Podcast
Religion in the American Experience
Hosted by nationalmuseumofamericanreligion · EN
Learning from scholars and every day Americans about what religion has done to America and what America has done to religion, helping all of us better comprehend and perpetuate the American experiment in self-government, including what is perhaps its greatest innovation and the essence of the American project: religious freedom as defined by the Constitution’s Article VI and First Amendment religion clauses.
16episodes
Episodes
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Chaplaincy in America: Part 2 - The Vietnam War
5d ago00:58:35Tap to summarizeChaplains– clergy attached to a secular institution including hospitals, prisons, embassies, schools, labor unions, police departments, fire departments, universities, intelligence agencies, airports, and military services - play a unique and meaningful role in the American landscape. These are ordained clergy who minister to members of the chaplain’s particular faith, to facilitate ministry to those of other faiths, and to care for all – including those who claim no religious faith. In this episode we are going to hear what Vietnam war chaplains teach us about religion, war, and the American project. It is our hope that by the end of this episode, each of us will be equipped to be more effective stewards of religion’s role in the ongoing American experiment in self-government. Season 4, Episode 10: American Chaplaincy – Part 2 Guest Bio Professor Jacqueline Whitt is Chief Learning Officer for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs and Director of the Organizational Learning Unit (OLU) in the Office of Policy, Planning, and Resources for the Under Secretary of State for Public Diplomacy and Public Affairs at the Department of State. She is the author of Bringing God to Men: American Military Chaplains, Religion, and the Vietnam War. Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of what religion has done to America and what America has done to religion.
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History of Religious Freedom in the U.S. with Mark Valeri
2w ago00:42:51Tap to summarizeJoin us during America’s 250th while we uncover the long and fascinating history of religious freedom in the United States, considered by many to be one of its greatest innovations. How will a more complete understanding of this particular religious thread in the American tapestry make us more effective stewards of religion’s in perpetuating the American experiment in self-government? Season 4, Episode 9 – History of Religious Freedom in the U.S. with Mark Valeri Guest Bio Professor Mark Valeri is the Reverend Priscilla Wood Neaves Distinguished Professor of Religion and Politics at the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, the director of the John C. Danforth Center on Religion and Politics, and author of The Opening of the Protestant Mind: How Anglo-American Protestants Embraced Religious Liberty. Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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American Religion: The Shakers
4w ago00:39:00Tap to summarizeWhat is the history of the Shakers - The United Society of Believers in Christ's Second Appearing – in the United States? How have they shaped us and how has America shaped them? Why is it important for us to know? Who are the last two – now three – surviving members of this religious community, what are they doing and where are they doing it? And, finally, why will an understanding of this fascinating religious thread in the American tapestry equip us to be better stewards of religion’s role in preserving the American experiment in self-government? Season 4, Episode 8 – American Religion: The Shakers Guest Bio Theresa Frey-Alexander is the Curator of Education and Interpretation at Shaker Heritage Society, the site of the first Shaker settlement, where she relishes bringing the history of the Shakers to life through innovative, multi-sensory exhibits and programs. She curated Ann Lee: One Woman’s Revolution, now on view. She holds a B.A. in History from Indiana University and a degree in Education from Siena University. She is also a musician, gardener, artist, and mother. See: The Shaker Heritage Society Theresa Frey-Alexander’s recent presentation at the Religion and the American Founding conference Hancock Shaker Village video Kens Burn documentary Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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History of Religious Freedom in the U.S. with Michael McConnell
Apr 2100:42:43Tap to summarizeJoin us during America’s 250th as we uncover the long, fascinating, and critically important history of religious freedom in the United States, considered by many to be one of its greatest innovations. How will a more complete understanding of this particular religious thread in the American tapestry make us better stewards of religion’s and religious freedom’s role in perpetuating the American experiment in self-government? Season 4, Episode 7 – History of Religious Freedom in the U.S. with Michael McConnell Guest Bio Dr. Michael McConnell is the Richard and Frances Mallery Professor and Faculty Director of the Constitutional Law Center at Stanford Law School, Senior Fellow of the Hoover Institution, and from 2002 to 2009 was Circuit Judge on the United States Court of Appeals for the Tenth Circuit. He has briefed or argued many if not most of the religious freedom cases in the Supreme Court from the 1980s until now. Professor McConnell is the author of The President Who Would Not Be King: Executive Power Under the Constitution, and co-author with Nathan Chapman of Agreeing to Disagree: How the Establishment Clause Protects Religious Diversity and Freedom of Conscience. Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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Christianity and the History of the United States of America
Apr 600:28:25Tap to summarizeThe book Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity was released in early 2026. The subtitle succinctly announces the contents, which makes the book feel epic and profound. What the museum wants to know is how understanding the tale the author tells will equip citizens to be more effective stewards of the role of religion, and the freedom that fuels it, in perpetuating American constitutional democracy. https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/matthew-avery-sutton/chosen-land/9781541646339/ Atlantic: https://www.theatlantic.com/books/2026/03/how-christian-nationalist-became-epithet/686279/ NY Times: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/05/books/review/chosen-land-matthew-avery-sutton.html Christianity Today: https://www.christianitytoday.com/2026/03/american-christianity-more-than-politics-chosen-land-sutton-review/ Season 4, Episode 6 – Christianity and the History of the United States of America Guest Bio Dr. Matthew Avery Sutton is the Berry Family Distinguished Professor in the Liberal Arts at Washington State University and has written many books besides this one, about various aspects of religion and U.S. history, including Chosen Land: How Christianity Made America and Americans Remade Christianity ; Double Crossed: The Missionaries Who Spied for the United States During the Second World War; and Faith in the New Millennium: The Future of Religion and American Politics. Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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History of Religious Freedom in the U.S. with Steven Green
Mar 2600:59:43Tap to summarizeJoin us during America’s 250th while we uncover the long and fascinating history of religious freedom in the United States, considered by many to be one of its greatest innovations. Why will a more complete understanding of this particular religious thread in the American tapestry equip us to be more effective citizens in the work of perpetuating our democracy? Season 4, Episode 5 – History of Religious Freedom in the U.S. with Steven Green Guest Bio Steven K. Green is the Fred H. Paulus Professor of Law and Affiliated Professor of History and Religious Studies at Willamette University where he teaches courses in Constitutional Law, First Amendment, Legal History, Jurisprudence, and Education Law in the College of Law, and Legal History and American Religious History in the College of Arts & Sciences. He is the author of more than 50 law review articles and book chapters, appearing in the William & Mary Bill of Rights Journal, Cornell Law Review, Notre Dame Law Review, Emory Law Journal, and Boston College Law Review, among others. Green’s latest book is The Grand Collaboration: Thomas Jefferson, James Madison, and the Invention of American Religious Freedom, and the subject of this podcast episode. Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of what religion has done to America and what America has done to religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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History of the Seamen's Church Institute
Mar 1600:51:04Tap to summarizeFounded in 1834 as a mission of the Episcopal Church, the Seamen’s Church Institute provides vital services to seafarers, including crisis response, pastoral care, vessel visiting, counseling, transportation, and hospitality. The organization also supports mariner education and professional development through its Center for Maritime Education and advocates for seafarer rights through its Center for Mariner Advocacy. What is the history of this unique organization? Why will an understanding of this particular religious thread in the American tapestry equip us to be more effective at perpetuating our democracy, which includes religious freedom as defined by the U.S. constitution’s Article VI and the Bill of Rights religion clauses? Mark Nestlehutt will guide us today in answering these and other questions. Show notes: Our Mission | Seamen’s Church Institute https://seamenschurch.org/historical-resources/ Season 4, Episode 4 – History of the Seamen’s Church Institute Guest Bio The Reverend Mark Nestlehutt serves as the President and Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), the largest and most comprehensive mariner service agency in North America. Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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Black Power, Jewish Politics in 20th Century America
Feb 2300:53:52Tap to summarizeWhat did the intersection of African American civil rights work and Jewish politics look like in the 20th century? Why will an understanding of this particular religious thread in the American tapestry equip us to be more effective citizens now in the work of perpetuating our democracy with its world-changing innovation of religious freedom as defined by the U.S. constitution’s Article VI and the Bill of Rights religion clauses? Dr. Marc Dollinger will guide us today in answering these and other questions. Season 4, Episode 3 – Black Power, Jewish Politics in 20th Century America Guest Bio Marc Dollinger is Professor, Richard and Rhoda Goldman Chair, in the Department of Jewish Studies at San Francisco State University. He has a Ph.D. in history from UCLA and is the author of several books, including Black Power, Jewish Politics: Reinventing the Alliance in the 1960s, the basis of our discussion today. Dr. Dollinger’s research interests include American Jewish history, Jewish social responsibility, liberalism, Jews and public policy church/state separation, modern Jewish history and modern Jewish identity. https://jewish.sfsu.edu/prof-marc-dollinger-speaks-cnns-don-lemon-tonight Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has shaped America and how America has shaped religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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History of Religious Freedom in the U.S. with Chris Beneke
Feb 1000:54:06Tap to summarizeJoin us during America’s 250th as we uncover the long and fascinating history of religious freedom in the United States, considered by many to be one of its greatest innovations, which will equip us to be more effective at perpetuating the American experiment in self-government. Season 4, Episode 2 – History of Religious Freedom in the U.S. with Chris Beneke Guest Bio Chris Beneke is Professor and Associate Dean of First Year Experience and the Bentley Core at Bentley University. His research interests include American religious history, history of religious toleration, baseball and American history and American intellectual history. Dr. Beneke is the author of many books, including Free Exercise: Religion, the First Amendment, and the Making of America and The Lively Experiment: Religious Toleration in America from Roger Williams to the Present. Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of how religion has influenced America and how America has influenced religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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The Erie Canal's Influence on American Religion
Jan 2600:50:57Tap to summarizeThe Erie Canal is an outstanding example of a human artifact creating and facilitating new religious movements. Within 25 years of its opening, the Erie Canal cultivated extraordinary experimental spiritual groups including the Mormons, the Adventists, Spiritualism, a revived Apocalypticism, utopian communal societies such as the Oneida Community, with the Amana Colony and Shakers passing through, as well as the emotion-laden revivals of the Second Great Awakening. The Canal also engendered the religiously infused social movements of abolition, women’s suffrage, and temperance. And because of its key location and function as the link between east and west, the repercussions of canal-formed spiritual experiments rippled across the continent with westward expansion, creating unique currents of religion in the United States into the present day. Better understanding this particular religious thread in the American tapestry will equip us to be more effective citizens in the work of perpetuating our democracy with its world-changing innovation of religious freedom as defined by the U.S. constitution’s Article VI and the Bill of Rights religion clauses. Season 4, Episode 1 – The Erie Canal and American Religion Guest Bio S.B. Rodríguez-Plate is a professor of religious studies at Hamilton College in Clinton, New York and author of many books including A History of Religion in 5 ½ Objects: Bringing the Spiritual to Its Senses, and Religion and Film: Cinema and the Re-Creation of the World. S.B. investigates the ways people connect with physical objects through sense perception: the things we see, hear, smell, taste, and touch are what give people their spiritual dimension. Matthew Smith is Visiting Professor of History and the Regional Director of Public Programming at Miami University of Ohio’s Hamilton, New York regional campus. Matthew’s research interests include American religious history, Appalachia, The Ohio Valley, and Trans-Atlantic immigration. Dr. Smith is the author of The Spires Still Point to Heaven: Cincinnati's Religious Landscape, 1788-1873 Podcast Support Scholarly support provided by Dr. Lauren Turek, Associate Professor of History at Trinity University in San Antonio, Texas. Technical audio and video assistance provided by Dr. Randall Stephens, a Professor of American and British Studies at the University of Oslo. Religion in the American Experience is a podcast of the private, digital-first National Museum of American Religion, which tells the story of what religion has done to America and what America has done to religion. This includes the establishment of religious freedom in the United States Constitution’s Article VI and Bill of Rights religion clauses.
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