The Common Good Podcast

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 

Welcome to *The Common Good Podcast*, the show where we actually call a circus a circus.

On today’s special Monday episode, hosts Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse wade through the absolute wreckage of another disastrous week for the Trump administration. First up, they take a look at the utter embarrassment over the weekend, where Trump decided the best use of presidential dignity was playing hype-man at a UFC fight—because nothing says "stable leadership" quite like clinging to cage-fighting crowds for validation.

But the nonsense doesn't stop at the arena. Doug and Robb dive into the mounting disaster in the Middle East, breaking down the administration's latest self-inflicted Iran debacle. And finally, the receipts are in: they’ll analyze the brutal new polling numbers showing the MAGA movement in a total freefall as voters finally get tired of the chaos.

It's a packed show, and the gloves are officially off.

Title: Boos, Ballots, Bailouts, and Buffoonery: The Desperate Gasp of a Crumbling Ego

Trump's 250 Flop

Quagmire in Iran

The Primary Takeaway: Yesterday’s Voters Send a Message

The "Art of the Deal" or the Art of the Fold? 🤡

Trump's big bold strategy to choke out Iran just hit a brick wall, and his newly announced framework is a masterclass in backing down. Trump talked a massive game about forcing an "unconditional surrender," demanding zero nuclear enrichment, and threatening to blast Iran "back to the Stone Ages." But after a few drone strikes, a naval blockade standoff, and a spiked global gas crisis, he settled for a deal that looks like a copy-paste of the 2015 nuclear pact. 

In this episode, we expose how the administration literally negotiated against its own red lines and ended up caving to Tehran's demands just to stop the bleeding. 

Inside this episode:

If you love watching politicians break their own absolute promises and try to spin it as a historic victory, hit that subscribe button. 

Drop your thoughts in the comments: Did Trump just get thoroughly out-negotiated by Iran?

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Trump Has Gone Full Mob Boss and  Acts Like a Don

Trump isn’t just bending the rules anymore — he’s desteroying them for his own benefit, and daring anyone to stop him. On this episode of Common Good, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse dig into what happens when the most powerful office in the world gets treated like a family business and a protection racket rolled into one.

We’re talking about a president who has turned the federal budget into a personal slush fund, steered contracts and influence toward his family and allies, and governed with the kind of impunity that used to be reserved for the untouchable. This isn’t politics as usual. This is something different — and it deserves to be named clearly.

From the deals that benefit Trump Tower to the policy moves that pad the pockets of people closest to him, the pattern is impossible to ignore. The mob boss doesn’t need to break the law if he gets to write it. And right now, he’s writing a lot of it.

Doug and Robb don’t pull punches on this one. If you’ve been feeling the weight of what’s happening and wondering whether anyone is willing to say it out loud — this episode is for you. We believe government should serve people, not enrich the powerful. We believe the common good is worth fighting for. And we believe the first step is telling the truth about what we’re actually dealing with.

Listen. Share. And pass it along to someone who needs to hear it.