John Fugelsang is an actor, author, political commentator, comedian, and broadcaster who currently hosts the progressive talk show Tell Me Everything on SiriusXM. His many and varied acting credits range across film, television, and stage productions. He has hosted and co-hosted multiple shows, including CNBC’s Bullseye and the political talk show Viewpoint. He is a regular guest on CNN, MSNBC, and other networks, and has contributed to the Huffington Post and the Daily Kos.
John’s 2015 film Dream On, structured as a road trip in search of the American Dream, was named Best Documentary at the New York Independent Film Festival. His first book, Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds, was published in August 2025 by Avid Reader Press. Acclaimed novelist Anne Lamott called the book “brilliant and wise, rich in spiritual knowledge and humor, an exhilarating response to Christian nationalists, and a master class in Jesus, the true and Jesus-y Jesus, of love, caring and forgiveness.”
In this episode, John shares with us the story of his parents—a nun and Franciscan brother who fell in love and left their respective orders—and how they influenced his spiritual development and early relationship to the Catholic Church. He explores the image of Jesus as a “chain-breaker,” examines the gospel narrative as “an incredible example of resisting empire and authoritarianism in really interesting, creative, loving ways,” and engages with Christianity as a religion “not about domination, but transformation.” Along the way, we discuss issues confronting the church and world today—from gender equality and priestly celibacy to the rise of fundamentalism and Christian nationalism—and learn why John has come to believe that “the teachings of Christ might be America’s last hope.”
