It's a new year, and Jaye ushers in 2019 with thoughts on the government shutdown, advice for the Democratic Party regarding the 2020 presidential election, and a read on Vice President Mike Pence. What makes Pence worse than Trump, and why would a Pence presidency be worse for the United States than Trump remaining in office? Twitter: @potstir ...…

For this year’s “War on Christmas” holiday special – Jaye is joined by her husband Chuckles as they react to strange stories and answer listener questions. Jaye waxes poetic about KFC on an open fire while Chuckles reveals something that even Jaye didn’t know about him. Citations: “Col. Harland Sanders 11 Herbs and Spices Firelog.” KFC. https:/ ...…

In November of 2018, 26 year old American explorer and missionary John Allen Chau was killed by the Sentinelese people, an isolated tribal group living on North Sentinel Island off the coast of India. Chau went the island illegally in order to share with them about Christianity. The incident is controversial, sparking outrage, consternation, an ...…

In light of the growing normalization of white supremacy and related forms of bigotry in the United States, Jaye focuses on the debate between unfettered free speech and the regulation of hate speech. What does "free speech" truly mean in the US context, and why does it matter? Should "dangerous" speech be made illegal? Jaye also discusses libe ...…

The 2018 midterm elections are here! In this episode, Jaye talks midterm predictions, the Voting Rights Act, millennials and Gen Z, and voter suppression. Jaye also discusses a major think tank responsible for the current Republican agenda, and which supplies the manpower behind GOP presidents from Ronald Reagan to Donald Trump. Why does this o ...…

What if the religious extremism Americans should be most concerned about comes from Christianity? In this episode, Jaye explores the authoritarian, extremist elements of American evangelicalism and the overwhelming support of Donald Trump by white evangelical Christians. Jaye also discusses the Quiverfull movement, the increasing emphasis on au ...…

Episode 38 - Voting Still Matters...For Now With the voter registration deadline upon us in many states, Jaye discusses the long-term impact of the vote, and why getting registered to vote and exercising the franchise is important in saving our democracy. She explains how voting in conservatives to federal and state offices over time has led to ...…

Political science researchers Benjamin Knoll and Cammie Jo Bolin join Jaye in this episode to share with listeners their knowledge and research on women clergy, and talk about their new book, She Preached the Word. The researchers discuss some of the book's themes, including the barriers to ordination of women, the acceptance of women clergy in ...…

Episode 36 - Power and Purity Several scandals involving sexual harassment and sexual abuse have been uncovered recently in a number of churches across the Christian landscape. Why is abuse within the church such a huge story, why does it occur, and what can churches do better to reduce abuse occurrences and respond to these incidents? Jaye dis ...…

Many of us think of demagogues as charismatic leaders who hold an extreme degree of power over their supporters. But why do people fall for demagogues? In this episode, Jaye takes a deep dive into the subject of demagoguery - exploring how we understand and debate political and social issues. What does a country run by demagoguery mean for demo ...…

Highly-rated Latino Christian fiction author Allison K. Garcia is back on Potstirrer Podcast to share with listeners information about her upcoming novel, Finding Amor. Allison chats with Jaye about the inspiration for the new book, writing about characters in a different culture than her own, the family separation crisis on the US/Mexico borde ...…

With Donald Trump verbally capitulating to Vladimir Putin during the Helsinki summit July 16, the Russia investigation heating up, and Special Counsel Robert Mueller investigating the NRA for potential money laundering for the benefit of Trump's 2016 presidential campaign, Trump is clearly embroiled in a great deal of controversy. But in the fa ...…

With the nomination of Brett Kavanaugh to the US Supreme Court by Donald Trump, many pro-life Americans are rejoicing at the pick. Their hope is that Kavanaugh's elevation to the Court will signal the end of Roe v. Wade, the US Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion nationwide. Jaye explores the question - what will happen if Roe is set ...…

Several US Supreme Court rulings in June that have emboldened Donald Trump and the GOP, and have left Democrats reeling. In addition, US Supreme Court justice Anthony Kennedy is retiring, which means the Trump administration has another opening they can fill on the court. Jaye discusses these and related developments, seeks to place them into p ...…

In our multi-parter second installment of Riverside Chats, Jaye is joined by her husband Chuckles as they share just a little bit of their lively political conversations - as a couple with divergent political views. In Part 2, Jaye and Chuckles discuss poverty, police brutality, and the landscape for 2018 and 2020. Should the Republican Party, ...…

In today's episode, Jaye discusses recent news stories related to undocumented immigration and refugees from Latin America. Where are the 1500 missing migrant children that were being tracked by the federal government? How are children in the custody of US Customs being treated? And is there any moral or ethical issue with calling MS-13 gang me ...…

In our multi-parter second installment of Riverside Chats, Jaye is joined by her husband Chuckles as they share just a little bit of their lively political conversations - as a couple with divergent political views. In Part 1, Jaye and Chuckles debate the Stormy Daniels controversy, revisit health care, and begin discussing the 2018 midterm ele ...…

Do we have a "free press" in the United States? Jaye makes the case that even though the news media are not owned by the government, elite monopolistic ownership of media outlets and lack of federal regulations lead to outcomes not much different than state-run news media. What does the lack of free press mean for our democracy? Also - we debut ...…

In the concluding episode of a two-part series, Jaye continues her discussion on the decline of the United States within the framework of her hometown, Detroit, Michigan. She discusses the conditions in Detroit prior to the 1967 Detroit riots that led to the riots and the decline of the city, including workplace discrimination, housing segregat ...…

In the first of a two-part series, Jaye discusses the decline of the United States within the framework of her hometown, Detroit, Michigan. She also outlines the conditions needed for a thriving country. Is "inefficient" government truly the problem? Is America a failed state? Thank you for listening! Subscribe, review, rate 5 stars, and share! ...…

In this episode, Jaye contemplates her academic background and personal experiences in American evangelicalism when examining the recent focus by the mainstream media on white evangelicals. Over 80 percent of white evangelical voters supported Donald Trump in 2016, and many American evangelical leaders continue to defend Trump's rhetoric and ac ...…

In this episode, Jaye discusses the recent school shooting in Parkland, Florida. What are the problems contributing to these school shootings, and what can be done to decrease the instances of these tragedies in the future? Jaye takes on the arguments made on both the extreme pro-gun and anti-gun sides - as Americans on all sides of the Second ...…

**WARNING: Mature Subject Matter Jaye concludes her two-part discussion of the abortion issue in Part II. She discusses the origins of the Religious Right after the Roe v. Wade US Supreme Court decision in 1973, and the role abortion as a political issue played in the formation of the Religious Right. Jaye also reacts to the tendency of the pro ...…

WARNING: Mature Subject Matter In Part I of a two-part series, Jaye begins to tackle what has arguably been the most controversial political issue in the United States for the past 50 years - abortion. She discusses her own views on the topic and how she arrived at her stance. Jaye also delves into the history of abortion rights in the United S ...…

This special Christmas/New Years episode takes a look at the “War on Christmas” – the belief that societal forces are attempting to attack or downplay the Christmas holiday. The “War on Christmas” tends to be a common idea in conservative Christian circles, and exploited by conservative politicians and media. Is there a “War on Christmas,” and ...…

Today’s episode is a reminder that truth still matters, even in a “post-truth” era. Jaye discusses the abandonment of truth among many conservative evangelicals in the United States in pursuit of political power. What does the Bible say about truth, and what does it mean for those in American society who claim to hold the Bible as the inspired ...…

Today’s episode explores the Second Amendment to the US Constitution in light of the recent mass shootings and rhetoric from American politicians surrounding crime, terrorism, gun control and mental illness. Jaye presents what some listeners may consider a surprising take on the issue of gun control and the Second Amendment. Also, Jaye makes th ...…

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised. Today’s episode continues with the subject matter of alleged sexual misconduct on the part of famous and powerful figures, and how we react to these accounts. This time, Jaye focuses on the case of Roy Moore, the former state court judge runnin ...…

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes discussion of sexual violence. Listener discretion is advised. In today's episode, Jaye frames the Harvey Weinstein sexual assault scandal and other sexual misconduct incidents currently in the news as part of a larger discussion on how we respond to oppression and violence. Why are many of us inclined to ...…

In today's episode, Jaye discusses the changes Donald Trump is making to health care, and the humanitarian crisis in Puerto Rico. How has Trump reacted to the natural disaster and loss of life in Puerto Rico, and what does his reaction say about what the president values? In addition, Jaye delves into the role of a free press, and brings histor ...…

In today's episode, Jaye interviews Allison K. Garcia, author of the highly rated novel Vivir el Dream. Allison shares her perspective as a writer, counselor, and Christian active in her church and the local Latino community. The stories of those she has known and lived life with serve as inspiration for her novel about the undocumented immigra ...…

Episode 13 - Jemele Told the Truth In today's episode, Jaye discusses the controversial tweets by ESPN personality Jemele Hill regarding Donald Trump. What about the substance of her tweets? And why is the White House reaction to these tweets problematic for democracy? Jaye also talks authoritarianism, and speaks directly to people who supporte ...…

TRIGGER WARNING: This episode includes sensitive subjects, such as sexual assault, rape, and child abuse, which may be triggering to some listeners. Listener discretion is advised. In today's episode, Jaye talks religious "insider baseball" regarding the Nashville Statement and American evangelicalism. After a turbulent August in the United Sta ...…

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool reacts to the Charlottesville domestic terror attack, and the failure of presidential leadership in response. Jaye also seeks to encourage listeners that among the negativity, there are signs of light and hope for America's future. Citations: Angwin, Julia, Larson, Jeff, Mattu, Surya, and Lauren Kirchner. 2017 ...…

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the Russia investigation updates and the new grand jury impaneled by Special Counsel Robert Mueller. Jaye also talks about why echo chambers, byproducts of the Internet age and democratization of information, are bad for America. Citations: LaFraniere, Sharon, and Adam Goldman. 2017. "Guest List at D ...…

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool updates listeners on the status of Affordable Care Act (ACA) repeal / Trumpcare efforts in the United States Senate. Will the Senate vote on Obamacare repeal and replacement, or repeal only? Why, in the words of Donald Trump, is health care reform "so complicated?" Thank you for listening! Citations: Caldwell, ...…

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool analyzes how the Third Way of the Democratic Party and the Religious Right, aligned with the Republican party, have led to a fractured, broken political system and democracy in peril. Delving into the histories of both movements that span several decades, Jaye argues that while these movements are different id ...…

In Part 2 of our two-parter first installment of Riverside Chats, host Jaye Pool is joined by her husband Chuckles as they share with listeners just a little bit of their lively political conversations - as a couple with differing political views. Today's episode includes a conversation about the usefulness of historical parallels to describe c ...…

In Part 1 of our two-parter first installment of Riverside Chats, host Jaye Pool is joined by her husband Chuckles as they share with listeners just a little bit of their lively political conversations - as a couple with differing political views. Today's episode includes debates regarding illegal immigration, the future of health care, the eco ...…

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the Trump-Russia scandal and President Donald Trump's well-publicized international trip, as well as the CBO score on the revised Trumpcare bill and the Democratic Party's infighting over the abortion issue. In addition, Jaye reacts to the statement made by evangelical leader Jerry Falwell Jr. that T ...…

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA), also known as Trumpcare, in the House of Representatives. Jaye discusses health care as a moral and life issue, and calls for the 217 representatives voting for the Trumpcare bill to be accountable to the constituents in the districts they serve. In ...…

In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the importance of truth-telling when working through the divides in American society today. In particular, Jaye focuses on controversies over the the meaning and fate of historical symbols of the Confederacy that came out of the Civil War and Reconstruction, such as Confederate monuments and the Conf ...…

Happy Easter! In today's episode, host Jaye Pool discusses the Trump Russia scandal, as well as the deadly sarin gas attack in Syria and the military response by the Trump administration. Music: Raga Rage composed by Noisy Oyster provided by freesoundtrackmusic.com Opus Number 1 composed by Derrick Deel and Tim Carleton…

In this first episode, Jaye Pool discusses the "Third Way" movement towards more conservative governance from the Democratic Party beginning in the 1990s, and how that movement led to Donald Trump's win (and Hillary Clinton's loss) in the 2016 US presidential election. Jaye also talks about the way forward so that the Democrats can get back in ...…

Potstirrer Podcast - Minisode An informational episode outlining what to expect in future episodes of Potstirrer Podcast. Episodes will be released every two weeks.