Dolly Parton Unites a Divided America

Historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of the best-selling "Jesus and John Wayne," is back with another look at the forces that shaped modern American evangelicalism. This time she explores the backstory of evangelical femininity in her new book, "Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made." Also this week: Phil wants to know what links three recent celebrity deaths—Dolly Parton, Gloria Steinem, and Wendell Berry. To the surprise of many, The Christian Post has published an anti-Christian nationalist article. Is it a sign that the evangelical support for MAGA is finally turning? Plus, weird science awards.

Holy Post Plus:

Ad-Free Version of this Episode:

https://holypost.substack.com/p/d5dde089-df69-4faa-a088-c903e95ca080?postPreview=free&updated=2026-09-08T21%3A39%3A36.002Z&audience=only_paid&free_preview=true&freemail=true

Check out this bonus interview with Kristin Kobes Du Mez:

https://holypost.substack.com/p/9c348a0c-111e-4203-99e6-3373210c01f8?postPreview=free&updated=2026-09-08T20%3A28%3A21.690Z&audience=only_paid&free_preview=true&freemail=true

0:00 - Show Starts

1:17 - Theme Song

1:39 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month!

2:42 - Sponsor - AG1 - Use the discount code BACK2ROUTINE for 20% off of your first order at: https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST

3:40 - World Relief Update with Matthew Soerens: The State of the Golden Door - Help sign a letter to President Trump on behalf of refugees! https://www.worldrelief.org/goldendoor

7:26 - Quirky Science!

13:10 - Christian Post Anti-Nationalism Article?

27:39 - Dolly, Wendell, and Gloria, Oh My!

34:19 - Sponsor - Renovare Book Club - Spiritual formation through books! What else could you ask for? Learn more at https://renovare.org/bookclub

35:22 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware!

36:32 - Why Didn't Christians like Gloria Steinem?

54:44 - Interview

1:28:44 - End Credits

Links Mentioned in News Segment:

Weird Science! (No relation to the song or movie):

https://www.latimes.com/science/story/2026-09-05/research-on-cockroach-milk-nose-blowing-wins-ig-nobel-prizes

Christian Post article on Christian Nationalism: https://www.christianpost.com/voices/christian-nationalism-already-failed-america-once.html

Hannah Anderson on Dolly and Wendell: https://hannahanderson.substack.com/p/dolly-and-wendell

Other Resources:

Live Laugh Love: The Secret History of White Christian Women and the World They Made by Kristin Kobes Du Mez: https://amzn.to/4xNdx1E

Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/

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