My Interview with Joy Reid: Unpacking the Threat of Christian Nationalism
Plus, the latest episode of The Convocation Unscripted
In this special bonus episode of The Joy Reid Show, I sat down with Joy Reid to unpack the rise of White Christian Nationalism, its deep historical roots, and its dangerous impact on America. We also discuss Project 2025, the growing influence of white evangelicals, and how nationalism is reshaping U.S. politics. I’ve known Joy for more than a decade now, and this is one of the most personal conversations we’ve had together. I talk about my own experience growing up as a Southern Baptist in the South and about the through line between the old Christian Right, the Tea Party, and the MAGA movement today. We also talk about the unsettling alliance between religion and politics, the racial tensions escalating in the nation, and what’s at stake for America’s future.
If you haven’t followed Joy’s journey from MSNBC to her own robust independent media platform, I encourage you to check everything she has going on over at Welcome to Joy's House! . Click the graphic below to watch my interview.
ICYMI
In addition to my appearance with Joy, my friend Jennifer Rubin invited me to write a guest essay for The Contrarian about the encouraging findings from the PRRI American Values Survey that shows a majority of Americans now believe Trump has become a dangerous dictator and has gone too far. You can check that piece—which connects Thomas Paine, the Bible, and survey data—below.
Also, The Convocation Unscripted team just posted our latest podcast, reflecting on the elections this week and what it all means. Tune in below.
If you haven’t signed up for The Convocation (it’s free), we hope you’ll join us each week for a lively video podcast and the best writing from me, Jemar Tisby, PhD , Diana Butler Bass , and Kristin Du Mez .
Finally, I also recommended Diana Butler Bass’s new book, A Beautiful Year—a book to help get us through every week between now and the midterm elections next year.
A Beautiful Year?
I’ve know Diana Butler Bass for nearly two decades. Over that time, we’ve moved from being colleagues to fellow travelers to friends. Diana was one of the founding board members of Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), back when it was more of an aspiration than the organization it has become. At the time, I invited Diana to join that intrepid grou…
I enjoyed hearing you on the Joy Reid Show and in conversation with 'Jen' Rubin. I also follow the Convocation. I can't remember which of your conversation partners said that, while she introduced you as Dr. Robert P. Jones, she had permission to call you Robbie." You have made lots of online friends. I hope it's OK for all of us to call you Robbie too😊. I appreciate all the important work you do at PRRI and all the personal stories you share along with the research data you present. Your books are an important extension of that work. Thank you for all you do.
This was so good. Passing it on.