Samuel Voth Schrag and Joe Tito

J asks about S’s young kids and talks about his grown-up children. S then describes how his wife has influenced him throughout his life.

J says his father is his biggest influence, and reflects on taking his father’s advice to “always look for the good in people.”

S considers how his faith impacts his politics and how he tries to view politics outside of the American two-party system. He cares about environmentalism, focusing on the poor, and peace-building. J’s shares political views, and says he views politics as a spectrum between totalitarianism and chaos/anarchy. He considers himself a libertarian.

J asks S about the Mennonite Church, and S describes the different branches and how he lives as a Mennonite christian. He talks about the way Mennonites view and relate to politics.

J says he’s a Catholic and shares how he used to be involved in a jail-ministry.

J says he works as an editor at a tech publication for wire harnesses and S talks about how he came to be a pastor.

S and J talk about politics, news media, and the increasing polarization of US politics. S reflects on what it was like to be a pastor leading up to the 2020 elections and hearing members of his congregation express fear and anxiety.

J and S talk about how people often agree more than they disagree. J commends S on his parenting style and they both start talking about video games and board games.

S considers the times he has doubted his political beliefs.

J talks about the two topics he’s changed his opinion on - abortion and the death-penalty.