Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

In this episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes investigative journalist and author Katherine Stewart back to the show. Katherine has spent over 15 years researching and reporting on religious nationalism and its impact on American democracy. Her new book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, exposes the deep financial and ideological networks fueling Christian nati...

In this edition, Corey Nathan challenges listeners—especially his fellow Christians—to consider whether they have forgotten the first commandment: "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." He explores how idolatry has evolved beyond worshiping wooden idols and now manifests in politics, ideology, and the way Christians engage with their faith in a modern democracy. This is meant to be an open con...

In this episode, host Corey Nathan engages in a timely and candid discussion with Marcus Ruiz Evans, the leader of the CalExit movement. Marc has been spearheading efforts to make California an independent nation for over a decade, publishing California’s Next Century 2.0 in 2012. With the California Secretary of State recently approving a petition to start collecting signatures for an independenc...

In this episode, host Corey Nathan sits down with Blake Fischer, the creator and host of The Homeless Conservative podcast. Blake describes himself as a constitutional conservative who feels politically "homeless" in today’s climate. They dive deep into politics, faith, and media, all while challenging ideological silos in an engaging and candid conversation. Blake shares his unique political jour...

In this episode, we welcome back Jonathan Rauch, senior fellow at the Brookings Institution and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. Jon joined us to discuss his new book, Cross Purposes: Christianity’s Broken Bargain with Democracy. We dive deep into the intersection of faith, democracy, and civic engagement (that's our jam!), exploring how American Christianity has shifted in recent years and...

Is it possible to have decent conversations across political differences. Short answer: Yeah! In this episode, host Corey Nathan explores how we can have meaningful, respectful, and productive conversations with those who think differently from us—politically, religiously, and ideologically. After four years of hosting the show and speaking with a wide array of guests, Corey shares his own insight...

In this episode, host Corey Nathan reconnects with Julie Mason, renowned journalist and host of The Julie Mason Show on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel. Julie brings decades of experience in journalism, spanning local, state, and national politics, and shares her sharp insights on the evolving media landscape, political discourse, and the state of journalism today. What We Discuss: The evolving role of j...

In this episode, host Corey Nathan addresses the pressing issue of how pro-democracy patriots - the large coalition of folks who believe in this American experiment - can endure during times when anti-democratic tendencies are metastasizing. Drawing from personal experiences, philosophical insights, and cultural reflections, we explore ways of maintaining hope, practicing discernment, and fosterin...

Is there a church that can be for the rest of us? Are we living in a "post-evangelical" world?   In this episode, we welcome Joe Smith, lead pastor of Shift GNV in Gainesville, Florida, and host of the Shift Happens Podcast . Known for creating "a church for the rest of us," Joe shares his journey through faith deconstruction and reconstruction, building a community for those feeling spiritually h...

What has our response been to the wildfires in Los Angeles? Frankly, it's brought out some of the worst of us. But thankfully, there have also been many heroes from LA's firefighters and firefighters who came here from neighboring counties and states, to other countries including Mexico and Canada who lent manpower, vehicles and equipment, to everyday people who've offered up their homes, food and...

When there's such chaos amd divisiveness all around us, what can we do to cultivate a sense of hope and humanity?   In this episode, we welcome back Wajahat Ali, celebrated writer, editor of The Left Hook Substack, co-host of Democracy-ish Podcast, and author. Known for his humor and insight, Waj brings his unique perspective as a father, storyteller, and political commentator to discuss navigatin...

As we welcome in a new year, what is this moment about? What have we been leading up to? And what will the coming months and years be about?    In this episode, Corey reflects on the importance of democracy and decency in today's polarized climate. Emphasizing respectful dialogue and the significance of national and local political involvement, we explore the impact of the election and the ongoing...

(Given that yesterday was the 4 year anniversary of Jan. 6, 2021, an attempted violent disruption of the peaceful transfer of power, one of our nation's most cherished traditions, we thought it would be a good time to refresh our conversation with Prof. Danielle Allen who has been ensconced in the work of renovating our democratic institutions.)   Our democracy is brittle. Many would say our Const...

(Getting to speak with Anne Applebaum was such an honor. She's not only one of the world's most prominent historians and writers, Anne's focus on the fragility of democracy and emerging autocracies couldn't be more timely.)   In the 20th Century, we had Cold War adversaries. In the early 2000s, George W. Bush talked about the Axis of Evil. But are those frameworks the most accurate way to understa...

(Speaking with Nancy was such a highlight of this year. In addition to all we discussed in this raw, beautiful, candid, downright funny conversation, I'm glad to report that subsequent to when we spoke, Nancy was able to "ring the bell" as a cancer survivor!)   We’re joined by author, essayist, investigative journalist and the gloriously feral  Nancy French . We discuss Nancy's new memoir,  GHOSTE...

Yeah, this ages well. Seriously... This conversation with Bill Kristol was from April of this year. Some of the discussion applied to that moment in time (eg. bemoaning the Mets tepid start to the 2024 season); but much of it still applies even given the outcome of the latest election. With that, here are the notes from one of our "Best of 2024" conversations...   Are REPUBLICAN VOTERS AGAINST TRU...

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 wi...

(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...

“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)   We're on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/@politicsandreligion   Rabbi Sharon Brous, the founding rabbi of IKAR and author of THE AMEN EFFECT , delves into ancient Jewish rituals, the role of...

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!   We're on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/@politicsandreligion   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 fr...

Is there any coherence to Trumpism from a policy standpoint? Public policy expert, Lanhee Chen, says coherence is overrated... at least at this moment.    We're on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/@politicsandreligion   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 res...

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!  https://www.youtube.com/@politicsandreligion   We’re joined on this episode by Matt Lewis , author of FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS and...

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.)   We're on YouTube!  https://www.youtube.com/@politicsandreligion   We're on Patreon! Join the community:  https://www.patre...

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...

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 DE...