Freedom doesn't simply mean freedom from things that restrict our lives. It also means the freedom to flourish and live with dignity. It means the freedom to care for ourselves and others, to participate in a vibrant democracy, to be healthy and safe from harm, and to live on a healthy planet and in a welcoming country.

Season four of the Just Politics podcast continues last season's focus on protecting and expanding democracy in the United States but dives into the particular context of the 2024 election—and the freedoms at stake.

For the season four kickoff episode, podcast hosts (and NETWORK staff members) Joan Neal, Colin Martinez Longmore, and Sister Eilis McCulloh, H.M. are joined by Katherine Stewart—an investigative journalist whose work focuses on religious nationalism and the separation of church and state, and the author of The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism (Bloomsbury). Stewart lays out for listeners some of the freedoms on the line in this election, the dangers of Christian nationalism and right-wing extremism, and some concrete ways in which we all can pitch in to save democracy this election year.

NETWORK Executive Director Mary Novak then joins our hosts to unpack Stewart's interview and explore how some coalitions of people of faith are working together to reject the rise of Christian nationalism and insist on the kind of faith-in-politics that actually serves the common good.

Join Just Politics this season as we explore how we can expand our freedoms and vote for a future where everyone thrives—no exceptions—in this election and beyond.

As you listen, please be aware that NETWORK Advocates is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to advancing the principles of Catholic social justice and does not endorse or oppose any candidate or party in the upcoming election.

Additional Resources:

Katherine Stewart : https://katherinestewart.me/

Faiths United to Save Democracy: https://www.turnoutsunday.com/

Sojourners, A Call to Civic Discipleship : https://sojo.net/civicdiscipleship

NETWORK's Equally Sacred Checklist (in English and Spanish): https://networkadvocates.org/equally-sacred-multi-issue-voter-checklist/

Project 2025 https://time.com/6986995/what-is-project-2025/