Meet Tori, whose impoverished upbringing made her susceptible to the MAGA movement.

Jason Riddle rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, and did time in prison for his actions. Hear why he refused Trump's pardon, and left MAGA. To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuuli6TVURQ&list=PL36GQAccexbwnjcPnwbUXu5g8xIk8Ydx4&index=3

In this episode we are joined by Rev. Julio Hernandez, Executive Director of the Congregation Action Network, based in DC and serving the DC, Maryland, Virginia area (aka the DMV). We invited Julio to talk with us on Freedom Road about the nearly invisible struggle taking place in the immigrant community in the U.S.. They are receiving the tip of t…

Meet David, a millennial who underwent a personal transformation in his odyssey of leaving MAGA. To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bNhgOas8lU&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=24

This episode we are joined by Rev. Dr. Charles Lattimore Howard, the University Chaplain and Vice President for Social Equity and Community at the University of Pennsylvania, his alma mater. Rev. Dr. Lattimore Howard is also the author of several books, including: The Souls of Poor Folk, The Awe and The Awful, Black Theology as Mass Movement, and P…

MAGA Americans are regretting their votes for Trump after many lost government jobs because of his cuts to the federal workforce. Some are facing harassment from Trump voters for speaking out against him. To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttYbAOdYV18&list=PL36GQAccexbwnjcP…

This episode we are joined by, Rich Logis, former MAGA podcaster who is now the founding executive director of Leaving MAGA and author of the short e-book, My MAGA Odyssey, available at LeavingMaga.com. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Thread or Insta Lisa @lisasharper or to Freedom Road @freedomroad.us. We're also on Substack! So be sure to subscr…

Leaving MAGA sat down with American Values Coalition to discuss our MAGA odyssey, how to combat mis- and dis-information and why it's important to welcome the Trump remorseful. To watch this episode, please visit below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrzlcyPJVg&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMOcyZZwdVhJAfL5NGGoCKK&index=42…

This episode we are joined by Isaac Samuel Villegas, author of the new book, MIGRANT GOD: A Christian Vision for Immigrant Justice. We’d love to hear your thoughts. Thread or Insta Lisa @lisasharper or to Freedom Road @freedomroad.us. We're also on Substack! So be sure to subscribe to freedomroad.substack.com. And, keep sharing the podcast with you…

This episode, we are joined by Rev. Dr. Munther Isaac, Director of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice—a project of the Bethlehem Bible College—and Pastor of the Christmas Evangelical Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Rev. Dr. Munther is the author of The Other Side of the Wall: A Palestinian Christian Narrative of Lament and Hope and his new…

WPCT Chicago 820 Interview: Rich Logis and Stephania Messina of Leaving MAGA. Hear from Rich, Leaving MAGA's founder; and Stephania, an evangelical Christian who left MAGA after a crisis of faith. They discuss the importance of welcoming the remorseful who leave MAGA. To read and watch Stephania's story, please visit the below link: https://leaving…

A conversation with Anthony Brooks, an evangelical Christian from Texas who left MAGA, and is now challenging Trump policies in his community. Anthony's faith collided with MAGA, and he could no longer defend Trump. To watch our conversation on the Meidas Touch Network, please visit below: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15nkYamTl3w&list=PLX_rWdQSO…

Leaving MAGA's step-by-step blueprint for how friends and family of those in the thrall of MAGA can potentially rejuvenate their pre-Trump relationships. To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQYXzutwwUc&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=19…

James Hicks, a Black American, went from publicly donning the Confederate flag as a MAGA supporter, to leaving MAGA. To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APyl7fmQ0eI&list=PL36GQAccexbwnjcPnwbUXu5g8xIk8Ydx4&index=2

Michael Sirback, a young man who left MAGA before 2024, offers insights into why some of America’s youth find MAGA appealing. To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob33JC4JZ-M&t=195s

Rich offers a Leaving MAGA insider take on why Trump attacks DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion); and how his recent response to the Washington, D.C. airplane accident was reminiscent of his mismanagement of Covid. To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_Fds7FoGQ&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZj…

In this episode, we are joined by documentary filmmaker, Ilana Thrachtman, director of several films, most recently, “Ain’t No Back on a Merry-Go-Round” about the 1960 Civil Rights Movement in Washington DC that you never heard of. This is a powerful film that resonates with us today. It reminds us of where we’ve been in a not-too-distant America a…

A Leaving MAGA insider take on Trump's first 10 days in office; they were deliberately, and unsurprisingly, chaotic. To view this video at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJztN2AvcGw

Rich's Leaving MAGA Insider Take on the Jan. 6 Pardons. To view this video at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6dfh9OSpps&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=14

In this episode, we are joined by the Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, III. Dr. Moss is senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He is a preacher, poet, activist, author and filmmaker with an eye toward justice and equality, as evidenced through the gospel of Jesus Christ. Reverend Dr. Otis Moss, III was invited to be in conversation bec…

Courtney Rae, a former MAGA voter from Michigan, broke the spell of MAGA lies and deceit, and is encouraging others in the MAGA community to do the same. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnphM4KCjbM&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMOcyZZwdVhJAfL5NGGoCKK&index=15…

In this episode we are joined by womanist theologian and author, Rev. Dr. Canon Kelly Brown Douglas, an African-American Episcopal priest, womanist theologian, and interim president of Episcopal Divinity School. She was previously the inaugural Dean of the Episcopal Divinity School at Union Theological Seminary. She also serves as Canon Theologian …

Minnesota Mame discusses the gun lobby’s influence over her son, and how it encouraged him to gravitate to the MAGA community. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=begIMi6jQCY&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=10…

In this episode we are joined by Pulitzer Prize winning journalist and author, Eliza Griswold, author of the book, Circle of Hope: A Reckoning with Love, Power, and Justice in an American Church. In Circle of Hope Griswold explores how conflict around anti-LGBTQ inclusion, white supremacy and roots in the church growth movement eventually led the n…

Part 2 of a conversation with a Gonzaga Law School student about the appeal of MAGA as a community, restorative justice and the alt-right. NOTE: Views expressed are not necessarily those of the university. For more My Leaving MAGA Odyssey podcast episodes, visit here: https://rss.com/podcasts/leavingmaga/…

Part I of a conversation with a Gonzaga Law School student about the appeal of MAGA as a community, restorative justice and the alt-right. NOTE: Views expressed are not necessarily those of the university. For more My Leaving MAGA Odyssey podcast episodes, visit here: https://rss.com/podcasts/leavingmaga/…

PattyAnn Giles, a former devout MAGA American, discusses why she gravitated to the MAGA community; and, some of the reasons why she left. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft08bRFbolw&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=5…

This month we are joined by Maya Moore Irons and Jonathan Irons! Basketball icon, Maya is a two-time NCAA champion, two-time Olympic gold medalist, four-time WNBA champion, and WNBA MVP. In February of 2019, Maya revealed that she would miss the upcoming season to focus on family and ministry dreams. Later that year, in a New York Times feature, Ma…

A conversation with Erin Stynchula, whose brother was sucked into the rabbit holes of MAGA, QAnon & other conspiracies. Now, she's seeking reconciliation and healing. P.S. Erin is from Springfield, OH, and she assures us no Haitians are eating people's pets. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://w…

Terry Roth, a mother whose sons fell prey to MAGA, QAnon & the so-called "tech bros," is fighting back, and will not surrender. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVkgcBIzQ-Y&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&t=106s

Megan Seivert, a Harris voter from Pennsylvania, discusses the strain MAGA has caused on her personal and familial relationships, including with her father. She's working to mend ties with her Trump-supporting relatives. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko9AurxeT1A&lis…

Alison Bono, who lost her best friend because of MAGA, discusses why the divisiveness of Donald Trump has torn asunder so many personal relationships; and, how people can move forward with these relationships following Trump's victory. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=…

In this episode we are joined by Corey Nathan, host of Talkin' Politics and Religion Without Killin' Each Other, producer of Freedom Road Podcast and the founder of SCAN Media. We invited Corey to join us on Freedom Road for a frank, raw conversation meant to help us process the results of election 2024 and their implications for years to come. We’…

Guinevere Nell, an ex-Heritage Foundation analyst, speaks out about the inner workings of the organization and the creation of Project 2025. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIqVnYEtdA8&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=2…

Now 21, Steve Vilchez gravitated to MAGA when he was 13 years old. He enlightens with some of the reasons why young Americans are enticed by the MAGA community. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw3LOjQf-iQ&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=3…

A conversation with Justin Yu, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran with the Army National Guard, who left MAGA, and is working to empower other service members to leave. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3h2e4HU3XI&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=4…

A conversation with Stephania Messina, an ex-evangelical who left the MAGA community after she was ostracized by her church community for holding certain beliefs. She explains the inextricable link between MAGA and the Evangelical Church, and describes how she saw the light to escaping the MAGA darkness. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch …

Ben Meiselas speaks with Rich Logis, a self-described remorseful ex-MAGA American and Co-chair of Republicans for Harris, who delivered a powerful speech at the Democratic Convention about his journey away from Trumpism and toward supporting Kamala Harris for president. To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below lin…

This episode we are joined by indigenous theologians and practioners, Randy and Edith Woodley, authors of the new book Journey to Eloheh: How Indigenous Values Lead Us to Harmony and Wellbeing. Randy and Edith are the founders of the Eloheh Indigenous Center for Earth Justice, based in Oregon, which focused on developing, implementing and teaching …

In this episode we are joined by theologian and author, Khristi Lauren Adams. Speaker, writer and youth advocate, Rev. Adams is an ordained Baptist Minister. She is the award winning author of Parable of the Brown Girl, as well as Unbossed: How Black Girls Are Leading the Way. Khristi was invited to join us on Freedom Road to explore the value of c…

In this episode we are joined by innovator and podcaster, Tim Whitaker, founder and host of The New Evangelicals podcast and growing organization. I also found out he’s a sought after professional drummer! Who knew?! You’ve probably seen Tim’s short, power-packed videos on Instagram and YouTube. We invited Tim to join us on Freedom Road to explore …

In this episode we're joined by the amazing duo of award-winning Truth’s Table Podcast and Foundation, Dr. Christina Edmondson and the inimitable Ekemini Uwan. Cofounder and cohost of Truth’s Table Podcast and Foundation, Dr. Christina holds a PhD in Counseling Psychology and is a certified Cultural Intelligence facilitator, speaker and trainer. Ek…

This episode features three of our favorite people on the planet—Lisa's cohosts on The Four Podcast which cut a blaze of glory in 2022! The Rev. Dr. Otis Moss, III is senior pastor of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago. He is a preacher, poet, activist, author and filmmaker with an eye toward justice and equality, as evidenced through the g…

This episode we are joined by one of our favorite people shaping the political landscape right now! The inimitable Representative Jasmine Crockett (D-Texas 30th District, basically Dallas County). You might have seen the viral clip of Congresswoman Crockett handing it to Marjorie Taylor Greene in the middle of a hearing on Capital Hill. The term wa…

This episode we are joined by Daniel Bannoura: PhD Candidate, Palestinian theologian, Qur’an scholar, Podcaster, and Entreprenuer. Daniel was invited to speak with us today, because he was one of the authors of the October 2023 Palestinian leaders’ call for western church leaders and theologians to repent. We wanted to talk about the condition of t…

This episode we are joined by Dr. Paul Zeitz, a preventative medicine epidemiologist, author, and award-winning champion of global justice and human rights. Zeitz is the initiator of the Unify Movements, a movement building platform dedicated to catalyzing new, social, economic, and political systems committed to our collective repair, justice and …

In this episode we are joined by speaker, educator and author, Rev. Dr. Brenda Salter McNeil, who is Associate Professor of Reconciliation Studies and Director of the Reconciliation Studies program at Seattle Pacific University. Rev. Dr. Brenda is also associate pastor of preaching and reconciliation at Quest Church in Seattle, Washington, as well …

In this episode we are joined by the filmmaker of the new power-house documentary, True Believer, Kristen Irving. You might have noticed we’ve spoken with several filmmakers recently. All have released documentaries focused on White Christian Nationalism. They are all fabulous. But, folks, as Lisa mentioned, "True Believer hit me in a place I didn’…

In this episode we are joined by theologian and author, Dr. Grace Ji-Sun Kim. Dr. Kim is Professor of Theology at Earlham School of Religion and the author or editor of 24 books, including: Surviving God, Spirit Life; Invisible; Hope in Disarray; Keeping Hope Alive and Reimagining Spirit. She is a co-editor for the Palgrave Macmillan Book Series, “…

This episode comes to you in partnership with Inverse Podcast. The diverse InVerse podcast community explores how the Scriptures can turn the world upside down, or be weaponized to uphold the status quo. So, this episode we’re going to talk the “T” word—theology. Theology is simply how we understand God and our relationship with God. Christian soci…