Jami Floyd For NY12: Not Another Boring Candidate

Dr. Matthew Taylor on the Christian Nationalist Threat to Democracy, Part 2

This episode is the second part of Nancy’s conversation with Dr. Matthew Taylor, a visiting scholar at Georgetown's Center on Faith and Justice and a leading expert on Christian nationalism, religious extremism, and the role of religious pluralism in defending democracy. In this part of the conversation, Matt and Nancy discuss whether Christian nationalism can ever be compatible with a pluralistic society; how we need to build a big tent to unite with what Matt calls the “persuadable middle”; the Christian supremacists at the highest level of power in our government; Christian Zionism, anti-semitism; and where to look for inspiration and hope.At the end of Part 1, Nancy and Matt had just finished speaking about the theology, symbols and culture of independent charismatic Christianity and the huge role this played on January 6th. Matthew D. Taylor is a visiting scholar at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. is the author of The Violent Take It by Force and, forthcoming, Defying Tyrants. A public-facing theologian and religious studies scholar who specializes in American Islam, Christian nationalism, and Christian extremism, he is also the creator of two limited podcast series–American Unexceptionalism and Charismatic Revival Fury. Taylor holds a PhD from Georgetown University and an MA from Fuller Theological Seminary. Thank you for being a listener! * Stay up to date on New Faces of Democracy by signing up for the newsletter here [https://newfacesofdemocracy.org/#contact]. * If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the podcast, send us an email at info@newfacesofdemocracy.org [info@newfacesofdemocracy.org]. * If you like this podcast, please subscribe/rate/review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-faces-of-democracy/id1512070381] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sW3N5XFczW28l57TmJxTB?si=988706a6909b4ac8]. It makes a huge difference! * Follow New Faces of Democracy on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/newfacesofdemocracy_/], Threads [https://www.threads.net/@newfacesofdemocracy_?xmt=AQGziyEMAPkiCQxKQf_K8bTBkAobpdDOwx1KRfi5GDFOFLM] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/nfod.bsky.social]

Dr. Matthew Taylor on the Christian Nationalist Threat to Democracy, Part 1

On this episode, Nancy speaks with Dr. Matthew Taylor, a visiting scholar at Georgetown's Center on Faith and Justice and a leading expert on Christian nationalism, religious extremism, and the role of religious pluralism in defending democracy. In this two part series, Matt and Nancy do a deep dive on the new religious right, the role this group played on January 6th, the power they hold at the highest levels of government, and lessons we can learn from other democracies threatened by religious nationalism. On this episode, Part 1 of the conversation, Matt and Nancy set the stage with a discussion of the fundamental concepts of independent charismatic Christianity and the New Apostolic Reformation, the leadership network of this group. They discuss the enormous popularity of this rapidly growing segment of Christianity with its exciting revivalist spirit, speaking in tongues and celebrity culture. Matt speaks about the apostles, prophets, demons and territorial spirits that populate the theology. And Matt walks listeners through the prophetic memes and coded symbols that serve as virtual carriers of theology and, when propagated by church leaders, ultimately led in a straight line to January 6th. For people on the outside, this can all sound completely bonkers but the reality is that this movement presents a dangerous threat to democracy. If that’s important to you, then this conversation is a must-listen. Be sure to listen to Part 2, out next week. Matthew D. Taylor is a visiting scholar at the Center on Faith and Justice at Georgetown University. is the author of The Violent Take It by Force and, forthcoming, Defying Tyrants. A public-facing theologian and religious studies scholar who specializes in American Islam, Christian nationalism, and Christian extremism, he is also the creator of two limited podcast series–American Unexceptionalism and Charismatic Revival Fury. Taylor holds a PhD from Georgetown University and an MA from Fuller Theological Seminary. Thank you for being a listener! * Stay up to date on New Faces of Democracy by signing up for the newsletter here [https://newfacesofdemocracy.org/#contact]. * If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the podcast, send us an email at info@newfacesofdemocracy.org [info@newfacesofdemocracy.org]. * If you like this podcast, please subscribe/rate/review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-faces-of-democracy/id1512070381] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sW3N5XFczW28l57TmJxTB?si=988706a6909b4ac8]. It makes a huge difference! * Follow New Faces of Democracy on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/newfacesofdemocracy_/], Threads [https://www.threads.net/@newfacesofdemocracy_?xmt=AQGziyEMAPkiCQxKQf_K8bTBkAobpdDOwx1KRfi5GDFOFLM] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/nfod.bsky.social].

Jeff Clements of American Promise on How to Fix Money in Politics

This episode features a conversation with Jeff Clements, cofounder and CEO of American Promise [https://americanpromise.net/]. American Promise is a nonprofit dedicated to undoing the damage wrought by the Supreme Court in Citizens United and returning the power to regulate money in politics back to We The People. The way to do this is by a 28th amendment to the Constitution. There is no easy fix to our troubled times, but there is also no question that unlimited amounts of money in campaigns and elections has a distorting and corrosive effect that is destabilizing our democracy. Billionaires, foreign entities, corporations, dark money or disclosed, all are overwhelming our political system with billions of dollars that drown out the voices of everyday Americans. Jeff and Nancy speak about how the Supreme Court is uniquely unsuited to resolve questions of complex political policy; why a constitutional amendment is the only solution; and the crosspartisan support behind the amendment with 24 states already on board. You can learn more, sign the citizen pledge, donate and volunteer at americanpromise.net [http://americanpromise.net/]. In addition to being cofounder and CEO of American Promise, Jeff is also a former Assistant Attorney General of Massachusetts and the author of Corporations Are Not People. Thank you for being a listener! 1. Stay up to date on New Faces of Democracy by signing up for the newsletter here [https://newfacesofdemocracy.org/#contact]. 2. If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the podcast, send us an email at info@newfacesofdemocracy.org [info@newfacesofdemocracy.org]. 3. If you like this podcast, please subscribe/rate/review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-faces-of-democracy/id1512070381] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sW3N5XFczW28l57TmJxTB?si=988706a6909b4ac8]. It makes a huge difference! 4. Follow New Faces of Democracy on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/newfacesofdemocracy_/], Threads [https://www.threads.net/@newfacesofdemocracy_?xmt=AQGziyEMAPkiCQxKQf_K8bTBkAobpdDOwx1KRfi5GDFOFLM] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/nfod.bsky.social].

Jami Floyd For NY12: Not Another Boring Candidate

If you’re a regular listener of this podcast, you know that it rarely features political candidates. Why? They are often way too boring! But that description does not apply to Jami Floyd who is running for Congress in New York City’s 12th Congressional district. This is not just any race but the highly coveted seat that has been held for decades by Jerry Nadler. Nancy recently met Jami and was so impressed with her intelligence, background and authenticity that she wanted to introduce her to podcast listeners as well. In this lively yet insightful conversation, Nancy and Jami speak about being a native New Yorker who knows how to fight, bringing the Democratic party together, and actually listening to voters to deliver what they need. Whether or not you’re a New Yorker, the fact that people like Jami are willing to step up and fight for democracy will give you hope for the future of our country. Jami Floyd was born and raised in New York City, and by age 15, she was working in restaurants and retail around the district, building the grit that carried her through college and law school. After practicing law, Jami served as a White House Fellow in the Clinton Administration. She then traded DC politics for journalism to elevate the voices of real people in NY. Jami went on to cover their challenges for national news outlets like MSNBC, ABC News, and WNYC, where she hosted All Things Considered. She’s still focused on helping her neighbors and today serves on Manhattan Community Board 7 where she sits on the Transportation Committee and chairs the Public Safety Task Force. You can learn more about Jami on her campaign website, jamifloydforcongress.com [http://jamifloydforcongress.com/]. Thank you for being a listener! 1. Stay up to date on New Faces of Democracy by signing up for the newsletter here [https://newfacesofdemocracy.org/#contact]. 2. If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the podcast, send us an email at info@newfacesofdemocracy.org [info@newfacesofdemocracy.org]. 3. If you like this podcast, please subscribe/rate/review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-faces-of-democracy/id1512070381] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sW3N5XFczW28l57TmJxTB?si=988706a6909b4ac8]. It makes a huge difference! 4. Follow New Faces of Democracy on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/newfacesofdemocracy_/], Threads [https://www.threads.net/@newfacesofdemocracy_?xmt=AQGziyEMAPkiCQxKQf_K8bTBkAobpdDOwx1KRfi5GDFOFLM] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/nfod.bsky.social].

Heather Cronk of Project 21:12 On Exvangelicals Fighting Christian Nationalism

This episode features Heather Cronk, founder of Project 21:12 [https://www.project2112.org/], a group that helps ex-evangelical Christians, or exvangelicals as they are known, find community with others like them, and take action to diminish the power of rising Christian Nationalism, fueled in part by evangelical leaders. Heather and Nancy speak about the power of community within the church and the importance of creating a new community for people leaving it; Evangelicals’ transactional alliances with unlikely partners to pursue their end goals; and how secular progressives are reading the room wrong when it comes to strategically pushing back on the church’s agenda. You won’t want to miss this episode for Heather’s fascinating insights into the evangelical mindset and the very real dangers that it poses to our democracy. Project 21:12 [https://www.project2112.org/] PRRI, “Exvangelicals: Who They Are, Why They Left, and What They Believe” [https://prri.org/spotlight/exvangelicals-who-they-are-why-they-left-and-what-they-believe/] Matthew D. Taylor, The Violent Take it By Force: The Christian Movement That is Threatening Our Democracy [https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506497785/The-Violent-Take-It-by-Force] Thank you for being a listener! 1. Stay up to date on New Faces of Democracy by signing up for the newsletter here [https://newfacesofdemocracy.org/#contact]. 2. If you or someone you know would like to be a guest on the podcast, send us an email at info@newfacesofdemocracy.org [info@newfacesofdemocracy.org]. 3. If you like this podcast, please subscribe/rate/review on Apple Podcasts [https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/new-faces-of-democracy/id1512070381] and Spotify [https://open.spotify.com/show/4sW3N5XFczW28l57TmJxTB?si=988706a6909b4ac8]. It makes a huge difference! 4. Follow New Faces of Democracy on Instagram [https://www.instagram.com/newfacesofdemocracy_/], Threads [https://www.threads.net/@newfacesofdemocracy_?xmt=AQGziyEMAPkiCQxKQf_K8bTBkAobpdDOwx1KRfi5GDFOFLM] and Bluesky [https://bsky.app/profile/nfod.bsky.social].