Shows / Straight White American Jesus
Straight White American Jesus
An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith…
Episodes
Straight White American JesusIt' In the Code Ep. 71: "Playing God"
We’ve probably all heard the phrase “playing god,” and many of us might even have been accused of playing god. But what does it mean when someone says that? Is…
Straight White American JesusFascism is Our New Normal II: Terribly and Terrifyingly Ordinary
Brad draws on the work of Hannah Arendt to explain how fascism relies on ordinary people operating within a cruel system. He uses two clips - one from Fox News…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Terror in Israel - War in Gaza
Dan and Brad provide thoughts on the news from Israel and reflect on what its implications here in the USA. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus episodes…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 70: "Faith Over Fear"
During the height of the Covid pandemic, a certain kind of Christian community opposed to Covid mitigation practices like mask-wearing, social distancing, and…
Straight White American JesusSpecial Episode: On God's Campus Preview
On God's Campus, produced by REAP and Axis Mundi Media, is a podcast that uncovers a hidden educational ecosystem in which taxpayer-funded religious schools…
Straight White American JesusEvangelicals, Christian Zionism, and Israel
In light of recent events we are re-releasing Dan's interview with Chrissy Stroop, who helps explain the Evangelical obsession with Israel. One of the main…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Through the Gaetz of Hell
Brad begin with an analytical discussion of political nihilism in order to provide a window into the chaos in congress created by the ouster of Speaker Kevin…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 69: "God-Fearing"
What does it mean when a Christian describes someone as “God-fearing”? Is this a good thing? And what does it imply about their view of God, or human…
Straight White American JesusFascism is Our New Normal
Brad zooms in on Biden's trip to Arizona and Trump's rhetoric about killing General Milley to analyze the normalization of fascist politics in the United…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: All Their Faith in One Casket
Dan begins this episode with by discussing new polling that reveals how GOP voters see Trump as person of faith. This leads to an investigation into the…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 68: "Speaking the Truth in Love"
What’s going on when someone tells us they need to “speak the truth in love”? How is this similar to someone who assures us they’re being critical because…
Straight White American JesusWhat is Christian Nationalism? (American Idols Ep. 1)
Brad is attending to the birth of his second child. So, enjoy the first episode of the new Axis Mundi series by Andrew Whitehead. In the opening episode…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice
On the first segment Dan and Brad begrudgingly discuss Lauren Boebrert's Beetlejuice scandal - and what it reveals about the Christian nationalist persona…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 67: "There's No Morality Without God"
“There’s no morality without God.” That is a claim made by many Christians. But it’s also a claim with a cultural hold that extends beyond card-carrying…
Straight White American JesusAbortion Abolitionists (Inform Your Resistance)
A special presentation of Inform Your Resistance: Abortion abolitionists: who are they, what drives them, and how do their tactics overlap with those of other…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: How 9/11 Accelerated Christian Nationalism
Brad begins by tracing the extreme Christian nationalism of the 2020s to the years following 9/11. The thesis: the ways that Republican politicians and…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 66: Let Go, and Let God
“Let Go and Let God” Maybe you’ve heard the admonition to “let go and let God.” Maybe it provides some comfort. Maybe it’s frustrating. Maybe it makes you…
Straight White American JesusSpecial Episode: Andrew Whitehead on American Idols and Christian Nationalism
Ahead of the premier of American Idols next week, Brad talks with Dr. Andrew Whitehead about the podcast series, his new book, and why Christian nationalism is…
Straight White American JesusCan Democracy Survive 24/7 Cable News?
In her new book, 24/7 News: Cable Television and the Fragmenting of America From Watergate to Fox News, Dr. Kathryn Cramer Brownell, Associate Professor of…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: The 14th
Brad and Dan begin by discussing the fact that Trump may be kept off the ballot in some states. The 14th amendment prohibits those who have "engaged in…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 65: Publicly Private
“It’s In the Code.” But in what sense is a code something public and shared? And in what sense is a code something secret, communicated only the select few “in…
Straight White American JesusThe Reawaken America Tour: Anti-Semitic, Anti-Democratic, and Openly Violent
Brad talks to Rev. Nathan Empsall, the Executive Director of Faithful America. They discuss the Reawaken America Tour, which just relaunched in Las Vegas a…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Back to (Destroy) School
How does a racially fueled tragedy tie into the policies of a state governor? And what sinister patterns can we uncover when we trace the origins of the 'lone…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 64: “You Have to Get ‘Em Lost to Get ‘Em Saved”
“You Have to Get ‘Em Lost to Get ‘Em Saved” What can it possibly mean when some Christians say that you “have to get people lost before you can get them…
Straight White American JesusThe Hidden Roots of White Supremacy with Robert P. Jones
Brad speaks with Dr. Robert P. Jones, President of PRRI and author of the new book The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Trickle Down Trumpism
Brad and Dan discuss three main stories from the week: The GOP debate, where Trump was somehow both absent and present. The killing of a shop owner in CA over…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 63: Do They Know It's Code?
We say someone is “speaking in code,” or talk about “codes,” or discuss things that are “in the code?” But what do we mean by “code?” And when someone uses…
Straight White American JesusTaxpayer Money is Going to Fund Religious Schools
Brad speaks to Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. They discuss AU's lawsuit with the ACLU and FFRF in the…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Rico Suave
On a solo Friday, Dan begins by discussing the sprawling indictment of Trump and his co-conspirators in Fulton County, Georgia. This indictment includes…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 62: Non-Denominational
What does it mean when a church is “non-denominational”? What is the relation between non-denominational churches and established denominations? In what ways…
Straight White American JesusThe Rich Men North of Richmond
Brad analyzes the new hit song, "The Rich Men North of Richmond," which has become an anthem for right-wing populism. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Power Bottoms
Brad and Dan begin by discussing the latest news from SCOTUS - Clarence Thomas's many vacations with right-wing billionaires - by framing the entire GOP's…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 61: Baby Christians
Within a certain part of the American Christian subculture, it’s common to speak of people who are “baby Christians.” But what does that mean? Is it just…
Straight White American JesusNo Chinese Allowed: The New Alien Land Laws w/ Russell Jeung
Capitalizing on current, widespread anti-China sentiment in the United States, lawmakers in nearly 30 states have proposed or have passed legislation banning…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: 45 Pages
Brad and Dan discuss the details, reactions, and takeaways to the Trump indictment by Jack Smith. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus episodes, ad-free…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 60: The Distance Between the Head and the Heart
“Lots of people miss salvation by 18 inches—the distance between the head and the heart.” This (and statements like it) is a phrase that has long circulated…
Straight White American JesusConspirituality: Conspiracy + New Age Spirituality
Brad is joined by Julian Walker and Matthew Remski, two of the hosts of the Conspirituality podcast and co-authors of the new book, Conspirituality: How New…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Try That in a Barbie World
Brad and Dan begin by discussing the new Florida school curriculum that forces teachers to tell students that enslaved people received some benefit from their…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 59: "Don't They Care?"
Why do so many on the Christian, cultural, and political right receive such obvious pleasure in enacting policies and legislation that harm others? Don’t they…
Straight White American JesusWe Are in a Lawsuit, in Texas, Over Free Speech!
Brad is scheduled to speak on August 26th at an interfaith event held by the Metropolex Atheists. However, the city of Fort Worth refuses to allow the group to…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Jesus Said Push Them in the River
Brad and Dan begin by discussing a bombshell report at the New York Times outlining Trump's plans to completely transform the executive branch if he becomes…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 58: "It's a Mental Illness"
Why do those on the religious and cultural right often describe transgender or gender-nonconforming identity as a mental illness? What is the relationship of…
Straight White American JesusThe Women Taking Down Abusive Evangelical Men
Brad speaks with veteran journalist Sarah Stankorb about her new book Disobedient Women. Disobedient Women is not just a look at the women who have used the…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Straights Only at the Hair Salon + White Nationalists in the Military
Brad and Dan begin by discussing the fallout from the 303 Creative SCOTUS case in the form of a hair stylists who claims they will not serve anyone who…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 57: Religious Freedom Part II
The language of “religious freedom” is often used as a code for the preservation of traditional White Christian privilege in the US. But it is also used as a…
Straight White American JesusMoms for "Liberty"
Last weekend Moms for Liberty held their national conference in Philadelphia. Annika Brockschmidt attended the conference. She talks to Brad about the protests…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Klanned Karenhood (Moms for Liberty)
Brad begins with a long discussion of the Moms for Liberty conference in Philadephia. He centers his comments on the long history of "housewife populism" that…
Straight White American JesusAsian Americans + Affirmative Action
Last week SCOTUS ruled that race cannot be used in the college admissions process. Many in and outside of the Asian American community see the ruling as…
Straight White American Jesus303 Creative and the Phantom Gay Wedding
Brad analyzes the recent SCOTUS decision ruling that a website designer has the right to refuse to create websites for gay couples. It's the latest attack on…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Affirmative Reactions
What does the SCOTUS decision on affirmative action have to do with the Don't Say Gay bills, book bans, and attacks on school curricula all over the country?…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 56: Religious Freedom Part 1
The language of “religious freedom,” “religious freedom restoration” laws, and so forth makes many of us uncomfortable. What does this language mean? Who…
Straight White American JesusInside the Evangelical Movement That Failed a Generation
Jon Ward's life is divided in half: two decades inside the evangelical Christian bubble and two decades outside of it. In Testimony, Ward tells the engaging…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Abortion is a Religious Right
Brad and Dan dedicate this episode to discussing the state of reproductive rights, activism, and law one year since the overturning of Roe v. Wade. Brad begins…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 55: Dedicated Babies
In this week’s episode, Dan explores and explains the practice of infant “dedications,” in contrast with the more familiar practice of infant baptism. Why do…
Straight White American JesusAndrew Seidel, Katherine Stewart, Rob Boston on Hope and Fear in 2024 - And Beyond
Brad shares the recording of a roundtable he hosted at Americans United's Summit for Religious Freedom. He asked Andrew Seidel, Katherine Stewart, and Rob…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Trump Arraignment, SBC Misogyny, and Resources to be a Trans Ally
Brad and Dan begin by discussing the reactions to Trump's arraignment in Miami - from congresspeople calling for war, to Kari Lake talking about 75 million…
Straight White American JesusIt's In the Code Ep. 54: Suffering and Persecution
Why do conservative American Christians and Christian nationalists use the rhetoric of being “attacked” and “persecuted”? Why do they perceive themselves to be…
Straight White American JesusDispatches from TPUSA's Pastor's Conference
Brad speaks with Tim Whitaker of the New Evangelicals about what he saw and heard at the TPUSA Pastor's Conference in Nashville - a gathering of 1100 pastors…
Straight White American JesusWeekly Roundup: Trump Indicted, Robertson Dead, + Catholic Public Schools?
Brad and Dan being by discussing Trump's indictment on federal charges. They then break down the life and death of Pat Robertson - an architect of the…
Straight White American JesusThe Religious Exemption Accountability Project
With Dan still on vacation, enjoy this episode from the One Nation All Belief series: Brad speaks with Paul Southwick and Erin Green from the Religious…