John Fugelsang was raised in a contemporary Christian household with traditional values of love and compassion, while observing the growth of the conservative Christian movement, starting with Jerry Falwell. In his book "The Separation of Church and State," John is a fierce and funny critic of the Christian right for abandoning Jesus's traditional teachings in pursuit of political power.

Takeaways:

1. John Fugelsang's upbringing in a contemporary Christian household instilled in him the values of love and compassion, which he believes diverge sharply from those now espoused by the conservative Christian right.
2. The rise of the conservative Christian movement has led to a significant departure from traditional Christian teachings, as they have increasingly prioritized power over the core messages of love and service exemplified by Jesus.
3. Fugelsang critiques the contemporary Christian right for their hypocrisy, arguing that they manipulate biblical teachings to serve their political agendas while ignoring the true essence of Jesus' messages.
4. In his book, Fugelsang seeks to reclaim the Bible from those who distort its teachings for personal gain, advocating for a return to the radical compassion that Jesus embodied throughout his life.
5. The discussion highlights the importance of addressing moral issues, such as poverty and justice, that Jesus prioritized, rather than focusing on divisive issues that conservative Christians often emphasize, like abortion.
6. Fugelsang's experiences and observations reveal how Christian nationalism has co-opted religious teachings to justify political power, ultimately leading to a betrayal of the foundational values of Christianity.

"Jesus was:

A peaceful, radically nonviolent revolutionary

Who wasn’t American and never spoke English

Who hung around lepers, hookers, and crooks

Never sought tax cuts for rich Nazarenes

Was anti-wealth and anti–death penalty

Anti–public prayer, too (Matthew 6:5)

Never asked lepers for a co-pay

Never called poor people “lazy”

Never even slightly anti-gay

Never mentioned abortion

Supported paying taxes

And was a long-haired

Community-organizing

Authority-questioning

Anti-slut-shaming

Brown-skinned Palestinian

Unarmed Homeless Jew

. . . but only if you believe what’s actually in the Bible." -John Fugelsang

Links referenced in this episode:

1. johnfugelsang.com
2. siriusxm.com
3. firesigntheatre.com

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. SiriusXM
2. Turning Point USA
3. Firesign Theatre

"The Mommies" (Carol Christensen & Marilyn Kentz) hilariously spill the beans (and chili) on their accidental rocket ride from a suburban cul-de-sac to Hollywood TV sitcom and talk show stardom, and the perks that came with it, like scoring bloody ringside seats at the ear-biting Tyson Heavyweight fight in Las Vegas.

They share the absurdities of navigating the entertainment industry, from the exhilarating highs of sold-out performances to their re-entry to reality, selling crockpots to crackpots on QVC.

Today, they've found a whole new audience- women facing the realities of aging, emphasizing shared experiences.

Takeaways:

1. The Mommies' ascent to network television was entirely serendipitous, emerging from suburban obscurity.
2. Throughout their careers, the Mommies encountered numerous unexpected challenges that tested their resilience.
3. Despite their initial success, the Mommies faced the harsh realities of Hollywood's fickle nature, leading to a decline in prominence.
4. Their experiences illustrate the ephemeral nature of fame, particularly in the entertainment industry.
5. The Mommies' journey underscores the importance of camaraderie in navigating the vicissitudes of show business.
6. In their new iteration, the Mommies aim to resonate with women facing the realities of aging, emphasizing shared experiences.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Showtime
2. NBC
3. CBS
4. ABC
5. Viacom
6. Oprah
7. Wayne Newton
8. Run DMC
9. Don King
10. Jesse Jackson
11. John Goodman
12. Peter Bergman
13. Mary Tyler Moore
14. Bob Newhart
15. Golden Girls
16. All My Children
17. Valium
18. Prozac

Phil and Ted welcome acclaimed horror fiction author Whitley Strieber (“The Wolfen" and "The Hunger”), best known for his groundbreaking book "Communion," which recounts his encounters with non-human entities that changed the course of UFO history.

Strieber has meticulously chronicled experiences of missing time, encounters with non-human entities, implants, and the trauma and ridicule that follow people who live through them.

Ted shares how separate chance encounters with Whitley Strieber and a mysterious "chauffeur" (revealed to be Bernie, their guest) changed the course of his investigative career.

It’s mind-bending—and, as always, a little bit sexy.

Companies mentioned in this episode:

1. Phil and Ted's Sexy Boomer Show
2. Dreamland
3. Unknown Country
4. Saturday Night Live
5. WRNW
6. Brewster
7. Cozumel
8. Whitley Strieber
9. Bud Hopkins
10. Barnes and Noble

Links referenced in this episode:

1. sexyBoomershow.com
2. unknowncountry.com
3. dreamland.com