The Napa Legal Podcast

Orthodox Jew Forced to Obtain Permit to Pray in His Home: June 2, 2026

Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Alexa Kawlewski discuss an 8th Circuit case involving teachers disciplined and fired for refusing the COVID vaccine, an appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court from an Orthodox Jew whose municipality made him apply for a special use permit to have people come to his house to pray, and a new Tennessee law protecting single-sex spaces for girls and women. In this episode, we discuss:1:11 Amicus curiae brief filed with the 8th Circuit in support of teachers punished for seeking religious exemption to COVID vaccine.14:11 Appeal made to U.S. Supreme Court on behalf of Orthodox Jew forced to obtain permit to pray in his home.27:06 Tennessee Governor signs bill protecting women and girls from abuse by biological males in female-only spaces.For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our site here:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcastThe Napa Legal Podcast, June 2, 2026#freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

Can Religious Organizations Use Their Land w/o Government Interference? | Guest John Ketcham 5/29/26

Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this guest episode, Napa Legal's Senior Counsel Frank DeVito is joined by John Ketcham, Senior Fellow and Director of Cities at the Manhattan Institute. Join them for a discussion of Missionaries of St. John the Baptist v. Frederic, a case pending cert before the U.S. Supreme Court. This case can have major implications in determining whether the complaints of neighbors can overrule the rights of religious organizations to use their land for religious purposes. In this episode, we discuss: 1:44 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=104s] John's background growing up Catholic in New York City and working at the Manhattan Institute 5:56 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=356s] Manhattan Institute Amicus Briefs 7:20 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=440s] Missionaries of St. John the Baptist v. Frederic Amicus Brief with Napa Legal 10:08 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=608s] Background of the case 14:45 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=885s] RLUIPA 21:21 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=1281s] What would best case scenario look like? 22:40 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=1360s] What would worst case scenario look like? 24:00 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=1440s] Why should we generally be in favor of development? 28:29 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=1709s] Other projects by John 34:10 [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Bt8io725HU&t=2050s] Conclusion For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/ [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbHJ0Nnd5RXRwYjVuc3ZnRHk3Q3k0R1pmeVU3QXxBQ3Jtc0ttMERoaC1nNGtxQ2JqcVVaNXBvUWF4ZGtZTHdoSUVmQW9YNXU0UlFEbDR6UzgwRzc4LXFQR2l3QUl5T2t5ZWZiOUhfRWtxREZzcXpYSkhucWxJVVo4VkF4dmFldGIxSlQ4VE42dFRiVGhFVGtncWpYcw&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.napalegalinstitute.org%2F&v=_Bt8io725HU] For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/th... [https://www.youtube.com/redirect?event=video_description&redir_token=QUFFLUhqbW9LWEpOX2FETk9aOTE3SGo2bmRlUGJPbE5IZ3xBQ3Jtc0ttZFhhaTRXemlnN2NQTVl6YUJENkhwY1VWbVNFSC0wUzROeWNaYlhLeWxqLWZkTmppbXBNaDA1VjNORUxRaEQ0UWVqdGEta2trR2t4LUFIUTJYRjJaRGVXUHdFTXRuNzhmMk1hNGd2TmZQMzNkUnc3SQ&q=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.napalegalinstitute.org%2Fthe-napa-legal-podcast&v=_Bt8io725HU] The Napa Legal Podcast, May 29, 2026 #freedomofreligion [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/freedomofreligion] #religiousliberty [https://www.youtube.com/hashtag/religiousliberty]

Counselor Fined for Refusing to Affirm Same-Sex Relationships During Counseling: May 27, 2026

Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Alexa Kawlewski discuss an Oregon therapist being fined for answering a client’s question about his beliefs, a Fifth Circuit case challenging an abortion accommodation requirement created by the EEOC, and a land-use lawsuit in the Third Circuit concerning a Catholic Church being denied the approvals to build a shrine. In this episode, we discuss:1:50 Counselor in Oregon Fined for Refusing to Affirm Same-Sex Relationships During Counseling Session. 10:50 Fifth Circuit To Hear Appeal Challenging Federal Abortion Accommodation Regulation. 25:17 Pennsylvania Church Appeals to Third Circuit Over Zoning Decision That Disfavors Religion. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our site here:https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcastThe Napa Legal Podcast, May 27, 2026#freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

SCOTUS Expands Access to Abortion Pill and Eradicates Basic Safety Requirements | May 19, 2026

Welcome to the Napa Legal Podcast, where we discuss religious liberty from the perspective of faith-based nonprofits. In this week's episode, Frank DeVito and Joseph Clement explain an abortion-related lawsuit at the US Supreme Court and a parental rights lawsuit against a public school district. In this episode, we discuss: 2:11 The US Supreme Court's decision to permit the FDA to drop requirements for in-person doctors' visits before a woman can take an abortion pill. 15:59 A lawsuit from several families in Colorado against their public school district that made their children to share rooms and beds with members of the opposite sex during field trips. For more about Napa Legal and our work, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org For more of the Napa Legal podcast, visit our site here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast Topics: Freedom of religion, religious liberty, abortion, mifepristone, misoprostol, free exercise, establishment clause, legal updates, Supreme Court, legal podcast, parental rights, substantive due process, Mahmoud, Mirabelli. The Napa Legal Podcast, May 19, 2026. #freedomofreligion #religiousliberty

Coast Guard Settles in Religious Liberty Lawsuit over COVID-19 Mandate with Guest Nathan Loyd 5/7/26

In this episode of the Napa Legal Podcast, Frank DeVito is joined by Nathan Loyd, staff counsel at the Thomas More Society and a former active-duty member of the Air Force, to discuss a recent settlement with the US Coast Guard that will protect the religious freedom of servicemembers across the country. During the Covid-19 pandemic, the Coast Guard refused to provide religious exemptions from vaccine mandates. Elite servicemembers were denied promotion and cut out of key responsibilities for their religious objections to the mandate. A Class of officers and enlisted coast guardsmen, with the help of attorneys from the Thomas More Society, recently settled a major lawsuit with the Coast Guard. The Coast Guard agreed to follow federal regulations that protect religious liberty in the future. Key Moments: 0:50 Introduction 1:43 Nathan's work at the Thomas More Society 4:07 The basics of the Covid-19 Vaccine mandates in the Coast Guard 5:20 This case - Jackson v. Mullin and the servicemembers who brought it. 10:39 Relevant research on the Covid-19 vaccines 12:07 The legal standard for religious exemptions, particularly in the military. 15:56 Other similar cases and applying the legal standards in other circumstances. 16:55 The outcome of this case - a favorable settlement for the servicemembers. 22:18 Voluntary cessation in civil litigation 28:13 Servicemembers' responses to this settlement 32:25 Why this case is being settled today rather than years ago 37:43 Other parts of Nathan's work - sidewalk counselling and free speech. For more of the Napa Legal Podcast, visit our website here: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org/the-napa-legal-podcast To learn more about Napa Legal and our work, visit us at our website: https://www.napalegalinstitute.org The Napa Legal Podcast, May 14, 2026