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The God Squad Pod

Keith Giles, Matthew Distefano, Desimber Rose, Dillon Naber Cruz

Let's talk US politics and culture from a progressive Christian perspective.
Author and former pastor Desimber Rose, along with progressive theologian and author Dillon Naber Cruz, are here to make you think - and laugh - about the madness that ensues when we mix faith and politics.

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24 episodes
Avg 1 hr 1 min
English

Episodes 24

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#117
Yesterday · 1 hr 9 min
#106: This Cannot Be Real... Another Day In Trump's America
America’s serving up another episode of “This Cannot Be Real,” and Dillon & Desimber are clocking in. Tonight on The God Squad Podcast, we’re unpacking the headlines, calling out the hypocrisy, and asking what happens when political power gets mistaken for divine permission. Dillon reveals this week’s Fundamentalist Fuckwittery (FFW) candidate, while Desimber tackles This MF—because sometimes the segment names write themselves. Tune in for some relief from the twilight zone that is the United St
#116
October 2 · 1 hr 4 min
#105: Who Defends Democracy? Presidential Power & the Constitution with Corey Brettschneider
What happens when presidents threaten the democracy they’re sworn to protect? Dillon and Desimber welcome constitutional scholar Corey Brettschneider, host of The Oath and the Office, for a timely conversation about presidential power, constitutional accountability, and the people who push back. Drawing from his book, The Presidents and the People, we’ll explore lessons from past presidential abuses, examine today’s headlines through a constitutional lens, and ask what “We the People” can do whe
#115
September 25 · 1 hr 17 min
#104: Trump TV & The Blue Wave Ban
Dillon and Desimber break down the battle over media, messaging, and political power. We’re talking Trump’s failed attempt to ban major news outlets from White House access, the launch of Trump TV and the growing debate over government-controlled media, plus new polling showing serious warning signs for Republicans ahead of the 2026 midterms. What does this mean for press freedom, the GOP, and the possibility of a major Democratic shift in Congress?
#114
September 21 · 34 min
SPOTLIGHT: From Theology to Sci-Fi: Keith Giles and the Future of Pink Beam Press
Dillon & Desimber welcome author and Quoir Publishing co-owner Keith Giles to The God Squad SPOTLIGHT for a fascinating conversation about his creative evolution from nonfiction theology to science fiction. We'll explore what inspired this unexpected shift, why the launch of Pink Beam Press could signal a bold new future for Quoir Publishing, and how science fiction can challenge authority, question reality, and explore what it means to be human. We'll also dive into Keith's sci-fi novella, Har
#113
September 19 · 34 min
AND ANOTHER THING: WTF?! Why Jasmine Crockett Deserved to Lose
Everybody's got something to say about James Talarico needing to EARN the Black vote. Fair question. But does that same standard apply to Jasmine Crockett and State Rep. Venton Jones? Because apparently, Chris Brown gets congressional recognition, while the pastors, activists, educators, and nonprofits doing the work in Crockett's own district aren't getting the same spotlight! We're talking about an artist with a documented domestic violence conviction and a history of controversy over lyrics
#112
September 18 · 54 min
#103: Viral Grace: Faith That Reaches Beyond the Pews with Rev. Henry
Rev. Henry is an Anglican priest, speaker, and widely respected online voice whose ministry reaches thousands through honest conversations about faith, justice, Scripture, and what it means to follow Jesus with both conviction and compassion. Through her work at the Church of the Holy Wisdom in Toronto and her growing digital ministry, she has encouraged people around the world to wrestle with difficult questions while remaining rooted in the radical love of Christ. Join us as we discuss faith b
#111
September 16 · 54 min
SPOTLIGHT: Honoring The Journey with Leslie Nease
Leslie Nease—host of Honoring the Journey, spiritual director, coach, author, and former Survivor contestant, joins Dillon & Desimber for an honest conversation about her evolving spiritual journey, deconstructing inherited beliefs, rebuilding faith beyond certainty, and her book Honoring the Journey: The Deconstruction of Sister Christian. We’ll also explore her work helping others navigate faith transitions with greater freedom, curiosity, and compassion. Learn more about Leslie and her coachi
#110
September 13 · 40 min
SPOTLIGHT: The Culting of America with The Knitting Cult Lady
Dillon & Desimber sit down with Daniella Mestyanek Young, "The Knitting Cult Lady", for a powerful conversation about survival, identity, belief, and the systems that teach us who we are allowed to become. Daniella is the bestselling author of Uncultured and co-author of The Culting of America: What Makes a Cult and Why We Love Them. Raised in the Children of God, a notorious sex cult, she survived an upbringing shaped by control, abuse, isolation, and indoctrination before eventually building a
#109
September 11 · 1 hr 15 min
#102: God, Gas, and the GOP Revival Nobody Asked For
Dillon & Desimber are taking on a week of headlines that somehow managed to combine religion, war, money, and bigotry into one political circus. We’re unpacking the hyper-religious GOP convention, Trump’s eyebrow-raising promise of a $5,000 stimulus check if Republicans win, and how the Iran War is sending gas prices soaring. We’ll also confront the ugly wave of Islamophobia aimed at Muslim Mayor Zohran Mamdani and candidate Abdul El-Sayed. And as we approach the anniversary of 9/11, we’re askin
#108
September 4 · 1 hr 18 min
#101: Trump-a-Palooza: Ego Trips, Iran Slips & Midterm Panic
Dillon and Desimber dive headfirst into another week where the headlines apparently looked at “normal” and said, nah, we’re good. From Republicans reportedly dodging Trump’s big midterm convention while he makes the election all about himself, to Iran-war damage control, ICE controversy, and a new Trump administration attack on DEI—there’s a whole lot of politics desperately searching for some sanity.
#107
August 30 · 33 min
AND ANOTHER THING: What do Milo & Charlie have in common?
And Another Thing... is a new monologue spin-off from The God Squad, featuring Desimber Rose, Co-Host of The God Squad. In this episode, Desimber explores moral disengagement, privilege blindness, and psychological distance through the stories of Milo Yiannopoulos and Charlie Kirk—asking what happens when the consequences we accept for “other people” suddenly become personal. It’s a provocative reflection on empathy, politics, gun violence, immigration, privilege, and the moral cost of treating
#106
August 28 · 1 hr 2 min
#100: Lake America & Other Signs We’ve Lost the Plot
Apparently America’s biggest problem was… Lake Ontario having the wrong name. Donald Trump officially signed an executive order renaming it “Lake America” as his feud with Canada escalates. Meanwhile, he’s telling voters to “pretend I’m on the ballot,” Republicans are catching heat from their own side, and somehow we’re expected to treat all of this like normal politics. We will not. Dillon Naber Cruz and Desimber Rose break down the headlines, the chaos, and the kitchen-table realities shaping
#105
August 21 · 1 hr 7 min
#099: Reflections of a Recovered Evangelical with Author Daniel Henderson
Author Daniel Henderson joins The God Squad to discuss his newest book, Reflections of a Recovered Evangelical: Love Plus Nothing Else. We explore what comes after deconstruction, the difference between “recovering” and “recovered,” and Dan’s journey toward a faith centered on radical love rather than doctrine, dogma, or religious certainty. It’s a conversation about questioning what we inherited, making peace with doubt, and discovering whether, when everything else is stripped away, love real
#104
August 19 · 1 hr 6 min
SPOTLIGHT: MAGA vs. Jesus with Pastor Cody Deese
What happens when Christianity becomes entangled with political power? The God Squad sits down with Pastor Cody Deese of Vinings Lake Church for a no-nonsense conversation about Christian Nationalism, MAGA, Donald Trump, and activism from the pulpit. We discuss what it means to be an activist in the pulpit, why Cody refuses to remain silent about injustice and harmful political ideology, the danger of confusing political loyalty with following Jesus, and the role of the Church in this moment.
#103
August 14 · 57 min
#098: Jesus & John Wayne with Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez
This week on The God Squad, Dillon and Desimber welcome historian, writer, speaker, and New York Times bestselling author Dr. Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. Du Mez joins us for a fascinating conversation about the history of White Evangelicalism and the intersection of religion, gender, masculinity, political power, and Christian Nationalism in America. We explore how cultural ideas about strength, authority,
#102
July 24 · 1 hr 4 min
#097: The Judas Effect with Author Amy Hawk
What happens when the faith you've always known no longer looks like the Jesus you love? This week on The God Squad Podcast, Dillon and Desimber welcome Amy Hawk, author of The Judas Effect: How Evangelicals Betrayed Jesus for Power, for an honest conversation about faith, politics, and spiritual transformation. Amy shares the deeply personal journey that inspired her book, why she believes the American evangelical movement lost sight of Jesus, and how she found hope on the other side of disappo
#101
July 17 · 1 hr
#096: Jesus, Justice & Peacemaking with Fr. Joash P. Thomas
In this episode of The God Squad Podcast, Dillon and Desimber welcome Fr. Joash P. Thomas—priest, public theologian, author, and educator—for a compelling conversation about his book, The Justice of Jesus. Together they explore what biblical justice really means, why peacemaking is central to the Gospel, and how Christians can faithfully embody the teachings of Jesus in a divided world. Fr. Joash shares his vision for a Church that moves beyond belief into courageous action, inviting listeners t
#100
July 10 · 1 hr 28 min
#095: Breaking News. Broken Theology.
This week on The God Squad, Dillon and Desimber dive into the biggest headlines shaping faith, politics, and justice in Breaking News and Broken Theology. Dillon names Doug Wilson as his Fundamentalist Fuckwit of the Week, while Desimber spotlights Pastor Dale Partridge as This MF of the Week, unpacking the influence of White Christian Nationalism and its impact on the Church and society. The conversation also celebrates encouraging Supreme Court and appellate court victories, examines the week'
#99
July 3 · 1 hr 1 min
#094: What Is Progressive Christianity? with Rev. Dr. Mark Sandlin
Rev. Dr. Mark Sandlin joins Dillon and Desimber for a thoughtful conversation about Progressive Christianity and its relevance in today's world. Together they explore what Progressive Christianity is, the mission of the modern church, and the role Christians can play in pursuing justice, compassion, and reconciliation. Dr. Sandlin also shares what he believes is his calling in these tumultuous times and offers insight into how faith can remain both intellectually honest and deeply rooted in the
#98
July 2 · 1 hr 7 min
SPOTLIGHT: LGBTQ+ In The Church (Special Episode with Matthew J. Distefano)
Dillon & Desimber debrief the debate of Matthew Distefano and Andrew Wilson on "Modern Day Debate." The question that persists within the church and within the political arena is: Where do LGBTQ+ people belong? Do they belong in the Church? If not, why? If so, how do we validate that position in scripture? And ultimately the age old question remains, What Would Jesus Do?

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