Politics and Religion. We’re not supposed to talk about that, right? Wrong! We only say that nowadays because the loudest, most extreme voices have taken over the whole conversation. Well, we‘re taking some of that space back! If you’re dying for some dialogue instead of all the yelling; if you know it’s okay to have differences without having to hate each other; if you believe politics and religion are too important to let ”the screamers” drown out the rest of us and would love some engaging, provocative and fun conversations about this stuff, then ”Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other” is for you!
Episodes
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
Sunday Mar 16, 2025
In this episode, host Corey Nathan sits down with Charlie Sykes, a prominent conservative commentator, former talk radio host, and founder of The Bulwark, who's currently writing and podcasting on his excellent Substack To the Contrary. Known for his sharp political insights and willingness to challenge the current trajectory of the Republican Party, Charlie discusses the erosion of democratic norms, the transformation of conservatism, and what the future holds for both parties.
📌 What We Discuss
- How the Republican Party shifted from traditional conservatism to a Trump-dominated movement.
- Why democracy faces real threats in the U.S. and globally.
- The importance of character in political leadership and why many conservatives abandoned this principle.
- Whether a pro-democracy coalition can hold back extremism in both parties.
- Charlie's thoughts on how we can have better political conversations without dehumanizing each other.
⏳ Episode Highlights
🔹 [00:01:00] Charlie’s Journey: From influential conservative talk radio host to political outcast in the Trump era.
🔹 [00:05:00] The Evolution of Trumpism: Why Trump 2.0 is even more dangerous than his first presidency.
🔹 [00:12:00] Engaging With Trump Supporters: Is it possible to change minds, or should we focus on mobilizing pro-democracy voters?
🔹 [00:22:00] The Republican Party’s Transformation: How the far-right fringe became the mainstream.
🔹 [00:35:00] Can Democrats Avoid the Same Mistakes? Learning from the GOP's takeover by extremists.
🔹 [00:47:00] America’s Role in the World: Why the U.S. is no longer seen as the leader of the free world.
🔹 [01:02:00] Building Bridges Across Differences: The importance of assuming goodwill and finding shared values.
💬 Featured Quotes
"I’d rather be right than Marco Rubio right now." – Charlie Sykes
"The Republican Party had multiple off-ramps to reject Trumpism, and they took none of them." – Charlie Sykes
"We are living through history, and we don’t have the luxury of indifference." – Charlie Sykes
"The challenge isn’t just about talking politics—it’s about figuring out how to get through this without killing each other." – Corey Nathan
📚 Resources Mentioned
- Charlie Sykes’ Substack Newsletter: To the Contrary
- Charlie’s 2018 book: How the Right Lost Its Mind
- The Identity Trap by Yascha Mounk
📣 Call to Action
If you found this conversation insightful, please:
✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.
✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics
✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion
✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media
@coreysnathan:
Our Sponsors
- Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com
- Prolux Autogroup: www.proluxautogroup.com or www.granadahillsairporttransportation.com
Let’s keep talking politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡
Comments (0)
To leave or reply to comments, please download free Podbean or
No Comments
To leave or reply to comments,
please download free Podbean App.