First, from June 19, 2025:

⁠Brian Recker⁠, a former Marine, former evangelical pastor, current theologian, speaker and writer, has developed a ⁠healthy social media following⁠ and solid presence ⁠on Substack⁠. His focus? Deconstructing his faith to find a more inclusive spirituality - which often runs afoul of today's right-wing aligned American evangelical movement.

He's just the kind of guest to discuss the ⁠'Ted Cruz v. Tucker Carlson' ⁠dust-up over Cruz' limp grasp on scripture he believes commands him (and the U.S. apparently) to support Israel unequivocally.

Recker and I discuss this at length, along with the use of religion as a tool of manipulation by pols like Cruz, and also religion's manipulation of politicians like Cruz, too. I also asked, is Trump using religion to manipulate Republicans or is he the one being manipulated by religion?

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Fast forward to today, Christmas Eve:

Then, meet Joshua Doss, Chicago-based political strategist, pollster and social media influencer. Listen to one of his latest social media gems where he calls out Georgia's white evangelical voting bloc and their inconsistencies with their Christianity and their rebuking of REVERAND Raphael Warnock, Senator from Georgia, while their embrace of one Nicki Minaj.