The Jim Wallis Podcast

On this episode of the Jim Wallis Podcast, Jim Wallis talks with Maya Wiley, President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, about the Supreme Court decision that weakens the Voting Rights Act and threatens multiracial democracy. Wiley explains See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Jim Wallis Podcast, Jim Wallis speaks with David Cortright, Visiting Scholar at Cornell’s Reppy Institute for Peace and Conflict Studies, about the current crisis with Iran, the fallout from Trump’s decision to torpedo the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), and why war is not the answer. They discuss how the 2015 agreement under the Obama Administration worked, why withdrawal accelerated danger, and why the rhetoric of “just war” collapses when politics, escalation, and civilian suffering take over. Cortright also argues that in the nuclear age, diplomacy is not weakness but the strongest and most moral path forward. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Jim Wallis Podcast, Jim Wallis talks with Kim Daniels and Christopher White of Georgetown about They discuss why They also reflect on the upsurge in Catholic converts, especially among younger people, and what that suggests about the hunger for truth, beauty, mystery, and a more serious faith. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Jim Wallis Podcast, Cathleen Kaveny joins Jim Wallis to explore how Catholic Social Teaching speaks to democracy under pressure. They discuss Kaveny argues that democracy depends on treating people as “co-rulers and co-subjects,” and that Catholics must hold together human dignity, solidarity, subsidiarity, and the common good in both public policy and church witness. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of the Jim Wallis Podcast, Jim Wallis talks with Diana Butler Bass about what she calls “quiet Christianity” waking up in response to authoritarianism, Christian nationalism, and the Trump administration’s policies. They explore how mainline Protestant churches, especially in places like Minnesota, are moving from inward debate to public courage through accompaniment, immigration advocacy, and solidarity with vulnerable neighbors. Bass argues that democracy is sustained not only by elections and institutions but by local acts of love, truth-telling, and moral witness rooted in the Gospel. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Veteran journalist and former public television host Ray Suarez joins Jim Wallis to unpack how decades of deregulation and consolidation brought us to a media landscape dominated by a handful of billionaires and hedge funds. Suarez traces the shift from the days when “most adults in America saw at least part of a network newscast every day” and “we knew the same things” to a fractured ecosystem where the Ellison family, Elon Musk, Jeff Bezos, and other moguls increasingly shape what the public knows. He warns that public broadcasting is being “weaponized” through zeroed‑out funding and that “the truth isn’t free… reporters need to be paid,” urging more activist media consumers and new subscription‑style models to sustain independent journalism. Wallis connects this to a shared vocation of truth‑telling in journalism and the church, insisting that for people of faith, defending a free and independent press is a core democracy and discipleship issue. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Haitian Bridge Alliance co‑founder Guerline Jozef joins Jim Wallis to explain why Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Haiti is literally a matter of life and death for hundreds of thousands of families. Speaking after their protest at the Supreme Court, she warns, “Haiti cannot receive half a million people… Haiti cannot receive two people. Haiti cannot receive anyone right now because the conditions on the ground make it impossible.” Rooted in her calling as a Haitian American Christian, Jozef insists, “We reject the idea that our communities must constantly justify their right to live, to work, to be safe,” and calls U.S. churches to be “the light and the salt right now” by standing with Haitian TPS holders in prayer, policy, and concrete support.​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Scholar Matthew D. Taylor joins Jim Wallis to unpack the New Apostolic Reformation (NAR)—self‑styled apostles/prophets whose “spiritual warfare” and Seven Mountains dominionism sacralize Trump and fuel war enthusiasm. Taylor reveals how NAR sees Iran as ruled by demonic "territorial spirits" like the biblical "Prince of Persia." NAR also teaches that Christians must seize control of society's seven key areas: 1) Education, 2) Religion, 3) Family, 4) Business, 5) Government/Military, 6) Arts/Entertainment, and 7) Media. In response, Taylor urges Jesus‑shaped resistance: "The Gospel of Jesus Christ… is not a gospel of empire." See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Palestinian Christian lawyer and Friends of Sabeel North America director Jonathan Kuttab joins Jim Wallis to unpack more than two years of "devastating war in Gaza," the new Iran conflict, and U.S. policy tangled with Kushner–Witkoff–Trump business interests. Kuttab warns Israel's actions in Gaza shattered 70 years of international law: "Gaza broke all these rules," opening doors to global impunity. Amid empire's open embrace of power over humanity, he urges churches to reject violence and choose costly nonviolence: "Nonviolence requires resources, discipline, training, organization, and sacrifices."​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Leadership expert and former Medtronic CEO Bill George joins Jim Wallis to talk about what he calls “the most difficult time to be a leader” in his lifetime, as Minneapolis faces an “invasion… of 3,000 ICE agents.” He describes children being taken off the streets, small businesses forced to close, and thousands of neighbors peacefully stepping up to protect one another. Jim and Bill explore what “true north” leadership looks like in this crisis, why “the test of any leader is what you do in a crisis,” and how ordinary people are being called to lead with “purpose, values, and courage” in the face of fear and intimidation. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode, we pause the usual programming to ask a deeper question: what does it really mean for believers to answer God’s call in this cultural moment? We’ll introduce The Call for Christians, share why it matters, and invite you to consider how your faith can shape your public life in tangible, hopeful ways. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

John Carr joins Jim Wallis to look back on five decades at the intersection of faith, politics, Catholic social teaching, and public life. From working with bishops, presidents, and popes to launching Georgetown’s Initiative on Catholic Social Thought and Public Life, John has spent 50 years helping people connect what they say they believe with what they do in the world.​ He tells stories of pressing President Obama with Matthew 25 to protect “the least of these,” explains why human dignity, solidarity, and the common good offer an alternative to our “deeply broken, almost meltdown” politics, and proposes replacing a “sanity caucus” with a dignity caucus that puts the image of God at the center of public life. John also speaks candidly about surviving clergy sexual abuse, living 20 years in recovery from alcoholism, and what the serenity prayer, community, and Catholic social teaching have taught him about vocation, conversion, and courage in this moment.​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Wallis focuses on Springfield, Ohio, where Haitian families who fled insecurity and disaster now face He speaks with Pastor Carl Ruby of Central Christian Church and Viles Dorenville of the Haitian Community Help and Support Center about how Haitian neighbors have Together they explore faith‑rooted resistance, neighbor love in practice, and how Springfield’s story can guide churches and communities across the country to stand with immigrants.​ If you would like to support the Haitian Support Center, please go to https://haitiansupportcenter.org/ and click on donate. See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Jim Wallis talks with Minnesotan civic leader and Beacon Interfaith Housing Collaborative CEO Chris LaTondresse about how neighbors are stepping up amid ICE crackdowns, killings, and the climate of fear in Minnesota. From overnight vigils and mutual aid to churches inside security perimeters, they explore what it means to “bear witness,” follow a higher law of loving our neighbors, and resist the normalization of cruelty and lies. Chris reflects on raising his sons just blocks from active enforcement, his formation as a missionary kid in post-Soviet Russia, and why Minnesota has become “the beating heart of the nation” in the struggle for truth, decency, and democracy. Together, they invite people of faith and conscience everywhere to reclaim civic trust, rebuild community, and remember that “we the people” — not any political party or charismatic leader — will save America by showing up for one another.​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Welcome back to the Jim Wallis Podcast. Today we're focusing on Maine, where the threat of ICE operations is growing under the second Trump administration. The same federal enforcement that has disrupted communities and resulted in unlawful detentions and even death of civilians and legal residents now looms over a state known for tight-knit towns and neighbors who look out for each other.​ Jim talks with Billy Shore, founder of Share Our Strength, the No Kid Hungry campaign, and the host of the Add Passion and Stir podcast, who lives in Maine and serves as a volunteer firefighter. Billy describes the “tremendous amount of trepidation” across Maine, the state’s long history of immigrant welcome, and how ICE raids would be “a completely unnecessary, self-inflicted injury.” They discuss how federal tactics undermine school meals and summer grocery benefits, erode trust in first responders, and make “life harder for just about everybody in these communities”—and why now is the time to be “civil but not silent.”​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Minnesota is mourning. These days, Minnesota has become ground zero in a national immigration battle, with ICE deployments escalating under the second Trump administration. Just days ago, a community volunteer observer, Renee Nicole Goode, was shot and killed by an ICE agent while aiding immigrants, unleashing both heartbreak and “absolute terror and chaos” in immigrant communities.​ Lt. Governor Peggy Flanagan, running for the U.S. Senate, joins Jim Wallis to explain what is happening on the ground, how Minnesotans and multi-faith leaders are responding, and why she calls this a Matthew 25 moment. She contrasts that faith-rooted resistance with the politics of mass deportations, including her critique of Rep. Angie Craig’s vote for the Laken Riley Act and Democrats who “praise ICE” while immigrants are being kidnapped from school graduations.​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

On this episode of The Jim Wallis Podcast, Jim speaks with theologian and extremism expert Matthew D. Taylor about why Epiphany is a season of revelation that exposes both divine light and political lies. Together, they connect the Magi story, Herod’s tyranny, and the “slaughter of the innocents” to January 6, the second Trump administration, ICE violence, and the rise of White Christian Nationalism. They explore why Jesus’ incarnation is God “living under tyranny with us,” how the kingdom of God directly subverts empires, and why theology must be part of resisting authoritarianism in the United States and around the world.​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Christian ethicist David Gushee joins Jim Wallis for a sobering Advent conversation on moral empathy in an age of school shootings, antisemitic violence, and Trump’s callous public rhetoric. They discuss the Hanukkah massacre in Australia, the Brown University shooting, Trump’s vile response to the murder of Rob Reiner and Michelle Singer, the rise of authoritarian reactionary Christianity, and how to resist moral numbness while practicing “healthy politics” and Kingdom-of-God ethics in a deeply polarized nation.​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

In this episode of the Jim Wallis Podcast, Jim is joined by Rev. Gabriel Salguero, president of the National Latino Evangelical Coalition, to talk about the Advent Welcome: Immigration Solidarity Initiative. They discuss how Latino and immigrant churches are facing indiscriminate immigration enforcement, why attendance in some congregations has dropped by up to 40 percent, and how pastors are responding with prayer, accompaniment, advocacy, and a renewed theology of hospitality rooted in the Christmas story. Rev. Salguero shares powerful stories from congregations across the country, explains why “hospitality is not optional for Christians,” and invites churches to practice “room at the inn” to welcome this Advent through concrete actions for immigrant families.​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Presiding Bishop Michael Curry joins Jim Wallis for a powerful Advent conversation on “patient impatience” — acting boldly for justice without believing we are in charge of history. They explore how Advent fuels long‑distance courage in the Trump era–from the parable of the persistent widow and slave‑preacher wisdom–to today’s struggles for democracy, racial justice, and a deeper revolutionary spirituality rooted in love.​ See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.