It’s in the Code ep 172: “Projecting Enemies”
Josh Hawley argues that “man’s mission” is to combat evil. Defining men in this way makes evil necessary, and it transforms every political, social, and cultural disagreement into a moral conflict of cosmic significance. In this episode, Dan shows how this leads Hawley to distort the “modern culture” and “liberals” he opposes. He also looks […]
042: Committing War Crimes for God
You’ve heard a lot about WHAT Pete Hegesth is doing in the Caribbean and whether it amounts to war crimes; but nobody’s talking about WHY. Why are Trump, Hegesth, and others in this regime so willing to thumb their nose at things like the Geneva Conventions? Why are they willing to even come close to […]
Olivia Nuzzi, Mormon Wives, and the Death of Democracy
Brad is joined by Alan Elrod, CEO and founder of the Pulaski Institute, for a wide-ranging conversation about what happens to democracy when entertainment values replace empathy. They start with the Olivia Nuzzi scandal and what it exposes about journalistic ethics, voyeurism, and the public’s fascination with watching someone fall apart in real time. From […]
Chris Dileo on Meet Your Maker
In this episode of Horror Joy’ Meet Your Maker series, Jeff and Brian welcome author Chris Dileo to discuss his new book, Empty Devils (Cabelo Books, 2025), and his deeply personal relationship with horror. Dileo emphasizes that reading is a process of cooperation between the reader’s imagination and the writer’s world. He discusses how he […]
Weekly Roundup: Cultural Crusades: From Hegseth’s Boat Attacks to Oklahoma’s Classrooms
Brad and Dan return with a packed Weekly Roundup that cuts through the noise of culture war headlines to get at what is really happening in American politics and religion this week. They start with the bizarre story dominating Congress: alleged Venezuelan narco boats, U.S. military strikes, and the growing scrutiny around Pete Hegseth’s involvement. […]
It’s in the Code ep 171: “A Man Like God”
Josh Hawley builds his account on masculinity and manhood on the idea that men are created in God’s image and, as such, are his representatives on earth. But what is Hawley’s God like? What kind of God does Hawley worship? Who is this God that is the pattern for human manhood? In this episode, Dan […]
041: Yes, Die Hard is a Christmas Movie, says a scholar of religion and the law
Andrew settles the debate once and for all, yes, Die Hard is a Christmas movie. Things are dark, especially this time of year. So enjoy a little lighthearted fun as Andrew takes you behind the scenes of this debate and then wins it. This isn’t some some clickbait bandwagon episode. Andrew been having this argument […]
National Guard Shooting Reveals the Right’s Dangerous Western Supremacy
Brad takes a hard look at the American right’s response to the recent shooting of two National Guardsmen in Washington, DC, and shows how the rhetoric around the tragedy signals a shift from overt Christian nationalism to something even broader and more dangerous: Western supremacy. He traces how this worldview draws from older ideas about […]
Man Finds Tape with drectors Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman
In this episode of Horror Joy, hosts Jeff and Brian sit down with Peter Hall and Paul Gandersman, directors of the upcoming found footage horror film ‘Man Finds Tape,’ releasing on December 5th. The conversation covers the joy to be found in horror, the directors’ backgrounds, the creative processes behind their projects, and the unique […]
SWAJ Rewind: Give Thanks
This week Dan talks about the popular praise and worship song, “Give Thanks With a Grateful Heart.” What is the message of this song? Written as a song of solace and hope, how does it also express an attitude that denies the reality of the things about this world and our places in it that should change? […]