Podcast Summary: "I've Had It" – The Gospel According to Grifters
Hosts: Jennifer Welch & Angie "Pumps" Sullivan
Air Date: October 2, 2025
Overview
In this episode of "I've Had It," Jennifer and Angie ("Pumps") tackle political and cultural hypocrisy—particularly the manipulation of patriotism, religion, and truth for personal and political gain. Their signature mix of biting humor and sharp observations set the stage as they welcome comedian and commentator John Fugelsang to discuss his new book, "Separation of Church and Hate." With their guest, they delve into the chasm between the teachings of Jesus and the actions of right-wing Christian nationalists, and the ongoing weaponization of faith in American politics.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Exhaustion and Gaslighting in American Politics
- Pumps shares her fatigue: She’s worn out by relentless political gaslighting—especially from the current administration and their denial of facts.
- [00:35 | Angie:] "I'm so tired of it. I was gaslit in my marriage... But it just... I feel defeated... because we're just constantly being lied to and we're just gaslighting, gaslighting, gaslighting."
- Jennifer’s take: She’s less surprised by the liars than by the people who believe and rally around the deception, stating that identity is now deeply wrapped up in performative patriotism.
- [01:48 | Jennifer:] "They make it a part of their identity... imagine the guy... his panties are patriot panties..."
2. Faux Patriotism & Patriot Shaming
- Satire on performative nationalism: Jennifer and Angie lampoon over-the-top "patriot" behavior, critiquing the way right-wing figures pressure others to prove their "real American" status.
- [05:05 | Jennifer:] "There's patriot shaming going on by these literal faux patriots."
- [05:36 | Angie:] "People love Donald Trump and think he is a patriot... because he got on that American flag and he dry humped it."
- On Trump’s negativity: Jennifer notes Trump’s continual denigration of America, in contrast to what she sees as constructive criticism from real patriots.
- [06:03 | Jennifer:] "I have never heard an American president shit talk the country as much as Donald Trump."
3. The Disconnect Between Christian Teachings and Political Actions
- Hypocrisy in 'Christian' leadership: The hosts discuss how the party of "family values" and "pro-life" rhetoric often acts counter to those claimed principles.
- [07:39 | Angie:] "They still refer to themselves as the party of family values. Of all the things you can say. That's not it."
- [08:22 | Jennifer, humorously:] References the party's secret gay nightlife and hypocrisy: "DL MAGA demon queens that, you know, pray to Jesus, dry hump the flag with Trump during the day, and then they're out at night doing gay stuff."
4. Small Talk—Online & Off
- Jennifer rails against small talk, especially digital small talk:
- [09:46 | Jennifer:] "I'm on the permanent record here at this podcast... against small talk both verbal and digital."
- [11:06 | Jennifer:] "I've just... taken a DM vacation."
- Pumps admits her own hypocrisy: Even as she claims she hates small talk, she gets caught up in it out of curiosity.
5. Listener Engagement & Reviews
- Readings of positive listener reviews praise the hosts’ honest, supportive conversations, noting their sense of community and shared feelings of alienation in contemporary America.
- Jennifer notes: "It goes back to what Pumps was saying about feeling like we're getting, like, mass abused right now." [13:59]
6. Oklahoma Politics: Supermajority Downside
- Jennifer pointedly critiques Oklahoma’s Republican supermajority, blaming years of single-party rule for the state’s decline while criticizing Governor Stitt’s self-serving narrative.
- [02:38 | Jennifer:] "How everything has plummeted while at the same time, Governor dipshit... runs around telling everybody we're top 10 state."
7. Doggy Drama & Dog Owner Anecdotes
- In a lighter, yet still sharply observational segment, the hosts share an embarrassing doggy daycare incident, poking fun at their own foibles and their French bulldogs' bad behavior versus viral ‘influencer’ Frenchies from abroad.
Interview Segment: John Fugelsang on Christian Nationalism and “Separation of Church and Hate”
[26:42-72:24]
Introduction
John Fugelsang, comic, commentator, and son of ex-clergy, joins to discuss his book, aiming to reclaim Christian teachings from right-wing fundamentalists.
Notable Quote
- [27:30 | John:] "I've had it with right wing Christians... Their movement has anything to do with the actual teachings of Jesus."
- [28:12 | John:] “I got tired of seeing my parent’s religion used as a cloaking device for all this mediocrity and cruelty.”
Jesus vs. Modern “Christian” Politics
- John lists actual Christian tenets: Love, empathy, caring for the marginalized, paying taxes, welcoming strangers, fighting for the disadvantaged.
- [29:18 | John:] “They’ll worship him, but they do not follow him. And if they're going to force their narrow right wing version of Christianity on all of us… we're allowed to call them out for not really following Jesus.”
- Emphasizes humor, nonviolence, and “thumping Bible-thumpers with the Bible.”
Jennifer’s Response
- As an atheist, Jennifer describes having to “have such a regressive conversation” with Christians stuck in “Iron Age” thinking.
- [30:45 | Jennifer:] "I was raised by atheists in the buckle of the Bible belt and I don't need a book full of contradictions to inform my sense to fight for the marginalized."
Weaponization and Rigidity of Beliefs
- Comparison between rigid interpretations of scripture and the U.S. Constitution.
- [33:01 | John:] "The electoral college and organized religion are both examples of how the minority controls the majority and uses sacred texts that can never be questioned."
Hypocrisy and Selective Scripture
- John points out the cherry-picking of Old Testament verses to justify cruelty (e.g., Leviticus cited to condemn LGBTQ people) while ignoring Jesus’s new covenant and literal teachings.
- [34:12 | John:] "They weaponize parts of books they don't believe in to hurt a minority that Jesus commands them to love."
- Angie shares personal family frustration: "What upsets me most is the lack of empathy I see in family members..." [34:32]
Guns, Masculinity, and “Pro-life” Contradictions
- John critiques the fusion of “God and guns” in American Christianity, tracing its origins to the politicization by figures like Jerry Falwell, and notes the refusal of conservative Christians to address gun reform.
- [46:01 | Angie & John]—Discussion on suppressed sexuality and hypocrisy among MAGA/right-wing politicians; John: “Homophobes like it both ways, don’t they?”
- On being pro-life:
- [44:01 | John:] "When gun violence is ... the number one killer of children... I don't want to hear from any of these guys that they're pro life when they are fighting every day to make sure the next Salvador Ramos or Dylann Roof can get their hands on military hardware..."
Outing Hypocrisy in MAGA Movement
- The hosts and John candidly speculate on closeted right-wing politicians and the party's homophobic record.
- [47:15 | Jennifer:] "If you're actively making life harder for trans kids, fuck you, man. Let's get your name out there."
- [51:13 | John:] "Let me say it again. There is no part of the Bible anyone can ever use to say that being gay is wrong..."
Engaging Fundamentalists: Can They Be Reached?
- John advises, “You won’t convince them...all that spiritual growth has to happen on your own. But...engage these people on what the scriptures actually say" ([56:00]).
- The key: use scripture against Christian nationalists who wield it as armor.
- "Hate is not a Christian value." ([57:30])
The “Crazy Christian Problem”
- The hosts insist Democrats must directly address the politicization of Christianity to reclaim political ground and fight regressive policies.
- Jennifer points to the social isolation and lack of community alternatives for rural Oklahomans as a key issue exploited by politicians.
- [60:32 | Jennifer:] "The only social structure they have is their church... These politicians have exploited them and weaponized their faith against them."
Game Segment: "Had It or Hit It" with John Fugelsang
Quick takes on suburban parents, use of the "R word" and other slurs ("punk-ass behavior"), Tylenol/autism scare conspiracies, and church camps.
- Use of slurs:
- [66:13 | John:] “These cowardly bitches... None of these cowards would ever use that word if they were at the Special Olympics... it is a shitty ableist, punk ass choice.”
- Tylenol/Autism:
- John calls out the fearmongering and cruelty behind linking Tylenol to autism as "deeply insulting" to parents and people with autism, and a distraction from real policy failures.
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments
- [29:18 | John:] “They’ll worship him, but they do not follow him.”
- [36:01 | John:] “Jesus warns you about these people who pray in public to be seen... I think about this whenever I see, you know, Mike Johnson on his knees in the well of the house... They want public displays of piety.”
- [43:51 | John:] "Real masculinity is not beating up on a powerless minority with a high suicide rate. Real masculinity is uplifting the marginalized."
- [51:13 | John:] “There is no part of the Bible anyone can ever use to say that being gay is wrong.”
- [71:28 | John:] “Couples taking marital advice from men in dresses... is not based on anything that Jesus ever talked about.”
Episode Highlights (by Timestamp)
- 00:09—Sardonic welcome: “Patriots, gay trio, Theatriots... Welcome to America’s Top DEI Podcast.”
- 01:48-06:54—Extended critique of performative patriotism and Trump’s negative commentary on America.
- 13:59-14:08—Listener reviews emphasizing empathy, honesty, and the feeling of mass abuse.
- 26:42—Introduction of John Fugelsang; main interview begins.
- 27:26—John’s deep dive on fundamentalist vs. true teachings of Jesus.
- 38:57—Jennifer on political messengers of faith versus hypocrisy.
- 43:51—Discussion of MAGA movement repression and hypocrisy.
- 56:00-58:39—John on what works (and what doesn’t) for reaching right-wing relatives about faith.
- 63:42—"Had it or hit it" game begins for comic relief.
- 71:39—Show wrap-up, John thanks, mutual praise and promotion of his book.
Tone & Style
- The hosts mix sharp, unfiltered humor with sincere concern and social commentary.
- Jennifer and Angie bounce between irreverence (“patriot panties,” “doggy drama”) and seriousness when discussing political abuse, religious hypocrisy, and the dangers of unchecked fundamentalism.
- John Fugelsang matches their banter with wit, directness, and a deep scriptural knowledge that grounds his critiques in the language of his adversaries.
Conclusion
An engaging, sometimes raucous episode that skewers culture-war hypocrisy, the appropriation of faith for power, and the toxic intersection of right-wing politics and identity. Essential listening for those fed up with gaslighting in politics, “patriot shaming,” and faux-religious posturing, but also for anyone hungry for strategies to push back—armed with both humor and facts. The episode closes with actionable advice: call out hypocrisy, engage with facts—not hate—and support voices trying to reclaim decency, empathy, and truth in American discourse.
