In today’s episode of Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse dive deep into the unraveling center of the current administration.

When a political movement relies on a single leader’s ability to drive the narrative, what happens when that leader can no longer hold the storyline together? Doug and Robb examine the mounting evidence of Donald Trump’s declining cognitive focus and his increasingly fractured grasp on the key talking points that once united his base.

From contradictory foreign policy signals to forgotten legislative promises, the story is slipping through his fingers—and the administration is feeling the shockwaves. We discuss:

The Broken Narrative: How losing track of the core storylines is causing total message breakdown inside the White House and across the MAGA coalition.

The Congressional Fall: Why Republican leaders in Capitol Hill are finding it impossible to defend an ever-shifting, erratic reality—and how this loss of discipline is setting the stage for a dramatic shift in control of Congress this fall.

The Path to the Common Good: What a post-chaos political landscape looks like for voters seeking moral clarity, stability, and actual governance over theatrical confusion.

Tune in for an urgent, sharp, and necessary reality check on where the administration stands, why the wheels are coming off, and what it means for the upcoming midterms.

We are the hpe we have been waiting for. 

On this episode of The Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse sit down to examine the latest actions, statements, and political maneuvers from Donald Trump over the past week. From rhetoric that divides to policy positions that undermine democratic norms, Doug and Robb highlight why these recent developments demand a response from people of faith, conscience, and common sense.

With under 100 days remaining until Election Day, every week matters. Join Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse as they parse out what’s happening, why it matters for the future of our communities, and how everyday voters can stand up for truth and the common good.

Tune in live, share your thoughts in the comments, and subscribe for weekly discussions on faith, politics, and the common good

Trump Won’t Leave the Stage — But in 914 Days, This Nightmare Presidency Will Be Over

Donald Trump made a spectacle of himself on the World Cup stage. But in 914 days, this nightmare presidency will be over!

Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse discuss the fallout of a presidency run amok—including the cringe-worthy moment an American president was so starved for attention that he tried to hijack the success of World Cup athletes in front of millions.

Unfortunately for the United States and the world, this behavior isn't limited to poor sportsmanship. It directly impacts the policies and actions of the U.S. government.

Join Doug and Robb for this crucial conversation about how we navigate a historically problematic administration

It will not always be like this. Trump will be gone. We will remain.

Now that Trump has failed at celebrating the country, and weakened us at home and across the globe, we turn our sights to the freedom that can come to our country when in November, we vote MAGA Republicans out of power. 

Today on the Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse lament the Freedoms and Hope of America lost under Trump. 

Including conversation about the current state of American democracy. Following a turbulent week of actions by Donald Trump and recent pivotal rulings from the Supreme Court, Doug and Robb break down the profound impact these events are having on foundational American liberties.

Together, they discuss why a robust, united pro-democracy movement is no longer just an ideal, but an urgent necessity to restore and protect freedom for all Americans. From shifting legal precedents to political rhetoric that challenges democratic norms, this episode examines how citizens can actively engage to safeguard the future of the nation's common good. Tune in for an insightful analysis of this week's biggest headlines and a roadmap for democratic renewal.

Doug Pagitt talks with Katie Gaddini about her new book, Esther's Army: The Christian Women Who Power The Christian Right. 

For decades, political pundits on the Left have dismissed conservative Christian women as politically passive or brainwashed—voters simply following the instructions of the men in their lives. 

But that narrative completely misses the reality on the ground. In this episode of The Common Good Podcast, host Doug Pagitt sits down solo with sociologist Dr. Katie Gaddini to discuss her groundbreaking new book, Esther's Army: The Christian Women Who Power the American Right.  

Drawing from nearly a decade of immersion, participant observation, and deep ethnographic interviews, Dr. Gaddini unpacks the massive, highly organized, and heavily female pipeline driving modern American conservatism. 

From the "Mama Bears" taking over local school boards to high-powered White House legal operatives, Gaddini pulls back the curtain on a movement of women who view themselves not as victims of a patriarchal structure, but as holy warriors appointed "for such a time as this." 

Join us for a fascinating, nuanced conversation that moves past political caricatures to explore how these strategic organizers have permanently realigned the landscape of American politics and what we can do in response. 

On this episode of The Common Good, hosts Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse dive deep into a news cycle defined by manufactured distractions and hidden influences.

The conversation begins with a sober look at the geopolitical landscape, tracking the continued danger radiating from Iran as regional instability threatens to boil over. Yet, while critical national security concerns demand the country's full attention, Donald Trump remains hyper-focused on an entirely different kind of swamp: the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool. The hosts unpack the administration's bizarre obsession with the botched "American Flag Blue" renovation—now a peeling, algae-ridden public relations disaster—and the outright lies and wild conspiracy theories being spun to deflect from executive incompetence.

Finally, the discussion turns to the bombshell investigative reports surrounding Tulsi Gabbard following her sudden exit from her senior national security role. Doug and Robb unpack the disturbing evidence detailing her deep, long-standing ties to a secretive religious sect. They examine how the group’s leadership actively worked behind the scenes to dictate her policy positions, raising critical questions about autonomy, judgment, and the quiet forces shaping American political power.

For a deeper look at the breaking investigations into these behind-the-scenes dynamics, you can watch this report on Tulsi Gabbard's ties. This investigative video breaks down the specific internal memos and confidential communications that detail how outside spiritual guidance directly shaped her congressional career and legislative decisions.

Here is part 2 of the training we did for the Michigan Democratic Rural Caucus on Connecting with Faith Voters