(This was one of my favorite conversations of 2024 partly because Tom and I both did our best Robert DeNiro impressions toward the end.)
Let's talk candidly about why Gov. Josh Shapiro of PA wasn't chosen as Kamala Harris's running mate. Let's also assess the merits and potential drawbacks of Gov. Tim Walz of MN as the Democratic VP candidate. Oh, and while we're at it, how's that J.D. Vance pick working out for the Trump campaign?
 
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We're joined by Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic and professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, to discuss all of this and more! We get into Tom's background in a working-class family, his educational journey, and his career in academia. Tom also discusses his views on democracy, international security, and challenges in contemporary politics. We get to reflect on Tom's Greek Orthodox faith and how it shapes his beliefs, while contrasting his temperamentally and philosophically conservative outlook with the current stance of the Republican Party. Additionally, Tom offers insights on the importance of a balanced media diet in today's political landscape. And since Tom is a 5x Jeopardy champion, we do a little Robert DeNiro-inspired Jeopardy at the end!
 
03:30 Tom Nichols' Background and Upbringing
07:49 Influence of Church and Community
10:49 Orthodox Christianity and Politics
19:51 Political Philosophy and Conservatism
25:49 Discussion on Israel and U.S. Politics
32:56 Debating the Choice Between Shapiro and Walz
33:49 Tim Walz: The Normal Guy in Politics
36:24 Tim Walz's Background and Achievements
40:09 JD Vance: A Controversial Figure
46:40 Kamala Harris's Electability and Political Evolution
53:29 Media Consumption and Political Discourse
 
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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
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www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/daily
 
www.threads.net/@radiofreetom

“All who entered the Temple Mount entered by the right, circled to the right and exited by the left, except for one to whom something had happened, who entered and circled to the left...” (Mishnah Middot)
 
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Rabbi Sharon Brous, the founding rabbi of IKAR and author of THE AMEN EFFECT, delves into ancient Jewish rituals, the role of pain in human connections, and the transformative power of compassion and curiosity. Through heartfelt stories and profound insights, she explores the importance of staying engaged with those who challenge us and how communities can support each other in moments of deep sorrow and joy. The discussion also touches upon inclusivity in Jewish worship, dealing with vicarious trauma, navigating hard conversations such as differences over what's happening in Israel and the results of the U.S. election, and the significance of asking and truly listening to Malakh: "tell me about your heart."
 
00:52 Introducing Rabbi Sharon Brous
01:21 Exploring the Mishnah Middot
04:05 The Power of Ritual and Compassion
06:53 Personal Reflections on Sin and Mental Health
11:49 The Role of Community and Vulnerability
17:41 Balancing Leadership and Personal Burdens
24:22 Innovative Practices at IKAR
36:53 Challenges and Changes in Jewish Leadership
38:47 Navigating Differences in a Diverse Congregation
39:53 The Power of Curiosity and Compassion
47:05 The Importance of Staying at the Table
 
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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
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ikar.org
 
ikar.org/the-amen-effect/the-big-idea

How should we respond to the election? Fight? Surrender? Or is there another way? Let's "Meet the Majority" and see if we can figure it out!
 
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As part of our "Meet the Majority" series, this is a candid conversation on ideological differences, election surprises, and friendship. In this episode, Corey sits down with his long-time friend Brandon to explore their differing political views and the implications of recent elections. Corey explains the importance of maintaining relationships and having open dialogue despite political differences. Brandon, a staunch Republican, shares his life story, professional background, and family history. He discusses his views on national security, the shortcomings of the far left, and the influence of Trumpism on American politics and the church. Both Corey and Brandon delve into the complexities of being in the political middle today, their concerns about the future, and the need for more constructive discourse. The conversation highlights the importance of listening and understanding different perspectives to foster better relationships and navigate the current political landscape.
 
00:49 Meet the Majority Series: Background and Purpose
03:42 Brandon's Background and Political Views
07:19 Discussion on Liberalism and Conservatism
11:34 The Middle Ground in Politics
17:11 Concerns About Trump and the Future of the Republican Party
26:28 Impact of Trumpism on the American Church
28:24 Debating Presidential Impact and Religious Influence
30:26 Supreme Court and the Conservative Legal Movement
33:10 Navigating Political Differences and Building Relationships
37:25 Reflecting on Political Identity and Middle Ground
50:08 Concluding Thoughts and Future Conversations
 
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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
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Is there any coherence to Trumpism from a policy standpoint? Public policy expert, Lanhee Chen, says coherence is overrated... at least at this moment. 
 
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In this conversation with Lanhee Chen, we explore some hard questions in today's fraught political moment. As a key policy advisor to both Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio on their respective presidential campaigns, how can candidates and elected officials balance political considerations and policy priorities? Is there a place for a "compassionate conservative" in today's Republican Party? Is there a place for conservatives in today's California? We also discuss key moments that influenced Lanhee’s career, his conservative philosophy shaped by early experiences, and significant milestones like running for statewide office in California as a Republican. Lanhee shares insights into political coherence, the impact of electoral processes, and his stance on contemporary issues such as regulatory policies and international relations.
 
Lanhee Chen is a widely respected public policy expert who has advised numerous high-profile Republican candidates and served as a presidential appointee in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He is currently the David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies at the Hoover Institution, as well as the Director of Domestic Policy Studies and Lecturer in the Public Policy Program at Stanford University.
 
00:53 Guest Introduction: Lanhee Chen
01:36 Lanhee Chen's Early Interest in Politics
03:56 Formulating a Conservative Philosophy
09:06 Working with Mitt Romney
14:27 Challenges in Modern Politics
17:42 The State of California Politics
21:50 Advice for New Politicians
24:23 Impact of Electoral Processes
28:45 Electoral Reforms and Future Outlook
32:01 The Rise of Neopopulism in American Politics
34:43 Assessing Trumpism and Policy Coherence
37:34 Hope and Concerns for the Upcoming Administration
39:45 Reflecting on Biden's Legislative Accomplishments
46:49 Final Thoughts and Future Plans
 
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It would mean so much if you could leave us a review: 
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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
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www.hoover.org/profiles/lanhee-j-chen

Do you find yourself generally hopeful or really concerned about this 2nd Trump Administration? Or are you just grabbing your popcorn and buckling up for the ride? Author, Columnist and Podcaster, Matt Lewis helps us work through all this and more.
 
We're on YouTube! 
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We’re joined on this episode by Matt Lewis, author of FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS and TOO DUMB TO FAIL. He is the host of the "Matt Lewis And the News" YouTube channel , co-host of "The DMZ" and co-host of “The Wrong Stuff" podcasts. We talk about the current state of democracy, the challenges faced by writers, and the shifts in media consumption. Matt shares his thoughts on Trump's campaign, the election results, and the implications of another Trump term. We also delve into personal topics such as family, faith, and the impact of politics on personal beliefs. And of course we mix in a little bit of movies, music and sports.
 
00:37 Guest Introduction: Matt Lewis
03:43 Shifting Focus to YouTube and Podcasts
08:19 Challenges of Political Opinion Journalism
11:06 Changing Media Landscape and Influencers
16:23 Election Predictions and Reflections
24:35 Democratic Party's Challenges and Future
35:17 Public Sentiment Post-Election
35:40 Trump's Influence and Political Violence
40:04 Understanding the Anger Towards Biden and Harris
43:02 Media Influence and Public Perception
46:26 Hopes and Concerns for Another Trump Term
52:38 Personal Reflections on Faith and Politics
59:00 Building Bridges Across Differences
 
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It would mean so much if you could leave us a review: 
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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://bsky.app/profile/mattklewis.bsky.social
 
https://www.youtube.com/@mattlewis 

Since a lot of folks were doing the whole thanksgiving thing, I guess we can consider this counter-programming. Either way, in case you missed it...
 
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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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://julieroys.com/pca-cancels-anti-polarization-panel-david-french-being-too-polarizing/ 
 
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/ 

This was one of my favorite conversations over the last year or so. Figured it'd be nice to share it again...
 
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.
 
We're on YouTube! 
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It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:
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Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as
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We're on Patreon! Join the community: 
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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.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-/
 
www.threads.net/@larrywilmore

Katherine Stewart is an expert who has been investigating religious nationalism for over 15 years. Given the impact of Christian Nationalism on churches around the country as well as on our democracy, this conversation comes at a critical time. The discussion delves into Katherine's insights from her recent book, THE POWER WORSHIPPERS and the upcoming MONEY, LIES AND GOD: INSIDE THE MOVEMENT TO DESTROY AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. Discover the controversial role of Good News Clubs in public schools which she covered in her 2017 book; the strategies driving the Christian nationalist agenda; and the broader implications for American democracy. We also take a moment to highlight the importance of respectful dialogue on politics and religion, especially during family gatherings like Thanksgiving.
 
02:59 The Good News Club Controversy
06:19 Impact on Public Schools
16:50 Christian Nationalism Explained
22:47 Investigative Journalism Insights
26:01 Economic Grievances and Voting Behavior
26:48 Christian Nationalist Influence
30:11 Leonard Leo’s Plans to Weaponize Right Wing Policies
33:17 Pushing Back Against Christian Nationalism
37:41 Finding Common Ground in Political Conversations
44:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts
 
katherinestewart.me
 
We're on YouTube! 
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It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:
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Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as
Bluesky: bsky.app/profile/coreysnathan.bsky.social 
 
We're on Patreon! Join the community: 
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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