Episodes

Dan is off this week. So we are pleased to bring you a feature from our new limited series American Unexceptionalism: Global Lessons on Fighting Religious Nationalism with Dr. Matthew Taylor and Rev. Susan Hayward. South Korea is a nation that is deeply entwined with the United States. From the Korean War (which never technically ended) to Korean pop culture to the deep ties between Korean and American evangelical communities, what happens in the US affects South Korea and vice versa. But most A...

One of the things small town librarian Amanda Jones values most about books is how they can affirm a young person's sense of self. So in 2022, when she caught wind of a local public hearing that would discuss “book content,” she knew what was at stake. Schools and libraries nationwide have been bombarded by demands for books with LGTBQ+ references, discussions of racism, and more to be purged from the shelves. Amanda would be damned if her community were to ban stories representing minority grou...

Brad and Dan unpack the historic election of Zohran Mamdani as Mayor of New York City and the predictable right-wing meltdown that followed, complete with claims that he’s somehow both too weak to lead and an existential threat to America. The hosts explore what this reaction says about the American right’s obsession with demographic change, the symbolism of Mamdani’s win for younger voters, and the generational shift redefining leadership in U.S. politics. They also dig into the backlash agains...

Josh Hawley argues that American “liberals” (anyone who isn’t a conservative Christian) don’t have a story to tell about men’s purpose in the world. But it turns out things are a lot more complicated than he lets on. It turns out that those “liberals” just might have a story worth telling after all. And, even worse for him, it turns out that his story actually isn’t so different from theirs after all. What is this story? How is it similar to and different from the story Hawley wants to tell? And...

Brad Onishi is joined by Dr. Laura Field, author of Furious Minds: The Making of the MAGA New Right , for a fascinating look into the intellectual roots of the MAGA movement and its rising political stars, including JD Vance. Together they trace the philosophical and theological threads that tie together the Claremont Institute, National Conservatives, and Postliberal Catholics—three camps shaping the hard right’s challenge to American liberalism. From Patrick Deneen’s critique of modernity to A...

Dan’s “demon” costume sets the stage for a serious warning: Americans may not be able to vote freely in 2026. Brad argues that authoritarian tactics and election interference are accelerating, pointing to SNAP benefit cuts, ACA premium hikes, and the creation of a National Guard “quick reaction force” as tools of social control. The hosts connect these developments to historical examples of militarized regimes and discuss how Trump loyalists embedding on military bases signal deeper threats to d...

Josh Hawley devotes the second chapter of his book to outlining what he sees as “man’s purpose.” He promises to answer the question of why men are here, and what they are supposed to do. What does he see as this purpose? And why does his claim to uncover man’s purpose ultimately amount to nothing? Why does Dan describe it as an “empty” account of purpose? And how does this undermine Hawley’s claim that the Bible’s story of man is the only story that can provide meaning and purpose? Check out thi...

Brad welcomes Liz Theoharis and Charon Hribar, editors of We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from The Freedom Church of the Poor . Both guests are key leaders in the faith-based anti-poverty movement and longtime organizers with the Poor People’s Campaign. Together, they discuss how liturgy and ritual can be reclaimed as acts of collective resistance, solidarity, and hope among the poor and dispossessed. The conversation weaves through Liz and Charon’s personal journeys—Liz’s formation in fa...

Brad and Dan unpack the symbolism and substance behind the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a privately funded ballroom. They reflect on what presidential construction projects reveal about power, legacy, and the messages leaders send through what they build...and destroy. The conversation broadens into current policies on immigration and detention centers, the expansion of ICE, and the moral failures in training and accountability. The hosts also examine the “No Ki...

This episode delves into the recent controversies surrounding Opus Dei, a secretive and influential organization within the Catholic Church. According to a report from Infovaticana, Opus Dei faces a significant internal rupture that could see it fragmented into three distinct bodies, effectively dissolving its current structure. Annika Brockschmidt guest hosts in conversation with journalist Gareth Gore, author of 'Opus: The Cult of Dark Money, Human Trafficking, and Right-Wing Conspiracy insid...

This episode continues the exploration of how masculinity and the category of "man" function within the contemporary right, using Senator Josh Hawley’s book "Manhood" as a guide. Dan reads and reflects on Hawley’s arguments, focusing on the biblical foundations Hawley claims for his views on masculinity. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismund...

Dr. Brad Onishi dives into the ideological roots of one of Peter Thiel's most significant ventures, Palantir. Drawing from Thiel’s reflections on Leo Strauss's philosophy and the aftermath of 9/11, Onishi explores how Palantir embodies a tech-driven strategy for national defense. The discussion extends to Thiel's collaborations with figures like Alex Karp and how their collective efforts align with a vision of Western superiority, national security, and technological dominance. This episode also...

In this episode, Brad Onishi sits down with Rev. Alba Onofrio—executive director of Soulforce and host of Teología Sin Vergüenza —for a powerful exploration of faith, queerness, and resistance. Together, they unpack how white Christian nationalism and institutions like ICE perpetuate spiritual violence against marginalized communities, and how Soulforce responds through nonviolent resistance and liberative theology. Rev. Alba shares their own remarkable story—from growing up in Appalachia and co...

Brad and Dan unpack a disturbing leaked group chat among young Republican leaders that reveals casual racism, homophobia, and even Nazi sympathies. They analyze how JD Vance publicly defended the individuals involved by dismissing their comments as “edgy jokes,” exposing a growing tolerance for extremism within parts of the GOP. The discussion expands to examine the double standard in political outrage — why some are harshly punished for crossing lines while others face little consequence — and ...

Josh Hawley says that American manhood is threatened by “the left,” and that this threat lies in the fact that they are “anti-story.” What is missing, and what is necessary to save American manhood, he argues, is the right story. But what is the story that Hawley tells? And is it really the only story it’s possible to tell? And are all of us who reject or challenge his story really “anti-story?” Isn’t it possible to tell other stories about America and men and masculinity? And why do the answers...

What can we Americans learn from others around the world about how to protect democracy when the stakes are high? Can we as Americans learn about how to challenge forms of religious nationalism and religious supremacy? What can we learn from Buddhists in Sri Lanka or Muslims in Turkey, or Christians in South Korea who have faced similar kinds of forms of religious nationalism in in their own context and sought to deflate their power? That’s the purpose for this series. Across 10 episodes, we tra...

What happens when political language becomes so distorted that anyone opposing Donald Trump is branded as “lawless,” “Antifa,” or even an “insurrectionist”? In this episode, Brad and Dan unpack how these labels have become empty signifiers... tools for dismissing dissent and consolidating power under what they call the “rule of Trump.” They break down recent Senate hearings, including Pam Bondi’s heated appearance, as a case study in this rhetorical shift. The hosts examine how religious and con...

Introducing a new show from Axis Mundi Media. Teología Sin Vergüenza : Navigating Faith, Activism, and Identity. Teología Sin Vergüenza is a digital platform originally in Spanish, created in response to the far-right's dominance over religious media. The platform serves as a space for people at the intersections of queer or trans feminist theology, faith, and activism to engage in conversations about taboo topics like divorce, sex, gender identity, and abortion. It aims to bridge divides betwee...

Series: “Manhood” Title: “The Plight of Man” In this episode, Dan continues to examine what, precisely, Josh Hawley, thinks the problems are that confront American men. Hawley consistently ignores history and the actual complexity of American society to make his points. But why does he do this? Why is he so concerned with “manhood” at all? And how does this supposed concern express a deeper Christian nationalist agenda? Listen to this week’s episode to find out! Linktree: ⁠ https://linktr.ee/Str...

In this conversation, Dr. Brad Onishi delves into the complex religious worldview of Peter Thiel, exploring his beliefs about Christianity, technology, and the future. Thiel's perspective on Armageddon, the Antichrist, and the role of innovation in society is examined, alongside his influences from political theorists like Carl Schmitt and Leo Strauss. The discussion also touches on the concept of mimesis and scapegoating in human behavior, and how these ideas shape Thiel's vision for a future l...

Brad and Dan examine Pete Hegseth’s recent gathering of generals, critiquing his “warrior ethos” rhetoric and highlighting the dangers of his speech that attacked DEI, questioned due process in sexual assault cases, and called for stricter religious and fitness standards in the military. They unpack his fat-shaming and fabricated claims, contrasting leadership with rulership in both Hegseth’s and Trump’s approaches, which lean on power rather than genuine leadership. The discussion expands to Tr...

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Series: “Manhood” Title: “The Model Man” This episode kicks off a deep-dive in the cultural discourse on “manhood” that is such a defining feature of conservative high-control religion and contemporary Christian nationalism. Dan will be exploring this theme by looking at the way it’s expr...

In this livestream from 9/29, Brad Onishi discusses the implications of sending troops to Portland, the gathering of military leaders, and the broader context of political authoritarianism in the United States. He explores the motivations behind these actions, the framing of American citizens as enemies, and the potential threats to democracy and voting rights. The conversation also touches on how Christian nationalists see the death of Charlie Kirk as the bullet to the neck of lefitsm in the US...

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 850-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad interviews Dr. Helen Jin Kim, who unpacks the intertwined history of White Evangelicalism, U.S. empire, and the Korean Peninsula. The conversation explores how Cold War geopolitics and American missionary organizations like Billy Graham, World Vision, and Campus Crusade helped fuel C...