Best Discussions With Dena Podcasts (2025)

1
Saying Goodbye to the Penny 14:55

Play Pause

5d ago14:55

14:55

Goodbye to the one cent penny in America. The lowest denomination when it comes to Dollars & Cents; will soon be a thing of the past. The U.S. Mint has printed its last copper penny.

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"Conversion Therapy" at the Supreme Court 1:07:17

15d ago1:07:17

1:07:17

Liz and Rebecca cover Chiles v. Salazar, the case before the Supreme Court seeking to strike down a Colorado law banning mental health professionals from practicing "conversion therapy" on children. They explain the details of the case and discuss the hypocrisy of a ruling striking down the ban. They also recount the October 7th oral arguments, whe…

1
Stone Unturned: Courts have never allowed Ten Commandments in public schools 1:06:43

2M ago1:06:43

1:06:43

Rebecca and Liz break down the strong history of courts rejecting government attempts to display Ten Commandments in public schools. They explain the seminal 1980 case Stone v. Graham, the SCOTUS cases since then reinforcing that precedent, and the growing number of states passing blatantly unconstitutional laws that force public schools to display…

1
100 years of monkey business: the Scopes trial centennial 46:50

3M ago46:50

46:50

Rebecca and Liz commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Scopes Trial. They discuss the infamous "monkey" trial, and the history of teaching evolution in public schools. An "everything old is new again" episode, showing the impact of the Scopes trial throughout the last century and digging into the latest attempts by Christian Nationalists to injec…

1
Hoodwinked: Health Care Sharing Ministries with Sarah Levin 1:02:16

3M ago1:02:16

1:02:16

Rebecca and Liz explore health care sharing ministries (HCSMs) with guest, Sarah Levin. Sarah guides us through this religious billion dollar industry. We discuss what HCSMs are and what they are not, and why we need to push for them to have transparency. Background and Resources Bio for Sarah Levin Sarah's email: [email protected] Secula…

1
SCOTUS Wrap Up 1:06:15

4M ago1:06:15

1:06:15

Liz and Rebecca explain the final three Supreme Court rulings with huge stakes for true religious freedom. They discuss the Court's continued zeal for religious favoritism in the Catholic Charities, Mahmoud, and Skrmetti rulings—further expanding exemptions from the law for religious employers, giving ultra-conservative religious parents veto power…

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That Does Not Equal Nine: St. Isidore v. Drummond 52:37

5M ago52:37

52:37

The third in the "unholy trinity" of religion clause cases from the current SCOTUS term. Liz and Rebecca discuss the case that sought to create the nation's first Catholic public charter school and the surprisingly early decision issued by a divided Court. They explain how this case came to be, what the oral arguments revealed, and the high stakes …

1
High Unholy Season Continues: Mahmoud v. Taylor 1:15:56

7M ago1:15:56

1:15:56

Liz and Rebecca continue the SCOTUS religion cases coverage with Mahmoud v. Taylor, a case that threatens to force public school districts to bend to the will of their most conservative religious parents. They discuss how the case came to be, what the oral arguments told us, and why this case actually is about book banning and censorship. Backgroun…

1
High Unholy Season: Catholic Charities Bureau vs. Working Americans 51:27

8M ago51:27

51:27

Liz and Rebecca break down the latest Supreme Court case, Catholic Charities Bureau, Inc. v. Wisconsin Labor & Industry Review Commission. They explain how the case seeks to expand religious tax exemptions yet again, while threatening the unemployment benefits of thousands of workers. They share their analysis of the oral arguments and predictions …

1
Breaking Down Trump's Executive Orders with Dena Sher 1:00:20

9M ago1:00:20

1:00:20

Rebecca and Liz welcome Americans United Associate Vice President of Public Policy Dena Sher to the show to discuss President Trump's spate of executive orders. Dena reminds us what executive orders are and we break down the ones that affect religious liberty and the separation of church and state. Background Dena Sher, Associate Vice President of …

1
Annual Listener Mailbag! 47:36

10M ago47:36

47:36

Liz and Rebecca take a break from the regular schedule to answer listener questions. They talk about how the founders viewed state/church separation, the issues our movement should focus on, and how to engage women in the cause of secularism. Resources AU's Project 2025 Hub Abortion resources aidaccess.org plancpills.org How to Contact Your Elected…

1
D.E.I (WHO REALLY BENEFITS FROM IT...?) 29:09

10M ago29:09

29:09

D.E.I WHO IS HE REAL BENEFACTOR OF D.E.I?

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Shade at the Memorial? 7:38

11M ago7:38

7:38

Was there people throwing SHADE at the memorial?

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Skrmetti v. U.S. 58:16

11M ago58:16

58:16

SCOTUS is considering whether Tennessee's total ban on transgender medical care for minors violates the Equal Protection Clause, and Liz and Rebecca have some thoughts. They explain what the oral arguments last month revealed and what the stakes are for the real people who will be affected by the Court's decision. Background Case page on SCOTUSblog…

1
Election Postmortem 48:12

12M ago48:12

48:12

Liz and Rebecca process the 2024 election results. They discuss the challenges the new administration will bring, some under-the-radar encouraging election results, and how their organizations plan to continue fighting for secular democracy in the months and years ahead. Background National Women's Law Center Abortion ACLU of Missouri's abortion ca…

1
The Crisis Pregnancy Center Crisis with Jenifer McKenna 1:18:58

1y ago1:18:58

1:18:58

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by Jenifer McKenna to talk about the billion dollar crisis pregnancy center industry and its role in the anti-abortion movement. They discuss the massive harms caused by these unregulated fake clinics, Jenifer's work on the first multi-state CPC investigation, and a new approach to exposing their unethical tactic…

1
Sarah Posner on Tyranny by a Minority 1:12:45

1y ago1:12:45

1:12:45

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca interview Sarah Posner, author and interviewer. They discuss the evolution of the Christian right, debate how to talk about Christian Nationalism, and break down the sky high stakes of this year's election. Show Notes Sarah Posner's Website Sarah's new book: Unholy: How White Christian Nationalists Powered the Trump Preside…

1
Project 2025—Roadmap to Hell 1:08:04

1y ago1:08:04

1:08:04

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca dig into Project 2025, the comprehensive transition project for the next conservative administration. They explain the project and illustrate the throughlines of its policy agenda— Christian nationalist ideology and the obliteration of the separation of church and state. Background SPLC on Alliance Defending Freedom Project…

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A Conversation with Secular Legislator Sen. Kelda Roys 1:04:53

1+ y ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca speak with Wisconsin State Senator Kelda Roys. They discuss what it's like to be a nonreligious lawmaker in today's legislative world as well as the threat of Christian Nationalism to our secular democracy and civil rights like reproductive freedom. Background Senator Kelda Roys' bio Congressional Freethought Caucus Abortio…

1
The Supreme Court vs. The People 1:01:42

1+ y ago1:01:42

1:01:42

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca break down the 2024 Supreme Court term. They explain how the Court decided the two cases affecting abortion access, then they explain several other decisions of the Court that massively disrupt how the government functions and shift even more power away from the people. Cases and Background Mifepristone Case - FDA v. Allian…

1
Talking Reproductive Rights with Maya Rupert 1:03:18

1+ y ago1:03:18

1:03:18

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by reproductive rights expert, political strategist, and advocate Maya Rupert. They discuss how the fight for reproductive justice is being waged post-Dobbs and why the personal has never been more political. Background When We Win with Maya Rupert Center For Reproductive Rights National Women's Law Center Explan…

1
The Mifepristone Case at SCOTUS 1:04:53

1+ y ago1:04:53

1:04:53

Not two years after overturning Roe v. Wade, the US Supreme Court is considering a case that threatens to take the abortion pill, mifepristone, off the market. Alison, Liz, and Rebecca explain how the anti-abortion activist lawsuit started, how it got to the Court, and what we learned from the recent oral arguments. Background SCOTUSblog Oral argum…

1
Christians Against Christian Nationalism 54:40

1+ y ago54:40

54:40

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca welcome guest Amanda Tyler, executive director of the Baptist Joint Committee and lead organizer of BJC's Christians Against Christian Nationalism campaign. They discuss the urgent threat that Christian nationalist ideology poses to American democracy, how nonreligious and religious Americans alike can fight back, and Amand…

1
Tax the Church! 52:49

1+ y ago52:49

52:49

Join Rebecca, Alison and Liz for a journey through the history and principles behind the U.S. exempting churches from taxation! We discuss the practice of tax exemption for charitable organizations, including churches, the major cases about the constitutionality of these ideas, and abuses of the Johnson Amendment. Background History of churches and…

1
State of the State Legislatures in 2024 1:04:03

2y ago1:04:03

1:04:03

It's that wonderful time of year when Alison guides Rebecca and Liz through the upcoming legislative sessions in states across the country. We discuss upsetting trends in state legislation and bills we're monitoring that affect the separation of church and state and threaten true religious liberty for everyone. Background and Resources Previous epi…

1
You've Got Mail 1:04:05

2y ago1:04:05

1:04:05

Liz and Rebecca answer your burning questions on religious liberty issues and more! This episode, we reach into the mailbag and take on topics from YOU, our loyal listeners. Background FFRF's Website American Atheists' Website Alliance for Justice: Statement of Principles: The Biden Administration Must Prioritize Judges Check us out on Instagram, F…

1
Inside the Mormon Church 1:09:23

2y ago1:09:23

1:09:23

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca interview Anaya Gayle—lawyer, ex-Mormon, and former BYU assistant dean. They discuss the power and influence the church wields and life for LGBTQ+ students at BYU, as Anaya shares her experience inside the insular LDS community. Background More about Anaya Gayle Anaya's Bio Interview with the Human Stories podcast News stor…

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It's Time to Wake Up! With Prof. Marci Hamilton 44:14

2y ago44:14

44:14

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by Professor Marci Hamilton, legal icon and leading expert on the Religious Freedom Restoration Act (RFRA) and extreme religious liberty. Professor Hamilton explains the origin story of RFRA, how it has led us to the emerging theocracy we face, and what Americans can do to reclaim true religious liberty before it…

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Back to (Public) School! 1:11:48

2y ago1:11:48

1:11:48

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca go back to school! They discuss the latest wild and crazy state/church violations in public schools reported to their organizations, the postscript on the Coach Kennedy case, and the alarming move by Oklahoma to create the first religious public school. Background Pray to Play report Prayer Walks and Public Schools report W…

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Let's Talk About Texas 1:08:12

2y ago1:08:12

1:08:12

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca take a deep dive into Texas for a case study in theocratic government. They discuss recent Christian nationalist legislation advancing in the state, the takeover of state institutions by conservative Christian legal groups, and the many state/church battles their organizations have fought in Texas. Background Texas Monthly …

1
Reclaiming Religious Liberty with Liz Reiner Platt 57:25

2+ y ago57:25

57:25

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca discuss a better vision for religious liberty with Liz Reiner Platt, director of the Law, Rights, and Religion Project, a law and policy think tank based at Columbia Law School. They talk about using religious exemptions to promote progressive social causes and issues, including the legal fight for a right to abortion based…

1
Supreme Mess 1:08:04

2+ y ago1:08:04

1:08:04

The Supreme Court continues to mess up civil rights for everyone. In this episode Rebecca and Liz discuss the two opinions handed down by the Supreme Court at the end of June, Groff v. DeJoy and 303 Creative v. Elenis. They recap the case, summarize the rulings, and discuss implications of the decisions. Background Groff v. DeJoy SCOTUS decision SC…

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Neither rain, nor snow, nor Nascar: Groff v. DeJoy 1:10:20

2+ y ago1:10:20

1:10:20

Alison, Rebecca, and Liz discuss the pending Post Office case—Groff v. DeJoy—another high-stakes case in which the Supreme Court considers how much hardship a business must bear to accommodate the religious practices of employees. They explain how the case threatens to disrupt decades of case law interpreting Title VII of the Civil Rights Act and w…

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Heads I Win, Tails You Lose: Discussing State/Church Separation with Professor Corbin 1:34:03

2+ y ago1:34:03

1:34:03

Rebecca, Liz, and Alison discuss the state of state/church separation with Professor Caroline Corbin, constitutional law professor at the University of Miami. They review the history of Establishment Clause jurisprudence, remind listeners about what the Supreme Court did to the religion clauses in 2022, and discuss where we stand now in regards to …

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Court Reform with Katie O'Connor 1:08:36

2+ y ago1:08:36

1:08:36

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca are joined by Katie O'Connor, Deputy Chief Counsel at Demand Justice, to discuss court reform. Katie explains how the Supreme Court and federal courts have been broken, why it's an existential threat to our secular democracy, and how we can fix it. Background Demand Justice FFRF report on Trump judges Presidential Commissio…

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Sex on the Brain: the Assault on Trans People with Sasha Buchert 1:10:20

2+ y ago1:10:20

1:10:20

Alison, Liz, and Rebecca welcome another guest to the pod—Sasha Buchert, senior attorney and director of the Non-Binary and Transgender Rights Project for Lambda Legal. Sasha guides us through a discussion of the history of transgender rights in the courts, the current legislative attacks on trans people we are seeing across the country, and the li…

1
CHRIS ROCK: SELECTIVE OUTRAGE SPECIAL (WAS IT WORTH THE WAIT?) 21:44

2+ y ago21:44

21:44

WHAT YOU WATCHING? I AM WATCHING CHRIS ROCK STANDUP COMEDY "SELECTIVE OUTRAGE" ON NETFLIX, WONDERING DID IT LIVE UP TO THE HYPE OR DID IT DELIVER THE RESPONSE TO WILL SLAPPING HIM? HIT OR MISS, I GUESS IT IS ACCORDING TO EACH INDIVIDUAL TO DECIDE THAT. IT'S MY VIEW!

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Ministerial Exception 101 1:02:01

3y ago1:02:01

1:02:01

What is the ministerial exception? Where did it come from? What has the Supreme Court said about this legal doctrine? In this episode, Rebecca, Liz and Alison recount the history of the ministerial exception and break down the two major cases from the Supreme Court on point: Hosanna-Tabor Evangelical Church and School v. Equal Employment Opportunit…

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The Normas 47:55

3y ago47:55

47:55

New host Rae interviews local Columbus band The Normas as they prepare for their headlining show at the Masquerade Purgatory.By Logan Swaim (2021-2022),

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303 Creative v. Elenis (This Case Should Be Dismissed!) 1:18:51

3y ago1:18:51

1:18:51

Rebecca, Liz and Alison discuss the December 2022 oral arguments in the latest services for same sex wedding case, 303 Creative v. Elenis. This case involves a Christian website designer who would like to expand her business to create wedding websites, but would refuse to do that for same sex couples. The hosts discuss the craziness that was the or…

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CALIFORNIA TASK FORCE PROPOSE $5 MILLION REPARATIONS PAYMENTS TO BLACK DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES 31:12

3y ago31:12

31:12

REPARTIONS ARE NEEDED AND OWED TO BLACK DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES IN THE UNITED STATES.

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INFLATION DROWNING US ALL, PRICES TODAY ARE JUST TOO HIGH!!!.... LET'S GROW SOMETHING 17:05

3y ago17:05

17:05

WITH THE PRICE FOR FOOD, GOODS AND SERVICES OUTRAGEOUSLY HIGH... I AM LOOKING FOR SOME IDEAS ON WHAT TO GROW IN ORDER TO SAVE MONEY ON THE EXPENSIVE FOOD TODAY... SUBSCRIBE, LIKE, SHARE & COMMENT

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NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS🤔🤨 (ARE YOU STILL STICKING TO IT?) 12:47

3y ago12:47

12:47

HAPPY 2023 😍🥰🤗 NEW YEAR RESOLUTION SEASON IS HERE! DID YOU MAKE A RESOLUTION, WHAT WAS IT? NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS ARE A CUSTOM & A TRADITION FOR SOME. THE QUESTION IS..... ARE YOU STILL STICKING WITH THE ONE YOU MADE OR HAVE YOU GIVEN UP ON IT ALREADY??😉😆

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ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON COMMUNITIES & RESOURCES 27:56

3y ago27:56

27:56

ILLEGAL IMMIGRATION AND ITS EFFECTS ON OUR COMMUNITIES. SHOULD NOT RESIDENTS HAVE THE RIGHT TO QUESTION WHO IS BEING BROUGHT IN TO THEIR NEIGHBORHOODS, RESOURCES THAT CAN BE USED TO HELP CITIZENS ALREADY IN THE NEIGHBORHOODS ARE BEING TAKEN AWAY AND STRAINED BECAUSE THE UNITED STATES CHOOSES TO ALLOW ILLEGAL IMMIGRANTS RESOURCES THEY DO NOT GIVE TO…

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It Varies By State 1:09:48

3y ago1:09:48

1:09:48

Alison guides us through the legislative process in states and what to expect in the 2023 legislative sessions. We discuss how a bill becomes a law, what bills we're tracking for next year, and give advice on how you can become an effective advocate! Cases Marsh v. Chambers (1983) Carson v. Makin (2022) Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization …

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Elections! 1:07:43

3y ago1:07:43

1:07:43

Rebecca, Liz, Monica, and Alison discuss the ways in which the separation of church and state surfaces during election season. They'll break down the Johnson Amendment, the rules and restrictions churches must adhere to in order to be tax-exempt, and then explore the unique complaints they receive involving voting in churches. FFRF, AHA, and Americ…

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Religion Behind Bars 59:32

3y ago59:32

59:32

Monica, Alison, Liz, and Rebecca discuss religious liberty issues in our jails and prisons. From court-ordered AA to coercive prayer meetings to forming atheist and humanist groups in prisons, there are plenty of ways the separation of church and state affects this vulnerable population. Cases Torcaso v. Watkins (1961) FFRF v. Mosley and Laurel Cou…

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HERE IS MY VIEW AFTER WATCHING "THE WOMAN KING" MOVIE🤨😏 26:01

3y ago26:01

26:01

THE WOMAN KING MOVIE, WAS DEFINITELY NOT WHAT I EXPECTED IT TO BE. WITH ALL OF THE TALK, AROUND THE MOVIE REGARDING BOYCOTTING IT.... 😏🤔🤨 HERE IS MY VIEW.... WHAT YOU WATCHING? CHECK THIS OUT ON YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/JXBcekEsuds

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HOCUS POCUS 2 (MY VIEW) 16:56

3y ago16:56

16:56

WHAT YOU WATCHING? DID YOU CHECK OUT NEW RELEASES FOR OCTOBER SEQUELS ARE ALWAYS THE TOUGHEST, HOCUS POCUS 2 WAS RELEASED THIS MONTH. I WILL GIVE YOU MY VIEWS ON THIS MOVIE CHECK THIS OUT ON YOUTUBE: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bn3UOo3OJZs

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My View of Tyler Perry's Film "A Jazzman's Blues" 27:26

3y ago27:26

27:26

😏😃WHAT U WATCHING? I AM WATCHING A JAZZMAN'S BLUES.... My Personal View of "A Jazzman's Blues" movie. Although the subject matter is quite common today, I think the movie was well written and directed. The Dance Numbers, Props and Scenery was Impressive to me. Even though I did not necessary like the ending there is no denying that this was a well …