Can James Talarico Reclaim Christianity for the Left?

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Jan 13, 2026

In this discussion, Texas state representative James Talarico, a progressive Christian and viral social media figure, explores the intersection of faith and politics. He critiques Christian nationalism and emphasizes economic justice, arguing that true faith compels action like feeding the hungry. Talarico advocates for a politics of love, suggesting it can defeat divisiveness. He also passionately champions reforming tech's harmful impacts on community and stresses compassionate immigration policies, all while calling for authentic political engagement.

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ADVICE

Let Love Guide Public Service

Talarico recommends grounding politics in the two commandments: love God and love neighbor, which guide public service and policy.
He ties his teaching and seminary studies to a vocation aimed at sustaining both spiritual and civic life.

INSIGHT

Faith As Trust, Not Just Belief

James Talarico describes faith as trust rather than mere belief, an experiential surrender rather than intellectual assent.
He compares faith to learning to swim: stop fighting the water and let love carry you through life.

ANECDOTE

Formative Church Lessons On Radical Welcome

Talarico grew up in a Presbyterian church led by Dr. Jim Rigby who ordained gay clergy and blessed same-sex unions in the 1990s.
Those early countercultural experiences shaped his view that religion should lead people deeper into life, not into itself.

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State Representative James Talarico of Texas might have been our most requested guest last year. And he seemed to come out of nowhere.

Talarico started breaking through with viral videos on TikTok and Instagram. And in those videos, he didn’t sound like your typical Democrat. He’s forthrightly Christian, quoting Scripture to defend progressive positions and challenging Christian nationalism on Christian grounds. And he is now running for Senate in Texas — in a primary field that includes U.S. Representative Jasmine Crockett — in what will be one of the most important Senate races this year.

So I wanted to have Talarico on the show to talk about his faith, his politics and the way those two have come together in this attentional moment. Because he’s clearly saying things that people are hungry to hear.

Mentioned:

The Sabbath by Rabbi Heschel

“#2352 James Talarico”, The Joe Rogan Experience

Common Sense by Thomas Paine

Book Recommendations:

Lonesome Dove by Larry McMurtry

Jesus and the Disinherited by Howard Thurman

The Upswing by Robert D. Putnam and Shaylyn Romney Garrett

Thoughts? Guest suggestions? Email us at ezrakleinshow@nytimes.com.

You can find transcripts (posted midday) and more episodes of “The Ezra Klein Show” at nytimes.com/ezra-klein-podcast, and you can find Ezra on Twitter @ezraklein. Book recommendations from all our guests are listed at https://www.nytimes.com/article/ezra-klein-show-book-recs.

This episode of “The Ezra Klein Show” was produced by Marie Cascione. Fact-checking by Kate Sinclair and Mary Marge Locker. Our senior engineer is Jeff Geld, with additional mixing by Aman Sahota. Our executive producer is Claire Gordon. The show’s production team also includes Annie Galvin, Rollin Hu, Kristin Lin, Emma Kehlbeck, Michelle Harris, Jack McCordick, Marina King and Jan Kobal. Original music by Pat McCusker. Audience strategy by Kristina Samulewski and Shannon Busta. The director of New York Times Opinion Audio is Annie-Rose Strasser.

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