Reveal

The Reverend Rob Schenck was once one of America’s most powerful and influential evangelical leaders. He routinely lobbied legislators to adopt a Christian conservative agenda. Members of his anti-abortion activist group barricaded the doors and driveways of abortion clinics. He even trained wealthy couples to befriend Supreme Court justices in an attempt to persuade them to render judgments that would please conservative Christians.But along the way, Schenck began doubting where the movement was taking him—and the country. His fellow activists seemed more interested in gaining power than advancing the tenets of humility and selflessness he remembers learning about when he first converted to Christianity. By the mid-2010s, he realized that he had been forging a dangerous, divisive path, one that was leading to a new Christian nationalism with Donald Trump as its figurehead.“I’m afraid I helped build the ramp that took Trump to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue,” he says. “And that’s a very painful reality for me.”Schenck has since left the movement and been ostracized by some of his former fellow activists for his opposition to Trump. In this podcast extra, Schenck sits down with host Al Letson to talk about his conversion into and out of Christian conservatism and what he’s doing today to rein in the very movement he helped to build. Support Reveal’s journalism at Revealnews.org/donatenow Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the scoop on new episodes at Revealnews.org/newsletter Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Don Lamb, Pastor of LifeGate in Pennsylvania, passionately advocates for his church's political engagement, rejecting the notion of a passive faith. Joining him are Najib Aminy, a reporter who investigated LifeGate's political activities, and Kiera Butler from Mother Jones, who sheds light on the New Apostolic Reformation. They explore how political activism is entwined with faith and the implications of NAR's rise, aiming to empower Christians to influence governance, particularly in local elections. The conversation uncovers the tensions between spirituality and political action.

As any schoolkid might tell you, US elections are based on a bedrock principle: one person, one vote. Simple as that. Each vote carries the same weight. Yet for much of the country’s history, that hasn't been the case. At various points, whole classes of people were shut out of voting: enslaved Black Americans, Native Americans, and poor White people. The first time women had the right to vote was in 1919. The reality is that one person, one vote is far from how American democracy actually works. In fact, the political institutions created by the Founding Fathers were meant to constrain democracy, and that system is still alive today. Institutions like the Electoral College and US Senate were designed as checks against the power of the majority. What’s more, the Supreme Court is a product of these two skewed institutions. Then there are newer tactics—like voter suppression and gerrymandering—that further erode democracy and often entrench the power of a conservative White minority.These are some of the conclusions from Mother Jones reporter Ari Berman in his latest book, Minority Rule: The Right-Wing Attack on the Will of the People—and the Fight to Resist It.In a deep-dive conversation with Reveal host Al Letson, Berman traces the rise of conservative firebrand Pat Buchanan and how he opened the door for Donald Trump. Buchanan made White Republicans fear becoming a racial minority. And he opposed the Voting Rights Act, which struck down obstacles to voting like poll taxes and literacy tests that had been used to keep people of color from the polls. Buchanan never came close to winning the presidency, but he transformed White anxiety into an organizing principle that has become a centerpiece of much of today’s Republican Party.This is an update of an episode that originally aired in May 2024. Support Reveal’s journalism at Revealnews.org/donatenow Subscribe to our weekly newsletter to get the scoop on new episodes at Revealnews.org/newsletter Connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram Learn about your ad choices: dovetail.prx.org/ad-choices

Laura Ascencio Bautista shares her poignant journey from Guerrero, Mexico, where violence and government persecution drove her to seek asylum in the U.S. She recounts the harrowing experience of separating from her daughters in pursuit of safety. The conversation uncovers how U.S. foreign policies have exacerbated the violence in her homeland, revealing a disturbing cycle that fuels migration. Additionally, the complexities of current U.S. immigration policies and their impact on vulnerable families come to light, making for a powerful exploration of hope and despair.

Delve into the poignant reflections of returning to Jacksonville, Florida, amid personal loss and rising racial tensions. Explore the chilling aftermath of a racially motivated mass shooting that stirs deep fears within the African-American community. Understand the political landscape as laws restrict discussions on racial and LGBTQ+ issues. Personal stories illuminate the struggle against erasure in education and the fight for fair representation in politics. This journey reveals how history shapes current battles for inclusivity and recognition.

Jonathan Jones, a Reveal reporter, investigates the alarming connection between retirement investments and fossil fuels. He uncovers how giants like Vanguard are fueling climate change, despite a global push for sustainability. The discussion also highlights grassroots activism against polluting projects, revealing the tension between financial security and environmental ethics. Jones emphasizes the need for investors to align their portfolios with sustainable practices and calls for accountability from investment firms to protect our planet.

Susan Horton, a mother of five, shares her shocking experience with child welfare after consuming a poppy seed salad. Despite her explanations, a hospital drug test falsely indicated opiate use, leading to the immediate removal of her newborn. The discussion dives deep into the systemic failings of drug testing for expectant mothers, highlighting the emotional turmoil these inaccuracies cause. Horton passionately advocates for better understanding and reform, showcasing the chilling impact such misdiagnoses have on families across the country.

Jade Dass, a mother navigating the challenges of opioid addiction treatment during pregnancy, shares her harrowing story. After following medical advice, she faced an investigation by child welfare authorities and lost custody of her newborn daughter. The podcast delves into systemic issues surrounding addiction medicine and the stigmatization of mothers using prescribed medications. It sheds light on racial biases in child welfare policies and highlights Jade's desperate fight to keep her family together against a backdrop of legal complexities and societal judgment.

David Leavitt, a wealthy Utah politician, shares his controversial adoption story, revealing how he leveraged connections to secure custody of a Native child. The discussion uncovers the emotional complexities of the adoption process and highlights the fraught implications of the Indian Child Welfare Act. Investigators explore the ethical dilemmas and the pain felt by the child's Native family due to federal oversight failures. Tensions surrounding tribal sovereignty and historical injustices further complicate the narrative, shedding light on the deep scars left by such adoptions.

Ibram X. Kendi, a prominent author and historian known for his groundbreaking work on antiracism, joins the discussion to debunk the myth of COVID-19 as 'the great equalizer.' He highlights how the virus disproportionately affected people of color, with mortality rates nearly double that of White individuals. Kendi also reveals the challenges faced by The COVID Tracking Project in navigating CDC data discrepancies and stresses the need for reform in public health infrastructure to prepare for future crises.