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John Fea

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The UpWords Podcast
The UpWords PodcastWas America Founded as a Christian Nation? | John FeaIn this episode of The UpWords Podcast, host Dan Hummel sits down with historian John Fea, distinguished professor at Messiah College and visiting fellow at the Lumen Center, to explore one of the most debated questions in American history: Was America founded as a Christian nation? John shares insights from his Upper House lecture, unpacking the complexity behind this question and why it matters today. They discuss definitions of “Christian” and “nation,” the role of religion in the founding era, and the cultural and political stakes of this debate.📌 What You’ll Learn:· Why this question is mo...
2026-01-1941 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 125: Black Evangelicals in American HistoryWhat does it mean to be Black and evangelical—and why has that story been so often overlooked? In this episode, John Fea sits down with Vincent Bacote, co-creator and host of the new documentary Black and Evangelical. They explore the history of Black evangelicals in America, from the Nottage Brothers and the Great Migration to the founding of the National Black Evangelical Association and the unforgettable moment Tom Skinner took the stage at Urbana ‘70. Bacote discusses why this documentary matters today, how white evangelical institutions shaped (and sometimes constrained) Black evangelical life, and the endu...
2025-10-0749 minChurch and Main
Church and MainHow the Big, Beautiful Bill Killed Compassionate Conservatism with John Fea | Episode 252Today we look at the compassionate conservatism and its relevance in today's political climate with historian John Fea. We examine the origins of this movement, rooted in social justice and faith-based initiatives, and its initial implementation during the George W. Bush administration, particularly through programs like PEPFAR. John highlights how the philosophy has deteriorated under the Trump administration, which marked a shift towards isolationism and away from collective responsibility. We explore the evangelical community's surprising loyalty to Trump, despite contradictions with compassionate conservatism, and reflect on the need for a revitalization of these principles through education and dialogue. 
2025-10-0358 minRe-integrate
Re-integrateWhy Study History? (podcast) with Dr. John FeaBoth David and Bob are history buffs. But studying history is not as simple as watching a documentary, a biopic, or reading a bestselling narrative history. We need to be aware of how historians actually do their craft, and use those same tools as we watch and read. Some use history to advance their political agendas, while others just echo ideas that are not substantiated by historical scholarship. Armchair historians can often get it very wrong. How should Christians study history? Christians are a people of the Truth, so how do we know...
2025-03-151h 05Thinking Historically About
Thinking Historically AboutThinking Historically about Alexander Hamilton, Thomas Jefferson, and Human Nature with Dr. John FeaIn this episode, we are thinking historically with John Fea, professor of history at Messiah University. Dr. Fea helps us better understand how Alexander Hamilton's and Thomas Jefferson's divergent views on human nature shaped their vision for government.This episode is part of Thinking Nation's curriculum series, "Thinking Historically." In each episode, a scholar helps us better understand the historical questions that students are engaging with in our curriculum.
2024-01-1216 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 120: Popular Historians in Post-War AmericaShould professional historians write for the general public? If so, who is the "public" they are trying to reach? And when historians do write for the public how do they manage to make their work readable and accessible without sacrificing scholarly integrity? What role does politics, and even activism, play in popular history writing? These are questions that the historical profession, and in some respects, the nation, are currently wrestling with. Our guest today, historian Nick Witham, author of Popularizing the Past: Historians, Publishers, and Readers in Postwar America, reminds us that these questions are not new. Some of t...
2023-10-161h 03The Road to Now
The Road to NowChristianity and American Politics in the 21st Century w/ John Fea John Fea is taking on the history of Christianity and American politics in the 21st century. In three volumes. In this (single) episode, we talk about this tremendous task that John is undertaking and also get his thoughts on why the political Christian right came to feel disappointed in the Bush administration, why they later rallied around Donald Trump, and what this might mean for American politics moving forward. Dr. John Fea is Professor of History at Messiah University & author of multiple books including Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?: A Historical Introduction (Westminster John Knox P...
2023-06-1949 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 111: The Evangelical Battle Over the End TimesIf you want to learn more about the evangelical fascination with the rapture, Israel, the antichrist, and the prophetic books of the Bible you will enjoy this episode. Our guest is Daniel Hummel, author of The Rise and Fall of Dispensationalism: How the Evangelical Battle Over the End Times Shaped a Nation. We talk with Dan about John Nelson Darby, Plymouth Brethren, Dwight L. Moody, Dallas Theological Seminary, Tim LaHaye, Hal Lindsey. John Hagee, and much more! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2023-06-111h 11The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 102: The Ghosts of Colonial WilliamsburgOur guest on this episode, public historian Alena Pirok, explains how John D. Rockefeller's vision of Colonial Williamsburg eventually gave way to a vision of the site championed by an early 20th century clergyman who saw ghosts. Join us for a conversion on Pirok's new book, The Spirit of Colonial Williamsburg: Ghosts and Interpreting the Recreated Past.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2022-09-251h 03The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 100: Christian Historians as Activists?In this episode, our 100th, host John Fea delivers his 2022 Conference on Faith and History presidential address. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2022-04-241h 08The Road to Now
The Road to NowWas America Founded as a Christian Nation? w/ John FeaBob speaks with Messiah College's John Fea about Christianity in Early America and the ways that the founders viewed the relationship between faith and politics. Fea outlines the "5 Cs" of history, the importance of approaching history with an open mind, and explains why he thinks the title of his book Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? may not be the question in approaching Christianity's role in the establishment of the United States. John Fea is Professor of American History and Chair of the Department of History at Messiah College and host of the podcast The Way...
2022-02-0753 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 89: The Heretical John C. CalhounJohn C. Calhoun is among the most notorious and enigmatic figures in American political history. In this episode we talk with Robert Elder, author of Calhoun: American Heretic. Elder shows that Calhoun's story is crucial for understanding the political climate in which we find ourselves today. If we excise him from the mainstream of American history, he argues, we are left with a distorted understanding of our past and no way to explain our present. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2021-08-221h 02Indulge In Your Ears To A Edge-Of-Your-Seat Full Audiobook.
Indulge In Your Ears To A Edge-Of-Your-Seat Full Audiobook.Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? Revised Edition by John FeaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/132382to listen full audiobooks. Title: Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? Revised Edition Author: John Fea Narrator: Scott R. Pollak Format: mp3 Length: 11 hrs and 30 mins Release date: 02-23-21 Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 21 ratings Genres: Christianity Publisher's Summary: John Fea offers a thoroughly researched, evenhanded primer on whether America was founded to be a Christian nation, as many evangelicals assert, or a secular state, as others contend. He approaches the title's question from a historical perspective, helping listeners see past the emotional rhetoric of today to the recorded facts of our past...
2021-02-2311h 30The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 81: God's Law and OrderOn June 1, 2020, Donald Trump declared himself a "law and order" president and marched to historic St. John's Church for a photo-op with a Bible. Our guest in this episode, historian Aaron Griffith, helps us understand why evangelicals cheered this moment. Join us for a conversation on evangelicalism, crime, and mass incarceration with the author of the fascinating new book, God's Law and Order: The Politics of Punishment in Evangelical America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2021-01-311h 17The Road to Now
The Road to NowWhy the 1776 Report Still Matters w/ John FeaOne of Joe Biden's first acts as President of the United States was to sign an executive order that disbanded his predecessor's advisory committee to promote "patriotic education." This came just two days after the so-called 1776 Commission had published its report, leading many critics to see the report as old news. In reality though, the 1776 report is indicative of social and political forces that transcend Trump's time in office. In this episode Bob and Ben talk with historian John Fea about the content of the report, how it relates to the New York Times 1619 Project, and the many problems...
2021-01-251h 17The Holy Post
The Holy PostEpisode 438: The Year that Unveiled Evangelicalism with John FeaWe're starting the new year with a look back. John Fea, history professor from Messiah College, author of "Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump," and the official historian of the Holy Post podcast, says 2020 was a year that "unveiled" the truth about American evangelicalism. He also explores how different court evangelicals have responded to Trump's loss, and what may happen next. Fea also looks at Phil's recent video about the history of evangelicalism, and how the Second Great Awakening shaped so much of what we're seeing today. Also this week—Skye goes skiing and Phil replaces Plinky Pe...
2021-01-061h 09The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 79: John Foster Dulles and the Cold War Protestant LeftIn this episode we talk about the connections between liberal Protestantism, American foreign policy, and the Cold War in mid-20th-century America. We discuss these themes through an examination of the life of former U.S. Secretary of State (1953-1959) John Foster Dulles. Our guest is John Wilsey, author of God' Cold Warrior: The Life and Faith of John Foster Dulles. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2020-12-131h 07The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 78: "How a 1630 Sermon Shaped American Exceptionalism"Our guest in this episode is Abram Van Engen, author of City on a Hill: A History of American Exceptionalism. He helps us make sense of the phrase "city on a hill" in John Winthrop's famous 1630 sermon, both in its 17th-century context and today. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2020-12-0652 minThe Dismantling Doctrine Podcast
The Dismantling Doctrine PodcastBonus Episode - The Christian Right: Power Politics, Dominion Theology, and Christian Nationalism (with Dr John Fea) This special bonus episode is a chat with Dr John Fea, professor of American history at Messiah College in Pennsylvania--and although he's an evangelical, he is a prominent voice who has been speaking out for years about what he terms the "court evangelicals" surrounding Donald Trump.  Dr Fea is also the author of multiple books and articles, but I wanted to focus on two works: first, his 2011 book Was America Founded as a Christian Nation: A Historical Perspective, and his more recent work, Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump (2018).
2020-10-2646 minRe-integrate
Re-integrateHistory, Evangelicals, and Trump - with John FeaIn this podcast, we continue our discussion with Dr. John Fea. Professor of American History at Messiah University. He provides a historical framework for understanding the rise of the Religious Right and the political environment that led to evangelicals embracing Donald Trump in the 2016 election. We discuss the political playbook of the Religious Right that has limited the strategy to overturning Roe v Wade with Supreme Court justices. This framework for political engagement doesn’t ask wider questions like, What can we do to reduce abortions to the point that women no longer see a need to ha...
2020-09-0134 minRe-integrate
Re-integrateWas America Founded as a Christian Nation? with John FeaThe idea that America was founded to be a Christian nation is a presumption that many evangelical Christians have. It is no wonder, since so many conservative preachers and teachers perpetuate the myth, including Robert Jeffress, Eric Metaxas, and David Barton. Dr. John Fea, Distinguished Professor of American History at Messiah University, wrote a detailed history book on the subject and provides insight and analysis on what the founders actually believed and what they were attempting to do in the founding of the United States. He says that Christians should be seeking the truth about...
2020-08-2532 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 73: Cowboy EvangelicalismWhat does it mean to be a man in white evangelical Christianity? In this episode we talk with historian Kristin Kobes Du Mez, author of Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation. We discuss definitions of masculinity, the Gospel Coalition, Beth Moore, Donald Trump, the 2016 election, the differences between White and Black views of Christian manhood, and how the thesis of her book might be applied to American evangelical culture during the COVID-19 pandemic. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2020-08-091h 12The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 72: Andrew Jackson, Donald Trump, and the Upending of SHEARIn this episode we talk with Daniel Feller, the editor of The Papers of Andrew Jackson at the University of Tennessee-Knoxville. We discuss his work as a documentary editor, the uses of Andrew Jackson in the age of Trump, and a controversial paper he recently delivered at the annual meeting of the Society for the Historians of the Early American Republic (SHEAR). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2020-08-021h 24The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Writing History for Young ReadersHave you ever wanted to write a children's, middle-grade, or young adult history book? How do you get started? What is the process like? Do I need an agent? In this episode, we talk about writing history for young readers with former Smithsonian educator and author Tim Grove. Tim is the author, most recently, of Star Spangled: The Story of a Flag, a Battle, and the American Anthem. Learn more about his work at TimGrove.Net Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2020-07-1255 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Systemic RacismIf our mailbox in the wake of the death of George Floyd is any indication, many listeners of this podcast and readers of The Way of Improvement Leads Home blog are making honest efforts to understand the meaning of phrases like “systemic racism” and “white privilege.” Can racism in America be solved by a simple change of individual character? Or does it require much deeper shifts in the ways we order our collective lives? In this episode, we will think through these issues with Dr. Scott Hancock, a professor of African-American history and Africana Studies at Gettysburg College in Gettysbur...
2020-06-2155 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 69: Be Like Mike?Did you watch "The Last Dance," the ESPN documentary on Michael Jordan and the 1990s Chicago Bulls? In this episode of the podcast, Baylor University sports historian Paul Putz helps us make sense of it. Join us for a conversation about Jordan's place in NBA history, the role of the black athlete in American culture, and some thoughts on how the stories of athletes like Jordan provide a window into our own identities as human beings. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2020-06-071h 09The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Episode 68: The History of the Presidential CabinetThe members of Donald Trump's controversial cabinet are regular features of the 24-hour news cycle. He has fired members of his cabinet who challenge his thinking on a host of foreign and domestic issues. Just ask Rex Tillerson, James Mattis, and Jeff Sessions. But how did our first president, George Washington, imagine the role of the cabinet? In this episode, we think historically about this important part of the executive branch with historian Lindsay Chervinsky, author of The Cabinet: George Washington and the Creation of an American Institution. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...
2020-05-3158 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Exploring the History of Childhood and Play Through 50 Historic TreasuresWe are back! COVID-19 forced us to make some changes to our production, but the podcast is ready to forge ahead into the Summer. Since many Americans are still stuck at home playing games with their families to bide the time, we thought it would be fun to devote an entire episode to your favorite childhood toys and playthings. Public historian Susan Fletcher, author of the recently released Exploring the History of Childhood and Play Through 50 Historic Treasures, joins us. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2020-05-2345 minSchenck Talks Bonhoeffer
Schenck Talks BonhoefferEpisode 30 - Interview with Dr. John Fea, author of “Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Trump”.In this new episode of Schenck Talks Bonhoeffer, Rev. Rob Schenck talks to Dr. John Fea regarding his book, “Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Trump.” As an evangelical, Dr. Fea tells why it is important to learn from history, and to see why the path that American evangelicals have taken is a dangerous road -- both for the witness of the Gospel and for the trajectory of the role of faith in public life.
2020-01-3141 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Drew's FarewellFor four years Drew Dyrli Hermeling has been the heart and soul of The Way of Improvement Leads Home Podcast. We are saddened that he has decided to step away from his work here, but excited that he will have more time to devote to his history students at The Stone School, an independent college-prep school in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Drew joins us for one final episode to reminisce with John about their work together on this project. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2020-01-2635 minRTN Theology
RTN TheologyWas America Founded as a Christian Nation?: John FeaIn the second installment of RTN Theology, Bob speaks with Messiah College’s John Fea about Christianity in Early America and the ways that the founders viewed the relationship between faith and politics. Fea outlines the “5 Cs” of history, the importance of approaching history with an open mind, and explains why he thinks the title of his book Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? may not be the question in approaching Christianity’s role in the establishment of the United States. Ian Skotte also contributes his thoughts on Christian relics and why he sees authenticity as less important than fai...
2020-01-231h 03The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Springsteen's HometownIf you know anything about John Fea, it's that when it comes to rock and roll, his tastes begin and end with the Boss. So when he heard that a new Springsteen exhibit was opening in his hometown of Freehold, New Jersey, John couldn't help but give himself a Christmas present and dedicate an episode to the exhibit. He is joined by the museum's curator and Monmouth University historian, Melissa Ziobro. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-12-2936 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Miss America's GodThroughout the history of the Miss America Pageant, there has been a complicated relationship between sexuality and religion. The goal of the pageant is to crown the ideal American woman, but judge these women simultaneously based on their so-called purity as well as their sex appeal. Host John Fea explores his own relationship with the pageant and its roots in the New Jersey boardwalk culture. He is joined by Baylor's Mandy McMichael (@mandyemcmichael), author of Miss America's God: Faith and Identity in America's Oldest Pageant. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-12-1544 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Reverse Underground RailroadAmericans are undoubtedly familiar with the harrowing journey made by freedom seekers escaping enslavement that we have termed the "Underground Railroad." Sadly, historians are only now becoming equally aware of a "Reverse Underground Railroad," in which free black people from the North were kidnapped and sold into slavery in the Deep South. Historian Richard Bell tells the story of one such kidnapping in his new book Stolen, and joins John Fea to talk about it on this week's podcast. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-12-0846 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Not Your Father's Military HistoryMilitary history is changing. While Father's Day gifts still tend to focus on troop movements and great generals, military historians in the academy are instead turning to subjects like the lives of veterans, the effects of war on the home front, and minorities in the military. One such military historian is John Fea's newest colleague at Messiah College, Dr. Sarah Myers (@DrSarahMyers), who researches the Women Airforce Service Pilots, or WASP. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-11-1054 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Evangelicals and OilWho knew that evangelical Christianity and the emergence of the American oil industry were so intimately linked? In this episode, host John Fea explores what it means to be an evangelical and whether scholarly debates over the term help us to better understand the role played by evangelicals throughout American history. He is joined by Notre Dame historian Darren Dochuk, who discusses his new book, Anointed with Oil: How Christianity and Crude Made Modern America. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-10-2058 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The History of "Free Enterprise"In conservative political circles, the idea of "free enterprise" is revered with a religious zeal. This is especially interesting as these political ideals are often held by Evangelical Christians. Host John Fea explores what historians of termed the "business turn" of American Chrisitan history. They are joined by Cornell historian Lawrence Glickman (@LarryGlickman), the author of Free Enterprise: An American History.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-10-0656 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Why College?Increasingly, college campuses have transformed from places of rigorous scholarly pursuits into glorified centers for job training. But is this what college is really for? Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling sit down and discuss the need for aspirational hope in an increasingly pessimistic world. They are joined by Dr. Johann Neem (@JohannNeem), author of the recent book, What's the Point of College?  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2019-09-221h 06The Holy Post
The Holy PostEpisode 366: The Secret Evangelical Illuminati with John FeaBuckle your seatbelts. While promoting his new VeggieTales show, Phil was asked about LGBTs in kids' media. Now everyone from Ben Shapiro to The Advocate is responding. Phil's off the cuff remarks have made him a hero to some and a villain to others. This week he explains why he's neither, and how both sides of the culture war twist things to fit their biases. Then Skye interviews official Holy Post historian, John Fea, about the new Netflix documentary series "The Family." Is there really a secret society of evangelicals inflitrating world governments? Fea offers both history and perspective...
2019-08-281h 12Things Not Seen Podcast
Things Not Seen PodcastEvangelicals and the Trump Presidency: John Fea Live (Rebroadcast)David Dault speaks to historian John Fea in a live interview at Chicago's Seminary Co-op Bookstore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2019-08-0550 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.When Musicians Study American HistoryHere at the podcast, we have often engaged with our collective love of popular music and the history embedded within that love. Host John Fea regularly cites New Jersey state treasure Bruce Springsteen and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling channels his experience in garage bands every time he produces an episode. It is therefore fitting that they close out the season with guest Bob Crawford (@BobCrawfordBass) of the wildly popular The Avett Brothers (@TheAvettBros).Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (drj4college.com). Learn more about your...
2019-06-091h 07The Holy Post
The Holy PostEpisode 354: Persecution, Privilege, & Identity Politics with John FeaIn a number of recent commencement speeches at Christian colleges, Vice President Mike Pence has been warning graduates about the hostility of our culture toward Christians. Historian John Fea is back to talk about what Pence gets right, and what he gets wrong, about the persecution of evangelicals in the U.S. Plus, Fea shares his theory about why regular church attendees are the most likely to still support Trump. Also this week, an evangelical activist is guilty of "astroturfing" Muslims. Airports try to ban Chick-Fil-A and Hollywood studios boycott states passing abortion restrictions. And is conservative politics killing...
2019-06-061h 07The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.History for the iPhone GenerationNow that most everyone carries a search engine in their pocket, why do we still need to study history? Our present age demonstrates just how deceiving the internet can truly be. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling make the case that historical thinking is a critical tool for surviving this "post-truth" era while also warning against the dangers of leaning too heavily into presentism. They are joined by Sam Wineburg (@samwineburg), the author of Why Learn History (When It’s Already on Your Phone). Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (dr...
2019-05-261h 01The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Temples of the MarketplaceWhen people think of the melding of faith and business, companies like Hobby Lobby and Chick-fil-A usually come to mind. However, like all things, the history of this type of partnership has a deeper history. Host John Fea reaches into early America to discuss the complicated integration of faith and business among Philadelphia's Quakers. They are joined by historian Nicole Kirk, author of Wanamaker's Temple: The Business of Religion in an Iconic Department Store. Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (drj4college.com). Learn more about your ad...
2019-05-1252 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Religious Beliefs of the Adams FamilyDon't be confused by the title, we are not talking about the spooky family from the 1960s. Rather, in this episode, we turn to the religious history of one of America's founding families. By focusing on the Adams family, one can trace the evolution of American religion as John, Abigail, JQA, and others wrestle with Providence, the Enlightenment, and a changing political landscape. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling are joined by Sara Georgini (@sarageorgini), the author of Household Gods: The Religious Lives of the Adams Family. Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Je...
2019-04-281h 01The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Why is America So Divided?Whether you ask a young college student or a baby boomer, the only thing people seem to agree on these days is that we are more politically divided than ever. But is this true, and if so, how did we get this way? Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling try to tackle this question. They are joined by Princeton historian and CNN commentator Julian Zelizer (@julianzelizer), the co-author of the recent book, Fault Lines: A History of the United States Since 1974. Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (drj4college.com).
2019-04-0748 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Color of CompromiseWith so many contemporary examples of racism in American society, it is tempting to see these as the actions of racist individuals. However, many social critics have increasingly pointed to the structure and system of racism as an active part of American society today, and the Church is no different. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling are joined by Jemar Tisby (@JemarTisby), the president of the The Witness, a Black Christian Collective,  host of the podcast Pass the Mic, and the author of the new book, The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Com...
2019-03-241h 10The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.A City Upon a HillOne of the most enduring phrases at the heart of American exceptionalism is John Winthrop's famous proclamation that the Puritan colonists were establishing a "city upon a hill." But the story of this lay sermon is much more complicated, and, according to Bancroft-winning historian Daniel Rogers, Winthrop was not being triumphalist, but instead a statement of anxiety. Dr. Rogers joins us to discuss his new book on the sermon and its endurance, As a City on a Hill. Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (drj4college.com). Learn...
2019-02-101h 01The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.History for GamersFor those of us who teach history, we often worry that video games are just a distraction that our students play instead of doing their homework. However, history and historical thinking have long been tied to video games, from Oregon Trail through present-day titles such as Civilization and Assassin's Creed. Host John Fea reflects on his experience playing Assassin's Creed III. They are joined by historian and host of the podcast History Respawned, Bob Whitaker. Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (drj4college.com). Learn more about your...
2018-12-2358 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Reconciling the Church and SlaverySadly, the Church, both in America and abroad, has a long history of supporting the institution of slavery. So what can a single congregation do to reconcile their past with a contemporary commitment to social justice? In today's episode, host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss truth and reconciliation within the Church. They are joined by public historian Chris Graham, who serves as the chair of the History and Reconciliation Initiative at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church in Richmond, Virginia. Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (drj4college.com)....
2018-12-0253 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.An American SaintDespite often being cast as the religion of immigrants, Catholicism has a long history here in the United States. Unfortunately, so does anti-Catholicism. In this episode, host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss American Catholicism. John looks at the roots and utility of political anti-Catholicism. They are joined by historian Catherine O'Donnell who discusses her new biography, Elizabeth Seton: American Saint. Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (drj4college.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-11-041h 02Things Not Seen Podcast
Things Not Seen PodcastEvangelicals and the Trump Presidency: John Fea LIVEDavid Dault speaks to historian John Fea in a live interview at Chicago's Seminary Co-op Bookstore Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
2018-10-2147 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.PopulismWith the election of Donald Trump, the term populism has returned to the political lexicon. However, while many people may use the term, fewer people truly understand its meaning and history. On today's episode, we try to unpack the idea of populism in the American context. John Fea discusses the history of his favorite populist, William Jennings Bryan. They are joined by the foremost historian on the subject, Michael Kazin. Sponsored by the Lyndhurst Group (lyndhurstgroup.org) and Jennings College Consulting (drj4college.com). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com...
2018-10-2149 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.SportianityWhat do Tim Tebow and Colin Kaepernick have in common? Besides being NFL quarterbacks, they're both famous kneelers. Yet their actions have been interpreted by sports fans and American Christians in very different ways. In today's episode, we explore the deep historical connections between sports and Christianity. Host John Fea looks into what colonial New England's Puritans thought about sports. They are joined by Messiah historian Paul Putz, who discusses his work on the unique melding of sports and religion, "sportianity."  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-10-0752 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Returning to CharlottesvilleThe legacy of August 12, 2017, in Charlottesville haunts America. The precipitating event, the removal of Confederate monuments, continues to be debated in southern cities and on college campuses. This is a conversation that warrants sustained historicization. Host John Fea lends his thoughts to the recent toppling of "Silent Sam" at the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill. They are joined by University of Virginia-based historian and podcaster Nicole Hemmer (@pastpunditry) who recently dropped her own serial podcast, A12, in response to her experiences during the violence of the "Summer of Hate." Learn more about your ad...
2018-09-2355 minGive and Take
Give and TakeEpisode 114: Believe Me: The Evangelical Road To Donald Trump, with John FeaMy guest is John Fea. John is professor of American history at Messiah College in Mechanicsburg, Pennsylvania. His previous books include Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? A Historical Introduction, and he blogs regularly at The Way of Improvement Leads Home. His newest book Believe Me: The Evangelical Road To Donald Trump argues that the embrace of Donald Trump is the logical outcome of a long-standing evangelical approach to public life defined by the politics of fear, the pursuit of worldly power, and a nostalgic longing for an American past. As insightful as it is timely...
2018-08-0747 minEmbark On The Most Spellbinding Full Audiobook Today!
Embark On The Most Spellbinding Full Audiobook Today!Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump by John FeaPlease visithttps://thebookvoice.com/podcasts/2/audible/132335to listen full audiobooks. Title: Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump Author: John Fea Narrator: Trevor Thompson Format: mp3 Length: 6 hrs and 38 mins Release date: 06-26-18 Ratings: 4.5 out of 5 stars, 155 ratings Genres: Christianity Publisher's Summary: “Believe me” may be the most commonly used phrase in Donald Trump’s lexicon. Whether about building a wall or protecting the Christian heritage, the refrain is constant. And to the surprise of many, about 80 percent of white evangelicals have believed Trump. Historian John Fea is not surprised - and in Believe Me he explains how we hav...
2018-06-266h 38The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.*Believe Me* Book LaunchOn June 28, John Fea will release his new book, Believe Me: The Evangelical Road to Donald Trump with Eerdman's. As a bonus episode, producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling sat down with Fea to discuss the deep history that led 81% of white evangelicals to vote for Trump in the 2016 election.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-06-2451 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Live at Messiah College Educator's DayOn May 21, 2018, the Office of the Provost at Messiah College surprised the faculty at their annual Educator's Day with a live recording of our podcast. Under the theme "Flourishing in a Digital World," the goal was to highlight the ways in which Messiah faculty have been using digital tools within their own scholarship. In that spirit, we interviewed history professor and lead architect of the Digital Harrisburg project, David Pettegrew; English professor and director of the Center for Public Humanities, Jean Corey; and  film and digital media professor, Nathan Skulstad. The episode also features an interview of our regular h...
2018-06-101h 05The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Jesus Is the Rock That Rolls My Blues AwayChristianity has had a complicated relationship with rock and roll music. For some, this style is the "devil's music," arguing that even Christian rock music is evil. For others, rock and roll is just an art form like any other, whether the lyrics are "secular" or faith inspired. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling both discuss their experiences with rock music and the Christian faith. They are joined by Randall Stephens, author of The Devil’s Music: How Christians Inspired, Condemned, and Embraced Rock ’n’ Roll. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcas...
2018-05-2051 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Should You Go to Grad School?Anyone who has been paying attention to higher ed and the humanities knows that job prospects for recently minted Ph.Ds are abysmal. So why do people keep choosing to engage in such a difficult process that by many measures is unlikely to pay off? John Fea adds his thoughts to this question and they are joined by Erin Bartram, the author of the viral blog post, "The Sublimated Grief of the Left Behind." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-05-0654 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The 18th-Century Atlantic WorldThose of us who consider ourselves to be early American historians have been engaging with "the Atlantic World" paradigm for some time now. But what is the Atlantic World and why do so many historians find it compelling? Host John Fea explores the Atlantic life of William Moraley. They are joined by historian Timothy Shannon, whose recent work, Indian Captive, Indian King: Peter Williamson in American and Britain, explores yet another 18th-century life that spans either side of the Atlantic.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-04-2251 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Global HockeyHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling return to a beloved subject, sports culture. While they have previously discussed baseball, the Olympics, and soccer, in this episode they turn their attention to global hockey. John discusses his short history as an aspiring goalie. They are joined by Bruce Berglund, who offers a peek into his new project on the spread and evolution of global hockey cultures.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-04-0958 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.TwitterstoriansAlthough many assume that historians are stuck in the past, social media has revolutionized the ways in which historians engage with the public. Twitter has become an especially powerful platform, causing #twitterstorians, #vastearlyamerica, #everythinghasahistory as well as countless other subfield-specific hashtags to go viral among history lovers. Host John Fea shares his own experience with being a historian on twitter. They are joined by Princeton professor and popular twitterstorian, Kevin Kruse (@KevinMKruse).  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-03-2559 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Power of SportAs we wrap up the Winter Olympic season, host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling return to a favorite subject, the power of sport. In this episode, John discusses the social good to be found in the history of athletic competition. They are joined by Emmy-winner Amy Bass, the author of the new book One Goal: A Coach, a Team, and the Game That Brought a Divided Town Together, which explores the power of a high school soccer team made up of predominately Somali refugees as they quest for a Maine state championship. Learn...
2018-03-0457 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Politics of SexHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling continue to explore the many facets of the Culture Wars. Today, they tackle the often taboo subject of sex and politics. John discusses how sex was politicized in colonial America. They are joined by R. Marie Griffith, author of Moral Combat: How Sex Divided American Christians and Fractured American Politics.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2018-02-1857 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Searching for Christian America in a Boston High SchoolThe practice of historical thinking requires training. In this episode, host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss this crucial habit of the mind, especially within a political climate where historical claims run rampant regardless of whether there is evidence to back them up or not. They are joined by high school teacher Mike Milway, who teaches at the prestigious and socio-economically diverse Boston Trinity Academy in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as three of Dr. Milway's students, to discuss how they cultivate historical thinking in their classrooms.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit p...
2018-02-0458 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The EvangelicalsThe word “evangelical” has a number of meanings and connotations. However, in the current political and social climate, people are most likely to hear the word in association with politics. In this context, it is often synonymous with the Christian Right. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling unpack this term further, especially as it pertains to the “Age of Trump.” They are joined by Pulitzer, Bancroft, and National Book Award-winner Frances FitzGerald, who discusses her newest National Book Award-nominated book, The Evangelicals.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2017-12-211h 07The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Libertarianism and DemocracyMany voices in American politics have been sounding the alarm about the influence of the Koch brothers as a threat to voting rights, the direction of American conservatism, and the very sanctity of American democracy. But like all things, the Koch brothers have a history. In this episode, host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss the rise and influence of American libertarianism within the conservative movement. They are joined by Nancy MacLean who discusses her book, Democracy in Chains: The Deep History of the Radical Right’s Stealth Plan for America, which was just nominated for the Na...
2017-11-191h 08The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.That Memphis SoundOtis Redding. Booker T and the M.G.s. Eddie Floyd. Isaac Hayes. The Staples Sisters. What do all of these classic soul and R&B artists have in common? Stax Records. As he toured the history of the Civil Rights Movement this summer, host John Fea included a stop at the Stax Museum (@StaxMemphis) in Memphis, Tennessee. Eager to relive the experience and share such attractions as a floor-to-ceiling record room and Isaac Hayes’s gold-plated Cadillac, Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling are joined by the museum’s executive director, Jeff Kollath. They discuss the importance of that...
2017-10-2959 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.From Mount Vernon to Mar-a-LagoHere at The Way of Improvement Leads Home, we have traveled to both Mount Vernon and Monticello in our explorations of presidential history. Today, we explore a much more recent addition to the world of presidential real estate, Mar-a-Lago. While host John Fea explores the history of presidential vacations, guest Julian Chambliss (@JulianChambliss), historian and author of the Boston Review article “Draining the Swamp,” dives deeper into Mar-a-Lago as a lens for understanding Florida’s unique history, the disproportionate effects of climate change, and the origin of Trump’s unique and at times inscrutable blend of everyman populism and billiona...
2017-10-1559 minNew Books in Biblical Studies
New Books in Biblical StudiesJohn Fea, “The Bible Cause: A History of the American Bible Society” (Oxford UP, 2017)I own many Bibles, but curiously, I didn’t purchase any of them. They were all given to me, almost all by Protestant Christians. And, considering the history of Protestant Christianity, that impulse to freely offer “God’s word” makes a lot of sense. John Fea takes up the institutionalized giving of Bibles in a primarily American context in his new book, The Bible Cause: A History of the American Bible Society (Oxford University Press, 2016). Through a meticulously researched and carefully constructed chronological narrative of the American Bible Society, Fea expertly touches upon themes of foreign relations, gender, race, technolo...
2017-10-061h 01The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Way of Improvement Returns to the ClassroomHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling have returned to their classrooms for another semester of college teaching. What better time to once again explore the importance of pedagogy? John discusses issues surrounding secondary history standards and the way we train our teachers. They are joined by “The Tattooed Prof” Kevin Gannon (@TheTattooedProf) who unpacks his own “Teaching Manifesto.” Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2017-10-0152 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Thinking Historically About CharlottesvilleIn our opening episode of Season 4, host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling catch up on some of the important historical work that still needs to be done in the wake of the violence in Charlottesville. John shares his thoughts on “Make American Great Again” as a historical statement. They are joined by historian Kelly J. Baker (@kelly_j_baker) who discusses the connections between her work Gospel According to the Klan: The KKK’s Appeal to Protestant America, 1915-1930and the emergence of an increasingly vocal white supremacy movement in America today.  Learn more ab...
2017-09-1755 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Way of Improvement Leads to Ben Franklin's WorldTo close out Season 3, host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling turn to a fellow podcaster and early American scholar, Liz Covart (@lizcovart), the host of the wildly successful Ben Franklin’s World. They discuss how podcasting has emerged as a new form of scholarship, with John offering additional comments on the increased importance of this kind of public historical thinking within our particular political moment. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2017-06-1854 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Giving in AmericaWhen we historians say, “everything has a history,” we mean it. Even charity and philanthropy have rich histories and have changed over time. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling explore this history in an American context, touching on everything from robber-baron philanthropy to more recent trends like all-night college dance marathons and the ALS “Ice Bucket Challenge.” They are joined by the David M. Rubenstein Curator of Philanthropy at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, Amanda Moniz (@AmandaMoniz1). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2017-05-2154 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The History of American HealthcareOn May 4, 2017, the Republican-controlled House of Representatives passed the American Health Care Act, the first step towards fulfilling the GOP’s promise of “repealing and replacing” the Affordable Care Act, or Obamacare. But already what used to be a winning issue for Republicans appears to be turning against them. This is but the latest shift in a rich history of healthcare in America. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling tackle this politically-charged issue. They are joined by historian Nancy Tomes who just collected one of historical scholarship’s highest honors, the Bancroft Prize, for her book Remaking the Amer...
2017-05-071h 01The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Why We Need More Historians in the Silicon ValleyThe liberal arts vs. STEM. A degree in the humanities vs. a degree in business. The current conversation around higher education consistently pits the study of history, philosophy, or English against more “practical” pursuits like engineering or computer science. But both data and the insights of business leaders tell us that this is a false dichotomy. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss the value of the liberal arts within both the current economic and political climate. They are joined by venture capitalist Scott Hartley (@scottehartley), author of The Fuzzy and the Techie: Why the Liberal Arts will...
2017-04-231h 07The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.La Vida BaseballIt’s that time of year again—Opening Day. Once again, host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling make their way to the ballpark and get ready to discuss Americas’* pastime. This time around, they tackle race and ethnicity in baseball while also discussing this year’s prospects for their favorite teams. They are joined by University of Illinois historian and La Vida Baseball(@lavidabaseball) editor-in-chief Adrian Burgos, Jr. (@adburgosjr).*No, that is not a typo. For an explanation, listen to the episode! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoice
2017-04-091h 03The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.American ProphetsAmerica has long been a home to prophets. Tenskwatawa, Joseph Smith, Anne Hutchinson, and Martin Luther King, Jr. have all spoken truth to power. In today’s episode, John Fea and Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss America’s prophetic tradition. They are joined by documentary filmmaker Martin Doblmeier whose film, An American Conscience: The Reinhold Niebuhr Story, documents the life and theology of one of America’s most outspoken and revered prophets. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2017-03-2643 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Way of Improvement Leads Abroad?Of all the places for a couple of American historians, why are John Fea and Drew Dyrli Hermeling going to 1930s Czechoslovakia? In this episode, the team tries their hands at some comparative history while John discusses the internationalization of the study of the American past. They are joined by Bruce Berglund, who explores the search for meaning in one of Europe’s most secular societies with an added dose of international sports history for good measure. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2017-03-121h 09The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.AbolitionismTwo weeks ago, we discussed the Civil War. But the Civil War didn’t just occur spontaneously. Instead, it was a reaction to many larger political currents that had their roots in the very foundation of the United States. One such current was abolitionism. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss this issue and connect it to John’s own work on the American Bible Society. They are joined by the highly decorated historian Manisha Sinha (@ProfMSinha), who has just released The Slave’s Cause: A History of Abolition.  Learn more about your ad choi...
2016-12-1849 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Civil WarPerhaps there is no story more important to the United States than that of our Civil War. It is no surprise then that historians continue to find new things to say about the conflict. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss such things as living in the shadow of Gettysburg, the war’s most famous battle, teaching the Civil War, and the continued applicability of Abraham Lincoln’s second inaugural address. They are joined by the graphic historian Jonathan Fetter-Vorm (@fetter_vorm) who illustrated and co-wrote Battle Lines: A Graphic History of the Civil War.  ...
2016-12-0446 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.107 Years in the MakingWhen the Chicago Cubs finally ended the “Curse of the Billy Goat,” they demonstrated just how historic “America’s Pastime” truly is. When Michael Phelps won his 28th Olympic medal in Rio de Janeiro, he furthered his case for being known as the greatest Olympian history has ever known. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling once again tackle the history of sports, and are joined by Emmy award-winning sports historian, Amy Bass (@bassab1). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-11-2042 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Finally, it's Election DayWell, we have finally arrived at Election Day. After a long and grueling campaign, we are about to find out who will serve as the president of the United States for the next four years.Over the course of the campaign, there has been a lot of talk about whether we are witnessing the undermining of democracy. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling tackle this question historically. They are joined by NPR correspondent Sarah McCammon (@sarahmccammon), who discusses her time spent covering the Donald Trump campaign. Learn more about your ad...
2016-11-0635 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.How to be a Historian in PublicIs it truly possible for academic historians to climb down from the ivory tower and connect with the public? Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss the ways in which historians can engage with people outside of the academy, whether that be on Twitter or at the invitation of a mega-church. They are joined by Slate historian Rebecca Onion, whose own work on the Vault invites readers to engage with intriguing documents and artifacts. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-10-2340 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Biography: an AppraisalPerusing the shelves of your local bookstore, it’d be easy to assume that historians love biographies. However, historians have long wrestled with the problems of hero worship that are so often present within biographical literature. Join host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling as they discuss this genre of historical writing. They are joined by historian Ann Little, who discusses her latest work on the eighteenth-century life of Esther Wheelwright. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-10-0952 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.On Historical ReenactingHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling are back and ready for season 2. In this episode, they tackle the issue of historical reenacting. Is it just another kind of historical thinking? Or is it something different? They are joined first by “Thomas Jefferson” who discusses the current state of his 1800 campaign for the presidency. He is followed by Steve Edenbo, a professional “actor-historian” who portrays Thomas Jefferson. Edenbo discusses the process of researching and embodying such a famous historical figure along with the state of his profession in a post-“Hamiltonian” world. Learn more about your a...
2016-09-1856 minLeadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library
Leadership and Legacy: Conversations at the George Washington Presidential Library5. John FeaDr. John Fea is Professor of American History and Chair of the History Department at Messiah College and was a fellow at the Washington Library during the 2015-16 academic year. He is the author or editor of four books, one of which - Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? - was a finalist for the George Washington book prize. Fea also blogs daily about his work at www.thewayofimprovement.com. In this episode he discusses the research he conducted while at the Library concerning religion during the colonial and Revolutionary eras. 
2016-07-0259 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Baby, We Were Born to Run (Home)The long-awaited Bruce Springsteen episode has arrived! Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling address the historical, political, and even spiritual significance of the Boss. They are joined by Marc Dolan, author of Bruce Springsteen and the Promise of Rock N’ Roll, who discusses how Springsteen has changed over time with an emphasis on his live performances. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-05-081h 02The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.All Things JeffersonIn Episode 8 of The Way of Improvement Leads Home podcast John Fea and Drew Dyrli Hermeling talk about the complex life and legacy of Thomas Jefferson. Pulitzer Prize-winning historian Annette Gordon-Reed and Jefferson scholar Peter Onuf talk with John about their new book, The Most Blessed of Patriarchs: Thomas Jefferson and the Empire of the Imagination. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-04-241h 04The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Way of Improvement Leads to the BallparkHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss America’s national pastime. That’s right–it’s The Way of Improvement Leads Home podcast’s first annual baseball episode!  John and Drew talk about the marketability of nostalgia, the youthful dreams of a World Series for the home team, and the way sports turn even the most critical historian into an uncritical fan. They are joined by espn.com uniform expert, Paul Lukas. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-04-101h 13The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Narrating the PastHistorians often wrestle over how to tell their stories of the past. Complex jargon can make their work inaccessible to non-academics while readable narratives can draw the ire of the academy. Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling address this tension while discussing dissertation research and Fea’s new book, The Bible Cause: History of the American Bible Society. They are joined by Nate DiMeo, author, producer, and host of the popular historical podcast, the memory palace. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-03-2957 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Encountering the PastHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling discuss the many ways in which they have encountered the past, especially within the realm of public history and historical preservation. They are joined by the Director of Education at the Smithsonian’s Air and Space Museum, Tim Grove, who shares his experiences with mail order grizzly bears and Chinese restrictions on printing historical maps. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-03-1349 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Teaching History (K-12 Edition)Host John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling talk about teaching historical thinking to K-12 students.  They discuss pedagogy, the Common Core, and the role of history in a STEM-focused educational climate. Their guest is Sam Wineburg, professor of education at Stanford University and author of Historical Thinking and Other Unnatural Acts.  Wineburg shares his impassioned opinions on history education. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-02-281h 03The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Thinking Politically HistoricallyHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling tackle presidential politics in this, their third episode. John discusses the “usable pasts” employed by candidates on both sides of the aisle. Later Fea and Hermeling are joined by Yoni Appelbaum, the Washington Bureau Chief for the Atlantic, to further discuss the role of historical thinking within politics. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-02-1448 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.The Culture WarsHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling dig into the complicated history of the Culture Wars. They are joined by Daniel K. Williams who discusses his latest book, Defenders of the Unborn: the Pro-Life Movement before Roe v. Wade. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-01-3150 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.Everything has a HistoryHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling explore the ways historical thinking permeates all things and contributes to a democratic society. They are joined by James Grossman, the Executive Director of the American Historical Association. During the interview, James talks about the role of history in American society and the meaning behind #everythinghasahistory. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2016-01-1657 minThe Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.
The Way of Improvement Leads Home: American History, Religion, Politics, and Academic life.An IntroductionHost John Fea and producer Drew Dyrli Hermeling sit down and discuss the launch of The Way of Improvement Leads Home Podcast, including expectations for the venture and a brief explanation of what the phrase “The Way of Improvement Leads Home” actually means. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices
2015-12-3013 minWestminster John Knox Press Radio
Westminster John Knox Press RadioWJK Radio 26: John Fea Responds: Was America Founded as a Christian Nation?Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? The answer to that question is frequently debated by politicians, historians, and evangelicals. John Fea visits with us to offer his thoroughly-researched response. His new book, Was America Founded as a Christian Nation? A Historical Introduction, is an even-handed primer that approaches the...
2011-03-2800 min