Rephonic
Artwork for Complexified
Christianity
Catholic Church
Pope Francis
Abortion
Immigration
Trump
Pete Hegseth
March For Life
Community Engagement
Trump Administration
Christian Nationalism
Department Of Defense
Elon Musk
J.D. Vance
Gaza
Israel
Religion
Cultural Christianity
Pope Leo
Immigration Policy

For too long we have avoided talking about religion and politics. But the truth is, religion and politics are about daily life. When we avoid the hard topics connected to religion and politics, we become stuck in the status quo. On Complexified we dive into the places where religion and politics collide with real-life, so we can get unstuck- so we can make real change. We dive into our most entren... more

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes94Founded4 years ago
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Religion & SpiritualityGovernment

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Artwork for Complexified

Latest Episodes

The Baptist preacher (and Texas Lieutenant Governor) who stood before the White House Religious Liberty Commission had a message: there is no separation of church and state in the Constitution. That's a shift...

For two centuries, Baptists didn't ju... more

A year after his death, the Catholic Church is moving forward—and revealing what Francis actually changed.

While he was alive, Francis' papacy was interpreted in real time: praised, criticized and debated. It was difficult to separate what was truly... more

The playbook for dismissing a pope just stopped working.

Trump called Pope Leo weak. Catholics — including some of Trump's own — aren't buying it. Vatican reporter Claire Giangravé joins Amanda Henderson to explain why Leo, a Chicago-born American p... more

Tim Schrader Rodriguez spent eight years trying to "pray out the gay". He modulated his voice. He stopped listening to music with female lead singers. He sat weekly with a therapist who watched him come apart — and said nothing.

Last week, the Supre... more

Key Facts

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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Elesha Coffman
Historian at Baylor University, author of Turning Points in American Church History
Baylor University
Episode: Separation of Church and State Was a Baptist Idea. What Happened?
Claire Jeangravet
Vatican reporter
Vatican News / Reuters–style outlet represented in the interview
Episode: What Stuck: Reading Pope Francis a Year Later
Claire Giangravé
Vatican reporter
Crux Now
Episode: What If the Most Powerful American in the World Isn't Who You Think?
Tim Schrader Rodriguez
Survivor of conversion therapy who discusses his experiences and the Supreme Court ruling
Former participant in conversion therapy; advocate survivor
Episode: He Survived Conversion Therapy. The Supreme Court Just Made it Legal Again
Catherine Pepinster
Journalist who reported on Mullally's rise and the network of women who helped make it possible
Episode: The Myth of Sudden Change: How the First Woman Archbishop Got There
Kathryn Post
Reporter with Religion News Service
Religion News Service
Episode: Are You a Starseed? The Search for Meaning, Rewritten
Fiona André
Reporter with Religion News Service
Religion News Service
Episode: Texas Created a Program to Fund Religious Schools. So Why Are Muslim Schools Missing?
Paul O'Donnell
Editor-in-chief of Religion News Service (RNS)
Religion News Service
Episode: Texas Created a Program to Fund Religious Schools. So Why Are Muslim Schools Missing?
Roxanne Stone
Executive editor
Religion News Service
Episode: From Purity Rings to Shooting Your Dog: How Christian Womanhood Went MAGA

Host

Amanda Henderson
Host of Complexified; affiliated with the Institute for Religion, Politics and Culture (with various partnerships)

Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars from 31 ratings
  • If I may take a quote out of context, I’d say this show is “…shaped inside of a wide horizon.” (Dr. Willie J. Jennings. Imagine a land of belonging. June 2024. Min 17:25) >br />I like to joke that even tho Iliff is a small school it takes forever to get down the hallway cause you overhear and join all these incredible conversations. Complexified shares insight into the mindset at Iliff School of Theology thru these conversations with professors and fantastic philosophical minds from other spaces... more

    Audible
    5
    Anna A
    United States2 years ago
  • Like walking thru the halls of Iliff School of Theology

    If I may take a quote out of context, I’d say this show is “…shaped inside of a wide horizon.” (Dr. Willie J. Jennings. Imagine a land of belonging. June 2024. Min 17:25) >br />I like to joke that even tho Iliff is a small school it takes forever to get down the hallway cause you overhear and join all these incredible conversations. Complexified shares insight into the mindset at Iliff School of Theology thru these conversations with professors and fantastic philosophical minds from other spaces... more

    Audible
    5
    Anna A
    United States2 years ago
  • Religiously curious? Politically frustrated? That’s me.

    I’ve been fascinated by religion for most of my life. At different time I’ve engaged, and other times I’ve distanced myself from it. But one thing that’s always intrigued me as the connection between religion and politics in America. It’s undeniable.

    Complexitied does something I haven’t heard in other podcasts, which is to draw our attention closer to the interconnectedness of religion and politics in America. I can’t think of more important thing to focus on in the lead up to the 2024 electio... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    @mattmorris
    United States2 years ago
  • This is worth your ears!

    While acknowledging and upholding the separation between Church and State, Complexified reveals to us the reality of how these two entities have been and will forever be entwined. You do not have to be religious (or even spiritual!) to enjoy and LEARN from this Podcast.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    KP-HP
    United States4 years ago
  • Amanda thank you for bringing Rob Schenck to your platform. And Rob, thank you for your authenticity and honesty. These hidden stories (as I refer to them) are important to hear to understand how we can make a difference!

    Audible
    5
    JustMe
    United States4 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

The show brings credible journalism and nuanced discussion to controversial topics.
Accessible without sacrificing intellectual rigor; invites listeners to think critically about beliefs and policy.
Draws thoughtful connections between religion and politics across current events.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#138
United States/Government
Apple Podcasts
#136
New Zealand/Government
Apple Podcasts
#217
South Korea/Government

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Separation of Church and State Was a Baptist Idea. What Happened?
Q: How did Jefferson and the Danbury Baptists shape the understanding of that wall?
Jefferson's letter to the Danbury Baptists in 1802 popularized the concept of a wall of separation, and while the First Amendment does not explicitly use that phrasing, courts later treated the idea as a guiding interpretation of religious liberty in law.
Separation of Church and State Was a Baptist Idea. What Happened?
Q: Walk us through that origin—why did Baptists push for a wall between church and state?
Baptists fought for separation largely out of fear of persecution by established churches and the desire to avoid a repeat of English-style enforcement, which they equated with papist or Catholic influence and authority over religion and politics.
What Stuck: Reading Pope Francis a Year Later
Q: What evidence is there that his approach is continuing after his death?
The continuity is evident in how his successors and the wider Church have continued to promote synodality, inclusivity in leadership (including women in key roles), and a focus on the peripheries, suggesting his vision will endure beyond his papacy.
What Stuck: Reading Pope Francis a Year Later
Q: What do we know now about Pope Francis' legacy that we might not have known a year ago?
Claire Jeangravet explains that Francis was a disruptive, transformative leader who reformed the Curia, promoted a 'Church for the poor,' and pushed for dialogue and inclusivity without making major doctrinal changes, which has left a lasting reshaping of the Church's approach to mission and outreach.
What If the Most Powerful American in the World Isn't Who You Think?
Q: What did Leo actually say about war or peace?
Leo focused on peace, rejected violence, and urged action consistent with the Gospel, signaling a push for unity within the global church and a stance against war that resonates in American political discourse.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

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Frequently Asked Questions About Complexified

What is Complexified about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program consistently explores how faith and public life collide, tackling timely, sometimes controversial topics through a journalistic lens. Recent episodes examine the politics of religion in education, faith in the military, gender and culture in conservative Christian circles, Jewish identity and Israel, and how online ecosystems spread fringe beliefs. Guests tend to be journalists, scholars, and faith leaders who unpack complex issues with nuance, context, and a focus on how beliefs shape policy, institutions, and everyday life. The show often features rigorous reporting, thoughtful interviewing, and a willingness to challenge tidy narratives, making it useful for listeners who want to understand the real-world intersections of re... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Complexified?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Complexified:

1. The Convocation Unscripted
2. The David Frum Show
3. Homebrewed Christianity
4. The Ezra Klein Show
5. Strict Scrutiny

How many episodes of Complexified are there?

Complexified launched 4 years ago and published 94 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Complexified?

Recent guests on Complexified include:

1. Elesha Coffman
2. Claire Jeangravet
3. Claire Giangravé
4. Tim Schrader Rodriguez
5. Catherine Pepinster
6. Kathryn Post
7. Fiona André
8. Paul O'Donnell

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