680: Cancelling Colbert, Starving Gaza, & American Charisma
CBS has cancelled the top-rated late-night talk show. Was it really a financial decision, or was it done to get the Trump administration to approve a corporate merger? And will Stephen Colbert now come on the Holy Post? Horrific images of starvation are coming out of Gaza as pressure builds on the Israeli government to end the war, but when does pro-Palestinian activism cross the line into antisemitism? Historian Molly Wrothen’s new book, “Spellbound,” explains how charismatic political and religious movements have shaped America, and why they depend more on a compelling story than a persuasive leader. Also this week— Phil is back from his European vacation with stories of schnitzel and chicken dancing. Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview with Molly Worthen: https://www.patreon.com/posts/135231773/ Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/135245929/ 0:00 - Show Starts 2:30 - Theme Song 2:50 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/holypost 3:55 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Brooklyn Bedding is offering up to 25% off sitewide for our listeners! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/holypost 5:04 - Phil’s Chicken Dance Adventure 15:05 - Colbert Cancelled? 24:21 - Antisemitism and Protesting Israel 42:43 - Sponsor - Poncho - If you’ve been looking for the perfect shirt—something breathable, fits great, feels even better, and stands out in a good way—give Poncho a try. Get $10 off your first order by using this link: https://www.ponchooutdoors.com/holypost 44:23 - Interview 47:50 - Building vs Destroying Institutions 58:56 - What Charismatic Movements Succeed? 1:09:45 - Charismatic Leader vs Charismatic Story 1:16:00 - Secular yet Spiritual 1:23:19 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Holding Israel accountable isn’t antisemtic—harming Jews is: https://religionnews.com/2025/07/16/holding-israel-accountable-isnt-antisemitic-harming-jews-is/ Other Resources: Spellboard: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump: https://a.co/d/4IWVyNX Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
--------
1:23:52
--------
1:23:52
679: Individualism, Transhumanism, & Learning from Abolitionists with Daniel Lee Hill
Why is our society so fractured and angry? David Brooks’ recent article draws from the work of moral philosopher Alasdair MacIntyre to explain how we got here, but what is the solution? With the growth of A.I., some Christians think technology may be how God redeems humanity and gives us eternal life. But is this still Christianity or a strange new Silicon Valley heresy? Kaitlyn talks to Daniel Lee Hill about his latest book, “Bearing Witness: What the Church Can Learn from Early Abolitionists.” Also this week—dolphins learn to puff the magic fish. Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134724718/ 0:00 - Show Starts 2:05 - Theme Song 2:27 - Sponsor - World Relief - Join The Path as a monthly partner with World Relief! https://www.worldrelief.org/ 3:30 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware! 4:55 - Dolphins High Off Pufferfish Toxins 10:15 - David Brooks on Moral Philosophy 36:36 - Transhuminist Christians 52:20 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month 53:20 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout. 54:16 - Interview 56:12 - Why Write Bearing Witness? 1:03:40 - What Do We Learn from Abolitionists? 1:19:23 - Communal History in the Church 1:29:46 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Dolphins Doing Drugs: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/smart-news/dolphins-seem-to-use-toxic-pufferfish-to-get-high-180948219/ David Brooks Article on Moral Philosophy: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/07/trump-administration-supporters-good/683441/ Russell Moore on AI and God: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/07/image-god-ai-era-artificial-intelligence-russell-moore/ Other Resources: Bearing Witness: What the Church Can Learn from Early Abolitionists by Daniel Lee Hill: https://a.co/d/8SrFKpm Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
--------
1:28:25
--------
1:28:25
678: Is Gen Z Having a Religious Revival? with Ryan Burge
The IRS has decided churches are no longer prohibited from endorsing political candidates. Is this a win for free speech or a reason for some churches to become even more partisan? The Department of Homeland Security has released a creepy new promotional video that uses the Bible to frame border security as a mission from God. The Christian who gave George W. Bush the idea of “compassionate conservatism” says the passing of the Big Beautiful Bill marks the end of an era for the GOP. Professor Ryan Burge is back with data about the religious outlook of Gen Z. Some see evidence of a revival, but Burge says it’s probably wishful thinking. Also this week, animal fashion news: chimp drip edition. World Relief: https://worldrelief.org/advocate/ Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview with Ryan Burge: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134198348/ Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/134204161/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:22 - Theme Song 3:44 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 4:48 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order 5:55 - Chimp Fashion! 12:56 - Christian in Government with PEPFAR 16:07 - The Johnson Amendment 29:24 - Bible Verse in an ICE Recruitment Ad 40:59 - Why Is the Church So Libertarian? 55:33 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month 56:42 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 58:00 - Interview 1:00:45 - Why Are They Saying It’s a “Revival?” 1:09:05 - Can Revival Be Predicted? 1:16:50 - Church and Loneliness 1:29:46 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Chimps and Grassy Fashion! https://www.iflscience.com/chimps-are-sticking-grass-in-their-ears-and-rears-as-they-embrace-pointless-fad-79910 Other Resources: Ryan Burge’s Article on Gen Z Revival: https://www.graphsaboutreligion.com/p/is-there-a-religious-revival-occurring Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
--------
1:30:18
--------
1:30:18
677: Ending PEPFAR & Why the Self-Esteem Movement Failed with Sharon Hodde Miller
When George W. Bush created the PEPFAR program in 2003, it was celebrated by evangelical leaders and has saved more than 26 million lives in Africa from HIV/AIDS. So why weren’t evangelicals outraged when Donald Trump killed PEPFAR, which has already resulted in over 75,000 deaths since January? Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn unpack the arguments for and against PEPFAR, and how evangelical support for “small government” only applies to some programs. Then, Katilyn talks to Sharon Hodde Miller about what the self-esteem movement gets wrong about insecurity, and how we can recover the Christian virtue of service and self-forgetfulness. Also this week, rotten butter ants invade Europe. Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview with Rachel Martin: https://www.patreon.com/posts/133604080/ Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/133671224/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:22 - Theme Song 3:45 - Sponsor - Blueland - Get up to 25% off your first order by going to https://www.Blueland.com/HOLYPOST 4:50 - Sponsor - Sundays Dog Food - Get 40% off your first order of Sundays. Go to https://www.SundaysForDogs.com/HOLYPOST or use code HOLYPOST at checkout. 5:58 - Stinky Ants in Europe! 11:41 - PEPFAR and Evangelicals 21:00 - Spiritual Formation of Small Government Politics 25:35 - Addressing Anti-PEPFAR arguments 48:55 - Sponsor - Policy Genius - Secure your family’s tomorrow so you have peace of mind today. Go to https://www.policygenius.com/HOLYPOST to find the right life insurance for you 50:12 - Interview 55:54 - Insecurity and Ministry 1:08:20 - The Emptiness of Self-Esteem 1:14:30 - Transactional Relationships 1:25:14 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Super Ants Invade! https://www.thetimes.com/world/europe/article/super-ants-germany-8wp8n83zm Why Evangelicals Turned Their Back on PEPFAR: https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2025/07/pepfar-evangelical/683418/ Other Resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
--------
1:25:48
--------
1:25:48
676: Classroom Culture Wars & the Spirituality of Secular America with Rachel Martin
With Phil on vacation, Kaitlyn and Esau join Skye to talk about the Supreme Court’s ruling that public schools must allow students to opt out of gender or sexuality content that may contradict the religious beliefs of their families. At the same time, more Americans say public schools should hire chaplains to offer spiritual guidance to students. With schools increasingly becoming the front line in the culture war, can public education survive? Then, Skye talks to Rachel Martin, the co-creator of NPR’s Wild Card podcast and former host of Morning Edition, about what she’s learned from interviewing artists, actors, and activists about their beliefs. She offers an intriguing glimpse into the spirituality of secular America. Also this week—the internet is full of bad advice about “toxic” relationships. Use Promo Code “Book” to get 20% off your first subscription to Holy Post Plus! Holy Post Plus: Bonus Interview with Rachel Martin: https://www.patreon.com/posts/133035879/ Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/133029177/ 0:00 - Show Starts 2:30 - Theme Song 2:50 - Sponsor - Glorify - Sign up for the #1 Christian Daily Devotional App to help you stay focused on God. Go to https://glorify-app.com/en/HOLYPOST to download the app today! 3:55 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 5:02 - LGBTQ Schoolbook Opt-Outs 27:12 - Who’s Toxic? 35:18 - Did We Jettison Forgiveness? 47:16 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 48:35 - Sponsor - BetterHelp - This episode is sponsored by BetterHelp. Give online therapy a try at https://www.betterhelp.com/HOLYPOST and get 10% off your first month 49:45 - Interview 55:00 - Staying Informed without Burnout 59:30 - Rachel’s Spiritual Background 1:13:52 - The Wild Card podcast and Spirituality 1:27:32 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Court’s Ruling on Parents Opting Out of LGBTQ books in Schools: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/27/us/politics/supreme-court-lgbtq-books.html Majority of Americans Support Chaplains in Schools: https://www.foxnews.com/media/majority-adults-support-religious-chaplains-public-schools-new-report-shows Other Resources: Holy Post website: https://www.holypost.com/ Holy Post Plus: www.holypost.com/plus Holy Post Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/holypost Holy Post Merch Store: https://www.holypost.com/shop The Holy Post is supported by our listeners. We may earn affiliate commissions through links listed here. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases.
Join VeggieTales and What's in the Bible? creator Phil Vischer and co-host Skye Jethani (author, speaker, pastor) for a fast-paced and often funny conversation about pop culture, media, theology, and the fun, fun, fun of living a thoughtful Christian life in an increasingly post-Christian culture.
New Zealand