Talkin‘ Politics &amp; Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

We're joined by Tom Nichols, staff writer at The Atlantic and professor emeritus of national-security affairs at the U.S. Naval War College, to discuss all of this and more! We get into Tom's background in a working-class family, his educational journey, and his career in academia. Tom also discusses his views on democracy, international security, and challenges in contemporary politics. We get to reflect on Tom's Greek Orthodox faith and how it shapes his beliefs, while contrasting his temperamentally and philosophically conservative outlook with the current stance of the Republican Party. Additionally, Tom offers insights on the importance of a balanced media diet in today's political landscape. And since Tom is a 5x Jeopardy champion, we do a little Robert DeNiro-inspired Jeopardy at the end!

03:30 Tom Nichols' Background and Upbringing

07:49 Influence of Church and Community

10:49 Orthodox Christianity and Politics

19:51 Political Philosophy and Conservatism

25:49 Discussion on Israel and U.S. Politics

32:56 Debating the Choice Between Shapiro and Walz

33:49 Tim Walz: The Normal Guy in Politics

36:24 Tim Walz's Background and Achievements

40:09 JD Vance: A Controversial Figure

46:40 Kamala Harris's Electability and Political Evolution

53:29 Media Consumption and Political Discourse

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Rabbi Sharon Brous, Founder of IKAR and Author of the AMEN EFFECT: Ancient Wisdom to Mend Our Broken Hearts and World Dec 17, 2024

Show notes

“All who entered the Temple Mount entered by the right, circled to the right and exited by the left, except for one to whom something had happened, who entered and circled to the left...” (Mishnah Middot)

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Rabbi Sharon Brous, the founding rabbi of IKAR and author of THE AMEN EFFECT, delves into ancient Jewish rituals, the role of pain in human connections, and the transformative power of compassion and curiosity. Through heartfelt stories and profound insights, she explores the importance of staying engaged with those who challenge us and how communities can support each other in moments of deep sorrow and joy. The discussion also touches upon inclusivity in Jewish worship, dealing with vicarious trauma, navigating hard conversations such as differences over what's happening in Israel and the results of the U.S. election, and the significance of asking and truly listening to Malakh: "tell me about your heart."

00:52 Introducing Rabbi Sharon Brous

01:21 Exploring the Mishnah Middot

04:05 The Power of Ritual and Compassion

06:53 Personal Reflections on Sin and Mental Health

11:49 The Role of Community and Vulnerability

17:41 Balancing Leadership and Personal Burdens

24:22 Innovative Practices at IKAR

36:53 Challenges and Changes in Jewish Leadership

38:47 Navigating Differences in a Diverse Congregation

39:53 The Power of Curiosity and Compassion

47:05 The Importance of Staying at the Table

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Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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ikar.org/the-amen-effect/the-big-idea

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How should we respond to the election? Fight? Surrender? Or is there another way? Dec 12, 2024

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How should we respond to the election? Fight? Surrender? Or is there another way? Let's "Meet the Majority" and see if we can figure it out!

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As part of our "Meet the Majority" series, this is a candid conversation on ideological differences, election surprises, and friendship. In this episode, Corey sits down with his long-time friend Brandon to explore their differing political views and the implications of recent elections. Corey explains the importance of maintaining relationships and having open dialogue despite political differences. Brandon, a staunch Republican, shares his life story, professional background, and family history. He discusses his views on national security, the shortcomings of the far left, and the influence of Trumpism on American politics and the church. Both Corey and Brandon delve into the complexities of being in the political middle today, their concerns about the future, and the need for more constructive discourse. The conversation highlights the importance of listening and understanding different perspectives to foster better relationships and navigate the current political landscape.

00:49 Meet the Majority Series: Background and Purpose

03:42 Brandon's Background and Political Views

07:19 Discussion on Liberalism and Conservatism

11:34 The Middle Ground in Politics

17:11 Concerns About Trump and the Future of the Republican Party

26:28 Impact of Trumpism on the American Church

28:24 Debating Presidential Impact and Religious Influence

30:26 Supreme Court and the Conservative Legal Movement

33:10 Navigating Political Differences and Building Relationships

37:25 Reflecting on Political Identity and Middle Ground

50:08 Concluding Thoughts and Future Conversations

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Lanhee Chen, Public Policy Expert: "Coherence is overrated." Dec 10, 2024

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Is there any coherence to Trumpism from a policy standpoint? Public policy expert, Lanhee Chen, says coherence is overrated... at least at this moment.

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In this conversation with Lanhee Chen, we explore some hard questions in today's fraught political moment. As a key policy advisor to both Mitt Romney and Marco Rubio on their respective presidential campaigns, how can candidates and elected officials balance political considerations and policy priorities? Is there a place for a "compassionate conservative" in today's Republican Party? Is there a place for conservatives in today's California? We also discuss key moments that influenced Lanhee’s career, his conservative philosophy shaped by early experiences, and significant milestones like running for statewide office in California as a Republican. Lanhee shares insights into political coherence, the impact of electoral processes, and his stance on contemporary issues such as regulatory policies and international relations.

Lanhee Chen is a widely respected public policy expert who has advised numerous high-profile Republican candidates and served as a presidential appointee in both Republican and Democratic administrations. He is currently the David and Diane Steffy Fellow in American Public Policy Studies at the Hoover Institution, as well as the Director of Domestic Policy Studies and Lecturer in the Public Policy Program at Stanford University.

00:53 Guest Introduction: Lanhee Chen

01:36 Lanhee Chen's Early Interest in Politics

03:56 Formulating a Conservative Philosophy

09:06 Working with Mitt Romney

14:27 Challenges in Modern Politics

17:42 The State of California Politics

21:50 Advice for New Politicians

24:23 Impact of Electoral Processes

28:45 Electoral Reforms and Future Outlook

32:01 The Rise of Neopopulism in American Politics

34:43 Assessing Trumpism and Policy Coherence

37:34 Hope and Concerns for the Upcoming Administration

39:45 Reflecting on Biden's Legislative Accomplishments

46:49 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

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Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

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www.hoover.org/profiles/lanhee-j-chen

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Matt Lewis on Trump, Politics, Faith and Holiday Movies Dec 05, 2024

Show notes

Do you find yourself generally hopeful or really concerned about this 2nd Trump Administration? Or are you just grabbing your popcorn and buckling up for the ride? Author, Columnist and Podcaster, Matt Lewis helps us work through all this and more.

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We’re joined on this episode by Matt Lewis, author of FILTHY RICH POLITICIANS and TOO DUMB TO FAIL. He is the host of the "Matt Lewis And the News" YouTube channel , co-host of "The DMZ" and co-host of “The Wrong Stuff" podcasts. We talk about the current state of democracy, the challenges faced by writers, and the shifts in media consumption. Matt shares his thoughts on Trump's campaign, the election results, and the implications of another Trump term. We also delve into personal topics such as family, faith, and the impact of politics on personal beliefs. And of course we mix in a little bit of movies, music and sports.

00:37 Guest Introduction: Matt Lewis

03:43 Shifting Focus to YouTube and Podcasts

08:19 Challenges of Political Opinion Journalism

11:06 Changing Media Landscape and Influencers

16:23 Election Predictions and Reflections

24:35 Democratic Party's Challenges and Future

35:17 Public Sentiment Post-Election

35:40 Trump's Influence and Political Violence

40:04 Understanding the Anger Towards Biden and Harris

43:02 Media Influence and Public Perception

46:26 Hopes and Concerns for Another Trump Term

52:38 Personal Reflections on Faith and Politics

59:00 Building Bridges Across Differences

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Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

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ICYMI This American Church Chooses Neo-Crusaders Over Christ (and the Constitution) Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

Since a lot of folks were doing the whole thanksgiving thing, I guess we can consider this counter-programming. Either way, in case you missed it...

Who's doing the canceling now? The leader doth protest too much... (the leaders of Presbyterian Church in America, that is.)

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https://julieroys.com/pca-cancels-anti-polarization-panel-david-french-being-too-polarizing/

In this edition, we take a look at a very public controversy surrounding the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and David French. We'll highlight a significant dispute within the PCA, where a planned panel on dealing with polarization was cancelled due to the inclusion of French. We explore articles and commentary (quoting extensively from a number of pieces), especially focusing on PCA Elder Ben Dunson's misleading attacks against French's views. In this inquiry, the mischaracterizations and false witness borne by Dunson get proper scrutiny so we can contextualize David (and Nancy) French's positions. The episode also explores broader implications of such church conflicts, stressing the importance of honesty, intellectual rigor, and faithfulness to Scripture.

01:38 Today's Topic: The David French PCA Controversy

02:17 Background on David French and the PCA

03:42 Criticism and Mischaracterization of David French

12:31 David French's Actual Stance on Drag Queen Story Hour

17:47 David French's Actual Views on Same-Sex Marriage

20:05 David French's Actual Position on Legislation Involving Transgender Youth

27:23 Addressing Personal Attacks on David and Nancy French

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/opinion/presbyterian-church-evangelical-canceled.html

https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/david-french-sohrab-ahmari-and-the-battle-for-the-future-of-conservatism?_sp=9d3e8c33-72cc-4872-b332-e14d92b13983.1718748473071

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/11/respect-for-marriage-same-sex-religious-freedom/676545/

https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/frenchpress/when-culture-wars-go-way-too-far/

https://www.deseret.com/politics/2024/04/16/nancy-french-ghosted-book-cancer-david-french/

https://americanreformer.org/2024/05/david-french-and-the-pcas-general-assembly/

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ICYMI - LARRY WILMORE: Writer, Producer, Actor, Mentor | black-ish, Black on the Air, ”Senior Black Correspondent” on The Daily Show and more Nov 28, 2024

Show notes

This was one of my favorite conversations over the last year or so. Figured it'd be nice to share it again...

We are joined in this episode by Writer, Producer, Actor and Mentor, LARRY WILMORE! We discussed what drew Larry to comedy, writing, acting and producing; and, yes, we did talk about the WGA strike; why, as a kid, he was compelled by the work of such greats as Houdini, Buster Keaton, the Marx Brothers and Flip Wilson; rebounding from professional setbacks and keeping a healthy mindset; his thoughts on the "TP&R question" - how to be better at talking about politics and religion across our differences; and we got pretty deep with the concept of consciousness, meaning and why humans have a desire to have a life of meaning.

Emmy Award winner Larry Wilmore is a prolific producer, actor, comedian, and writer. He is also the host of the excellent podcast Larry Wilmore: Black on the Air. Larry is perhaps best known for his role as host of Comedy Central’s The Nightly Show with Larry Wilmore and as the “Senior Black Correspondent” on The Daily Show with Jon Stewart. Off-screen, Larry serves as co-creator and consulting producer on HBO’s Insecure, and helped to launch ABC’s black-ish as an executive producer and is a co-creator of the spin-off Grownish. Previously, he has written for In Living Color, The PJ’s (which he co-created), The Office (on which he also appeared), and The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. He also served as creator, writer, and executive producer of The Bernie Mac Show, which earned him his Emmy for “Outstanding Writing for a Comedy Series” and a 2001 Peabody Award. In 2016, Larry hosted the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner. Larry is also an author, having released his first book, I’d Rather We Got Casinos and Other Black Thoughts, in January 2009.

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Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

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Unmasking Christian Nationalism: A Deep Dive with Katherine Stewart Nov 26, 2024

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Katherine Stewart is an expert who has been investigating religious nationalism for over 15 years. Given the impact of Christian Nationalism on churches around the country as well as on our democracy, this conversation comes at a critical time. The discussion delves into Katherine's insights from her recent book, THE POWER WORSHIPPERS and the upcoming MONEY, LIES AND GOD: INSIDE THE MOVEMENT TO DESTROY AMERICAN DEMOCRACY. Discover the controversial role of Good News Clubs in public schools which she covered in her 2017 book; the strategies driving the Christian nationalist agenda; and the broader implications for American democracy. We also take a moment to highlight the importance of respectful dialogue on politics and religion, especially during family gatherings like Thanksgiving.

02:59 The Good News Club Controversy

06:19 Impact on Public Schools

16:50 Christian Nationalism Explained

22:47 Investigative Journalism Insights

26:01 Economic Grievances and Voting Behavior

26:48 Christian Nationalist Influence

30:11 Leonard Leo’s Plans to Weaponize Right Wing Policies

33:17 Pushing Back Against Christian Nationalism

37:41 Finding Common Ground in Political Conversations

44:02 Conclusion and Final Thoughts

katherinestewart.me

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Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

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Meet the Majority: Conversations Across Our Differences With Lifelong Friend, Natalie Nov 22, 2024

Show notes

Someone I love voted for a different candidate at the top of the ticket. Can we still have a healthy, loving relationship? Can we still have any sort of relationship? Even when we disagree about something we feel so passionately about?

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In this episode, Corey’s lifelong friend, Natalie, joins the program as the first edition of our 'Meet The Majority' series. The recent election underscored that a lot of people we know and love voted differently than we did (at least at the top of the ticket). Those differences often exacerbate unspoken grievances and lead to decaying relationships. The other way to go forward in a time like this is to do the hard work of staying in relationship with each other - not with the intent to convince or persuade or to win an argument - although we can still have the conversation. We can still go there. And we can even disagree. But when we do go there, the practice is to lead with curiosity. Curiosity and not contentiousness. That’s what Natalie and Corey tried to model in this conversation.

01:15 Personal Reflections on Voting and Family

02:44 Leading with Curiosity in Political Conversations

03:41 Introducing Natalie: A Lifelong Friend

04:57 Natalie's Background

09:56 Political Upbringing and Shifting Views

15:06 College Years and Career Beginnings

26:36 Voting History and Political Shifts

40:05 Reflections on Trump's Leadership Style

43:39 Concerns About First Amendment Rights

44:53 Media Bias and Social Media Censorship

49:28 Political Conversations and Family Dynamics

52:29 Immigration and Border Control

01:02:18 Election Integrity and Popular Vote

01:17:44 The Aftermath of January 6th

01:22:28 Final Thoughts and Future Plans

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as

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Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

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Alternate Slate of Podcasters: A Republican, a Democrat and an Independent Reflect on the Election and a 2nd Trump Term Nov 19, 2024

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A Republican, a Democrat and an Independent walk into a podcast...

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So glad to have joined the hosts of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram, to discuss the election results and reflect on our concerns regarding Trump's second term. We explore the complexities of political identity, the importance of community, and the need for clear boundaries in political discourse. The conversation delves into the intersection of faith and politics (of course!), the impact of hyperbole in political conversations, and the responsibility of individuals in their media consumption. We emphasize the need for discernment and understanding in navigating the evolving landscape of religious beliefs and political affiliations. We also explore the intersection of Christianity and politics, discussing the historical context of Christianity as a religion of empire versus the teachings of Jesus. We reflect on the implications of political power, the potential for violence, and the importance of accountability in leadership. Amidst concerns about the current political climate, we express hope for the future and the role of the church in promoting positive change. The discussion also touches on the challenges of engaging with differing ideologies and managing fear and anxiety in a politically charged environment.

00:00 Introduction to Faithful Politics Live Show

04:11 Reflections on the Recent Election Results

07:56 Concerns About Trump's Second Term

12:05 The Role of Identity and Community in Politics

16:00 Defining Terms in Political Discourse

19:50 The Intersection of Faith and Politics

24:13 Hyperbole and Its Impact on Political Conversations

28:10 Agency and Personal Responsibility in Media Consumption

32:13 The Evolution of Religious Beliefs in Politics

46:53 The Religion of Empire vs. the Religion of Jesus

50:06 Concerns About Political Power and Violence

52:45 Reflections on Presidential Power and Accountability

01:01:41 Hope Amidst Political Uncertainty

01:10:00 Engaging with Challenging Ideologies

01:19:00 Managing Fear and Anxiety in Politics

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