
Advertise on podcast: Veterans of Culture Wars
Rating
4.6from
This podcast has
137 episodes
Language
EnglishPublisher
Zach Malm and David LesterExplicit
Yes
Date created
2020/10/28
Latest episode
2026/06/30
Average duration
88 min.
Release period
45 days
Description
Conversation on the beliefs, history, culture and personal stories from Evangelical Christianity as engaged by veteran culture warriors and friends.
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Podcast episodes
Check latest episodes from Veterans of Culture Wars podcast
131: Reality in Ruins with Jared Stacy
2026/06/30
Zach and Dave welcome Jared Stacy to the VCW hall to discuss Evangelicalism and conspiracy theories. We discuss why the religious right seems prone to be consumed by conspiracy theories and the fractures in relationships and society when conspiracy theories become prevalent.
Buy Jared's book: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/reality-in-ruins-jared-stacy-phd
Follow Jared on Substack: https://jaredstacy.substack.com/
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/show/1i0745IHu2sVEUZufEHmbp?si=5eee86f132f748dd
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
130: Lost and Found in the Cathedral of Cinema with Jeffrey Overstreet and the Oscars
2026/03/13
We're back for our annual pre-Oscars special episode covering our favorite movies of the year with Six-Timer Club guest Jeffrey Overstreet, who also has a new memoir about art and movies and faith called Lost & Found in the Cathedral of Cinema: A Spiritual Journey.
Buy Jeffrey's book: https://www.broadleafbooks.com/store/product/9781506496948/Lost-and-Found-in-the-Cathedral-of-Cinema
Follow Jeffrey on Bluesky: @overstreet.bsky.social
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/show/1i0745IHu2sVEUZufEHmbp?si=5eee86f132f748dd
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
129: Tis the Season for Christmas TV with Joanna Wilson
2025/12/16
On our annual Christmas episode, we welcome author and Christmas TV expert Joanna Wilson to the show to talk about, well, Christmas TV! The classic specials, the infamous 1978 Star Wars Holiday Special, the film that defined Hallmark Christmas movies, oh and that time she watched the entire 24-hour A Christmas Story marathon and wrote a book about it (The Triple Dog Dare).
Follow Joanna on Instagram: @tistheseasontv
Check out her work and buy a book at http://www.christmastvhistory.com/
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/show/1i0745IHu2sVEUZufEHmbp?si=5eee86f132f748dd
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
Listen to Zach's Christmas Mixes here: https://www.mixcloud.com/zachmalm/
128: Zach Lambert's Better Ways to Read the Bible
2025/11/18
In our first-ever double Zach episode, pastor Zach Lambert stops by to talk about the ideal spelling of his name, as well as his new book Better Ways to Read the Bible: Transforming a Weapon of Harm Into a Tool of Healing. We talk about the various lenses through which people approach the text, and the challenge of doing so with the lens of the original intended audience.
Buy the book here: https://bakerbookhouse.com/products/9781587436680_better-ways-to-read-the-bible
Information on Restore Church in Austin, TX can be found here: https://www.restoreaustin.org/
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/show/1i0745IHu2sVEUZufEHmbp?si=5eee86f132f748dd
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
Listen to Zach's Christmas Mixes here: https://www.mixcloud.com/zachmalm/
127: David Was Doing WHAT in Rapid Succession? Transvangelical Returns!
2025/10/02
Alycea (AKA Transvangelical) returns to the VCW to talk about her new book On Your Knees: The 69-Day Irreverent Devotional. It's equal parts funny and serious linguistic scholarship, and we have a good discussion about it. We also discuss her thoughts as a trans woman and former military member on Pete Hegseth's tenure at the so-called "Department of War".
Buy the book here: https://www.transvangelical.com/on-your-knees
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/show/1i0745IHu2sVEUZufEHmbp?si=5eee86f132f748dd
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
126: Hoard Questions: Paul and Billie Hoard
2025/08/26
Paul and Billie Hoard return to the show to receive their Three-Timers Club jackets and talk about their brand-new book Eucontamination: Disgust Theology and the Christian Life.
Buy the book here: https://wipfandstock.com/9798385213726/eucontamination/
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/show/1i0745IHu2sVEUZufEHmbp?si=5eee86f132f748dd
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
125: Talia Lavin on Wild Faith and the Ritualized Violence of Evangelical Childhood
2025/03/25
Talia Lavin joins the VCW to talk about her new book Wild Faith: How the Christian Right Is Taking Over America. We talk about the Satanic Panic, Dr. Dobson's influence in creating generations of evangelical families built on ritualized violence, and how that has led to so many Americans embracing authoritarianism.
Follow her on Bluesky: @swordsjew.bsky.social
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
124: Katherine Stewart: Money, Lies, and God
2025/03/11
Katherine Stewart (The Power Worshippers) returns to discuss her latest book Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy, which details the rise and increasing influence of anti-democratic forces on the right - who they are, who's funding them, and what they are doing to fundamentally reshape America. We talk about "cultural Christian" Elon Musk and nazi salutes, the Claremont Institute, Opus Dei, and more.
Buy Katherine's book here: https://www.bloomsbury.com/us/money-lies-and-god-9781635578546/
Follow her on Bluesky: @katherinestewart.bsky.social
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
123: Our Favorite Movies of 2024 with Jeffrey Overstreet and Melissa Tamminga
2025/02/27
Our 5th annual pre-Oscars look at at our favorite films of the past year is back and we managed to cover them all in only one (long) episode this time. Film critic, professor, and author Jeffrey Overstreet joins as usual, and we also have first-time VCW guest, film critic and programming director of The Pickford Film Center, Melissa Tamminga. We discuss the Oscars briefly, then get into each of our top ten lists and some favorite memories of the year in movies.
Follow Jeffrey: @overstreet.bsky.social
Follow Melissa: @oneaprilday.bsky.social
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
122: Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and DOGE with Tori Williams Douglass
2025/02/19
In our first episode since November, Tori Williams Douglass returns to the VCW hall to talk about *gestures wildly* allllll that, with a particular emphasis on the stated goal of the Trump administration to destroy Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, and their efforts thus far to do that.
Follow Tori on Bluesky: @toriglass.bsky.social
Listen to her podcasts:
White Homework - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/white-homework/id1481083774
Go Home Bible, You're Drunk - https://www.irreverent.fm/show/go-home-bible-youre-drunk/
Support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q
Bluesky: @vcwpod.bsky.social
Zach: @muzach.bsky.social
Dave: @davelester80.bsky.social
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
121: Sanctuary and Immigration in Trump's America with Sergio Gonzalez and Lloyd Barba
2024/12/03
Sergio Gonzalez and Lloyd Barba stop by the VCW to talk about their new podcast series Sanctuary: On the Border Between Church and State, which is part of the Axis Mundi network. We talk about the immigration crisis and how the US government has, historically, been a contributing factor. We discuss Sanctuary cities as well as religious sanctuary. Finally, we explore some of the factors for why Trump grew his vote share with Latino voters.
Listen to the podcasts series "Sanctuary": https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/sanctuary-on-the-border-between-church-and-state/id1767030116
Support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q
Come find us on the Blue Sky App!
Twitter: @vcwpod
Zach- @muzach
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
120: Knock at the Sky: Liz Charlotte Grant
2024/11/19
Award-winning author Liz Charlotte Grant joins the VCW hall to discuss her new book "Knock at the Sky" (out January 7, 2025 from Eerdmans). We talk about her faith journey, Biblical inerrancy including the 1978 Chicago Statement of Inerrancy and why she wanted to write a book about Genesis.
You can order the book by Liz Charlotte Grant right here: https://www.eerdmans.com/9780802883759/knock-at-the-sky/
Support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q
Come find us on the Blue Sky App!
Twitter: @vcwpod
Zach- @muzach
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
119: Well That Sucked. Election Debrief With Paul and Billie Hoard
2024/11/08
Returning guests Dr. Paul Hoard and Billie Hoard share with us their thoughts and feelings on the recent presidential election and our serious concerns regarding the future of the country, in particular the existential threat to trans people and other marginalized people.
Support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q
Twitter: @vcwpod
Zach- @muzach
Dave- @Davejlester
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
118: April Ajoy Helps Us Handle Our Election Anxiety
2024/11/05
A special election day 2024 edition of the VCW Podcast! Podcaster and content creator April Ajoy joins us to discuss her brand new book "Star-Spangled Jesus: Leaving Christian Nationalism and Finding a True Faith". We talk about her personal faith story and how her faith has evolved over time. We also make election 2024 predictions!
Buy April's book:
https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/april-ajoy/star-spangled-jesus/9781546006701/
Support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q
Twitter: @vcwpod
Zach- @muzach
Dave- @Davejlester
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
117: Ministers of Propaganda: Scott M. Coley
2024/10/15
Scott Coley joins the show to talk about his book Ministers of Propaganda: Truth, Power, and the Ideology of the Religious Right. We discuss the weaponization of the term "biblical", common sensism, the remarkable pivot of George Wallace, young earth creationism and more.
Buy Scott's book: https://www.eerdmans.com/9781467466004/ministers-of-propaganda/
Support the show on Patreon:
https://www.patreon.com/vcwpod
Dave's second podcast- "Does the Bible Say THAT?": https://open.spotify.com/episode/0a8CCeIvjiFn1lKwKmxNt6?si=H1UswE0VT3m2tmZNFuSC4Q
Twitter: @vcwpod
Zach- @muzach
Dave- @Davejlester
Check out Zach's music by going to: https://muzach.bandcamp.com
Podcast reviews
Read Veterans of Culture Wars podcast reviews
Phineasmage 2025/03/03
I’m an atheist. I love this podcast
I found this podcast while searching for critiques of Dave Ramsey and boy, did I walk away satisfied and impressed. I’m not at all Christian, but this...
3rdtimeparent 2023/11/08
Are you kidding me??
I have never heard my own concerns voiced so clearly and compassionately! Trying church after church, wanting to ensure my kids grow in the faith, but...
speedykitten 2023/11/08
Asking all our questions for us out loud
So much of Evangelical culture is about obeying leaders, being good followers and accepting “God’s ways are higher than our ways” as a means to suppre...
cmrnga 2023/07/14
Thoughtful engaging conversations with the best guests!
This is not a scorched earth podcast where they dunk on religion to make soundbites. These are two men betrayed by faith working the through the ramif...
missagirlygirl 2023/07/06
Thoughtful Dialog
Zach and Dave are solid, thoughtful interviewers. I appreciate how they are pretty open about how they think about things, but they don’t push people ...
tln2019 2023/07/05
Excellent Conversations - therapeutic to listen to
Anyone who has found the evangelical church in the USA to be a frustrating morass of disappointed promises will really resonate with the conversations...
LA Ted 2022/11/08
Five Stars For Sure
The perfect podcast for everyone who finds themselves struggling with having grown up evangelical. Both co-hosts bring out the best in their guests as...
digmuzek 2022/08/24
Intelligent, compassionate discussions
I appreciate the care these two men take to center other voices and bring to light the evils of mainstream Christianity.
BFKovey 2022/03/15
Purity Culture and Megan C
I have greatly appreciated your discussions until this one. Megan is completely wrong about Sheila Gregoire and her book The Great Sex Rescue. Megan...
kittylitter01 2022/03/12
Love the show!
I’m so happy I found this show through deconstructiongirl’s instagram. I love the low key vibe— it just feels like you’re listening in on a chat betwe...
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