It’s in the Code ep 168: “Man’s (Empty) Purpose”

Josh Hawley devotes the second chapter of his book to outlining what he sees as “man’s purpose.” He promises to answer the question of why men are here, and what they are supposed to do. What does he see as this purpose? And why does his claim to uncover man’s purpose ultimately amount to nothing? […]
Beyond Thoughts and Prayers: The Rituals of Freedom

Brad welcomes Liz Theoharis and Charon Hribar, editors of We Pray Freedom: Liturgies and Rituals from The Freedom Church of the Poor. Both guests are key leaders in the faith-based anti-poverty movement and longtime organizers with the Poor People’s Campaign. Together, they discuss how liturgy and ritual can be reclaimed as acts of collective resistance, […]
Weekly Roundup: “No Kings” vs Christ the King Who Condones Slavery + Trump Destroys the White House

Brad and Dan unpack the symbolism and substance behind the demolition of the East Wing of the White House to make way for a privately funded ballroom. They reflect on what presidential construction projects reveal about power, legacy, and the messages leaders send through what they build…and destroy. The conversation broadens into current policies on […]
Special Episode: Is Pope Leo Really Dissolving Opus Dei?

This episode delves into the recent controversies surrounding Opus Dei, a secretive and influential organization within the Catholic Church. According to a report from Infovaticana, Opus Dei faces a significant internal rupture that could see it fragmented into three distinct bodies, effectively dissolving its current structure. Annika Brockschmidt guest hosts in conversation with journalist Gareth […]
It’s in the Code ep 167: “Manhood Pt. 2”

This episode continues the exploration of how masculinity and the category of “man” function within the contemporary right, using Senator Josh Hawley’s book “Manhood” as a guide. Dan reads and reflects on Hawley’s arguments, focusing on the biblical foundations Hawley claims for his views on masculinity. Subscribe for $5.99 a month to get bonus content […]
Peter Thiel’s Gospel Part II: Palantir and the Philosopher-King

Dr. Brad Onishi dives into the ideological roots of one of Peter Thiel’s most significant ventures, Palantir. Drawing from Thiel’s reflections on Leo Strauss’s philosophy and the aftermath of 9/11, Onishi explores how Palantir embodies a tech-driven strategy for national defense. The discussion extends to Thiel’s collaborations with figures like Alex Karp and how their […]
Resisting the Spiritual Violence of ICE

In this episode, Brad Onishi sits down with Rev. Alba Onofrio—executive director of Soulforce and host of Teología Sin Vergüenza—for a powerful exploration of faith, queerness, and resistance. Together, they unpack how white Christian nationalism and institutions like ICE perpetuate spiritual violence against marginalized communities, and how Soulforce responds through nonviolent resistance and liberative theology. […]
Weekly Roundup: “I Love Hitler” Group Chat Leaked + The Technocrats Who Want Monarchy + No Kings!

Brad and Dan unpack a disturbing leaked group chat among young Republican leaders that reveals casual racism, homophobia, and even Nazi sympathies. They analyze how JD Vance publicly defended the individuals involved by dismissing their comments as “edgy jokes,” exposing a growing tolerance for extremism within parts of the GOP. The discussion expands to examine […]
It’s in the Code ep 166: “Manhood”

Josh Hawley says that American manhood is threatened by “the left,” and that this threat lies in the fact that they are “anti-story.” What is missing, and what is necessary to save American manhood, he argues, is the right story. But what is the story that Hawley tells? And is it really the only story […]
Introducing American Unexceptionalism

What can we Americans learn from others around the world about how to protect democracy when the stakes are high? Can we as Americans learn about how to challenge forms of religious nationalism and religious supremacy? What can we learn from Buddhists in Sri Lanka or Muslims in Turkey, or Christians in South Korea who […]
