Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

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ICYMI: David French, Opinion columnist with the New York Times on faith, family, Constitutional law and religion in America Sep 03, 2024

Show notes

What's it like to get pounded by folks who passionately object to one's theological orthodoxy and political conservatism? And then to get mercilessly attacked for speaking out against the hypocrisy being exhibited by other supposed conservatives?

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In this much anticipated conversation with New York Times columnist David French, we discuss the health of democracy, judicial and political issues, potential outcomes of a second Trump presidency, and the complexities of interacting with opposing viewpoints. David shares personal anecdotes, including his wife Nancy French's battle with cancer, insights into dealing with dishonesty within political movements and religious communities, and how these latest chapters of American Christendom have tested his own faith.

We delve into

The impact of polarized environments on political and social discourse
Insights into the current state of American Christendom versus Christianity
The judicial philosophy and significant rulings of the current U.S. Supreme Court
Strategies for engaging in meaningful conversations across political and ideological divides
Personal reflections on navigating public and private challenges with faith and integrity.

David Lee Roth... no wait... David French! David French is an Opinion columnist with the New York Times who writes about faith, friendship, marriage and parenting as well as foreign affairs and the latest developments in American constitutional law. He also writes about religion in America, with a particular focus on the health of the evangelical church. David graduated from Harvard Law and was a commercial litigator for a number of years, and then ultimately switched to constitutional law. Remarkably, well into his legal career, David decided to serve our country as an Army lawyer with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Diyala Province in Iraq during the height of the Surge in 2007. After spending much of his career defending free speech, religious freedom and due process in courtrooms across the country, David joined National Review as a senior writer, but left in 2019 to help start The Dispatch, a conservative media company, where he continues to contribute to their "flagship" podcast Advisory Opinions. He also became a contributing writer for The Atlantic. And just last year, he joined The Times.

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

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

Advisory Opinions, the flagship podcast of The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com/podcast/advisoryopinions/

https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-french

https://www.threads.net/@davidfrenchjag

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Ronnie Nathan (aka Corey's dad) on the 2024 election, what's at stake and trusting God through it all Aug 30, 2024

Show notes

Ask an old Jewish guy from Brooklyn a question, and he's sure to answer with another question, a bissle of "on the one hand... but on the other hand..." and a megillah that involves a whole lot of talking over each other!

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In this episode, we’re treated to the highly anticipated return of Ronnie Nathan, aka Corey’s dad and that guy from Bensonhurst referred to above! Ronnie recounts his political evolution from a democratic family background to his active engagement in politics, influenced by historic events like Kennedy's assassination, the Vietnam War, and the Civil Rights movement. We discuss contemporary political issues, the significance of election demographics, and the potential outcomes of the Harris-Walz ticket versus Trump. Then we delve into the challenges of maintaining a civil discourse on divisive topics, offering a generational perspective on current affairs and political dynamics.

00:53 Ronnie's Early Political Influences

03:27 Vietnam War and Cultural Shifts

06:28 Nixon and Political Disillusionment

07:49 Contemporary Political Issues

08:23 Trump and Jewish Identity

10:23 Netanyahu and Israeli Politics

21:31 Kamala Harris and Voter Sentiments

35:17 Analyzing the Harris Campaign's Strategy

37:59 Economic Impact of Mass Deportation

40:14 Congressional Approval and Tariffs

41:39 VP Picks and Election Dynamics

47:41 Concerns About National Security and Debt

49:37 Election Predictions and Potential Outcomes

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

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:

https://www.mezawealth.com/

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A Tale of 2 Conventions and the State of the 2024 Race Aug 27, 2024

Show notes

Will the worship of Trump and further consolidation of the MAGA base be a winning strategy? Or will themes like joy, freedom, patriotism and the strategy of expanding the coalition lift the Democrats to victory?

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In this episode, we do a comprehensive comparison between the 2024 Republican National Convention (RNC) and the Democratic National Convention (DNC). We highlight key takeaways from both events, noting the overt 'Trump worship' at the RNC and the strategic emphasis on mocking Trump at the DNC. There is a focus on differences in messaging, with the RNC catering to its established base while the DNC aimed to broaden its appeal. We also reflect on the contrasting themes of manliness, patriotism, and freedom reclaimed by the DNC. Additionally, we cover candidate suitability, campaign strategies, and the significance of the electoral process.

03:02 State of the Race: Conventions Recap

07:52 Mockery as a Strategy

12:21 Themes of the Democratic National Convention

16:41 Contrasting Leadership Styles

22:05 Expanding the Tent: Republican Speakers at the DNC

23:39 Support for Israel and Ukraine

27:11 Protests and Media Coverage

29:08 Personal Reflections and Joy in the Campaign

34:39 Concerns and Support for Harris-Walz Ticket

46:20 Current State of the Race and Polls

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

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:

https://www.mezawealth.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Adam Kinzinger, COUNTRY FIRST, former U.S. Congressman (R, IL) Aug 23, 2024

Show notes

After former Republican Congressman Adam Kinzinger delivered a kick-ass primetime speech at the Democratic National Convention, we thought it would be good to re-boot our conversation with him here.

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"Bringing people together to learn how to do democracy again. And we're gonna go after the crazies in the political environment that do not have the interest of the country at heart." - Adam Kinzinger

Rep. Adam Kinzinger served with integrity during his time in the U.S. Congress as well as the Air Force. Yet, the mere mention of his name sends a certain ex-President (HINT: rhymes with Shmump) as well as many of that ex-prez's most loyal followers into a rage. So it was a special honor for us to speak with former Congressman Kinzinger. Having served in Congress from 2011 to 2023 and on notable committees such as the House Select Committee investigating the January 6 Capitol attack, he discusses the challenges of political extremism, the importance of compromise, and his journey from a conservative upbringing to questioning his beliefs, while staying true to deeply rooted, unimpeachable values. He addresses the toxicity of social media, the need for reconciliation across political and religious spectrums, and his work with Country First, aimed at promoting democracy and moderating political discourse. Adam's reflections on his faith, encounters with extremism, and the significance of genuine conversation across differences provide a nuanced perspective on navigating the complexities of current American political and religious landscapes.

Congressman Adam Kinzinger served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 2011 to 2023, representing Illinois’ 16th Congressional District. During his tenure, he served on the House Select Committee to Investigate the January 6th Attack on the United States Capitol, as well as the House Committee on Energy and Commerce and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Kinzinger is the founder of Country First, an organization that works to activate the MUTED Majority to reject division and seek proven solutions to the challenges not being addressed by our leaders. He is also the author of RENEGADE: DEFENDING DEMOCRACY AND LIBERTY IN OUR DIVIDED COUNTRY. Prior to being elected to Congress, he served in the Air Force in both Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. He is a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard and a Senior Political Commentator on CNN.

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

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 wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:

https://www.mezawealth.com/

adamkinzinger.substack.com

www.country1st.com

www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/723495/renegade-by-adam-kinzinger-with-michael-dantonio/

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Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer-prize winning historian on AUTOCRACY, INC.: THE DICTATORS WHO WANT TO RUN THE WORLD Aug 19, 2024

Show notes

In the 20th Century, we had Cold War adversaries. In the early 2000s, George W. Bush talked about the Axis of Evil. But are those frameworks the most accurate way to understand the forces attempting to undermine not just democratic nations but democratic ideas? And to what degree have these antagonists - those that are fundamentally opposed to our core principles such as the freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly and basic human rights - pervaded U.S. politics?

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In this episode we welcome Anne Applebaum, Pulitzer-prize winning historian, staff writer at The Atlantic and senior fellow at the Agora Institute at Johns Hopkins University. After discussing her motivations, experiences, and insights into the autocratic regimes and their impacts on global democracy, we dive into Anne’s new book Autocracy, Inc.: The Dictators Who Want to Run the World. We explore how autocracies collaborate, ways the rest of the world is complicit in autocratic behaviors, and strategies to combat these influences. The conversation also touches on Anne's personal history and initial fascination with the history, literature, culture and politics of the “Borderlands,” a region that includes Poland, Belarus, Ukraine, Russia and beyond.

01:53 Anne's Early Career and Inspirations

16:29 The Concept of Autocracy, Inc.

29:44 Global Complicity in Autocracy

34:39 Hamas and Global Destabilization

37:05 Trump's Influence and Dictator Admiration

39:17 Russian Propaganda and Dark Money in US Politics

42:37 Autocracy, Inc. and Democratic Values

52:43 Engaging in Local Politics and Understanding the Big Picture

anneapplebaum.substack.com

www.anneapplebaum.com/book/autocracy

www.theatlantic.com/author/anne-applebaum

The Atlantic Festival: theatlantic.com/live/atlantic-festival-2024

AUTOCRACY IN AMERICA podcast - www.theatlantic.com/podcasts/archive/2024/08/introducing-autocracy-in-america/679474/

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

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Sharon Harper (Part 2 of 2), Evangelicals for Harris Aug 16, 2024

Show notes

How will the 2024 election be won? Who are the key voters who will decide this election? (And these were the softball questions we tackled!) This is part 2 of our convo with Lisa Sharon Harper of Freedom Road. Since we sat down for this discussion, Lisa was invited by Evangelicals for Harris to participate in the Democratic National Convention in Chicago. (So, she's kind of a big deal!)

In this edition, we candidly and lovingly explore a number of subjects where we have differences. Eg. Were the attacks against Gov. Josh Shapiro of PA due to the fact that he's Jewish; or were they based on his actual positions? We got into the campus protests: While we both revere the basic freedoms articulated in the 1st Amendment such as the freedom of speech, the freedom of assembly and the freedom of redress of grievances; we grapple with where the appropriate boundaries of "time, place and manner" should be drawn. We explore the extent to which there were excesses on the part of some of the protesters. Speaking of which, did you catch Kamala's response to the disrupters at her Michigan rally? OMG, Lisa has some thoughts! And don't even get me started on this idiotic and hateful notion that unless I vote for Donald friggin Trump, that somehow makes me a "crappy Jew." BTW, don't miss Lisa's answer to the "TP&R question." It's worth its weight in gold.

lisasharonharper.com

freedomroad.us

Red Letter Christians: redletterchristians.org/red-letter-revivals-2024

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It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

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

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

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Lisa Sharon Harper (Part 1 of 2), Evangelicals for Harris Aug 13, 2024

Show notes

How does our faith journey affect our politics? Or to what degree have our politics shaped our religious identity? Hard questions. But in this election season, these are questions that need to be explored.

*Special note: Since we recorded this conversation, Lisa Sharon Harper has been invited to join Evangelicals for Harris and will be attending the Democratic National Convention as part of her work with the organization.

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In this conversation, we welcome back dear friend Lisa Sharon Harper, founder of Freedom Road. We explore Lisa's spiritual journey, its impact on her political views, her transformative high school years in church youth groups, marking her initial encounter with Christianity. The conversation also addresses the evolving political landscape, including Biden's leadership, the Gaza conflict, and the significance of Kamala Harris's vice-presidential role. We touch on the Republican National Convention, Trump's speech, the incident of Trump being shot at, and the strategic mistakes of selecting JD Vance as Trump’s running mate. We also highlight the importance of understanding historical and social contexts when interpreting theological and political beliefs, emphasizing the power of ongoing, respectful dialogue in addressing complex issues.

02:27 High School and Youth Group Experiences

03:46 Encountering Jesus and Transformation

06:26 Challenges and Realizations in Church

10:24 Political Awareness and Racial Reconciliation

13:31 Theological Reflections and Pilgrimages

20:20 Impact of Shalom on Politics

27:28 Election Concerns and Biden's Leadership

33:27 The Debate and Family Reactions

35:09 Calls for Biden to Step Down

37:23 The Role of Kamala Harris

43:23 Trump's Influence and the RNC

46:28 JD Vance and the MAGA Movement

54:27 The Outsiders and MAGA

56:20 Concluding Thoughts and Future Conversations

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

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

freedomroad.us

www.evangelicalsforharris.com

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Tom Nichols on Harris-Walz vs. Trump-Vance... and as a special bonus, some Robert DeNiro Jeopardy! Aug 07, 2024

Show notes

Let's talk candidly about why Gov. Josh Shapiro of PA wasn't chosen as Kamala Harris's running mate. Let's also assess the merits and potential drawbacks of Gov. Tim Walz of MN as the Democratic VP candidate. Oh, and while we're at it, how's that J.D. Vance pick working out for the Trump campaign?

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

We're on Patreon! Join the community:

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It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

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

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

www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/daily

www.threads.net/@radiofreetom

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All the News That's Fit to Pod - The "Regular Guys Like Me" Edition with Eddie Nathan Aug 05, 2024

Show notes

We'll be doing more of these "all the news that's fit to pod" episodes through the election (and possibly beyond). This is the "regular guys like me" edition with, brother of the pod, Eddie Nathan!

After some introductions, we dive right into VP Palooza, giving our prognostications and sharing thoughts on what qualifications are most important in choosing a running mate. We explore some difficult questions around the possibility of choosing PA Gov. Josh Shapiro. By choosing him, does it alienate the "Genocide Joe/Josh" crowd? Or if she were to give in to this faction by not choosing Gov. Shapiro (a canceling of sorts), does it risk pissing off a much greater and more critical share of voters - center left, center right, college educated suburban women, etc. - who will actually deliver the election to Kamala Harris. We examine some concerns about Vice President Harris as a presidential candidate; ex-president Trump's response to Kamala's candidacy; and MAGA world's various meltdowns after Kamala (sounds like "MOM-aluh") became the presumptive nominee. We also take a bit of time thinking through the racist notion that Jewish people who don't vote for Trump are somehow "crappy Jews."

We're on Patreon! Join the community:

https://www.patreon.com/politicsandreligion

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics

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

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

www.threads.net/@the_zen_trucker

www.instagram.com/monkeybumpmusic

dailycaller.com

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State and Local Focus with Suzette Valladares: Frmr. Assemblywoman; State Senate Candidate; Special Needs & Early Learning Advocate Aug 01, 2024

Show notes

Navigating Politics, Business, and Legacy with Suzette Valladares

In this episode, a special joint broadcast of the Voices of Business: SCV and Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other, Suzette Valladares shares her personal journey from a background in the nonprofit sector to politics. We discuss the LOCAL Santa Clarita Valley community, her career, the formation of the bipartisan Problem Solvers Caucus at the STATE level, and her experience running for the California State Senate. Suzette delves into her family's storied history, explains her fiscal conservatism, and reflects on the significant influence of her parents and grandmother. We also cover the challenges of running a small business in California, the importance of mentorship, and finding common ground in political discourse.

We're on Patreon! Join the community:

https://www.patreon.com/politicsandreligion

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics

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

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

https://suzettevalladares.com/

https://www.thevoicesofbusiness.com/

See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

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