawing the U.S. from NATO among others. Despite these potential challenges, there’s still reason to be hopeful. And it’s worth constantly reminding ourselves that things will be okay - one way or another.

We can account for the current state of divisiveness within the country, particularly around sensitive topics like immigration and the wave of disinformation. Despite legitimate skepticism and criticism of Trump and the way things are shaping up, it’s worth maintaining some equilibrium. In other words, as one curtain said to its other half, the other curtain, “Pull yourself together!” While bad things could happen, life will still go on. We each have agency to dictate how we react to and experience what's happening around us and, ultimately, the ability to still find a sense of peacefulness in life.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

Be sure to check out another great podcast, Beyond Politics. They've become friends of ours and are doing really important work.

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

www.theatlantic.com/if-trump-wins/

And here's a link to that special edition of The Atlantic, IF TRUMP WINS:

Curtis Chang, Co-founder of The After Party: Toward Better Christian Politics

Sun, 11 Feb 2024 16:02:00 -0800

Do political conversations leave you feeling like a 'combatant', a 'cynic' or just 'exhausted'? Are you a 'disappeared one' or do you have 'disappeared ones' that were a part of your life? Curtis Chang provides a roadmap to become a 'disciple' – Hopeful and humble.

In today’s episode, we welcome Curtis Chang, who's been on this program previously, to discuss The After Party, a timely, much-needed new project he launched with Dr. Russell Moore, David French and Nancy French. We dove deep into the concept of Christian politics, conspiracy theories, and the impact of societal divides on personal relationships. Curtis shared his thoughts around the need for a new approach to politics in the church, as well as a method for Christians to engage in political conversations without damaging relationships.

We explored Scripture, such as the differing political identities between Matthew the Tax Collector and Simon the Zealot, and examined how they managed to come together for a greater cause. (And for what it's worth, Tax Collectors and Zealots of the 1st Century make today's Republicans and Democrats look like besties!) Curtis explained a four-quadrant model that categorized Christians in politics as Combatants, Exhausted, Cynics, or Disciples. The goal of the program they created, The After Party, he said, is to move people towards the Disciple quadrant where both hope and humility are high. Corey also opens up about some personal experiences with harsh political divides and recounted how meaningful face-to-face reconciliations had been. Curtis encouraged listeners to take The After Party course and put humane relationship and engagement back into the church’s approach to politics.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

Be sure to check out another great podcast, Beyond Politics. They've become friends of ours and are doing really important work.

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

redeemingbabel.org/the-after-party/

redeemingbabel.org/about/

And here's Curtis's excellent podcast, Good Faith:

redeemingbabel.org/podcast/

Beyond Politics, a Crossover with Host Matt Robison: Understanding the Intersection of Politics, Psychology, and Economics

Wed, 07 Feb 2024 16:02:00 -0800

Did we really just ask whether voters are like "hungy baby, tired baby or poopy diaper baby?" Did we really say folks can find one of these fellas by looking for the horse's patoot? Oh yes. Yes, we did. (This is actually part 1 of a 2 part fun, informative, thought-provocative crossover episode. No, really.)

In this conversation, we engage in a detailed discussion with writer, podcast host, and political analyst, Matt Robison. We delve into the intricacies of the political landscape, the role of media narratives, and the psychology and economics driving American politics. Highlighting the disconnect between what the public perceives and what the hard political and economic data shows, we conclude that voters often rely on subtle signals and cues to form their political opinions. We also discuss Biden's approval numbers and their impact on his presidency.

06:04 The Importance of Civil Conversations in Politics
06:17 The Current State of the Republican Party
08:44 The Influence of Newt Gingrich on American Politics
17:57 Matt's Journey into Politics
21:59 Collaboration on a Sitcom Idea
22:13 Discussion on a Newsweek Piece
24:40 Critical Thinking in News Consumption
25:44 Election Analysis and Voter Behavior
29:01 The Impact of Media on Public Opinion
37:00 The Complexity of Voter Sentiment
43:01 Wrapping Up and Planning for Part Two Be sure to check out the companion conversation Matt and Corey have over on Beyond Politics: beyondpoliticspodcast.com

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

beyondpoliticspodcast.com/about

Hating the Left is neither a governing philosophy nor a winning strategy. And btw, it ain't even conservative.

Sun, 04 Feb 2024 16:02:00 -0800

What's the defining principle of (what passes for) conservatives today? Hating the Left. In this edition, we talk about the fact that hating the left is

NOT a governing philosophy;
NOR is it a winning strategy;
and it's NOT even conservative.

First, we get into how this all came about going back to the emergence of Rush Limbaugh as an early pioneer of the anger-tainment, conflict entrepreneur business model, followed in the early 90s by Fox News and now by an entire industry of television, online, podcasts and other media.

We then look at how "the Left" is being defined. Spoiler alert: It's not very precise or particularly accurate; but the broad pejorative label allows for the generalization, mischaracterization and vilification that's become the basic currency of the anger-tainment media complex.

So how can one say that hating the Left is not a governing philosophy? More specifically, it's not an effective governing philosophy. We assess how the Republican caucus in the House has responded to the opportunity to get everything they supposedly wanted to address what's happening on the Southern border. We also critique Florida governor Ron DeSantis's actual record and whether his "where woke goes to die" agenda is actually conservative. Another spoiler alert: It's not.

And of course, hating the Left has proven to be a losing strategy. We look at how the Republican Party has fared over the last several cycles with this raison d'etre of hating the left. Last spoiler alert (if you haven't been paying attention): So much winning? Uh, not so much.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

time.com/6266618/ron-desantis-florida-governance-essay/

Republican Senators Reach Deal on Border - https://to.pbs.org/4825a4K

www.politico.com/news/magazine/2023/05/18/donald-trump-paradox-gop-00097458

Dr. Francis S. Collins: Are science and faith at odds? Or two different ways of understanding God's creation?

Wed, 31 Jan 2024 16:02:00 -0800

Are science and belief in God incompatible? Dr. Francis S. Collins, renowned for having led the Human Genome Project and the former Director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), says science and faith are two different ways of understanding God's creation.

We dove right in and had so much to explore!

His father's folk music collection that is a true national treasure;
Connecting music with the mysteries of the universe both as a scientist and a person of faith;
An encounter with a heart patient that led Dr. Collins to his faith in Christ;
How he got the job to lead the Human Genome Project (no, it wasn't an answer to an ad on Craigslist);
Leading the NIH during a worldwide pandemic;
The ongoing harrassment and even death threats he and his colleagues at NIH have had to endure;
Struggling to understand the emergence of the anti-vax movement;
Nurturing relationships with folks who hold very different views such as the late Christopher Hitchens;
The BioLogos Foundation;
And the most interesting book club in the world!

Dr. Francis Collins is the former director of the National Institutes of Health. And was the longest serving director of NIH — spanning 12 years and three (very different) presidencies. Dr. Collins is a physician-geneticist noted for his landmark discoveries of disease genes and his leadership of the international Human Genome Project, which culminated in April 2003 with the completion of a finished sequence of the human DNA instruction book. Dr. Collins' research laboratory has discovered a number of important genes, including those responsible for cystic fibrosis, Huntington's disease, a familial endocrine cancer syndrome and, most recently, genes for type 2 diabetes among others. Dr. Collins was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom in November 2007 and the National Medal of Science in 2009.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

biologos.org/

Your Votes Are Like Empty Calories Unless...

Sun, 28 Jan 2024 16:02:00 -0800

Tackling the hard truth that so many of our votes are actually empty calorie votes. "Empty calorie votes!?!? What in the world is that?" you might ask.

It's important to state at the top that it's still important to vote. So, go out and VOTE! But there are several factors that render a vast majority of votes as electoral stuffing for all intents and purposes. It could be due to some voters always going for the Rs or always going for the Ds right down the line and would never even consider the possibility of checking a box for the "other team." There are also districts and states that are so heavily favored for one party or another, that the results are essentially predetermined.

But there are some districts and some states and, most importantly, some people that really can swing from one side to another. And that’s what decides our elections! So that's what we dive into on this edition of the program. Plus, we address what we can do about it, i.e. How do you persuade the persuadables?

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

2024 - A Look Ahead with Our Friends on the Freedom Road: Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton, Dr. Claudia Owens Shields and Lisa Sharon Harper

Wed, 24 Jan 2024 16:02:00 -0800

On this episode, Corey was part of a roundtable conversation over at Freedom Road with Lisa Sharon Harper. We were also joined by Rev. Dr. Waltrina Middleton and Dr. Claudia Owens Shields. This circle of friends came together to reflect on 2023 and consider what's ahead for us in 2024. It was originally recorded for the Freedom Road Podcast which you can find on all the major podcast apps.

Waltrina is the executive director of Community Renewal Society and a senior consultant with Freedom Road, specializing in Spiritual Formation. Claudia is a licensed clinical psychologist specializing in multi-ethnic psychology, formerly tenured professor at the Chicago School of Psychology. Claudia also serves as a senior consultant with Freedom Road. Lisa Sharon Harper is the founder of Freedom Road, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap, and the author of several books including FORTUNE: How Race Broke My Family and the World and How to Repair It All and THE VERY GOOD GOSPEL: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

www.threads.net/@lisasharper

www.threads.net/@freedomroad.us

freedomroad.substack.com

waltrina.org/

freedomroad.us/who-we-are/dr-claudia-owens-shields-ph-d/

Respectfully, You're Wrong About the Economy

Sun, 21 Jan 2024 16:02:00 -0800

If you don't like nuance, you're gonna hate this episode. If you see everything through a binary, either/or partisan lens, this edition ain't for you. If you think those who don't share your political views are the enemy, just don't bother. For the rest of us...

This talk is about the economy. Corey recently posted about the S&P hitting a record high as a way to initiate a conversation about the domestic macro economy. And boy howdy! Some folks just didn't want to hear it. So this is a response to a number of the comments that were shared. The challenge in such threads is to practice the objective of who we are. Can we talk about this issue in a better way? Ya know, the whole "without killin' each other" part of this endeavor.

For reference, here are links on several key indicators of the economy:

Inflation - https://www.statista.com/statistics/1394307/monthly-inflation-vs-core-inflation-us/
Unemployment - https://www.reuters.com/markets/us/us-job-growth-beats-expectations-december-wages-rise-solidly-2024-01-05/
GDP growth - https://www.statista.com/statistics/188185/percent-change-from-preceding-period-in-real-gdp-in-the-us/
Stock Market (Dow, S&P, Nasdaq) - https://stockcharts.com/freecharts/historical/marketindexes.html

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

Banter, Beliefs, and Ballots with Will Wright and Josh Burtram of Faithful Politics

Tue, 16 Jan 2024 16:02:00 -0800

In this episode, we're joined by Will Wright and Josh Burtram of the Faithful Politics podcast. They’ve been on the show before and we have a lot of crossover listeners. Will did a great job with the show notes. So here's our "duplicative language..."

"...We explore the evolving role of churches in promoting diversity and inclusivity, reflecting on how religious institutions navigate today's political and social landscape. The discussion also tackles the varied perceptions of Donald Trump's faith among Republicans and Democrats, offering a nuanced view of how political allegiances can influence religious perspectives.

"The episode further addresses the contentious topic of Christian nationalism in the context of the upcoming 2024 election. Through a balanced and thought-provoking dialogue, the hosts analyze the interplay between faith and politics, considering how religious beliefs shape and are shaped by political ideologies...."

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

www.faithfulpoliticspodcast.com

Definitely look up, subscribe to and support the Faithful Politics Podcast if haven't already:

Greg Lukianoff of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression discusses the coddling and canceling of the American mind

Tue, 09 Jan 2024 16:02:00 -0800

In this conversation, we're joined by Greg Lukianoff, the President of FIRE, the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. As illiberal tendencies are on the rise among extreme factions of our democracy, it was refreshing to speak with Greg whose organization is on the front lines of protecting the basic freedoms outlined in the First Amendment. We discussed:

Greg's own background and how he came to form his views on free speech;
a benchmark Supreme Court case from the late 70s when the ACLU defended Nazi's right to march in Skokie, IL;
the "bedrock principle" as well as the limitations of free speech;
contemporary issues such as whether Donald Trump was within his rights on January 6th as well as whether protesters on college campuses shouting "from the river to the sea" at Jewish students are protected under the freedom of speech;
and advice for leaders of organizations who are the targets of cancel culture mobs.

Greg Lukianoff is President and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression, aka FIRE, and one of the country’s most passionate defenders of free expression. He is an accomplished author of several books including Unlearning Liberty: Campus Censorship and the End of American Debate, The Coddling of the American Mind with Jonathan Haidt and his most recent book The Canceling of the American Mind with Rikki Schlott. He has also written on free speech issues on his Substack and for such outlets as the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, and the Washington Post, and was executive producer of the documentaries Can We Take a Joke? and Mighty Ira. Greg earned his undergraduate degree from American University and his law degree from Stanford.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts:

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

www.threads.net/@glukianoff

www.thefire.org/

greglukianoff.substack.com/

David Brooks, HOW TO KNOW A PERSON: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen

Tue, 02 Jan 2024 16:02:00 -0800

One of the highlights of 2023 was having this conversation with David Brooks.

You might recognize David Brooks from his columns in The New York Times or his essays in The Atlantic. Perhaps you’ve seen him on PBS NewsHour or Meet the Press. He’s also a prolific author. In fact, his 2019 book The Second Mountain was a major inspiration for this program. We discuss that as well as David’s new book, How to Know a Person: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen (Penguin Random House).

Our conversation with "Brooksie" went in a number of surprising directions:

Sociological observations (and confessions) of New York Mets fans;
The way lifelong friends enrich our lives;
Depression - fair warning that this section gets pretty gritty and candid;
How, as observant Jews, we both discovered Christianity later in life;
As Jews who are Christian, whether we have any ambivalence;
American Evangelicalism - talk about ambivalence!
David's writing process and the motivation of deadlines;
and much, much more!

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652822/how-to-know-a-person-by-david-brooks

David's new book HOW TO KNOW A PERSON:

Tim Keller and Michael Gerson, A Tribute with Pete Wehner and Jonathan Rauch

Tue, 26 Dec 2023 16:02:00 -0800

What a highlight it was for us to have two of our favorite guests of TP&R, Pete Wehner and Jonathan Rauch, on together to give tribute to Tim Keller and Michael Gerson.

Tim Keller and Michael Gerson were both at the top of the list of guests we wanted to have on TP&R. Sadly we lost both gentlemen within the last year. Mike passed away last November and Tim died in May of this year. But we’re lucky to have Jonathan Rauch and Pete Wehner for this conversation because they were all friends and had a big impact on each other’s lives.

Timothy Keller was senior pastor at Redeemer Presbyterian Church in Manhattan. As Sam Roberts described him in The New York Times, Tim was "...a best-selling author and theorist of Christianity who performed a modern miracle of his own — establishing a theologically orthodox church in Manhattan that attracted thousands of young professional followers..."

Michael Gerson was a nationally syndicated columnist writing for The Washington Post from 2007 until his death on Nov. 17, 2022. He was the author of HEROIC CONSERVATISM and co-author of CITY OF MAN: RELIGION AND POLITICS IN A NEW ERA. He appeared regularly on the “PBS NewsHour,” “Face the Nation” and other programs. Gerson served as senior adviser at One, a bipartisan organization dedicated to the fight against extreme poverty and preventable diseases. Until 2006, Gerson was a top aide to President George W. Bush as assistant to the president for policy and strategic planning. Prior to that appointment, he served in the White House as assistant to the president for speechwriting, policy adviser, deputy assistant to the president and director of presidential speechwriting.

Jonathan Rauch is the author of numerous books including THE CONSTITUTION OF KNOWLEDGE: A DEFENSE OF TRUTH. He’s a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer at The Atlantic among other publications.

Pete Wehner is also a contributing writer at The Atlantic as well as The New York Times, he’s a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum and the author of several books including THE DEATH OF POLITICS: HOW TO HEAL OUR FRAYED REPUBLIC AFTER TRUMP.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

www.ttf.org/about-us/senior-fellows/peterwehner/

www.jonathanrauch.com/

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

Adam Kinzinger, U.S. Congressman, IL 2011 to 2023: ”Bringing People Together to Learn How to Do Democracy Again”

Tue, 19 Dec 2023 16:01:00 -0800

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

adamkinzinger.substack.com

www.country1st.com

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723495/renegade-by-adam-kinzinger-with-michael-dantonio/

Mattie Jo Cowsert, an #Exvangelical on God, Sex and Rich People

Tue, 12 Dec 2023 16:01:00 -0800

What does it mean to be an EXvangelical? For Mattie Jo Cowsert, how did that deconstruction of her faith, the tradition that she grew up in, all come about? How have family and friends back home reacted to Mattie Jo's journey, specifically with her being an outspoken exvangelical? What's it been like to go back and examine the truth of certain pillars of today's American Evangelicalism such as the Kanakuk Kamps, now known to have employed and protected serial sexual predators? We get into so much more, too - including plenty of politics!

Mattie Jo Cowsert is an #exvangelical whose blog God, Sex & Rich People traces her journey from the Bible Belt to New York City as she deconstructs Christian fundamentalism to embrace personal and sexual freedom. Her book of the same name will be out this coming winter and her pilot based on her series premiered this year at the Omaha Film Festival.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

www.mattiejocowsert.com/godsexandrichpeople

www.mattiejocowsert.com/

On Instagram: @mattiejocowsert

Tim Alberta, Staff Writer at The Atlantic: American Evangelicals in an Age of Extremism

Mon, 04 Dec 2023 16:02:00 -0800

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

https://leftylooseyrightytighty.podbean.com

We're also pleased to give a shoutout to our friends at a great new podcast:

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

www.bytimalberta.com/

www.amazon.com/Kingdom-Power-Glory-Evangelicals-Extremism/dp/006322688X

www.theatlantic.com/author/tim-alberta/

Jahnavi Rao and Nivea Krishnan of New Voters are ”empowering the youth, shaping the future”

Tue, 28 Nov 2023 16:02:05 -0800

On this episode, we were joined by Jahnavi Rao and Nivea Krishnan of New Voters. Jahnavi is the President and Founder and Nivea is the Executive Director of the organization, a 501(c)3 whose mission is to involve students in all aspects of civic life, from registration to education and even emerging technologies. This is a nonpartisan group that, as of the date of our interview, registered 80,000 high school students to vote in 39 states along with 300,000 students that have been reached through their educational efforts.

We discussed what inspired Jahnavi to launch the organization and what prompted both of these "badass organizers" to get involved in politics and civic engagement in the first place; they shared what it's like to engage young voters by helping them get registered to vote as well as getting involved in legislative advocacy; we geeked out about politics and polling including how New Voters' Research Network does its research; and what it's like to interact in neighborly ways with folks who might assume they're on a different political team.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management: https://www.mezawealth.com/

We're also pleased to give a shoutout to our friends at a great new podcast:

https://leftylooseyrightytighty.podbean.com

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

www.new-voters.org

www.instagram.com/newvoters

www.linkedin.com/company/newvoters

Best of: Yuval Levin, Dir. Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at AEI, ”I strongly disagree with you. Now, pass the gravy.”

Mon, 20 Nov 2023 16:01:00 -0800

Thoroughly appreciated this "Best of" conversation with Dr. Yuval Levin which we originally had right after the terrible attacks of October 7th in Israel.

It was especially timely to have Dr. Yuval Levin on the program as he's not only one of this country's foremost scholars and policy experts, he's originally from Haifa, Israel. So we, of course, discussed what's happening there; however, our recording was only a couple days after the terrorist attacks that sparked the war. We did get to discuss a number of other pressing issues such as Dr. Levin's advocacy for ranked choice voting in primary elections; how to structure institutions to create the right kind of culture; whether our political positions come first or our philosophical and ethical moorings are primary; how Yuval is really just reiterating Aristotle for contemporary society - i.e. "What kind of person do I want to be? And what would that kind of person do in this situation?" With that in mind, a central theme of this program came up: How do we engage with friends, family and neighbors when so many are expressing extremist views? Dr. Levin's recommendation is that sometimes, at Thanksgiving, we just have to say, "I really think you're wrong. Now, pass the gravy..." and leave it at that. And I bet you never knew Alexis de Tocqueville could have been a Borscht Belt comedian!

Yuval Levin is the director of Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at the American Enterprise Institute. The founder and editor of National Affairs, he is also a senior editor at The New Atlantis, a contributing editor at National Review, and a contributing opinion writer at The New York Times. Dr. Levin served as a member of the White House domestic policy staff under President George W. Bush. And he has published essays and articles in numerous publications, including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Atlantic, and Commentary. He is the author of several books on political theory and public policy, most recently A Time to Build: From Family and Community to Congress and the Campus, How Recommitting to Our Institutions Can Revive the American Dream.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management: https://www.mezawealth.com/

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Michal Rozen: Updates from our family in ISRAEL

Tue, 14 Nov 2023 16:01:00 -0800

This is a special episode of TP&R as we are joined by Michal Rozen from Israel. Michal is currently a communications and film teacher there. She served in the army when she was 19. But she's found other ways to serve as she is a leftist who believes in peace and non-violence. That said, Michal's partner, siblings and cousins are all active in the IDF. And as you'll hear, there's much unity with everyone helping as they can with the war effort.

In this chilling conversation, we get updates on what's happening with family in Israel and how our cousins who are eligible for service with the IDF are doing. We discuss what it's like growing up in Israel and the fact that Israel is a pluralistic country. Michal has always been among Arab neighbors, friends, coworkers and students. We cover the political differences people have, even among family - some who like what Netanyahu has done, some who don't. With Michal's area of study as a teacher, we talked about the way Hamas has been waging an information war in addition to all the other ways they continue to terrorize. Michal also shared thoughts on more accurate information sources and how to be better consumers of the news.

Here is one of the follows Michal suggested: www.instagram.com/yosephhaddad

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Oseh Shalom by Nurit Hirsh Performed by HaZamir: The International Jewish Teen Choir Conducted by Dr. Marsha Bryan Edelman, Arranged and Accompanied on Piano by Matthew Lazar, Founder & Director, Zamir Choral Foundation

David Brooks - HOW TO KNOW A PERSON: The Art of Seeing Others Deeply and Being Deeply Seen

Tue, 07 Nov 2023 16:01:00 -0800

Our conversation with "Brooksie" went in a number of surprising directions:

Sociological observations (and confessions) of New York Mets fans;
The way lifelong friends enrich our lives;
Depression - fair warning that this section gets pretty gritty and candid;
How, as observant Jews, we both discovered Christianity later in life;
As Jews who are Christian, whether we have any ambivalence;
American Evangelicalism - talk about ambivalence!
David's writing process and the motivation of deadlines;
and much, much more!

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

David's new book HOW TO KNOW A PERSON: www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/652822/how-to-know-a-person-by-david-brooks

LIFE WORTH LIVING with Ryan McAnnally-Linz, Associate Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture

Tue, 31 Oct 2023 17:01:00 -0700

What standards seem to guide your conduct? What stories shape your sense of the world and your place in it? What stories shape your sense of what it is to be a human being? What kinds of responses to the world’s suffering do you have the most hope for? These are just a few of the big questions we explored with Dr. Ryan McAnnally-Linz in this conversation. They're the kinds of questions he explores with his colleagues Miroslav Volf and Matthew Croasmun at Yale together, in their book LIFE WORTH LIVING and in a number of other settings.

Ryan McAnnally-Linz is a systematic theologian and Associate Director of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture. He works at the intersection of theology, ethics, and cultural criticism. Ryan co-authored Public Faith in Action with Miroslav Volf. Dr. McAnnally-Linz also co-authored the book we discuss in this episode, Life Worth Living: A Guide to What Matters Most. He co-edited The Joy of Humility and Envisioning the Good Life. Ryan also contributes to the excellent podcast For the Life of the World. And his scholarly articles have appeared in a broad range of publications. If you read enough of Ryan's material, you might come across some of his other interests such as Omaha Hi-Lo Poker and The Big Lebowski.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Here's the fundraiser for IDF Reserves: spot.fund/EquipmentForIDFReserves

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

faith.yale.edu/people/ryan-mcannally-linz

faith.yale.edu

faith.yale.edu/podcast

www.lifeworthlivingbook.com

Lisa Camooso Miller, ”The Friday Reporter” - The Art of Communicating

Mon, 23 Oct 2023 17:01:00 -0700

"...nothing matters in this whole wide world, When you're in love with a Jersey girl..."

It was so cool to have Lisa Camooso Miller on the program partly because she grew up just a couple towns over from where Corey grew up in New Jersey! So of course we talked about "my hometown..." We also talked a lot about Lisa's specialty: #communications. And can't we all use a primer on better communication skills? There was so much else we covered such as how Lisa built her career in #politics and #journalism. It all comes down to, as we say in Jersey, "I got a guy" - meaning, relationships. We discussed what's happening in Congress with the Speaker of the House (or lack thereof); how it's being covered; life in a post-COVID world; and we get a peak behind the scenes at how big pieces of legislation actually get passed. Plus, since Lisa has an awesome podcast called THE FRIDAY REPORTER, we did geek out about #podcasting.

Lisa Camooso Miller has been a notable communications leader for over twenty years in local, state and federal government posts, political campaigns and committees, as well as advocacy organizations. She is the host and producer of The Friday Reporter podcast. Lisa is a partner at Reset Public Affairs and prior to that position she served as the head of media affairs for the American Coalition for Clean Coal Electricity. She was previously deputy communications director for the U.S. Secretary of Commerce and the U.S. Speaker of the House. She also served as the head of communications for the Republican National Committee in 2007. Prior to her time in Washington, D.C., Miller served under two New Jersey governors, where she participated in the recovery and rebuilding efforts following the attacks of September 11th. And did we mention Lisa's a Jersey girl?!?!

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management: https://www.mezawealth.com/

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Here's the fundraiser for IDF Reserves: spot.fund/EquipmentForIDFReserves

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

www.fridayreporter.com/about-us

www.fridayreporter.com

Oseh Shalom: Praying for Peace - Supporting IDF Reserves with Dr. Naomi Yudanin and Dr. Erica Harris

Thu, 19 Oct 2023 17:01:00 -0700

“Oseh shalom bimromav. Hu ya’aseh shalom aleinu. V’al kol Yisrael V’imru” (They who make peace in their high places, may they bring peace upon us, and upon all Israel.)

In this episode, we are joined by Dr. Naomi Yudanin and Dr. Erica Harris. We came together to discuss what's been happening in Israel since the attack by Hamas on October 7th; what's happening with our own families there; some background about our family histories including emigrating from Ukraine; how we're processing the reaction we're seeing around the world including here in the U.S.; and most importantly, how we can help.

That's where the fundraiser that Naomi is organizing, Equipment For IDF Reserves, comes in. We are raising money on behalf of Naomi's friends, Yonatan and Evelyn Seltzer, who have recently been mobilized as part of the 360,000+ reserve soldiers recruited by the IDF to fight Hamas. They are in need of basic and defensive equipment, which has been difficult to acquire and distribute quickly. Like many of their fellow reservists, they're scrambling to acquire these essentials and end up paying for it themselves. Please consider helping Yonatan, Evelyn, and other soldiers like them buy basic goods (including socks, underwear, hygiene products, warm clothing, etc.) in the next few weeks as they prepare to fight Hamas. Here is the link: spot.fund/EquipmentForIDFReserves

Additionally, Dr. Harris is in the process of providing low fee or pro-bono services to victims of the war in Israel as well as their families. Databases are currently being created that many therapists are joining to provide services to these individuals. If anyone would like further information, they may contact Dr. Harris through her website at www.ericaharrisphd.com.

Dr. Erica Harris is a licensed clinical psychologist whose areas of expertise include trauma and PTSD, anxiety, depression, relationship conflict, addiction, coping skills, and life transitions. Dr. Harris also provides crisis treatment for patients struggling with situations in the moment, in order to help them cope more adaptively.

Dr. Naomi Yudanin is a computational biologist by training who describes her vocational background as a "professional data nerd building a better healthcare experience for all." Naomi is currently the Director of Medical Data at Munich RE.

spot.fund/EquipmentForIDFReserves

ericaharrisphd.com

naomiyudanin.com

zamirchoralfoundation.org

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Yuval Levin, Dir. Social, Cultural, and Constitutional Studies at AEI: ”I strongly disagree with you. Now, pass the gravy.”

Mon, 16 Oct 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Please consider participating in a charitable effort our family is supporting: http://spot.fund/EquipmentForIDFReserves

It was especially timely to have Dr. Yuval Levin on the program as he's not only one of this country's foremost scholars and policy experts, he's originally from Haifa, Israel. So we, of course, discussed what's happening there; however, our recording was only a couple days after the terrorist attacks that sparked the war. We did get to discuss a number of other pressing issues such as Dr. Levin's advocacy for ranked choice voting in primary elections; how to structure institutions to create the right kind of culture; whether our political positions come first or our philosophical and ethical moorings are primary; how Yuval is really just reiterating Aristotle for contemporary society - i.e. "What kind of person do I want to be? And what would that kind of person do in this situation?" With that in mind, a central theme of this program came up: How do we engage with friends, family and neighbors when so many are expressing extremist views? Dr. Levin's recommendation is that sometimes, at Thanksgiving, we just have to say, "I really think you're wrong. Now, pass the gravy..." and leave it at that. And I bet you never knew Alexis de Tocqueville could have been a Borscht Belt comedian!

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management: https://www.mezawealth.com/

Here's the fundraiser for IDF Reserves: spot.fund/EquipmentForIDFReserves

And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Special Simulcast: On Israel with Adam Epstein & special guest Dawn Sorokin of Dirty Moderate

Fri, 13 Oct 2023 17:04:39 -0700

This is a special, timely conversation about what's happening in Israel. We invited our friends who produce and host DIRTY MODERATE, Adam Epstein and Dawn Sorokin, to work through some of the real history of Israel and that region; some of our own family's history; numerous false and destructive narratives that need to be confronted; how we're muddling through everything that's unfolding; and much more.

Here is one charitable effort that our family is supporting:

http://spot.fund/EquipmentForIDFReserves

Be sure to visit Dirty Moderate's platforms here:

Twitter and instagram @dirtymoderate TikTok @dirtymoderatenation Substack www.dirtymoderate.com And as always, Corey can be found on all (or at least most) of the socials @coreysnathan including www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

(...and we're hitting publish just before sundown. So this is still kosher for Shabbas.)

Matt Lewis: Senior Columnist at The Daily Beast, Author of FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS

Mon, 09 Oct 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Anytime Matt Lewis joins us, we have a grand ole' time! In this free flowing conversation, we make a pitch for how to solve the dumpster fire known as U.S. Congress: In light of the #Barbenheimer summer, Congress should consider the #FitzpatriHeimer fall. (cf. Co-heads of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick, R-PA, and Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-NJ.) We also cover how to talk to some friends and family in one information bubble, and other friends and family in a whole other political news silo. We get into his latest book FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS and how it's a bipartisan problem. Matt shares how he prepares for interviews; how driving is a great time to write notes and even take a nap (...just kidding); we do some rank prognostication on the Speaker Sweepstakes; and we even talk some baseball!

Matt Lewis is a senior columnist at the Daily Beast and the author of Too Dumb to Fail: How the GOP Betrayed the Reagan Revolution to Win Elections (and How It Can Reclaim Its Conservative Roots) and his new book Filthy Rich Politicians: The Swamp Creatures, Latte Liberals and Ruling-Class Elites Cashing in on America. You might recognize Matt from his appearances on MSNBC's Morning Joe and prior to that as a CNN political contributor. Matt’s also provided political commentary on Real Time with Bill Maher, Face the Nation on CBS, the NewsHour on PBS, and ABC’s Nightline. Matt’s writing has appeared in outlets such as the Wall Street Journal, GQ, the Washington Post, and Politico among others. Matt previously served as senior contributor for the Daily Caller and, before that, as a columnist for AOL’s Politics Daily. Matt is also the host of Matt Lewis and the News and is the co-host of The DMZ along with Bill Scher.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.thedailybeast.com/author/matt-lewis

twitter.com/mattklewis

mattklewis.com/books-articles-media

mattklewis.com/matt-lewis-and-the-news

Alexandra Hudson - THE SOUL OF CIVILITY: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves

Mon, 02 Oct 2023 17:01:00 -0700

What is the distinction between civility vs. politeness? How do we do life together? Why do so many of us have a lust to dominate others? How do we navigate the vertical relationship between the people and our governing authorities? More importantly, how do we navigate our horizontal relationships among our neighbors? How can we have a debate without it devolving into a quarrel? We've been grappling with these questions since the oldest story in the world has been told and since the oldest book was written.

ALEXANDRA HUDSON is a writer, popular speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth. She was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO, and Newsweek. She earned a master’s degree in public policy at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar, and is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. She is also the creator of a series for The Teaching Company called Storytelling and The Human Condition. Her first book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, is forthcoming from St. Martin’s press, which we cover at length on this episode.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.civic-renaissance.com

alexandraohudson.com

alexandraohudson.com/book-preorder

Mike Madrid: Expert in Latino voting, co-founder of the Lincoln Project and world-class TRAVIESO!

Mon, 25 Sep 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Mike Madrid makes his triumphant return to TP&R! We explored why significant numbers of Latino voters are drifting away from the Democratic Party; what explains the drift toward authoritarian populism of much of the Republican Party; how Fox News and the conservative media ecosystem keep their audience so angry; whether there are any Republicans worth supporting; we had some disagreement on whether to keep the offramp open for those who want to depart the Trump Train; what Mike means when he says that every day we go forward is a day closer to the end of Trumpism; and that politics is downstream of culture. And here's a doozy: How many votes in the upcoming presidential election really matter? Out of 150 million votes, how many votes actually swing the election? And which ones?

Mike Madrid is a national political strategist, an expert in demographics and Latino politics. Mike’s academic work on Latino politics became the foundation for groundbreaking communications and outreach strategies in California, Texas, Florida and nationwide. Later, Mike was a co-founder of the Lincoln Project which played a significant part in defeating Donald Trump in 2020. Mike also lectures on race, class and partisanship at USC; he is the co-host of The Latino Vote podcast along with Chuck Rocha; and he is the author of the upcoming book (Spring of 2024), THE LATINO SOLUTION.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.threads.net/@mykemadrid

twitter.com/madrid_mike

latinos.vote/

Wajahat Ali - DAILY BEAST columnist, public speaker, recovering attorney: ”Even if you see the day of judgment coming around the corner, plant a seed...”

Mon, 18 Sep 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Such a joy to have Wajahat Ali back on TP&R! Even before we got to the formal intro, Waj had Corey laughing to the point of tears. And yes, that was a snort - a laugh-snort! (a lorf? a snaf?) But laughter was a good salve for the serious subjects we covered. We discussed how power doesn’t like to be confronted and grappled with whether change can happen without discomfort. We were candid about our own mental health and what tools we've each developed to nurture good mental health. There was also a nuanced point of disagreement regarding parents’ rights to curate what their children are reading. And then we explored some important questions: Can we persuade those who disagree with us? If so, how? Or is it all catharsis?

Wajahat Ali is a writer originally from the Bay Area. Waj has been an attorney; a New York Times op-ed writer; a CNN commentator; co-host of Al Jazeera America’s The Stream; lead researcher and author for the Center for American Progress’s report Fear Inc., Roots of the Islamophobia Network in America. He’s currently a columnist for the Daily Beast and is the author of the excellent, funny, at times heart-wrenching book that came out in 2022 titled Go Back to Where You Came From: And, Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American. Waj is the co-host of democracy-ish. And rumor has it, he is an aspiring gold-medalist in the Lego Olympics.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.thedailybeast.com/author/wajahat-ali

www.wajali.com

www.dcpofficial.com/democracy-ish

Yascha Mounk, author THE IDENTITY TRAP ”...on democracy and its current torments...”

Tue, 12 Sep 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Is a hotdog a sandwich? And why is that an important question? (Just trust me: It is!) Yascha Mounk of Johns Hopkins University joined us for this conversation to discuss his latest book THE IDENTITY TRAP: A STORY OF IDEAS AND POWER IN OUR TIME. What is meant by the term “identity synthesis?” In recent years, terms like “identity politics,” “cancel culture” and being “woke” have been used to refer to the topics that are dealt with in the book. So with the urgency of fighting the dangers of right-wing authoritarianism, why address the identity trap? What advice is there for arguing and organizing against the identity trap? And is there reason to be optimistic?

YASCHA MOUNK is Associate Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Johns Hopkins University, Founder of Persuasion, an online magazine devoted to defending the values of free societies; he’s a Contributing Editor at The Atlantic, a Senior Fellow at the Council on Foreign Relations, he is the host of the Good Fight podcast, and the author, most recently, of The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power in Our Time.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/712961/the-identity-trap-by-yascha-mounk

www.persuasion.community

www.persuasion.community/podcast

“(S)ix pieces of advice for arguing and organizing against the identity trap..."

Claim the Moral High Ground
Don’t Vilify Those Who Disagree
Remember That Today’s Adversaries Can Become Tomorrow’s Allies
Appeal to the Reasonable Majority
Make Common Cause with Other Opponents of the Identity Synthesis
…But Don’t Become a Reactionary

Dr. Robert P. Jones: The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future

Tue, 05 Sep 2023 17:01:00 -0700

“Is America a divinely ordained promised land for European Christians, or is America a pluralistic democracy where all stand on equal footing before the law?” Dr. Robert P. Jones, president and founder of PRRI, grapples with this central question in his new book, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future. As Dr. Jones says, “At its heart, this book sets out to expose the deep, hidden roots of America’s current identity crisis.” This landmark work examines the genocide and removal of Native Americans and White racial violence against African Americans that occurred in three distinct regions of our country: Tulsa, OK; the Mississippi Delta; and Duluth, MN. Tragically, these accounts are not unique to these areas. Similar atrocities have occurred in virtually all 50 states. And yet, this is a story of hope. The heart of the project is that “Authentic healing flows from, and true repentance is built on, the twin pillars of truth-telling and repair.”

Dr. Robert P. Jones is the president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI). Dr. Jones is also the author of the forthcoming book, The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy and the Path to a Shared American Future as well as the award-winning books White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity and The End of White Christian America. Robby writes regularly on politics, culture, and religion for The Atlantic, TIME, Religion News Service, and other outlets. And you might recognize him from his appearances on CNN, MSNBC and NPR. He also writes weekly at robertpjones on substack, a newsletter for those dedicated to the work of truth-telling, repair, and healing from the legacy of white supremacy in American Christianity. Dr. Jones holds a Ph.D. in religion from Emory University, an M.Div. from Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary, and an undergrad degree in computing science and mathematics from Mississippi College.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.amazon.com/Hidden-Roots-White-Supremacy-American/dp/166800951X/

www.prri.org

robertpjones.substack.com

And please support our friends at BEST OF THE LEFT - www.bestoftheleft.com

Mariana Alfaro: Reporter for The Washington Post’s breaking political news team on the changing landscape of journalism, how to do quality reporting... and the evil of mustard Skittles!

Tue, 29 Aug 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Mariana Alfaro, reporter on the breaking political news team at The Washington Post, has insights about the changing landscape of journalism; how to do excellent reporting, especially given some of the hostile environments contributors to the Fourth Estate are subjected to; appreciating the role of good journalism in a healthy democracy; how to collaborate with other top notch writers on the larger, breaking stories in American politics; yes, we break down some of those current events such as the numerous criminal cases facing ex-President Donald Trump; and why... MUSTARD SKITTLES??? For crying out loud, WHY?!?!

Mariana Alfaro is a politics reporter at The Washington Post covering breaking news and was one of two reporters behind Post Politics Now, The Post’s live, breaking politics news feed. She joined The Post in 2019 as a researcher for the Daily 202, the newspaper's flagship politics newsletter. Before that, Mariana worked as an intern for the New York Times, the Wall Street Journal, Insider and The Texas Tribune. A native of San Salvador, Mariana graduated from Northwestern University's Medill School.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.washingtonpost.com/people/mariana-alfaro

twitter.com/marianaa_alfaro

Mike Leon - Broadcast News: A look behind the scenes of how it’s made (and a better way forward)

Mon, 21 Aug 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Have you ever wondered how primetime news commentary shows on major networks are made? Have you ever wondered why guys like Tucker Carlson say the kinds of things he says? Our guest on this episode, Mike Leon, can tell you all about it. Mike shares what really happens behind the scenes on the set of Fox News. And some of the secrets are quite surprising. He also provides insights on how we can be better consumers of news and analysis.

Mike Leon is a Rutgers journalism graduate, with 20+ years of TV, radio & digital media experience, including production stops in news & sports, from Fox News to ESPN to MSG Networks (to name a few). He is the host of the Can We Please Talk? podcast, a top 200 news commentary podcast in the U.S. that breaks down the latest headlines, featuring interviews with award-winning journalists, current & former government officials, historians, legal analysts, best-selling authors & even yours truly!

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.leonmedianetwork.com/can-we-please-talk

www.leonmedianetwork.com

Dr. Jean Twenge on The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America’s Future

Mon, 14 Aug 2023 17:01:00 -0700

What's at the root of the differences between generations? How different are those in the Silent Generation (that's who came after the Greatest Generation) from GenZ and "Polars" (which is the working name of the youngest generation)? Are major historical events like the Great Depression, World War II or, more recently, the Great Recession and COVID 19 the most significant factors in shaping a generation? Or could it be technology? Our guest, Dr. Jean Twenge, says it's the latter. In particular, Dr. Twenge asserts that it's technology's "daughters," the slow life strategy and individualism that have evolved over the course of the six generations she covers in her latest book, GENERATIONS. And that's just scratching the surface!

JEAN TWENGE, PHD, is a professor of psychology at San Diego State University and has written extensively on generational change, including many scientific papers and several books including her most recent one titled Generations: The Real Differences Between Gen Z, Millennials, Gen X, Boomers, and Silents—and What They Mean for America's Future. Dr. Twenge’s work on generational differences and technology is based on a dataset of 39 million people. Her research has been covered in Time, Newsweek, The New York Times, USA Today, U.S. News and World Report, and The Washington Post, and she has been featured on Today, Good Morning America, CBS This Morning, Fox and Friends, NBC Nightly News, Dateline NBC, and National Public Radio.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.jeantwenge.com/generations-book-by-dr-jean-twenge

www.jeantwenge.com

jeanmtwenge.substack.com

Will Hurd, A Pragmatic Republican Makes His Case. This is a BONUS EPISODE of Let’s Find Common Ground.

Mon, 07 Aug 2023 17:01:00 -0700

This is a special presentation of Let’s Find Common Ground from our friends at Common Ground Committee. CGC’s mission is to bring healing to the national challenges of polarization and incivility, inspiring and motivating the public to find common ground. They do this by demonstrating how influential people of opposing views can find agreement without compromising core values. Here are the show notes from this episode of Let’s Find Common Ground:

"Moderate Republican Will Hurd insists that across the country 'there is more that unites us than divides us.' The former GOP Congressman threw his hat into the ring in June with a video announcement that he's running for President of the United States. Our latest episode of 'Let's Find Common Ground' re-visits our interview with Will Hurd, recorded one year ago.

"Hurd stresses the need for both pragmatism and nuance when tackling guns, immigration, and other hot-button issues. But don't call him a squishy moderate. 'In the media in Washington DC…moderate means middle of the road,' he says. 'But in reality, moderates are the ones that do the hard work and get things done because they’re the ones that are having to take a philosophy to people that may not identify with it.'

"Will Hurd served as a CIA agent overseas and conducted briefings for members of Congress. This experience inspired him to run for Texas 23rd Congressional district, which he won in 2014. Congress. He was elected three times in a swing district where Democrats often win. Hurd says in our podcast interview that he succeeded by engaging with voters from both sides, not just voters who shared all his beliefs."

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

commongroundcommittee.org/podcasts/

commongroundcommittee.org/

Will Saletan of THE BULWARK on The Corruption of Lindsey Graham: A Case Study in the Rise of Authoritarianism

Mon, 31 Jul 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Will Saletan returns to discuss his book, The Corruption of Lindsey Graham: A Case Study in the Rise of Authoritarianism. It's a fascinating, well-sourced study on the public record of Lindsey Graham since 2015 that helps us better understand what's happened to the Republican Party since the rise of Trump. When and why did many Republicans start capitulating to Donald Trump? We discussed how it's not just the rhetoric that changes; but the people themselves that change. As Will profoundly points out, "The more evil you are convinced the other party is, the more evil you will support on the theory that your guy is less evil than theirs." We also covered how Will does "after-action reports" as a journalist to see what he got wrong in his earlier writing in order to calibrate his current work; making better arguments overall, i.e. "What we're not gonna do is punch the referees;" and we went head first into political prognostications about 2024.

Will Saletan wrote for Slate for 25 years, having written over 2700 pieces for the daily online magazine. He’s also the author of Bearing Right: How Conservatives Won the Abortion War. Will joined The Bulwark in early 2022. The Bulwark is an important media outlet which provides political analysis and reporting free from the constraints of partisan loyalties or tribal prejudices. And Will Saletan is now the author of the aforementioned The Corruption of Lindsey Graham: A Case Study in the Rise of Authoritarianism.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.thebulwark.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/The-Corruption-of-Lindsey-Graham.pdf

www.thebulwark.com/

www.threads.net/@wsaletan

Dr. Russell Moore, Editor in Chief of Christianity Today - Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America

Mon, 24 Jul 2023 17:01:00 -0700

It was a pleasure to be joined by the Editor in Chief of CHRISTIANITY TODAY, Dr. Russell Moore, to discuss his new book LOSING OUR RELIGION. So, of course, we started with the very controversial topic of whether dogs go to heaven! But it was actually a nice way to break the ice before getting into the serious subject of depression. We talked about so much including: How professing Christians dismiss the words of Jesus as being "not for our time"; becoming disillusioned, as in losing some illusions that we previously held; the problem of "protecting the ministry," truth be damned; old coalitions blowing up and surprising new coalitions forming; and much, much more.

Dr. Russell Moore is Editor in Chief of Christianity Today and is the author of Losing Our Religion: An Altar Call for Evangelical America. Dr. Moore served previously as President of the Southern Baptist Convention’s Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and, before that, as the chief academic officer and dean of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, where he also taught theology and ethics. Moore was a Fellow at the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics and currently serves on the board of Becket Law which exists to defend the free exercise of all faiths, from Anglican to Zoroastrian. He also hosts the weekly podcast The Russell Moore Show and is co-host of Christianity Today’s weekly news and analysis podcast, The Bulletin. And certainly not least among his roles is husband to Maria, dad of five sons and Bible teacher at their congregation, Immanuel Church.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.threads.net/@russellmoore

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/709965/losing-our-religion-by-russell-moore/

www.christianitytoday.com/ct/podcasts/russell-moore-show/

Writer, Producer, Actor, Mentor LARRY WILMORE: black-ish, Black on the Air, ”Senior Black Correspondent” on The Daily Show and more

Mon, 17 Jul 2023 17:01:00 -0700

We are joined in this episode by Writer, Producer, Actor and Mentor, LARRY WILMORE! We discussed what drew Larry to comedy, writing, acting and producing; and, yes, we did talk about the WGA strike; why, as a kid, he was compelled by the work of such greats as Houdini, Buster Keaton, the Marx Brothers and Flip Wilson; rebounding from professional setbacks and keeping a healthy mindset; his thoughts on the "TP&R question" - how to be better at talking about politics and religion across our differences; and we got pretty deep with the concept of consciousness, meaning and why humans have a desire to have a life of meaning.

Emmy Award winner Larry Wilmore is a prolific producer, actor, comedian, and writer. He is also the host of the excellent podcast Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air. Larry is perhaps best known for his role as host of Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore and as the “Senior Black Correspondent” on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Off-screen, Larry serves as co-creator and consulting producer on HBO’s Insecure, and helped to launch ABC’s black-ish as an executive producer and is a co-creator of the spin-off Grownish. Previously, he has written for In Living Color, The PJ’s (which he co-created), The Office (on which he also appeared), and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He also served as creator, writer, and executive producer of The Bernie Mac Show, which earned him his Emmy for “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series” and a 2001 Peabody Award. In 2016, Larry hosted the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Larry is also an author, having released his first book, I’d Rather We Got Casinos and Other Black Thoughts, in January 2009.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.theringer.com/larry-wilmore-black-on-air

Reasonable Doubt on Hulu - www.hulu.com/series/reasonable-doubt-226c1cc5-ecc9-4d26-83a6-40131a93ed19

Jerry and Marge Go Large - www.paramountplus.com/shows/paramount-plus/video/B8wTNAzgYrU2jPLef3IehO_xl_sg15pn/jerry-marge-go-large-cast-featurette-paramount-/

twitter.com/larrywilmore

www.threads.net/@larrywilmore

Todd Rose - Collective Illusions: Conformity, Complicity, and the Science of Why We Make Bad Decisions

Mon, 10 Jul 2023 17:09:48 -0700

First, can we talk about polling? Todd Rose can! Todd and his team at Populace are figuring out how to do better surveys to get more accurate information. No, really. It’s all about methodology. And wow, do they have some surprising and encouraging takeaways! In particular, WE’RE NOT REALLY AS DIVIDED SO MUCH AS WE THINK WE’RE DIVIDED. So how much are the loudest, most extreme voices driving the conversation in public spaces? And how many of the rest of us are self-silencing? What about COLLECTIVE ILLUSIONS? What’s the definition of collective illusions? And what are some of the most prevalent ones?

Todd Rose is the co-founder and president of Populace, a think tank committed to ensuring that all people have the opportunity to pursue fulfilling lives in a thriving society. Prior to Populace, he was a faculty member at Harvard University where he founded the Laboratory for the Science of Individuality and directed the Mind, Brain, and Education program. Todd is the best selling author of Collective Illusions, Dark Horse, and The End of Average.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

The Power of the Powerless by Vaclav Havel - https://www.nonviolent-conflict.org/wp-content/uploads/1979/01/the-power-of-the-powerless.pdf

http://www.populace.org/

http://www.toddrose.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Collective-Illusions-Conformity-Complicity-Decisions/dp/0306925680

https://www.threads.net/@coreysnathan

Tim Keller and Michael Gerson, A Tribute with Pete Wehner and Jonathan Rauch

Mon, 03 Jul 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

Peter Wehner and Jonathan Rauch on ”Morality Is for Trump What Colors Are to the Color-Blind”

Mon, 26 Jun 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Jonathan Rauch and Pete Wehner both return to the TP&R pod. Only this time we get them together! For a little background, Jon and Pete have a number of fundamental differences (eg. Jon is an atheist and Pete is a devout Christian); yet, they also happen to be good friends. So the conversation was flowing before we even hit record. We were discussing Pete's recent essay in THE ATLANTIC "Morality Is for Trump What Colors Are to the Color-Blind." We discussed pervasive cognitive dissonance, specifically on the part of people of faith and their continued embrace of Donald Trump. We also talked about our own need to have epistemological humility. Then we explored a construct that Jon is fleshing out for an upcoming book. That is, the 4 existential questions of 1) Morality, 2) Mortality, 3) Malevolence, and 4) Miracles.

Pete Wehner is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum. His books include The Death of Politics: How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump, City of Man: Religion and Politics in a New Era, which he co-wrote with Michael Gerson, and Wealth and Justice: The Morality of Democratic Capitalism. He was formerly a speechwriter for George W. Bush and a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. Peter is a contributing opinion writer for The New York Times, and his work also appears in publications including The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, and National Affairs.

JONATHAN RAUCH, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, is the author of eight books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing writer for The Atlantic and many other publications including The New Republic, The Economist, Time, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, and interestingly Religion News Service among many others. His latest book is The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth, which we discussed last time Jon joined us on TP&R. One of his earlier works, Kindly Inquisitors: The New Attacks on Free Thought (published originally in 1993 and then expanded in 2013) defends free speech and robust criticism and remains a highly influential work. And of course, it must be mentioned that Jon is arguably most famous for not liking shrimp!

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.theatlantic.com/author/peter-wehner/

jonathanrauch.typepad.com/

https://braverangels.org/

The Dark Knight clip - www.youtube.com/watch?v=SIYkhb2NjfE

The article on the "Need for Chaos" - royalsocietypublishing.org/doi/10.1098/rstb.2020.0147

”WTF are you tawkin’ about?!?!” - Can 2 guys from Jersey disagree on politics and still respect each other?

Mon, 19 Jun 2023 17:01:00 -0700

"What the hell are you talkin' about?!?!" Have you ever yelled that at the Thanksgiving table when someone in the family said something about politics? Or when you're hanging out with friends? Or at your church or synagogue? Or at a PTA meeting? Okay, if you haven't yelled it out loud, have you thought it? Really passionately? What about online? Come on, you know you've had those moments when you saw what a friend or relative said on social media and you just wanted to say, in one way or another, "That's crazy! You're completely wrong!"

Well, this conversation is with my home town pal, John Deroian. John and I grew up together in central Jersey - Bruce Springsteen country! We see each other now and then at reunions and stuff like that. But we also stay in touch online. And to be honest, we've had a few of those moments when we totally disagree. But what I’ve appreciated about John is that no matter how much we disagree - and John’s not shy about saying what he disagrees with - he’s always respectful. Not only that, sometimes he shares a perspective I hadn’t considered. So I’m grateful for him being candid on stuff we disagree about. And then also, every once in a while, John is open to something I say that he hadn’t considered. So I wanted to bring him on the program to see if we can… Talk about politics & religion without killin’ each other!

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.facebook.com/john.deroian

Al Cardenas: Vice Chairman of No-Labels, Contributor on MEET THE PRESS, former Chairman of the American Conservative Union and the Florida Republican Party

Tue, 13 Jun 2023 17:40:03 -0700

In this interview, we discuss how Al Cardenas developed his conservative views and why he became a Republican; his personal story of arriving in the U.S. from Cuba all the way to running for Congress and joining the Reagan Administration; some of the ways he helped the Republican Party gain so much ground in Florida politics; why he voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and when he began to question whether he could support him any longer; at what point he got involved in No-Labels and the Problem Solvers caucus; what the goals of No-Labels are; what his thoughts are on the numerous cases against Donald Trump; and what the conversations are like around the dinner table at the Cardenas-Navarro household (Al and Ana Navarro got married in 2019); and much, much more!

You might recognize Al Cardenas as a regular contributor on MEET THE PRESS, as well as his frequent appearances on CNN, FOX, MSNBC, Univision and Telemundo. Al has served as an adviser to U.S. Presidents and has been named one of Washington DC’s top lobbyists by The Hill. Al was named one of “The Most Influential Leaders in the Latino Community Today” by a number of leading national publications. He is the Vice-Chairman of No-Labels and formerly was Chairman of the American Conservative Union and served two terms as Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida. And Governor Jeb Bush appointed Al as a member of the Board of Trustees of Florida A&M University. He is a former Trustee of Miami Dade College and was named to its “Hall of Fame.”

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

twitter.com/AlCardenasFL_DC

Jennifer Rubin, Reported Opinion Writer for The Washington Post and Host of Jen Rubin’s Green Room

Mon, 05 Jun 2023 17:36:00 -0700

What was it like for Jennifer Rubin (of The Washington Post and Jen Rubin's Green Room) to be one of the first conservatives to come out publicly against the candidacy of Donald Trump? What about being the subject of one of Trump's attacks on Twitter? How does one go from making a case for neoconservative positions to aligning more consistently with centrist Democratic policies? Was it really such an evolution? Or has the political climate around us changed more radically? What about the career shift from being a highly successful labor lawyer in Hollywood to becoming one of the most widely read and listened to voices in politics? We discussed all this and more on this week's TP&R!

Jennifer Rubin writes reported opinion for The Washington Post and is the host of Jen Rubin’s Green Room. She covers politics and policy, foreign and domestic, and provides insight into the conservative movement, the Republican and Democratic parties, and threats to Western democracies. Jennifer is also an MSNBC contributor, and was with Commentary magazine before joining the Post. Prior to her career in journalism, Jen practiced labor law for two decades. She is also the author of the 2022 book “Resistance: How Women Saved Democracy from Donald Trump.”

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

twitter.com/JRubinBlogger

www.washingtonpost.com/people/jennifer-rubin/

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/jen-rubins-green-room/id1686973843

www.harpercollins.com/products/resistance-jennifer-rubin?variant=39933666066466

Bob Cusack, Editor in Chief at THE HILL

Wed, 31 May 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Journalistic integrity. How can individual reporters and news outlets uphold their professional ethics? Is it possible in today's environment? How can a journalist get a coveted interview, yet be fair without it becoming a hit job or a puff piece? Is it any different now than 5 or 10 or 25+ years ago, when our guest Bob Cusack of THE HILL first entered the business? What is it like interviewing Donald Trump (which Bob has done 4 times)? How can reporters be equipped to deal with attacks from a subject like Trump who repeatedly refers to the press as "the enemy of the people"? What about situations when correspondents are in harm's way due to such attacks? What lessons can be learned from the demise of companies such as BuzzFeed and Vice Media? Oh, and of course we do a little political prognostication!

Bob Cusack serves as Editor-in-Chief of The Hill, a media platform that provides nonpartisan reporting on the inner workings of Government and the nexus of politics and business. Bob has been reporting on policy and politics in Washington, D.C. since 1995 and has interviewed top newsmakers such as former President Trump, Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell. He regularly appears on news networks as a non-partisan political analyst and has won six awards from the National Press Club and the Society of Professional Journalists. Bob is also an accomplished tennis player and has appeared in numerous movies and tv shows such as WONDER WOMAN and VEEP.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

thehill.com/people/bob-cusack/

thehill.com/

Best of: Denver Riggleman - Former U.S. Congressman, NY Times Bestselling Author of THE BREACH, Sr. Staffer to House Jan. 6th Committee, Co-owner Silverback Distillery

Mon, 29 May 2023 17:01:00 -0700

"What's your source?" That's the question former Congressman Denver Riggleman will often ask in order to cut through the walls that divide people - whether it's patrons who visit Silverback Distillery that he and his wife own, his former constituents from when he was a U.S. Congressman in Virginia's 5th, or even friends and family who object to his record of taking independent stances against the MAGA wing of his former political party.

We cover a lot of ground in this conversation like how he and his wife got into the whiskey business; why he joined the Freedom Caucus and whether he regretted that decision; what he learned through his work on the January 6th Committee and what Americans need to know about it; whether some of his former colleagues in Congress are really as crazy as they seem; and the truth about Bigfoot!

Denver Riggleman supported advanced intelligence analysis and technical development programs during his over two decades as an intelligence officer, NSA adviser, federal contractor, research and development technology lead, and successful CEO of support companies for the Department of Defense. A veteran of the Global War on Terror and multiple worldwide operations, he served with honor in the US Air Force for nine active-duty years and is a former member of the House of Representatives from Virginia’s Fifth Congressional District, which he represented as a Republican from 2019–2021. Congressman Riggleman is the former senior technical advisor for the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol. He is the CEO of Riggleman Information and Intelligence Group, the co-owner of the award-winning Silverback Distillery and is the author of the NY Times bestseller THE BREACH and BIGFOOT… IT’S COMPLICATED.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

twitter.com/stephenfhayes

denverleeriggleman.com/

www.sbdistillery.com/

amzn.to/3IdodPv

amzn.to/3LYuO0Y

Best of: Steve Hayes, CEO and Editor of THE DISPATCH: Fact-based reporting and commentary on politics, policy and culture – informed by conservative principles

Fri, 26 May 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Can a modern journalistic enterprise provide information and better analysis rather than merely affirmation for its audience? Steve Hayes, CEO and Editor of The Dispatch, believes it's not only possible, there's an overwhelming appetite for it. What was it like to be in the room with Donald Trump when he asserted that John McCain was not a war hero? Steve was there and even got to ask him several hard follow up questions. We asked Steve if, as a conservative, he could have a political mulligan between the early 90s and 2015, right up to Trump's entry into the presidential race, what would it be? What did Steve and the founding partners of The Dispatch see in the public square and the marketplace that motivated them to launch an independent media outlet that is informed by conservative principles? What were the major factors that led to Steve's decision to leave Fox News as a contributor? And we had to ask him for some recommendations for good Spanish wine!

Steve Hayes is CEO and Editor of The Dispatch, one of our favorite media outlets. The Dispatch provides “Fact-based reporting and commentary on politics, policy and culture – informed by conservative principles.” Prior to The Dispatch, Steve succeeded friend of the pod, Bill Kristol as editor-in-chief of The Weekly Standard. Steve was also a senior writer for National Journal’s Hotline and served as Director of the Institute on Political Journalism at Georgetown University for six years. He has written for such publications as the Los Angeles Times, the New York Post, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Times, National Review, and Reason. He has been a commentator and appeared on such television shows as the Today show, Meet the Press, CNN, Fox News Channel, MSNBC, CNBC, and C-SPAN.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

thedispatch.com

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

Lisa Sharon Harper: Decolonizing the church, repairing what race broke in the world, ”telling our stories”

Mon, 22 May 2023 17:01:00 -0700

In this conversation with renowned speaker, writer, activist and artist, Lisa Sharon Harper, we discuss Lisa's own genealogy, which she painstakingly researched for her 2022 book FORTUNE: How Race Broke My Family and the World and How to Repair It All, and how doing the work of genealogy is doing the work of history. We also got into some theology! In particular, we explored a profound reading of the first chapters of Genesis. Spoiler alert: I love when Lisa said, "It doesn't take a rocket scientist to know this is not science!" The truths communicated in Genesis are much more profound than the reductionist reading of some of our young earth creationist friends. That leads us to explore the concept of TOV and TOV M'OD. And we went on to discuss what it will take to repair what race broke in the world.

Lisa Sharon Harper is the founder of Freedom Road, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap by designing forums and experiences that bring common understanding, common commitment and common action. Ms. Harper leads trainings all around the globe that increase clergy and community leaders’ capacity to organize people of faith toward a just world. She is the author of several books, including the critically acclaimed The Very Good Gospel: How Everything Wrong Can Be Made Right and Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World and How to Repair It All. She also writes extensively on shalom and governance, immigration reform, health care reform, poverty, racial and gender justice, climate change, and transformational civic engagement with her work appearing in numerous national publications as well as her Substack The Truth Is... Ms. Harper earned her Masters degree in Human Rights from Columbia University, is an Auburn Theological Seminary Senior Fellow, has begun working on her PhD in Christian Public Ethics with Vrije Universiteit in Amsterdam aka the VU and also served as Sojourners Chief Church Engagement Officer.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

lisasharonharper.substack.com/

lisasharonharper.com/

freedomroad.us/

www.instagram.com/lisasharper/

www.facebook.com/lisasharonharper.page/

twitter.com/lisasharper

Denver Riggleman: Former U.S. Congressman, NY Times Bestselling Author of THE BREACH, Sr. Staffer to House Jan. 6th Committee, Co-owner Silverback Distillery

Mon, 15 May 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

denverleeriggleman.com/

www.sbdistillery.com/

amzn.to/3IdodPv

amzn.to/3LYuO0Y

Special Presentation: LOVE & HATE IN THE TIME OF COVID by Kim Yaged

Thu, 11 May 2023 16:55:49 -0700

We’ve all kind of grown accustomed to Instagram takeovers and other stunty maneuvers to grab attention, but a podcast takeover? I think that’s still kind of a rarity. But Corey Nathan is a rare breed. So, I suppose it isn’t really a surprise that when I contacted him a week ago and asked if we could do a reading of my play LOVE & HATE IN THE TIME OF COVID as a special edition of Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other on May 11 to commemorate the end of the COVID-19 Public Health Emergency Declaration in the United States he immediately said yes. So, in a matter of days, I reached out to a few actor friends who lovingly agreed to participate, and we quickly recorded and cut the play so we could have it ready on May 11. We didn’t have time to plan or rehearse, which, in retrospect, seems appropriate since it mirrors the advent of Covid.

Public commemorations are not normally my thing, but I needed something to acknowledge this moment, the millions of people who have died, and the countless people whose lives have been changed forever. When I hesitantly spoke to friends about what I was feeling, I learned they were experiencing something similar. That confirmation gave me the courage to do something, and that’s when I reached out to Corey. We have all been through so much collectively and individually over the past three years. Whatever your politics, whatever your religion, I hope this offering helps heal, inspire, or is of some other service.

Thank you Corey, the extraordinarily talented Kenya Moses, Donnell Smith, Ash Sroka, Xyla Huck, and all the actors who helped me work on this piece. I also want to thank Kevin March for his inspiration, and Reg E. Gaines for his motivation. I’m indebted to all of you and grateful for your help satiating this need.

CAST

Ash Sroka
https://www.instagram.com/ash.sroka/

Donnell Smith
https://www.instagram.com/donnell.iam/

Kenya Moses
https://www.instagram.com/kenyamoses/

Xyla Huck

Playwright
www.kimyaged.com

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

twitter.com/stephenfhayes

Steve Hayes, CEO and Editor of THE DISPATCH: Fact-based reporting and commentary on politics, policy and culture – informed by conservative principles

Mon, 08 May 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

thedispatch.com

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41380-022-01661-0

Bonus Episode: TOP OF MIND WITH JULIE ROSE - How Can We Reduce Gun Violence in America

Wed, 03 May 2023 14:14:54 -0700

This is a special presentation of TOP OF MIND WITH JULIE ROSE which is about "becoming better citizens, kinder neighbors and more effective advocates." Here are the show notes on this episode from our friends at TOP OF MIND:

About 45,000 Americans died from gun violence in 2022. A similar number died the year before. About half of those deaths are gun suicides. The other half are gun homicides. Mass shootings tend to capture the most attention and outrage, but they’re just a small fraction of the total number of gun deaths each year. How can we reduce gun violence in America? Reducing the number of firearms in the country might help, but significant gun control laws seem unlikely in today’s current political climate. In this podcast episode, we hear the stories of a violence interrupter, a suicide prevention and gun safety advocate, and a mass shooting researcher to help us feel more hopeful about America's gun violence problem. Podcast Guests: DeQuann Stanley, Outreach Supervisor at Save Our Streets, Crown Heights, Brooklyn Erin Dunkerly, trial attorney in California, advocate for suicide prevention Mark Follman, National Affairs Editor at Mother Jones. Author of TRIGGER POINTS: “Inside the Mission to Stop Mass Shootings in America” **This episode is part of Season 3 on Top of Mind: Finding Fairness. From health and immigration to prisons and pot, how can we get more peace and prosperity for all?

Reaching Across Our Differences - How Two People with Different Views Can Talk About Their Differences and Still Be Friends

Tue, 02 May 2023 17:01:00 -0700

In this episode, we have two friends who hold many different political views. Corey brought in his pal Darren Harkins to see if they could talk about "politics and religion without killin' eacb other." Despite their differences, they remain good buddies and have learned to navigate conversations that could easily turn heated. Today, they discuss their differences and how they maintain their friendship despite their political disagreements.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

https://www.nature.com/articles/s41398-019-0496-4

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

activistheology.com/give/

2 Nashville-based activists on all that’s happening in Tennessee: Gun legislation, LGBTQ rights, #TN3, democracy

Mon, 17 Apr 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Over the last month in Nashville TN, the hope for better gun laws, LGBTQ rights and even democracy itself all seem to be on the line.

We're joined on this episode by Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza and Quinn Joy Bacon, both of whom are activists, organizers and theologians based in Nashville, Tennessee. There are a number of issues that are all at the forefront of what's been happening since 6 people were killed in a mass shooting at a school in the Nashville area. The "Tennessee 3" were engaging in nonviolent protest after the shooting when 2 of the #TN3 were expelled from their duly elected offices. That's when democracy itself became an issue at the center of what's happening there.

Roberto Che Espinoza, Ph.D. has been described in a myriad of ways: a scholar-activist, scholar-leader, thought-leader, teacher, public theologian, ethicist, poet of moral reason, and word artist. Dr. Espinoza is the founder of the Activist Theology Project which is now known as Our Collective Becoming, a Nashville-based collaborative project that seeks to work with the dominant culture and produces curriculum at the intersection of scholarship and activism. Dr. Espinoza was named one of 10 Faith Leaders to Watch by the Center for American Progress in 2018. As a scholar-activist, Dr. Espinoza is committed to translating theory to action. Dr. E writes and creates academic and other valuable resources, such as in the digital realm. He is the author of Activist Theology which came out in 2019 and his latest book Body Becoming which came out last year.

Quinn Joy Bacon is a poet, organizer, neighbor, cook, and theologian. She is a transfem abolitionist currently studying at Vanderbilt Divinity School, seeking an MDiv with concentrations in Religion, Gender, and Sexuality & Prison and Carceral Studies. At Vanderbilt, they are a member of the Queer Faith and Policy Cohort through the Carpenter Program. Quinn credits her perspective to organizing and working around abolition, housing, mental health, public education, mutual aid, and their formal/informal studies. Broadly, Quinn is interested in Abolitionist Trans Liberation Theologies, and ways church resources can aid freedom struggles. Quinn is also pursuing ordination with the PCUSA.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

robertoche.com/

activistheology.com/

robertoche.com/writing/

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/stand-up-with-pete-dominick/id1485475085

Stand Up Comic, Host and Journo-Activist Pete Dominick and Corey got in a big disagreement. But did they wanna kill each other?

Mon, 10 Apr 2023 17:01:00 -0700

For this edition, we welcome back Pete Dominick, the host of Stand Up! with Pete Dominick. In the second half of our conversation (approx. 50 minutes in), Pete and Corey discuss a major disagreement they had a few months ago. It's about whether someone who identifies with one party - Republican or Democrat - can even fathom the possibility of voting for a candidate from the other political party. It's a barn burner. Not quite like any conversation we've had on the program so far. Let us know what you think about it.

We also covered a ton of ground in the first half of this conversation. We explored how Pete got into stand up comedy, his raison d'etre, how he built his career in television and radio, what it's been like to learn podcasting and growing his show from scratch; and we also got into some current issues like the cases against Trump and what we both saw as more consequential news such as the election of a progressive state supreme court judge in Wisconsin.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

standupwithpete.com/

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

Robert Jensen, a ”Plain Radical” Author, Organizer and Emeritus Professor: ”An Attachment to Truth”

Mon, 03 Apr 2023 17:01:00 -0700

In this episode, we're joined by special co-host, writer, producer, storyteller, Kim Yaged as we speak with Emeritus Professor in the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin, Robert Jensen. Many people say they are "spiritual but not religious." Bob says he's "religious but not spiritual" - and that's just to start! He also identifies as a "good ole' lefty materialist." We discuss his radical feminist critique of the transgender movement; a broader critique of "the Left" from the left; being able to identify with a Christian tradition and yet hold disparate beliefs; what radical feminism is and why it's a gift to men; what it means to be a radical; whether revolutionary violence is ever justified; the hard questions we need to address in order to deal with the pending ecological "apocalypse"; and the price that comes with, as our co-host Kim Yaged put it, "an attachment to truth."

Robert Jensen is an emeritus professor in the School of Journalism and Media at the University of Texas at Austin and a founding board member of the Third Coast Activist Resource Center. He collaborates with New Perennials Publishing and the New Perennials Project at Middlebury College. Professor Jensen joined the UT faculty in 1992 after completing his Ph.D. in media ethics and law in the School of Journalism and Mass Communication at the University of Minnesota. Prior to his academic career, he worked as a professional journalist for a decade. At UT, he taught undergraduate and graduate courses in media law, ethics, and politics until he retired in 2018. In his writing and teaching, much of Dr. Jensen’s work has analyzed pornography and the radical feminist critique of sexuality and men’s violence, and he also has addressed questions of race through a critique of white privilege and institutionalized racism along with his recent work focusing on the ecological crises. Dr. Jensen is a prolific writer for popular media, both alternative and mainstream and is the author of many books, most recently, An Inconvenient Apocalypse: Environmental Collapse, Climate Crisis, and the Fate of Humanity along with his coauthor Wes Jackson.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

robertwjensen.org

kimyaged.com

thirdcoastactivist.org

www.newperennials.org

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

Dr. Melissa Deckman, CEO of PRRI on Growing Polarization on LGBTQ Rights; Abortion Attitudes in a Post-Roe World; Understanding the Threat of Christian Nationalism; and much more!

Mon, 27 Mar 2023 17:01:00 -0700

Our guest on this episode of TP&R is Dr. Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institutue. We dive into the nitty gritty of a number of PRRI's recent reports including More Acceptance but Growing Polarization on LGBTQ Rights (3/23/23); Abortion Attitudes in a Post-Roe World (2/23/23); A Christian Nation? Understanding the Threat of Christian Nationalism to American Democracy and Culture (2/8/23) as well as the subject her academic work and books Tea Party Women: Mama Grizzlies, Grassroots Leaders, and the Changing Face of the American Right and School Board Battles: The Christian Right in Local Politics.

Dr. Melissa Deckman is the CEO of PRRI (Public Religion Research Institute), a non-profit, non-partisan research organization dedicated to conducting independent research at the intersection of religion, culture and public policy. Formerly the Louis L. Goldstein Professor of Public Affairs at Washington College, she is a political scientist who studies the impact of gender, religion and age on public opinion and political behavior. She is currently working on a book about the seismic impact that Gen Z women will have on the future of American politics.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.prri.org

tlh.villagesquare.us/event/daryl-davis/

DARYL DAVIS: HATE, UNDONE - How 1 Black Man Befriended Members of the KKK and Nurtured Reconciliation

Mon, 20 Mar 2023 17:01:00 -0700

This is a special BONUS EPISODE of Village SquareCast. Here are the show notes from our friends at The Village Square:

"When Daryl Davis was ten, he didn’t understand hate yet. But then he was the only black scout in a parade to honor Paul Revere’s ride to Concord, when he began getting hit by bottles. It was then that he formed a question in his mind that he’s spent much of a lifetime answering: 'How can you hate me when you don’t even know me?' Failing to find his answer in books and history, as an adult and an accomplished musician, he realized who better to ask than a member of an organization formed around the premise—the KKK. So began our guest’s extraordinary story, in which a black man befriended over 200 KKK members, starting with a grand wizard. We’ll learn how his improbable, impossible, openhearted journey can light our way.

"This important programming is offered in partnership with Florida Humanities as a part of our multi-year series 'UNUM: Democracy Reignited.' Keep reading to meet our streaming partners and learn more about Mr. Davis.

"Musician and Race Reconciliator Daryl Davis, has single-handedly been the impetus for over two hundred White supremacists to renounce their ideology and turn their lives around. As a Black man, Daryl has attended more Ku Klux Klan rallies than most White people and certainly most Blacks — short of being on the wrong end of a rope. His true-life encounters with Grand Dragons, Imperial Wizards, neo-Nazi Commanders are detailed in his documentary Accidental Courtesy, and his riveting first book Klan-Destine Relationships. Daryl tours around the country and around the world performing musical concerts and giving lectures on race reconciliation, inspiring both racists and non-racists to redirect their positions toward working together to truly make America the greatest country it can be.

"We’re delighted to welcome streaming partners Braver Angels, McCourtney Institute for Democracy, National Institute for Civil Discourse, BridgeUSA, Listen First Project, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, Common Ground Committee, Civic Health Project, YOUnify, Citizen Connect, Center for the Humanities at University of Miami, Tallahassee Democrat, WFSU Public Media,and Network for Responsible Public Policy."

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

tlh.villagesquare.us

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.politicon.com/podcast-title/sisters-in-law/

Barbara McQuade: #SistersInLaw Co-Host, Law Prof. at Univ. of Michigan, Legal Analyst for NBC News, Former U.S. Attorney

Mon, 13 Mar 2023 17:01:00 -0700

In this edition, we're joined by former U.S. Attorney, Co-host of the wonderful podcast #SistersInLaw and Legal Analyst for NBC News, Barbara McQuade. We, of course, discussed prominent legal cases such as Dominion Voting's defamation case against Fox News; Moore vs. Harper, the North Carolina case pertaining to voting law that tests the "independent state legislature theory"; the numerous cases against Donald Trump and which ones should concern him the most.

We also discussed what it's like being sworn in as U.S. Attorney on the very day the infamous "underwear bomber" attempted to blow up a plane in her jurisdiction; the importance of humanizing the victims as well as the accused as an attorney; how Barb was mentored by Jennifer Granholm who was a U.S. Attorney, then Governor of Michigan and is now the Secretary of Energy in the Biden Admin.; how the Conservative Legal Movement is distinct from Trumpism; the damage that was done to our institutions, specifically the Dept. of Justice, during the Trump Admin; whether Barb is optimistic or pessimistic about the future of our country; and much more!

Barbara McQuade is a law professor at the University of Michigan, where she teaches criminal law, criminal procedure and national security law. She is also a legal analyst for NBC News and MSNBC and a co-host of the excellent podcast #SistersInLaw. From 2010 to 2017, Barbara served as the U.S Attorney for the Eastern District of Michigan. She was appointed by President Barack Obama, and was the first woman to serve in that position. Barbara also served as vice chair of the Attorney General’s Advisory Committee and co-chaired the Terrorism and National Security Subcommittee. Before becoming U.S. Attorney, she was an Assistant U.S. Attorney, practiced law in Detroit from 1993 to 1998, and served as a law clerk on the U.S. District Court for the Eastern District of Michigan. Professor McQuade graduated from the University of Michigan, then from the University of Michigan Law School and was born not too far away in Detroit, Michigan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Be sure to check out Top of Mind with Julie Rose: www.byuradio.org/topofmind

twitter.com/BarbMcQuade

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

twitter.com/JennaSpinelle

The Democracy Group’s Jenna Spinelle and Brandon Stover: Helping listeners understand what’s broken in our democracy and how to work together to fix it

Mon, 06 Mar 2023 17:01:00 -0800

What are the most pressing concerns about the future of the American experiment and Democracy around the world? How can one person impact the many complex systems going on in the world? How can we better understand what's broken in our democracy? How can we work together to fix it? In what ways can we use the emerging medium of podcasting to explore these questions and help come up with solutions? The Democracy Group is a network of podcasts that is united around the goal of answering these questions.

We're joined this week by Jenna Spinelle and Brandon Stover. Jenna is the Communications Specialist for the McCourtney Institute for Democracy at Penn State University and the Founder of the Democracy Group Podcast Network. Jenna also teaches journalism in the College of Communications at Penn State. Brandon Stover is the Network Manager of the Democracy Group, he is the host of the podcast Brandon Stover on Life, and he’s the Founder of Plato University where the mission is to help people find purpose and learn skills for social impact careers.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

www.democracygroup.org

democracy.psu.edu

www.brandonstover.com/podcast

www.plato.university

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

www.amazon.com/Pagans-Promised-Land-Christian-Discovery/dp/1555916422

Steven Newcomb, Shawnee-Lenape Scholar and Author: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery and Unmasking the Domination Code

Mon, 27 Feb 2023 17:01:00 -0800

This was an eye-opening conversation with Shawnee-Lenape Scholar and Author Steven T. Newcomb whose work examines Christendom’s legacy of domination and dehumanization that has resulted in the near destruction of thousands of years of spiritual and ecological wisdom developed by indigenous peoples and nations.

We discussed how much of the history and culture of original nations and peoples was systematically smothered and ultimately lost; how cutting a people off from their traditional teachings is a form of domination and dehumanization; how Old Testament religious concepts form a significant part of the backdrop of federal Indian law and policy; cognitive theory and what it has to do with the history of the United States and federal Indian law; how the American Enterprise (i.e. Empire) is predicated on the assumption of the right of domination at its root; the significance of the Johnson & Graham's Lessee vs. M'Intosh SCOTUS case of 1823 - "the cornerstone of property law in the U.S."; how the claim of the right of domination has become the organizing principle of the planet and much more.

Steven Newcomb has been studying and writing about U.S. federal Indian law and policy since the early 1980s, particularly the application of international law to Indigenous nations and peoples. Mr. Newcomb is the Director of the Indigenous Law Institute, the author of Pagans in the Promised Land: Decoding the Doctrine of Christian Discovery, and the co-producer of the documentary “The Doctrine of Discovery: Unmasking the Domination Code.” Mr. Newcomb has worked on Indigenous Peoples issues at the United Nations for twenty years. His work has been published by Wiley-Blackwell of Oxford, NYU School of Law, Fulcrum Publishing, UCLA School of Law, and the Griffith School of Law in Australia. In May 2016, Mr. Newcomb met Pope Francis at St. Peter’s Square and Archbishop Tomasi at the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace regarding the papal bulls of the fifteenth century.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

vimeo.com/ondemand/dominationcode

originalfreenations.com

www.researchgate.net/publication/368661824_Redthought_Event_200_Years_Since_the_Origin_of_Federal_Indian_Law

www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion

twitter.com/LanaeErickson

Lanae Erickson, SVP of Social Policy, Education and Politics at Third Way: Making pragmatic progress on important issues that’s sustainable

Mon, 20 Feb 2023 17:01:00 -0800

Our guest on this episode is Lanae Erickson, SVP at Third Way, a national think tank that champions modern center-left ideas. What does it mean to be a pragmatic progressive? How can our country make pragmatic progress on important issues that's actually sustainable: Whether it's immigration, clean energy, the economy, higher education, gun safety or other social issues? Why do so many elected officials and activists treat issues most often as an all or nothing proposition? Has the Biden Administration achieved any major accomplishments? (Spoiler alert: Uh, yeah. And not so coincidentally, most of those legislative accomplishments were negotiated with bipartisan participation.) Is all compromise good? How did certain Democrats lose in Congressional districts Biden won (Eg. CA27, a Biden +12 district)? What does the current makeup of the Democratic Party look like? What about the Republican Party? Which Party is beholden to its extremist wings and which Party is led by a more pragmatic approach?

As Senior Vice President for Social Policy & Politics at Third Way, Lanae tackles hot-button issues like immigration, abortion, religious liberty, education and guns. Previously, Lanae served as a member of President Obama’s Advisory Council on Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships. She was also Legislative Counsel at Alliance for Justice and before that, at the Legal Rights Center and the Center for Victims of Torture. Lanae’s commentary has been featured in The Washington Post, The New York Times, USA Today, Politico and PBS NewsHour among other outlets. She has also appeared on NPR, Fox News, CSPAN’s Washington Journal, CNN, Bloomberg Television and is a regular contributor to one of our favorite podcasts Politicology! Lanae is also the principal second violinist in DC’s Capital City Symphony.

www.thirdway.org

www.ourcollectivebecoming.com

Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza: Transqueer Activist | Latinx Scholar | Politicized Theologian | Public Ethicist

Mon, 13 Feb 2023 16:51:36 -0800

Are you interested in a shared future among people of vast differences? There is so much to unpack in this conversation with Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza. Here are just a few of the concepts we touched upon: While the nature of God doesn't change, the nature of thought about the idea of God changes - eg. the color of the historical Jesus's skin (he has been depicted most frequently as white when history indicates he was a darker skinned Middle Easterner). What does it mean to "decolonize knowledge production"? How do we as a culture know things (i.e. epistemology)? Where are there gaps or "ruptures" in what we know and how we as a culture know things? We discuss Dr. E's involvement in the response to the Unite the Right rally in Charlottesville, VA in 2017: "Organizing a response to white Supremacy is a big job." We also learned a bit more about the very real threats and attacks he's had to endure from influential figures such as worship leader Sean Feucht and Matt Walsh (@mattwalshblog, 1.3 mil. followers) as well as the Proud Boys. We discussed the fact that "...we have been socialized to reject difference" and how to overcome that disposition. We also explored whether there are people who hold beliefs and views that, by virtue of those beliefs, would render them beyond "en conjunto" - a desire to come together across our differences? We talked about being queer - whether it's an identity or an orientation. How do we engage effectively with those who'd impose their worldview on the rest of us - a worldview that assumes the mantle of owning the exclusive rights to what's "true" and "good"? And that's just the tip of the iceberg!

Dr. Roberto Che Espinoza is a TransQueer Latinx, Activist Scholar, Politicized Theologian and Public Ethicist. Dr. Roberto is the founder of Activist Theology Project which is emerging as Our Collective Becoming, a collaborative team passionate about a commitment to the ethics and politics of en conjunto (togetherness). Our Collective Becoming is a group of politicized theologians and healers, social change agents, and strategy-minded people in the hybrid space of the church, social change, and the academy. Dr. Roberto has spent two decades working on DEIB movements and initiatives focused on new concepts of being and becoming, and decolonizing knowledge production. Most importantly translating theory into action. And Dr. Roberto is a prolific podcaster and writer, most recently of his important latest book Body Becoming: A Path to Liberation. And Dr. E also has a profound Ted Talk that dropped on 2/7/23.

https://robertoche.com/

www.indiebound.org/book/9781506473574

www.youtube.com/watch?v=O6LV2KRU40g&t=1s

https://www.neighborlyfaith.org/evangelicals-politics-report

Kevin Singer, President of Neighborly Faith: What does it mean to have a neighborly faith in an increasingly diverse world?

Mon, 06 Feb 2023 17:18:00 -0800

We had a ton of questions for Kevin Singer, President of Neighborly Faith which conducts research and organizes events “introducing Christians to neighbors of every faith.” For example, considering Kevin has Jewish relatives, were there ever discussions about Jewish people's cultural allergy to proselytization and ways that American Evangelicals - perhaps unknowingly - cross that line? How does Neighborly Faith go about "train(ing) tomorrow's leaders to be faithful and flourish in an increasingly diverse world” and “knowing and serving all of our neighbors.” Is it an Evangelical bait and switch? Yaqeen Institute founder Imam Omar Suleiman said at one of NF's events, “I was and am fine with his (SBC President JD Greear) vision of the hereafter not having space for me, so long as it doesn’t become an obstacle to me having space in the here and now.” Is that part of the point of the work Neighborly Faith does? We also discussed where folks that are part of GenZ find meaning as individuals and within communities compared to previous generations?

Kevin was raised at the intersection of his mother’s Evangelical faith and his father’s Reform Jewish roots. He earned graduate degrees in Theology from Wheaton College and Higher Ed from NC State. Kevin has extensive teaching and leadership experience in churches, campus ministries, and colleges. He planted two churches with the North American Mission Board (2009-14) and is also head of Media Relations and PR at Springtide Research Institute. Kevin is a prolific writer with placements in Christianity Today, Religion News, Washington Post, Chicago Tribune, Psychology Today, InsideHigherEd, and more.

www.neighborlyfaith.org

www.rabbimichaelharvey.com

Rabbi Mike Harvey - Bestselling Author of LET’S TALK: A RABBI SPEAKS TO CHRISTIANS

Mon, 30 Jan 2023 17:18:00 -0800

One look at the title of Rabbi Mike's book and one could understand why we loved having him on the pod! With a special return visit from Ronnie Nathan as co-host, we had a great conversation. But here's the thing, if you're one of those folks who goes by the phrase, "God said it, I believe it, that settles it" - you're gonna hate this conversation! (Oh and, bless your heart.) Aside from that, we covered a lot of ground. For example, it's okay to question the Bible and wrestle with the idea of God. A rabbi said so! We explored how the Gospels can be interpreted as anti-Jewish. We also discussed whether a Jew could believe in Jesus as the Messiah and still be Jewish.

Rabbi Michael E. Harvey is the Amazon bestselling author of Let’s Talk: A Rabbi Speaks to Christians. An ordained rabbi, he has led congregations and served as a hospital chaplain. Rabbi Mike is passionate about social justice, interfaith cooperation, and bringing deep Jewish learning to the lay public. He has followed these passions in serving his community, including founding and directing the Interfaith Council of the Caribbean as well as directing the Interfaith Leaders of Greater Lafayette. He also serves on the rabbinic advisory council of the American Jewish Archives. When he isn’t writing, Rabbi Mike can be found building community and offering a listening ear in a different kind of congregation: as a bartender in Indiana.

www.rabbimichaelharvey.com/buy-the-book

twitter.com/RabbiHarvey

linktr.ee/joewalshfreedom

Former U.S. Congressman Joe Walsh - From Tea Party Firebrand to Woke Never-Trumper

Mon, 23 Jan 2023 18:06:33 -0800

Joe Walsh came back for another visit on our program and we covered a lot of ground! Can we share space with folks who have different beliefs than we do - even if they've said some egregious things in the past? If there's a line, where is that line? What does it mean to be a conservative? Is Donald Trump a real conservative? Is Ron DeSantis a conservative? What is a recipe for success for today's conservative media personalities? Is there a trick to their trade? What are effective ways of engaging folks who are still in the MAGA world? Oh, and we get pretty deep into religion too! How did studying the craft of acting prepare Joe for his future jobs as a social worker, an elected official and a radio host? What the hell is wrong in our politics and our country? Most importantly, how do we fix it? And, for the record, Helene Miller Walsh would absolutely get my vote if she ran for office!

Joe Walsh is a former U.S. Congressman, a former Presidential candidate, a nationally syndicated radio host (once dubbed “the next Rush Limbaugh), but now a man whose personal mission is to LISTEN. With his growing podcast, WHITE FLAG with JOE WALSH, he surrenders the urge to fight and strives to find a path to unite, not divide. Joe is also the author of F*ck Silence: Calling Trump Out for the Cultish, Moronic, Authoritarian Con Man He Is. He is a former Tea Party firebrand turned woke never-Trumper. He is also definitely a guy who strives to have meaningful conversations with folks from across the spectrum and yearns to give voice to so many who are somewhere in the middle.

twitter.com/WalshFreedom

pod.link/1590913798

www.washingtonpost.com/people/philip-bump

Philip Bump - THE LAST DAYS OF THE BABY BOOM AND THE FUTURE OF POWER IN AMERICA

Mon, 16 Jan 2023 17:18:00 -0800

If you love charts, data and data analysis, you'll love this conversation. And you'll definitely love this week's guest, Washington Post national columnist Philip Bump's new book THE AFTERMATH about "the Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America." Our conversation covers a lot of ground including how Philip responds to stupidity in politics while still being fair and holding on to the core principles of accuracy and honesty; whether good journalists are merely "preaching to the choir" or actually persuading anyone; what the Baby Boom is and how outsized their influence is - politically and economically; whether social security is really going to run out with all the Boomers drawing on social security; what the demographic differences are between Boomers and other generations; why 4 in 10 Trump voters don't even know anyone who voted for Biden and vice versa; what trends we can reasonably expect as Boomers continue to age; and much more.

Philip Bump is a national columnist for The Washington Post; before that he led political coverage for The Atlantic Wire. One of the paper’s most read writers, he focusses on the data behind polls and political rhetoric. He has been on most major media outlets, from MSNBC’s “Morning Joe” to Fox News’s “Special Report,” and on NPR and PBS. His first book, The Aftermath: The Last Days of the Baby Boom and the Future of Power in America, looks at the overlap of the end of the baby boom and the upheaval in American politics and the U.S. economy.

www.pbump.com

post.news/@pbump

twitter.com/pbump

twitter.com/lucymcaldwell

Lucy Caldwell - Tech Founder, Political Strategist and CNN, Fox News, Fox Business, and NPR Contributor, at the intersection of tech, politics and advocacy

Mon, 09 Jan 2023 17:18:00 -0800

This is a fun conversation with tech founder and political strategist, Lucy Caldwell.

What causes some issues or politicians to have a "moment" and some others to just die on the vine? How similar is opening a major motion picture with running a political campaign? Can a case be made for open primaries and ranked-choice voting? How can one explain an elected official acting like an extremist while "representing" a purple district? Does it all come down to "algorithm politics"? What is the definition of "memetic candidates" and how bad are they for our politics? Oh, and there is some good advice for Kyrsten Sinema; a hot take or two on Sarah Palin; and some cool stories about running a presidential campaign.

Lucy Caldwell has charted a renowned career in the private & public sectors, in politics and tech. She notably served as former Congressman Joe Walsh’s campaign manager during his Presidential primary challenge against Trump and formed Mockingbird Lab to get issue-advocacy organizations to shift towards data-driven tactics. Until 2019, Lucy served as the Chief Strategy Officer & EVP at Crowdskout when the company was named the Best Advocacy Technology Platform by Campaigns & Elections Magazine. You probably recognize Lucy from her appearances on CNN, Fox News, Fox Business, and NPR or as a regular contributor on one of our favorite podcasts Politicology.

https://www.politicsandreligion.us/

Our Mishpachah (Family) - The story of our ”mishpachah” emigrating from the ”shtetl” in Eastern Europe and building a new life in America

Mon, 02 Jan 2023 17:18:00 -0800

This is a special episode with Corey's cousins, the Warshawskys. Sheila, Allan, Deena and Jonathan join the pod to recount how our family had to flee Cherny Ostriv, Ukraine (then part of the Russian Empire) in 1920, travel across Europe and finally arrive in America on March 3, 1921.

It's possible that the Blicks and Krivals had been in that region for as long as 1,000 years. So what were the circumstances that led to the family's decision to leave the area where they had such deep roots? What was the trip across Europe and then the Atlantic like? How did the family re-establish itself in Newark, NJ and Brooklyn, NY? Then later (1979), what went into the decision on the part of the Warshawski cousins to make "aliyah" to Israel?

And, oh yes, we do talk about politics! Trump and Bibi Netanyahu and some other issues come up in our conversation. There's even some disagreement just to keep it fun!

BONUS EPISODE: The Struggle Is Real with Justin Peters and special guest Corey Nathan

Mon, 26 Dec 2022 17:18:00 -0800

This is a special episode of TP&R. We're sharing an interview Justin Peters did with Corey Nathan on Justin's excellent podcast The Struggle Is Real.

Here are the show notes from the original airing on The Struggle Is Real:

Title: How to Talk Politics and Religion Without Killing Each Other | E55 Corey Nathan

Description:

I’ve dreaded some recent get-togethers knowing argumentative political conversations are going to be on the agenda and for quite some time, I’ve taken the approach that it is better to avoid these conversations by staying quiet and giving a friendly nod.

That line of thinking is changing for me now. Avoiding participation in these conversations is forgoing the opportunity to learn something new, and maybe even change my mind. Along with that, if I’m not taking the time or initiative to understand someone else’s point of view, I’m only reinforcing the current state of divisiveness between these binary camps of blue and red.

I invited Corey Nathan on the podcast to give us inspiration on how this could be done right. He shares his personal story of making amends with his dad when he decided to leave the Jewish faith.

In the second half of this episode, Corey shares some basic communication skills to help us have more enabling conversations. Some of my favorites include the feel, felt, found framework, the phrase “help me understand”, and changing our mindset from competition to collaboration.

I hope you enjoy my conversation with the stockbroker by day, theater guy by night, Jew from Jersey that became a Christian, and the host of the incredible podcast, Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other…Corey Nathan.

More of Corey:

Podcast: Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

Instagram: @tpandrpod

More of TSIR:

Find show notes and more at https://www.tsirpodcast.com/

Christine Todd Whitman: Former Governor of New Jersey and Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency

Tue, 20 Dec 2022 12:18:00 -0800

Happy to share some of our favorite conversations from this last year. Subsequent to our talk with Christie Whitman, the former Republican Governor of New Jersey has gone on to join the Forward Party as Co-Chair along with former Democratic Presidential Candidate Andrew Yang.

In this conversation with Christine Todd Whitman, the former Governor (of the best state in the union!) and Cabinet Member, we talk about how she started her career in politics by going around the country and actually listening to people. Imagine that! We also discussed how she was able to achieve bipartisan collaboration during her 2 terms as governor of New Jersey; an assessment of how the Biden Administration is doing on climate initiatives; other achievable actions that can have a positive effect on the environment; what she's doing to resist the danger posed by candidates who are brazenly anti-democracy; the encouraging work of States United Democracy Center - "more than a think tank... an action tank"; a sober warning about current governors who are deploying the tactics of dictators; her experience with Donald Trump back when he was screwing over small contractors who built his casinos in New Jersey; and we even get to talk about religion!

Christine Todd Whitman is the Co-Founder and Co-Chair of the States United Democracy Center and she is the President of The Whitman Strategy Group. Governor Whitman served in the cabinet of President George W. Bush as Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency and was the 50th Governor of the State of New Jersey, serving as its first woman governor. Governor Whitman also serves a number of non-profit organizations including as Chairman of the American Security Project, Vice-Chairman of the Trustees of the Eisenhower Fellowships and Advisor on Renew America Movement. Among quite a few other non-profits and causes, she was co-chair of the Commission on the Rule of Law and Democracy at the Brennan Center at New York University. Also during the 2020 election cycle she served as Chair of Republicans and Independents for Biden. And on top of all of that, she is the author of a New York Times best seller called It’s My Party Too: Taking Back the Republican Party... And Bringing the Country Together Again.

statesuniteddemocracy.org

whitmanstrategygroup.com

renewamericamovement.com

https://post.news/coreysnathan

Monica Guzman: How To Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times

Sun, 11 Dec 2022 18:00:00 -0800

https://braverangels.org/

https://www.moniguzman.com/

https://www.moniguzman.com/book

www.dcpofficial.com/democracy-ish

BONUS EPISODE: ”Bridge Building and Bipartisanship” on Village SquareCast featuring Liz Joyner, Pearce Godwin and Kristen Hansen

Sun, 04 Dec 2022 18:00:00 -0800

This is a special bonus episode we're sharing of the Village SquareCast. The panel is titled Bridge Building and Bipartisanship.

Bridge building?! (We’re not talking about the Golden Gate, people.) An industry that was recently unknown and almost nonexistent has exploded in recent years, as average citizens begin to see the sharp growth in political divisions as an emergency that requires our attention. In the midst of a divisive election season, we’ll take a pause to chat with leaders in the bridge building field about the outlook for cooperation across political differences and potential improvements on the horizon that we can all reach for.

Is there hope of a tipping point where bridge-building is more prominent than the divide-and-(attempt to)-conquer approach of late? Might average Americans like our heroic guests and listeners have to roll up their sleeves and show our politicians the way?

Speaking of the politicians: stay tuned until the end to learn about the Common Ground Scorecard where you can find out which candidates on your ballot are interested in bridging divides. #Mavericks

Joining the conversation are Pearce Godwin, Founder & CEO of Listen First Project; Kristin Hansen, Executive Director of Civic Health Project; and Liz Joyner, Founder and President of The Village Square.

Listen First Project leads the collaborative movement to heal America by bridging divides. They elevate the impact, visibility, and voice of the bridge-building field by aggregating, aligning, and amplifying the efforts of 500 #ListenFirst Coalition partner organizations into large scale, national campaigns and strategies. Together these organizations transform division and contempt into connection and understanding.

Civic Health Project is dedicated to reducing America’s toxic partisan polarization and enabling healthier public discourse and decision-making across our citizenry, politics, and media. Through grantmaking, advocacy, and convenings, Civic Health Project supports the most promising research and interventions to reduce political division and foster social cohesion across the country.

This episode is part of The Democracy Group’s 2022 Midterm Series.

Wajahat Ali - GO BACK TO WHERE YOU CAME FROM: AND, OTHER HELPFUL RECOMMENDATIONS ON BECOMING AMERICAN

Sun, 27 Nov 2022 18:00:00 -0800

In this coversation with columnist, public speaker, recovering attorney and playwright, Wajahat Ali, we discuss what it's like to live in a country you love that doesn't always love you back; representation and how often different folks are portrayed as invisible, the sidekick, the punchline or the villain; how it was to be the only Muslim kid going to a Jesuit Catholic H.S.; seeing the common values and stories in both the Bible and the Koran; what it was like, as a Muslim who was born here and grew up here, after 9/11; the dangers in turning our prophets into nothing more than mascots; the tendency to "sell Jesus" with the selling points being the promise of having white teeth, a mansion and a yacht; and so much more.

Wajahat Ali is a Daily Beast columnist and co-host of the excellent podcast democracy-ish. His first book Go Back To Where You Came From: And, Other Helpful Recommendations on Becoming American was published in January of 2022. He is all about sharing stories that are by us, for everyone: universal narratives told through a culturally specific lens to entertain, educate and bridge the global divides. You may have seen or heard Wajahat on television and podcasts for his brilliant, incisive, and witty political commentary. His essays, interviews, and reporting have appeared in The New York Times, The Atlantic, The Washington Post, Guardian, and New York Review of Books.

www.wajali.com/

www.amazon.com/dp/0393867978/

What did we get right (and wrong) about the Midterms? What does it all mean for our Democratic Republic? And looking ahead with Lori Adams-Brown and Will Wright

Sun, 20 Nov 2022 18:00:00 -0800

In this roundtable discussion, we're joined by two friends of the pod, Lori Adams-Brown of A World of Difference and Will Wright of Faithful Politics. We discuss what we got right (and wrong) about the Midterms? What does it all mean for our Democracy? And we begin to take a look ahead to the coming legislative session as well as to 2024.

Lori Adams-Brown is a combination of international speaker, business executive, podcaster and relief and development expert. She hosts the popular podcast A World of Difference, celebrating humanity’s unique differences and encouraging us all to make a difference around the world. Since growing up in international schools in Costa Rica and Venezuela, Lori has spent her career working in Indonesia, Singapore and the San Francisco Bay Area. She worked in disaster relief in the 2004 Indonesian tsunami where she consulted with the UN coordination efforts, and she has spoken to audiences in Singapore, Indonesia, Brunei, Thailand, Malaysia, Venezuela and around the US. Lori speaks 6 languages, and serves on the board of Justice Revival, and volunteers to help resettle Afghan refugees in the SF Bay Area.

Will Wright has been interested in politics his whole life. He elected not to run for any office because in the third grade his teacher told him that Black people could never be president (true story). But in 2001 after the world trade center towers collapsed, Will felt the need to do something, so he enlisted in the United States Army as an Infantryman. His unit was one of the initial pushes into the streets of Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom. After leaving the service, Will traveled the world as a consultant which is where he really experienced how the world works and got the idea to start a podcast that centers around faith and politics. His political leanings tend to favor Democratic policies, but he has voted for Democrats, Libertarians, and Republicans. He wishes that problems could be fixed by civil dialogue, and hopes his podcast - which is called Faithful Politics - can exemplify what that conversation can look like in the world.

https://a-world-of-difference.captivate.fm

www.faithfulpoliticspodcast.com

https://justicerevival.org

Robert Draper - WEAPONS OF MASS DELUSION: WHEN THE REPUBLICAN PARTY LOST ITS MIND

Sun, 13 Nov 2022 18:00:00 -0800

Robert Draper is a contributing writer for the New York Times Magazine and National Geographic Magazine. He is the author of several books, including the New York Times bestseller, Dead Certain: The Presidency of George W. Bush and his latest book Weapons of Mass Delusion: When the Republican Party Lost Its Mind.

In this episode we explore a number of pressing questions: What are some characteristics of the "mass delusion" that currently plagues our country? Who is a part of it? Who's responsible for it? Will the results of these midterms start to dissipate the MAGA movement? How could Republican leaders and Republican candidates manage to win in primaries and keep the MAGA base without turning off the general electorate? Is it even possible? Where did this notion begin and who is perpetuating the idea that Democrats are bad people and possibly even evil? As a journalist who'd been to war zones all over the world, what was it like to witness first hand the events of January 6th? What are the beliefs and motivations that drive people to participate in the kind of violence that occurred on that day? What were some of the revelations and conclusions that came out of Robert's dinner with MTG? Trump isn't the world's greatest deal maker afterall (go figure). But which two great deals did he make that can explain his takeover of the Republican Party? What was it like getting to know a leader affiliated with the Oath Keepers? Many of the answers to these questions may be very surprising.

www.nytimes.com/by/robert-draper

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688795/weapons-of-mass-delusion-by-robert-draper/

twitter.com/DraperRobert

twitter.com/DecisionDeskHQ

Decision Desk HQ Senior Data Scientist, Kiel Williams on the races to watch and how to process all the information around our elections

Sun, 06 Nov 2022 18:00:00 -0800

Which states are the bellwethers in the upcoming election? Which states will give the clearest indication of the direction of the House and Senate? Who is showing up to vote that pollsters weren't expecting? And how will those voters who aren't considered "likely voters" change the results? How does a firm like Decision Desk HQ gather the information needed to make election calls as quickly as they do? (Answer: There are 50 states with 50 different ways to get the information.) What is a model? How are election models different from polls? What factors are considered to develop a model? What are some of the differences between DDHQ's model and other models such as fivethirtyeight's? How should we look at projections? We explore these questions and more with DDHQ's Senior Data Scientist Kiel Williams.

Kiel Williams is a Senior Data Scientist at Decision Desk HQ. Decision Desk HQ collects, organizes, and reports election night results and provides election related data to media outlets, political organizations, and anyone interested in who votes and how they voted. Kiel specifically performs electoral analysis, polling and manages data operations at DDHQ. Kyle has an undergraduate degree in physics and math from Guilford College and earned his PhD in physics from the University of Illinois, Urbana Champaign.

decisiondeskhq.com/

twitter.com/KielTWilliams

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

David Clary, Author of SOUL WINNERS: The Ascent of America’s Evangelical Entrepreneurs

Sun, 30 Oct 2022 18:00:00 -0700

What is an "Evangelical Entrepreneur"? There is a long history of Evangelical Entrepreneurs in this country. We trace a long line of leading figures from the likes of Dwight L. Moody to Billy Sunday to Billy Graham and Jerry Falwell to Paula White and Robert Jeffress. Are there common themes and grievances in the messages of these leaders that we're still hearing today? What are some of the hallmarks of Evangelicalism that led to its close alignment with the Republican Party? What do Evangelicals see in Donald Trump? We explore all that and more in this conversation with David Clary.

David Clary is an award-winning author and news editor at The San Diego Union-Tribune. Clary’s latest book is Soul Winners: The Ascent of America’s Evangelical Entrepreneurs, which we discuss at length in this episode. David's previous book, Gangsters to Governors: The New Bosses of Gambling in America, explores how and why states have encouraged and promoted the expansion of legalized gambling in America. Interestingly, that book was cited five times in the U.S. Supreme Court’s majority opinion that struck down the federal ban on sports gambling in May 2018. Before joining the Union-Tribune in 2002, David worked in a variety of editing and design roles at The Plain Dealer in Cleveland. He is a native of Central New York and studied Journalism and PoliSci at Syracuse University.

www.davidclaryauthor.com/

julieroys.com/

https://lincolnproject.us/

Stuart Stevens, Senior Advisor at the Lincoln Project and Author of IT WAS ALL A LIE: HOW THE REPUBLICAN PARTY BECAME DONALD TRUMP

Sun, 23 Oct 2022 18:00:00 -0700

We're joined by Lincoln Project Sr. Advisor Stuart Stevens and cover a lot of ground. What have been the 2 dominant genes of the Republican Party going back to post-WWII? And which one won? What does the guy who got more Republican politicians elected than just about anybody think of the state of the Party? What was the 2016 election really about? What are all the baseless claims of election fraud in 2020 really about? How do modern democracies die? How can the Republican Party be cured of all that is wrong with it? What has the Lincoln Project done to address the issues that arose at the end of 2020 and early 2021? What is the Lincoln Project doing now to save our democracy?

Stuart Stevens is a seventh generation Mississippian who has been driven by a fascination and love of politics, film, and writing and has pursued those interests throughout his life. Stuart did a lot of school, having attended Oxford; Middlebury College, UCLA Film School’s MFA program, and the American Film Institute. He is the author of eight books including his latest, published in 2020, It Was All a Lie: How the Republican Party Became Donald Trump. His work has appeared in The New York Times, The Washington Post and Esquire, among other publications. He has written extensively for television shows, including Northern Exposure, Commander in Chief, and K Street. For twenty-five years, he was the lead strategist and media consultant for some of the nation’s toughest political campaigns including 5 presidential campaigns. In 4 of those campaigns, his candidate became the nominee. And in 2 of them, they won "the big enchilada". Stuart's had a long time interest in endurance sports which, as he says, he pursues badly. Stuart has been a Senior Advisor with the Lincoln Project since 2020.

https://www.stuartstevens.com/

https://twitter.com/stuartpstevens

bit.ly/itwasallalie

https://jacquijlewis.com/

Rev. Dr. Jacqui Lewis - Fierce Love: A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World

Sun, 16 Oct 2022 18:00:00 -0700

Hopefully this conversation with Reverend Dr. Jacqui Lewis will be as much of a gift to you as it was for me. We explored some deep questions like, What was the failure of the people of Israel around the time of Yeshua ben Yosef? Is our own generation also failing Jesus as Messiah? What does it mean to be a "drum major for peace"? What is the church's culpability in racism? What is ubiquitously God's call on our life - whether we're Muslim, Jewish, Christian, Bantu, Sikh, or any other faith? What does it mean to be a theologian in residence in one's own life?

The REV. DR. JACQUI LEWIS is Senior Minister and Minister for Vision, Worship, and the Arts at Middle Collegiate Church, a church that was founded in 1628 and one of the oldest continuous Protestant congregations in North America; and she is Executive Director and Co-Founder of The Middle Project which, along with Middle Church, hosted fifteen annual conferences to train faith leaders to combat racism, poverty and bigotry by growing multiethnic congregations that work for justice. Rev. Dr. Lewis is a prolific author, her latest book teaches us how to love the hell out of the world. It’s called Fierce Love: A Bold Path to Ferocious Courage and Rule-Breaking Kindness That Can Heal the World.

https://www.middlechurch.org/

https://www.middleproject.org/

https://jacquijlewis.com/fierce-love/

https://twitter.com/RevJacquiLewis

https://www.instagram.com/revjacquilewis/

https://twitter.com/JoeTrippi

Joe Trippi and Mike Madrid, one of the best Democratic and one of the best Republican strategists on the state of our democracy, the 2022 Midterms and beyond

Sun, 09 Oct 2022 18:00:00 -0700

If you're a political junkie like me, this conversation will knock your socks off! Joe Trippi and Mike Madrid, one long time Democratic strategist, one long time Republican strategist discuss how DEMOCRACY IS ON THE BALLOT (and how 67% of BOTH Republicans and Democrats believe this). We also get into how candidates who have huge scandals (clears throat... did someone say "Herschel Walker"?) are able to stay in their races (and sometimes even get a bump!); what a "Bannon line" voter is and how to win them; where the real tossup races are in the House and Senate; what happened to the party that used to stand up to Russia that's now an extension of Putin's propoganda operation; what the most important hidden metric is that no one is paying attention to (Hint: It's neither the generic ballot nor presidential approval); what the best political strategists in the country are doing at this stage of the campaign; and much, much more!

Many know Joe Trippi from his excellent podcast, That Trippi Show. Joe’s been running political campaigns at every level in U.S. politics and even internationally, starting in city politics in Northern California and then jumping into the big leagues on Ted Kennedy’s campaign for the Democratic nomination for President in 1980. Joe’s also been involved in some groundbreaking “bottom up” strategies along the way like when he ran Governor Howard Dean’s grassroots presidential campaign in 2004. More recently, he helped Doug Jones, a Democrat, win the Alabama Senate seat, the first Democrat to get elected to the Senate in Alabama in decades. Joe has also joined Lincoln Project to "build a pro-democracy coalition."

Mike Madrid is a national political strategist, an expert in demographics and Latino politics. Mike’s academic work on Latino politics became the foundation for groundbreaking communications and outreach strategies in California, Texas, Florida and nationwide. Later, Mike was a co-founder of the Lincoln Project which played a significant part in defeating Donald Trump. Mike also lectures on race, class and partisanship at USC and he’s a regular contributor on one of our favorite programs Politicology with Ron Steslow. He is the co-host of the excellent and timely podcast The Latino Vote along with Chuck Rocha. Mike also hosts the program Mike Drop on the CallIn app which is then released as a podcast. And most notably, Mike Madrid is the first guest ever to score a hat trick on the TP&R pod!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-trippi-show/id1523896927

https://twitter.com/madrid_mike

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-latino-vote/id1613279254

https://www.callin.com/show/mike-drop-WBRuydpbns

Voice of Freedom - www.youtube.com/watch?v=sV9UY_8qABY

Catherine Manfre, author of the new book NOT THERE YET, joins ”the Voice of Freedom” while living through revolution in Egypt and seeing parallels in the U.S.

Sun, 02 Oct 2022 17:35:07 -0700

In this conversation with Catherine Manfre, author of the new book Not There Yet: Living Through Egypt, Love and Uncertainty, we discuss how 9/11 shaped Catherine and changed the course of her life; the importance of being an ally against bigotry even in moments when no one else is watching; how to confront prejudice in more productive, persuasive ways; strong women leaders in Egypt who lead their own movement; when the systems that are supposed to be established for justice fail us; how often women need to put their lives and their bodies on the line for what is right (not just in Egypt and the U.S., but in the protests in Iran today); having lived through the revolution in Egypt in 2011, how the events here in the States after the 2020 election leading up to Jan. 6th and beyond really hit hard; how the government in Egypt would use tactics like manipulating the media, finding scapegoats real or imagined, and sparking political violence and how there's an eerie similarity to what some leaders and elected officials have resorted to here in the States; and that if we can't find common ground, it's going to be difficult for us to get through life together as one united country.

Catherine Manfre is a business and strategy advisor and consultant with an MBA from the University of Virginia, Darden School of Business and a BA in Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies from NYU. She has advised private and public sector organizations on a range of business and management challenges and is passionate about solving the hardest, most difficult problems. She lived in Cairo, Egypt for four years where she learned Arabic, met her husband, and became an Egyptian street food connoisseur.

www.amazon.com/Not-There-Yet-Through-Uncertainty-ebook/dp/B0BDQQTV6P

Reed Howard of the Millennial Action Project: Being a True Conservative in the Age of Trump and How to Create Space for Cross-partisan Conversations

Sun, 25 Sep 2022 18:00:00 -0700

In this conversation with Reed Howard of the Millennial Action Project we discuss his experience as a millennial who identified as a Republican but then had to figure out how he could move forward in his party in the age of Trump; going to divinity school to study why evangelical voters were so drawn to Donald Trump; the perils of making politics one's religion; how elite level communications tell people how to think and feel about important issues like abortion, same sex marriage and even democracy itself; creating space to have cross-partisan conversations; what Reed really thinks of 3rd party efforts; his concern that if Republicans abandon the Republican Party, it will result in more illiberalism and more of a threat; how folks can get involved in campaigns and their political party; and methods of talking to persuadable voters about supporting candidates and issues they haven't supported in the past.

Reed Howard is the Senior Director of Communications at the Millennial Action Project, which activates young leaders to bridge the partisan divide and transform American politics. Reed is a strategist and practitioner at the intersection of democracy reform, cross-partisan politics, and faith who has advised the nation’s leading nonprofits, political organizations, and public figures on how to engage America’s young people across the political spectrum. Reed led communications at Georgetown’s Institute of Politics and Public Service. He worked with Joe Biden’s 2020 presidential campaign to reach Republican voters; he is a member of the American Enterprise Institute’s Millennial Leadership Network, the Board of Directors for Republican Women for Progress, and the senior leadership team of Principles First. He served as a minister at Central United Methodist Church in downtown Atlanta, and currently serves as a chaplain-in-residence at Georgetown University.

https://twitter.com/ReedHowardVA

https://www.millennialaction.org/

https://twitter.com/MActionProject

https://www.nationalaffairs.com/publications/detail/the-future-is-faction

Christy Smith is running for democracy and to unseat MAGA Republican Mike Garcia in U.S. House District CA27

Sun, 11 Sep 2022 18:00:00 -0700

Christy Smith is campaigning to represent CA27 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The current Congressman, Republican Mike Garcia won the district in 2020 by 333 votes out of over 340,000 that were cast. Yet Mike’s voting record and public statements while in office have represented only the most extreme MAGA fringe and not the entirety of this very purple district.

In this conversation with Christy, we discuss a wide range of issues from saving our democratic institutions to student debt relief, environmental issues to education, and we even discuss her position on providing police and first responders with the resources they need. We also discussed the politics of 2022 including how it's different campaigning this year vs. 2020; Christy shares how she's connecting with folks such as college-educated women in her district, many of whom have never voted for a Democrat before; she also specifies ways she's reaching out to another important constituency of CA27, Latinos; and we talk candidly about how her opponent Mike Garcia, despite his campaign promises to be a moderate, has actually governed as an extremist kowtowing only to the MAGA fringe of his Party.

Christy has a long track record in public service in the district she hopes to represent in Congress. While serving in the CA State Assembly, Christy authored nine bills which became law focusing on education reform, homeowner protections, college affordability, good governance and protection for victims of human trafficking. Prior to the State Assembly, Christy served two terms as a Governing Board Member of the Newhall School District, notably helping to secure $60 million in resources for facility and technology upgrades for the school district. It’s also worth noting that Christy graduated high school in Santa Clarita, went to College of the Canyons (before graduating from UCLA) and has also raised a family in the Santa Clarita Valley.

https://www.christyforcongress.org/

https://twitter.com/ChristySmithCA

https://www.politicsandreligion.us

https://freedomroad.us/category/freedom-road-podcast/

BONUS EPISODE: Freedom Road Podcast with host, Lisa Sharon Harper and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III - The Vote

Thu, 08 Sep 2022 11:24:36 -0700

This is a bonus TP&R episode of Freedom Road Podcast with our friend and colleague Lisa Sharon Harper and her guest the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III.

Listen in as Lisa Sharon Harper and Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III do this deep dive on the meaning of and the hunger for the unfettered right to vote in the United States of America.

Freedom Road Podcast brings together national faith leaders, advocates, and front-lines activists for candid conversations about the pressing issues of our times.

Lisa Sharon Harper leads trainings that increase clergy and community leaders’ capacity to organize people of faith toward a just world. A prolific speaker, writer and activist, Ms. Harper is the founder and president of FreedomRoad.us, a consulting group dedicated to shrinking the narrative gap in our nation by designing forums and experiences that bring common understanding, common commitment and common action.

With civil rights advocacy in his DNA, Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III built his ministry on community advancement and social justice activism. As Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, Illinois, Dr. Moss spent the last two decades practicing and preaching a Black theology that unapologetically calls attention to the problems of mass incarceration, environmental justice, and economic inequality.

https://freedomroad.us/

https://twitter.com/lisasharper

https://twitter.com/om3

https://www.amazon.com/Death-Politics-Frayed-Republic-After/dp/1982661798

Peter Wehner of the NEW YORK TIMES and THE ATLANTIC on ”How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump”

Sun, 04 Sep 2022 18:00:00 -0700

Peter Wehner is a contributing editor at The Atlantic and contributing writer to the New York Times which is where he wrote a column in January of 2016 that he would not be voting for Donald Trump under any circumstances. Pete is also the author of The Death of Politics: How to Heal Our Frayed Republic After Trump. Earlier in his career, Pete worked in the Reagan and George H.W. Bush Administrations. In the George W. Bush White House, Pete was deputy director of speechwriting before becoming director of the Office of Strategic Initiatives. Additionally, he was involved in President Bush’s 2004 re-election campaign as well as Mitt Romney’s 2012 presidential campaign.

Pete and Corey talked about the virtue of grace; the catastrophic effect that the failures of leaders such as Ravi Zacharias and others have had on the church; the marriage of American Christianity with Christian nationalism; what it means to be a "theoretical pessimist but an operational optimist"; how we can fight against the influence of those who can't be reached by reality while persuading those who can; and more broadly how to have healthier encounters among folks who disagree.

https://www.nytimes.com/column/peter-wehner

https://www.theatlantic.com/author/peter-wehner/

Would you consider becoming one of our patrons?

https://patron.podbean.com/politicsandreligion

Danielle Moodie, host of Woke AF and democracy-ish on fighting for democracy, preserving your sanity and what it means to be woke

Sun, 28 Aug 2022 18:18:00 -0700

With Danielle Moodie, we get into a range of pressing topics. Lots of politics and culture but also a dash of religion such as how Danielle connects with a higher power without needing to go to a specific place or read a specific text. We also discuss the importance of recognizing systemic failures and being a part of the "democracy perfection marathon"; how Danielle's not asking people to deny their own stories but to be honest about the story of this nation; the differences between conversation and debate, and being right vs. opening our minds; how to overcome the dangerous tendency to dehumanize those we think are on "the other side" and so much more.

Danielle Moodie is the host of Woke AF, where she explores the many facets of what it means to be "woke" in our modern life. Danielle also co-hosts democracy-ish with Wajahat Ali, a podcast dedicated to fighting for democracy and preserving your sanity in a time when both are under active assault. Never shy about shaking things up and calling out BS where she sees it, Danielle has been an unapologetic commentator about America’s racism problem. A former (and self-proclaimed recovering) lobbyist turned media maven, her opinions and cultural commentary have been published in a variety of outlets, including Daily Beast, Medium’s Zora Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Vogue, Essence, The Atlantic, Ebony, Huffington Post, and others. She also makes frequent appearances on MSNBC, CBC, PBS, and BBC America.

https://twitter.com/DeeTwoCents

www.dcpofficial.com/woke-af

www.dcpofficial.com/democracy-ish

Timber Hawkeye, author of BUDDHIST BOOT CAMP; FAITHFULLY RELIGIONLESS; and the recently released THE OPPOSITE OF NAMASTE

Sun, 21 Aug 2022 18:18:00 -0700

In this lively and fun dialogue, this week's guest, Timber Hawkeye shares why Buddhism attracted him most - that is, Buddhism didn't pretend to have answers. We discuss how to have conversations with people who see things differently than we do; how "to love more people, not less"; the concept of where we get the foundation of our moral ethical structure and, as Timber said, "I don't care if you get it from Jesus or Buddha or your Aunt Bettie"; how "the word 'should' is the most hostile word in our language"; and, of course, we get into Timber's fascinating journey among so much more.

Timber Hawkeye is the bestselling author of BUDDHIST BOOT CAMP; FAITHFULLY RELIGIONLESS; and the recently released THE OPPOSITE OF NAMASTE. His books and the Buddhist Boot Camp Podcast offer a secular and non-sectarian approach to being at peace with the world (both within and around us), with the intention to awaken, enlighten, enrich and inspire.

www.buddhistbootcamp.com/

www.buddhistbootcamp.com/books

Lori Adams-Brown: Courageous Candor about Spiritual Abuse

Sun, 14 Aug 2022 18:18:00 -0700

In this special episode, Lori Adams-Brown and Corey talk a great deal about Lori and her husband Jason's experience with spiritual abuse while working at Echo Church under Pastor Andy Wood. In an astonishing turn of events, Wood was hired as Rick Warren's successor at megachurch Saddleback. (To this date, Saddleback has not reversed - one could say "repented of" - their decision to hire Andy Wood. In fact, the tactics the church leaders have deployed to dismiss the charges and even vilify those who've come forward with credible accounts of abuse is chilling.)

But that's not all we discussed. We also covered Lori's remarkable background having grown up as a "missionary kid" in different parts of the world; her incredible experience over the course of many years aiding in disaster relief; how Lori is now helping others through her coaching and mentoring practice; ways we Christians can decolonize through "cultural humility"; how certain churches pressure or coerce exiting employees into signing Non-Disclosure Agreements (aka NDAs); how systems in the Evangelical Industrial Complex are designed for narcissists to come in; and so much more.

Lori Adams-Brown is a combination of international speaker, business executive, podcaster, and relief and development expert. She hosts a wonderful podcast called A World of Difference, celebrating humanity’s unique differences and encouraging us all to make a difference around the world. Since growing up in international schools in Costa Rica and Venezuela, Lori has spent her career working in Indonesia, Singapore and the San Francisco Bay Area. She worked in disaster relief in the 2004 Indonesian tsunami where she consulted with the UN coordination efforts, and she has spoken to audiences all over the U.S. and all around the world. Lori also speaks 6 languages, and brings a rare multicultural perspective to all her work.

www.loriadamsbrown.com

a-world-of-difference.captivate.fm

julieroys.com/former-staffers-expose-bullying-rick-warren-successor-andy-wood/

religionnews.com/2022/08/01/church-conflict-or-spiritual-abuse-saddleback-echo-wood-driscoll-reyes/

Dr. Paul D. Miller - THE RELIGION OF AMERICAN GREATNESS: WHAT’S WRONG WITH CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM

Sun, 07 Aug 2022 18:18:00 -0700

Much of our conversation with Dr. Paul D. Miller is about his recent book THE RELIGION OF AMERICAN GREATNESS: WHAT'S WRONG WITH CHRISTIAN NATIONALISM. Over the course of our talk, we do a deep dive into the very definition of Nationalism and Christian Nationalism; the difference between tribal evangelicalism and biblical Christianity; how jazz was used as an example by Rich Lowry of National Review to make an argument FOR Nationalism that Dr. Miller then uses to make quite a thorough argument AGAINST Nationalism; the particular chauvinism of Christian Nationalists; the blasphemy of the insurrectionists who invoked God's name in the midst of a terrorist attack on January 6th; and, yes, we did talk about what Professor Miller meant when he said he would not want to live in a country where drag queens were barred by law from going to the library or hosting an event.

Dr. Miller is a political theorist and political scientist focusing on international affairs, the American experiment, and America’s role in the world. Previously, he spent a decade in public service as Director for Afghanistan and Pakistan on the National Security Council staff under both President George W. Bush and President Barack Obama. He was also an intelligence analyst for the CIA and a military intelligence officer in the U.S. Army. He is currently a Professor of the Practice of International Affairs at Georgetown University. He is also a research fellow with the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission and a visiting professor with the American Enterprise Institute’s Initiative on Faith and Public Life. Dr. Miller writes widely on international affairs, political theory, religion and public life, and film and culture. In addition to his most recent book, The Religion of American Greatness, he is also the author of Just War and Ordered Liberty; American Power and Liberal Order; and Armed State Building. More of his writing has appeared in the Washington Post, The New Republic, Mere Orthodoxy, The American Interest, The World Affairs Journal and quite a few other publications. Dr. Miller holds a PhD in international relations and a BA in government from Georgetown, and a master in public policy from Harvard University.

https://www.pauldavidmiller.com/

https://www.amazon.com/Religion-American-Greatness-Christian-Nationalism-ebook/dp/B09MSNPQZ4/

Danny Cevallos, legal analyst for NBC on Dobbs, the Jan. 6th Hearings, deputizing the Texas citizenry, W. Va. vs. EPA and more!

Mon, 01 Aug 2022 18:18:00 -0700

Danny Cevallos is a legal analyst for NBC and MSNBC and co-founder of the law firm Cevallos & Wong, LLP. He focuses his practice in the areas of state, federal, and territorial criminal defense and civil litigation. Danny also handles wrongful conviction and malicious prosecution cases; he has handled a number of high profile cases in the federal, state, and territorial courts, ranging from white collar criminal matters to first-degree murder cases; and you may have previously seen him as a Legal Analyst at CNN, HLN and TruTV and as a regular on shows such as Erin Burnett OutFront and AC 360 with Anderson Cooper. But perhaps most impressive is Danny’s distinction as a 7x winner of a 10 out of 10 rating on Rate my Skype Room!

We dove into a number of the pressing legal issues at center stage in our politics including "the real story" of the Dobbs decision overturning Roe v Wade; the legal doctrine of "substantive due process" and whether cases pertaining to same sex marriage, contraception and sexual intimacy by same sex couples will come into question; the Texas statute that deputizes the entire citizenry of the state as a means of enforcing abortion restrictions; whether or not the conservative Justices on the Court want to be in the business of making law; the effectiveness of the January 6th hearings; and what's at the core of the criminality of Trump's actions pertaining to Jan. 6th. We also discuss a highly recommended podcast called WHY DON'T WE KNOW with host Sara Ganim; and we even talk about how everyone in Corey's family (including Corey!) has a crush on Anderson Cooper.

https://dannycevallos.com/

https://cevalloswong.com/

https://whydontweknow.com/

Miles Taylor, aka ”Anonymous” writer of NYTimes OpEd, is helping Renew America

Sun, 24 Jul 2022 18:18:00 -0700

Miles Taylor served in the White House, initially in the George W. Bush administration and then later during Donald Trump’s presidency. He was brought into the Department of Homeland Security as a Senior Advisor to General John Kelly and then became Chief of Staff of that Department under Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen. Miles is also known as “Anonymous” - the writer of the infamous New York Times OpEd and later the bestselling book A Warning, sounding the alarm about the chaos of the Trump White House and the amorality of Trump himself. Miles later contributed to the efforts of Republican Voters Against Trump and then went on to Co-found and is the Executive Director of the Renew America Movement, an organization committed to supporting principled Democrats, Republicans and Independents in the upcoming elections as well as shedding light on extremist candidates who are a danger to our democracy.

In this candid conversation we discuss how surreal the extremism that dominates political engagement today would have seemed 10 years ago; his concern about the looming threat of political assassinations; the reality that the universe doesn't "bend" but that "we bend it"; his advocacy for democratic reforms such as ranked choice voting and open primaries; how different the Trump Administration was compared with the George W. Bush (or any other) Administration; how Donald Trump turned the Oval Office into an echo chamber; and much more.

renewamericamovement.com

www.nytimes.com/2018/09/05/opinion/trump-white-house-anonymous-resistance.html

www.amazon.com/dp/B07YL2GR4G/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1

rvat.org

Ali Noorani - CROSSING BORDERS: THE RECONCILIATION OF A NATION OF IMMIGRANTS

Mon, 18 Jul 2022 18:18:00 -0700

Ali Noorani is a Fellow at the Arizona State University Social Transformation Lab and the new program director for U.S. Democracy at the Hewlett Foundation and author of “There Goes the Neighborhood: How Communities Overcome Prejudice and Meet the Challenge of American Immigration” and his new book “Crossing Borders: The Reconciliation of a Nation of Immigrants.” Previously, Ali served as president & chief executive officer of the National Immigration Forum for 14 years. Ali has appeared in the majority of mainstream television, radio and print outlets and is a regular speaker at conferences and campuses across the country. Having worked with faith, law enforcement and business leaders to promote the value of immigrants and immigration, Ali is known as one of the nation’s most creative coalition builders. He is also a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, holds a Master’s in Public Health from Boston University and is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley.

We discuss a number of pressing issues including when Latino support peaked for Democrats and why they've begun losing significant percentages of that support; how the National Immigration Forum appealed to conservatives and moderates during the Trump era on immigration issues based on conservatives' values; he shares that the point of our immigration policy, at times, has been cruelty, but by depriving others of their dignity, it's a reflection of our own dignity; he talks about outreach they did with Evangelical women, how they were asking tough questions about immigration but didn't have a place to explore those questions; how to have grace in conversations across differences; and much more.

https://alinoorani.org/

https://alinoorani.org/crossing-borders/

https://hewlett.org/

Rick Wilson of the Lincoln Project knows the GOP better than anyone and has plenty of advice for Democrats

Thu, 14 Jul 2022 03:18:00 -0700

Rick Wilson, co-founder of The Lincoln Project, knows today's Republican Party better than just about anyone from having run GOP campaigns for decades. But Rick was an early and vocal critic of Donald Trump which ultimately cost him a great deal in the Trump era. He also co-founded @ProjectLincoln to help defeat Trump in 2020. We discuss all that as well as how TLP addressed the problems that were revealed about the organization in late 2020. We also talk about what Democrats need to do in 2022 and beyond.

Rick Wilson is a renowned Republican political strategist and infamous negative ad maker getting his start on Connie Mack’s Senate campaign in 1988 as well as on the Presidential campaign of George H.W. Bush that same year. Since that time he’s been the key advisor to political candidates, SuperPACS, state parties and the national campaign committees. Rick is also a writer, speaker and commentator who regularly appears on national news networks including CNN and MSNBC, shows such as Real Time with Bill Maher, and has had columns published in The Daily Beast, The Washington Post, Politico, Rolling Stone, USA Today, The Hill and The Bulwark among others. Rick is also the author of Everything Trump Touches Dies (a NYT #1 bestseller) and Running Against the Devil which came out in January of 2020.

Shoutout to our friends at The Village Square right in Rick's neck of the woods, Tallahassee, FL. They have a great podcast called Village SquareCast.

www.therickwilson.com/about/

https://lincolnproject.us/

https://tlh.villagesquare.us/squarecast/

https://twitter.com/TheRickWilson

https://twitter.com/projectlincoln

https://twitter.com/VillageSquareFL

Will Saletan of THE BULWARK on how traffic rewards the wings, what’s really important and how he continues to evolve as a writer

Mon, 11 Jul 2022 06:18:00 -0700

Will Saletan, writer for THE BULWARK, came in for a conversation about a range of issues including what's really important; how the scientific method compares with our political way of behaving; how traffic rewards the wings; the culture of authority; recognizing our biases; the proclivity of deploying rhetoric in bad faith; the significance of what's happening in Ukraine; why he made the move from SLATE to the THE BULWARK; and how his own writing process has evolved.

William Saletan wrote for SLATE for 25 years contributing over 2,700 pieces for the daily online magazine. He’s also the author of BEARING RIGHT: HOW CONSERVATIVES WON THE ABORTION WAR. Will is now a writer at THE BULWARK who, as he says, questions everything.

Lisa Sharon Harper: HOW RACE BROKE MY FAMILY AND THE WORLD - AND HOW TO REPAIR IT ALL

Thu, 07 Jul 2022 05:18:00 -0700

Lisa Sharon Harper is Founder of Freedom Road, a consulting group which leads trainings all around the globe that increase clergy and community leaders’ capacity to organize people of faith toward a just world. Ms. Harper is a critically acclaimed author of several books including her latest, Fortune: How Race Broke My Family and the World and How to Repair It All, which we discuss in this episode. Ms. Harper earned her Masters degree in Human Rights from Columbia University, is an Auburn Theological Seminary Senior Fellow and served as Sojourners Chief Church Engagement Officer. We were also grateful to have special co-host Will Chan Wright of Faithful Politics join us for this in-depth conversation.

BONUS EPISODE: Faithful Politics - Gaslighting America with Special Guest Amanda Carpenter

Sun, 03 Jul 2022 18:18:00 -0700

This is a bonus TP&R episode of Faithful Politics with our good friends Josh Burtram and Will Wright when they interviewed Amanda Carpenter of The Bulwark.

Gaslighting is a tactic in which a person or entity, in order to gain more power, makes a victim question their reality. Enter former-President Trump. Over the last four years, America has been under the influence of a person who seemingly graduated from Gaslighting University with a Ph.D. in Alternative Facts. Whether Trump knows it or not, he is masterful in the art of gaslighting-jitsu. The guest this week may know a thing or two about being gaslit, as she has been the target of this Trump tactic, Amanda Carpenter joins Will and Josh to discuss her book, Gaslighting America: Why We Love It When Trump Lies to Us. They also discuss the future of the Republican Party, and how faith played a key role in her life during one of the most heinous acts perpetrated by the Trump campaign during 2016 primaries.

Amanda Carpenter is a political commentator for CNN and author of GASLIGHTING AMERICA: Why We Love It When Trump Lies To Us. Prior to CNN she was the Communications Director for Senator Ted Cruz and previously served as Senior Communications Advisor and Speechwriter to Sen. Jim DeMint.

For both senators, Carpenter crafted countless op-eds, speeches, talking points, briefing papers, jokes, press releases, tweets, Facebook posts, and other materials on a range of subjects before the United States Senate, including but not limited to economics, campaigns, healthcare, foreign affairs, and constitutional matters. Her work for them has been published in the Wall Street Journal, New York Times, Washington Post, and other outlets.

Roll Call featured her in a 2014 front-page profile, "Ted Cruz's Twitter Torrent: Outspoken GOP Aide Takes on Own Party" calling her "Capitol Hill's most-followed staffer" on Twitter with more than 56,000 followers.

In 2013, she led the creation of Cruz’s viral #MakeDCListen speech and campaign that pollster Frank Luntz said produced "the best political sound-byte of 2013.” In 2011, she was named by the Washington Post as one of the "Top 10 Capitol Hill Staffers to Watch."

https://www.faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/

https://www.thebulwark.com/author/amanda-carpenter/

https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/gaslighting-america-amanda-carpenter/1126314531?ean=9780062748003

Susan Del Percio - Political Analyst and Republican Strategist, Prominent Critic of Trump and Trumpism; NBC News THINK and Know Your Value Contributor

Mon, 27 Jun 2022 07:59:31 -0700

Susan Del Percio is a highly accomplished political strategist and crisis communications consultant who is a political analyst for MSNBC as well as a contributor to Know Your Value - Mika Brzezinski's initiative that is helping women to grow their career, form healthy habits and reach their full potential. Susan is also a regular on one of our favorite podcasts Politicology. Appointed as a Special Advisor to Governor Andrew Cuomo in 2014, she initiated and implemented communication strategies, and advised and developed policy initiatives. Susan also served as Deputy Commissioner in the Giuliani Administration prior to founding her firm in 2001 which serves private corporate clients, leading elected officials, political organizations and candidates as well as non-profits. Susan is also a Distinguished Lecturer at Emerson College where she received both her Bachelor and Master’s degrees.

In this conversation we cover a lot of ground including the sad decline of Rudy Giuliani as someone who worked for him when he was Mayor of NYC; how it was to go to work for a Democratic Governor after having been in Republican politics; her experience of being in New York on 9/11 and what it was like in the days and weeks after that historic day; what it cost her, as a longtime Republican strategist, to be an early critic of Donald Trump and Trumpism; we get into one of our favorite pods Politicology, of course; whether the GOP can be redeemed; and Susan gives some candid advice to Democrats for the 2022 midterms and beyond.

https://twitter.com/DelPercioS

https://www.msnbc.com/knowyourvalue

https://politicology.com/

Jonathan Rauch (Part 2) - THE CONSTITUTION OF KNOWLEDGE: A DEFENSE OF TRUTH

Mon, 20 Jun 2022 07:22:09 -0700

In the 2nd part of our conversation with Jonathan Rauch, we do a deeper dive into his timely, ground breaking book THE CONSTITUTION OF KNOWLEDGE: A DEFENSE OF TRUTH. We discuss its goals of peace, freedom and knowledge; why authoritarians hate the Constitution of Knowledge; how to diagnose and resist the ills of disinformation and cancel culture; the effects of cancel culture such as "the spiral of silence"; how, at its center, the MAGA movement is all about disinformation; and how to transform the world by planting the seeds of big ideas.

JONATHAN RAUCH, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, is the author of eight books and many articles on public policy, culture, and government. He is a contributing writer for The Atlantic and recipient of the 2005 National Magazine Award, the magazine industry’s equivalent of the Pulitzer Prize. His latest book, The Constitution of Knowledge: A Defense of Truth is a deep-diving account of how to push back against disinformation, canceling, and other new threats to our fact-based epistemic order. His writing has also appeared in many other publications including The Economist, Time, The New York Times, The New York Daily News, The Wall Street Journal, The Washington Post, The Los Angeles Times, The New York Post, Slate, and others. Jonathan graduated from Yale University. He is the recipient of numerous national and international awards for his writing and has appeared as a guest on many television and radio programs. But perhaps most remarkably, he does not like shrimp!

www.jonathanrauch.com/about.html

www.theatlantic.com/author/jonathan-rauch/

www.brookings.edu/experts/jonathan-rauch/

https://www.brookings.edu/book/the-constitution-of-knowledge/

TP&R Trailer Spring/Summer ’22

Thu, 16 Jun 2022 10:16:17 -0700

Grateful to be able to talk about politics and religion without killin' each other!

www.politicsandreligion.us

twitter.com/TPandRPod

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...and our host