The Beached White Male Podcast with Ken Kemp
Religion and Politics - subjects we avoid in polite society. But not here. Stories and people who challenge our assumptions and blaze new trails. Inspiring. Challenging. Out of the box. For Blog and Official BWM site, go to www.thebeachedwhitemale.com.
Episodes
449 episodes
S6E54 The President’s Terrible, No Good, Very Bad Week
Today, another Beach Talk with Betsey Newenhuyse — writer, thinker, and all-around truth-teller. Together, we dig into the week’s headlines with insight, humor, and a touch of coastal calm.This week, we’re calling it “The Democrats’ ...
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Season 6
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Episode 54
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44:38
S6E53 Katherine Stewart: Money, Lies and God - Inside the Christian Nationalist Agenda
(REPRISE) Today, my guest is journalist and author Katherine Stewart. I had a compelling conversation with this highly sought-after writer, and we went deep. Known for The Power Worshippers, she’s back with
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Season 6
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Episode 53
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1:02:53
S6E52 Grace, Grit, and the Power of Song with Lindy Boone-Michaelis
Today’s guest is one of those people you can’t help but love the more you get to know her — Lindy Boone-Michaelis.You might recognize the name. Lindy is the daughter of legendary musician Pat Boone and Shirley Boone, and one of *The Boon...
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Season 6
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Episode 52
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1:02:42
S6E51 Finding Voice, Living Justice: The Work of Inés Velásquez-McBryde
My guest this week is Inés Velásquez-McBryde—pastor, preacher, reconciler, and *mujerista* theologian. She grew up in Nicaragua, came to the U.S. nearly three decades ago, and brings with her a deep love for story, justice, and community. She i...
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Season 6
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Episode 51
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1:04:16
S6E50 Awakening or Warning? What the Charlie Kirk Movement Reveals with the TWO KENS
My friend and podcast partner, Ken Fong is back from his honeymoon. We’re here for another lively edition of The Two Kens. This week, we’re unpacking the fallout from what some are calling a “Third Great Awakening,” sparked by the rece...
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Season 6
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Episode 50
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47:46
S6E49 Beach Talk: The Streets of Chicago and the Gathering of Generals
I’m joined by my co-host, Betsey Newenhuyse. We take a fresh, thoughtful, and often provocative look at the week’s biggest stories — from politics and power to faith and the future of our democracy.This week, there’s a storm brewing in C...
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Season 6
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Episode 49
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46:04
S6E48 Charlie Kirk’s Legacy: Civil Discourse or Culture War?
Today I welcome back my guest, Grant Young, for a conversation that couldn’t be more timely—or more urgent. Together, we take a hard look at the impact of Charlie Kirk, both before and after his tragic death on a college campus, an event that h...
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Season 6
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Episode 48
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57:19
S6E47 Don’t Give Up on the Truth with Washington Insider Pete Wehner (REPRISE)
Ken welcomes Washington political commentator, speechwriter, and author Peter Wehner. Pete is a contributing writer at The Atlantic and a senior fellow at the Trinity Forum. He is well known for his prolific contribution to the intersection of ...
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Season 6
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Episode 47
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1:05:55
S6E46 Beach Talk #137 - Protests, Power Plays, and Parenting
Today, Betsey and I reconvene after nearly a month. NOTE: This conversation was recorded before the tragic murder of Charlie Kirk. We talk about the headlines that dominated the news prior to the horrible, very public shooting in U...
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Season 6
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Episode 46
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49:25
When the News Stops - A Pause for Reflection
Because of the shocking news regarding Charlie Kirk, I'm postponing the Beach Talk with Betsey Newenhuyse that we recorded this week. Listen in to our 6.5-minute reflection.
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6:35
S6E44 Two Kens: From Focus on the Family to Culture Wars - The Dobson Legacy
Ken Fong and I unpack the life and legacy of Dr. James Dobson, who just recently passed away. For many of us, Dobson’s voice was a constant presence in American evangelical homes. He was the trusted “family counselor” who seemed to offer simple...
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Season 6
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Episode 44
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52:19
S6E43 Breaking the Silence: Black Experience in Evangelical Institutions
In this episode, I sit down with two longtime friends of the podcast: Osahon Obazuaye, pastor and activist, and Grant Young, who holds both undergraduate and graduate degrees from one of America’s leading evangelical universities....
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Season 6
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Episode 43
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1:06:50
S6E42 Randall Balmer on the Scopes Trial and the Separation of Church and State
Today I welcome a familiar voice and a longtime friend—Dr. Randall Balmer. Back in the day, when we were “Trinity Men,” he was “Randy” to me. Today, he’s Dr. Balmer—historian, author, professor, and one of the leading voices on religion in Amer...
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Season 6
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Episode 42
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1:07:01
S6E41 2 Kens: Dis-Aggregation - The Illusive Ideal of E Pluribus Unum
Today, I’m here with my good friend and fellow podcaster, Ken Fong. Every week, the two of us dig deep into the big conversations shaping our lives, our culture, and the soul of our nation. We come to you from different vantage points, differen...
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Season 6
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Episode 41
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51:56
S6E40 Summer for the Gods: Edward Larson on the Scopes Trial and America’s Culture Wars
I’m honored to welcome Dr. Edward J. Larson to this episode of the podcast. Dr. Larson is the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America's Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion, a landmark ...
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Season 6
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Episode 40
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1:05:06
S6E39 Faith, Films, and Finding Common Ground – with Matt Mikalatos
My guest is Matt Mikalatos — author, screenwriter, producer, and all-around brilliant storyteller. He has written award-winning books, including the beautifully illustrated graphic novel God With Us, the devotional Pray...
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Season 6
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Episode 39
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1:00:17
S6E38 Exploring The Weight of Loyalty with Author Mike Mizrahi
Today, I’m joined by my longtime friend Mike Mizrahi—yes, we go way back. Mike’s career took him from an undergraduate degree in journalism to a Master's in corporate communication. He had a career as a corporate spokesperson, but his real pass...
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Season 6
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Episode 38
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59:16
S6E37 The Tragedy of Indifference: Peter Wehner on Faith, Politics, and AIDS Relief
In this important and timely episode, I welcome back journalist, author, and friend of the podcast, Peter Wehner. We dig into his provocative and widely discussed article in The Atlantic: “
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Season 6
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Episode 37
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53:25
S6E36 - THE TWO KENS: Why So Many Americans Cheer Cruelty
This week, Ken Fong and I take on a sobering question: Why do so many Americans celebrate cruelty? With the help of British psychiatrist Dr. Russell Razzaque, we explore the mental state of Donald Trump and the deeper dynamics...
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Season 6
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Episode 36
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46:20
S6E35 Green Street in Black and White: A Chicago Story with author Dave Larsen
Today, we have a conversation that’s very personal for me. I’m pleased to welcome author Dave Larsen to discuss his powerful new novel, Green Street in Black and White: A Chicago Story. I can relate to the story - I was born in Chicago...
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Season 6
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Episode 35
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55:19
S6E34 BEACH TALK: No Kings, No Cages: Reclaiming the American Story
Today, as we celebrate the 4th of July, we have another Beach Talk with Bestey Newenhuyse.This week. Betsey and I consider what July 4th means to us in 2025. A new Gallup poll says only 58% of Americans are proud to be Am...
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Season 6
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Episode 34
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53:12
S6E33 The Mist Trail: Digital Detox and Yosemite's Rewards
Today, I share my most recent Substack, #48:The Mist Trail: Digital Detox and Yosemite's RewardIt's a story I will long remember. Maybe it will bring back some memories and some inspiration to you, too.
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Season 6
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Episode 33
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17:06
S6E32 Why Religion Went Obsolete: A Conversation with Sociologist Christian Smith, Ph. D.
Today, we welcome a conversation with Dr. Christian Smith, one of America’s leading sociologists of religion. He studied at Wheaton and Gordon College, earned an M.A. and PhD at Harvard, and serves currently as the William R. Kenan Jr. Professo...
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Season 6
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Episode 32
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57:16
S6E31 Happy Juneteenth - The Civil Rights Tour of the South with John Williams
On this Juneteenth, Ken invites John Williams back to the podcast, this time to talk about the summer series, TRUTH QUEST. John and Ken review the origins of the Civil Rights (C.R.) Tour of the South, and John's journey f...
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Season 6
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Episode 31
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32:38
S6E30 No Kings: Peace, Protests, Power, and the Politics of Spectacle
Today, we’ve got another edition of The Two Kens with my good friend and fellow podcaster, Ken Fong. This time, we dive into the bizarre breakup between Donald Trump and Elon Musk — a political feud that feels like your parents fighting in publ...
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Season 6
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Episode 30
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48:12
