Complexified
For too long we have avoided talking about religion and politics. But the truth is, religion and politics are about daily life. When we avoid the hard topics connected to religion and politics, we become stuck in the status quo. On Complexified we dive into the places where religion and politics collide with real-life, so we can get unstuck- so we can make real change. We dive into our most entrenched problems to better understand the hidden histories and experiences of real people on the front lines. We look at the ways religion has shaped our systems - and the ways we see ourselves and others– from there, we work together to imagine new paths forward.
Episodes
April 21, 2025 • 31 mins
The complicated legacy of Pope Francis — part reformer, part rule-breaker, and always hard to pin down.
Pope Francis changed the Catholic Church — but how far did he really go? In this episode of Complexified, Vatican reporter Claire Giangravè joins host Amanda Henderson to reflect on the legacy of Pope Francis. From his early image as a reformer to his efforts to include marginalized communities, we explore the tensions that defi...
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February 17, 2025 • 31 mins
One of the most powerful religious institutions in America is also one of the most chaotic. The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC), with its billion-dollar budget and massive political influence, operates without centralized authority or even an effective system of accountability. But as the Executive Committee meets in Nashville this week, a long-simmering crisis of governance is coming to a head.
In this episode of Complexified, A...
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February 10, 2025 • 24 mins
USAID has been a pillar of American foreign policy and humanitarian relief for over 60 years, but under the Trump administration’s latest push for government downsizing—driven in part by Elon Musk’s influence—the agency is facing deep cuts that could disrupt life-saving aid in over 100 countries. What does this mean for the millions of people who rely on U.S. support for clean water, healthcare, and disaster relief? And how are fai...
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February 3, 2025 • 22 mins
JD Vance took the stage at the March for Life to thunderous applause, positioning himself as a champion of conservative Catholic values. With Republican heavyweights like Ron DeSantis and Mike Johnson in attendance, the rally was a display of political and religious unity—or so it seemed. Just two days later, Vance went on Face the Nation and publicly attacked Catholic bishop, seeming to accuse them of financially benefiting from i...
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January 27, 2025 • 26 mins
God and Trump collide in a week of political and religious tension, sparked by a prophetic sermon at the National Cathedral. Host Amanda Henderson and RNS Executive Editor Roxanne Stone delve into how this sermon—calling for mercy and justice—reshaped the national discourse and exposed the fractures between competing Christianities. From Trump’s invocation of divine authority to the shifting influence of evangelical power, they exp...
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January 17, 2025 • 27 mins
"By the grace of God, by Jesus, and Jenny."
Pete Hegseth’s confirmation hearing for Secretary of Defense avoided overt debates on his faith or claims of moral redemption, leaving the politics of his nomination largely unspoken. Amanda Henderson and RNS reporter Jack Jenkins examine how Hegseth’s Christian nationalism, personal controversies, and claims of transformation served as a stormy backdrop to the hearing, raising deeper que...
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January 12, 2025 • 19 mins
In a bold response to the incoming U.S. president, Pope Francis appoints Cardinal Robert McElroy as Bishop of Washington, D.C., signaling the Vatican’s commitment to immigration, environmental justice and a moral counter to Trump-era politics. RNS Vatican correspondent Claire Giangravè explores the significance of this appointment and its implications for faith and power in the United States.
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December 20, 2024 • 21 mins
The Southern US border is often portrayed as a battleground, but the reality is far more nuanced. RNS reporter, Aleja Hertzler-McCain unpacks the way faith communities in Brownsville, Texas are responding to immigration challenges in diverse ways—offering resources, advocating for systemic change, and, for some, seizing moments of evangelism. Religious leaders grapple with fear, opportunity, and shifting policies while striving to ...
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December 13, 2024 • 22 mins
A keffiyeh-wrapped Baby Jesus in nativity scenes, including one recently displayed at the Vatican, has sparked controversy and challenged traditional images of Christ’s birth. This provocative symbol brings attention to the political realities of modern-day Bethlehem and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, prompting deeper questions about the connections between faith, resistance, and justice.
RNS Reporter Yonat Shimron joins us to probe...
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December 6, 2024 • 27 mins
Examining Elon Musk’s “shadow gospel” and how his surprising alliance with conservative Christians is forged through shared enemies and a powerful exchange of influence. From critiques of “wokeness” to ideological battles shaping faith and politics, they explore what Musk’s rise as a “cultural Christian” means for the balance of religion, politics, and power.
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November 29, 2024 • 15 mins
Live from the American Academy of Religion, Amanda Henderson speaks with Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, a leading scholar, sociologist, and ordained Baptist minister, about the enduring power of African American spirituals. Discover how these songs of survival and liberation expose lies, sustain communities, and offer a prophetic voice for justice in today’s political climate.
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November 22, 2024 • 17 mins
Katelyn Beaty, author and co-host of Saved by the City, joins to examine the striking gender shift in evangelical churches, where Gen Z men now outnumber women in the pews.
Beaty explores how pastors are adopting hyper-masculine tactics, from Monster Truck-style events to “Indiana Jesus,” to appeal to men seeking structure and belonging. Meanwhile, young women are walking away, rejecting spaces that feel increasingly shaped by poli...
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November 15, 2024 • 27 mins
Colorado State Rep. Iman Jodeh reflects on the political conundrums faced by Muslim voters amid the Gaza genocide and a growing sense of betrayal by traditional political allies. Jodeh shares how her community channeled feelings of abandonment and anger into advocacy, pressing lawmakers for accountability and grappling with the hard choices of the recent election. From her unique position as the first Muslim and Palestinian legisla...
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November 8, 2024 • 24 mins
In this deeply challenging conversation, Dr. Miguel De La Torre confronts the “God of Trump” — a figure he sees as rooted in colonialism, capitalism, and dominance — and argues that for the most marginalized among us, true faith might mean embracing hopelessness over the comforting (and often dangerous) promises of hope.
For De La Torre, democracy has always been fragile, especially for those marginalized by race, immigration stat...
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November 1, 2024 • 22 mins
As the political landscape grows ever more polarized, religious language has become a tool for framing debates in extreme, all-or-nothing terms. On the eve of the presidential election, Reverend Rob Schenck joins Amanda Henderson to discuss his journey from staunch political activism to a faith that values human connection over ideological allegiance. Schenck reflects on the powerful pull of framing faith in service to political en...
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October 25, 2024 • 16 mins
Recent research reveals that while only 10% of Americans strongly embrace Christian nationalist views, a broader 34% sympathize with its underlying principles.
Reporter Jack Jenkins joins Amanda Henderson to explore how these unspoken alliances within soft Christian nationalism are shaping the political landscape. By examining the subtle ways these beliefs impact voting, policy, and discourse, this conversation sheds light on the q...
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October 25, 2024 • 13 mins
The growing controversy surrounding school vouchers and their use in private religious education is once again emerging. With public dollars increasingly directed toward faith-based schools, the question arises: Does this expand educational choice or undermine public schools? Joined by RNS contributor, Dr. Charles Russo, research professor of law and expert on First Amendment issues, we dive into the legal and social implications o...
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October 11, 2024 • 28 mins
The changing political landscape of Hindu Americans: we explore their shifting alliances from traditional Democratic loyalties to a growing alignment with the right. Host Amanda Henderson and RNS Hindu reporter Richa Karmarkar discuss the factors driving this transformation, from the influence of leaders like Kamala Harris and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi to the impact of caste discrimination and immigrant identity in shapin...
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October 4, 2024 • 16 mins
In this episode, we sit down with Claire Giangravé, a Vatican correspondent for Religion News Service, to explore the pivotal discussions happening at the Synod on Synodality. With nearly 400 leaders of the Roman Catholic Church gathered in Vatican City, the role of women in church leadership has become a central focus. We dive into the historical resistance, theological debates, and cultural shifts that are shaping this centuries-...
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June 19, 2024 • 35 mins
"The modern world is impossible to narrate without the idea of land as property and the seizing of land as property." "Imagination is our gift in creating and building new worlds."
In this episode, Amanda talks with Dr. Willie James Jennings about the profound impact of our conceptions of land on our world today. Our distorted understanding of land as a possession has led to a shallow sense of connectivity and belonging, impacting ...
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