5 Best Molly Worthen Podcasts in 2026

1. Doubting Toward Belief: Molly Worthen’s Journey to the Resurrection

Follow Play Oct 02, 2025 23:47
Website Apple
About Episode Historian Molly Worthen, a former skeptic who once envied those with faith, embarked on an unexpected journey toward belief in Jesus' resurrection. Her academic work in American religious history led her to examine Christian claims more deeply. Conversations with a pastor and advice from theologian/Christian apologist Tim Keller prompted her to reconsider her skepticism, as she found the evidence for the resurrection more compelling than she initially thought. This shift in perspective on the supernatural culminated in her baptism in a Southern Baptist church, a surprising turn for someone with an academic background who had previously dismissed such beliefs. Worthen’s story illustrates how open-mindedness and supportive relationships can lead to profound and unexpected changes in one’s convictions. Thought-Provoking Quotes: “From that fairly early point, age 18 or 19, I think I already detected in myself a real envy of people who had a religious home, who had some confidence in a set of answers to the big questions.” - Molly Worthen “I realized I had a lot of questions that I had never looked into. Despite being a historian of Christianity, I’d never really, in a close and thoughtful way, investigated the basic historical claims of the faith.” - Molly Worthen “The case for the reality of the resurrection was just a whole lot better than I thought. And the case for my old worldview was starting to crumble.” - Molly Worthen “I have read the gospels plenty of times, it’s part of my job description. But I had always read them out of duty, I was never gripped by them. But there was a grittiness and a reality—especially in Jesus’ encounters with the people He heals—that really arrested me for the first time.” - Molly Worthen “Maybe we’ll get to hang out with the apostles one day. It’s almost a credit to their humanity and respect for one another that they just let each other tell the story like they were friends.” - Melanie Penn “My faith is very fragile. I am always having to revisit the questions I've been wrestling with for a long time and needing reassurance, and I'm always hungry to read more and learn more. Even if you feel fairly firm in your faith, I think you need a community where you can ask those questions without being afraid that you'll be taken as some kind of heretic.” - Molly Worthen “I think it's so important—whether you're a Christian or a seeker—to find a community that is comfortable with doubt. I would encourage people who have questions to persist in finding, until they find a conversation partner who supports them.” - Molly Worthen “Christianity is unique among the world religions in that it stands or falls on a discrete event that believers say happened in history. And it happened close enough to our own time that there actually is evidence.” - Molly Worthen Links, Products, and Resources Mentioned In This Episode: The New York Times The New Yorker Foreign Policy The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump Tim Keller J.D. Greear C.S. Lewis The Language of God by Francis S. Collins The Reason for God by Tim Keller Veritas Forum *Watch this interview on the YouTube channel!   *All episode music is by Melanie Penn.  Guest’s Links: Molly Worthen’s website Connect with Melanie: The Rising (Album) Website Facebook Instagram YouTube Spotify *The Rising Podcast is a production of Four Eyes Media. MORE Podcast Title The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn
Podcast Description Can we believe the resurrection of Christ actually happened? The Rising Podcast with Melanie Penn delves into the historicity of the resurrection and how this event changed human history—past and future! We interview authors, historians, personalities, and academics to dive deeper into this key historical event that changed human history. The conversations between a contemporary songwriter and members of the scholastic community will offer rare moments of insight for believers and skeptics. Melanie Penn introduces this podcast with the launch of her album, The Rising .MORE Guest Molly Worthen
Apple Rating 5.0/5 Avg Length 20 min Format Short form Get Email Contact Get access to full database of 2.7M podcastsCreate podcast lists, export in spreadsheet or CSV file with email contacts and start your podcast outreach in minutes.Sign Up for Free with Email Continue with Google

2. #340 How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Trump w/..

Follow Play Jun 16, 2025 54:29
Website Spotify
About Episode Bob speaks with UNC-Chapel Hill historian Molly Worthen about her new book Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Trump. Gary Fletcher edited this episode.
Podcast Title The Road to Now
Podcast Description Bob Crawford (The Avett Brothers) & Dr. Ben Sawyer (MTSU History) share conversations with great thinkers from a variety of backgrounds – historians, artists, legal scholars, political figures and more –who help us uncover the many roads that run between past and present. For more information, visit TheRoadToNow.com If you'd like to support our work, join us on Patreon: Patreon.com/TheRoadToNowMORE Hosts Dr Ben Sawyer, Bob Crawford
Guest Molly Worthen
Producer/Network RTN Productions
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.8/5 Avg Length 57 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

3. 381. The Dark Side of Charisma

Follow Play Jun 02, 2025 1:15:10
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode Donate to ⁠"Sins of Empathy"⁠ In this episode, Tim interviews Molly Worthen, author of 'Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump.' They explore the concept of charisma, its historical significance, and its role in both religious and political leadership. Worthen shares her unique journey to evangelicalism and discusses how charisma has been a driving force in shaping American history, from the Puritans to contemporary figures like Trump and Rush Limbaugh. The conversation delves into the dual nature of charisma, its moral neutrality, and its impact on social movements and media. Molly's Faculty Page Molly's Author Page Chapters 02:49 Molly Worthen's Journey to Evangelicalism 09:07 The Evolution of Charisma Through History 14:55 Charisma in Political Leadership 27:12 Rush Limbaugh and the Age of Gurus 39:00 Trump's Charisma and Political Strategy 46:32 The Role of Storytelling in Politics 52:12 Navigating the Landscape of Christian Nationalism 01:01:18 Understanding the Complexity of Voter Behavior ____________________________________________________ ⁠⁠you'd like to support our work, you can DONATE here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Follow Us On Instagram @thenewevangelicals  Subscribe On YouTube @thenewevangelicals The New Evangelicals exists to support those who are tired of how evangelical church has been done before and want to see an authentic faith lived out with Jesus at the center. This show is produced by Josh Gilbert Media | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Joshgilbertmedia.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ We are committed to building a caring community that emulates the ways of Jesus by reclaiming the evangelical tradition and embracing values that build a better way forward. If you’ve been marginalized by your faith, you are welcome here. We’ve built an empathetic and inclusive space that encourages authentic conversations, connections and faith. Whether you consider yourself a Christian, an exvangelical, someone who's questioning your faith, or someone who's left the faith entirely, you are welcome here! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoicesMORE Podcast Title The New Evangelicals Podcast
Podcast Description The New Evangelicals Podcast invites you into bold, thought-provoking conversations at the intersection of faith, politics, and justice. Each week our host, Tim Whitaker, speaks with pastors, theologians, scholars, and cultural leaders who are challenging the status quo, confronting Christian Nationalism, and imagining a more inclusive and just world.MORE Host Tim Whitaker
Guest Molly Worthen
Producer/Network Tim Whitaker
Email ****@gmail.com
Apple Rating 4.7/5Instagram 199.9K Avg Length 59 min Format Long form Get Email Contact

4. Molly Worthen on Being Spellbinding

Follow Play May 28, 2025 52:58
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode What do Albert Einstein, the Jesus People,  and Donald Trump all have in common? According to historian and journalist Molly Worthen, they’re all part of a surprising American story about the strange, magnetic force we call charisma. In this episode, Russell Moore sits down with Worthen to explore the themes of her new book, Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History, and why understanding charisma may be the key to understanding American religion, politics, and even ourselves.   From revival tents to campaign rallies to cable news sets, Worthen tracks five distinct types of charisma that have shaped our country’s imagination—from JFK to your local megachurch pastor. Why do some people command a room without saying a word, while others say everything and still lose the crowd?   Moore and Worthen dig into the seduction and danger of charisma, its role in religious experience, and how it can drive both conversion and cults of personality. They also reflect on Worthen’s own journey from atheism to faith, and why figures such as Tim Keller and J.D. Greear played unexpected roles in that story. Plus: the only time Russell Moore has ever found himself in a room full of unconscious people, all but him on the floor—and what that has to do with spiritual longing.   If you’ve ever wondered why we’re drawn to certain voices, movements, or personalities—and how those forces shape the American soul—this conversation will leave you thinking, and maybe even unsettled. Resources mentioned in this episode or recommended by the guest include: Spellbound by Molly Worthen Special offer for listeners of The Russell Moore Show: Click here for 25% off a subscription to CT magazine. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoicesMORE Podcast Title The Russell Moore Show
Podcast Description Listen in as Russell Moore, director of Christianity Today’s Public Theology Project and Editor-in-Chief, talks about the latest books, cultural conversations and pressing ethical questions that point us toward the kingdom of Christ.MORE Host Russell Moore
Guest Molly Worthen
Producer/Network Christianity Today
Email ****@russellmoore.com
Apple Rating 4.7/5 Avg Length 33 min Format Medium form Get Email Contact

5. Why Are We Drawn to Charismatic Leaders? with Molly Worthen

Follow Play May 19, 2025 45:46
Website Apple Spotify
About Episode Historian Molly Worthen joins Rebecca to unpack her journey from agnosticism to faith, the pull of charismatic leaders, and why Jesus—not political saviors—is the only one truly worth following. From Trump-era evangelicalism to the Spirit-led church, this episode asks: What kind of power really saves? Buy Molly's Book: Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump Sign up for weekly emails at RebeccaMcLaughlin.org/Subscribe Follow Confronting Christianity: Instagram | X Produced by ⁠⁠⁠⁠The Good Podcast Co.⁠⁠⁠⁠MORE Podcast Title Confronting Christianity with Rebecca McLaughlin
Podcast Description Hard questions, faithfully explored. Hosted by Rebecca McLaughlin.
Host Rebecca McLaughlin
Guest Molly Worthen
Producer/Network Rebecca McLaughlin
Email ****@vocablecommunications.com
Apple Rating 4.8/5 Avg Length 41 min Format Long form Get Email Contact