The Common Good Podcast

What role should faith play in a pluralistic democracy?  Vote Common Good is hosting an online conversation for faith leaders to reflect deeply on the relationship between faith, political power, and democratic responsibility. As religious nationalism and Christian nationalism continue to shape public life, this gathering creates space for thoughtful, non-partisan engagement rather than sound bites or pressure.  Featuring Texas State Representative and U.S. Senate candidate James Talarico, the event invites clergy and faith leaders to consider how faith can inform public life without being weaponized or imposed—and how spiritual leadership matters in this moment.

The Common Good Podcast — Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse sit down for a sobering, urgent conversation about power, fear, and what it means to protect democracy in dangerous times. They discuss the Trump administration’s decision to send masked federal agents into American cities like Minneapolis—actions that blur the line between law enforcement and intimidation, and that have already resulted in the killing of American citizens. Doug and Robb wrestle with the moral, legal, and spiritual implications of a government willing to deploy force against its own people. The conversation also turns global, examining the escalating conflict in Venezuela and how Trump’s approach reveals a broader pattern of abuse of power—at home and abroad. Through it all, they ask the question at the heart of the Common Good: How do people of faith respond when authority is used to dominate rather than serve? A challenging conversation about courage, accountability, and choosing love over fear when it matters most.

Doug and Robb make their 2026 political predictions.  Including a bonus about Trump and Venezuela. 

2025 A Nightmare Year in Review & The Brave Responses On this episode of The Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse reflect on what this year reveals, what it has cost the country, and why people committed to democracy, faith, and the common good cannot look away. This year unfolded as a steady reminder of how damaging the Trump administration has been to democracy, human dignity, and the moral fabric of the country. Month after month brought new controversies—each one reinforcing a pattern of chaos, cruelty, and abuse of power. January began with sweeping tariff announcements that rattled global markets and raised costs for American families, paired with renewed threats against immigrants and asylum seekers. February saw attacks on the free press intensify, with journalists publicly targeted and credibility undermined as retaliation for unfavorable coverage. March brought purges and firings across federal agencies, removing career public servants seen as insufficiently loyal. April escalated attacks on immigrants and refugees, including rhetoric aimed at Muslim and Somali communities that fueled fear and division. May highlighted ongoing ethical scandals, as Trump family business dealings continued to blur the line between public office and private profit. June saw open defiance of court rulings and norms, signaling that the rule of law applied selectively. July brought renewed pressure on prosecutors, judges, and law enforcement officials perceived as obstacles. August exposed fresh revelations tied to the Epstein files, raising disturbing questions about power, protection, and accountability. September featured retaliation against death-row inmates whose sentences had been lawfully commuted, turning justice into vengeance. October continued assaults on democratic institutions, including elections, oversight bodies, and watchdog agencies. November amplified nationalist and authoritarian rhetoric, framing dissent as disloyalty. December closed the year with symbolic and literal damage to democratic norms, including reckless decisions impacting the White House itself and the peaceful transfer of power. Taken together, this was not a series of isolated incidents—it was a sustained pattern. A year defined by grievance over governance, loyalty over law, and power over people. A Year of Courage: Month by Month January At the inauguration, Mariann Edgar Budde, Bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Washington, preached directly to Trump, calling for mercy, humility, and care for the vulnerable—naming moral truth in the presence of power. February Journalists, editors, and independent media organizations pushed back publicly against attacks on the free press, refusing to self-censor despite threats, firings, and intimidation. March Civil rights organizations and state attorneys general filed and advanced court challenges against immigration policies, executive overreach, and retaliatory actions—using the rule of law to slow abuse of power. April Faith leaders across traditions organized prayer vigils, statements, and public witness events defending immigrants and refugees, especially Muslim and Somali communities targeted by administration rhetoric. May Mass nonviolent demonstrations—including renewed No Kings rallies—rejected authoritarianism and the idea that any leader stands above the law. June Judges and career civil servants continued to uphold legal and ethical standards, even as they faced political pressure, proving that institutions still matter when people inside them have courage. July Whistleblowers and former administration officials came forward, testifying, publishing, and speaking publicly about corruption, retaliation, and abuses of power. August Survivors’ advocates and accountability groups demanded transparency around the Epstein files, insisting that wealth and influence not shield wrongdoing. September Abolitionists, clergy, and justice reform advocates spoke out against retaliatory actions toward death-row inmates, reaffirming that mercy and due process are not weaknesses. October Voters, organizers, and election workers defended democratic processes—registering voters, monitoring elections, and countering misinformation at the local level. November Interfaith coalitions and community groups mobilized against nationalist rhetoric, offering a different vision of patriotism rooted in pluralism and shared dignity. December Grassroots organizations closed the year by raising funds, protecting vulnerable communities, and preparing for continued resistance—choosing long-term faithfulness over short-term outrage.

In this episode, with Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse, we dive into the shocking and disturbing details surrounding the latest Epstein file release.   Newly surfaced documents include a deeply troubling letter from Jeffrey Epstein to Larry Nassar, raising urgent questions about power, protection, and the systems that allowed abuse to persist for so long. Doug and Robb unpack what’s actually known, what’s still unclear, and why this moment matters—not just as a headline, but as a window into how institutional silence, influence, and moral failure intersect. This is an honest, sober conversation about accountability, truth-telling, and why confronting uncomfortable facts is essential if we hope to prevent future harm.

In this video, Doug Pagitt of Vote Common Good is joined by Rev. Lori Walke for a conversation about the context, urgency, and lived experiences behind their recent Guardian op-ed, “We’re pastors. The fight against MAGA Christianity starts locally.”   🗣️ What They Discuss Doug Pagitt and Rev. Lori Walke reflect on: •Why they felt compelled, as pastors, to write this op-ed together •How MAGA Christianity shows up in real congregations, local politics, and community life •The spiritual and moral damage caused when Christian faith is fused with authoritarian power •Why resistance to Christian nationalism does not begin on cable news or in Washington, but in local churches, neighborhoods, and relationships •What faithful, grounded, community-based responses actually look like on the ground   📰 About the Op-Ed The Guardian essay draws from their pastoral work and public engagement to name a hard truth: MAGA Christianity is not a distortion happening “somewhere else.” It is being formed, funded, and normalized locally — and it must be challenged locally by people committed to a deeper, more honest expression of Christian faith rooted in love, humility, and justice.   🔗 Read the full op-ed here: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/dec/21/fight-against-maga-christianity   🙏 Thanks for watching If this conversation resonates, consider liking, commenting, and sharing. These are not abstract ideas — they are shaping communities right now and deserve thoughtful, faithful engagement.   #FaithAndPolitics #ChristianNationalism #MAGAChristianity #PastorsSpeak #GuardianOpinion #LocalFaith

In moments of national crisis, leadership is revealed—not by strength of ego, but by depth of empathy. In this episode of The Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse discuss Donald Trump’s repeated inability to lead during moments of struggle and tragedy. From public disasters to personal suffering, we examine how a lack of empathy and a pattern of narcissistic behavior undermine the basic responsibilities of moral and civic leadership. We explore what real leadership requires in times of pain: the capacity to listen, to grieve with others, to take responsibility, and to place the common good above personal grievance or self-promotion. When leaders cannot see beyond themselves, tragedy becomes politicized, wounds deepen, and trust erodes. This conversation is not about partisanship—it’s about character, accountability, and the kind of leadership a healthy democracy depends on, especially when people are hurting. Topics include: • Why empathy is not optional in leadership • How narcissism distorts decision-making during crisis • The moral cost of self-centered leadership • What the common good demands in moments of tragedy

In this week’s episode, Doug and Robb dig into one of the most alarming stretches of the Trump presidency so far. From Trump’s dehumanizing attacks on Somali immigrants to a pair of lethal boat strikes in the Caribbean now raising war-crime concerns, the administration is leaning hard on fear and force while dodging accountability. We unpack Trump’s attempt to seize more control over immigration judges, America’s downgrade in global civic-freedom rankings, and a federal judge’s smackdown of Trump’s unlawful freeze on wind-energy permits. It’s a week that reveals a dangerous governing pattern: escalating fear, expanding executive power, shrinking democracy, and policies that undermine both human dignity and the common good. This is the state of America under Trump in December 2025—and why people of conscience need to stay awake, organized, and engaged.

What happens when a presidential administration treats law as optional and accountability as a threat? In this episode, we take a clear-eyed, fact-based look at the cascading legal, moral, and political crises emerging from the Trump Administration in 2025. Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse break down the three arenas where these dangers are most urgent: 🔹 State Crime – The misuse of government power, the erosion of checks and balances, and the normalization of authoritarian behavior. 🔹 Sex Crimes – The ongoing legal cases, civil findings, and the cultural impact of excusing or minimizing sexual misconduct by powerful leaders. 🔹 War Crimes – Reckless foreign policy moves, threats to international norms, and the destabilization that follows when presidential power goes unchecked. We explore how these patterns affect everyday Americans, the rule of law, vulnerable communities, and the future of democracy. And, as always, we talk about what people of conscience can do—how we can respond with courage, clarity, and a commitment to the common good.

In this episode of The Common Good Podcast, we dig into the documented scandals and alleged corruption that defined the Trump administration and why so many Americans see this moment as unprecedented in modern political history. We reflect on what these past years have revealed about our democracy, the stakes of integrity in public office, and why the coming election represents a critical opportunity for renewal, accountability, and hope. Join us for a candid conversation grounded in our shared belief that the common good is neither partisan nor sectarian—it's the foundation of a healthy democracy.

In today’s episode of the Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse dig into the growing rift inside MAGA world — the public break between Marjorie Taylor Greene and Donald Trump. What does this split really mean? Why is it happening now? And how does it fit into the larger pattern of Republicans, conservatives, and former loyalists quietly (and not-so-quietly) backing away from Trump as his influence weakens? Doug and Robb unpack the political, cultural, and moral implications of this fracture — and why it signals yet another crack in Trump’s once-unified base. If you’re tracking the collapse of Trumpism and the rise of a better way forward for the country, this is a conversation you won’t want to miss.

This is The Common Good Podcast — where faith, politics, and the fight for the soul of our country come together. With Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse talking about the rising resistance to the MAGA movement — a resistance that’s growing stronger in every corner of society. Now that the shutdown is finally over and we’re less than a year from the midterm elections, the opposition to Donald Trump and his enablers isn’t just speaking out — it’s taking action. From churches to city halls, from college campuses to Congress, people of conscience are organizing for the common good. And as the Trump administration sinks even lower — now barring prayer groups from meeting in ICE detention centers — we’re asking: what does moral leadership look like in a time like this? This is where faith meets politics. This is where resistance meets hope. Welcome to The Common Good Podcast.

Voters sent a clear message in yesterday’s elections: Trumpism is losing its grip, and Democrats have the wind at their backs. In this episode of Good Politics, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse break down the results, the trends, and the growing movement of voters choosing hope, compassion, and democracy over fear, lies, and extremism. From local races to national momentum, we’re seeing a turning tide — one powered by people of faith and conscience who believe love belongs in politics. Join us as we unpack what’s next and why the future looks a whole lot brighter for those working for the common good. Join us as we unpack the numbers, expose the nonsense, and highlight the signs of hope for a more just, loving, and democratic America. #VoteCommonGood #Trump #Inflation #Democracy #Faith #Evangelicals #Immigration #CommonGood

Author and scholar Holly Berkley Fletcher joins Doug Pagitt to discuss her new book The Missionary Kids: Unmasking the Myths of White Evangelicalism. Together, they explore how the experiences of missionary kids reveal deeper truths about faith, power, race, and identity within the evangelical movement. A thoughtful conversation about the cost of calling, the myth of multiculturalism, and what honest faith can look like beyond the missionary narrative.

In this episode, we talk about what’s happening right now in America — prices for everyday essentials like gas, groceries, and housing have gone up since last year, and Donald Trump is doing nothing to help everyday Americans. Instead, he’s busy tearing down not only the East Wing of the White House in his bizarre plans, but also the foundations of democracy itself. But there’s hope. A growing number of evangelicals are turning away from MAGA extremism, especially when it comes to compassion and immigration. Faith leaders and voters alike are remembering that loving our neighbor means all our neighbors — not just the ones who look or live like us. Join us as we unpack the numbers, expose the nonsense, and highlight the signs of hope for a more just, loving, and democratic America. #VoteCommonGood #Trump #Inflation #Democracy #Faith #Evangelicals #Immigration #CommonGood

Donald Trump isn’t just the president — he’s trolling the American people. In this episode, the Common Good Podcast team unpacks how Trump uses mockery, memes, and AI-generated videos to dehumanize and divide. From calling fellow citizens “enemies” to posting disturbing digital fantasies of violence, Trump turns cruelty into spectacle — and spectacle into power. We explore what this means for our national character, for people of faith, and for those who still believe democracy requires decency. How should good-hearted Americans respond when a president treats his neighbors as targets and his followers as props? What does it mean to resist — not with outrage alone, but with love, truth, and common good? Join us for a deep dive into the dangerous normalization of Trump’s trolling and how people of conscience can reclaim public life from the politics of humiliation.

What does it mean to live in Donald Trump’s delusions about what America is and should be—especially as people of faith? He calls our cities “hellholes,” treats political opponents as enemies, and talks about Gaza with no regard for human life. These aren’t just political statements—they reveal a worldview of fear, resentment, and revenge. Join Vote Common Good's Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse for a candid conversation about how faith invites us to live differently—to choose truth over delusion, hope over fear, and love over division.

Donald Trump recently said people should “prove to God you are good enough to go to that next step.” His childish and immature understanding of goodness and morality shows that being 79 years old doesn’t necessarily mean having the maturity of an adult — sometimes it’s closer to that of a 7-year-old boy. This kind of moral immaturity puts our nation at risk in profound ways. In this episode of the Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt and Robb Ryerse unpack what Trump’s comments reveal about his worldview — and what it means for people of faith and conscience as we work for the common good. #CommonGoodPodcast #DonaldTrump #FaithAndPolitics #VoteCommonGood

On this episode of The Common Good Podcast, Doug Pagitt talks with Brian Recker, author of the new book Hellbent: How the Fear of Hell Holds Christians Back from a Spirituality of Love. Brian, a former evangelical pastor, takes us inside his journey of questioning one of Christianity’s most entrenched doctrines — the idea of eternal damnation. He argues that the fear of hell has distorted Christian faith, fostering shame, exclusion, and toxic relationships, and he invites us to imagine a different path: a spirituality grounded in love, connection, and justice. We talk about what it means to reframe salvation, how to let go of fear-based religion, and why the way of Jesus still matters — not because of hell, but because of love.

Welcome to the Common Good Podcast. In this episode, Doug Pagitt sits down with Father Pete Nunnally, an Episcopal priest, writer, and visionary leader behind the new Water and Wilderness Church. Together they dive into Pete’s forthcoming book, Catching Hope, which offers a fresh vision of faith rooted in renewal, resilience, and community. Their conversation explores not only Pete’s personal journey and the inspiration behind his work, but also the larger state of Christian faith in America today. Doug and Pete wrestle with some of the biggest questions facing the church: How do we remain faithful in an age of division? What does it look like to embody Christ’s love when MAGA Christianity and Christian Nationalism threaten to distort the gospel? And how can communities of faith nurture hope and courage in these turbulent times? This episode is a heartfelt, honest, and hopeful dialogue—inviting listeners to imagine a Christianity that resists fear, rejects authoritarianism, and returns again and again to love as the way forward.