James Talarico and the Politics of Progressive Christianity [Teaser]

Listen to the rest of this premium episode by subscribing at patreon.com/knowyourenemy.

In this episode, we shift our attention from the Trump administration to the winner of the Democratic primary for the U.S. Senate in Texas, state legislator and Presbyterian seminarian, James Talarico. Even before prevailing in that contest earlier this month, Talarico had been having something of a moment, appearing on Ezra Klein's podcast, being profiled by the New Yorker, and generating a wave of media coverage, much of it focused on Talarico's Christian faith, his criticisms of the religious right, and what it all might mean for his political prospects in a state that remains stubbornly red. We explore what we like and what we find frustrating about Talarico's attempt to mix religious rhetoric and populism; how he navigates the complexities of speaking the language of a particular religious tradition in an increasingly secular, pluralistic society; Dr. King, the Civil Rights Movement, and prophetic religion; the place of religion on the left, and how it differs from the religious right; Herbert McCabe and socialism; and more.

Sources:

"James Talarico’s Beautiful Answer to Christian Nationalism," Ezra Klein Show, Jan 13, 2026

Matthew Sitman, "Whither the Religious Left?" New Republic, April 15, 2021

— "Against Moral Austerity: On the Need for a Christian Left," Dissent, Summer 2017

— "Finding the Words for Faith: Meet Christian Wiman, America’s Most Important Christian Writer," The Dish, Sept 3, 2014

Bill McCormick, S.J., "Joe Biden Said Now Is The Time To Heal. But What If Americans Don’t Want Reconciliation?" America, Nov 13, 2020

Vincent Lloyd, "Marcuse the Lover," Telos, Winter 2013

Alex Thompson, "Faith-forward Texas Senate Candidate Follows Porn Actors, Escorts on Instagram," Axios, Nov 8, 2025

Tad Friend, "James Talarico Puts His Faith in Texas Voters," New Yorker, Feb 23, 2026

Christian Wiman, My Bright Abyss: Meditations of a Modern Believer (2013)

Joseph Bottum, An Anxious Age: The Post-Protestant Ethic and the Spirit of America (2014)

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