Okay, But Why?

Public education is a cornerstone of our democracy. But Donald Trump and his new Secretary of Education Linda McMahon haven’t exactly made it a secret that they want to shut down the Department of Education. Phrases like “parental choice” and “school choice” might make this sound good for families, but in reality, it leaves far too many kids behind. Before we had a Department of Ed, students who w...

In this first episode of our limited series "Okay, But Why?", we're taking a deep dive into voting rights. We all want free and fair elections where everyone who’s legally able to vote can make their voice heard. But every time the experts study voter fraud, they find almost zero evidence that undocumented immigrants or anyone else is voting illegally. So then… why are there so many...

So far on our miniseries The American Fabric, we’ve learned more about immigrants and why they come to this country. We’ve busted myths and decried disinformation. And we’ve heard immigrants tell their stories in their own words. Today, on the final episode, we’re talking about why this year’s election is so important. We have the opportunity to choose leaders who understand that immigrants are a...

Extremists have always used disinformation and fear-mongering to further their cause. But their rhetoric about immigration has stooped to new lows in recent months. Some of the lies are so outrageous it might be tempting to laugh. Haitian immigrants, for example, are not eating their neighbors’ pets in Springfield Ohio. And 107% of American jobs have not been taken by “illegal aliens,” as Trump cl...

Despite all the extremist disinformation, suburban women aren’t afraid of immigrants. They’re our friends, our neighbors, our spouses. They’re us. Immigration isn’t a story about fear… it’s a story about love. And no one knows this better than our own Suburban Women Problem co-host Rachel Vindman. Her husband Alex came here as a refugee from the Soviet Union when he was only 4 years old. Alex says...

In the final episode of Sacred Politics, we delve into the intersection of religion and social activism. From advocating for human rights to championing environmental stewardship, we uncover how religious groups and individuals have leveraged their faith to fuel positive change. Shane Claiborne: http://www.shaneclaiborne.com/ https://www.instagram.com/shane.claiborne/?hl=en Red Letter Christians:...

In episode 2 of Sacred Politics, we discuss the trajectory of Christian Nationalism and its looming impact on the nation's future. From the halls of Congress to grassroots movements, we examine how this ideological force is poised to influence the political agenda in the years to come with the implementation of Project 2025. Jess McIntosh: https://x.com/jess_mc?lang=en https://www.jessmcintos...

In our limited podcast series, Sacred Politics, we reveal the dangers of Christian Nationalism in American politics amidst the 2024 election season. Through narrative storytelling and expert interviews, we uncover Christian Nationalism's role in shaping elections, legislation, and public discourse, while also exploring how faith-inspired activism can drive positive change. In episode one, we...

As Season 2 of The Cost of Extremism draws to a close, we're excited to bring you a final bonus episode. Today, we're joined by @JoJoFromJerz for an in-depth conversation about three stories that are particularly relevant today. First, we have author Seyward Darby from episode 5, The Crunchy Mom to Alt-Right Pipeline. During our interview about white women’s role in the alt-right suprema...

Crunchy moms and trad wife online content may seem innocent, but when you take a closer look, you start to see evidence of white-power ideology and conservative radicalization. So what happens when you go so far left that you end up alt-right? In this episode of The Cost of Extremism, we’ll take a deep dive into the crunchy mom to alt-right pipeline, its ties to extremism, and the role social medi...

On college campuses across the country, Turning Point USA is radicalizing a new generation of conservative extremists in an attempt to mobilize young Republican voters and build an alt-right movement backed by billionaire donors and political insiders. These alt-right extremists are wrapped in a neat package, presented as polished frat boys wearing chinos and boat shoes, making them digestible for...

Across the country, conservatives are looking to overhaul K-12 public education with right-wing curriculums that contain misleading and inaccurate claims about slavery, racism, immigration, and LGBTQ+ history.  In this episode of The Cost of Extremism, we’ll take a deep dive into the impact these curriculums have on public education, the harm they inflict on our children, and where they could be h...

In recent years, book banning has become an organized movement backed by right-wing organizations, politicians, and conservative donors. Under the guise of ‘parental rights,’ books centering on LGBTQ+ characters and people of color are being disproportionately targeted, putting both our democracy and free speech at risk. In this episode of ‘The Cost of Extremism,' we’ll take a deep dive into...

Crisis pregnancy centers present themselves as genuine healthcare facilities; however, their main goal is to discourage individuals from accessing certain healthcare options like abortion and contraceptives. These centers, a well-supported arm of the global anti-abortion movement, are rapidly expanding by using deceptive tactics, medical disinformation, and public funding. Currently, crisis pregna...

Extremists across the country are attacking our freedoms, and kids and families are paying the price. In this limited series, Jill Jonassen takes a deep dive into the issues facing our country and the women tirelessly fighting back in their communities.  Join us as we tackle topics ranging from anti-abortion clinics and book bans to American exceptionalism in our schools and the crunchy mom to alt...

As season 1 of The Cost of Extremism comes to a close, we have one last bonus episode for you. We’re here with @JoJoFromJerz for a deep-dive into three stories that we think are especially important to hear right now.  First, we have Mia Tretta from episode one, ‘The Impact of Active Shooter Drills.’ In her episode, Mia told her story of surviving a school shooting and the death of her best friend...

Across the country, new right-leaning PACs are pouring money into school board races, aiming to flip control of who governs schools in favor of self-proclaimed ‘parents rights’ advocates. For significantly less than what it would cost them to influence a seat in the House or Senate, these PACs are pouring funds into local school board races and as a result, changing education on a national scale....

A flood of state-level efforts to restrict transgender rights are being fueled by many of the Christian and conservative groups that led the charge against Roe v. Wade . The political debate is escalating at a dangerous rate, putting the physical and mental health of trans youth at risk. Resources: https://redwine.blue/thecost/ https://www.thetrevorproject.org/survey-2023/ https://elierlick.com ht...

During our second episode, we take a look at the long history of school voucher programs and the state’s hidden agenda to increase religious education and further segregate our school system. At a time when public education is already underfunded, we can’t afford programs that allow wealthy families to use public funds for private and religious education. In this episode, we look at the cost of th...

School safety is a multi-billion dollar industry that we’ve created instead of passing gun safety legislation and politicians are continuing to ignore this national crisis. In interviews with Angela Ferrell-Zabala, Mia Tretta, Madeline Johnson, and Ashbey Beasley, this episode takes a deep dive into the impact of active shooter drills and how we can fight back in our own communities.  Learn more:...

Extremists across the country are attacking our freedoms, and kids and families are paying the price. In this limited series, Jill Jonassen takes a deep dive into the issues facing our country and the women tirelessly fighting back in their communities.  Coming August 2nd. Listen & follow on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.