Church and Main

When the Cross Becomes a Brand with Andrew Donaldson | Episode 277

In this candid and wide-ranging conversation, I sat down with my friend and media commentator Andrew Donaldson to wrestle with one of the most uncomfortable questions facing American Christianity today: Is the public display of faith we're seeing from figures like Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth genuine witness — or just performance?
This is a conversation about our failings, the danger of chasing validation over transformation, and what it really means to live out your faith when no one is looking.
Shownotes:
Heard Tell (Andrew's Substack)
 
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Can America Change Course? with Jerry Mitchell | Episode 276

Jerry Mitchell comes to the podcast to discuss his Christian Chronicle article. Jerry argues that America's deepest crisis isn't political — it's spiritual. From the erosion of humility and kindness to our growing inability to honestly confront our own sins, Jerry makes the case that the nation is sliding toward collapse for one simple reason: we have traded godliness for gaslighting, and piety for partisanship.
Shownotes:
Can America change its course before it’s too late? The answer is up to us (Jerry Mitchell)
 
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Hunting for Heretics: America's Polarization Problem with Michael Baharaeen | Episode 275

Dennis Sanders sits down with Michael Baharaeen, chief political analyst for The Liberal Patriot, to explore the growing crisis of political polarization in America. Drawing on data, history, and his own experience working in national politics, Baharain examines how Americans have increasingly sorted themselves into politically homogenous communities, fueled by the decline of shared public spaces, the rise of social media, and a two-party system that leaves little room for nuance. The conversation covers the real dangers this polarization poses to democracy — from eroding trust between neighbors to the risk of sustained political violence — while also offering practical paths forward.
Shownotes:
Growing Tribalism Threatens the American Experiment (Michael Baharaeen)
How everyday Americans can help pull their democracy back from the brink (Michael Baharaeen)
 
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Gen Z's Spiritual Awakening: Revival or Something New? with Rob Myallis | Episode 274

In part two of his conversation with Lutheran Pastor Rob Maialis, host Dennis Sanders turns the lens toward the youngest generation entering adulthood. Is there a genuine religious revival happening among Gen Z, or are we measuring the wrong things?
Together, they explore what it might look like for mainline churches to truly meet Gen Z rather than simply wait for them, and how an unlikely partnership between the oldest and youngest generations in the pew might be exactly what both groups need.
 
Shownotes:
Gen Z's Religious Revival Likely Escapes Notice (Rob's Article)
Lectionary Greek Blog
 
Related Episode:
The Church and the Three-Quarter Life Crisis with Rob Myallis | Episode 273
 
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The Church and the Three-Quarter Life Crisis with Rob Myallis | Episode 273

What happens when the people who built your church — the ones who carried it through lean years, chaired every committee, and showed up faithfully for decades — start to feel like the ladder has been taken away from them? In this episode, I welcome back Lutheran pastor and Rob Myallis to explore what Rob calls the "three-quarter life crisis": the profound emotional, physical, and spiritual transition many people face in their mid-to-late seventies.
Shownotes:
 The Three-Quarter Life Crisis (Rob's Article)
Lectionary Greek Blog
 
Related Episode:
Luther Seminary and the Future of Mainline Protestantism with Rob Myallis | Episode 239
 
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The Quiet Christian Resistance to America's Refugee Crackdown with Emily Belz | Episode 272

When the Department of Homeland Security launched Operation PARRIS in January 2026, thousands of legal refugees in Minnesota suddenly found themselves targets of ICE arrests and detention — despite having followed every rule required of them. In this episode, I sit down with Emily Belz, senior staff writer at Christianity Today, to unpack how this shocking crackdown unfolded and how faith communities responded.
Shownotes:
Emily Belz- Refugees Disappeared. Churches Prayed and Lawyered Up. 
Emily Belz- Excerpts from a Judge’s Ruling in Favor of Minnesota Refugees
Arrive Ministries Facebook Page
Related Episodes:
A Theology of Protest with David Swanson
Why Minneapolis Needs Potlucks with Rachel Pieh Jones
Renee Good and Minnesota ICE with Eric Elkin
 
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A Theology of Protest with David Swanson | Episode 271

In this conversation, David Swanson discusses his experiences as a pastor in Bronzeville, Chicago, and the role of protest within the Christian faith. He reflects on the importance of community engagement, the theological underpinnings of protest, and the connections between spiritual practices and activism. Swanson emphasizes the need for lament in protest, the significance of bearing witness, and offers guidance for those new to activism. He encourages Christians to participate in protests as an expression of their faith and to recognize the historical context of protest within Christianity.
Suggested Reading and Listening:
🌐David Swanson’s website
📝A Christian Theology of Protest: Bearing Faithful Witness in a Time of Unrest
 
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Why Social Justice and Spirituality Go Together with Wes Granberg-Michaelson | Episode 270

 I speak with Wes Granberg-Michelson about the essential link between spirituality and social justice in today's political climate, looking at the urgency for faith communities to act while remaining grounded in spiritual practices. Drawing from his book, "The Soul Work of Justice", Wes advocates for integrating deep prayer and reflection into our pursuit of justice, ultimately calling for a renewed approach that prioritizes faith and love in addressing societal challenges.
The Soulwork of Justice
Wes Granberg-Michaelson's website
 
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Is It Fascism? Reasoning Together About Trump 2.0 with Anthony Robinson | Episode 269

I engage with Pastor Anthony Robinson to discuss the contentious label of fascism in relation to Donald Trump's political rise. We look at Jonathan Rauch's essay, "Yes, It's Fascism," and explore the implications of such labels for American democracy. Robinson shares his evolving perspective, while I highlight the complexities of terminology and its potential to divide. 
Suggested Reading and Listening:
Yes, It’s Fascism
I Was Wrong
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Why Minneapolis Needs Potlucks with Rachel Pieh Jones | Episode 268

 Rachel Pieh Jones joins to talk about the importance of potlucks in Minneapolis during a time of division. Drawing from her experiences in Djibouti and Somaliland, Rachel discusses how communal meals can bridge diverse communities and foster empathy, particularly amid the challenges faced by immigrant populations. 
Why Minneapolis Needs Potlucks Now
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