"Curiosity, Not Contempt": Adam Nicholas Phillips on Bridging Divides

What does it mean to build bridges amidst the turmoil of the second Trump Administration? How have interfaith communities moved forward with productive dialogue post-October 7th? Is there a more nuanced way to think about Christian Nationalism and the MAGA constituency? In this episode of The State of Belief, Rev. Paul Brandeis Raushenush and Interfaith America CEO Rev. Adam Nicholas Phillips explore these critical issues and much more. Adam’s personal journey into interfaith work is compelling. He describes his upbringing in a non-traditional religious environment, his exploration of various faiths, and his eventual identification with evangelical Christianity. His experiences, including planting a church and getting through the consequences of advocating for LGBTQI+ inclusion, have shaped his understanding of faith and public life.

Listen for an in-depth look at:
• Interfaith America’s work on managing conflict in classrooms and workplaces, creating opportunities for groups to move beyond just coexisting and rather collaborating for a common cause.
• How the inspiration of Live Aid and Adam’s past experience in leadership at USAID during the Biden-Harris administration, as well as as a faith leader, inform his current position as CEO at Interfaith America.
• Navigating our polarized environment: “We find ourselves at a crossroads of sorts where the politicization of a number of our traditions has become quite difficult and untenable. But I keep trying to come at this with some sense of curiosity and not contempt.”

Where to find Adam:
• Check out his book, Love, Light, Joy & Justice: How To Be A Christian Now
• Embrace the “power of pluralism,” and get involved with Interfaith America.
• Hear more from Adam in his Ted Talk, “Inclusion: the ancient idea that just might save all of us.”

There’s a lot to learn from this conversation. I hope you’ll share it with someone you know who’ll enjoy hearing it!