Culture, Faith and Politics with Pat Kahnke

My recent YouTube video titled A Minnesota Pastor Responds to Trump’s Cruelty Toward Somalis was not well-received by a lot of "Christians." Now I'm here to answer them directly on this edition of Culture, Faith, and Politics Live!

Last week, I made a YouTube video defending Somali immigrants in my city — and I didn’t expect the flood of hate from people who call themselves Christians. Today, I’m responding to one of the tamer comments I received — not because it was innocent, but because it shows just how deep the rot goes in MAGA Christianity. If you’ve ever been attacked by so-called believers for standing up for immigrants, refugees, or marginalized people — this is for you.

In this powerful conversation, Tia Levings shares the harrowing true story behind her memoir A Well-Trained Wife—how she was groomed in a fundamentalist evangelical church, survived church-sanctioned domestic abuse, and made a midnight escape from a violent marriage. Joined by Amy Hawk and Pat Kahnke, Tia describes how Bill Gothard’s teachings, Doug Wilson’s Christian patriarchy movement, and the toxic promises of evangelical purity culture shaped her life. From megachurch culture to cult-like control, she unpacks the spiritual manipulation that left her without a sense of self—and the long journey of reclaiming her voice. If you’ve experienced religious trauma, domestic violence, or the disillusionment of high-control Christianity, this interview offers both a mirror and a lifeline.

This week, President Trump made some of the most openly abusive, racist, and dehumanizing comments yet — aimed directly at the Somali community in St. Paul and Minneapolis. He’s also deploying federal agents to intimidate them. As a pastor who spent 20 years in the Twin Cities — and as a neighbor — I’m speaking up.

In this raw and powerful conversation, author and survivor Tia Levings joins Pat Kahnke and Amy Hawk to expose the hidden cruelty behind Pete Hegseth's rise in Christian nationalist circles — and the broader religious movement that enabled him. Drawing from her memoir A Well-Trained Wife and her upcoming book I Belong to Me, Tia shares what it’s like to grow up under church-sanctioned patriarchy, escape at midnight with her children, and heal from years of religious trauma.

YouTube Tuesday night LIVE, Episode 3, from December 2nd, 2025

As Donald Trump’s influence begins to wane, his administration continues to commit staggering abuses—none more horrifying than what Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is accused of: ordering the extrajudicial killing of two defenseless men off the coast of Venezuela. This episode is a GUT CHECK for America—especially for Christians who still support Trump.

Last Monday, I posted a video on YouTube about Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene’s resignation that sparked a big conversation—some of it supportive, some a little worried I was being “taken in” by her.   Let me be crystal clear: I strongly disagree with almost everything MTG stands for. In this follow-up clip from our Tuesday night Culture, Faith & Politics Live Stream, Ken Napzok and I unpack why her break with Trump is so dangerous—precisely because she's still MAGA to the core.   This isn’t about celebrating Greene. It’s about understanding her influence. Her message will reach people I can’t. And when she says, “There is no plan” and calls Trump out, it pulls the mask off for people still deep in the cult.

Culture, Faith, and Politics LIVE episode 2: Trump's weird and terrible week. (11/11/25)

On Friday night, Marjorie Taylor Greene announced her resignation from Congress. But what stood out most? It wasn’t that she resigned — it was how she did it. Here, I break down the two most important slogans she publicly rejected: “Where we go one, we go all” and “Trust the plan.” These aren’t just slogans — they’re core beliefs for QAnon followers and many MAGA Republicans. But MTG’s statement marks a turning point. She calls out the “cult-like” devotion to Trump, describes herself as a “battered wife,” and — most shockingly — admits she was fooled.

In this episode, Pat Kahnke is joined by Amy Hawk for a frank, faith‑grounded analysis of the way Donald Trump speaks to and about women — and what Christians should do about it. We discuss Trump's "Quiet, piggy" outburst - the most recent example of Trump’s abrasive behavior toward female reporters and how it fits a pattern of abuse. Amy shares her lived experience ministering to abused women, connects the signs of misogyny to a “Genesis 3 spirit,” and asks the hard question: is this just a bug of the movement, or a feature? Finally, we outline a Christian response: calling out abusive power, refusing to idolize bullies, and living out the protectiveness Jesus shows toward women.

Today, Donald Trump called for the arrest – and possible execution – of sitting members of Congress, accusing them of "sedition." Why? Because they released a video reminding U.S. troops of their duty to disobey illegal orders. That’s not sedition. That’s basic constitutional fidelity.

Donald Trump just gave Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman a pass on the brutal murder of Jamal Khashoggi — again. In this episode, we break down Trump’s shocking comments, his financial ties to Saudi Arabia, and what this means for America’s moral compass. Is the U.S. becoming more like the authoritarian regimes we used to challenge? And why are so many Christians still defending this?

The FIRST of our regular Tuesday night LIVE STREAMS! Consider this a practice session! We'll meet our producer Ken Napzok and discuss the direction for this new live program. We'll discuss several stories related to signs of disruption in the MAGA Universe. - The Epstein Vote in Congress today - What's going on with Marjorie Taylor Greene? - Trump's treatment of Thomas Massie And finally we'll have a general talk about CULTURE - the silent member of the Culture, Faith, and Politics triumvirate.

What really happened to migrants held at CECOT prison in El Salvador? This epsiode dives deep into a devastating new Human Rights Watch report exposing the brutal treatment of detainees—many of whom were never convicted of a crime. Even more disturbing: these abuses were made possible by policies supported by U.S. Christians who backed Donald Trump.

What made millions of German Christians pledge loyalty to Hitler? And are American Christians walking the same path with Trump today? In this powerful conversation, Pat Kahnke and Christian leader Tihomir Kukolja explore the chilling parallels between Nazi-era Germany and today’s Christian nationalism in the U.S. Drawing from historical research, theology, and lived experience.

Pope Leo XIV recently made headlines for challenging the moral inconsistency of Christians who claim to be pro-life while supporting the cruel treatment of migrants. As a former Catholic and longtime evangelical pastor, I found his words striking — and convicting.   I unpack what Leo said, especially about the Trump administration’s treatment of migrants in Chicago detention centers, and I reflect on the consistent ethic of human life I learned in Catholic school — an ethic that still shapes my worldview today.   We’ll also look at how Gaudium et Spes (Vatican II) calls out not just abortion, but every form of dehumanization — from torture and deportation to poverty and racism.

In this episode I wrestle with one of the most common questions I hear: “What should we do now?” We reflect on: David French’s practical, wise answer to that question (via Russell Moore’s podcast), my own struggle with giving application instead of just description, the reality that justice work is long-term, slow, and deeply human, why grace, humor, and conviction still matter in dark times, and how each of us can choose to live out our deepest values, even when “winning” feels out of reach.

I reflect on one of the most foundational scriptures shaping my call to speak out — as a Christian and former pastor — against Donald Trump and the MAGA movement.

After a week away, I return to reflect on what may be remembered as the most revealing week of Donald Trump’s second term — a week where he pardoned allies, mocked peaceful protesters with AI war porn, escalated military violence without congressional approval, and demolished the East Wing of the White House to build a gilded ballroom. In this episode, I argue that Trump has fully embraced his most dangerous instincts — no longer pretending to serve the nation, but ruling with the boldness of a king gone mad. From authoritarian theater to reality distortion, we’re witnessing the unraveling in real time. This is the week Trump chose his legacy. And the rest of us must now choose ours. (October 25, 2025)