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Ye Gods With Scott Carter

NPR Network

Host Scott Carter, an award-winning executive producer and writer, known for his work on Real Time with Bill Maher and Politically Incorrect with Bill Maher, explores codes of religious, cultural and secular conduct. Among Carter's diverse celebrity guests are Martin Short, Bob Costas, Ken Burns, Patricia Heaton, Killer Mike, Sam Harris, Rabbi Sharon Brous, Larry Wilmore, Moon Zappa, Rainn Wilson, Yvonne Orji, Rabbi Steve Leder and Tim Gunn.

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23 episodes
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English

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Wednesday · 50 min
Samuel D. Hunter
Samuel D. Hunter is a playwright best-known for THE WHALE, which he adapted for the film, directed by Darren Aronsky, for which Brendan Fraser won the Oscar for Best Actor. His New York Drama Critics' Award winning play A CASE FOR THE EXISTENCE OF GOD, opens September 5th at the Rogue Machine Theatre in Los Angeles. The play is set in a cubicle in which two people are seated: Keith is a mortgage broker, and Ryan is a yogurt plant worker seeking to buy a plot of land that many decades ago belonged to his family. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 26 · 50 min
Lee Camp
My guest is Lee C. Camp, the host of the NPR show NO SMALL ENDEAVOR, which explores what it means to live a good life. Before the break, Lee described his childhood Christian community, the Church of Christ. Despite that church’s founding principle being unity with other Christians, Lee absorbed many doctrines that left him with what he calls “theological baggage.” Lee also works on another podcast, THE SUBTEXT. Lee’s co-host is Gen Z writer and artist Savannah Locke, Each week, internet expert Savannah reports on pop culture phenomena to ethics professor and theologian Lee, who is almost 30 years her senior and doesn’t own a cell phone. And, somehow, on each episode, they make their way to “the intersection of faith and culture. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 19 · 50 min
Tom Junod
ESPN Senior Writer Tom Junod, who has contributed to G.Q., Esquire and The Atlantic. Tom has famously profiled such celebrities as Tony Curtis, Frank Sinatra Jr., and Kevin Spacey. In 1996, he wrote the ESQUIRE cover story “Can You Say...Hero?” about PBS host Mr. Rogers, which inspired the 2019 film A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. Tom Hanks played Fred Rogers and WIDOW’S BAY star Mathew Rhys played the Esquire journalist assigned to profile him. Tom's memoir, IN THE DAYS OF MY YOUTH I WAS TOLD WHAT IT MEANS TO BE A MAN, is available from Penguin Random House, and you can find links to Tom's award-winning articles, including “Falling Man,” at The Electric Typewriter at tetw.org/tom_junod. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 12 · 50 min
Adriana Trigiani
Adriana Trigiani is a bestselling author, host of the podcast, YOU ARE WHAT YOU READ, and director of several films, including the 2020 rom-com THEN CAME YOU starring Craig Ferguson and Kathy Lee Gifford. She’s also adapted her novels BIG STONE GAP, starring Ashley Judd and, for Lifetime, VERY VALENTINE. Her new book, THE VIEW FROM LAKE COMO, tells of a woman finding her purpose after the death of an uncle, and revealed family secrets, upend her life. Her protagonist, a devout Catholic, finds special solace in the funeral service of her grandmother. That experience parallels Adriana’s own life, after the passing of both of her grandparents, with whom she was very close. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
August 5 · 50 min
Of God and Country: David Dark
We conclude our miniseries OF GOD AND COUNTRY with professor of Religion and the Arts at Belmont University and author of WE BECOME WHAT WE NORMALIZE: Dr. David Dark. His books include EVERYDAY APOCALYPSE: THE SACRED REVEALED IN RADIOHEAD, THE SIMPSONS, AND OTHER POP CULTURE ICONS, and LIFE’S TOO SHORT TO PRETEND YOU’RE NOT RELIGIOUS. His latest book, WE BECOME WHAT WE NORMALIZE: WHAT WE OWE EACH OTHER IN WORLDS THAT DEMAND OUR SILENCE, is available in audio and hard-cover from Broadleaf Books, and his “Dark Matters” Substack is at daviddark.substack.com. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 29 · 50 min
Of God and Country: Charlie Sykes
Charlie Sykes is a rarity: Decent, Wisconsin-nice, smiling, gracious, man of integrity in an often transactional profession. He was raised in a liberal, non-religious household, but became a Catholic and a Republican. He's still a Catholic, but no longer a Republican, though still a conservative. A journalist and radio host in Wisconsin for 40 years, and the bestselling author of nine books including 2017’s HOW THE RIGHT LOST ITS MIND. In 2019, Charlie co-founded The Bulwark news site, with the motto “Country Over Party.” He hosted its flagship podcast until, in 2025, he started his own substack newsletter, TO THE CONTRARY, with the motto “You are not the crazy ones.” On it, Charlie publishes solo commentaries and interviews politicos and journalists. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 22 · 50 min
Of God and Country: David Frum
As part of our miniseries OF GOD AND COUNTRY, we speak with author, podcaster and journalist for THE ATLANTIC, David Frum. David served as a presidential speechwriter for George W. Bush, has authored 10 books, and now hosts THE DAVID FRUM SHOW and writes for The Atlantic. We’re discussing how both America and classic conservative David have shifted since Donald Trump took over the Oval Office in 2017. We also discuss where the American experiment goes from here, whether Americans still value dignity from their elected leaders, and how David’s childhood in 1960’s Canada shaped his understanding of global politics. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 15 · 50 min
Of God and Country: Bradley Whitford
As part of our miniseries OF GOD AND COUNTRY, we're talking with activist and TV and film star from A HANDMAID’S TALE, GET OUT, and THE WEST WING, Bradley Whitford about his relationship to religion, after being raised a Quaker by atheist leaning parents. Brad attended All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena during priest-in-charge Ed Bacon’s leadership. Bacon is now retired but the church, founded in 1882, continues its commitment to radical inclusion, joyful spirituality, and ethical stewardship. Standing in stark contrast to the splendor of All Saint’s 1924 gothic revival church is the austerity of the Quaker meetings which Brad attended as a child, and to which he has returned. Correction: Bradley Whitford did not originate the lead role in A FEW GOOD MEN, but was the understudy for TOM HULCE who originated the part of LT JG Kafee. A part later made famous by Tom Cruise Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 8 · 50 min
Of God and Country: Nayyera Haq/Robert Costa
We’ll look at two American stories: The Christian Right and Muslim-American Immigrants. We’ll hear from former Senior Director at the Obama White House and Senior Advisor at the State Department, Nayyera Haq. The daughter of Pakistani Muslim parents, she describes how her 1980’s childhood on Staten Island led to her working to elect Barack Obama. But first: CBS News national correspondent for Sunday Morning and chief Washington analyst, Robert Costa. I’ve known him since he was a young Washington Post reporter and, later, as host of PBS's Washington Week. Since 2008, he’s covered the religious right, from the Moral Majority, to the Tea Party, to MAGA. Robert holds a BA from Notre Dame and a masters from Cambridge University in the UK. In 2021, he and Bob Woodward co-authored the #1 New York Times bestselling book PERIL, about the 2020 campaign, leading up to and after the January 6th assault on America’s capital. In 2025, Robert became a Fourth Estate Honoree, the highest award of the National Press Club. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
July 1 · 50 min
Of God and Country: Jonathan Alter
Jonathan Alter: author, columnist, pundit, podcaster, filmmaker and lecturer. Jon executive-produced Amazon Prime’s 2013 satirical series ALPHA HOUSE, created by Pulitzer-Prize-winning Doonesbury cartoonist Gary Trudeau, and starred John Goodman. We discuss how religion influenced the founding fathers and why the “separation of church and state” is a controversial American idea, which doesn’t appear in the constitution. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
June 24 · 50 min
Killer Mike (Encore)
Scott talks with actor, activist, 4-time Grammy-winning rapper, and half of hip-hop supergroup, Run The Jewels, Killer Mike. In the episode, Mike talks about his admiration for - and friendship with - Civil Rights icon and former U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Andrew Young, growing up in the all-Black neighborhood of Atlanta’s Collier Heights, and his musical evolution. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 20 · 50 min
Susie Essman
Actress and comedian Susie Essman, who played Susie Green on CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM, is poised to reteam with Larry David and an all star cast, including past YE GODS! guest Larry Wilmore, for HBO’s LIFE, LARRY AND THE PURSUIT OF UNHAPPINESS. Susie's 2009 memoir is "WHAT WOULD SUSIE SAY?: BS WISDOM ABOUT LOVE, LIFE AND COMEDY". She and bff Joy Behar appeared on stage together last year in Joy’s off-Broadway play MY FIRST EX HUSBAND. Check out their joint interview on theatermania.com for more on their four-decade friendship. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 13 · 50 min
Danielle Crittenden
Danielle Crittenden is a journalist and author. Her new book is DISPATCHES FROM GRIEF: A MOTHER’S JOURNEY THROUGH THE UNTHINKABLE. Danielle’s Atlantic article "ON LOSING A DAUGHTER" and husband David Frum’s article "MIRANDA’S LAST GIFT", also for Atlantic, explore their sudden loss of their daughter Miranda at 32, the time they had with her, and how they both processed that loss. Danielle also recently contributed to THE WALL STREET JOURNAL explaining the role technology has played in her grief experience. We discuss Danielle’s conversion to Judaism and how it helped her process Miranda’s sudden absence. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
May 6 · 50 min
Stephen Mitchell
Stephen Mitchell is an author, editor, and translator of classic and spiritual literature. His 1988 translation into English of the TAO TE CHING by Lao Tzu, and its accompanying audio book have been indispensable guides to millions of seekers. We discuss how spiritual texts come to be written, the history of the translating and compiling of the Christian gospels, and why Stephen was compelled to untangle Jesus’s teachings for himself. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 29 · 50 min
Kevin Nealon
Kevin Nealon is an Emmy-nominated writer and cast member on SNL, and host of Hiking with Kevin in addition to his many other TV and film appearances and his comedy specials, most recently, Loose in the Crotch. His new film Mermaid, starring opposite Robert Patrick and Johnny Pemberton, debuted in limited release on April 8th and will go wide on May 26th He also plays the banjo and has published a full color coffee table book of his original celebrity caricatures with the naturally hilarious title, I Exaggerate My Brushes with Fame, Portraits and Stories by Kevin Nealon. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 22 · 50 min
Larry Wilmore / Hillary Kun
Larry Wilmore has one of the most impressive resumes in TV from IN LIVING COLOR to the BERNIE MAC SHOW, THE DAILY SHOW to BLACKISH and INSECURE. His acclaimed podcast for The Ringer LARRY WILMORE: BLACK ON THE AIR, just wrapped up in December of 2025 after 289 episodes. Larry will appear in Larry David’s new HBO mini series LIFE, LARRY AND THE PURSUIT OF UNHAPPINESS: AN ALMOST HISTORY OF AMERICA which premieres June 27 Former Daily Show producer Hillary Kun gives us the inside scoop on why she too was transformed by a summer of door to door sales. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 15 · 50 min
Rabbi Steve Leder
Rabbi Steve Leder - named by Newsweek Magazine twice as one of the ten most influential rabbis in America and over his 37 year tenure at Los Angeles’ oldest synagogue, Wilshire Boulevard Temple - has ushered thousands of families through life’s most joyous and heartbreaking moments. He's been a contributor to THE TODAY SHOW, CBS SUNDAY MORNING, CNN, and NPR. Steve’s Most recent book, New York Times best seller FOR YOU WHEN I AM GONE; 12 ESSENTIAL QUESTIONS TO TELL A LIFE STORY makes the case for writing an ethical will, which is a life narrative to leave to your loved ones after you go to. In 2024, he retired and became Senior Rabbi Emeritus of Wilshire Boulevard Temple. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 8 · 50 min
Sharon Lawrence
Sharon Lawrence is a 6-time Emmy nominated actress – including three for her portrayal of Assistant D.A. Sylvia Costas on Steven Bochco and David Milch’s ground-breaking NYPD BLUE, for which she won the SAG AWARD for Outstanding Performance by an Ensemble in a Drama Series. She was also nominated for her work on GREY’S ANATOMY. Sharon has appeared in hundreds of TV episodes and films, and starred on Broadway in the hit revivals of musicals CABARET, CHICAGO and FIDDLER ON THE ROOF. She’s active in the Women In Film Foundation, Heal The Bay, WeForShe and the SAG-AFTRA Foundation. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
April 1 · 50 min
Michael Patrick King
Michael Patrick King is an Emmy-winning producer, writer, director, and prime mover behind the global cultural phenomena that is SEX IN THE CITY. He's also creator of the long-running sit-com TWO BROKE GIRLS on CBS and THE COMEBACK, starring Lisa Kudrow, now on HBO Michael talks about which vestiges of growing up Catholic have stayed with him. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices
March 25 · 50 min
John Hodgman
Comedian, actor, and author John Hodgman is the host of the popular JUDGE JOHN HODGMAN podcast, and New York Times Magazine column. His 2017 memoir VACATION LAND: TRUE STORIES FROM PAINFUL BEACHES, chronicles the mishaps and triumphs of John’s quest to make sense of life. John’s childhood as a self-identifying outsider helped him create the knee-slappingly funny FX animated series DICKTOWN, The semi-autobiographical mystery send-up follows former kid detective “John Hunchman”. Each 10-minute episode elicits nostalgia for our puerile teen pastimes while reminding us that the hard-won rewards of adulthood are worth the growing pains. Learn more about sponsor message choices: podcastchoices.com/adchoices

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