The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

In this episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with Gary Haugen, Founder and CEO of International Justice Mission (IJM). While many view poverty simply as a lack of resources, Gary argues that for the world’s poorest, the primary obstacle to survival is actually unchecked violence.

From his upbringing in a "bubble" of affluence to investigating genocide in Rwanda, Gary shares his journey of discovering that justice is not optional, it is essential to living out the Gospel. They discuss the staggering statistics of modern slavery, the lingering impact of colonialism on justice systems, and how enforcing the law can break the cycle of poverty.

Gary Haugen is the CEO and founder of International Justice Mission (IJM). A graduate of Harvard and the University of Chicago Law School, Gary formerly served at the U.S. Department of Justice and directed the U.N. investigation into the Rwandan genocide. He is the author of The Locust Effect and Just Courage.

Key Topics Discussed:

The Bubble vs. The Real World: Gary’s transition from a comfortable childhood in California to confronting racial tension at Harvard and apartheid in South Africa.

A Lesson from Desmond Tutu: A powerful story of witnessing Bishop Tutu confront Dutch Reformed Church leaders about the sin of apartheid.

The Rwanda Investigation: How investigating mass graves after the 1994 genocide revealed the desperate need for protection systems for the poor.

The Poverty-Violence Connection: Why traditional philanthropy often fails if it doesn't address the "bullies" who steal resources from the poor.

The Economics of Slavery: Understanding that slavery is a low-risk, high-reward crime fueled by a lack of law enforcement.

Colonial Legacies: How colonial powers built justice systems designed to protect regimes rather than citizens, and the current efforts to re-engineer them.

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 In this episode of The Just Life, Benjamin sits down with historian, author, and speaker Dr. Jemar Tisby to discuss the inseparable link between faith and justice. Together, they dive deep into the American church's complicated history with racism and how understanding the past is essential for interpreting the present.

Jemar challenges the traditional narrative of the Jim Crow era, reframing it as a time of Black institution building and resilience. They also tackle hot-button issues like DEI, the "Marxist" label in evangelical circles, and the difference between "repeating" and "rhyming" history. Whether you are looking for language to articulate your experiences or seeking practical steps to make wrong things right, this conversation offers clarity, courage, and hope.

Key Topics Discussed:

Reframing History: Why Jemar views the Jim Crow era not just as a time of segregation, but as the "Black Institution Building Era.

Does History Repeat? The difference between history repeating and history rhyming, with examples from the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 to modern immigration policies.

The DEI Debate: Understanding the historical backlash to Black progress (from the Wilmington Coup to modern corporate boycotts).

Jamar’s Journey: Growing up in Waukegan, the culture shock of the Mississippi Delta, and the tension of being a Black Christian in predominantly white evangelical spaces.

Labels in the Church: Unpacking why terms like "Marxist" and "Woke" are weaponized against Christians pursuing social justice.

Defining Racism: A clear working definition: Prejudice + Power.

Hope for Repair: How we can unmake racism by forming communities of belonging.

Check out the video version at:

https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial 

Connect with Benjamin at:

https://benjaminswatson.com/

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In this powerful episode of The Just Life, Benjamin Watson sits down with Ruth Malhotra, a key whistleblower in the Ravi Zacharias International Ministries (RZIM) scandal. Ruth’s journey is one of unexpected advocacy, sitting at the intersection of faith, justice, and public engagement.

The conversation begins with Ruth’s early days at Georgia Tech, where she successfully sued the university for violating free speech rights, setting a precedent for students across the nation.

However, the interview takes a somber and gripping turn as Ruth details her time as the Public Relations Manager for RZIM. She pulls back the curtain on the culture of fear, the "don't question Ravi" mandate, and the systemic abuse of power that allowed a global ministry leader to hide a double life.

This is a raw look at what happens when institutions prioritize reputation over righteousness, and how to maintain faith when leaders fail.

Key Topics & Takeaways:

From India to Atlanta: How Ruth’s upbringing and exposure to the slums of India shaped her view of global injustice.

The Georgia Tech Lawsuit: The story behind Ruth’s battle against university speech codes and the Dean who admitted to "indoctrinating" students.

The RZIM Culture: The gradual realization of "optics" issues, financial extravagance, and the idolatry of leadership.

The Turning Point: The 2017 allegations by Lori Ann Thompson and the accidental email that revealed the cover-up to Ruth.

The 4 Stages of Cover-Up: Ruth breaks down how organizations hide abuse: Deny, Defy, and Defame.

Surviving Gaslighting: How ministry leadership tried to label Ruth as mentally unstable to discredit her whistleblowing.

The Definition of Justice: Why justice requires not just protecting the vulnerable, but exposing the darkness, even when it is within the church.

Check out the video version at:

https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial 

Connect with Benjamin at: 

https://benjaminswatson.com/

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Artist, author, and cultural commentator Sho Baraka joins Benjamin Watson to kick off Season 2 of The Just Life for a powerful conversation on faith, history, and justice.

Drawing from his upbringing during the Rodney King era and his time at Tuskegee University, Sho shares how his understanding of injustice was formed. Together, they examine his Christianity Today article "The Broken Promise of 40 Acres and a Mule",  exploring the biblical and moral questions surrounding reparations, why these conversations remain so contentious, and what justice rooted in faith looks like beyond repentance, toward repair.

The conversation also unpacks Sho’s idea of “the gold and the shadow,” challenging listeners to tell the whole truth about America, the church, and the stories we inherit.

Check out the video version at

https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial 

Connect with Benjamin at https://benjaminswatson.com/

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Benjamin Watson sits down with Jasmine Crowe-Houston, social impact innovator, TED speaker, and founder/CEO of Goodr, to reframe hunger as a justice issue, not just charity. Jasmine breaks down why 42–47 million Americans live with food insecurity, how “food deserts” and “food swamps” drive inequity, and why the poorest often pay the most for food. She explains Goodr’s tech platform that rescues surplus meals in 1–2 hours, the free in-school grocery stores and pop-up markets delivering dignified choice, and the 40M+ meals Goodr has provided to date. They dig into waste (40% of U.S. food; ~2% of GDP), policy fixes (universal school meals, don’t-landfill-food mandates), the spiritual and emotional toll of this work, and simple ways families, churches, and businesses can love their neighbors by feeding them—locally and sustainably.
Check out the video version at https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial

Connect with Benjamin at https://benjaminswatson.com/

Topics:

Hunger as a justice issue

Food deserts vs. food swamps

40% food waste, 2% of GDP

Goodr’s surplus-to-nonprofit logistics

Free school-based grocery stores

Pop-up markets & senior deliveries

Minimum wage, affordability, access

Policy ideas: no-waste laws, school meals

Churches & communities as feeders

Practical ways to “love your neighbor”

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Benjamin Watson and Geoff Duncan, former Georgia lieutenant governor, ex–pro baseball pitcher, entrepreneur, and author of GOP 2.0, talk about truth, courage, and leading with love. Geoff shares how his faith matured from “inherited” to personal, why he chose to call balls and strikes after 2020, and what it cost. They unpack his “honest umpire” approach, character in the Oval Office, rebuilding trust through policy-first problem solving, and practical justice: education, economic mobility, and dignifying our neighbors across party lines. Duncan also reflects on his DNC speech, being expelled by the GOP, and what kind of America he hopes to hand his three sons.
Check out the video version at https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial

Connect with Benjamin at https://benjaminswatson.com/

Topics:

Honest umpire: call balls and strikes

Faith maturing from inherited to personal

Policy over politics: PET framework

Character and tone in leadership

Election integrity and January 6th

Political homelessness and party extremism

Justice as love of neighbor

Education and economic mobility

Bipartisan problem-solving and empathy

Parenting, courage, and public witness

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In a time when politics feels like a tug-of-war for Christian allegiance, Benjamin Watson sits down with Justin Giboney, attorney, strategist, and president of the AND Campaign, to unpack how Christians can engage politics without losing their witness. Together they challenge partisanship and call for a faith that holds conviction and compassion in the same breath. From a whole-life ethic on abortion and maternal care to the role of fatherhood, family, and local leadership, this conversation confronts cultural idols and re-centers the Gospel in public life.

Check out the video version at https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial

Topics:

A Biblical framework for public life

Political homelessness

Critiquing Left and Right

Building Coalitions for the Common Good 

Whole-life ethic on abortion and maternal care

Family, marriage and fatherhood

Political idolatry 

Local engagement vs. national outrage

HBCU tour and Lit City

Forthcoming book on the Black Church’s orthodox public witness

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Benjamin Watson sits down with Stephen Enada, president and co-founder of the International Committee on Nigeria, to unpack the crisis facing Nigeria’s persecuted church. They discuss undercounted death tolls, mass displacement, and why global and governmental inaction persists. Stephen challenges misleading “farmer–herder/climate” narratives, highlights corruption and terrorism, shares Leah Sharibu’s story, and explains the “Country of Particular Concern” designation. He also offers practical ways to pray, advocate, and support victims while pursuing religious freedom, peace and justice.  Check out the video version at https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial

For more information on the International Committee On Nigeria please visit: https://iconhelp.org/

Topics:

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How Do Ordinary People Win Extraordinary Change?

Organizer and strategist Tiffany Loftin unpacks student power, unionizing Delta flight attendants, abolishing the death penalty, and sustaining joy while fighting injustice. What began as a campaign to continue her own college education—and improve life for every student at UC Santa Cruz, has become a lifelong mission of advocacy. Tiffany shares practical steps for everyday people to take action, build power, and stay grounded in the struggles that move them to act.

Check out the video version at https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial

Topics Discussed:

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Civil rights attorney and CNN analyst Bakari Sellers joins Benjamin to talk about growing up in South Carolina, what “hidden” injustices like heirs’ property reveal about policy, and why due process, health access, and strong local churches matter for real change. A thoughtful, nuanced convo on leading with empathy while pushing for reform.

Check out the video version at https://www.youtube.com/@thejustlifeofficial

Topics Discussed:

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