"Beyond Left and Right"

Origins of Faithful Politics

Before it was ever a podcast, Faithful Politics lived as a humble WordPress blog where Will Wright (the political half of the duo) shared reflections on the complicated crossroads of faith and public life. This was back before Substack existed, when writing about politics, theology, and everything in between felt like tossing a message into the internet void. But people responded. On social media, Will’s essays sparked the creation of the Faithful Politics Facebook group—a space where folks came to wrestle with the big stuff: abortion, critical race theory, Christian nationalism, religious liberty. People weren’t just looking to argue—they genuinely wanted to understand why others believed what they did, to hear from experts, and to dive deeper than the headlines or soundbites ever allowed. Still, the group struggled. The conversations were intense, the moderation overwhelming, and the fear of saying the wrong thing—especially in a polarized climate—meant the group was shut down more than once. But it revealed something important: people were hungry for a better way to engage.

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That opportunity came in early 2020, just before the world shut down. Will met Pastor Josh Burtram, a visiting church planter who had preached at the church Will’s family attended. They officially connected at a friend’s house, and despite knowing little about each other (other than their stark political differences), they decided to launch a podcast. The name was a given—Faithful Politics already had a life of its own.

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What started as a simple experiment between a progressive political thinker and a conservative evangelical pastor quickly grew into something deeper. At a time when most public discourse was dominated by outrage, tribalism, and 15-second clips, Faithful Politics offered something different: space. Space to listen. To ask questions. To disagree without walking away. Will and Josh didn’t pretend to see eye to eye, but that was the point. They modeled what respectful disagreement could look like—how two people with fundamentally different worldviews could still pursue truth together.

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Over time, the show became more than just a podcast. It became a kind of community classroom—bringing in historians, theologians, journalists, and activists to unpack complex issues with depth and humility. Listeners kept tuning in not just for the conversations, but for the posture: curious, open, and grounded in both faith and a desire to learn. Through live events, high-profile guests, and collaborations across ideological lines, Faithful Politics has become a trusted space for anyone wanting to think more deeply about how faith shapes our politics—and how, maybe, we don’t have to become enemies just because we disagree.

Work Experience