Faithful Politics
Dive into the profound world of Faithful Politics, a compelling podcast where the spheres of faith and politics converge in meaningful dialogues. Guided by Pastor Josh Burtram (Faithful Host) and Will Wright (Political Host), this unique platform invites listeners to delve into the complex impact of political choices on both the faithful and faithless. Join our hosts, Josh and Will, as they engage with world-renowned experts, scholars, theologians, politicians, journalists, and ordinary folks. Their objective? To deepen our collective understanding of the intersection between faith and politics. Faithful Politics sets itself apart by refusing to subscribe to any single political ideology or religious conviction. This approach is mirrored in the diverse backgrounds of our hosts. Will Wright, a disabled Veteran and African-Asian American, is a former atheist and a liberal progressive with a lifelong intrigue in politics. On the other hand, Josh Burtram, a Conservative Republican and devoted Pastor, brings a passion for theology that resonates throughout the discourse. Yet, in the face of their contrasting outlooks, Josh and Will display a remarkable ability to facilitate respectful and civil dialogue on challenging topics. This opens up a space where listeners of various political and religious leanings can find value and deepen their understanding. So, regardless if you're a Democrat or Republican, a believer or an atheist, we assure you that Faithful Politics has insightful conversations that will appeal to you and stimulate your intellectual curiosity. Come join us in this enthralling exploration of the intricate nexus of faith and politics. Add us to your regular podcast stream and don't forget to subscribe to our YouTube Channel. Let's navigate this fascinating realm together! Not Right. Not Left. UP.
Episodes
Can the Bible affirm same-sex relationships without compromising its authority?
More than half of LGBTQ youth raised in non-affirming Christian households report suicidal thoughts, according to The Trevor Project. In this timely and vulnerable conversation, Matthew Vines—author of God and the Gay Christian a...
What happens when the church adopts the worldview of its cultural critics?
According to recent data, nearly 60% of American Christians now say it's more important to be “kind” than to uphold biblical truth. But what if that kindness is shaped by a secularism that quietly undermines Christian convictions...
81% of white evangelicals voted for Donald Trump in 2016—and for many lifelong churchgoers, that moment was a spiritual breaking point. In this episode, author and podcaster Erin Hicks Moon joins the show to talk about what happens when the faith you inherited no longer feels like home. Erin, co-host of Faith Adjacen...
📜 Did abolitionists fight slavery with theology? And what does that mean for us today?
Though slavery was abolished over 150 years ago, its legacy haunts American Christianity—and our public life. In this timely episode, theologian Dr. Daniel Lee Hill, author of Bearing Witness, joins the show to unpack wha...
We're breaking from our usual Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday release schedule to address a topic making headlines: the Johnson Amendment.
What is the Johnson Amendment—and why are some Christian leaders eager to repeal it? Enacted in 1954, the law prohibits churches and other nonprofits from endorsing ...
In 1954, white Southern churches declared that school integration “defied God’s design.” Seven decades later, many of those congregations champion “color-blindness” instead. What changed—and what hasn’t? Historian Rusty Hawkins (Indiana Wesleyan University), co-editor of The Bible Told Them So: How Southern Evangelic...
In June 2024, Louisiana passed a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every public school classroom—reviving old debates about church-state separation and moral authority. But what if we’ve misunderstood the Ten Commandments all along?
Dr. Mark Glanville, Old Testament scholar, jazz pianist, and direc...
88% of Americans believe our political system isn’t working—and they’re not wrong. In this episode, Will sits down with Meredith Sumpter, CEO of FairVote, to unpack one of the most promising reforms in American democracy: ranked choice voting (RCV). With over 800 elections already conducted using RCV and growing bipa...
Why does Xi Jinping, one of the world’s most powerful leaders, believe the Communist Party deserves unwavering loyalty—even after it persecuted his own family?
Author and political historian Joseph Torigian joins Faithful Politics to unpack his groundbreaking biography, The Party's Interest Come First, ...
Most of us think we know more than we do. But what if our beliefs—especially political ones—are shaped less by facts and more by the people around us? In this mind-expanding episode, Dr. Steven Sloman, professor at Brown University and co-author of The Knowledge Illusion, explores how humans think, why we rely on oth...
Why would the U.S. strike Iran’s nuclear facilities—and what does it mean for global stability?
In this episode, former U.S. diplomat and Middle East expert Ethan Chorin returns to break down the escalating tensions between Iran, Israel, and the U.S. Chorin, author of Benghazi and writer of The Middle East Told Slant,...
What happens when your faith and your politics collide? In this powerful episode, content creator and author April Ajoy shares her journey from being a self-proclaimed Christian nationalist to becoming a progressive Christian voice calling out religious extremism. Raised in a family of traveling evangelists, April gr...
Pentecostalism is the fastest-growing branch of Christianity worldwide—expected to top 1 billion by 2050. But what happens when elements of this movement intersect with far-right politics and spiritual warfare rhetoric? In this episode, Canadian scholar Dr. André Gagné returns to Faithful Politics to unpack the rise ...
Former Ohio Governor John Kasich joins Faithful Politics to discuss his new book, Heaven Help Us: How Faith Communities Inspire Hope, Strengthen Neighborhoods, and Build a Future. Kasich opens up about the tragic loss of his parents that led him to deeply explore his faith, his unlikely friendship with a pastor, and ...
Launched in 2003, PEPFAR has saved over 25 million lives and stood as one of America’s most celebrated bipartisan achievements. But under the Trump administration's second term, this global health initiative faces near-total collapse. In this urgent conversation, Peter Wehner—a veteran of three Republican admini...
Note: We recorded this episode before we learned about the decision in the St. Isidore case.
religious beliefs being weaponized to reshape public education? In this episode, Rachel Laser—CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State—joins hosts Will and Josh to unpack two major Supreme Court ca...
In the wake of recent executive orders aimed at tightening voter registration requirements, Will Wright and Josh Burtram welcome back Jessica Huseman, the editorial director of VoteBeat. They discuss the implications of Trump's proposed documentation proof of citizenship, the SAVE Act, and their potential impact...
In Oklahoma, religious extremism is reshaping public education, political rhetoric, and community life. In this episode, Faithful Politics hosts Will Wright and Pastor Josh Burtram sit down with Rev. Dr. Shannon Fleck, the new Executive Director of Faithful America. Fleck discusses her journey from ministry to public...
In an era where political figures command crowds with cult-like devotion, what role does charisma truly play in shaping public life? Historian and journalist Molly Worthen joins Faithful Politics to explore the deep history of charisma—from the revivals of Anne Hutchinson and Joseph Smith to the populism of Donald Tr...
In a time when LGBTQ Christians still face rejection from many pulpits, author and theologian Brandan Robertson is helping them reclaim their place at the table. In this episode, we talk with Brandan about his new book Queer Christian: Reclaiming the Bible, Our Faith, and Our Place at the Table. He shares his persona...
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