The Jim Wallis Podcast

Latest Episodes:

Trump Budget Cuts: A $1.1 Trillion Transfer From the Least of These to the Wealthiest of Them May 29, 2025

Show notes

In this powerful episode, Jim Wallis interviews Brendan Duke, Senior Director of Federal Budget Policy at the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities to break down the Trump administration’s proposed budget cuts to SNAP (food stamps) and Medicaid. Duke explains how these changes could strip food and healthcare from millions of low-income Americans, while redirecting $1.1 trillion in benefits to the wealthiest households. Discover what these cuts mean for families, the moral implications, and why paperwork requirements are more damaging than they seem.

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How Will We Know When We’ve Lost Our Democracy? Jim Wallis & Steven Levitsky on Courage in Troubled Times May 23, 2025

Show notes

Harvard political scientist Steven Levitsky joins Jim Wallis to discuss the urgent threats facing American democracy, the rise of “competitive authoritarianism,” and why courage is needed now more than ever. Drawing on Levitsky’s recent New York Times column and global examples, this conversation explores the costs of dissent, the role of faith and universities, and practical hope for renewal.

Listen for insight, challenge, and a call to action.

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A New Era: Pope Leo XIV, Francis’s Legacy, and the Future of Catholic Social Teaching – with John Carr May 15, 2025

Show notes

What does the election of the first American pope mean for the Catholic Church and the world? Jim Wallis sits down with John Carr, founder of the Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life at Georgetown, to explore the historic rise of Pope Leo XIV. Together, they reflect on the transformative legacy of Pope Francis, the significance of Pope Leo’s name, and the enduring power of Catholic social teaching. Discover how this new papacy could reshape global faith, justice, and public life-especially in the United States. Tune in for an insightful conversation on unity, hope, and the challenges ahead for Catholics everywhere.

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Faith, Justice, and the Power of Witness: Jim Wallis Interviews Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner May 08, 2025

Show notes

Take Action: Be part of the movement! Join the Pentecost Witness for a Moral Budget and help shape a future rooted in justice and equity. Learn more and sign up here!

Join Jim Wallis for a compelling conversation with Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner-renowned faith leader, public policy strategist, and advocate for democracy-as they explore the urgent moral issues facing America today. Dr. Williams-Skinner shares her journey as a

trailblazing leader in both faith and politics,
her insights on protecting democracy, and
the vital role of prayer and righteous resistance in the fight for justice.

Discover how faith communities can respond to today’s challenges, and hear Dr. Williams-Skinner’s call to action for a more just, compassionate society. This episode is a must-listen for anyone passionate about faith-driven activism and the future of our democracy.

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Trump’s Historic Unpopularity: Majority See Him as a Dangerous Dictator May 01, 2025

Show notes

In this eye-opening episode, Jim Wallis and Robert P. Jones dive deep into the latest poll data revealing President Trump’s unprecedented negative approval ratings within his first 100 days back in office. Discover how Trump ranks as the most unpopular president since World War II at this stage, with a majority of Americans-including 55% of independents-viewing him as a dangerous dictator whose power must be limited to protect American democracy.

The discussion also highlights the sharp racial and religious divides in Trump’s support, with White Evangelical Protestants largely backing him, while Christians of Color and other faith groups overwhelmingly reject his leadership. Tune in for a compelling analysis of what these numbers mean for America’s political and moral future.

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Faith, Politics, and Democracy in America: A Conversation with E.J. Dionne Apr 25, 2025

Show notes

Join Jim Wallis and distinguished journalist E.J. Dionne as they explore the critical intersection of faith, politics, and the challenges facing American democracy today. In this episode, they dissect the rise of Christian nationalism, the role of faith communities in resisting authoritarianism, and the essential importance of journalism in upholding truth and accountability. Discover how faith traditions can inform a more just, compassionate, and inclusive politics.

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Silencing Truth: Banned Books, Racism, and the Future of American Democracy Apr 16, 2025

Show notes

In this vital episode, leading scholars and activists explore the urgent issues of book banning, racial justice, and the role of faith in a divided America. Jim Wallis is joined by authors Anthea Butler, Robert Jones, Brian Massingale, and Michael Eric Dyson, in a discussion first streamed by the American Academy of Religion.

They discuss how attacks on truth and knowledge threaten our democracy, and offer pathways toward a more just and equitable future.

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Bonhoeffer's Legacy: Confronting Injustice Today with Adam Taylor. Apr 09, 2025

Show notes

On the anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's death, we explore his enduring call to "costly grace" and its relevance to today's challenges with Adam Taylor, President of Sojourners. While not explicitly about Bonhoeffer, Adam's work—including his book A More Perfect Union: A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community— resonates deeply with Bonhoeffer's spirit of resistance against injustice.

Adam discusses practical pathways to overcome division and build a more inclusive and just society.

Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision, this episode offers hope and a moral roadmap for confronting today's crises of race, gender, and faith."

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Money, Lies, & God: The Plot to Destroy American Democracy Apr 02, 2025

Show notes

Author Katherine Stewart (Money, Lies, and God) joins Jim Wallis to expose the money, disinformation, and Christian nationalism fueling the anti-democratic movement. Discover the funders, the lies, and what we can do to fight back.

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Courts Under Siege: Dahlia Lithwick on Trump's Judicial Threats & Democracy's Future Mar 27, 2025

Show notes

Legal journalist Dahlia Lithwick (Slate’s Amicus podcast) exposes how Trump’s second-term agenda—and cases like Dr. Rasha Alawieh’s deportation and Mahmoud Khalil’s ICE detention—are testing judicial independence.

We break down: