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Note: We recorded this episode before we learned about the decision in the St. Isidore case.

religious beliefs being weaponized to reshape public education? In this episode, Rachel Laser—CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State—joins hosts Will and Josh to unpack two major Supreme Court cases: Mahmoud v. Taylor and St. Isidore of Seville Catholic Virtual School v. Drummond. Both cases carry huge implications for the future of religious freedom, public schooling, and church-state separation.

Laser explains how one case centers on parents trying to opt out of LGBTQ-inclusive books, while the other could open the floodgates for religious public charter schools funded by taxpayer dollars. Drawing from legal expertise and personal faith, Laser offers a bold and nuanced defense of pluralism, public education, and constitutional integrity. With the stakes this high, these rulings could redefine what it means to be an American student—or a person of faith.

👤 Guest Bio
Rachel Laser is the President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. A lawyer, strategist, and advocate, Laser previously served as deputy director of the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism. She is a frequent commentator on First Amendment issues and a national voice defending the integrity of church-state separation.

🔗 Resource Links
Americans United for Separation of Church and State: https://www.au.org
Mahmoud v. Taylor: https://www.scotusblog.com/cases/case-files/mahmoud-v-taylor/

Split Supreme Court blocks first religious charter school in Oklahoma: https://www.scotusblog.com/2025/05/split-supreme-court-blocks-first-religious-charter-school-in-oklahoma/

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In the wake of recent executive orders aimed at tightening voter registration requirements, Will Wright and Josh Burtram welcome back Jessica Huseman, the editorial director of VoteBeat. They discuss the implications of Trump's proposed documentation proof of citizenship, the SAVE Act, and their potential impact on voter access. Jessica also sheds light on the challenges facing election workers in the current political climate, the unintended consequences of voter ID laws, and why voting technology remains a small, underfunded industry despite its critical role in democracy.

Guest Bio:
Jessica Huseman is the editorial director of VoteBeat, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering voting access and election administration across the United States. She is a prominent voice in election integrity, with a focus on how voter ID laws and executive orders impact marginalized communities. Her work has been featured in major news outlets and she continues to be a trusted source for understanding the complexities of election policy.

• VoteBeat: votebeat.org
• Heritage Foundation Election Fraud Database: heritage.org/voterfraud
• Executive Order on Documentary Proof of Citizenship: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/03/preserving-and-protecting-the-integrity-of-american-elections/
• Addressing Risks from Chris Krebs and Government Censorship: https://www.whitehouse.gov/presidential-actions/2025/04/addressing-risks-from-chris-krebs-and-government-censorship/
• SAVE Act Legislation: https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/22
• Dominion Voting Systems Settlement: https://apnews.com/article/fox-news-dominion-lawsuit-trial-trump-2020-0ac71f75acfacc52ea80b3e747fb0afe
  
  

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In Oklahoma, religious extremism is reshaping public education, political rhetoric, and community life. In this episode, Faithful Politics hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck, the new Executive Director of Faithful America. Fleck discusses her journey from ministry to public advocacy, the rise of Christian nationalism in Oklahoma, and the battle against religious indoctrination in public schools. She also unpacks the implications of recent legislative moves, including a controversial social studies curriculum backed by religious right power players like Kevin Roberts, Dennis Prager, and David Barton. Fleck explains how the fight for true religious liberty is being reframed as a war on 'anti-Christian bias' and what it means for churches, schools, and marginalized communities across the nation.

Guest Bio:
Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck is the Executive Director of Faithful America, the largest online community of Christians advocating for social justice. Previously, she served as the head of the Oklahoma Faith Network, where she championed interfaith dialogue and public advocacy in a deeply conservative state. Fleck's work focuses on countering religious extremism and advocating for genuine religious liberty, especially in the context of public education and policy.

Resources & Links:
Faithful America: faithfulamerica.org
Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck’s Substack: https://substack.com/@smfleck

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In an era where political figures command crowds with cult-like devotion, what role does charisma truly play in shaping public life? Historian and journalist Molly Worthen joins Faithful Politics to explore the deep history of charisma—from the revivals of Anne Hutchinson and Joseph Smith to the populism of Donald Trump. Worthen, author of Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump, unpacks how this powerful force straddles the sacred and secular.

She also shares her own remarkable journey from secularism to Christianity, explains why younger generations may be rethinking faith, and reflects on the prophetic burden Christians carry in a polarized democracy. From MAGA rallies to megachurches to TikTok gurus, we explore how belief, authority, and identity are being redefined in the 21st century.

👤 Guest Bio:
Molly Worthen is a historian, journalist, and associate professor at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She specializes in American religious and intellectual history. Her latest book is Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump. Worthen is also a contributing writer for outlets like The New York Times and The New Yorker.

🔗 Resources & Links:
Spellbound by Molly Worthen: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780593729007
Molly Worthen’s Website: mollyworthen.com

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In a time when LGBTQ Christians still face rejection from many pulpits, author and theologian Brandan Robertson is helping them reclaim their place at the table. In this episode, we talk with Brandan about his new book Queer Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table. He shares his personal journey from fundamentalist roots to becoming an openly gay pastor, and explains why many traditional interpretations of Scripture—especially on sexuality—fail to hold up under scholarly scrutiny.
We unpack the meaning behind the word “queer,” the dangers of biblical literalism, and how Brandan’s experience at Moody Bible Institute helped him realize the fear-based theology he was taught didn't reflect the God of love. He also offers advice for LGBTQ individuals navigating their own faith and identity—and makes the case for a more expansive, inclusive Christianity rooted in honesty, history, and hope.

👤 Guest Bio:
Brandan Robertson is an author, pastor, and activist working at the intersection of faith, sexuality, and justice. He is the pastor of Sunnyside Reformed Church in NYC and founder of the Devout Foundation. Known widely as the "TikTok Pastor," his digital reach spans nearly 300,000 followers. His latest book is Queer Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table.

🔗 Resources & Links:
📘 Queer Christian by Brandan Robertson: QueerChristian.org
🌐 Brandan Robertson’s Website: brandanrobertson.com
📍 Tour Info & Events: QueerChristian.org/tour

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How should we read the Old Testament today? In this episode, Faithful Politics dives deep with Dr. John H. Walton, a leading Old Testament scholar and professor emeritus at Wheaton College. With decades of research on ancient Near Eastern contexts, Walton discusses why understanding the cultural river of the Bible’s original audience is crucial for accurate interpretation. From Genesis to the Pentateuch, he challenges us to rethink common assumptions about creation, divine community, and moral frameworks in the Hebrew Scriptures. Tune in as we explore how cultural backgrounds shape biblical authority and what it means to read the Old Testament as its ancient readers would have.

Guest Bio:
Dr. John H. Walton is a distinguished Old Testament scholar and professor emeritus at Wheaton College. He has authored numerous influential works, including "The Lost World of Genesis 1," "The Lost World of Adam and Eve," and "The Lost World of Scripture," which explore the Bible through its ancient Near Eastern context. Walton’s work emphasizes understanding Scripture as its original audience would have, encouraging modern readers to grapple with its historical and cultural frameworks.

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In this episode, former federal prosecutor Kristy Parker returns to Faithful Politics to discuss the drastic shifts in the Department of Justice under Donald Trump. With nearly two decades of experience in the DOJ, Parker offers a rare insider’s perspective on the erosion of institutional norms, the consequences of mass firings, and the implications for civil rights enforcement. From the establishment of a controversial anti-Christian bias task force to unprecedented executive orders affecting legal representation, Parker outlines how the DOJ has become a tool for political retribution rather than a defender of the rule of law. Listen in as she explains the ripple effects on American democracy and why Protect Democracy is working to hold the line.

Guest Bio:
Kristy Parker is a senior counsel at Protect Democracy, where she focuses on safeguarding democratic institutions and the rule of law. A former federal prosecutor with the U.S. Department of Justice Civil Rights Division, she has extensive experience in civil rights litigation, police misconduct cases, and election integrity enforcement. Parker served under four presidential administrations, witnessing firsthand the transformation of the DOJ from a nonpartisan legal body to a political weapon under Donald Trump.

Resources:
Protect Democracy: https://protectdemocracy.org

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What role does the church play in supporting vulnerable children and families in marginalized communities? In this episode, Faithful Politics sits down with Rev. Moya Harris, Director of Racial Justice at Sojourners and ordained AME minister, and Rev. Thomas Brackeen Jr., Minister to Youth and Families at Metropolitan AME Church, to discuss their latest report on strengthening early childhood development in Black and Latin faith communities. From access to healthcare to the impact of economic policies, they delve into the systems affecting the youngest and most vulnerable and how faith-based organizations can step up to advocate for justice.

Metropolitan AME Church, founded in 1838, continues to stand against hate and fight for justice. In December 2020, the Proud Boys vandalized the church’s property, tearing down and burning a Black Lives Matter banner. Metropolitan fought back, securing $2.8 million in damages and winning the exclusive rights to the Proud Boys’ trademark — a historic legal victory for a Black institution. Today, the church continues its legacy of advocacy through initiatives such as the Community Justice Fund, food insecurity programs, and the Sankofa Project, which equips families with culturally responsive and biblically grounded resources.

Guest Bios:
Rev. Moya Harris is an ordained minister in the African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church, serving at the historic Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC. She is also the Director of Racial Justice at Sojourners and a retired registered nurse. Rev. Harris is currently pursuing her PhD, focusing on faith, justice, and community development.

Rev. Thomas A. Brackeen Jr. is the Minister to Youth and Families at Metropolitan AME Church in Washington, DC. With over 30 years of experience in youth ministry, he has worked with young people throughout the DC metropolitan area and is committed to advocating for vulnerable children and families through faith-based initiatives.

Resources & Links:

Sojourners: sojo.net
Metropolitan AME Church: metropolitaname.org
Report on Early Childhood Development in Black and

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