Podcast Summary: Keeping It Real with Jillian Michaels
Episode: David Harris Jr – The Moral Collapse of America
Date: January 11, 2026
Host: Jillian Michaels
Guest: David Harris Jr.
Overview
This episode features a candid, deeply personal conversation between Jillian Michaels and conservative commentator David Harris Jr. It explores the intersection of faith, morality, and America’s current sociopolitical climate. David shares his spiritual journey, addresses tough theological questions, and discusses the role of Christianity and belief in responding to moral crises. The episode is also remarkably intimate as Jillian opens up about her own spiritual uncertainties, struggles with exclusivity in faith, and finally participates in a public prayer of invitation with David.
Main Themes
- The Current Role and Perception of Faith in America
- Personal Spiritual Journeys and Testimonies
- Christianity: Exclusion, Principles, and Modern Life
- Wrestling with Evil, Suffering, and God’s Presence
- Societal Division and Finding Common Moral Ground
- LGBTQ+ Identity and Conservative Christianity
- Personal Growth, Forgiveness, and Redemption
- Actionable Steps for Listeners Exploring Faith
Key Discussion Points & Notable Moments
1. Setting the Stage: Why Faith Feels So Political Now
[00:01 – 00:49]
- Jillian introduces the episode’s purpose:
“Faith used to be personal. Now it's political, cultural, and shaping the future in real time. As institutions crumble, truth gets blurred and power shifts. People are reaching for something solid or weaponizing belief to control the narrative.” – Jillian Michaels [00:01]
- The impact of faith on dividing and uniting society.
- What does it mean to “anchor” oneself in belief during cultural upheaval?
2. David’s Spiritual Testimony: Redemption and Transformation
[01:30 – 14:22]
- David recounts being saved at 18 after a troubled youth:
- “I wouldn't be alive today, literally, if it wasn't for God, for Jesus and his goodness. I was radically saved at 18 years old. I had a pager on at the time. I was dealing drugs...” [02:19]
- A powerful story: how being in church led to a spiritual epiphany.
- Describes experiencing a “pure love” that transformed him:
“…It was a pure love that filled me to the point where I had to run…I was born again…In that moment, I knew that I was a child of God, that God loved me, that he forgave me, and he just filled me with His Holy Spirit…” – David Harris Jr. [05:05]
- David talks openly about relapses, near death from drug abuse, and repeated returns to faith—highlighting God's enduring forgiveness and the life he’s built as a result.
- “Every single time I'd walked away...he was always so faithful to just bring me back and just say, just try to do things my way. Just stop trying to do it your way…” [13:40]
3. Theological Questions: Exclusivity and Universal Salvation
[14:22 – 20:34]
- Jillian voices concern over Christianity’s exclusivity:
"From the outside, you look at this and you think, well, what about the people who aren't Christian? ... I feel like if there's a God...when it comes through a religion, it makes me nervous because I think it's, on its face, exclusionary, and that scares me." – Jillian Michaels [14:31]
- David responds:
- Stresses everyone will have their chance to accept or deny Jesus.
- Uses a parental analogy to explain grace and recognition of Jesus' sacrifice:
"The only thing I'm going to want to know is, do you recognize what my child did for you? ... It's all about Jesus. It's all about him." – David [17:36]
- Differentiates “relationship with Jesus” from “religion.”
4. The Problem of Evil: Where is God in Suffering?
[20:34 – 42:53]
- Jillian asks directly about senseless loss and tragedy, referencing Charlie Kirk’s assassination:
“When horrible things happen to good people, where is God?...I don't see God there...Where is God when Charlie Kirk is assassinated in front of the world by some psychopath?” – Jillian [23:55]
- David’s answer:
- Free will is God’s greatest gift; evil happens because people choose darkness.
- Not everything that happens is God’s will; he’s not “in control of everything” in a deterministic way.
- Spiritual battle between darkness and light.
- He shares his personal vision after Kirk’s death:
“I saw Charlie speaking to that crowd. And then in a split second, he's standing before Jesus...And then the next thing I saw was where it was like Jesus said, they're going to be fine...” [31:08]
- Ripple effect:
- Reports of increased church attendance and spiritual activity globally due to Charlie’s martyrdom.
“Church attendance has skyrocketed...Turning Point applications went from a thousand...to over 100,000...the underground church in Iran is on fire because of Charlie's assassination.” – David [33:56, 35:00]
5. Miracles and Relationship over Religion
[35:00 – 42:53]
- David describes instances of miraculous healing he’s witnessed and participated in.
“God totally healed him just like that. ... I have this all on video, too.” – David [37:20]
- Explains Christianity as “allowing God to live inside of me and live through me” rather than a set of external rules or just reading the Bible.
6. LGBTQ+ Faith Identity and Conservative Politics
[44:19 – 51:16]
- Jillian brings in her experience as a gay woman, questioning the “voraciously anti-gay” sentiments she sees resurfacing in the name of faith.
- She describes feeling “excluded” and the ongoing struggle with reconciling her identity and faith.
- Expresses her own journey of discovering her sexuality and wrestling with self-acceptance.
- David’s compassionate, measured response:
- Urges Jillian not to “jump a couple steps”—the journey starts with Jesus, not with fixing every aspect of one’s life or identity first.
- Admits “the Bible is very clear on homosexuality...so it is with lying as well. It is with fornication...We're all broken. Nobody’s perfect…Start with Jesus. All the other stuff will figure itself out.” [51:16]
“Nobody’s saying you’ve got to live perfect. When you accept Jesus, just start with Jesus.” – David [52:30]
7. A Live Prayer of Invitation
[59:03 – 64:41]
- David asks Jillian if she’d like to pray the prayer to invite Jesus into her life.
- Jillian: “I’ll do it. I'm gonna do it. I'm open to whatever, man. I just don't want to ever be in a position where I exclude anybody who doesn't believe or I judge anybody who doesn't believe...” [59:14]
- They pray together, step by step, with David leading.
- Jillian responds with gratitude, expresses openness, and commits to beginning her personal spiritual journey:
“I feel really lucky to have had this time with you. And I feel like you gave me this special gift and I'm gonna be open to what comes and just do what you said and try to take it one step at a time...” – Jillian [64:41]
8. Practical Next Steps and Closing Reflections
[65:26 – 71:53]
- David advises Jillian and listeners to read the Book of John as an introduction to Jesus and Christianity.
- Recommends worship music playlists for spiritual growth.
- Explains the Old vs. New Testament, highlights the importance of the resurrection, and notes the transformative daily nature of Christian faith.
- Jillian expresses cautious hope, gratitude, and humor, promising to remain open-minded and “just not make the world a worse place.”
- David affirms her and encourages her as she steps forward on this journey:
“Now you're superwoman as you lean into him...He empowers you. Now you’re superwoman.” – David [71:09]
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- "I wouldn't be alive today, literally, if it wasn't for God, for Jesus and his goodness...I was radically saved at 18 years old. I had a pager on at the time. I was dealing drugs..." – David Harris Jr. [02:19]
- "From the outside, you look at this and you think, well, what about the people who aren't Christian?...It's, on its face, exclusionary, and that scares me." – Jillian Michaels [14:31]
- "The only thing I’m going to want to know is, do you recognize what my child did for you? That’s all I want to know. And that’s all God the Father wants to know." – David Harris Jr. [17:36]
- "When horrible things happen to good people, where is God?...I don’t see God there...Where is God when Charlie Kirk is assassinated in front of the world by some psychopath?" – Jillian Michaels [23:55]
- "I do not subscribe to the notion...God is in control of everything. I don’t believe that." – David Harris Jr. [25:50]
- "Evil happens because people give themselves over to evil and darkness...The only way to truly combat that level of darkness, spiritual darkness, is with spiritual light." – David Harris Jr. [34:59, 35:00]
- "Nobody’s saying you’ve got to live perfect. When you accept Jesus, just start with Jesus. Just start. Once you start and you invite him in...all the other stuff, it'll figure itself out." – David Harris Jr. [52:30]
- "I’ll do it. ... I’m open to whatever, man. I just...never...judge anybody who doesn’t believe...My family is my most cherished thing...How do I be a good person? ... I do want to be that person." – Jillian Michaels [59:14]
- "Now you’re superwoman as you lean into him. ... He empowers you." – David Harris Jr. [71:09]
Important Timestamps
- 00:01 – Episode introduction; faith and its polarizing role today
- 02:19 – David’s testimony: from drug dealing to spiritual awakening
- 14:31 – Jillian asks about Christian exclusivity and universal salvation
- 20:34 – The problem of evil and religious manipulation
- 23:55 – Wrestling with the assassination of Charlie Kirk and God’s will
- 31:08 – David’s vision and the global impact after Kirk’s death
- 35:00 – Miracles and practical Christianity
- 44:19 – LGBTQ+ identity and the conservative movement
- 51:16 – David’s advice: Start with Jesus, let the rest figure itself out
- 59:14 – Jillian prays to invite Jesus into her life
- 65:26 – First steps: reading John, worship, and spiritual growth
- 71:09 – Encouragement and closing remarks
Final Thoughts
This episode is a raw, often vulnerable exchange about the collision of faith, trauma, personal identity, and society’s current divisions. Both host and guest speak with openness and candor, creating an atmosphere that encourages genuine exploration and deep questioning. The conversation emphasizes relationship over rigid doctrine, underscores personal growth, and offers practical first steps for anyone wrestling with life’s moral complexities or seeking spiritual anchoring.
Recommended Next Steps:
- Explore the Book of John in the New Testament.
- Approach faith and spiritual questions with honesty and openness.
- Seek community, dialogue, and guidance from diverse voices.
End of Summary