My guest is Kelsey Osgood. She is the author of Godstruck: Seven Women's Unexpected Journeys to Religious Conversion. Driven by a profound curiosity and anchored by intimate reporting, Godstruck is a provocative, insightful, and refreshingly nuanced exploration of both the joys and the challenges of faith that reveals what these seekers can teach all of us about modern life and our own searches for meaning.

Special Guest: Kelsey Osgood.

In this episode of Give and Take, I talk with journalist and author Benyamin Cohen about one of the most bizarre and largely forgotten chapters of World War II history—when dozens of high-ranking Nazis spent the war years not in prison camps, but in luxury at a West Virginia resort.

We’re talking about the Greenbrier Hotel, a grand, opulent resort nestled in the Allegheny Mountains, where captured German diplomats and their families were detained—if you can even call it that. They enjoyed gourmet meals, spa treatments, tennis matches, and more, all under the watchful but discreet eye of the U.S. government.

How did this happen? Why was it kept quiet? And what does this strange story reveal about America’s role in the war, diplomacy, and the narratives we choose to remember? I address these questions and more as I discuss this surreal piece of history with Benyamin Cohen.

You can find the article Benyamin Cohen wrote about the Greenbrier Hotel and its Nazi guests for The Forward here.

Special Guest: Benyamin Cohen.

My guest is Tamara Dean. In the midst of the environmental crises of the early twenty-first century, Tamara Dean sought a way to live lightly on the planet. Her quest drew her to a landscape unlike any other: the Driftless area of Wisconsin, a region untouched by glaciers, marked by steep hills and deeply carved valleys, capped with forests and laced with cold, spring-fed streams. There, she confronted, in ways large and small, the challenges of meeting basic needs while facing the ravages of climate change—an experience at once soul-stirring and practical that she recounts in Shelter and Storm.

If you're interested in connecting with Tamara during her book tour, you can find a list of events here.

Special Guest: Tamara Dean.

In this episode of the podcast I talk with David Zahl about his new book, The Big Relief: The Urgency of Grace in a Worn-Out World. In a time when burnout, anxiety, and relentless pressure are everyday companions, Zahl offers a powerful case for why grace—real, honest, unconditional grace—is more urgent than ever. Drawing on personal stories, cultural analysis, and theological insight, The Big Relief explores how grace can meet us in our exhaustion and offer rest to our restless souls. David and I dive into the heart of the book, unpacking what it means to experience grace in a culture that often demands perfection and performance.

Special Guest: David Zahl.

My guest is Daniel Breyer. His debut novel is Smokebirds. In the near future, when every autumn is fire season in California, wealthy San Franciscans flee their city for smoke-free pastures. Among them are the Petersons, a family enriched by the lumber industry, who traditionally spend every August in Hawaii. This annual retreat, once a period of leisure and luxury with golf, hikes, and high-society mingling, takes a turn when 22-year-old Cole Peterson aligns himself with Aid For Earth, a climate justice organization. Cole and Aid For Earth proceed to mire the Peterson family in scandal, alleging that Peterson Lumber started a forest fire, covered up their culpability, and then profited off a government contract to extract the burnt lumber.

Smokebirds is not just a narrative about the complexity of familial bonds and the facade of integrity; it is a commentary on the enduring power of privilege against the backdrop of climate justice. It captures the tension between societal expectations of accountability and the reality of an elite untouched by the demands for change, reflecting on who truly bears the cost of our environmental crises.

Special Guest: Daniel Breyer.

My guest is Daniel Oppenheimer. Daniel is the host of Eminent Americans, a podcast about the writers and public intellectuals who either are key players in the American intellectual scene or who typify an important aspect of it.

Special Guest: Daniel Oppenheimer .

On this episode of Give and Take, host Scott Jones sits down with Denise Hamilton to discuss her debut book, Indivisible. A visionary leader and advocate for inclusion, Hamilton explores what it truly means to bridge divides in an increasingly polarized world. Together, they delve into the urgent need for unity, the challenges of fostering meaningful conversations across differences, and how individuals can take action to create a more connected and equitable society. Tune in for an insightful and inspiring discussion on building a future where everyone belongs.

Special Guest: Denise Hamilton .

In this episode of Give and Take, host Scott Jones sits down with Amanda Marcotte, author of Troll Nation and Senior Writer at Salon Magazine, for a sharp and incisive discussion on the forces reshaping American politics and culture. As Elon Musk’s influence extends beyond Silicon Valley into the political arena, and Christian Nationalism gains traction in the nation’s discourse, they examine the implications for democracy,, and the very nature of truth. At a time when disinformation thrives and political identities harden, what does it mean to seek and defend reality? It's a compelling and timely conversation that confronts some urgent questions of our political moment.

Special Guest: Amanda Marcotte .

My guest is Amanda Tyler, the Executive Director of the Baptist Joint Committee for Religious Liberty and a leading voice in the fight to uphold the separation of church and state. In her new book, How to End Christian Nationalism, Amanda lays out a compelling case against this

In this conversation, we explore what Christian nationalism is, why she se es it as a threat, and how she thinks you can push back against it. Whether you have a deep knowledge of Christian Nationalism or just starting to learn about it, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

My guest is Jennifer Briney. She''s the host of the widely acclaimed podcast Congressional Dish, joins us for a critical discussion on the state of American governance. Congressional Dish is dedicated to illuminating the workings of Congress, where the American people hold their greatest political power. With an unflinching, nonpartisan approach, Briney examines the actions of elected officials after the campaign season ends, revealing how their decisions shape the daily lives of citizens. In this conversation, Briney offers her insights on President Trump’s State of the Union address, the broader trajectory of the country, and whether Congress is fulfilling its role as a check on executive power.

Special Guest: Jennifer Briney.