Straight White American Jesus - podcast cover

Straight White American Jesus

Bradley Onishi + Daniel Miller
An in-depth examination of the culture and politics of Christian Nationalism and Evangelicalism by two ex-evangelical ministers-turned-religion professors. If you have ever wondered what social and historical forces led white evangelicals to usher Donald Trump into the White House this is the show for you. As former insiders and critical scholars of religion, Dan Miller and Bradley Onishi have a unique perspective on the Religious Right. Guests have included Chrissy Stroop, R. Marie Griffith, Janelle Wong, Randall Balmer, Katherine Stewart, and many others.
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Episodes

SUBSCRIBER PREMIUM: Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State Ep. 1

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Episode 1 of Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State: a limited podcast series about the politics of immigration, faith as radical hospitality, and the borders between church and state. Subscribe here! Linktree: https://linktr.ee/StraightWhiteJC Order Brad's book: https://booksh...

Sep 16, 20249 min

Sanctuary, Immigration, and the Borders Between Church and State

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Today I speak with two historians, Sergio González and Lloyd Barba, who just finished a fantastic series called Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State. I had the opportunity to act as the executive producer for the series and will be out soon for Axis Mundi Media, in conjunctio...

Sep 16, 202445 min

Weekly Roundup: "They're Eating the Dogs"

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this weekly roundup, we discuss Donald Trump's repetition of a conspiracy theory about immigrants eating pets during a recent presidential debate. We analyze Kamala Harris's impressive and composed performance, the strategic implications of the debate, and the damaging effects of Trump...

Sep 13, 20241 hr 8 min

It's in the Code Ep 113: “Obedient Children”

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode, Dan continues decoding a card from a church bulletin that outlines the features of a particular church. This week’s focus is the second item listed on the card, “obedient children.” This description will strike many as weird or “cringy,” but why? What is it doing on this ...

Sep 11, 202426 min

The Decline of White Christian America with Robert P. Jones

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this episode of Straight White American Jesus, Brad dives into PRRI’s 2023 Census of American Religion with Dr. Robert P. Jones, author of The Hidden Roots of White Supremacy. Together, they break down the ongoing decline of White Christian America, the growing number of younger people...

Sep 09, 202433 min

Weekly Roundup: Tucker Carlson's Neo-Nazi Interview Sparks Outrage

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this weekly roundup, we discuss the recent inflammatory interview between Tucker Carlson and Daryl Cooper, where Cooper provides a sympathetic take on Hitler and Nazi Germany. The conversation touches on the sweeping implications of Russian influence in right-wing American media, as ev...

Sep 06, 20241 hr 10 min

It's in the Code Ep 112: "Smiling Wives"

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ A church suggested, in their church bulletin, that people would encounter “smiling wives” at their church. What could that possibly mean? Why advertise that in your church bulletin? And if it seems distinctly cringy, why is that? Check this week’s episode to find out! Church Bulletin phot...

Sep 04, 202429 min

How Billionaires Created a Culture War to Sell School Vouchers w/ Josh Cowen

In this episode, Brad Onishi interviews Dr. Joshua Cowen, a professor of education policy at Michigan State University, on the controversial issue of school vouchers in the US. They discuss the historical context of the voucher movement, tracing it back to economist Milton Friedman and its intersection with the Brown v. Board decision. The dialogue highlights the ideological motivations behind vouchers, linking them to conservative Christian nationalism and libertarian views on government regula...

Sep 02, 202438 min

Weekly Roundup: Trump Makes Republicans Pro-Choice - And His Christian Base Revolts

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this week's edition of the Straight White American Jesus Weekly Roundup, Brad Onishi and Dan Miller discuss the fallout from Donald Trump's recent comments on abortion and IVF, the political double standards applied to Kamala Harris, and a bizarre Arlington National Cemetery incident. ...

Aug 30, 20241 hr 11 min

Bonus Episode: Oklahoma’s Controversial Policies & Celebrity Influence

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this bonus episode, we look at the mixed messages of voting and Oklahoma’s aggressive educational policies, then touch on Kamala Harris's eligibility and Texas' voter roll changes. On a lighter note, Dan shows off his Starbucks mug collection, while Brad shares insights on collectibles...

Aug 29, 202428 min

It's in the Code Ep 111: “Salt and Light”

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ People have often heard Christians say they are called to be “salt and light” in the world. But where does that phrase come from? What does it mean? How has its meaning changed over time? What can it tell us about how different Christians might understand their place, and the place of oth...

Aug 28, 202430 min

Two Family + Sex Therapists Talk Project 2025 and Family Values

Brad nterviews therapists The Sexvangelicals, Julia Postema and Jeremiah Gibson about Project 2025. They discuss the implications of 'family values' as proposed in the project, highlighting the potential negative impact on diverse family structures, marginalized communities, and contemporary family systems research. The conversation explores the rhetorical tactics used to promote a patriarchal, heteronormative, and monogamous view of family, standing against progressive ideologies related to fam...

Aug 26, 202442 min

Weekly Roundup: Joy, Solidarity, and Family - The Revamped Democratic Party

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad and Dan are back! They delve into the significant themes and key moments from the Democratic National Convention. They highlight the sense of joy and solidarity portrayed, contrasting it with the fear-driven politics often seen at the RNC. The hosts discuss the refreshing models of m...

Aug 23, 20241 hr 11 min

It's in the Code Ep 110: “What About His Family”

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ The MAGA movement and the radical traditionalist Catholicism the provides one stream or religious legitimation for it aims to preserve the power and authority of White men in America. So many express surprise or confusion when they learn that J.D. Vance, the Republican nominee to Vice Pre...

Aug 21, 202433 min

NAR Watch Ep 4: They Are Already Stealing the Election

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In NAR Watch Episode 4, the discussion centers around a strategic plan aimed at mobilizing Christians as election workers to influence outcomes in swing states. Dr. Matthew Taylor shares insights from the Courage Tour and its links to election denial and conspiracy theories, spotlighting ...

Aug 19, 202430 min

Weekly Roundup: Election Rigging and Project 2025

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 600-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad discusses recent developments linking Trump's campaign to election rigging and Project 2025. He highlights Russ Vogt's clandestine plans to build a platform for Trump's return and examines the implications of Trump's team intensifying efforts on the election system over voter canvass...

Aug 16, 20241 hr 4 min

It's In the Code Ep. 27: Stand for the Flag, Kneel for the Cross

From the Archives: With Dan on vacation, we bring back a timely episode from 2022: Is the slogan, “stand for the flag, kneel for the cross” a harmless expression of the conviction that good Christians can also be good citizens? Or if we decode it, do we find that a meaning that’s much more pernicious than that? In this episode, Dan argues that this slogan is an expression of Christian nationalism, giving voice to anti-Black racism and licensing election denial and efforts to overturn the 2020 el...

Aug 14, 202427 min

SUBSCRIBER PREMIUM: Heritage Foundation Leader Kevin Roberts' Book is Horrifying

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this bonus episode, the discussion centers around JD Vance's controversial comments on family values, focusing on his interview with Dana Bash where he criticized childless individuals and politically framed 'anti-family' culture. The episode delves into the broader ideological underpi...

Aug 13, 202415 min

Tim Walz is Not a Real Christian Man Soldier

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad returns from vacation to discuss the Democratic ticket and the controversial candidacy of Tim Walz. Covering Walz's religious identity, military service, and public perception, we explore how accusations against Walz reflect broader political and cultural dynamics. Special guest Dr. ...

Aug 12, 202451 min

Weekly Roundup: Kamala Harris's VP Pick and the GOP's Response

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Dan is flying solo this week, discussing Kamala Harris's choice of Tim Walz as her VP running mate, exploring the potential impacts on the Trump campaign and the GOP's strategies against Walz, including critiques of his military service. He touches on JD Vance's controversial comments and...

Aug 09, 20241 hr 2 min

It's in the Code Ep 109: “No Purpose to Sex”

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ How does a naturalistic, evolutionary understanding of human sex undermine the claim that the purpose of sex is procreation? How does it challenge claims about the meaning of sex based in creationist or natural law thinking? What fallacies are involved in the claim that the “purpose” of s...

Aug 07, 202433 min

JD Vance is Super Weird

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ I'm joined by first-time guest Rick Pidcock to discuss JD Vance and his multifaceted role as a religious and political candidate. We explore Vance's connection to the Traditional Latin Mass and figures like Harrison Butker, Patrick Deneen, and Steve Bannon, delving into the implications o...

Aug 05, 202413 min

Purity, Race, and Homeland

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Today, we discuss the complex identity of America as both a set of principles and a diverse nation. We examine the contrasting views of political figures like JD Vance and Kamala Harris, talking about race, heritage, and the ongoing struggles with white Christian nationalism. The episode ...

Aug 05, 20241 hr 23 min

Weekly Roundup: Trump Attacks Kamala Harris' Racial Identity

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Annika Brockschmidt joins us to discuss recent shifts in American politics, particularly focusing on identity politics. The conversation delves into controversies surrounding race and identity, spotlighting Donald Trump's contentious comments on Kamala Harris's heritage, the Trump campaig...

Aug 02, 20241 hr 16 min

It's in the Code Ep 108: “No Stake in the Country”

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In the run-up to the 2024 election, Republican Vice President nominee JD Vance made waves for claiming that people without biological children have “no stake” in America’s future. What does that mean? What is the religious and political rationale behind such a statement? Decoding this ide...

Jul 31, 202425 min

Misogyny, Breeding, and the Right's "Sacred" Family

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ We are thrilled to introduce an audio essay by Anika Brockschmidt, a Berlin-based journalist who spent three days at the National Conservatism Conference (NatCon). Anika's insights critically examine recent trends within the American right, particularly focusing on themes of misogyny, fer...

Jul 29, 202435 min

Mini-Episode: The Human Cost of Project 2025: A Story of Religious Discrimination in Adoption

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Co-produced with Americans United for Separation of Church and State, the episode features a story narrated by Andrew Seidel about Liz and Gabe Rootenram, a Jewish couple from Tennessee who faced state-funded religious discrimination when trying to adopt a special needs child. The episode...

Jul 28, 202412 min

Weekly Roundup: Kamala Harris Rises Despite Jezebel Attacks from the Right

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ In this weekly roundup, we discuss the unexpected shifts in the political landscape following Joe Biden's decision not to run for re-election and Kamala Harris emerging as the presumptive Democratic nominee. We analyze the excitement around Harris' campaign, the contrasting positions and ...

Jul 26, 20241 hr 13 min

It's in the Code Ep 107: “DEI Candidate”

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ GOP rep. Tim Burchett posted on social media and has said in interviews that Kamala Harris is the “DEI candidate” for president? What does he mean by this? How does this statement reflect the ideology of “colorblindness”? And How does this language operate as an open code for contemporary...

Jul 24, 202428 min

LifeWise Academy: The Project 2025 Connected Religious Release Program in Public Schools

Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content most Mondays, bonus episodes every month, ad-free listening, access to the entire 500-episode archive, Discord access, and more: https://axismundi.supercast.com/ Brad interviews activist and parent Natalie Hastings, LifeWise Academy, a religious release program in public schools that takes children out of their school day for Bible study. Hastings provides insights into the program's growth, its impact on students, and its connections to larger po...

Jul 23, 202457 min
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