In this episode, Corey Nathan is joined by Pastor Doug Pagitt, Executive Director of Vote Common Good. Doug shares his remarkable journey from a non-religious upbringing to becoming a prominent voice in progressive evangelicalism. They discuss how his background in sociology and theology shapes his view of faith, culture, and politics, and how those insights drive his current work helping religious voters engage civically with integrity and hope.

What We Discuss:

How Doug Pagitt came to faith and ministry outside traditional church upbringing

What the Emergent Church is and why it matters

How anthropology influences theology

What motivated Pastor Doug to start Vote Common Good

How Democrats can meaningfully engage religious voters

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:00] Introduction to Doug’s background and Vote Common Good

[00:03:00] Doug’s faith story and early questions about Christianity

[00:08:00] Embracing scripture through open interpretation

[00:17:00] The Emergent Church explained

[00:30:00] Why Vote Common Good was founded

[00:43:00] Surprising insights from their faith voter polling

[00:54:00] Six words to win back religious voters

[01:02:00] Where Democrats often miss the mark

Featured Quotes:

“I didn’t have to unlearn a Sunday school version of Christianity. I got to take Jesus at face value.” 

“We’re not asking candidates to be Christians. We’re asking them to like Christians.” 

“The difference between being required and being invited makes all the difference.”

“Human beings organize our lives around patterns. The danger is when we mistake those patterns for the divine.”

Resources Mentioned:

Vote Common Good: https://www.votecommongood.com

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In this solo episode, host Corey Nathan explores how the "us vs. them" mindset is damaging our democracy and personal relationships. Sharing powerful stories and reflections, Corey examines how this mentality can escalate from figurative harm to literal violence—and what we can do to stop it.

What Is Discussed:

How to recognize and avoid “us vs. them” thinking

Why specificity matters more than generalizations

How to reframe conversations to foster understanding

When it’s best to disengage from toxic interactions

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:00] The real-life consequences of political tribalism

[00:03:00] How a quote from the Declaration of Independence sparked online hostility

[00:15:00] Why generalizing leads to vilification

[00:21:00] Reactions to the peaceful “No Kings” rally

[00:28:00] How to name and address divisive rhetoric

[00:34:00] When it’s healthier to walk away

Featured Quotes:

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In this episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes Liz Joyner, founder and president of The Village Square, a civic organization dedicated to bridging divides and fostering dialogue across political and cultural lines. Liz shares the story behind founding The Village Square, her passion for preserving democratic values, and her experience navigating political polarization with grace, humor, and tenacity. As dear friends and collaborators, Corey and Liz offer listeners a heartfelt and insightful conversation about the importance of disagreement, empathy, and genuine connection.

What You Will Learn:

How Liz Joyner built The Village Square to combat political divisiveness

The power of human connection and shared experiences in fostering civic trust

Key strategies for having meaningful conversations across ideological divides

Why now is a pivotal moment for preserving democracy and civil discourse

How personal stories and experiences shape our political views and actions

Episode Highlights:

Featured Quotes:

“We just need to do it. Reach out. Make the call. Share a meal. Be human.”

“When we see others up close, we see their good intentions. That’s where empathy begins.”

“Disagreement, done well, is the genius behind our democracy.”

“The genius of our system is that it relies on heterogeneity—on us learning from each other.”

Resources Mentioned:

The Village Square: villagesquare.us

The Constitution of Knowledge by Jonathan Rauch: www.brookings.edu/books/the-constitution-of-knowledge

Roger Herbert's Substack: https://rogerherbert.substack.com

The National Portrait Gallery: https://npg.si.edu

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In this episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes Kamy Akhavan, Executive Director at the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and former CEO of ProCon.org. Kamy shares his extraordinary journey from war-torn Iran to becoming a champion of civil discourse and political bridge-building in the United States. 

What We Discuss:

Kamy’s powerful immigration story and personal connection to today’s immigration challenges

What's actually happening in Los Angeles vs what many news programs are showing

How debate and listening helped shape Kamy’s open-minded leadership

The mission of USC’s Center for the Political Future and its bipartisan impact

The root causes of polarization and how we can counteract them

Why respect, listening, and humility are foundational for meaningful dialogue

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:00] Kamy’s homage to Parliament Funkadelic and Sly Stone

[00:06:00] Living through war in Iran and escaping with his family

[00:14:00] Adjusting to poverty in Louisiana and finding strength in education

[00:18:00] Discovering a passion for political discourse through debate

[00:27:00] Leaving management consulting to lead ProCon.org

[00:30:00] Kamy's role at USC’s Center for the Political Future

[00:39:00] Building a culture where tough conversations can happen respectfully

[00:55:00] A deeper look into today’s immigration debates and polarization

Featured Quotes:

Resources Mentioned:

USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future: https://dornsife-center-for-political-future.usc.edu/

ProCon.org: https://www.procon.org/

The Democracy Group: https://www.democracygroup.org/

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In this insightful and often humorous episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes political satirist, author, and podcast host Andrew Heaton for a wide-ranging conversation about his latest book, Tribalism Is Dumb. Heaton, known for his podcast The Political Orphanage, brings his signature blend of wit, intellect, and candor to explore why politics has become so viciously tribal—and how we can fix it. Drawing from personal stories, deep research, and evolutionary psychology, Heaton discusses the roots of human division, the impact of media and technology, and the path to a more thoughtful public discourse.

What We Discuss:

Why tribalism is hardwired into human nature—and how it gets misapplied in modern politics

How Heaton’s upbringing influenced his commitment to civility and intellectual rigor

The role of media, social media, and political leadership in fostering division

Practical tools for having productive, respectful political conversations

What we can do—personally and societally—to resist toxic partisanship

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:00] Intro to Andrew Heaton and his new book

[00:02:30] The story behind the dedication to Heaton’s father

[00:06:45] Heaton’s early political influences

[00:10:15] How Heaton preps for his many podcasts

[00:21:00] The evolutionary roots of tribalism

[00:34:00] Protestant vs. Catholic soccer rivalry in Scotland

[00:36:30] What changed in the last few decades

[00:55:00] Tools for better political conversations

Featured Quotes:

"There are lots of people that we share this country with that are good and intelligent people. The fact that we disagree with them is not a negation of their humanity." – Andrew Heaton

Resources Mentioned:

The Political Orphanage podcast: https://mightyheaton.com/the-political-orphanage

Tribalism Is Dumb by Andrew Heaton: https://mightyheaton.com/books

Bowling Alone by Robert Putnam: https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Bowling-Alone/Robert-D-Putnam/9780743203043

How to Have Impossible Conversations by Peter Boghossian: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/peter-boghossian/how-to-have-impossible-conversations/9780738285344/

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In this edition, host Corey Nathan dives into two behaviors that shut down meaningful dialogue before it even starts: ad hominem attacks and treating individuals as proxies for groups. Drawing from real-life interactions and candid personal stories, Corey illustrates why civil discourse matters now more than ever.

What Is Discussed:

Why personal attacks destroy productive dialogue

How assuming people represent an entire group harms mutual understanding

Strategies for better conversations: passive, defensive, and proactive

Why labels and assumptions often miss the mark

The power of treating others as individuals with unique stories

Episode Highlights:

1:00 – Defining the two dialogue killers: ad hominem and proxy labeling

2:00 – A local mayor faces national-level hostility in small-town politics

4:00 – A neighborly disagreement about family farms shows how it can be done right

5:00 – Corey’s impassioned reaction to toxic comments and attacks

10:00 – When people are reduced to stand-ins for political ideologies

14:00 – Facebook comments spiral as users resort to vilifying each other

19:00 – Setting realistic expectations when engaging across divides

27:00 – “I will not defend positions I don’t hold”—drawing healthy boundaries

30:00 – Lessons from the fight for marriage equality: changing hearts through human connection

33:00 – Passive, defensive, and proactive strategies to communicate better

Featured Quotes:

“People are people—not proxies...”

“I will not defend positions that I don’t hold.”

“You’re not talking to ‘them,’ you’re talking to me.”

“Go talk some politics and religion with gentleness and respect.”

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In this inspiring episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes Bishop Mary D. Glasspool, a pioneering leader in the Episcopal Church and the first openly lesbian woman to be consecrated as a bishop in the Anglican Communion. Since 2016, she has served as Assistant Bishop in the Episcopal Diocese of New York. Bishop Mary shares her personal journey of faith, identity, leadership, and inclusion, offering insights into navigating the intersections of religion, politics, and justice.

What We Discuss:

Bishop Mary’s journey as a trailblazer in the Episcopal Church

How her faith and identity evolved in tandem

What the Philadelphia 11 meant to her and the church

Navigating hard conversations across deep differences

What gives her hope for the future of the church and the world

Episode Highlights:

01:00 – Corey introduces Bishop Mary and her groundbreaking role

06:00 – Growing up in a multigenerational Episcopal family

17:00 – The impact of the Philadelphia 11 and her call to ministry

27:00 – Coming out and confronting institutional theology

34:00 – Stories of ministry, mentorship, and pioneering women

43:00 – Navigating political division in local churches

50:00 – Her retirement plans and what’s next

1:02:00 – On non-binary thinking, listening deeply, and collaboration

Featured Quotes:

“We can do this. It is possible to talk politics and religion without killing each other.”

Resources Mentioned:

The Philadelphia Eleven Documentary: https://www.philadelphiaelevenfilm.com

The Episcopal Church: https://www.episcopalchurch.org

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In this episode, host Corey Nathan is joined by Pastor David Hegg, Senior Pastor at Grace Baptist Church in Santa Clarita, CA. With decades of experience, a master’s in theology, and a doctorate in preaching, Pastor Hegg shares his unique journey into ministry, his thoughts on biblical teaching, and how Christians can faithfully navigate today’s cultural and political landscape.

What We Discuss:

How Pastor Hegg's early struggles shaped his path in ministry

The importance of preaching Scripture as it was originally written

A biblical approach to Christian leadership and cultural engagement

Insights into the role of conscience in political decision-making

Why “reasoned humility” is essential for healthy public discourse

Episode Highlights:

00:04:00 – From mowing the church lawn to pastoring a large congregation

00:10:00 – Disputes over doctrine: seminary conflict and church governance

00:19:00 – Faith vs. science: Genesis, creationism, and biblical authority

00:25:00 – Why many pastors feel exhausted, and how to sustain ministry

00:30:00 – Handling political pressure and cultural division during COVID

00:36:00 – Engaging LGBTQ+ individuals with truth and grace

00:43:00 – What it means to “withdraw” from politics without disengaging

00:54:00 – Preview of Pastor Hegg’s upcoming books and a theological novel

Featured Quotes:

“What God has for us is always best for us.” – Pastor David Hegg

Resources Mentioned:

Grace Baptist Church: gracebaptist.org

The Obedience Option: www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Obedience+Option+David+Hegg

The Well: https://www.amazon.com/s?k=The+Well+David+Hegg

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“You’ve got to be willing to kick your sources right in the balls if necessary, even if they’re your friends.”

Julie Mason came up the ranks at regional newspapers before becoming a White House reporter. On her SiriusXM radio show, you can tell how much she loves and champions good reporters and reveres excellent journalism. And that's one of the many reasons we love Julie Mason! So we're re-booting our most recent conversation with Julie from earlier this year...

In this episode, host Corey Nathan reconnects with Julie Mason, renowned journalist and host of The Julie Mason Show on SiriusXM’s POTUS channel. Julie brings decades of experience in journalism, spanning local, state, and national politics, and shares her sharp insights on the evolving media landscape, political discourse, and the state of journalism today.

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@julesdc

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A lot's happened already this year. So it's worth re-setting this conversation with friend of the pod, Wajahat Ali, from earlier this year...

When there's such chaos amd divisiveness all around us, what can we do to cultivate a sense of hope and humanity?

In this episode, we welcome back Wajahat Ali, celebrated writer, editor of The Left Hook Substack, co-host of Democracy-ish Podcast, and author. Known for his humor and insight, Waj brings his unique perspective as a father, storyteller, and political commentator to discuss navigating the tumultuous political and social landscape of 2025. Together, Corey and Wajahat dive deep into themes of decency, empathy, and how to cultivate hope amid chaos.

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