In this episode, Corey Nathan is joined by Pastor Doug Pagitt, Executive Director of Vote Common Good. Doug shares his remarkable journey from a non-religious upbringing to becoming a prominent voice in progressive evangelicalism. They discuss how his background in sociology and theology shapes his view of faith, culture, and politics, and how those insights drive his current work helping religious voters engage civically with integrity and hope.
What We Discuss:
How Doug Pagitt came to faith and ministry outside traditional church upbringing
What the Emergent Church is and why it matters
How anthropology influences theology
What motivated Pastor Doug to start Vote Common Good
How Democrats can meaningfully engage religious voters
Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] Introduction to Doug’s background and Vote Common Good
[00:03:00] Doug’s faith story and early questions about Christianity
[00:08:00] Embracing scripture through open interpretation
[00:17:00] The Emergent Church explained
[00:30:00] Why Vote Common Good was founded
[00:43:00] Surprising insights from their faith voter polling
[00:54:00] Six words to win back religious voters
[01:02:00] Where Democrats often miss the mark
Featured Quotes:
“I didn’t have to unlearn a Sunday school version of Christianity. I got to take Jesus at face value.” 
“We’re not asking candidates to be Christians. We’re asking them to like Christians.” 
“The difference between being required and being invited makes all the difference.”
“Human beings organize our lives around patterns. The danger is when we mistake those patterns for the divine.”
Resources Mentioned:
Vote Common Good: https://www.votecommongood.com
Doug Pagitt’s books: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Doug+Pagitt
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this solo episode, host Corey Nathan explores how the "us vs. them" mindset is damaging our democracy and personal relationships. Sharing powerful stories and reflections, Corey examines how this mentality can escalate from figurative harm to literal violence—and what we can do to stop it.
What Is Discussed:
How to recognize and avoid “us vs. them” thinking
Why specificity matters more than generalizations
How to reframe conversations to foster understanding
When it’s best to disengage from toxic interactions
Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] The real-life consequences of political tribalism
[00:03:00] How a quote from the Declaration of Independence sparked online hostility
[00:15:00] Why generalizing leads to vilification
[00:21:00] Reactions to the peaceful “No Kings” rally
[00:28:00] How to name and address divisive rhetoric
[00:34:00] When it’s healthier to walk away
Featured Quotes:
"Think specifically, not generally."
"Shift our disposition from facing off to side by side."
"Sometimes, you just gotta know when to walk away."
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes Liz Joyner, founder and president of The Village Square, a civic organization dedicated to bridging divides and fostering dialogue across political and cultural lines. Liz shares the story behind founding The Village Square, her passion for preserving democratic values, and her experience navigating political polarization with grace, humor, and tenacity. As dear friends and collaborators, Corey and Liz offer listeners a heartfelt and insightful conversation about the importance of disagreement, empathy, and genuine connection.
What You Will Learn:
How Liz Joyner built The Village Square to combat political divisiveness
The power of human connection and shared experiences in fostering civic trust
Key strategies for having meaningful conversations across ideological divides
Why now is a pivotal moment for preserving democracy and civil discourse
How personal stories and experiences shape our political views and actions
Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] Introduction to Liz Joyner and her work with The Village Square
[00:06:00] Reflecting on her family’s military background and public service
[00:13:00] The key question: How can we engage across our differences?
[00:22:00] The role of The Village Square’s God Squad in promoting interfaith dialogue
[00:31:00] The psychological roots of tribalism and political polarization
[00:50:00] The threat to public humanities and the importance of civic institutions
[01:00:00] Liz’s favorite spot in D.C. and its symbolic value for democracy
Featured Quotes:
“We just need to do it. Reach out. Make the call. Share a meal. Be human.”
“When we see others up close, we see their good intentions. That’s where empathy begins.”
“Disagreement, done well, is the genius behind our democracy.”
“The genius of our system is that it relies on heterogeneity—on us learning from each other.”
Resources Mentioned:
The Village Square: villagesquare.us
The Constitution of Knowledge by Jonathan Rauch: www.brookings.edu/books/the-constitution-of-knowledge
Roger Herbert's Substack: https://rogerherbert.substack.com
The National Portrait Gallery: https://npg.si.edu
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes Kamy Akhavan, Executive Director at the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and former CEO of ProCon.org. Kamy shares his extraordinary journey from war-torn Iran to becoming a champion of civil discourse and political bridge-building in the United States. 
What We Discuss:
Kamy’s powerful immigration story and personal connection to today’s immigration challenges
What's actually happening in Los Angeles vs what many news programs are showing
How debate and listening helped shape Kamy’s open-minded leadership
The mission of USC’s Center for the Political Future and its bipartisan impact
The root causes of polarization and how we can counteract them
Why respect, listening, and humility are foundational for meaningful dialogue
Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] Kamy’s homage to Parliament Funkadelic and Sly Stone
[00:06:00] Living through war in Iran and escaping with his family
[00:14:00] Adjusting to poverty in Louisiana and finding strength in education
[00:18:00] Discovering a passion for political discourse through debate
[00:27:00] Leaving management consulting to lead ProCon.org
[00:30:00] Kamy's role at USC’s Center for the Political Future
[00:39:00] Building a culture where tough conversations can happen respectfully
[00:55:00] A deeper look into today’s immigration debates and polarization
Featured Quotes:"Every person you meet knows more than you do about something. If you approach with humility, every conversation becomes a chance to learn." — Kamy Akhavan"If you really want to be a powerful advocate for your cause, the best tool you have isn’t your mouth—it’s your ears." — Kamy Akhavan"We all inherit democracy. And that inheritance is a gift many have died for." — Kamy Akhavan
Resources Mentioned:
USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future: https://dornsife-center-for-political-future.usc.edu/
ProCon.org: https://www.procon.org/
The Democracy Group: https://www.democracygroup.org/
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this insightful and often humorous episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes political satirist, author, and podcast host Andrew Heaton for a wide-ranging conversation about his latest book, Tribalism Is Dumb. Heaton, known for his podcast The Political Orphanage, brings his signature blend of wit, intellect, and candor to explore why politics has become so viciously tribal—and how we can fix it. Drawing from personal stories, deep research, and evolutionary psychology, Heaton discusses the roots of human division, the impact of media and technology, and the path to a more thoughtful public discourse.
What We Discuss:
Why tribalism is hardwired into human nature—and how it gets misapplied in modern politics
How Heaton’s upbringing influenced his commitment to civility and intellectual rigor
The role of media, social media, and political leadership in fostering division
Practical tools for having productive, respectful political conversations
What we can do—personally and societally—to resist toxic partisanship
Episode Highlights:
[00:01:00] Intro to Andrew Heaton and his new book
[00:02:30] The story behind the dedication to Heaton’s father
[00:06:45] Heaton’s early political influences
[00:10:15] How Heaton preps for his many podcasts
[00:21:00] The evolutionary roots of tribalism
[00:34:00] Protestant vs. Catholic soccer rivalry in Scotland
[00:36:30] What changed in the last few decades
[00:55:00] Tools for better political conversations
Featured Quotes:
"There are lots of people that we share this country with that are good and intelligent people. The fact that we disagree with them is not a negation of their humanity." – Andrew Heaton"The need for an enemy precipitates the existence of the enemy." – Andrew Heaton"Tribalism is not just about community. It’s about the reflexive urge to find a ‘them’ to define the ‘us.’" – Andrew Heaton"I just try to remember: we’re not arguing about whether you're a good person. I already believe you are." – Andrew Heaton
Resources Mentioned:
The Political Orphanage podcast: https://mightyheaton.com/the-political-orphanage
Tribalism Is Dumb by Andrew Heaton: https://mightyheaton.com/books
Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bowling-Alone/Robert-D-Putnam/9780743203043
How to Have Impossible Conversations by Peter Boghossian: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/peter-boghossian/how-to-have-impossible-conversations/9780738285344/
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this edition, host Corey Nathan dives into two behaviors that shut down meaningful dialogue before it even starts: ad hominem attacks and treating individuals as proxies for groups. Drawing from real-life interactions and candid personal stories, Corey illustrates why civil discourse matters now more than ever.
What Is Discussed:
Why personal attacks destroy productive dialogue
How assuming people represent an entire group harms mutual understanding
Strategies for better conversations: passive, defensive, and proactive
Why labels and assumptions often miss the mark
The power of treating others as individuals with unique stories
Episode Highlights:
1:00 – Defining the two dialogue killers: ad hominem and proxy labeling
2:00 – A local mayor faces national-level hostility in small-town politics
4:00 – A neighborly disagreement about family farms shows how it can be done right
5:00 – Corey’s impassioned reaction to toxic comments and attacks
10:00 – When people are reduced to stand-ins for political ideologies
14:00 – Facebook comments spiral as users resort to vilifying each other
19:00 – Setting realistic expectations when engaging across divides
27:00 – “I will not defend positions I don’t hold”—drawing healthy boundaries
30:00 – Lessons from the fight for marriage equality: changing hearts through human connection
33:00 – Passive, defensive, and proactive strategies to communicate better
Featured Quotes:
“People are people—not proxies...”
“I will not defend positions that I don’t hold.”
“You’re not talking to ‘them,’ you’re talking to me.”
“Go talk some politics and religion with gentleness and respect.”
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this inspiring episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes Bishop Mary D. Glasspool, a pioneering leader in the Episcopal Church and the first openly lesbian woman to be consecrated as a bishop in the Anglican Communion. Since 2016, she has served as Assistant Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Bishop Mary shares her personal journey of faith, identity, leadership, and inclusion, offering insights into navigating the intersections of religion, politics, and justice.
What We Discuss:
Bishop Mary’s journey as a trailblazer in the Episcopal Church
How her faith and identity evolved in tandem
What the Philadelphia 11 meant to her and the church
Navigating hard conversations across deep differences
What gives her hope for the future of the church and the world
Episode Highlights:
01:00 – Corey introduces Bishop Mary and her groundbreaking role
06:00 – Growing up in a multigenerational Episcopal family
17:00 – The impact of the Philadelphia 11 and her call to ministry
27:00 – Coming out and confronting institutional theology
34:00 – Stories of ministry, mentorship, and pioneering women
43:00 – Navigating political division in local churches
50:00 – Her retirement plans and what’s next
1:02:00 – On non-binary thinking, listening deeply, and collaboration
Featured Quotes:
“We can do this. It is possible to talk politics and religion without killing each other.”“The best way to be ecumenical is to be deeply rooted and grounded in your own faith.”“Diversity is a strength… It can help us grow and become stronger as human beings.”“We need to allow for silence. We need to listen.”
Resources Mentioned:
The Philadelphia Eleven Documentary: https://www.philadelphiaelevenfilm.com
The Episcopal Church: https://www.episcopalchurch.org
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this episode, host Corey Nathan is joined by Pastor David Hegg, Senior Pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, CA. With decades of experience, a master’s in theology, and a doctorate in preaching, Pastor Hegg shares his unique journey into ministry, his thoughts on biblical teaching, and how Christians can faithfully navigate today’s cultural and political landscape.
What We Discuss:
How Pastor Hegg's early struggles shaped his path in ministry
The importance of preaching Scripture as it was originally written
A biblical approach to Christian leadership and cultural engagement
Insights into the role of conscience in political decision-making
Why “reasoned humility” is essential for healthy public discourse
Episode Highlights:
00:04:00 – From mowing the church lawn to pastoring a large congregation
00:10:00 – Disputes over doctrine: seminary conflict and church governance
00:19:00 – Faith vs. science: Genesis, creationism, and biblical authority
00:25:00 – Why many pastors feel exhausted, and how to sustain ministry
00:30:00 – Handling political pressure and cultural division during COVID
00:36:00 – Engaging LGBTQ+ individuals with truth and grace
00:43:00 – What it means to “withdraw” from politics without disengaging
00:54:00 – Preview of Pastor Hegg’s upcoming books and a theological novel
Featured Quotes:
“What God has for us is always best for us.” – Pastor David Hegg“We must hold our beliefs with reasoned humility.”“You can’t come to any text without a framework, but you must be willing to reform that framework based on Scripture.”“We don’t throw darts—we meet people where they are and walk with them.”
Resources Mentioned:
Grace Baptist Church: gracebaptist.org
The Obedience Option: www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Obedience+Option+David+Hegg
The Well: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Well+David+Hegg
Mind & Cosmos by Thomas Nagel: www.goodreads.com/book/show/13690432-mind-cosmos
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡