Host Megan Phelps-Roper asks J.K. Rowling to respond to pushback from some of her critics. The two also discuss the difficulty of discernment—why it can be so hard to know what’s right.Produced by Andy Mills, Matthew Boll, Megan Phelps-Roper, with special thanks to Candace Mittel Kahn and Emily Yoffe.This show is proudly sponsored by the Foundation for Individual Rights and Expression. FIRE believes free speech makes free people. Learn more at thefire.org. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this engaging discussion, Megan Phelps-Roper, a podcast host and former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, delves into the controversies surrounding J.K. Rowling's views on gender rights. They explore the delicate balance between trans rights and women's rights, the cultural backlash Rowling faced, and how social media amplifies polarized opinions. Phelps-Roper also shares her unique background and how it shapes her perspective on extremism, belief, and the importance of rational discourse in a heated public debate.

In this thought-provoking discussion, Sarah Haider, co-founder of Ex-Muslims of North America, critiques the constraints of religious texts on morality. Megan Phelps-Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, opens up about her journey from fervent belief to a secular worldview. Yasmine Mohammed shares her harrowing escape from fundamentalist Islamism and emphasizes women's rights. The conversation unpacks belief, societal norms, and the power of dialogue in navigating personal transformations and challenging oppressive systems.

In this episode, we examine a series of Sam’s conversations centered around religion, atheism, and the power of belief.  First, we hear the stories of three guests who have fled their respective oppressive religious organizations. We begin with Sarah Haider, founder of the advocacy group Ex-Muslims of North America, who details how her encounters with militant atheists catalyzed her journey to secularism. Then our narrator, Megan Phelps-Roper, walks us through her story of abandoning the Westboro Baptist Church. Finally, Yasmine Mohammed presents her harrowing account of escaping fundamentalist Islamism and Sam’s role in inspiring her public advocacy work. We then tackle the concept of belief more broadly, diving into Sam’s understanding of atheism and what sets it apart from the views of other atheist thinkers like Matt Dillahunty and Richard Dawkins. We also revisit an infamous conversation between Sam and Jordan Peterson, wherein they attempt to come to some universal definition of the word “truth.” The episode concludes with two Q&A portions from life events in which Sam addresses some real concerns about purpose and meaning in the absence of religion.   About the Series Filmmaker Jay Shapiro has produced The Essential Sam Harris, a new series of audio documentaries exploring the major topics that Sam has focused on over the course of his career. Each episode weaves together original analysis, critical perspective, and novel thought experiments with some of the most compelling exchanges from the Making Sense archive. Whether you are new to a particular topic, or think you have your mind made up about it, we think you’ll find this series fascinating.

Megan Phelps-Roper, a social activist and former member of the Westboro Baptist Church, shares her unique insights on the controversies surrounding J.K. Rowling and her impact on gender discourse. The discussion covers how Harry Potter became a focal point in debates around witchcraft and trans rights. They delve into the evolution of online communities, the decline of generosity in public discourse, and the importance of civil conversation. Megan's background provides a fascinating lens through which to explore these complex social dynamics.

Join Roxane Gay, a renowned author and social commentator, Megan Phelps Roper, a former Westboro Baptist Church member turned advocate for kindness, Andy Mills, a captivating journalist, and David Baddiel, a witty comedian and documentarian. They explore the complexities of cancel culture and its implications on accountability and dialogue. The group delves into the potential for forgiveness and personal transformation in the digital age, examining how social media both amplifies voices and fosters outrage, ultimately advocating for a more compassionate discourse.

Megan Phelps-Roper, a thoughtful contributor and friend of the hosts, joins the discussion on the contentious debates surrounding gender and women's rights. They dive into the backlash faced by J.K. Rowling for her views, sparking conversations about the need for civil dialogue. The podcast also explores the evolving landscape of women's sports and medical transition for youth, highlighting the U.S.'s unique stance. With insights from author Helen Lewis, it examines societal pressures, freedom of speech, and the tensions within ongoing gender discourses.

Former Westboro Baptist Church member Megan Phelps-Roper discusses growing up in the church, breaking the cycle of generational pain, dealing with radicalization, and advocating for dialogue between conflicting groups. She shares her emotional journey, reflections on de-radicalization, and the importance of humility and empathy in parenting.

Megan Phelps-Roper, a former member of the Westboro Baptist Church and author of "Unfollow," shares her transformative journey from radical beliefs to advocacy for understanding and dialogue. She discusses the emotional challenges of leaving a controversial faith, the psychological impacts of charismatic figures, and the struggle for identity. The conversation touches on the importance of empathy in navigating ideological divides and the role of social media in fostering connection amidst polarization. Megan emphasizes personal responsibility and the power of kindness in bridging gaps between conflicting views.

Megan Phelps-Roper (@meganphelps) grew up in the Westboro Baptist Church, an organization widely monitored as a hate group for its anti-gay, anti-Jewish, anti-American protests. She left WBC in 2012 and has since written about her experiences in Unfollow: A Memoir of Loving and Leaving the Westboro Baptist Church. This is part one of a two-part episode. Stay tuned for the second episode coming later this week! What We Discuss with Megan Phelps-Roper: What it was like to grow up in what documentary filmmaker Louis Theroux called "The Most Hated Family in America." Why the Westboro Baptist Church feels it's uniquely qualified to spread what it sees as the "true" word of God in a way that shocks and offends the rest of the world. How the Westboro Baptist Church interprets feelgood lessons from the Bible like "Love thy neighbor" and the tale of the good Samaritan. Why children who grow up in Westboro Baptist Church aren't educated at home, but encouraged to go to public schools. The complicated history of the church's founder (and Megan's grandfather), Fred Phelps, who championed civil rights for African-Americans as a lawyer while campaigning against homosexuals, Jewish people, dead soldiers, tsunami victims, Mr. Rogers, and others deemed "deviant" by his very specific interpretation of the Bible (e.g., everybody not belonging to Westboro Baptist Church). And much more... Full show notes and resources can be found here: https://jordanharbinger.com/302 Sign up for Six-Minute Networking -- our free networking and relationship development mini course -- at jordanharbinger.com/course! Like this show? Please leave us a review here -- even one sentence helps! Consider including your Twitter handle so we can thank you personally!