The Bad Roman

What if Judas wasn’t just a betrayer, but the first to politicize Jesus? Judas’s story exposes a much older problem: the temptation to make Jesus “fit” the system. Domenic Scarcella (author of the book and Substack Good Neighbor, Bad Citizen) returns to argue that Judas tried to make the Messiah more respectable to rulers, trading costly faithfulness for public influence. From the temple clashes of Holy Week to today’s culture wars...

When Christians step into politics, how much compromise comes with the territory? Can we preach about loving enemies on Sunday while voting to bomb them on Tuesday? Jake Doberenz, host of Christianity Without Compromise and author of the Smashing Idols newsletter, joins us to explore what happens when believers trade the cross for a ballot, and call it discipleship.

From a high school election that may have been rigged to the very ...

Is political loyalty pulling our hearts away from Jesus? 

Craig speaks with Brian Drinkwine, a pastor and church planter who’s seen both the beauty and the brokenness of the American church. After one of Brian’s posts about Charlie Kirk’s death went viral, he found himself in the middle of a national conversation about faith, politics, and misplaced allegiance.

Brian shares his story, from growing up in a strict Baptist home to pla...

Matt Mouzakis returns to the podcast to wrestle with one of the most debated questions in the church: What does Scripture really say about women in ministry? From Genesis to Paul’s letters, we unpack how mistranslations, cultural assumptions, and bad theology have sidelined half the Body of Christ for centuries.

Was Eve really just Adam’s “rib”? Did Paul command women to stay silent in church forever…or was he correcting a local cr...

What if stepping into a voting booth is less about freedom and more about forcing your will on your neighbor?

Craig sits down with writer Jeb Smith to wrestle with a question many Christians and libertarians rarely stop to ask: Is voting consistent with the values we claim to hold?

Jeb, author of Is Libertarianism Consistent with Voting?, argues that casting a ballot contradicts the very heart of libertarian “live and let live” pri...

What happens when a Christian stops voting and starts questioning everything?

Craig sits down with musician Ancap Tim to trace his journey from a Republican poster child (yes, he really had George W. Bush on his birthday cake) to a Christian challenging empire through music, faith, and bold conversation. 

Tim shares how his journey through politics, theology, and touring Christian musician led him to a deeper understanding of what ...

Curious about turning your backyard into a mini-Eden? This episode's for you. We're chatting with Corey Ellerbe, the green thumb behind Old 37 Homestead on YouTube. He's gone from rookie gardener to homestead pro, and he's spilling the dirt on how you can too.

But we're not just talking tomatoes here. Corey and Craig dig into how growing your own grub can be a sneaky way to stick it to the state. Plus, they explore how getting yo...

Ever wondered how someone goes from being a die-hard statist to embracing a "no king but Christ" worldview? Patrick Green, creator of the 100 Fold Testimonies podcast, shares his journey from a statist Christian to embracing "no king but Christ (King Jesus)". 

Patrick's journey is a rollercoaster of faith, doubt, and revelation. He opens up about his Catholic upbringing, his struggles with infertility, and the three-phase process t...

Explore a crucial yet often overlooked aspect of Jesus' identity: his kingship. Duncan Palmer and Matt Mouzakis dive into the literal meaning of "Christ" (from the Greek Christos) as "King," revealing how modern translations have obscured this powerful concept.

Key points:

• "Christ" literally means "King" in its original context
• Modern translations often fail to convey t...

Ready for a deep dive into government, violence, and Christian ethics? Patrick Carroll, a seasoned libertarian thinker, is back to dissect the core beliefs of statists, revealing how even well-intentioned government supporters inadvertently endorse violence. This eye-opening conversation challenges listeners to reconsider their views on political power and its compatibility with Christian teachings.

Key topics include:

Are Christians becoming useless in today's world? Craig teams up with Zachary Gomez, a theology whiz who also fixes houses, to shake up what you thought you knew about Jesus and taxes.

They rip apart the famous "render unto Caesar" line. Spoiler alert: It's not about paying your taxes! Instead, it's a sneaky jab at people who love the government too much.

Here's what you'll get in this episode:

• Jes...

Is the government really looking out for your best interests? Jeffrey Hann, author and anarchist thinker, returns to The Bad Roman to challenge everything you thought you knew about government, critical thinking, and personal freedom. 

He argues that our education system is deliberately designed to create "literacy slaves" - individuals smart enough to work but not to question authority. But is this just another conspiracy theory, ...

Think you understand taxes, citizenship, and your legal identity? Think again.

In this mind-bending episode, Craig sits down with legal researcher and educator Brandon Joe Williams to explore the provocative world of legal loopholes, sovereignty, and tax-free living. From squaring off with the Employment Development Department to establishing foreign trusts, Brandon’s personal journey is as unconventional as the legal theories he u...

What happens when immigration policies clash with Christian values? Craig sits down with Larken Rose to dissect the complexities of immigration, focusing on the criticisms of past and current policies across administrations, what is novel about Trump’s border approach, and the inconsistencies in how some Christians approach these issues. The conversation challenges listeners to scrutinize their beliefs and the language surrounding ...

Craig welcomes Claire Staples (The Clarity Podcast) and Sarah Perry (Voluntarism in Action) for a deeply honest conversation about chronic illness, church hurt, and what it really means to follow Jesus. Drawing from their personal experiences in the LDS Church, Claire and Sarah unpack how institutional religion—particularly within Mormonism—can create a culture that sidelines the suffering instead of stepping toward them.

The episo...

What does it mean to pledge allegiance to Jesus over earthly governments? Craig is joined by Jason Porterfield, author of Fight Like Jesus: How Jesus Waged Peace Throughout Holy Week, to explore the complex relationship between Christianity and the state.

They address four topics often considered "too political" but essential for Christians seeking to faithfully follow Jesus's teachings, encouraging believers to examine where thei...

What happens when a military veteran begins to question the very foundation of his service? In this episode of the Bad Roman Podcast, Craig sits down with Steve O'Connor, a former Marine, to explore his transformative journey from military life to a critical examination of patriotism and faith.

Steve shares his family's deep-rooted military history and his own experiences in Iraq and Afghanistan. He reflects on the internal conflic...

Elaina Wang, a health coach and former addict, shares her radical journey of transformation. Once trapped in childhood obesity and a 15-year methamphetamine addiction, Elaina has emerged as a living testament to resilience, intentionality, and self-governance. Her story is one of reclaiming bodily autonomy—a core principle for those who reject the systems that seek to control our lives, whether through addiction, consumerism, or co...

What if the roots of your faith and government were intertwined with ancient pagan practices? Brandon Kroll, host of the Manna Daily Podcast, joins Craig for a mind-bending exploration of faith, government, and hidden truths.

This episode is packed with thought-provoking ideas that might ruffle some feathers, but isn't that what we're here for? To challenge the status quo and rediscover what it truly means to follow Christ in a wo...