Shows / Follow the Leighder
Follow the Leighder
Follow the Leighder is a scholar-led society and culture podcast hosted by theologian, USAFR veteran, and MTS graduate Leigh Larson. Each episode brings historians, theologians, women's advocates, and public intellectuals into honest conversation exploring history, faith, travel, and women's empowerment. 245K+ followers across five platforms. New episodes every Tuesday and Thursday. followtheleighder.com
Episodes
- Follow the Leighder
Working-Class Survival and a Run for Congress | Matt Fulmer, SC-01
i chat with Matt Fulmer, a congressional candidate for South Carolina 01 about working class struggles, economic inequality, and the impact of administration…
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Leaving the New Apostolic Reformation | Adam James (@epistemiccrisis)
I chat with Adam James @epistemiccrisis about the New Apostolic Reformation and leaving the evangelical Christian world. Follow him on…
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A Federal Prosecutor on Corruption in Oklahoma | Nick Coffey
Nick Coffey is running for Attorney General in Oklahoma. He focuses on the corruption in Oklahoma, the impact of ICE and DHS, and the need for accountability…
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Democratic Socialism, Explained | Matt Kortan
Matt Kortan of the Bozeman Democratic Socialists explains democratic socialism and its focus on building systems that work for the working class. He is based…
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Peyote Politics: US Policy and Native Religion | Dr. Lisa Barnett
I chat with Dr. Lisa Barnett, Assoc Prof of American Religious Histories. We talk about her new book, Peyote Politics, and how US policies towards…
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From Smokejumper to Congressional Candidate | Sam Forstag
My conversation with Sam Forstag, a candidate for Montana Congress, covers a range of topics including public lands advocacy, data privacy, union rights, and…
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Dance as Resilience | Maribel Parman
I chat with professional dancer Maribel Parman about the transformative power of dance and movement. Maribel shares her personal journey with dance…
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From the Firearms Industry to Public Lands Advocacy | Ryan Busse
I chat with Ryan Busse about the influence of Montana on his values and political motivations, highlighting his advocacy for public lands and conservation. We…
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How Screens Shape Kids' Brains | Dr. Katie Curry
Dr. Katie Curry stops by to chat about the intersection of parenting and neurophysiology, exploring the impact of technology on parenting and child development.
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Tariffs and Working-Class Iowa | Matt Robinson, IA-72
Matt Robinson, a candidate for Iowa House 72, shares his journey from a working-class upbringing to his decision to run for office. He discusses the impact of…
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The Rise of Christian Nationalism | Tim Whitaker, The New Evangelicals
The New Evangelicals' creator Tim Whitaker stops by to talk about the rise of Christian Nationalism, masculinity and evangelicalism, and the future of the US…
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Life and Labor on the US-Mexico Border | Cailan Cordwell, Borderlinks
Cailan Cordwell, Program Manager and Workshop Coordinator at Borderlinks in Tucson, Arizona. We discuss the border wall, the exploitation of foreign labor by…
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The Erasure of Women in Military History | Women in Service Coalition
I chat with Kris Fuhr and Lt Col (Ret.) Jess Ruttenberg, military veterans and co-founders of Women in Service Coalition, Inc. (WISCI), focusing on the…
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Eco-Anxiety and Protecting Public Lands | Heather White
Heather White, an author and environmental advocate, addresses the impact of climate change on public lands, becoming politically engaged, and the importance…
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Combat Coven: Spiritual Diversity in the Military | Angela Naomi & Shae Diehl
Angela Naomi and Shae Diehl, veteran women of the US Navy, stop by to talk about the birth of Combat Coven, a group that provides a safe space for military…
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The Founding Myth and Christian Nationalism | Andrew Seidel
I chat with Andrew Seidel, Director of Americans United for Separation of Church & State and also oversees the Freedom from Religion Foundation. We chat…
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A Veteran Candidate on Christian Nationalism | Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs
Elizabeth Dempsey Beggs, a New Deal Dem candidate for Virginia's First Congressional District, shares her military experience, thoughts on immigration and…
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100 Days Alone in the Bob Marshall Wilderness | Amy Rae Pearson
I chat with Amy Rae Pearson -- educator, traveler, poet, and author of '100 Days of Solitude.' She talks about her experience in Japan and spending 100 days…
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Quakers, Conscientious Objection, and the Iran War | Wayne Finegar
I chat with Wayne Finegar of the Quaker House about the Quaker history and community, conscientious objection, and the US/Israel military conflict in Iran…
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Tariffs, Farming, and Data Centers in Montana | Reilly Neill
I chat with Reilly Neill, US Senate (MT) Candidate about farming, impact of tariffs on agriculture, election integrity and voter registration, AI data centers…
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A Retired Air Force Colonel on Religious Extremism | Col. Jeff Pixley (Ret.)
Jeff Pixley is a retired USAF colonel running for congress in Oklahoma District 4. We discuss the challenges of religious extremism, concerns about DHS funding…
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Hunters, Anglers, and Montana Public Lands | Land Tawney
I chat with Land Tawney, American Hunters & Anglers, about Montana conservation and public lands. You can read more: https://www.americanhuntersandanglers.org/
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Junior League and Montana Women's Leadership | Angie Buckley
Angie Buckley, a member of Junior League of Billings, shares her journey of joining the national women's organization, Junior League, and the impactful work…
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Writing the Women History Forgot | Kerry Chaput
Kerry Chaput joins the studio to talk about her upcoming book, 'The Secret Courtesan,' researching and writing women's history, and why finding your voice is…
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Women's Power and Coming Home to Yourself | Molly Whalen
The conversation with Molly Whalen covers topics related to women's empowerment, group coaching, challenges and barriers for women, the evolution of women's…
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Generational Trauma and Healing | Cynthia Palmer, HELIOS Counseling
Cynthia Palmer stops by the studio to share her journey of generational trauma, highlighting the impact of war, loss, and abuse on her family and her own…
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A Conservative Christian Who Quit Party Politics | Vin Li
Vin Li is a Christian content creator who has renounced political party to focus on Christ. We chat about his journey, ICE, and how he sees the world. He is a…
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Immigration, Ancestry, and Epigenetics | Jamie Ford, NYT Bestselling Author
Jamie Ford is a NYT best-selling author. We cover his books "Hotel on the Corner of Bitter and Sweet" and "The Many Daughters of Afong Moy", along with…
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How the Bible Was Actually Built | Dr. Dan McClellan
Dr. Dan McClellan, PhD, and author of "The Bible Says So" joins the podcast to talk about the construction of the Bible, the 10 Commandments, and more. Check…
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Faith, Activism, and Justice | Malynda Hale, The New Evangelicals
Malynda Hale is a multi-hyphenate content creator, award-winning actress, singer and activist based in Los Angeles. She uses her voice and platform to drive…
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Child Trafficking, AI Surveillance, and ICE in Montana | Alani Bankhead
Alani Bankhead shares her extensive experience in combating child sex trafficking and discusses the use of surveillance and AI in law enforcement and military…
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Christian Nationalism vs. Caring for Creation | Dillon Naber Cruz
I chat Christian Nationalism's impact on environmental regulation with the Tattooed Theologian, Dillon Naber Cruz. We discuss theology, his disdain for…
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Catholic Worker, Marxist, and John Brown Fan | Alex Zambito
This week, I chat with Alex Zambito, of the Southern Catholic Worker. He serves in the Catholic Worker movement in NYC and is a staunch Marxist and lover of…
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Montana Politics Update | Helena Lovick, Cascade County Dems
I chat with Helena Lovick of the Cascade County Democrats, to give an update on Montana politics. You can support the CC Dems here…
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Queerness and Marriage in the New Testament | Mattie Mae Motl
Mattie Mae Motl is a PhD candidate at University of St. Andrew's in Scotland with a focus on Gender and Sexuality in the New Testament. We chat marriage…
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Minimalism and Stewardship in the Outdoors | Meg Carney
Meg Carney of The Outdoor Minimalist joins us today to talk about responsible environmental stewardship and minimalism in the outdoor recreation space. Meg…
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Universal Childcare and a Navy Vet's Run for Congress | Russell Cleveland
Russell Cleveland is running for Congress in MT-01. He stops by the studio to talk about his Naval service, proposals for universal childcare, and other big…
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Labor, Immigration, and Venezuela | Sam Lux, MT-02
This week, we chat with Sam Lux who is running for office in MT-02. Sam explains his positions on labor, immigration, Venezuela, and Trump. Learn more about…
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What Christian Nationalists Want | Dr. Andrew Whitehead
One of the leading scholars on Christian Nationalism, Dr. Andrew Whitehead, joins the podcast to discuss Christian Nationalist ideology. He explains the…
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The State of Renewable Energy in Montana | Makenna Sellers, MREA
I talk with Makenna Sellers, Executive Director of the Montana Renewable Energy Association, about the state of energy in Montana. Learn more at…
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Homeless Vets and Healthcare | David Clayton, NC-5
David Clayton is running as Independent in the Congressional District 5 of North Carolina. We cover his roadtrip disseminating supplies to homeless vets…
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Christian Nationalism, From a Pastor's View | Rev. Rob Christ
Today I welcome Rev. Rob Christ to the podcast. He is a pastor of a small congregation in the Presbyterian Church USA. He came to ministry after a long career…
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Profit Over People in Healthcare | Bernard Taylor, FL-21
Florida's 21st Congressional Candidate Bernard Taylor joins me today to about his campaign policies. Taylor is a paramedic fireman who is sick and tired of…
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Faith, Money, and Financial Trauma | Ray'Chel Wilson
Ray’Chel Wilson is a Certified Financial Therapist who turns financial trauma into financial traction. She is the CEO of Raise the Bar Investments, where her…
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AI Data Centers and Montana's Environment | Anne Hedges, MEIC
Anne Hedges from Montana Environmental Information Center joins the podcast to speak on the environmental concerns of AI data centers in Montana. She is coming…
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What Military Chaplains Actually Do | Chaplain Chris Linzey, US Navy
Chaplain Linzey shares his experience serving in the US Army Reserve Chaplain Corps and switching to Active Duty in the Navy. He talks about the role of…
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Christianity, Queerness, and Tribal Life | Pastor Cody Robinson
In this initial episode of Follow the Leighder, Pastor Cody Robinson, an enrolled member of the United Keetoowah tribe and pastor of a Methodist church in…
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Public Lands and Teacher Pay | Rep. Jane Weber, MT HD-20
MT House District 20 Representative Jane Weber joins me to discuss public lands, teacher pay, and successes from her first year of serving her district.
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A 17-Year-Old Running for the Montana House | Dylan Kunz
Dylan Kunz, a 17-year-old running for House in Montana, and I chat Montana politics, including AI, public lands, and teacher pay.
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Abolition History and Black Activism | Dr. Kimeka G. Campbell
This week, we chat about black activism in Pennsylvania with the passionate community advocate, Dr. Kimeka G. Campbell. We discuss abolition history, the…