Project Good Podcast

Vote for us for the Signal Awards!

Host Annmarie Hylton introduces the Project Good Podcast’s October theme, “a nation in crisis,” citing U.S. polarization, institutional gridlock, public pessimism, and rising strain. She interviews Dr. Raymond R. Roberts—pastor, University of Richmond health ethics professor, and author—about his path to ministry, sparked by spiritual renewal in college and a film about Martin Luther King Jr. Roberts describes democratic deterioration through political violence, threats against officials, unaffordable healthcare, mass incarceration, media fragmentation, housing inaccessibility, and declining trust in democracy. He argues the church’s failure to pass on values has weakened democratic culture, while Christian nationalism misconstrues religious freedom’s roots in freedom of conscience and distinct church-state vocations. They discuss loneliness, COVID-era trauma, internet-fueled extremism, and the need for local community-building and civic education grounded in human dignity. Roberts says America’s greatness depends on serving causes beyond itself.

00:00 Welcome to Project Good
02:20 Meet Dr Raymond Roberts
10:04 Why America Feels Lost
12:23 Institutions Breaking Down
16:05 Church and Democracy Link
28:48 Reeducation and Civic Renewal
32:05 Higher Ground Common Ground
35:33 Anger Loneliness and Community
45:29 Covenant vs Libertarianism
51:18 What You Can Do Locally
54:43 Key Takeaway From the Book
01:03:00 Wrap Up and Vote Reminder

Dr. Raymond R. Roberts (Richmond, Virginia) is a Pastor with 40+ years of experience, Professor of Health Ethics at University of Richmond, Author of "A Democratic and Republican Faith: A Public Theology for a Church and Nation in Crisis and a Musician, Singer, and Songwriter. Roberts is also the Author of "Whose Kids Are They Anyway: Religion and Morality in America’s Public Schools" (2002) and a Substack blogger (@raymondrroberts). In addition, Roberts previously served as Head of Staff at River Road Presbyterian Church (Richmond, VA), The Presbyterian Church (Westfield, NJ), Grace Presbyterian Church (Jenkintown, PA), and Amherst Presbyterian Church (Amherst, VA). Roberts received a Ph.D. in History and Theology from Union Presbyterian Seminary and is a 30+ year member of the Society of Christian Ethics. In addition, Roberts is songwriter, guitarist, and singer in the band Reckless and Wild, and co-wrote the song “Let Freedom Ring.” Roberts' work has been featured on WRVA 1140AM, The Presbyterian Outlook, The National Law Review, The Thought Atlas Podcast, Zooming In at The UnPopulist, and many more podcasts. https://raymondrroberts.org