Republicans and Evangelicals | Ronald Reagan's Double Cross

Republicans and Evangelicals | Ronald Reagan's Double Cross

Author: Chris Staron April 7, 2026 Duration: 36:27
Give to help Chris make Truce Before he became president, Reagan was the head of the Screen Actors' Guild. When it came down to backing his followers or helping big business, he chose business. The same was true when he fought air traffic controllers. In this way, you can see the influence of Ayn Rand. Reagan grew up as a poor kid, but he later became a famous radio star and movie icon. When his star faded, he became a political guest speaker and found a new path forward. In this episode, we're going to better understand the groundwork for the Reagan presidency. Our special guest is historian and author Rick Perlstein. Sources: Reagan: An American Journey by Bob Spitz US v. Paramount Pictures from Justia article from the Reagan library Reagan: His Life and Legend by Max Boot The Invisible Bridge and Reaganland by Rick Perlstein CNN article on Paul Manafort Reagan's speech at the Neshoba County Fair NPR article on the infamous "welfare queen" Discussion Questions: Why is it valuable to understand Reagan's role in messing with his union? How did his treatment of his union parallel that of his actions against air traffic controllers? What do you think of Reagan and his legacy? Why have some Republicans lifted him up as the ultimate conservative? Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Hosted by Chris Staron, Truce-History of the Christian Church is a deep, journalistic look into the forces that have shaped American evangelicalism. This isn't a simple timeline of events; it's an investigation into the surprising intersections of faith, culture, and power. Staron digs into movements from fundamentalism's roots to modern political campaigns, and even examines connections to phenomena like pyramid schemes, revealing a complex history many listeners may never have encountered. Each episode is built on thorough research and thoughtful interviews, aiming to understand not just how the church arrived at its current moment, but how that story might inform a better path forward. The current season focuses specifically on the rise of the Religious Right, meticulously tracing the evolving alliance between evangelicals and the Republican Party. To tell this story, the podcast features conversations with notable guests like historians Rick Perlstein and Frances Fitzgerald, or journalist Jesse Eisinger, who bring their expertise to this nuanced narrative. Listening to this podcast feels like joining a rigorous yet accessible conversation, one that respects the subject's gravity while pursuing clarity and truth. For anyone curious about the real stories behind today's headlines concerning faith and society, this series offers essential context.
Author: Language: English Episodes: 100

Truce - History of the Christian Church
Podcast Episodes
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Give to help Chris continue to make Truce In the Kanawha County Textbook War episode, Chris shared that the people of that county fought against some textbooks and stories being read in classrooms and as homework. Edgar…