The conversation then turns to E. Jean Carroll and the latest developments involving the United States Department of Justice, situating the case within a broader pattern of retribution politics under Donald Trump. Brad and Dan argue that Carroll’s treatment reflects not just political vengeance but a deeper discomfort with women who challenge systems of male dominance—and win. The thread connecting it all: a vision of power that equates dominance with righteousness.
Finally, they break down the first encyclical from Pope Leo XIV, highlighting its critique of technological utopianism, AI-driven efficiency, and the dehumanizing tendencies of Silicon Valley. Drawing on biblical imagery like Babel and Nehemiah, as well as unexpected references to J.R.R. Tolkien, the document offers a counter-vision: human dignity over efficiency, community over homogenization, and faith expressed through small, faithful acts rather than grand displays of power. The episode closes by asking a central question: what does it actually mean to be a Christian in America today—and who gets to decide?
Interview:
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