The Jim Wallis Podcast

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Join Jim Wallis for a compelling conversation with Dr. Barbara Williams-Skinner-renowned faith leader, public policy strategist, and advocate for democracy-as they explore the urgent moral issues facing America today. Dr. Williams-Skinner shares her journey as a 

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In this eye-opening episode, Jim Wallis and Robert P. Jones dive deep into the latest poll data revealing President Trump’s unprecedented negative approval ratings within his first 100 days back in office. Discover how Trump ranks as the most unpopular president since World War II at this stage, with a majority of Americans-including 55% of independents-viewing him as a dangerous dictator whose power must be limited to protect American democracy.

The discussion also highlights the sharp racial and religious divides in Trump’s support, with White Evangelical Protestants largely backing him, while Christians of Color and other faith grou...

Join Jim Wallis and distinguished journalist E.J. Dionne as they explore the critical intersection of faith, politics, and the challenges facing American democracy today. In this episode, they dissect the rise of Christian nationalism, the role of faith communities in resisting authoritarianism, and the essential importance of journalism in upholding truth and accountability. Discover how faith traditions can inform a more just, compassionate, and inclusive politics.

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In this vital episode, leading scholars and activists explore the urgent issues of book banning, racial justice, and the role of faith in a divided America. Jim Wallis is joined by authors Anthea Butler, Robert Jones, Brian Massingale, and Michael Eric Dyson, in a discussion first streamed by the American Academy of Religion.

They discuss how attacks on truth and knowledge threaten our democracy, and offer pathways toward a more just and equitable future.

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On the anniversary of Dietrich Bonhoeffer's death, we explore his enduring call to "costly grace" and its relevance to today's challenges with Adam Taylor, President of Sojourners. While not explicitly about Bonhoeffer, Adam's work—including his book A More Perfect Union: A New Vision for Building the Beloved Community— resonates deeply with Bonhoeffer's spirit of resistance against injustice. 

Adam discusses practical pathways to overcome division and build a more inclusive and just society. 

Inspired by Martin Luther King Jr.'s vision, this episode offers hope and a moral roadmap for confronting today's crises of race, gender...

Author Katherine Stewart (Money, Lies, and God) joins Jim Wallis to expose the money, disinformation, and Christian nationalism fueling the anti-democratic movement. Discover the funders, the lies, and what we can do to fight back.

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Legal journalist Dahlia Lithwick (Slate’s Amicus podcast) exposes how Trump’s second-term agenda—and cases like Dr. Rasha Alawieh’s deportation and Mahmoud Khalil’s ICE detention—are testing judicial independence. 

We break down:

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Professor Ruth Braunstein is the host of the new podcast When the Wolves Came, Evangelicals Resisting Extremism.  Prof. Braunstein chronicles the American heretics who blaspheme Jesus by turning against our neighbors, whom he has commanded us to love. And she documents the courageous resistance that is rising up in Evangelical congregations across the country against the false prophets, whom the Gospel of Matthew calls “ravening wolves.”

“Christian nationalism in particular is really a false gospel,” says Braunstein. “And so this is a term that has been a helpful one, particularly for Christians to use when thinking about how to deal...

Pastor Caleb Campbell chronicles his journey from active engagement as a Neo-Nazi Skinhead to becoming Lead Pastor of Desert Springs Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona. His work focuses on equipping Christians to minister to their Christian nationalist neighbors.  He explores the reasons for its appeal, offering compassionate responses to its claims, in his new book "Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor."

Campbell explains to host Rev. Jim Wallis how and why the the Chirstian Nationalist Movement

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We began this Lenten Season in the aftermath of the virtual destruction of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID). As a result, millions will starve and millions will die around the world. The scale and scope of this preventable tragedy gives added weight and significance to our observation of Lent. The Lenten tradition of discipline and fasting requires us to increase our awareness of–and strengthen our compassion for–the suffering of others. Lent also calls us to focus on reaching out in service and justice as we await to celebrate the Resurrection of Christ at Easter. In th...

A historic lawsuit has been filed by the Institute for Constitutional Advocacy and Protection, in partnership with the Center on Faith and Justice, on the behalf of a broad coalition of 27 national church and organization plaintiffs, whose combined membership numbers in the millions, to defend the teachings of Jesus and the traditions of all Abrahamic religions. 

{Subscribe to weekly Jim's Substack column here to stay up to date with our progress.}

Rev. Jim Wallis speaks with two important leaders involved in the case of Mennonite Church USA VS The Department of Homeland Security: Kelsi Brown Co...

In the wake of the decisive victory of Donald Trump and his followers, Rev. Jim Wallis speaks with Executive Producer Paul Woodhull about what must take place before we consider what lays before us. Wallis counsels that it is appropriate and healing to feel grief and to lament where we find ourselves as a nation. But he warns against falling into despair.

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Elizabeth Neumann,  Former Assistant Secretary for Counterterrorism at the Department of Homeland Security and the author of Kingdom of Rage talks with Jim Wallis about her time serving at the Trump White House.  

Neumann says,  “This is what another four years would be. Nobody tells [Trump] no. And then you end up violating people's constitutional rights… His rhetoric was inspiring hate crimes and violence. We actually have documentation of that now.”

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Daniel Gutierrez is the Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Pennsylvania, the second oldest and fourth largest diocese in the Episcopal Church. He also served as Chief of Staff to the Mayor of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and as Director of Economic Development there.

Regarding America’s immigration policy Gutierrez analyzes the dilemma by reconciling both a practical and a Christian viewpoint.

Pragmatically, Gutierrez says, “Migrants, immigrants pay taxes. And then what would happen if every worker in our fields, starting in Iowa, California, Arizona, Texas, were deported? Look at what that would do to our econ...

Christian Ethhicist David Gushee explains how White Evangelicals have lost their way as religious reactionaries work to destabilize our democracy.

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Jim Wallis convenes a roundtable of thought and faith leaders to discuss our responsibilities for the upcoming 2024 Presidential election:

Jemar Tisby--New York Times bestselling author, national speaker, and public historian on a mission to deliver truths from the Black experience with depth and clarity

Kristen DuMez--New York Times bestselling author and Professor of History and Gender Studies at Calvin University. 

Diana Butler Bass,Ph.D.--Award-winning author, speaker, preacher, commentator on religion and contemporary spirituality

Robert P. Jones --the president and founder of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI) and a leading schol...

As threats of deadly violence are mounted against election officials across the country, Jocelyn Benson, the Secretary of State and Chief Election Officer of Michigan, analyzes the unique challenges they face in 2024. Despite an onlslaught of efforts to intimidate, Benson shares her commitment to ensure all votes are counted and the true electors are certified.

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In this election special Faith Factor season, we will be releasing weekly in-depth exclusive interviews focused on the most consequential Presidential Election of our lifetimes.

Ian Bassin, the co-founder of Protect Democracy,  outlines how Donald Trump and his radical right-wing enablers plan to subvert the democratic institutions of our country in order to amass and maintain power.  

Trump’s well-documented and self-proclaimed policies adhere to what Bassin calls The Authoritarian Playbook, the well-worn tactics executed by the most brutal dictators in world history, including:

In this election special Faith Factor season, we will be releasing weekly in-depth exclusive interviews focused on the most consequential Presidential Election of our lifetimes.

In our first episode, Rep. Jim Clyburn discusses with Rev. Jim Wallis:

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Join host Jim Wallis in a live and enlightening conversation at Georgetown University with Sarah McCammon, esteemed Political Correspondent at NPR and author of the thought-provoking book, "The Exvangelicals." Delve into Sarah's personal narrative as she shares her upbringing within the evangelical church and the profound intersections of faith and politics. Together, they unravel the intricate layers of White Christian Nationalism and its resonance within the presidency of Donald Trump, exploring its profound impacts on Sarah's faith and the broader American religious landscape. Tune in to this compelling episode of The Soul of the Nation as they navigate through...

Join us for a riveting episode of The Soul of the Nation, where the spotlight turns on our esteemed host, Jim Wallis, as he becomes the guest of the hour. In this compelling conversation, Jim Wallis, the renowned New York Times bestselling author, unveils the profound insights from his latest groundbreaking book, The False White Gospel.

Hosted by Daniel Burke, the Director of Communications at the Center on Faith and Justice, this episode delves deep into the heart of Wallis' thesis, which argues that the antidote to detrimental religious ideologies lies in cultivating true faith. Wallis presents...

In this week's Soul of the Nation, Reverend Jim Wallis engages in a profound conversation with author and Senior Scholar Matthew Taylor about his upcoming book, "THE VIOLENT TAKE IT BY FORCE: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy." Together, they delve into the intricate world of the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR), exploring its "prophets" and the controversial 7 Mountains Mandate of dominion theology.

Matthew Taylor sheds light on the complexities surrounding the NAR movement and its potential impact on democratic principles. The discussion spans the influence of key figures such as Mike Johnson and the broader impli...

This week The Soul of the Nation welcomes Tim Alberta,  an award-winning journalist, staff writer for The Atlantic magazine and author of the bestselling new book “The Kingdom, the Power and the Glory: American Evangelicalism in an Age of Extremism” Alberta is also the son of an evangelical pastor who was raised in Michigan. His new book raises the important questions: What is the purpose of the Christian church? And why have so many white evangelicals sold their souls for Donald Trump?

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This week on Soul of the Nation, we bring you a conversation with Senator Chris Coons at Georgetown University. The event was part of the "Higher Calling" series hosted by the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown. In this conversation, Senator Coons, a Democrat from Delaware who earned a degree in ethics from Yale Divinity School, speaks candidly about his Presbyterian upbringing, confronting former President Donald Trump and how he stays spiritually centered in a place like the U.S. Senate. 

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This week on Soul of the Nation we welcome the Rev. James Martin, a Jesuit priest, editor at large of America magazine, consultant to the Vatican's Dicastery for Communication, and author of numerous books, including the New York Times bestseller Jesus: A Pilgrimage. His new book is called “Come Forth: The Promise of Jesus’ Greatest Miracle.” In this episode Father Martin shares his insights on the biblical story of Lazarus, an important Vatican meeting and how to stay spiritually centered and hopeful in a dark and turbulent world. 

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This week on the Soul of the Nation, we welcome Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, the Episcopal Bishop of Washington, DC. Bishop Budde serves as spiritual leader for Episcopalians in the District of Columbia and Maryland, the first woman elected to this position. Bishop Budde is also the author of several books, including, “How We Learn to Be Brave: Decisive Moments in Life and Faith.” In this episode, Bishop Budde talks about standing up to Donald Trump, "dangerous unselfishness," and how to be Good Samaritans during bad times.

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In this live recording of Soul of the Nation, Rev. Jim Wallis and the Center on Faith and Justice hosted Harvard University political scientist Steven Levitsky for a discussion on his new book “Tyranny of the Minority.” In the book, Levitsky argues that authoritarianism threatens the foundations of the U.S. political system, which the Constitution prevents from becoming a true multi-racial democracy. Levitsky is co-author of the New York Times bestseller How Democracies Die and the David Rockefeller Professor of Latin American Studies and Professor of Government at Harvard University. 

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This week on Soul of the Nation, our host, Rev. Jim Wallis, engages in a profound conversation with climate advocate and author Kyle Meyaard-Schaap. Together, they explore the timely and pressing subject of climate change through the lens of faith and Christian values.

Meyaard-Schaap, author of the thought-provoking book "Following Jesus in a Warming World: A Christian Call to Climate Action," delves into the intersection of spirituality and environmental stewardship. This enlightening discussion looks into how followers of Jesus can rise to the challenge of the climate crisis, recognizing it as a moral imperative.

Rev...

In this episode of Soul of the Nation, Rev. Jim Wallis and the Center on Faith and Justice host a conversation about Robert P. Jones' groundbreaking new book, "The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy: And the Path to a Shared American Future." Delving deep into the history of white supremacy in America, Jones takes us on a journey back to 1493 and guides us through the examination of contemporary communities that offer models of racial repair. Joining the conversation are Vann Newkirk II, a staff writer for The Atlantic, and Jennifer Rubin, a columnist for The Washington Post. 

Se...

This week, Soul of the Nation welcomes Bill McKibben, an American environmentalist, author, and journalist who has written extensively on the impact of global warming. He is the Schumann Distinguished Scholar at Middlebury College and leader of the climate campaign group 350.org. In this episode, they discuss the historical and ongoing struggles for racial equity in America, shedding light on the important work of faith-based communities in promoting justice, diversity, and inclusion. Their conversation highlights the power of unity and collective action in the fight for social equality and justice. The episode also explores the urgent need for environmental...

This week on Soul of the Nation, our host Jim Wallis is joined by two of the country’s preeminent Christian leaders to celebrate and discuss the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King’s “Letter From Birmingham Jail.” Bishop Vashti Murphy McKenzie, Interim President and General Secretary of the National Council of Churches, and the Rev. Dr. Otis Moss III, Senior Pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago, join to reflect on King’s famed epistle and its lessons for our day. Sixty years after its publication, “Letter From Birmingham Jail” continues to challenge Christians – and all people of faith – to un...

This week on Soul of the Nation features a public conversation with Rev Dr. Kelly Brown Douglas, Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary. In this Q&A moderated by Rev. Ebony Grisom of Georgetown University, Douglas explores the role of Black women in the church, discusses the importance of maintaining hope against what seems at times as insurmountable odds and lays out a pathway towards moving beyond the white imaginary.

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Jim Wallis, the Founding Director of the Georgetown University Center on Faith, advocates spirituality and social change in America. Under Wallis’ leadership, Sojourners has had international acclaim as a group of Christians who work together to live a gospel life that integrates spiritual renewal and social justice.

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This week, Soul of the Nation welcomes Matthew Desmond, a sociologist at Princeton University whose research focuses on poverty in America. He is the author of four books, including “Evicted: Poverty and Profit in the American City,” which won the Pulitzer Prize. Desmond’s new bestselling book is called “Poverty, By America.” In this episode, Desmond explains why the United States has more poverty than any other advanced democracy, calls the Republicans' plan to reduce federal spending by cutting poverty programs "sinful and shameful," and offers five ways we can all become "poverty abolitionists."

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This week on Soul of the Nation features a public conversation Jim Wallis had recently with former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi about the role her Catholic faith plays in her public and personal life. The conversation was part of a new series called Higher Calling Jim just launched at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. During this conversation, Nancy Pelosi opens up about the Catholic values she learned growing up in Baltimore, how she deals with relentless political attacks and the Bible verse that inspired her to move, as she says, “from the kitchen to the Co...

This week on Soul of the Nation, we continue our series on White Christian Nationalism by welcoming Jack Jenkins to the podcast. Jenkins is a national reporter for Religion News Service (RNS) covering U.S. Catholics and the intersection of religion and politics. Earlier this year, Jenkins ventured west to northern Idaho to explore the rise of White Christian Nationalists staking up a claim in the state and published a piece with RNS documenting his findings. In their conversation, Jenkins discusses his discoveries on how deeply entrenched the White Christian Nationalist movement has become in the local politics of no...

This week on Soul of the Nation, we continue our series on White Christian Nationalism by welcoming Rachel Kleinfeld to the podcast. Kleinfeld is a senior fellow in Carnegie’s Democracy, Conflict, and Governance Program. Her work on troubled democracies facing problems such as polarized populations, violence, corruption, and poor governance bridges the United States and international cases. In their conversation, Rachel discusses the rising threats facing modern democracy in America and what can be done to subvert these attempts to overthrow democracy as we know it.

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This week on Soul of the Nation, we continue our series on White Christian Nationalism by welcoming cultural sociologist Ruth Braunstein to the podcast. Braunstein is an Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Connecticut, where she is Director of Undergraduate Studies and Director of the Meanings of Democracy Lab, which studies the moral and cultural foundations of American democratic life. Braunstein reveals the types of people who are attracted to White Christian Nationalism, what the phrase "Judeo-Christian" really means, and offers insights on how to persuade people away from Christian nationalist views. 

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Jemar Tisby, a historian and author of "How to Fight Racism: Young Readers Edition," as well as several other books, joins the podcast to talk about his personal history with white evangelicalism, how he came to feel unwelcome in the tradition and how to talk to your kids about racism. 

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This week on Soul of the Nation, we continue our series on White Christian Nationalism by welcoming pollster Robert P. Jones to the program. Jones is the president and founder of the Public Religion Research Institute, and the author of White Too Long: The Legacy of White Supremacy in American Christianity. The Public Religion Research Institute takes the pulse of Americans each fall on a range of issues at the intersection of religion, culture and politics. This year, they covered attitudes about white Christian nationalism, systemic racism, abortion, gender and gender identity, QAnon, and critical issues for voting among o...