In difficult times, the work of truth-telling can seem like obsessing on the negative. But the most important truths are very often uncomfortable and even frightening. This week, host Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenbush welcomes writer Jeff Sharlet, author of The Undertow: Scenes From A Slow Civil War, back to The State of Belief.
As Jeff sees America’s slow civil war speeding up, he and Paul revisit his reluctance to initially use the term ‘fascism’ and now emphasizes the growing movement’s influence, without yet consolidating into a regime. They explore the implications of such movements on journalism, rule of law, and personal freedoms, highlighting examples like Trump’s cult of personality and Musk’s hyper-capitalist influence. The conversation also examines the role of Christian Nationalism and its influence on politics, with a particular focus on the intersection of religion and governance. Jeff underscores the importance of solidarity, complex storytelling, and the fight against inevitability in combating these trends, even though the future remains uncertain.
The dialogue between Paul and Jeff serves as both a cautionary tale and a call to arms. We need listeners and readers alike to stay alert, engage actively, and never lose sight of the human element amidst the grand political machinations. As we confront these challenging times, this conversation stands as a reminder that solidarity and storytelling are powerful tools in shaping a future where democracy and humanity prevail.
I remember at one point a Trump supporter showing me, sharing with me, some crazy conspiracy theories. And at the time I was out there, when I met her, I was reporting for Vanity Fair Magazine, and it was just a pivot. I remember I was sitting in her Cadillac outside a Trump rally. She was showing me this crazy stuff, and then I look up and it was actually a congressman talking on Tucker Carlson sharing this conspiracy theory. And I realized she’s not the fringe – I am.
– Jeff Sharlet, the best-selling author of books like The Undertow: Scenes From A Slow Civil War. His book The Family was turned into a powerful Netflix series, and his Substack is a must-read @Slow Civil War. Jeff is Frederick Sessions Beebe ’35 Professor in the Art of Writing at Dartmouth College.