The Church Politics Podcast

Justin, Cory and Hannah Heck discuss what their ideal candidates would be like. They also discuss whether Christian leaders should stay away from the White House and teen takeovers. Show Notes: https://nypost.com/2026/04/02/us-news/little-known-nyc-charter-school-with-22-homeless-rate-wins-state-chess-championship/?utm_campaign=nypost&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Senator Jaha Howard, and Cory Ruth discuss why Christians need to lead in this moment in America. They also talk about AI teachers and HBCU grants. Show Notes: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/24/us/san-francisco-public-schools-algebra.html?unlocked_article_code=1.WFA.LQzH.Qhua1ea54_6F&smid=url-share https://x.com/JohnFea1/status/2037353023123431504?s=20 https://blockclubchicago.org/2026/03/25/an-ai-elementary-school-with-no-teachers-to-open-in-chicago-this-fall/ https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/us/politics/melania-trump-robot.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share https://www.al.com/politics/2026/03/hbcus-get-1-of-fed-research-dollars-bipartisan-bill-from-sen-katie-britt-aims-to-change-that.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Senator Howard, and Cory Ruth discuss the chaos at American airports due to TSA funding. They also discuss the SAVE America Act and the Iran War. Justin also remembers John M. Perkins Show Notes: https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/iran-war-us-israel-trump-03-23-26 https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/mar/23/airport-tsa-lines-trump-save-america-act-explained https://www.11alive.com/article/travel/atlanta-regional-travel-bus-train-drive-airport-security-lines/85-379bcd80-1eff-4e40-a64d-45c3b6d5a2a9 https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/03/john-perkins-life-facing-death-civil-rights-history/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Senator Howard, and Cory Ruth discuss whether or not Trump will be impeached if Republicans lose the primaries and if America has gone too far in Iran. They also discuss Christians and the Democratic Party. Show Notes: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/14/opinion/iran-war-trump.html https://www.npr.org/2026/03/12/nx-s1-5742566/senate-bipartisan-housing-bill-investors-ban https://www.clickondetroit.com/news/local/2026/03/03/michigan-state-rep-karen-whitsett-says-she-wont-run-for-office-again-due-to-christian-faith/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Senator Howard discuss new evidence suggesting US bioweapons started the Lyme Disease outbreak. They also talk about self-righteousness among American partisans and the Atlanta Hawks' partnership with a strip club. Show Notes:https://x.com/RandPaul/status/2029229097667219716?s=20https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2026/03/06/americans-immoral-unethical-survey/https://x.com/ThomasMoreSoc/status/2028619045818225019?s=20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Senator Howard, and Chris discuss the Iran War, criticism of John Piper for quoting Scripture, and AI. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses why Christians can't give up on each other. He also talks about Gavin Newsom's comments in Atlanta and the US Supreme Court's tariff decision. Show Notes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=34H4PbeRlY4 https://www.scotusblog.com/2026/02/a-breakdown-of-the-courts-tariff-decision/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin addresses his interview with Sojourners. Show Notes: https://journals.physiology.org/doi/full/10.1152/japplphysiol.00615.2024 https://youtu.be/lxR78esqpEQ?si=NuYc4_K0yVdBapyc Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Cory, and Jaha discuss Trump's social media post demeaning the Obamas. They also discuss several aspects of the Epstein documents and answer if empathy is a thing. Show Notes: https://x.com/matthewstoller/status/2018388941389373748?s=46 https://youtu.be/28LEvzCt9Rk?si=S7_j-eMN8OWYDX_v https://x.com/albertmohler/status/2018806756676096037?s=46 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, Justin sits down with Carl H. Nelson, President and CEO of Transform Minnesota, and Yonathan Moya, Executive Director of Border Perspective, to unpack what’s happening right now in Minnesota and the Twin Cities and it’s impact on the local communities. They talk through ICE activity and immigration enforcement on the ground, what everyday residents are experiencing, and what faith leaders and local communities are doing in response. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Senator Howard discuss Trump's turn on immigration enforcement in Minneapolis. This also talk about Christians losing hope because of politics and why people with graduate degrees are more likely to say violence is necessary for social change. Show Notes: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/25/opinion/ice-rage-identity.html?unlocked_article_code=1.HFA.Ps6k.CFaIOG-xPZfR&smid=nytcore-ios-share https://x.com/SkepResCenter/status/2015647106694791618?s=20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Senator Howard and Cory Ruth discuss Dr. King's legacy as applied to today's issues. They also discuss racism vs. responsibility and Trump's Greenland moves. Show Notes: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/01/risking-legacy-civil-rights-generation-mlk-christian-activism/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=post&utm_campaign=article https://x.com/BobWoodson/status/2012515146992697614?s=20 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses the ICE shooting in Minneapolis. He also talks about the congressional Republicans that defied Trump and what should happen politically in 2026. Show Notes: https://www.cnn.com/2026/01/08/politics/war-powers-vote-trump-venezuela-senate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses the theological and ideological drift of many Christians over the past few years. He also talks about where he and the AND Campaign stand theologically and on the issues. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jaha, and Cory discuss the massive fraud that occurred in Minneapolis and the political and racial implications. They also discuss Rep. Jasmine Crockett getting into the Texas Senate primary and their favorite Christmas song and movie. Show Notes: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/us/fraud-minnesota-somali.html https://www.notus.org/senate/jasmine-crockett-nrsc-texas-senate Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jaha, and Cory discuss Trump Derangement Syndrome and how it's affected their family and friends. They also talk about Michael Lind's article on how Trump has remade conservatism and political tribes. Show Notes: https://www.wsj.com/opinion/is-trump-derangement-syndrome-real-a603e4a1?st=15Vz4N&reflink=desktopwebshare_permalink https://unherd.com/2025/11/how-trump-remade-conservatism/ https://yourpoliticaltribe.com/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jaha, and Cory discuss the government shutdown and which side is winning. They also talk about the role of economics in politics and Marjorie Taylor Greene's problem with the Republican Party.Show Notes: https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/bad-night-democrats-face-blowback-party-shutdown-deal/story?id=127379532 https://www.theamericansaga.com/p/the-2025-election-proves-that-the?utm_campaign=post&utm_medium=web https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5600663-mtg-greene-trump-health-care-syria/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Chris, and Michael unpack the ongoing culture wars and explore how Christians can engage faithfully—balancing conviction with compassion in a divided world. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jaha, and Hannah discuss David Brooks' article about red states outpacing blue states in education. They also discuss James Talarico and Trump's Gaza deal.Show Notes: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/10/09/opinion/democrats-education-failure.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare https://www.politico.com/news/2025/08/21/james-talarico-miriam-adelson-billionaire-donations-00517288 https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj3yke64vp6o Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Jaha talk about Dr. Alan Noble's article on a post-literate culture and how that impacts Christian discernment. They also discuss Gaza and how AI data centers are raising energy costs for Americans. Show Notes: What Does a Post-Literate Culture Look Like? https://www.bloomberg.com/graphics/2025-ai-data-centers-electricity-prices/ https://www.cnn.com/world/live-news/israel-gaza-hamas-trump-10-05-25 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jaha, and Cory discuss the importance of taking unpopular positions when principles are at stake. They also talk about the Jimmy Kimmel debacle and shout out Memphis Mayor Paul Young. Show Notes: https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/congress/rand-paul-fcc-chair-comments-absolutely-inappropriate-jimmy-kimmel-rcna232703 https://youtu.be/u3IGa1mrCKQ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Cory, and Jaha discuss reactions to the assassination of Charlie Kirk. They also talk about a Christlike path forward. Show Notes: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/14/opinion/charlie-kirk-assassination-ideology.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Cory, and Dr. Howard discuss the fact that President Obama deported far more people than President Trump and the differences in their immigration approaches. They also talk about the latest Job's Report and Cory's appearance on CNN.Show Notes:https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/poll-americans-oppose-political-parties-drawing-election-lines-rcna229257https://www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/us/politics/trump-jobs-report-tariffs-deportations.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleSharehttps://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-56491941 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Rising drug costs, persistent shortages, and a maze of middlemen—how do we fix America’s medicine market without losing innovation or access? In this episode, Justin Giboney sits down with Emily Lampkin of thePharmaceutical Reform Alliance to unpack practical, bipartisan pathways for pharmaceutical reform and what faithful civic engagement can look like for churches and communities. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin, Jaha, and Cory discuss the pressure people are under to act more progressive in academia and professional class circles. They also discuss mandatory mental health screenings for kids and Meta chatbots flirting with children. Show Notes: https://thehill.com/opinion/education/5446702-performative-virtue-signaling-has-become-a-threat-to-higher-ed/ https://www.cbsnews.com/chicago/news/gov-pritzker-signs-requiring-mental-health-screenings-schools/ https://www.thefp.com/p/abigail-shrier-stop-asking-kids-if https://mchb.hrsa.gov/sites/default/files/mchb/data-research/nsch-data-brief-adolescent-mental-behavioral-health-2023.pdf Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Dr. Jaha Howard discuss Pete Buttigieg's dismal numbers in the Black community. They also discuss why Christians must critique their own party and lab-grown meat. Show Notes:https://thehill.com/homenews/administration/5444990-zelensky-trump-putin-possible-alaska-meeting/https://stateline.org/2025/06/30/texas-becomes-seventh-state-to-ban-lab-grown-meat/https://youtu.be/qQKNjhq29qI?si=VYD0PVzeNi6tLI5z Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Just talks to Cory and Jaha about eight political tribes in the American electorate. They also discuss Michael Wear's new article in UnHerd and Charlie Kirk's answer to a question about Trump and the fruit of the spirit. ShowNotes:https://echeloninsights.com/tribes/https://hiddentribes.us/https://unherd.com/2025/07/will-democrats-defend-society/?lang=ushttps://x.com/aprilspark1890/status/1950278328184619011?s=46&t=QIXD2eZx9xXe5eDxKKUDPg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Cory Ruth discuss what ideology can do to Christian compassion and resilience. They also talk about bipartisan gerrymandering efforts and Trump trying to compel the Washington Commanders to change their name back to Redskins. Show Notes: https://www.pbs.org/newshour/politics/democrats-future-crisis-the-biggest-states-that-back-them-are-shrinkinghttps://www.espn.com/espn/story/_/id/45783141/trump-calls-commanders-guardians-reverse-name-changes Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin argues with Dr. Jaha Howard and Cory Ruth about whether or not churches should endorse candidates for political office. They also discuss MAGA and the Epstein client list and whether they prefer to be called Black or African American. Show Notes: https://x.com/mattwalshblog/status/1944381728522408079?s=46&t=QIXD2eZx9xXe5eDxKKUDPg https://www.nytimes.com/2025/07/10/opinion/african-american-language-label-mamdani.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses the passage of the Big Beautiful Bill and how it convinced Elon Musk to create a new political party. He also talks about Christian politicians choosing self-preservation over their convictions and the floods in Texas. Show Notes: https://www.yahoo.com/news/maddow-blog-gop-josh-hawley-162502497.html https://www.cbsnews.com/news/house-vote-big-beautiful-bill-rules-committee/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses some of the latest Supreme Court decisions. He also talks about the prospects of a Muslim mayor of NYC and Peter Thiel interview with Ross Douthat about the Antichrist. Show Notes: https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/07/politics/amy-coney-barrett-maga-backlash https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/opinion/peter-thiel-antichrist-ross-douthat.html Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and guest hosts Dr. Jaha Howard and Cory Ruth discuss the Iran interview between Carlson and Cruz. They also talk about the National Baptist Convention accepting $300,000 from Target and ChatGPT being linked to cognitive decline. Show Notes: https://thehill.com/policy/technology/5360220-chatgpt-use-linked-to-cognitive-decline-mit-research/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses the different perspectives about America getting involved in the war between Iran and Israel. He also discusses the shooting of a Minnesota policymaker. Show Notes:https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/jun/16/israel-iran-conflict-what-we-know-so-far-explainerhttps://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/suspect-terrorized-minnesotas-political-leaders-deadly-shooting-found-rcna213181 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses Democrats' problem with male voters and the top 10 contenders for the presidential nomination. He also talks about AI blackmailing people. Show Notes: https://www.theamericansaga.com/p/democrats-need-to-realize-its-not https://youtu.be/m5tUays_Vf0?si=4bGfINP6kvFsbm2K https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5256736-2028-democratic-contenders-rankings/ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and Dr. Jaha Howard talk about the state of race on social media. They also discuss why the pursuit of Christian unity is always an imperative. Show Notes: https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/woman-called-black-child-slur-raised-backlash-thousands-121576616 https://www.cnn.com/2025/05/06/us/rodney-hinton-jr-cincinnati-denied-bond Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and special guest Cory Ruth talk about how the right and left seem to blame everything on each other. They also discuss our inability to laugh at ourselves. Show Notes: https://www.theamericansaga.com/p/comedy-is-a-great-antidote-to-racism?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=2780093&post_id=162347568&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=bg0gz&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses the tax plan that President Trump and congressional Republicans are drafting. He also touches on the Democratic Party's treatment of a young, independent-thinking politician. Show Notes: https://www.politico.com/news/2025/04/27/republicans-sprint-to-wrap-up-trumps-tax-bill-00311806 https://www.thefp.com/p/young-black-democrat-dubbed-puppet?utm_medium=organic-social Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses who Christians should frame the Israel/Palestine war. He also talks about freedom of speech and the UK Supreme Court decision saying that sex is binary and what defines a woman is based on biological sex. Show Notes: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/04/16/us/politics/trump-israel-iran-nuclear.html https://x.com/charliekirk11/status/1912566643856937203 https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2024/04/02/younger-americans-stand-out-in-their-views-of-the-israel-hamas-war/ https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c74z04j23pwo Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin talks about racial tensions in America and how we can address them without bias, dishonestly, and pride. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin and special guest Dr. Jaha Howard discuss whether or not protest is still effective. They also talk about due process for non-citizens.Show Notes:https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/3/29/tufts-university-student-cant-be-deported-to-turkiye-without-court-orderhttps://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/trump-asks-supreme-court-for-permission-to-resume-deporting-venezuelan-migrants-under-wartime-law Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Description: Justin discusses Trump's dismantling of the Department of Education. He talks about the history, what the department actually does, and what the implications of Trump's changes will be. Show Notes: https://time.com/7270145/what-does-the-department-of-education-do/ https://www.nea.org/nea-today/all-news-articles/how-dismantling-department-education-would-harm-students https://www.heritage.org/education/commentary/the-department-education-making-great-case-its-own-abolition Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin talks to Republican Cory Ruth about Senator Chuck Schumer's decision to support the Republican spending bill instead of causing a government shutdown. Justin also speaks with Dr. Ed Uszynski about his book Untangling Critical Race Theory. Show Notes: https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/16/politics/cnn-poll-democrats/index.html https://x.com/ryangirdusky/status/1901273724554219949?s=46&t=QIXD2eZx9xXe5eDxKKUDPg https://x.com/jburnmurdoch/status/1900537267308937416?s=46&t=QIXD2eZx9xXe5eDxKKUDPg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses our need to feel like someone is fighting on our behalf and where that can lead us. He also talks about Bernie Sanders' "Stop the Oligarchy" Tour and Ben Shapiro asking Trump to pardon the officer who killed George Floyd. Show Notes: https://time.com/7266280/bernie-sanders-trump-resistance-rally/ https://www.cnn.com/2025/03/06/us/derek-chauvin-pardon-ben-shapiro/index.html https://x.com/ilibertybelle/status/1897738067303448886?s=46&t=QIXD2eZx9xXe5eDxKKUDPg Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin discusses how conservatism is trending among young Christians. Is that a good thing? He also talks about Elon Musk and the King Trump magazine cover. Show Notes: https://x.com/ryanburge/status/1892616868059345269 https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/10/us/catholic-priests-conservative-politics.html https://www.newsweek.com/white-house-donald-trump-king-time-2033574 Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin talks about how the Trump administration's mass deportation efforts are impacting churches. He also discusses JD Vance's speech in Munich and the conversation around Elon Musk's 13th child.Show Notes: https://www.usccb.org/news/2025/human-dignity-not-dependent-persons-citizenship-or-immigration-statushttps://www.newsweek.com/thousands-sign-petition-ice-raids-2031157https://www.law.georgetown.edu/icap/wp-content/uploads/sites/32/2025/02/Mennonite-Church-USA-v.-U.S.-Department-of-Homeland-Security-Complaint.pdfhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cbIp--HGxO8&t=4161s Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Justin interviews Clare Morell about the First Things' "New Technology Agenda for the Right". He also talks with Dr. Jaha Howard about USAID and the consequences of social media posts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices