Episodes

Sept. 30, 2023

Weekly Roundup: All Their Faith in One Casket

Dan begins this episode with by discussing new polling that reveals how GOP voters see Trump as person of faith. This leads to an investigation into the endlessly growing web of new conspiracies that are now part of conserva…
Sept. 27, 2023

It's In the Code Ep. 68: "Speaking the Truth in Love"

What’s going on when someone tells us they need to “speak the truth in love”? How is this similar to someone who assures us they’re being critical because “they’re our friend,” or “because they care for us”? How is the inten…
Sept. 25, 2023

What is Christian Nationalism? (American Idols Ep. 1)

Brad is attending to the birth of his second child. So, enjoy the first episode of the new Axis Mundi series by Andrew Whitehead. In the opening episode, Andrew defines Christian nationalism, and uses his personal journey as…
Sept. 23, 2023

Weekly Roundup: Beetlejuice Beetlejuice Beetlejuice

On the first segment Dan and Brad begrudgingly discuss Lauren Boebrert's Beetlejuice scandal - and what it reveals about the Christian nationalist persona she's cultivated. In the second segment, they discuss a myriad of iss…
Sept. 20, 2023

It's In the Code Ep. 67: "There's No Morality Without God"

“There’s no morality without God.” That is a claim made by many Christians. But it’s also a claim with a cultural hold that extends beyond card-carrying Christians. What does it mean? Why do people make this claim? Should we…
Sept. 18, 2023

Abortion Abolitionists (Inform Your Resistance)

A special presentation of Inform Your Resistance: Abortion abolitionists: who are they, what drives them, and how do their tactics overlap with those of other far-right movements? Join host, Koki Mendis, and PRA Senior Resea…
Sept. 16, 2023

Weekly Roundup: How 9/11 Accelerated Christian Nationalism

Brad begins by tracing the extreme Christian nationalism of the 2020s to the years following 9/11. The thesis: the ways that Republican politicians and conservative pastors responded to 9/11 led to a new chapter of American …
Sept. 14, 2023

It's In the Code Ep. 66: Let Go, and Let God

“Let Go and Let God” Maybe you’ve heard the admonition to “let go and let God.” Maybe it provides some comfort. Maybe it’s frustrating. Maybe it makes you angry. What does it mean, and why can it provoke such a range of resp…
Sept. 12, 2023

Special Episode: Andrew Whitehead on American Idols and Christian Nationalism

Ahead of the premier of American Idols next week, Brad talks with Dr. Andrew Whitehead about the podcast series, his new book, and why Christian nationalism is such a threat to our democracy. He shares insight from his own l…
Sept. 11, 2023

Can Democracy Survive 24/7 Cable News?

In her new book, 24/7 News: Cable Television and the Fragmenting of America From Watergate to Fox News, Dr. Kathryn Cramer Brownell, Associate Professor of History at Purdue University, shows how cable became an unstoppable…
Sept. 8, 2023

Weekly Roundup: The 14th

Brad and Dan begin by discussing the fact that Trump may be kept off the ballot in some states. The 14th amendment prohibits those who have "engaged in insurrection" from holding office. Dan breaks down the case and what may…
Sept. 6, 2023

It's In the Code Ep. 65: Publicly Private

“It’s In the Code.” But in what sense is a code something public and shared? And in what sense is a code something secret, communicated only the select few “in the know?” Dan explores these issues in this episode, arguing th…
Sept. 4, 2023

The Reawaken America Tour: Anti-Semitic, Anti-Democratic, and Openly Violent

Brad talks to Rev. Nathan Empsall, the Executive Director of Faithful America. They discuss the Reawaken America Tour, which just relaunched in Las Vegas a week ago. As Rev. Nathan says, the tour platforms speakers who are a…
Sept. 2, 2023

Weekly Roundup: Back to (Destroy) School

How does a racially fueled tragedy tie into the policies of a state governor? And what sinister patterns can we uncover when we trace the origins of the 'lone gunman' phenomenon? Brad and Dan investigate the chilling Jackso…
Aug. 31, 2023

It's In the Code Ep. 64: “You Have to Get ‘Em Lost to Get ‘Em Saved”

“You Have to Get ‘Em Lost to Get ‘Em Saved” What can it possibly mean when some Christians say that you “have to get people lost before you can get them saved?” What does it mean to be “lost”? What does it mean to be “saved”…
Aug. 28, 2023

The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy with Robert P. Jones

Brad speaks with Dr. Robert P. Jones, President of PRRI and author of the new book The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future. Beginning with contemporary efforts to reckon with the legacy …
Aug. 26, 2023

Weekly Roundup: Trickle Down Trumpism

Brad and Dan discuss three main stories from the week: The GOP debate, where Trump was somehow both absent and present. The killing of a shop owner in CA over her display of the Pride flag. The appearannce of Spokane mayor N…
Aug. 24, 2023

It's In the Code Ep. 63: Do They Know It's Code?

We say someone is “speaking in code,” or talk about “codes,” or discuss things that are “in the code?” But what do we mean by “code?” And when someone uses coded language, do they know they’re doing that? When we talk about …
Aug. 21, 2023

Taxpayer Money is Going to Fund Religious Schools

Brad speaks to Rachel Laser, President and CEO of Americans United for Separation of Church and State. They discuss AU's lawsuit with the ACLU and FFRF in the case of the state of Oklahoma agreeing to send taxpayer funds to …
Aug. 18, 2023

Weekly Roundup: Rico Suave

On a solo Friday, Dan begins by discussing the sprawling indictment of Trump and his co-conspirators in Fulton County, Georgia. This indictment includes lawyers, pastors, and others who allegedly helped Trump attempt to over…
Aug. 16, 2023

It's In the Code Ep. 62: Non-Denominational

What does it mean when a church is “non-denominational”? What is the relation between non-denominational churches and established denominations? In what ways does the designation of being non-denominational encode informatio…
Aug. 15, 2023

The Rich Men North of Richmond

Brad analyzes the new hit song, "The Rich Men North of Richmond," which has become an anthem for right-wing populism. To Donate : venmo - @straightwhitejc Paypal : https://www.paypal.com/paypalme/BradleyOnishi Patreon: https…
Aug. 11, 2023

Weekly Roundup: Power Bottoms

Brad and Dan begin by discussing the latest news from SCOTUS - Clarence Thomas's many vacations with right-wing billionaires - by framing the entire GOP's approach to politics as a will to power. Dan draws on a piece by a re…
Aug. 9, 2023

It's In the Code Ep. 61: Baby Christians

Within a certain part of the American Christian subculture, it’s common to speak of people who are “baby Christians.” But what does that mean? Is it just silly? Is it just an effect of biblical understandings of the Christia…