Episodes

  • Is It Safer to Offend Christians than ‘Childless Cat Ladies’?

    Is It Safer to Offend Christians than ‘Childless Cat Ladies’?
    Jul 29 2024
    This week, Eric and Dan are joined by Mike Cosper of Christianity Today to discuss last week’s firing and then un-firing of ERLC president Brent Leatherwood and the subsequent resignation of ERLC board chairman Kevin Smith. What happened there, why, and what does it tell us about the political battles going on in the church? Then, is it worth being angry or upset over the blasphemous parts of the Paris Olympics opening ceremonies? And finally, does our American politics have a “childless cat lady” problem, as VP nominee J.D. Vance suggests? Subscribe to our podcasts ERLC Retracts Announcement Firing President Brent Leatherwood | Christianity Today Paris Olympics organizers sorry for Last Supper at Opening Ceremonies | Washington Post Vance continues to feel the scratch of "childless cat ladies” | Axios
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    1 hr
  • No Longer Biden His Time

    No Longer Biden His Time
    Jul 22 2024
    This week, Eric is joined by Dylan and Peter Balos from Acton’s Emerging Leaders class to discuss President Joe Biden’s decision not to seek reelection. Is this a sign that our institutions are healing and that they’re starting to act in furtherance of their long-term interests? Then they examine former president Donald Trump’s choice of Ohio senator J.D. Vance as his vice presidential running mate, both of whom appeared at a rally in Grand Rapids on Saturday. Does this suggest a victory for the National Conservatives and their desired economic program? Subscribe to our podcasts Peter Balos, Acton Emerging Leader Acton’s Emerging Leaders Program Statement from President Joe Biden The Constitution Is Still the Answer | Acton Line Pray for Our Nation | Acton Unwind J.D. Vance, Breaking the Beard Barrier | New York Times
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    54 mins
  • Pray for Our Nation

    Pray for Our Nation
    Jul 15 2024
    This week, Eric is joined by Dan Hugger, Anthony Bradley, and Stephanie Slade of Reason magazine as they discuss the assassination attempt on former president Donald Trump over the weekend. Then they turn their attention to the National Conservatism 4 conference that took place last week in Washington, D.C. What is the state of this movement, where does it seem to be headed, and who were the standouts from the conference? Questions Surround Attempted Trump Assassination | The Morning Dispatch NatCon 4 Speakers Vivek Ramaswamy Debuts 'National Libertarianism' at NatCon 4 | Stephanie Slade, Reason Magazine What I Saw at the National Conservatism Conference | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty National Conservatism One Year Later | Dan Hugger, Religion & Liberty
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    57 mins
  • Is the Constitution Broken?

    Is the Constitution Broken?
    Jul 8 2024
    This week, Eric is joined first by Justin Brierley to discuss his essay in the Summer 2024 issue of Religion & Liberty, “The ‘God' of the ‘Philosophers,’” a review of the book “Philosophers on God: Talking about Existence,” edited by Jack Symes. Then Eric is joined by Dylan and Dave to discuss the current state of America and the Constitution in the wake of the country’s 248th birthday. They then turn their attention to the recent elections in the United Kingdom and France to wonder if there’s any theme, like anti-establishment/anti-incumbency, that ties it all together. Subscribe to our podcasts The “God” of the “Philosophers” | Justin Brierley, Religion & Liberty Subscribe to Religion & Liberty The Dream of Scalable Democracy | Dylan Pahman, Law & Liberty 5 Takeaways from France’s Snap Election | New York Times Keir Starmer confirmed as Britain’s new prime minister after Labour Party’s decisive win | NBC News
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    1 hr and 16 mins
  • When Politics Trump Caring

    When Politics Trump Caring
    Jul 1 2024
    This week, Eric, Anthony, and Emily are joined by Aaron Pomerantz, a post-doctoral research fellow at Rice University who specializes in conspiracy theories. They begin by discussing the first presidential debate through the lens of an observation by Anthony: that what we’re seeing is people caring more about politics than about Joe Biden’s well-being. Then Aaron shares his thoughts on why conspiracy theories still abound in this election and in modern society. And finally, the Supreme Court overturned Chevron deference. What will this mean for representative governance and the rule of law? Subscribe to our podcasts Video of the Presidential Debate The Psychology of Conspiracy Theories | Acton Line Can Americans Learn to Trust Again? | Christine Rosen, Religion & Liberty Supreme Court Overturns the Chevron Doctrine | The Morning Dispatch
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    47 mins
  • A Matter of Trust

    A Matter of Trust
    Jun 24 2024
    This week, Eric, Dan, and Dylan are joined by AEI’s Christine Rosen to discuss her cover essay for the Summer edition of Religion & Liberty, "Can Americans Learn to Trust Again?” Why has social trust eroded in America, and what can be done to restore it? Then, would warning labels on social media like we have on cigarettes protect children, or anyone, from its harms? And finally, Cornerstone University here in Grand Rapids has laid off its humanities and music faculty, in addition to making other cuts. Is Christian higher education in a crisis? Subscribe to our podcasts Can Americans Learn to Trust Again? | Christine Rosen, Religion & Liberty Christine Rosen | American Enterprise Institute Surgeon General: Why I’m Calling for a Warning Label on Social Media Platforms | Vivek Murthy, New York Times Decay and Reform in Christian Higher Education | Dylan Pahman, Acton Institute
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    1 hr and 9 mins
  • A False Flag Attack on SCOTUS

    A False Flag Attack on SCOTUS
    Jun 17 2024
    This week, Eric, Noah, and Emily discuss the secret recording of SCOTUS Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito. What will be the long-term consequences of these attacks on the legitimacy of the Supreme Court—one of the few institutions left that Americans still have faith in? Next, actor-director Rob Reiner has co-produced a new documentary on the threat of Christian Nationalism. Noah discusses his review of the film and if there’s any there there. And finally, former President Donald Trump proposed eliminating the federal income tax and replacing it with import tariffs to raise revenue. Bad idea? Or the worst idea? Subscribe to our podcasts Filmmaker who recorded Alito, Roberts says she did it ‘in service of a public good’ | NPR The Smear Campaign Against Justice Alito | National Review A Christian Nationalist on Every Corner? | Noah Gould, Acton Institute The Will to Power Is Not the Christian Way | Jonathan Clark, Acton Institute Can Trump Eliminate the Income Tax? Maybe with an 85% Tariff | Forbes
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    46 mins
  • Ticketmaster in its Antitrust Era

    Ticketmaster in its Antitrust Era
    Jun 10 2024
    This week, Eric, Dan, and David discuss the Department of Justice’s antitrust lawsuit against Live Nation/Ticketmaster. Is there anything the federal government can do to appease unhappy Taylor Swift fans who couldn’t get tickets to the Eras Tour? And, more importantly, is Live Nation literally a monopoly? Next, the United States’ trade deficit surged by 9% in April. Does it matter? How concerned should we be with the balance of trade between the United States and the rest of the world? And finally, the guys break down the election results in India and Europe. Are we all in our populist era? Subscribe to our podcasts U.S. Calls for Breakup of Ticketmaster Owner | New York Times The Myth of the Robber Barons: A New Look at the Rise of Big Business in America | Burton W. Folsom Trade deficit jumps to 18-month high, but rise in imports is ‘good news’ for economy | Marketwatch Trade Deficits: Accounting Masquerading as Economics | David Hebert, AIER Relying on coalition partners, Modi is sworn in for a rare third term as India’s prime minister | Associated Press Far-right gains in the EU election deal stunning defeats to France’s Macron and Germany’s Scholz | Associated Press
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    1 hr and 3 mins