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.
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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.
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1:28:07
675: Iran, End Times, & the Political God Gap with Senator Chris Coons
Nothing fires up the End Times industry faster than America dropping bombs in the Middle East. After President Trump decided to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities this weekend, YouTube was flooded with convoluted and contradictory videos on the biblical implications of the war. But if this really is a prelude to Christ’s return, as many online end timers claim, why are they stoking panic and fear? Shouldn’t Christians welcome this news? Skye talks to Senator Chris Coons about how his faith informs his politics, why he went to divinity school, and what the Democrats can do to close the “God gap” in politics. Also this week—courts struck down the Louisiana law requiring the 10 Commandments to be posted in every public school classroom, and the real origin of “honky dory.” Holy Post Plus: Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/132203951/edit 0:00 - Show Starts 3:16 - Theme Song 3:40 - 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 4:53 - 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. 7:11 - Protesting While in Red States 16:07 - End Times Prophecies and Iran 22:30 - Mark Driscoll and the Manosphere 26:26 - Louisiana and the 10 Commandments 37:44 - 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 38:52 - Sponsor - Our Place - Go to https://www.fromourplace.com and use code HOLYPOST to get 10% off site wide on beautiful cookware! 40:02 - Interview 42:36 - US Involvement in the Middle East 50:20 - Divinity School and Public Service 57:37 - The God Gap 1:08:35 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Russell Moore on Why We Shouldn’t Look for End Time Implications: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/06/bible-prophecy-war-iran-apocalypse-russell-moore/?utm_medium=widgetsocial Louisiana Ten Commandments Law: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/20/us/politics/louisianas-ten-commandments-law-appeals-court-unconstitutional.html?searchResultPosition=17 Vox’s Article on the “New Religious Right” https://www.vox.com/politics/416042/religion-politics-trump-christian-nationalism-liberty-maga Other Resources: Read the Introduction to Skye’s new book and sign up to Holy Post Plus to follow along as the book is written: holypost.com/book 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.
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1:09:08
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1:09:08
674: Parades, Protests, and Habeas Corpus with Michael Bird
It was a wild weekend. Donald Trump presided over a military parade on his birthday while an estimated 5 million Americans protested around the country. Phil, Skye, and Kaitlyn discuss the optics of both events and ask, with America’s divided politics and media silos, is protesting still effective? They also unpack a new article by Abby McCloskey in CT that argues evangelicalism’s focus on a private, personalized faith undermines learning, curiosity, and exercising the mind. Then, theologian and Holy Post Pundit, Michael Bird, is back. He offers an outsider’s perspective on Trump’s military parade, the “No Kings” protests, and why he thinks more Christians should be concerned about the suspension of habeas corpus. Also this week: More ’50s slang and an update on Ed the zebra. Holy Post Plus: Getting Schooled - Ethics of Exile 101: https://www.patreon.com/posts/130879694/ Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131691890/ 0:00 - Show Starts 3:25 - Theme Song 3:50 - Sponsor - Timeless designs, great fabrics. Perfect swimwear for your kids this summer! Check out Minnow at https://www.shopminnow.com enter SHOPMINNOW15 for 15% off your first order. 4:57 - Sponsor - AG1 - Heavily researched, thoroughly purity-tested, and filled with stuff you need. Go to https://www.drinkag1.com/HOLYPOST 6:18 - 50’s Slang 9:44 - Ed the Zebra’s Return! 14:35 - Military Parade 23:48 - What Does Protest Do? 32:05 - The Christian Mind Out of Practice 47:30 - Teaching Essentials of the Faith 50:21 - Sponsor - Rocket Money - Find and cancel your old subscriptions with Rocket Money at https://www.rocketmoney.com/HOLYPOST 51:28- Sponsor - World Relief - Join The Path as a monthly partner with World Relief! https://www.worldrelief.org/stand 52:24 - Interview 59:30 - Polarization of the Military 1:10:05 - Right to Protest 1:19:45 - End Credits Links from News Segment: A Christian Mind Out of Practice by Abby McCloskey: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2025/06/christian-mind-out-of-practice-mark-noll-discipleship/ Other Resources: Read the Introduction to Skye’s new book and sign up to Holy Post Plus to follow along as the book is written: holypost.com/book 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.
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1:27:03
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1:27:03
673: The L.A. Protests & Becoming a Priest and Podcaster with Esau McCaulley
Protests in Los Angeles against the Trump administration’s immigration policies have turned violent, but will the images of vandalism and attacks on police actually help the President? And Phil asks if there is any way to prevent necessary mass protests from becoming violent. One of the most respected Bible scholars of the last century has passed away. Old Testament professor Walter Bruggemann contrasted the world’s vision of scarcity with God’s kingdom of abundance, but Kaitlyn thinks his understanding of exile is over-applied today. Skye talks with his Holy Post Media colleague, Esau McCaulley, about his vocation as a priest, professor, and podcaster, and his desire to see Christianity applied to both the beauty and brokenness of the culture. Also this week—flying zebras and burning Waymos. Holy Post Plus: My Hill to Die On - Bidets: https://www.patreon.com/posts/my-hill-to-die-130797571 Ad-Free Version of this Episode: https://www.patreon.com/posts/131158009/ 0:00 - Show Starts 4:30 - Theme Song 5:00 - Sponsor - Brooklyn Bedding - Brooklyn Bedding is offering up to 25% off sitewide for our listeners! Go to https://www.brooklynbedding.com/HOLYPOST 6:05 - 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. 7:20 - Runaway Ed the Zebra! 14:33 - LA Protests, Self-Driving Cars 20:30 - Is Violent Protest Inevitable? 30:38 - Walter Brueggemann’s Passing 34:22 - Kaitlyn’s Disagreement with Brueggemann 43:11 - Sponsor - Hiya Health - Go to https://www.hiyahealth.com/HOLYPOST to receive 50% off your first order 44:15 - 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 45:25 - Interview 47:32 - Why Esau’s an Anglican Priest 54:30 - Why Esau’s a Podcaster 1:04:20 - How Does Esau’s Brain Work? 1:12:38 - White Evangelicals Centering 1:19:45 - End Credits Links from News Segment: Pet Zebra Escaped! https://apnews.com/article/runaway-pet-zebra-captured-tennessee-54669b2fc2c1dffb87a09f4081d6c135 Other Resources: Check out The Esau McCaulley Podcast: https://pod.link/1770229436 Read the Introduction to Skye’s new book and sign up to Holy Post Plus to follow along as the book is written: holypost.com/book 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.
Netherlands