Podcast

The Calling

You Tube

Michael Wear’s Uneasy Call to Politics

Obama’s former director of faith outreach left the White House frustrated but hopeful.

When Michael Wear shook hands with Barack Obama and told him he’d like to work for him, he couldn’t have predicted the swiftness with which he would be swept up into a historic presidential campaign. Nor could he have predicted the deeply uncomfortable tension he’d face as a lifelong Democrat who also happened to be a pro-life Christian.

As the director of faith outreach for Obama’s 2012 campaign, Wear had a front-row seat to the divide between secular and sacred politicians and voters. It was a divide that would come to define politics in the next election. But as the title of his book, Reclaiming Hope: Lessons Learned in the Obama White House About the Future of Faith in America, makes clear, he still has some faith that these challenges can be overcome.

On this week’s episode of The Calling, Richard Clark sits down with Michael Wear to discuss the best and worst of his time in the White House, how the church can help redeem politics, and about that one time Obama killed a fly with his bare hands.

Click the “play” button above to listen in.

Subscribe to The Calling on iTunes.

Listen to previous episodes of The Calling.

Follow the podcast on Facebook and Twitter.

Follow our host on Twitter: Richard Clark

The Calling is produced by Richard Clark and Morgan Lee and edited by Jonathan Clauson.

Theme music by Lee Rosevere, used under Creative Commons 4.0.

Our Latest

Died: Ron Kenoly, ‘Ancient of Days’ Singer and Worship Leader

Kenoly fused global sounds with contemporary worship music, inspiring decades of praise.

Review

MercyMe Holds On to a Hit in ‘I Can Only Imagine 2’

The contemporary Christian film sequel explores life after writing a megahit, asking whether hardship can bear good fruit.

‘Theo of Golden’ Offers Winsome Witness

Interview by Isaac Wood

Novelist Allen Levi talks faith, writing, and hope.

Review

An Able Reply to the Toughest Challenges to Reformed Theology

A new book on the Reformed tradition commends it as a “generous” home combining firm foundations and open doors.

The Just Life with Benjamin Watson

Dr. Boyce Watkins: Building Family Freedom Through Ownership

Moving from civil rights to economic rights.

Public Theology Project

Your Understanding of Calling Is About to Change Radically

You can do little about what artificial intelligence is doing around you, but you can do something about you.

News

Refugees Disappeared. Churches Prayed and Lawyered Up.

Christians who fled violence in Myanmar were largely Trump supporters. Then ICE started arresting their fellow churchgoers.

Late to a 1,400-Year-Old Church Tradition? Me Too.

My nondenominational church is having its first Ash Wednesday service today. But why start now?

Apple PodcastsDown ArrowDown ArrowDown Arrowarrow_left_altLeft ArrowLeft ArrowRight ArrowRight ArrowRight Arrowarrow_up_altUp ArrowUp ArrowAvailable at Amazoncaret-downCloseCloseEmailEmailExpandExpandExternalExternalFacebookfacebook-squareGiftGiftGooglegoogleGoogle KeephamburgerInstagraminstagram-squareLinkLinklinkedin-squareListenListenListenChristianity TodayCT Creative Studio Logologo_orgMegaphoneMenuMenupausePinterestPlayPlayPocketPodcastprintRSSRSSSaveSaveSaveSearchSearchsearchSpotifyStitcherTelegramTable of ContentsTable of Contentstwitter-squareWhatsAppXYouTubeYouTube