In this episode, we discuss the domestic and international implications of President Trumps first 75 days of his second term of office. Since his return we have see the reimplementation of the Muslim ban in America, the reestablishment of the White House Faith Office, the creation of the Task Force to Combat Anti-Christian Bias, as well as sweeping anti DEI initiatives that impact domestic and international trade/cooperation. Many of these initiatives and executive orders have resulted in massive shifts in policy and practice, leading to a general sense of loss, confusion, dislocation, and depression. These are to topics discussed in the podcast, as well as the ways religious and educational institutions are able to find hope in these times of anxiety and uncertainty.

Book recommendations:

Katongole, Emmanuel, Born from Lament: The Theology and Politics of Hope in Africa. WmB. Eerdmans Publishing Co. 2017.

https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467446983/born-from-lament/

Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig.

Edited by Kirk Sandvig

Published by Hidden Wave Productions

In this episode, we get into the rhetoric and ideology used in the 2024 election. We discuss former president Trump's comparison to a controversial messiah figure similar to Cyrus, the calling for Christian/White Nationalism, the American people's frustration with current and former power systems, as well as the roles religion, gender, ethnicity, and identity have played and will play in political discussions, regardless of who will win the presidency.

References:

NPR segment - https://www.npr.org/2024/01/26/1227070827/a-video-making-the-rounds-online-depicts-trump-as-a-messiah-like-figure

World Values Survey - https://www.worldvaluessurvey.org/WVSDocumentationWV1.jsp

Isabel Wilkerson - Caste

Kristin Kobes Du Mez - Jesus and John Wayne

Music by Caleb, Aiden, and Kirk Sandvig

Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig.

Edited by Kirk Sandvig

Published by Hidden Wave Productions

Rev. Dr. Carver Pace helps us navigate the positives and negatives of maintaining online spaces for religious institutions. Since the Pandemic, religious institutions have been forced into the deep waters of not only increasing their online presence through virtual services, online giving, and digital prayer requests, but also hold responsibility to ensure this information stays safe and secure. This can be especially difficult for older populations and communities where internet access and technological know-how is limited. Having the right people and tools in place can make navigating these online spaces more inviting, safe, and secure. Rev. Dr. Pace shares with us his research and experience to make this possible.

Music by Kirk, Aiden and Caleb Sandvig.

Edited by Kirk Sandvig

Published by Hidden Wave Productions