Faithful Witness with Terrance Carroll

"I swear to the Lord, I still can't see why democracy means everybody but me." — Langston Hughes On this special Fourth of July edition of Faithful Witness , host Terrance Carroll—ordained Baptist minister, public theologian, attorney, and former Speaker of the Colorado House of Representatives—delivers a powerful, unvarnished reflection on the state of the American democratic experiment as it mar...

On this special pre-primary episode of Faithful Witness , host Rev. Terrance Carroll sits down with former federal prosecutor and Colorado Attorney General candidate Hetal Doshi. From her childhood in the cradle of the civil rights movement in Alabama to standing up against powerful corporations at the Department of Justice, Hetal shares how her lived reality shaped her fierce commitment to public...

What happens when an addictive, deadly product is intentionally woven into the fabric of a culture? In this heavy-hitting and deeply personal episode of Faithful Witness , host Rev. Terrance D. Carroll sits down with Dr. Phil Gardiner , co-founder of the African American Tobacco Control Leadership Council (AATCLC) , to expose the generational devastation that tobacco—specifically menthol products—...

In this episode, we dive deep into Pope Leo XIV’s landmark first papal encyclical, Magnifica Humanitas. Terrance examines this profound text through the unique lens of an ordained Baptist preacher, attorney, and public theologian rooted in the prophetic tradition of the Black Church. From Frank Herbert’s Dune to the Declaration of Independence, we explore how Catholic social teaching, Protestantis...

Terrance Carroll explores the intersection of Christianity, American civic identity, and the current theological crisis in the United States. He discusses how Christian nationalism, racial injustice, and political power threaten the core values of faith and democracy. keywords Christianity, American civic religion, theological crisis, Christian nationalism, racial justice, democracy, faith, love,...

What does it mean to be a "Prophetic Citizen" in an era of institutional distrust? In this episode, Terrance Carroll welcomes long-time friend and colleague Dr. Landon Mascareñaz —the founding Executive Director of Courageous Colorado and co-author of The Open System —to discuss the spiritual and moral framework required to sustain a healthy democracy. Fresh off his recent baptism and confirmation...

The conversation explores the theme of war, religion, and divine justification, drawing parallels between historical events and current rhetoric. It delves into the misuse of scripture to justify war and the moral implications of nations going to war. Takeaways Divine justification for war is a recurring theme in history and current rhetoric. The misuse of scripture to justify war raises moral and...

The conversation explores the power of fear as a motivator and its impact on public policy. It delves into the influence of fear on legislation targeting transgender individuals and the intersection of religious freedom and democracy. Takeaways Fear as a motivator Impact of fear on public policy Chapters 00:00 The Power of Fear 07:42 Legislation and Fear 20:12 Religious Freedom and Democracy Subst...

In this episode of Faithful Witness, I sit down with Scott Wasserman, a longtime friend and political insider, to explore the nuanced realities of Zionism, Israel’s evolving identity, and its impact on Black-Jewish relationships. We dive deep into historical context, ideological divides, and the urgent need for honest dialogue in our communities. This conversation offers clarity on some of the mos...

Why did I start Faithful Witness with Terrance Carroll ? This podcast was born out of history—my own family history and the long struggle for democratic participation carried by generations before us. My ancestors lived in a country where their voices were often suppressed, yet they believed deeply in the promise of democracy. Their witness—and the witness of the Black church—shapes the moral visi...

The conversation explores the importance of voting as a sacred and protected right, the work of Courageous Colorado in strengthening democracy, the impact of the SAVE Act and MEGA Act on voting rights, and the motivation behind these pieces of legislation. It also delves into the demographic shifts in the country and the anxiety around the evolving political landscape. The conversation delves into...

Are recent U.S. military actions against Iran morally justified? In this episode of Faithful Witness , Terrance Carroll examines the crisis through the lens of Christian just war theory. What does it actually mean to call a war “just”? Is war ever morally permissible? And how should Christians respond when the state authorizes violence in our name? Terrance explores: • The biblical and theological...

In this episode of Faithful Witness with Terrance Carroll , Terrance responds to Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s criticism of the Boy Scouts—now Scouting America—and explores what’s really at stake. What does the Eagle Scout Award represent? Is diversity a betrayal of tradition—or a fulfillment of it? Drawing from his own experience and the moral vision behind Scouting, Terrance explains why incl...

In this powerful episode of Faithful Witness , former Colorado House Speaker Terrance Carroll dives deep into the complex intersection of faith and politics , warning of the rising threat of Christian nationalism to American democracy . 🔍 Carroll explores the historical roots of the separation of church and state , drawing from the Baptist tradition and key figures like Roger Williams and the Fou...

This episode confronts the crisis of children in ICE detention centers and the moral questions surrounding U.S. immigration policy. We examine conditions inside ICE facilities, the violation of children’s rights, and the responsibility of Christians to protect the vulnerable. What does justice demand when children are held in government custody? This conversation challenges silence, calls for comp...

Was Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show “inappropriate”? Or was it prophetic? In this episode of Faithful Witness with Terrance Carroll , we examine the social media backlash to Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and the claim that “the moment called for something else.” But who gets to decide what’s appropriate in moments of public resistance? And why are performances by Black, Brown, and Indigeno...

What happens when a righteous cause crosses into sacred space? In this episode of Faithful Witness , we wrestle with a controversial protest inside Cities Church in St. Paul during worship. The protest opposed ICE raids and what many describe as cruelty and racial targeting in federal immigration enforcement. The question is not whether injustice exists — but whether houses of worship should becom...