The New Shape of American Religion with Ross Douthat and Molly Worthen

The New Shape of American Religion with Ross Douthat and Molly Worthen

From Everything Happens with Kate Bowler by Everything Happens Studios

March 3, 2026 · 53 min · Season 16 · Episode 4

About this episode

Kate Bowler discusses the evolving landscape of American religion with Ross Douthat and Molly Worthen.

Kate Bowler invites two of her sharpest friends—Ross Douthat and Molly Worthen—to help her make sense of the current American religious landscape: why the long “decline” story may be shifting, why religious curiosity is popping up in unexpected places, and why the loudest forms of Christianity often feel more online, more political, and more embarrassing. Together they sort through what people mean by “Christian nationalism,” how much of it is symbolism versus policy, what weak institutions and internet incentives are doing to faith, and what still gives them hope for the church. SHOW NOTES Ross Douthat Bad Religion Believe The Deep Places Molly Worthen Apostles of Reason Spellbound Pre-order Joyful Anyway by Kate Bowler Tour dates & tickets: katebowler.com/joyfulanyway Watch the live conversation on YouTube Join Kate Bowler on Substack for the season of Lent: katebowler.substack.com See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

People in this episode

Host: Kate Bowler

Guests: Ross Douthat, Molly Worthen

Topics covered

  • American religion
  • Christian nationalism
  • religious curiosity
  • faith institutions

Keywords

  • decline story
  • online Christianity
  • political Christianity

Mentioned in this episode

Products: Bad Religion, Believe, The Deep Places, Apostles of Reason

Books & works: The New Shape of American Religion, Joyful Anyway

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