The connection between Washington politics and Hollywood celebrity is often taken for granted today, but, historically speaking, it hasn't always been the case. On this episode of Recollecting Carter, I talk with Dr. Kathryn Cramer Brownell. Katie talks about her research into the origins of what she calls "showbiz politics," and the surprising role that President Carter played in the creation of the 24 hour news cycle.

You can find Katie's books at: https://uncpress.org/book/9781469642246/showbiz-politics/ and https://press.princeton.edu/books/hardcover/9780691246666/247-politics

Jimmy Carter was at one time the most well-known Southern Baptist in the world, but he left the denomination in the year 2000 citing their theological views on the role of women as one of his primary reasons for leaving. On this episode of Recollecting Carter, I talk with Dr. Beth Allison Barr, author of The Making of Biblical Womanhood: How the Subjugation of Women Became Gospel Truth, about the history behind what Carter called "a twisted interpretation of the Word of God."

You can find Beth's book at: http://bakerpublishinggroup.com/books/the-making-of-biblical-womanhood/404050

Recent books on American evangelicalism such as Kristin DuMez's Jesus and John Wayne have challenged long held assumptions about the relationship between faith and politics. On this episode of Recollecting Carter, I talk with David Nanninga about how certain sets of religious beliefs worked at the local level in cities such as Waco and Amarillo Texas to shape public opinion and ultimately sway the 1980 presidential election.