SWAJ is a podcast that is incredibly vital in explaining things going on in religion and politics. Truly doing the Lord’s work here.

I am a recent follower of the show. Very informative. As to the subject of IVF, the zygote formed in a Petri Dish is not an embryo. An embryo will not form until it finds a host, a woman. Without a uterus, there is no embryo.

Transparency on Discord is nonexistent

This podcast is providing an important public service by giving us insight into a powerful political force.

SWAJ is a national treasure! Dan and Brad are calling out the dangers of conservative White evangelical politics and power. As a GenX, I never thought I would hear religion challenged like this in my whole lifetime. That’s why this podcast is such a thrill for me!!! Thanks for ur insightful analyses of so many topics we all deal with in our deconstruction. You guys have helped me so much to heal my broken heart and set me free from harmful indoctrination. Thx u sooo much!! #Exvangelical #SWAJ

We love to see it

She not her

We are living through a terrifying moment in US history where theocratic fascism is knocking at our door. This podcast helps listeners understand how this has come about.

This show is doing important work vital the preservation of American democracy, but the hosts aren't doing themselves any favors. Brad Onishi tends to talk as much or more than the people that he interviews. A good interviewer asks insightful, probing questions and gets out of their subjects way, letting the person share their insights, opinions and expertise. Brad seems to turn every interview into his own personal chance to rant at the state of America (which I totally relate to). Meanwhile, Daniel Miller is the kind of pastor/professor who talks for 30 minutes about one bullet point without managing to say much of anything of substance and still considers it a "deep dive." I love the work they are doing, and it needs to be done. I just wish that the interviews were more guest forward and that Dan's teaching was less long-winded so that he could cover more actual substance in the same amount of time.

Keep sounding the alarm on White Christian Nationalism and impending fascism. Please!! On today’s episode, you explained why you don’t like to use the term “cult.” I think you must have a strong narcissistic leader that demands to be worshipped and adored to be a cult. It’s not because a religion is different. MAGA is a Cult because Trump is their cult leader who they slavishly follow.

9 cells qualify as an embryo… However, the Bible says, after God’s breath, this seems to me ‘after’ a child is born…

As a Buddhist who has read (what I thought was) a lot about Christian beliefs, I have long been confused by the many seeming contradictions displayed politically conservative Christians. Then came the Trump presidency, COVID, and January 6th... All those contradictions were magnified. Brad and Dan decode the tangle of contradictions and explain the historical developments that have resulted in the nationalistic tendencies in some of my fellow Americans that seek to erase me and so many others from this country. The paid subscription is worth it.

I like that this podcast isn’t full of “not all Christians” apologia, or smug internet-atheist rants the virtues of reason over superstition or whatever. There’s something here that’s usually missing in this type of content. Brad doesn’t engage with arguments with fundamentalists on their own terms, or try to use some rosy idea of “true Christianity” to try and prod them into being better. He directly addresses why the core beliefs of these movements are both invalid and harmful. Christian fundamentalists, literalists and evangelicals are wrong because their religion is wrong, not because they’re misunderstanding their own texts and mythologies.

Markthemonk is spot on. Although I’ve listened to only two episodes so far, it’s clear that the folks behind this podcast have the rare ability to make the esoterica of their realm not only approachable but understandable to laypeople like me. And the importance of SWAJ’s content strikes me as at once timeless and contemporaneous. Bravo.

As someone who sits in the MIDDLE as most Americans do.. this show should be in the comedy section.

…there’s not enough Brad.

…who kept saying he would cut to Dan but just kept on talking.

As an almost life long atheist who ascribes to the view that I lack both an art brain or a faith brain, some kind of innate capacity that can’t be taught, at some level my Catholic upbringing still compels me to listen and learn about the impact of religion in all of our lives. When I first heard that there are likely genetic differences between those on the left and those on the right, it seems evident that we must now find a common language that can speak to all of us. Thus the perspective of the presenters offered here is so fascinating in it’s breadth and depth that it helps me to understand the issues facing us in this complex time of media manipulation and a worldwide move to a post industrial push towards isolation and nationalism-fear driven at its core-and dangerous to all. Thank you!

I come for the deconstruction, I stay for the healing.

I love this podcast. It may finally get my writing career going! Brad, 5 hours on CRA, a man after my own heart!! Teach, teach, teach!!!

This is a podcast with a very specific theme that is extremely important today. The alarm about Christian Nationalism often goes unnoticed by the media in general. They break down the issues like academics and not like some commentators with little to no training in analyzing and critical thinking.

I don’t think many if not most “conservative evangelicals” are as in love with Trump as your podcast implies so you may need to consider finding a new punching bag or gig.

A show that helps so many of us who are trying to understand how so many Christians of varying stripes have willingly sacrificed their credibility and ethics.

Preaching appeasement of Trump and maga. If it’s a fight they want, they will lose. Democracy will win.

I agree 100%. At Midnight, January 1, 2024, my Family gave a toast to “Democracy, may she live forever”. We resolved to get in shape (physically and mentally) to fight for democracy and NOT be afraid. “The only thing to fear is fear itself.” FDR Thank you for this thoughtful episode. It is not over. It will not be over. But we cannot give up.

I’ve been searching for a political podcast that examines the relationship between politics and White Christianity, this is it. It’s amazing to hear someone voice the thoughts I’ve had for MONTHS. Something needs to change or our country will fall to fascism. Love what y’all do!

Great content. Hosts saying “right?” every other sentence gets grating really quickly.

I lean more conservative than the hosts but as a Christian I have learned a lot from this podcast. I appreciate the hosts’ deep understanding of Christianity, the challenge to traditional Evangelical beliefs and practices especially in the area of politics. I would love to hear more conversations with people who hold opposing viewpoints.

I had no idea WHY people supported trump but this information is really providing me a real understanding what we are really up against se move towards the 2024 election. Wonderful truths. Thank you

I so appreciate this content. It gives me hope in these complicated times.

The hosts of this show are doing a serious labor of love for our country. Every topic is well thought out and well researched. They cover the dangers of white christian nationalism and its history. This is an essential podcast. As a queer person, I’m beyond grateful that there are folks like Bradley and Dan doing this work.

This podcast presents crucial education about the dangers of Christian Nationalism from two former evangelical clergy members. Excellent analysis and fascinating guests. I am telling people about this podcast and so appreciate your commitment!

Really helped me to understand my religious upbringing, love this podcast

Great information and analysis. Thanks!

Great consistent reporting on Christian Nationalism

Brad and Dan really break down the code of the Christian Right and shed light on the true nature of their agenda. I always look forward to listening to them

First off I really enjoy the show! I just discovered you guys and I’m glad I did! Second, I appreciate the coverage of the ordinance passed in Murfreesboro TN. As a queer person who currently lives in the Murfreesboro area it’s been really hard to process. Ive only lived here for a year but my partner has been in the community basically his whole life. He has roots here and for the city to say that he is lewd or indecent just because of his sexuality is unbelievable. We’ve began to discus moving (which is heartbreaking for my partner) because we don’t feel welcome anywhere. When this was passed several months ago nobody, including me, noticed. This type of Policy isn’t designed to “protect” anyone, it is about suppression and control. I appreciate you highlighting these issues. The fight is far from over here and across the country. The only way to succeed is to be informed. Also I appreciate context with the mosque controversy back in the 2010’s, I’ve driven past it several times but had no idea about the backstory and connection to the recent events.

I never miss an episode. Onishi and Miller are both ex-vangelicals and scholars of religion. They help us understand white Christian nationalism and the threats it poses to our human and civil rights, and to democracy itself. As someone from family with deep roots in Pentecostalism, I've been watching in horror as this maligned charismatic movement fuses with mainstream evangelicalism and infects government. I know firsthand that it's untethered from facts, science and reality. And that it's simpatico with violence, like on J6, as explained in the must-hear SWAJ series Charismatic Revival Fury. And now it's in the highest levers of power in Congress, at a time when we urgently need leaders rooted in facts and science to tackle environmental crises and more. SWAJ explains the razor's edge moment we face in an easy-to-process and -digest manner, and Onishi and Miller's personal experiences add rich insights. It's required listening.

One of the best podcasts to learn about how Christian Nationalism and the impact it’s having on all of us. Great, well researched show.

One of the most interesting and informative podcasts about the dangers Christian Nationalism poses to American democracy. A must listen for those who are concerned about that movement.

I love this podcast. These guys are so smart and as an atheist it is interesting to hear what religious experts talking about the happenings of the week in such an interesting way.

Appreciate all the work you do!!!

I have been listening to SWAJ for over two years now. The trauma of MAGA was terrible unto itself, but the pandemic completely unraveled an already tenuous connection I had with an old friend with hard right evangelical views. I have always tried to listen to understand others from their points of view, but the pandemic taught me that so-called Christians of the right wing were not interested in preserving life, nor could they open their mind to well-informed experts. After years of attempting to be tolerant and kind (and honest about my own sincerely held beliefs), I felt that the best I got in return was a metaphorical middle finger and a slap in the face. The worst was truly terrible: another friend, a talented musician who had achieved his dream of being the Crystal Cathedral organist died young, probably of AIDS, probably because his faith did not allow him to acknowledge or honor who he was. But I am writing here to tell you that everyone can learn so much from Dr Brad and Dr Dan. Their podcasts have given clear descriptions of the cultural patterns influencing the ways individual right wing evangelicals go about their daily lives. Indeed, the podcasts gave me so much insight into the behaviors and attitudes of my friends, to the extent that I now believe we do not see because we rely on our sense of vision; instead, we only what we are trained to see. (For example, my friend used to have grave concern that her husband was addicted to porn, but I sensed that he was not. Her right-wing cultish views of men was actually a much bigger problem causing a warped vision of him; he did not seem to have a misogynistic warped view of women). This podcast constantly gives sharp insight into how culture shapes politics and how politics shapes culture. The book recommendations will also guide your understanding of these things. For example, after listening to their interview of Kristen Kobes DuMez, I read Jesus and John Wayne. After reading that book, I sensed that the hypermasculinization of certain strands of American culture made the election of Trump in 2016 a foregone convlusion, rather than a surprise. I have learned

I love this pod. This last episode made me really wanna connect with my local Catholic workers, rare but wonderful folks. Great info, currently trying to go back and listen to all the episodes, I enjoy the perspective and relate to the content.

This show helps explain so much of the phenomena that we observe today. Much of what I believed faith to be when I was younger has morphed into an authoritarian movement and quest for worldly power at all costs. This is a good starting point for understanding how we got here and what we can do about it. Thanks, Brad and Dan.

I come from a very similar background as the hosts Brad and Dan. Raised in a conservative home in the 80s and 90s, Christianity was a foundation of my life. My parents forced me to attend Sunday service and weeknight youth group until I graduated from high school. After that final day in 1997, I never went back. And while I’ve come to appreciate the teachings and gospel of Christ, the absurd hypocrisy I was indoctrinated with will forever haunt me. The Christianity of my youth was that of Capitalism, Regan, and Limbaugh, not of Jesus Christ. Listening to Dan and Brad is therapy for me and the shame I carry since my childhood.

A thoughtful show - commentary without hysteria.

Important and clear explanation of what’s going on in religion and politics today

What an amazing resource to understand a small but important portion of the American population. Brad and Dan and their guests bring well informed and carefully researched perspectives I haven’t found elsewhere and it’s been eye opening and valuable to learn about Christian nationalism and related topics. They also approach these difficult topics with compassion and understanding that I admire and appreciate.

SWAJ has been a breath of fresh air for me. I found them right after Trump was elected and needed to make sense of how and why this happened. But have stayed because all the conversations about “hot button” topics are so important and spot on.— not to mention, the deconstruction of my faith from growing up within evangelicalism/ fundamentalism has been painful, confusing and isolating at times- but the conversations in this podcast have given me a place to rest, so to speak, and helped me realize where religion, God and spirituality can still remain a part of my identity.