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In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram speak with Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, about the growing legal and political battles over religion in American public life. Laser argues the country is in a “code red” moment for church-state separation as court rulings and policy efforts increasingly blur the lines between religious belief and government authority.

The conversation explores recent controversies including efforts to post the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms, parental rights claims affecting school curriculum, and religious freedom challenges to abortion laws. Laser explains how these cases reflect deeper tensions in a religiously diverse country where different faith traditions often interpret moral and legal questions very differently.

Throughout the discussion, the hosts examine how these conflicts are shaping debates over religious liberty, public education, and constitutional protections, while asking whether church-state separation remains the best framework for protecting both faith and pluralism in American democracy.

Guest Bio

Rachel Laser is the President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to defending religious freedom and ensuring that religion and government remain separate. She has spent her career working in civil rights advocacy and public policy, including leadership roles at the Open Society Foundations and other national organizations focused on democracy and human rights.

Resources and Links

Americans United for Separation of Church and State
https://www.au.org

Summit for Religious Freedom
https://www.thesrf.org

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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What if the basic way we talk about politics is fundamentally flawed?

In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Verlan Lewis, professor of constitutional studies at Utah Valley University and co-author of The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America. Lewis argues that the familiar political spectrum dividing society into “left” and “right” oversimplifies political reality and distorts how Americans understand issues, parties, and even each other.

Lewis explains how the left-right framework emerged historically, why it became dominant in modern political discourse, and how it encourages ideological tribalism. Instead of seeing politics as a complex set of issues where people may agree on some topics and disagree on others, the spectrum pushes citizens to sort themselves into rigid teams. According to Lewis, this mindset can reduce intellectual humility, weaken meaningful dialogue, and contribute to the rising hostility in American politics.

The conversation explores how media ecosystems reinforce ideological identities, why political beliefs often cluster together even when they have little logical connection, and how faith communities can offer a different approach to civic engagement. Lewis suggests moving beyond ideological labels and focusing on individual issues, allowing for more thoughtful discussion and collaboration across differences.

For listeners interested in understanding polarization, political identity, and how faith might shape a healthier civic culture, this episode offers a thoughtful examination of the assumptions that structure modern political debate.

• The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9780197680629

Guest Bio

Verlan Lewis is an associate professor of political science and constitutional studies at Utah Valley University and a fellow at the university’s Center for Constitutional Studies. He is co-author of the book The Myth of Left and Right: How the Political Spectrum Misleads and Harms America, which challenges the idea that modern politics can be accurately understood through a simple left-right ideological spectrum.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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What do the numbers actually tell us about Christian nationalism in the United States?

In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Melissa Deckman, CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), to walk through the latest national data on Christian nationalism and what researchers are seeing across the country.

Deckman explains how PRRI measures Christian nationalism, why the concept is often misunderstood in public debate, and what the data reveals about who tends to hold these views. The conversation explores how religion, identity, and politics intersect in American life, along with the demographic and cultural patterns researchers are tracking.

They also discuss how survey questions are designed, why some people react strongly to the label “Christian nationalism,” and how researchers try to measure belief systems without reducing complex identities to a single label.

For anyone trying to understand the role of religion in American politics today, this conversation offers a clear look at what the research actually shows. 

Recommended Links and Resources

• PRRI – Public Religion Research Institute: https://www.prri.org
• Mapping Christian Nationalism Across the 50 States: Insights from PRRI’s 2025 American Values Atlas: https://prri.org/research/mapping-christian-nationalism-across-the-50-states-insights-from-prris-2025-american-values-atlas/

Guest Bio

Melissa Deckman is the CEO of the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), one of the nation’s leading research organizations studying the intersection of religion, culture, and politics. She previously served as the Louis L. Goldstein Professor of Public Affairs at Washington College and is a political scientist whose work focuses on religion, gender, and civic engagement in American political life.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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How secure are America’s elections, and what actually happens behind the scenes when votes are cast and counted?

In this episode of Faithful Politics, Will Wright and Josh Burtram sit down with election journalist Jessica Huseman, Editorial Director of VoteBeat, to walk through the real mechanics of the U.S. voting system. The conversation explores the proposed SAVE Act and what it would change about voter registration, why some counties are returning to hand-counting ballots, and the logistical strain election administrators face as redistricting reshapes districts just before key primaries.

Huseman also addresses claims about non-citizen voting, the FBI raid on stored ballots in Fulton County, and how technical systems and local election offices adapt when political decisions force rapid changes. The discussion pulls back the curtain on how elections actually work on the ground, why misinformation spreads so easily, and why the biggest fights over election legitimacy often happen after the ballots are cast. 


Guest Bio:
Jessica Huseman is the Editorial Director at VoteBeat, a nonprofit newsroom dedicated to covering election administration and voting policy across the United States. She is an award-winning investigative journalist who has spent years reporting on how elections are run at the local and state level, focusing on the mechanics of voting systems, election law, and the people responsible for carrying out elections. Huseman previously reported for ProPublica and has become one of the country’s leading journalists covering election infrastructure, misinformation, and voting policy.

Relevant Links:
VoteBeat – https://www.votebeat.org

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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What does it mean to call America a “Christian nation”? And has it ever truly been one?

In this episode, we sit down with Matt Avery Sutton, historian and author of Chosen Land, to unpack the long and complicated relationship between Christianity and American public life. From Christopher Columbus and biblical prophecy to premillennialism, evangelical political power, and the modern Supreme Court, Sutton traces the historical through line of Christian influence in the United States. We explore why America became more religious — not less — after disestablishment, how an unofficial Protestant establishment shaped public life, and why separation of church and state did not secularize the country. We also discuss the role of capitalism and corporate funding in shaping both the religious right and the religious left, the theological roots of political activism, and how beliefs about the end times influenced public engagement. 

Finally, we examine three emerging coalitions competing to define America’s future: Christian nationalist conservatives, progressive pluralists who bring faith into the public square, and strict separationists who want religion kept out of politics. This conversation isn’t just about what America was — it’s about what kind of country we want to be moving forward.

Buy - Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781541646339

Guest Bio

Matt Avery Sutton is a distinguished professor and chair of the Department of History at Washington State University. He earned his PhD from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and has received fellowships from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

He is the author of multiple books, including:

• Chosen Land
• American Apocalypse

His work focuses on the intersection of religion, politics, and American culture, with particular attention to evangelicalism and apocalyptic belief.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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Note: This episode was recorded prior to Tricia McLaughlin announced she was leaving DHS: (read)

Minnesota-based YouTuber and former pastor Pat Kahnke returns to Faithful Politics to discuss federal immigration enforcement, media narratives, and the emotional toll on local communities. He describes how recent operations in the Twin Cities have affected families, churches, and public trust, and how conflicting information shapes national perception. The conversation explores how Christians interpret immigration through scripture, why many congregations are divided, and how political messaging influences public response. We also examine the midterm political implications, the role of media ecosystems, and how to engage friends and neighbors who see the situation differently. This episode focuses on how faith, civic responsibility, and real-time events intersect — and what constructive engagement looks like in a polarized moment.

Guest Bio:
Pat Kahnke is a Minnesota-based commentator, former pastor, and host of the  @culturefaithandpolitics podcast. His work focuses on the intersection of religion, civic life, and public policy, with particular attention to how faith communities respond to political conflict and social change.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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Filmmaker Matthew Pridgen, director of The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump, joins Faithful Politics to examine the roots and rise of Christian nationalism in America.

Drawing from his documentary, Pridgen traces connections between slavery, segregation, and modern religious politics, arguing that Christian language has repeatedly been used to justify systems of power. We discuss how Christian nationalism differs from traditional conservatism, how racial fear has shaped political strategy, and why white evangelical voting patterns remain central to today’s political landscape.

This episode explores the historical foundations of Christian nationalism, its theological distortions, and what it means for Christians navigating faith, race, and democracy in the United States.

Watch the film: https://sinsofourfathersfilm.com/

Guest Bio

Matthew Pridgen is a filmmaker and social commentator best known for his documentary The Sins of Our Fathers: Race, Religion and the Rise of Trump. His work examines the intersection of race, Christianity, and political power in American history.

Raised in South Carolina, Pridgen’s ministry work in historically Black communities reshaped his understanding of American history, theology, and public life. His documentary traces how religious rhetoric has been used to justify slavery, segregation, and modern political movements, while calling Christians back to what he describes as the “real Jesus” — one rooted in sacrificial love rather than cultural dominance.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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Christian nationalism is becoming a central force in American politics and public debate. In this episode, Congressman Jared Huffman joins Faithful Politics to discuss Christian nationalism in the United States, how it is defined, and how it is influencing government, policy, and political rhetoric in 2026. This conversation explores what people mean when they use the term Christian nationalism and why it has become a major topic in discussions about democracy, religious liberty, and the role of faith in public life.

Huffman explains how lawmakers and policy experts identify Christian nationalism in legislation and government action, and how it differs from personal religious belief or individual expressions of faith. The discussion looks at church-state separation, the First Amendment, and how Christian nationalism is showing up in debates over education, federal agencies, public funding, and political messaging. The episode also covers the Congressional Free Thought Caucus, the Religious Liberty Commission, the Anti-Christian Bias Task Force, and the ongoing relevance of the Johnson Amendment.

The conversation examines how Christian nationalism is framed by supporters and critics, why the term is contested, and how it connects to broader questions about pluralism, religious diversity, and democratic norms. Huffman outlines how members of Congress evaluate whether policies cross into religious favoritism and what tools exist to respond when concerns about church-state boundaries arise. The episode also addresses how political movements, media narratives, and demographic shifts are shaping the current conversation around Christian nationalism in America.

Learn more about the Freethought Caucus: https://freethoughtcaucus-huffman.house.gov

Guest bio
Jared Huffman represents California’s 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives. He is co-chair of the Congressional Free Thought Caucus, a group focused on church-state separation, religious liberty, and the role of religion in public policy. Huffman has led congressional briefings and initiatives examining Christian nationalism, pluralism, and the influence of religion in American politics.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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Sociologist Ruth Braunstein joins Faithful Politics to examine how Americans use faith and moral language to interpret citizenship, protest, and public life. Drawing on her research into religious activism across the political spectrum, Braunstein explains why democracy in the United States is often framed as a “sacred project” and how two competing moral narratives — one rooted in prophetic critique and another in patriotic preservation — shape today’s political conflicts. The conversation explores Christian nationalism, motivated reasoning, and the internal dynamics of white evangelical communities, while also highlighting progressive faith activism that often goes unseen. Braunstein argues that pluralism is difficult but necessary, and that meaningful democratic engagement starts by moving from partisan abstractions to shared local concerns. This discussion provides a sociological framework for understanding how faith communities influence politics and how citizens can hold strong convictions while navigating deep disagreement. 

Learn more: https://www.ruthbraunstein.com

Democracy is Hard Substack: https://substack.com/@ruthbraunstein

Guest Bio
Ruth Braunstein is a sociologist who studies religion, politics, and democratic life in the United States. She is the author of Prophets and Patriots: Faith and Democracy Across the Political Divide and writes the Substack Democracy Is Hard. Her research examines how Americans across ideological lines use faith to interpret public responsibility, citizenship, and protest. She also hosts the documentary podcast When the Wolves Came, which explores internal debates within evangelical communities about extremism and political identity.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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In this episode of Faithful Politics, we sit down with James Michael Smith, founder of  @DiscipleDojo for a conversation about how Christians engage culture without losing clarity or charity. Smith draws on his background in theology and martial arts to frame public discourse as sparring — pushing ideas hard while still treating the other person as a training partner rather than an enemy.

The conversation moves across church culture, political polarization, and the habits that shape how we disagree. We discuss how identity gets tied to ideology, why online spaces intensify conflict, and what it looks like to challenge ideas without dehumanizing people. Smith also shares how his ministry works to form Christians who can think critically, hold convictions, and stay grounded in real-world relationships.

Throughout the episode, the focus stays on discipline — intellectual, spiritual, and relational. The goal isn’t to eliminate disagreement. It’s to handle it in a way that sharpens understanding instead of tearing people apart. 

Disciple Dojo YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@UCMEea4p5qqTlpDrp3vl9G3A 

Guest Bio 
James Michael Smith is the founder of Disciple Dojo, a discipleship and Bible-training ministry that equips Christians to think clearly and engage culture with integrity. He holds an M.Div. from Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary and is a Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt. Smith also founded Refugee Jitsu, a free program that teaches self-defense and resilience to refugee and underserved youth. His work brings together theology, cultural analysis, and disciplined conversation in both digital and in-person spaces.

Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She Does: Why Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026.  Bookshop.org: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9798889837091

Website: https://www.sarahstankorb.com/

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