Spiritual Firestorm: How the First Great Awakening Rewired America | The American Story | Ep 3

About this episode

The episode explores the impact of the First Great Awakening on American society and identity, tracing its roots from the Salem Witch Trials to influential preachers.

Dive into the chilling spark of the Salem Witch Trials and how colonial America’s spiritual decay ignited the First Great Awakening. Discover the preachers whose biblical devotion shaped government and defended liberty in the young society. From the pulpit of brilliant pastor Jonathan Edwards to the electrifying rise of George Whitefield – the evangelist who captivated unprecedented American audiences – we trace the massive revival movement that swept the colonies. This awakening cracked old hierarchies, empowered ordinary people, rewired American identity, and quietly laid the groundwork for revolution. From hysteria to hope, rebellion to rebirth, discover the complicated legacies (including ties to slavery) that shaped a nation’s soul. GLENN'S SPONSORS: PreBorn: Together, we can end the tragedy of abortion, one mother and baby at a time. To donate securely, dial #250 and say the keyword “baby,” or visit ⁠https://preborn.com/glenn⁠. Home Title Lock: Go to https://hometitlelock.com/glennbeck and use promo code GLENN to get a FREE title history report and a FREE TRIAL of their Triple Lock Protection! For details visit https://hometitlelock.com/warranty American Financing: American…

People in this episode

Host: Glenn Beck

Topics covered

• First Great Awakening
• Salem Witch Trials
• American identity
• spiritual revival
• liberty
• colonial America
• religious influence

Keywords

• First Great Awakening
• Salem Witch Trials
• Jonathan Edwards
• George Whitefield
• American history
• spiritual revival
• liberty
• colonial America

Sponsors

PreBorn, Home Title Lock, American Financing, Relief Factor

More episodes of The Glenn Beck Podcast

• The Reluctant President: Washington’s Leadership and Legacy | The American Story | Ep 10 · June 13, 2026 · 49 min
• Inside the First Presidency: Power, Fear, and the Bill of Rights | The American Story | Ep 9 · June 6, 2026 · 51 min
• America’s Secret Reboot: The Making of the U.S. Constitution | The American Story | Ep 8 · May 30, 2026 · 51 min
• Gambles & Glory: Washington and the Revolutionary War | The American Story | Ep 7 · May 23, 2026 · 52 min
• Tyranny and Treason: The Dawn of Independence | The American Story | Ep 6 · May 16, 2026 · 49 min
• Boston’s Rebellion: Samuel Adams and the Fight for Liberty | The American Story | Ep 5 · May 9, 2026 · 55 min