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

Phil and Ted welcome the delightful standup comedy veteran Wendy Liebman for a lively, laugh-filled conversation. From her early days in Boston and a serendipitous comedy class to performing on the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, Kimmel, Leno, and more.

The trio dives into the art of joke-writing and handling on-stage bombs. Wendy opens up about her accidental path into comedy, the nerve-wracking moments of performing on TV, and how she crafts her signature rapid-fire, wordplay-driven punchlines, and reveals her all-time favorite jokes.

Tune in for stories about brushes with legendary comics, comedy club camaraderie, growing bolder with age, and why Wendy Liebman believes it’s never too late to build strong friendships (or find the perfect bra).

Links referenced in this episode:

1. wendylebman.com
2. elportal.com

Takeaways:

1. Wendy Liebman's journey into comedy began serendipitously after mistakenly enrolling in a comedy class, which ultimately led to her successful career.
2. The art of joke-writing is a complex process that Wendy Liebman navigates by crafting rapid-fire punchlines and utilizing clever wordplay.
3. Throughout her career, Wendy has encountered numerous legendary comics, which has enriched her perspective on the comedy landscape.
4. Wendy discusses the significance of resilience in stand-up comedy, particularly in overcoming the challenges of bombing on stage.
5. As one matures, Wendy asserts that it is never too late to forge meaningful friendships, highlighting the importance of connection at any age.
6. Wendy's experiences performing on iconic television shows like The Tonight Show with Johnny Carson demonstrate the significant impact such platforms have on a comedian's career.

Nikki Nash is no ordinary Valley Girl. Growing up in the 1960s, her unconventional musician father and politically radical mother would throw weekend-long and wild parties. The Black Panthers hung out at her home, and the FBI was watching.

At age 14, Nikki fixated on Warren Beatty, determined to win his heart. And she did! Nikki went on to pursue a vibrant career as a TV associate director, comic, writer, and actress. Her celebrity-infused journey of sex, drugs, religion, and Hollywood culture is told in her upcoming, laugh-filled memoir, "Collateral Stardust."

While Trump spends millions on a military parade for himself and directs cruel kidnappings on the streets across Los Angeles and across the country, Americans are getting ready to exercise their civil rights and duty to defend this attack on democracy.

Thousands of peaceful protests are planned across the world on Saturday, June 14, for "No Kings Day," which promises to be a consequential weekend in what is shaping up to be a long, hot summer.

Phil and Ted speak with Hunter Dunn, an organizer for the downtown Los Angeles rally, which is on the front lines of the federal government's violent assault on California and the entire nation.

Hunter provides details on what promises to be a massive protest gathering and their plans to keep the protest peaceful and safe, despite potential provocations from masked individuals and unidentified federal agents, which applies to all protests this weekend.

Phil and Ted welcome veteran actor Kurtwood Smith, perhaps best known as the stern father, Red Forman, on "That '70s Show." From his dramatic turn as Neil Perry's strict father in Dead Poets Society to his iconic villainous role as Clarence Boddicker in RoboCop, Smith seamlessly transitions between drama and comedy. Kurtwood talks about his favorite roles and the tectonic shifts reshaping Hollywood.

Today's show begins with the filmmakers behind "Drop Dead City," a new documentary about the 1975 New York City fiscal crisis. Eight million people in a crumbling city were brought to the edge of bankruptcy and social chaos by a perfect storm of greed, incompetence, ambitious social policy, and poor governance. The striking parallels with current America are unmistakable; dismantling public institutions in the name of austerity and public outcry.

Then, veteran sound engineer, producer, and Hollywood recording studio owner Bob Wayne talks about his new memoir, "Reel To Real Tales...Notes From Both Sides of the Recording Console."

Bob's studio production credits include over three hundred albums, and he won a Grammy in 2002 for his work on George Carlin's "Napalm and Silly Putty." Bob's studio, Sunburst Recording, collaborated with diverse talents as Adam Sandler, Ska bands Fishbone and Hepcat, Richie Havens, Micky Dolenz of The Monkees, Dr. Demento, television pioneer Steve Allen, and many jazz greats. The Firesign Theatre recorded their last three albums with Bob.