Faithful Politics

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn 1954, white Southern churches declared that school integration “defied God’s design.” Seven decades later, many of those congregations champion “color-blindness” instead. What changed—and what hasn’t? Historian Rusty Hawkins (Indiana Wesleyan University), co-editor of The Bible Told Them So: How Southern Evangelicals Fought to Preserve White Supremacy, joins Faithful Politics to trace the theological through-line from Jim Crow sermons to modern debates over CRT and DEI. Hawkins explains how pastors and laypeople alike used Scripture to sanctify segregation, then re-branded the same resistance as a fight for “quality education” and “parental choice.” He also argues that today’s church can still become a force for racial reconciliation—if it learns from the prophetic witness of the Black church and rejects power for service. Whether you’re a pastor, activist, or history buff, this conversation equips you with the receipts—and the hope—to confront racism’s religious roots.Guest BioRusty Hawkins is Associate Professor of History at Indiana Wesleyan University, specializing in American religion and race. He co-edited the award-winning The Bible Told Them So and is currently writing a religious biography of Alabama Governor George Wallace. Hawkins’s scholarship appears in Christianity Today, the Journal of Southern Religion, and other outlets, making him a leading voice on how evangelical theology has shaped—and been shaped by—America’s color line. Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comIn June 2024, Louisiana passed a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom—reviving old debates about church-state separation and moral authority. But what if we’ve misunderstood the Ten Commandments all along?Dr. Mark Glanville, Old Testament scholar, jazz pianist, and director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at UBC, joins the podcast to reframe how we read scripture in public life. Drawing on his essay “Ten Commandments, Zero Context,” Glanville explains how these ancient laws were never about symbolic domination or individual morality, but about shaping a just, compassionate community freed from oppression.From biblical law’s roots in slave emancipation to today’s debates over Christian nationalism, immigration, and public theology, this episode asks: What kind of society are we really trying to build? And whose law are we following—Pharaoh’s or God’s?🎧 Listen in, then share this episode with a friend or pastor.📬 Subscribe for more conversations at the intersection of faith and politics.Guest Bio:Dr. Mark Glanville is an Old Testament scholar and the Director of the Centre for Missional Leadership at the University of British Columbia in Vancouver. A professional jazz pianist and theologian, Glanville is the author of Improvising Church and Preaching in a New Key. He also hosts the Blue Note Theology podcast—“the only theology podcast hosted from a grand piano.”🔗 Resource LinksImprovising Church: Scripture as the Source of Harmony, Rhythm, and Soul: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781514007457Mark Glanville’s Website: https://www.markglanville.org/ Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com88% of Americans believe our political system isn’t working—and they’re not wrong. In this episode, Will sits down with Meredith Sumpter, CEO of FairVote, to unpack one of the most promising reforms in American democracy: ranked choice voting (RCV). With over 800 elections already conducted using RCV and growing bipartisan support in states like Maine and Alaska, this episode explores how RCV reduces negative campaigning, empowers majority rule, and encourages candidates to actually engage with all voters—not just their base.Meredith explains how RCV works, where it’s spreading, and why local communities are leading the charge. Can a voting method really make elections more civil? What would it take to implement RCV nationwide? And why are some politicians resisting it, even if their constituents support it?This isn’t just a conversation about ballots—it’s about restoring faith in the democratic process.👤 Guest BioMeredith Sumpter is the CEO of FairVote, a nonpartisan organization working to make American democracy more representative and functional. With a background in diplomacy, global strategy, and policy, she leads efforts to expand ranked choice voting and other election reforms nationwide. Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Joseph Torigian, an associate professor and expert on authoritarian regimes, dives into the impactful legacy of Xi Jinping's father, Xi Zhongxun, and how personal suffering shaped Xi's moral code. They explore the tension between party loyalty and individual morals within the Chinese Communist Party. Torigian highlights the party's difficult relationship with religious minorities in China, particularly Christianity, and discusses the relevance of history in understanding China's future ambitions on the global stage.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comMost of us think we know more than we do. But what if our beliefs—especially political ones—are shaped less by facts and more by the people around us? In this mind-expanding episode, Dr. Steven Sloman, professor at Brown University and co-author of The Knowledge Illusion, explores how humans think, why we rely on others for knowledge, and how sacred values—not reasoned analysis—drive political polarization. He explains the tension between intuitive and deliberative thinking, the communal nature of belief, and why asking people why they believe something rarely changes minds—but asking about consequences might. If you're wondering why people dig in on issues like immigration, tariffs, or abortion—and how to bridge deep divides—this episode is for you.👤 Guest BioDr. Steven Sloman is a professor of cognitive, linguistic, and psychological sciences at Brown University, where he has taught since 1992. He’s the co-author of The Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone and author of The Cost of Conviction (MIT Press). His research focuses on reasoning, decision-making, and belief formation, and his work has been featured in The New Yorker, The New York Times, and Scientific American.🔗 Resource LinksThe Knowledge Illusion: Why We Never Think Alone by Steven Sloman: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780399184369 The Cost of Conviction: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780262049825 Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comWhy would the U.S. strike Iran’s nuclear facilities—and what does it mean for global stability?In this episode, former U.S. diplomat and Middle East expert Ethan Chorin returns to break down the escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. Chorin, author of Benghazi and writer of The Middle East Told Slant, gives a nuanced view of how the region arrived at this inflection point—from the JCPOA withdrawal to the October 7 Hamas attack and the long shadow of the Abraham Accords.With deep knowledge of regional proxy wars, U.S. foreign policy, and Iran’s theocratic regime, Chorin explores how power, ideology, and politics collide across borders. He unpacks why Iran's nuclear ambitions are so destabilizing, how Israel’s strategy has evolved, and what the American public often misunderstands about both allies and adversaries.🔗 Resource LinksEthan Chorin’s Website: https://ethanchorinauthor.com/The Middle East Told Slant (Substack): https://ethanchorin.substack.comBenghazi: A New History: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780306829741Guest Bio:Ethan Chorin is a former U.S. diplomat and Middle East expert with over two decades of experience in diplomacy, strategic consulting, and regional analysis. He served in Libya with the State Department and has worked extensively across the Gulf and Red Sea regions. He is the author of Benghazi: A New History of the Fiasco that Pushed America and its World to the Brink and writes the Substack newsletter The Middle East Told Slant. Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

In this insightful conversation, April Ajoy, a content creator and author of Star Spangled Jesus, shares her transformative journey from Christian nationalism to advocating for a more inclusive faith. She discusses her upbringing in a traveling evangelist family, the disillusionment that followed personal tragedies, and how humor became essential in challenging the absurdities of religious extremism. April emphasizes the importance of faith evolution and standing against Christian nationalism, shedding light on the complexities of navigating belief in today’s polarized world.

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comPentecostalism is the fastest-growing branch of Christianity worldwide—expected to top 1 billion by 2050. But what happens when elements of this movement intersect with far-right politics and spiritual warfare rhetoric? In this episode, Canadian scholar Dr. André Gagné returns to Faithful Politics to unpack the rise of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), dominion theology, and the Seven Mountain Mandate—ideologies fueling an increasingly militant form of Christian nationalism. Gagné explains how these movements evolved from church growth strategies into political frameworks now embraced by Trump allies like Paula White-Cain and Lance Wallnau. The conversation explores how spiritual language can dehumanize political opponents, what “spiritual warfare” really means, and why Christians should be concerned about the blurring line between faith and authoritarianism.👤 Guest BioDr. André Gagné is a professor of theological studies at Concordia University in Montreal and a leading expert on the intersection of religion and politics. His research focuses on how the Bible is mobilized in contemporary politics, with a particular interest in dominion theology, Pentecostal-charismatic networks, and religious violence. He is the author of American Evangelicals for Trump: Dominion, Spiritual Warfare, and End Times and co-editor of Religion and Violence in Western Traditions. He also hosts the Spirit, State, and Society podcast.🔗 Resource LinksAmerican Evangelicals for Trump by André Gagné:https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781032415680Spirit, State, and Society Podcast: https://www.youtube.com/@UCg1iGewURbw0G1Ggfo0I7fA André Gagné on Substack: https://substack.com/@andregagne Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comFormer Ohio Governor John Kasich joins Faithful Politics to discuss his new book, Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build a Future. Kasich opens up about the tragic loss of his parents that led him to deeply explore his faith, his unlikely friendship with a pastor, and the powerful community stories that shaped his latest work. But it’s not all heavy topics — Kasich lightens the conversation with dad jokes and a touching story about meeting Chester Bennington from Linkin Park backstage before the singer’s untimely death. Listen in as hosts Will Wright and Josh Burtram explore how faith, music, and small acts of kindness can leave lasting impacts on people and communities.Guest Bio:John Kasich is the former governor of Ohio and a two-time presidential candidate. He is the author of Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build a Future. Kasich, a lifelong Christian, blends humor and humility in his reflections on faith, politics, and pop culture — from reading Isaiah on Mondays to rocking out to Metallica on Fridays.Resources & Links:Heaven Help Us by John Kasich: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780310368823John Kasich's Website: JohnKasich.com Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.comLaunched in 2003, PEPFAR has saved over 25 million lives and stood as one of America’s most celebrated bipartisan achievements. But under the Trump administration's second term, this global health initiative faces near-total collapse. In this urgent conversation, Peter Wehner—a veteran of three Republican administrations and a key PEPFAR advocate—explains how executive orders, the gutting of USAID, and MAGA-driven misinformation have jeopardized millions. Wehner, a senior fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center and contributor to The Atlantic and The New York Times, also reflects on the unraveling of U.S. soft power, the erosion of moral clarity in the evangelical world, and how Christians should respond to mass suffering abroad.From the devastation of Africa’s healthcare infrastructure to the ideological reshaping of the GOP, this episode is a powerful wake-up call for anyone concerned with human dignity, public health, or the soul of American politics.👤 Guest BioPeter Wehner is a contributing writer for The Atlantic and The New York Times and a Senior Fellow at the Ethics and Public Policy Center. He served in three Republican presidential administrations, including as deputy director of speechwriting and director of strategic initiatives under President George W. Bush. A key advocate for PEPFAR, he continues to write and speak on faith, politics, and democracy.The Republican Betrayal of PEPFAR: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2023/09/republican-pepfar-renewal/675433/AMERICA’S MAD KING: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/04/donald-trump-authoritarian-actions/682486/PEPFAR: https://www.state.gov/pepfar/ Support the show🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest?👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests:faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going:donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content:faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events:Chec...