A limited series podcast about progressive religious communities fighting for justice in some of the most conservative parts of the United States.
In Bible Belt states known for electing self-proclaimed religious and conservative politicians, faith and politics are also thoroughly entangled in progressive causes. This podcast explores the persistence of liberal religious values and progressive politics in so-called Red States by exploring the stories of faith leaders, laypeople and congregations and how they put “faith into action.” By showcasing the stories of liberal religious people, institutions and causes in so-called ‘conservative’ geographies, this podcast will foreground the shifting set of inter- and intra-faith conversations and conflicts around flashpoints like gay marriage, trans rights, abortion provision, classroom curricula, and critical race theory.
Host: Dr. Gillian Frank (https://www.tcd.ie/history/staff/gillian-frank.php) is a historian of religion and sexuality. He is the creator and co-host of the acclaimed podcasts Sexing History and Fern Hill. Frank is a visiting affiliate fellow at Center for Culture, Society, and Religion at Princeton University and a lecturer at Stevens Institute of Technology. A columnist for The Revealer, Frank is adept at writing for and speaking with a variety of audiences about religious cultures and politics. His forthcoming book, A Sacred Choice: Liberal Religion and the Struggle for Reproductive Freedom Before Roe v. Wade, is forthcoming with UNC Press. This book overturns longstanding assumptions about the adversarial relationship between Religion and reproductive rights by spotlighting the history of faith-based activism and abortion provision by Protestants, Catholics and Jews in the 20th century United States.
The Jewish Fight for Reproductive Care in Kentucky: Part II
Host Gillian Frank details the journey of Lisa Sobel, a Jewish woman from Louisville, who alongside other Jewish plaintiffs, filed a lawsuit against the state's restrictive abortion laws. The episode discusses the implications of the Dobbs v. Jackson decision, the significant challenges faced by Lisa in her IVF journey, the deep-rooted history of Jews in Kentucky, and the broader impact of these legal restrictions on religious and reproductive freedoms.
Find transcripts, discussion questions, and additional resources here: https://linktr.ee/irmceorg (https://linktr.ee/irmceorg)
Red State Religions is produced by the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagemen (https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/52c9d95c-b1fe-11ec-924b-53ce94c0e00e/podcasts/82736edc-81d2-11eb-98ab-a78d50f5f8f3/episodes/2edeb836-053a-11f0-88ff-37320aa8890d/www.irmce.org)t with generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation.
Created by Dr. Gillian Frank
Producer: Andrew Gill
Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi
Audio Engineer and Music: R. Scott Okamoto
Production Assistance: Kari Onishi
For more research-based podcasts and public scholarship visit www.axismundi.us. (http://www.axismundi.us./)
8 May 2025
The Jewish Fight for Reproductive Care in Kentucky: Part I
Dr. Gillian Frank explores the legal and religious challenges faced by Lisa Sobel and two other Jewish women in their lawsuit against Kentucky's abortion laws. The episode delves into the trigger law that immediately banned abortions in Kentucky, even in cases of rape or incest. Lisa's pregnancy journey highlights the conflict between Kentucky's abortion policies and Jewish religious beliefs, particularly focusing on the impact on in vitro fertilization. Historical context is provided on the longstanding involvement of Jewish and mainline Protestant leaders in advocating for reproductive rights. The episode underscores the continuous efforts by people of faith in Kentucky to preserve reproductive freedom amidst rising Christian nationalism.
Find transcripts, discussion questions, and additional resources here: https://linktr.ee/irmceorg (https://linktr.ee/irmceorg)
Red State Religions is produced by the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagemen (https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/52c9d95c-b1fe-11ec-924b-53ce94c0e00e/podcasts/82736edc-81d2-11eb-98ab-a78d50f5f8f3/episodes/2edeb836-053a-11f0-88ff-37320aa8890d/www.irmce.org)t with generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation.
Created by Dr. Gillian Frank
Producer: Andrew Gill
Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi
Audio Engineer and Music: R. Scott Okamoto
Production Assistance: Kari Onishi
For more research-based podcasts and public scholarship visit www.axismundi.us. (http://www.axismundi.us./)
10 Apr 2025
The Religious Fight for Same Sex Marriage in Alabama Part II
Dr. Gillian Frank continues to explore the progressive religious communities in conservative areas, focusing on the Unitarian Universalist ministers and LGBTQ couples who participated in same-sex marriage ceremonies in Birmingham, Alabama. The episode highlights Reverend Luna Jensen Borad's, detailing the political and religious struggles leading to and following the legalization of same-sex marriage. Personal stories from Kay and Andrew illustrate the impact of finding liberal religious spaces in a conservative environment. The episode examines the intersection of faith and social justice, unraveling the complex history of marriage equality and the enduring presence of liberal religion in the Bible Belt.
Red State Religions is produced by the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagemen (https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/52c9d95c-b1fe-11ec-924b-53ce94c0e00e/podcasts/82736edc-81d2-11eb-98ab-a78d50f5f8f3/episodes/2edeb836-053a-11f0-88ff-37320aa8890d/www.irmce.org)t with generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation.
Created by Dr. Gillian Frank
Producer: Andrew Gill
Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi
Audio Engineer and Music: R. Scott Okamoto
Production Assistance: Kari Onishi
For more research-based podcasts and public scholarship visit www.axismundi.us. (http://www.axismundi.us./)
3 Apr 2025
The Religious Fight for Same-Sex Marriage in Alabama Part I
Dr. Gillian Frank explores the progressive religious communities in conservative areas, focusing on the Unitarian Universalist ministers and LGBTQ couples who participated in same-sex marriage ceremonies in Birmingham, Alabama. The episode highlights Reverend Luna Jensen Borad's, detailing the political and religious struggles leading to and following the legalization of same-sex marriage. Personal stories from Kay and Andrew illustrate the impact of finding liberal religious spaces in a conservative environment. The episode examines the intersection of faith and social justice, unraveling the complex history of marriage equality and the enduring presence of liberal religion in the Bible Belt.
Red State Religions is produced by the Institute for Religion, Media, and Civic Engagemen (https://cms.megaphone.fm/organizations/52c9d95c-b1fe-11ec-924b-53ce94c0e00e/podcasts/82736edc-81d2-11eb-98ab-a78d50f5f8f3/episodes/2edeb836-053a-11f0-88ff-37320aa8890d/www.irmce.org)t with generous funding from the Henry Luce Foundation.
Created by Dr. Gillian Frank
Producer: Andrew Gill
Executive Producer: Dr. Bradley Onishi
Audio Engineer and Music: R. Scott Okamoto
Production Assistance: Kari Onishi
For more research-based podcasts and public scholarship visit www.axismundi.us. (http://www.axismundi.us./)
19 Mar 2025
Trailer
Episode 1 drops April 3, 2025!
A limited series podcast about progressive religious communities fighting for justice in some of the most conservative parts of the United States.
In Bible Belt states known for electing self-proclaimed religious and conservative politicians, faith and politics are also thoroughly entangled in progressive causes. This podcast explores the persistence of liberal religious values and progressive politics in so-called Red States by exploring the stories of faith leaders, laypeople and congregations and how they put “faith into action.” By showcasing the stories of liberal religious people, institutions and causes in so-called ‘conservative’ geographies, this podcast will foreground the shifting set of inter- and intra-faith conversations and conflicts around flashpoints like gay marriage, trans rights, abortion provision, classroom curricula, and critical race theory.
Host: Dr. Gillian Frank (https://www.tcd.ie/history/staff/gillian-frank.php) is a historian of religion and sexuality. He is the creator and co-host of the acclaimed podcasts Sexing History and Fern Hill. Frank is a visiting affiliate fellow at Center for Culture, Society, and Religion at Princeton University and a lecturer at Stevens Institute of Technology. A columnist for The Revealer, Frank is adept at writing for and speaking with a variety of audiences about religious cultures and politics. His forthcoming book, A Sacred Choice: Liberal Religion and the Struggle for Reproductive Freedom Before Roe v. Wade, is forthcoming with UNC Press. This book overturns longstanding assumptions about the adversarial relationship between Religion and reproductive rights by spotlighting the history of faith-based activism and abortion provision by Protestants, Catholics and Jews in the 20th century United States.
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