Straight White American Jesus

This episode delves into the recent controversies surrounding Opus Dei, a secretive and influential organization within the Catholic Church. According to a report from Infovaticana, Opus Dei faces a significant internal rupture that could see it fragmented into three distinct bodies, effectively dissolving its current structure. Annika Brockschmidt guest hosts in conversation with journalist Gareth Gore, author of 'Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy inside the Catholic Church.' Gareth elaborates on the historical context and modern operations of Opus Dei, including its recruitment and coercive practices. He also highlights the organization's conflicts with the Vatican and ongoing abuse allegations.

Opus by Gareth Gore: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Opus/Gareth-Gore/9781668016152

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This episode continues the exploration of how masculinity and the category of "man" function within the contemporary right, using Senator Josh Hawley’s book "Manhood" as a guide. Dan reads and reflects on Hawley’s arguments, focusing on the biblical foundations Hawley claims for his views on masculinity.

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Dr. Brad Onishi dives into the ideological roots of one of Peter Thiel's most significant ventures, Palantir. Drawing from Thiel’s reflections on Leo Strauss's philosophy and the aftermath of 9/11, Onishi explores how Palantir embodies a tech-driven strategy for national defense. The discussion extends to Thiel's collaborations with figures like Alex Karp and how their collective efforts align with a vision of Western superiority, national security, and technological dominance. This episode also touches on the broader implications of Palantir's integration into U.S. government and surveillance, raising crucial questions about civil liberties and geopolitical strategies.

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In this episode, Brad Onishi sits down with Rev. Alba Onofrio—executive director of Soulforce and host of Teología Sin Vergüenza—for a powerful exploration of faith, queerness, and resistance. Together, they unpack how white Christian nationalism and institutions like ICE perpetuate spiritual violence against marginalized communities, and how Soulforce responds through nonviolent resistance and liberative theology. Rev. Alba shares their own remarkable story—from growing up in Appalachia and coming out, to embracing the name “Reverend Sex” and reclaiming spirituality as a site of freedom rather than shame.

The conversation dives into the roots and mission of Soulforce, highlighting its Spirit Resource Library and the movement’s commitment to equipping activists with tools for justice and healing. Rev. Alba reflects on the power of queer and trans ancestors, the complexity of belonging for Latinx and mixed-race individuals, and the importance of creating inclusive, full-bodied faith communities. Through Teología Sin Vergüenza, they continue to cultivate space for unapologetic conversations about faith, identity, and justice—challenging listeners to imagine a world where love and liberation guide our spiritual lives.

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Brad and Dan unpack a disturbing leaked group chat among young Republican leaders that reveals casual racism, homophobia, and even Nazi sympathies. They analyze how JD Vance publicly defended the individuals involved by dismissing their comments as “edgy jokes,” exposing a growing tolerance for extremism within parts of the GOP.

The discussion expands to examine the double standard in political outrage — why some are harshly punished for crossing lines while others face little consequence — and how in-group loyalty continues to erode moral accountability in American politics.

The conversation then moves into deeper territory, exploring the psychological and ideological forces driving this shift. The hosts dissect the narratives of victimhood and persecution that fuel right-wing identity politics, as well as the appeal of hierarchy and order for certain business and political leaders who see democracy as messy or unstable. They highlight the challenge of mobilizing citizens around democracy itself, arguing that the fight for freedom requires a new, inspiring story that unites people rather than divides them.

The episode concludes with a preview of the upcoming “No Kings” rallies — events centered on defending democracy through collective action — and a call for listeners to stay engaged in the struggle for a just and inclusive society.

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Josh Hawley says that American manhood is threatened by “the left,” and that this threat lies in the fact that they are “anti-story.” What is missing, and what is necessary to save American manhood, he argues, is the right story. But what is the story that Hawley tells? And is it really the only story it’s possible to tell? And are all of us who reject or challenge his story really “anti-story?” Isn’t it possible to tell other stories about America and men and masculinity? And why do the answers to these questions matter so much? Listen to this week’s episode as Dan dives into these questions to find out.

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What can we Americans learn from others around the world about how to protect democracy when the stakes are high? Can we as Americans learn about how to challenge forms of religious nationalism and religious supremacy? What can we learn from Buddhists in Sri Lanka or Muslims in Turkey, or Christians in South Korea who have faced similar kinds of forms of religious nationalism in in their own context and sought to deflate their power?

That’s the purpose for this series. Across 10 episodes, we travel around the world to places where there are similar battles afoot, where exclusionary movements of religious nationalism are driving democratic backslid. We’ll be speaking with people of faith from a variety of faiths and traditions. We’ll be speaking with scholars and activists to understand what is happening in these contexts, how it’s similar to or different from what’s happening in the USA, and we’re gonna try to mine some practical lessons from those we speak to about what’s worked and what hasn’t in these efforts to protect democracy. ⁠

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What happens when political language becomes so distorted that anyone opposing Donald Trump is branded as “lawless,” “Antifa,” or even an “insurrectionist”? In this episode, Brad and Dan unpack how these labels have become empty signifiers... tools for dismissing dissent and consolidating power under what they call the “rule of Trump.”

They break down recent Senate hearings, including Pam Bondi’s heated appearance, as a case study in this rhetorical shift. The hosts examine how religious and constitutional language are being weaponized to legitimize political actions and blur the line between patriotism and partisanship.

Brad and Dan also reflect on the murder of Charlie Kirk and the troubling way his image is being used for both political and theological capital. The conversation turns to Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker’s call for state resistance to federal overreach, prompting a deeper look at how “states’ rights” has evolved (and been repurposed) throughout American history.

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Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC

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Introducing a new show from Axis Mundi Media.

Teología Sin Vergüenza: Navigating Faith, Activism, and Identity. Teología Sin Vergüenza is a digital platform originally in Spanish, created in response to the far-right's dominance over religious media. The platform serves as a space for people at the intersections of queer or trans feminist theology, faith, and activism to engage in conversations about taboo topics like divorce, sex, gender identity, and abortion. It aims to bridge divides between academic, religious, and activist silos, involving diverse voices from various Christian denominations and beyond. The first English season seeks to make these critical conversations accessible to the Latin American diaspora in the U.S., focusing on real-life experiences and decolonizing faith by separating political agendas from genuine religious traditions.

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Series: “Manhood”

Title: “The Plight of Man”

In this episode, Dan continues to examine what, precisely, Josh Hawley, thinks the problems are that confront American men. Hawley consistently ignores history and the actual complexity of American society to make his points. But why does he do this? Why is he so concerned with “manhood” at all? And how does this supposed concern express a deeper Christian nationalist agenda? Listen to this week’s episode to find out!

Linktree:⁠ https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC⁠

Order Brad's book: ⁠https://bookshop.org/a/95982/9781506482163⁠

Check out BetterHelp and use my code SWA for a great deal:⁠ www.betterhelp.com⁠

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/

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