This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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Artemis II pilot Victor Glover went a long way — 252,756 miles, to be exact — to make an impression, and boy, did he ever make one. A devout Christian, Glover praised God from the heavens as he and his compatriots completed their lunar mission — and his faith resonated in shockwaves back on earth.
While many are accustomed to watching celebrities or sports figures answer victory — and sometimes defeat — with prayer and a call to glorify God in all things, those words are more striking when they come from scientists because so often culture teaches us that science and faith must be at odds with each other.
But Glover says otherwise, loudly and boldly — and when he&#8217;s given a microphone, even hundreds of thousands of miles from earth, he says it again.
The naval test pilot holds three master&#8217;s degrees in flight and engineering fields, and he explained in a 2023 <a href="https://www.christianpost.com/news/christian-artemis-ii-pilot-victor-glover-reframes-race-question.html">interview</a> that his faith feeds his academic and career pursuits.
&#8220;My career is fed by my faith. Anytime I do something that’s pretty risky, I pray. Before I fly, every time I fly. Definitely when you go sit on top of a rocket ship,&#8221; he said. &#8220;In the military, there’s a saying that there are no atheists in foxholes. There aren’t any on top of rockets, either.&#8221;
Throughout Artemis II&#8217;s mission, Glover took every opportunity to share his faith — particularly in the context of God&#8217;s creation, to which he&#8217;d just been given a front-row seat.
On Easter Sunday, he gave an <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/artemis-ii-pilot-pauses-during-lunar-mission-to-deliver-powerful-easter-message">impromptu speech</a> from aboard the Orion capsule.
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 JUST IN: Artemis II pilot Victor Glover just gave this BEAUTIFUL Easter message
&#8220;So far from Earth, looking at the BEAUTY of creation.&#8221;
“When I read the Bible and I look at all of the amazing things that were done for us&#8230;this amazing place.&#8221; ❤️🙏🏻<a href="https://t.co/cjZscnGz2A">pic.twitter.com/cjZscnGz2A</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2040566651788157186?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 4, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
&#8220;You know, when I read the Bible and I look at all of the amazing things that were done for us, who were created, it’s — you have this amazing place, this spaceship, you guys are talking to us because we’re in a spaceship really far from earth,&#8221; Glover said, adding, &#8220;You’re on a spaceship called Earth that was created to give us a place to live in the universe, in the cosmos. Maybe the distance we are from you makes you think what we’re doing is special, but we’re the same distance from you, and I’m trying to tell you, just trust me, you are special.&#8221;
&#8220;In all of this emptiness, this is a whole bunch of nothing, this thing we call the universe, you have this oasis, this beautiful place that we get to exist together,&#8221; he said.
Just before they circled around the moon and lost contact with Mission Control, Glover once again took the microphone and brought the conversation back to his faith: &#8220;Christ said in response to what was the greatest command, that it was to love God with all that you are &#8230; He said the second &#8230; that is to love your neighbor as yourself.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
JUST IN: Astronaut Victor Glover shares the Gospel from Artemis II before losing communication.
&#8220;Christ said in response to what was the greatest command, that it was to love God with all that you are.&#8221;
&#8220;He said the second &#8230; that is to love your neighbor as yourself.&#8221;
The… <a href="https://t.co/9xErKPxmQU">pic.twitter.com/9xErKPxmQU</a>
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2041296734312423857?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 6, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
When the crew finally splashed down in the Pacific Ocean, marking the end of their lunar mission, Glover&#8217;s first public comments were once again rooted in his faith: &#8220;I wanted to thank God in public, and I want to thank God again, because even bigger than my challenge trying to describe what we went through, the gratitude of seeing what we saw, doing what we did, and being with who I was with — it&#8217;s too big to just be in one body.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
🚨 WOW! Artemis II pilot Victor Glover spreads the gospel after a safe return home from space
This dude is a MASTERCLASS!
&#8220;I wanted to thank God in public, and I want to thank God again, because even bigger than my challenge trying to describe what we went through, the… <a href="https://t.co/VnCljIxdqX">pic.twitter.com/VnCljIxdqX</a>
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) <a href="https://twitter.com/EricLDaugh/status/2043079388887953721?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 11, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
When Glover was granted a hero&#8217;s welcome at home, his thoughts remained on shining the light outward. &#8220;Some of us have never met before. And you know whose fault that is? Ours. So let&#8217;s choose to do this. Let&#8217;s be this more. Let&#8217;s be neighbors,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know if you heard me say it, but God told us to love Him with all that we are and love our neighbors as ourselves.&#8221;
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
NEW: Astronaut Victor Glover shares the gospel to a crowd who welcomed him back home to Houston, Texas.
People were seen lining the streets to welcome Glover back home.
“Some of us have never met before. And you know whose fault that is? Ours. So let&#8217;s choose to do this. Let&#8217;s… <a href="https://t.co/xMLozkJtLr">pic.twitter.com/xMLozkJtLr</a>
— Collin Rugg (@CollinRugg) <a href="https://twitter.com/CollinRugg/status/2043704154120724796?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">April 13, 2026</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
The response was overwhelming: People everywhere heard him, and they loved what they heard.
&#8220;Loves Jesus. Loves his wife. Loves his daughters. Literally new fav astronaut,&#8221; commentator and Daily Wire contributor Elisha Krauss <a href="https://x.com/ElishaKrauss/status/2043513849769574698">posted</a>.
&#8220;It&#8217;s really beautiful to see someone in the government, in the military, and most definitely in the public eye giving glory to God for a mighty achievement. Our society needs so much more of this,&#8221; another <a href="https://x.com/CynicalPublius/status/2043396363002765561">responded</a>.
&#8220;Victor Glover is currently my favorite American,&#8221; journalist Olivia Rondeau <a href="https://x.com/rondeaulivia/status/2043405151730643408">added</a>.
&#8220;No need to send poets to the Moon, we have NASA Astronaut Victor Glover,&#8221; someone else <a href="https://x.com/OwenSparks/status/2041273387801030964">observed</a>.
But Glover himself said it best: &#8220;We need Jesus — whether on earth or circling the moon.&#8221;

US-SPACE-ARTEMIS II-NASA

Artemis II Pilot Gets A Front-Row Seat To The Universe And Then Points Straight To God

Artemis II

Faith

NASA

Religion

Space

Upstream

victor glover

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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I’m a Catholic convert. We <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/the-catholic-convert-boom-is-real-but-a-troubling-pattern-is-emerging">hear about that</a> a lot lately. Some of the most prominent podcasters, online influencers, and elected officials are announcing their conversions. Rosaries are becoming more prominent, and the Latin Mass is back in vogue.  
Conversion is good, and these conversions align with a positive trend in the Catholic Church. After a 20-year decline in conversions, the Catholic Church has experienced a surge in new members since 2020. Converts in 2025 more than <a href="https://www.osvnews.com/trending-a-young-revival-in-the-faith/">doubled</a> those in 2020. Even Los Angeles <a href="https://www.ncregister.com/news/easter-2025-new-catholics-by-the-numbers?utm_source=chatgpt.com">experienced a 44% year-over-year growth in 2025</a>. The word “Gospel” comes from the Greek “euangelion,” which means “good news.” This is the good news.
But it comes with some tension. Some of the largest converts leverage their massive online followings and media audiences to proclaim their conversions to the world. Algorithms reward visibility, announcement, and identity signaling. This actually fits perfectly into conversion, which is declarative, shareable, and witnessed by an audience.
But this contrasts sharply with Holy Week, which is quiet, uncomfortable, and non-performative in its nature. This week is about ensuring we don’t skip the part of our faith that actually defines it. Today’s culture emphasizes performance, but Holy Week emphasizes discernment. Rather than partaking in passive activities such as sitting and scrolling, Catholics are taught to participate in Holy Week. Mass attendees take part in the full reading of the Passion on Palm Sunday, and we fast, abstain, and worship on Good Friday.
So, I’m urging my fellow Catholics — and specifically, my fellow converts — not to squander this week but to embrace the elements of our faith that actually define it. To bridge the gap between “becoming a Catholic” and what the faith actually asks of you.
I’ll never forget my first Holy Week. I was confused about what could be “good” about the Friday on which Christ was crucified, not knowing that good means “holy” and this was the day his suffering delivered redemption and his death gave us life. In my early years of conversion, Holy Week was something I observed, but over time, it has become something I live.
Easter aligns with cultural preferences for joy, victory, and public celebrations. This fits into our modern instincts of resolution, progress, and clean endings. While social media favors identity over transformation and announcement over discipline, there are very few hashtags for silence, repentance, and interior change. You can “like” Easter. You can post Easter.
But Easter without Good Friday is incomplete. Good Friday requires a specific tone that would be punished in any online algorithm. Two days before the culmination of Lent, we emphasize silence and a reflective slowness. There is no spectacle or performative payoff. You spend a day sitting with the heavy responsibility of carrying the faith forward. For me, my first Good Friday was quite dark. The kids were off from school, but this was no vacation. Good Friday is a day to log spiritual hours.
My fellow Catholic and friend Arthur Brooks has made a career out of proving that <a href="https://www.thefp.com/p/arthur-brooks-why-your-perfect-life-feels-so-empty">“meaning” is a key ingredient to a happy life.</a> Holy Week gives meaning to our Catholic faith, and we should use this week to help accelerate the positive conversion trends in our church. It’s good that people are coming in, but it can’t stop at one’s announcement. Interest must lead to commitment. The internet can celebrate conversion, but only real life can sustain it. Jesus Christ’s faith doesn’t fit neatly into our algorithms today. If that’s where your faith is performing best, you may have skipped the part that actually changes you.
Pope John Paul II often discussed the divided life. He cautioned against separating spiritual values from one’s daily actions and promoted a unified life fixed in God’s eternal love. This is a message I hope my fellow converts will heed — especially those who lead <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/im-a-social-media-influencer-but-my-real-audience-isnt-the-internet">very public lives</a>, reaching audiences far larger than any single congregation or diocese. I pray they are participating in all of the activities of Holy Week, not just outwardly, but internally. Like prayer, Holy Week is an external sign of inward grace. And our culture is craving grace right now.
I’ll let Jesus in Matthew 16:24-25 have the last word: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it.”
***
Gates Garcia is the host of the YouTube show and podcast We The People with Gates Garcia. Follow him on X and Instagram @GatesGarciaFL.

GettyImages-2218768175

More Americans Are Finding Faith, But Social Media Is Changing What That Looks Like

Catholic Church

Christianity

Social Media

This article is part of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/introducing-upstream-a-lifestyle-and-culture-section-of-the-daily-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Upstream,</a> The Daily Wire’s new home for culture and lifestyle. Real human insight and human stories — from our featured writers to you.
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In recent years, accusations of “white Christian nationalism” have become a staple of Democratic attacks on Republicans. At the same time, a growing number of progressive politicians are openly invoking Christianity to defend their own policy positions, a trend that has received comparatively little scrutiny from mainstream media.
CNN’s March 8 series premiere <a href="https://cnnpressroom.blogs.cnn.com/2026/02/17/cnns-pamela-brown-reports-in-the-rise-of-christian-nationalism-for-the-whole-story-with-anderson-cooper/">on Christian nationalism</a> reflects this imbalance, focusing almost entirely on right-leaning politicians and leaders while giving little attention to progressive figures who similarly frame their policy agendas in religious terms.
Consider Texas state representative and U.S. Senate hopeful James Talarico, a Democrat who frequently presents progressive politics as the natural expression of Christianity. Through speeches, interviews, and social media posts, Talarico argues that his policy views on immigration, economic justice, and social issues flow from his faith.
<a href="https://youtu.be/_jOGPvMftb8?si=YwtH1XcKEt1869ra">A clip from Talarico’s appearance</a> on Joe Rogan’s podcast went viral after he cited Genesis 2:7 — which says God “breathed into his nostrils the breath of life” — to defend his support for abortion.
When Republicans cite Scripture to justify their opposition to abortion, they are often accused of blurring the line between separation of church and state. No such accusations followed Talarico’s remarks, even though <a href="https://thedailytexan.com/2025/09/22/u-s-senate-candidate-delivers-sermon-at-local-church/">he delivered a sermon</a> last year declaring that “Christianity is both spiritual and political because politics is just another word for how we treat our neighbors.”
He’s not the only one. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear recently <a href="https://nypost.com/2026/02/11/media/ky-gov-andy-beshear-blasted-for-citing-the-bible-to-defend-transgender-treatments-for-kids/">said on &#8220;The View&#8221;</a> that he supports transgender treatments for minors because his faith tells him that “all children are children of God.” Earlier this year, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton <a href="https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/01/war-empathy-hillary-clinton/685809/">wrote in the Atlantic</a>, referencing Matthew 25 in an effort to criticize conservative figures who warn against what they call “toxic empathy.”
Taken together, these examples point to a broader shift in American politics: Religious language is increasingly being deployed as a political tool across the ideological spectrum. Religion has always played a role in American political life, but the modern Left has only recently begun invoking it with the same frequency and explicitness that Republicans have long employed.
There’s a good reason this religious strategy is reemerging specifically on the Left. Secular moral language alone ultimately fails because it lacks a deeper foundation beyond shifting cultural mores. Appeals to concepts such as equity, fairness, or social justice can persuade, but they rarely command the same instinctive authority that religious language still holds. Appealing to Jesus or Scripture places political arguments within a moral framework that many Americans, even those who are not particularly religious, still recognize and respect.
Democrats, however, rarely receive the same criticism for doing so. For example, when Talarico says Christians have a duty to take their faith “from the sanctuary to the streets” to love their neighbors well, he is applauded. But when Christian Republicans such as former Vice President <a href="https://www.americamagazine.org/politics-society/2016/10/04/kaine-and-pence-talk-faith-final-moments-vice-presidential-debate/">Mike Pence say</a> faith “shapes my vision of the world and my vision of public policy,” they’re pegged as pushing Christian nationalism. 
For decades, Republican politicians have appealed to Christianity to frame issues such as abortion, marriage, and religious liberty as moral imperatives rather than policy preferences. What’s different today is that both sides are doing it — some genuinely, some in a way that&#8217;s politically calculated to tap into a particular demographic of voters. 
For example, when the Trump administration’s Department of Homeland Security placed Bible verses over flashy social media posts about pursuing illegal immigrants, the move appeared like a deliberate attempt to provoke political opponents. Likewise, Talarico sparked controversy in another Rogan segment by suggesting that Mary, the mother of Jesus, could have aborted Jesus had she not consented when the angel Gabriel appeared to her, a claim many viewed as less theological and more political. 
The reason the “religion tool” works is not difficult to see. As American politics becomes increasingly — yet subjectively — moralized, religious language is a powerful shortcut to sway hearts and minds. 
When a policy position is framed as a Biblical mandate, disagreement can be portrayed not merely as political dissent but as a failure of moral character or disobedience to a soul-level imperative. Even in an increasingly secular culture, the moral authority of religion still carries weight, especially when it’s convenient for one’s political ends.
The dynamics of social media amplify it all. Progressively-coded viral posts portray Jesus as a “brown Palestinian illegal immigrant,” implying that modern immigration enforcement stands in direct opposition to Christianity itself. In some small corners of the pro-Trump internet, followers push quasi-religious suggestions with memes portraying the president as a divinely chosen defender of America. 
In both examples, complex policy debates are distilled into false moral narratives absent serious discussion of law, history, or public policy. When Scripture is reduced to a collection of slogans, cherry-picked verses, or partial narratives in service of partisan agendas, there’s a problem.
Faith has always shaped American public life, and it is natural for citizens to want their moral convictions reflected in public policy, whether those convictions are religious or secular. That is not Christian nationalism, regardless of which side it is on. But people of faith should be willing to call out leaders who twist or selectively deploy Scripture for political ends, whether Democratic or Republican. 
***
Ericka Andersen is the author of &#8220;<a href="https://www.amazon.com/Freely-Sober-Rethinking-Alcohol-Through/dp/1514013363/">Freely Sober: Rethinking Alcohol Through the Lens of Faith</a>&#8221; (InterVarsity Press, 2026)
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Texas State Representative Talarico Holds Primary Election Night Event

When Faith And Politics Start Speaking The Same Language

Lights! Camera! How-dee!
The city of Los Angeles is losing film and TV productions at an alarming rate. That opens up new opportunities for cities to prove that La La Land can hunker down just about anywhere.
Take Nashville, for instance. Other non-L.A. destinations have made their mark as production hubs — think Atlanta, Georgia, and Toronto. Now, it may be Nashville’s turn in the spotlight.
The Tennessee locale is known as a country music Mecca. More recently, it’s welcomed a growing group of filmmakers who clamor for its talented locals, rich cultural history and, yes, a lower price tag than the City of Angels.
Think “9-1-1: Nashville,” Showtime’s “George &amp; Tammy,” Nicole Kidman’s “Holland” and the upcoming “Scarpetta” (Prime Video), Netflix’s “Ruth &amp; Boaz,” and a film opening Feb. 20, “I Can Only Imagine 2.”
<div id="attachment_1047423" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1047423" class="size-large wp-image-1047423" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Nashville-911-864x576.jpg" alt="Ryan Murphy Television. User Error Productions. 20Th Television." width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Nashville-911-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Nashville-911-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Nashville-911-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Nashville-911-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Nashville-911-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Nashville-911-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Nashville-911.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Nashville 911. Ryan Murphy Television. User Error Productions. 20th Television.</div>
The sequel to the sleeper 2018 hit revisits how MercyMe became a Christian music sensation, and the struggles lead singer Bart Millard (John Michael Finley) had following his breakthrough hit.
Co-Founder of Kingdom Story Co. and co-director of the film Andrew Erwin, a pioneer in the faith-based film space, tells The Daily Wire why he tackled the sequel.
“It’s the movie that you didn’t know you needed,” he says. The first film appeared to wrap Bart Millard’s story up, but the singer and his fellow musician Tim Timmons — played by Milo Ventimiglia in the film — suffered subsequent tragedies that made a follow-up film make sense.
<div id="attachment_1047439" style="width: 875px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1047439" class="size-large wp-image-1047439" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Milo-Mercy-Me-865x576.jpg" alt="Photo by Jake Giles Netter/Lionsgate/Jake Giles Netter/Lionsgate - copyright 2026 Lionsgate" width="865" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Milo-Mercy-Me-865x576.jpg 865w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Milo-Mercy-Me-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Milo-Mercy-Me-768x511.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Milo-Mercy-Me-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Milo-Mercy-Me-1800x1200.jpg 1800w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Milo-Mercy-Me-1200x800.jpg 1200w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Milo-Mercy-Me.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 865px) 100vw, 865px" />Jake Giles Netter/copyright 2026 Lionsgate</div>
And Nashville has proven to be particularly welcoming to Christian artists. That wasn’t the case back in Los Angeles, Erwin said.
“There’s a group of us that started doing faith stories 15, 20 years ago, and we were all struggling to get our feet under us,” Erwin says. “We could literally end any dinner party in L.A. by saying we were faith film guys. They would instantly get a fake phone call and walk out of the meeting.”
Entertainment culture started to swing in their spiritual direction.
“Something has shifted in the past 10 years, particularly in the last five … there has been an appetite for hope. Stories of faith were considered cheesy. Now, they’re counter-culture, rebellious. It’s kind of punk rock.”
<div id="attachment_1047343" style="width: 394px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1047343" class="size-large wp-image-1047343" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261337233-384x576.jpg" alt="NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 12: Andrew Erwin attends the &quot;I Can Only Imagine 2&quot; Nashville Premiere at The Fisher Center for the Performing Arts on February 12, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images)" width="384" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261337233-384x576.jpg 384w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261337233-200x300.jpg 200w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261337233.jpg 683w" sizes=" (max-width: 384px) 100vw, 384px" />Jason Kempin/Getty Images</div>
What better place than Music City to sing from their storytelling hymnals?
“There’s been a real freedom here,” says Erwin, who even bumps into fellow filmmakers at church. “You don’t have to apologize for us being able to do things that we believe.”
“For whatever reason, a group of actors and writers and directors and producers are all finding (Nashville),” he continues. “I can’t give a reason why … we just feel like we’re supposed to be here.”
“I Can Only Imagine 2” filmed exclusively in Nashville, save a critical sequence shot at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater. The veteran filmmaker was initially hesitant to lean so heavily on Nashville, but the film’s team assuaged those fears.
“We had been worried if the crews were strong enough … it was the best crew I ever had … the most cheerful, the most team-oriented, the least amount of divas, blue collar, everything you aspire to,” he says.
He still wants the state to beef up its incentive programs to grow that crew base and keep it steadily employed.
Nashville has an Oscar-winning benefactor on its side: Kidman is eager to make movies closer to her <a href="https://www.realtor.com/news/celebrity-real-estate/nicole-kidman-keith-urban-kids-divorce-custody-home/">Tennessee home</a>. 
<div id="attachment_1047431" style="width: 1034px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1047431" class="size-large wp-image-1047431" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Kidman-holland-1024x425.jpg" alt="Photo by Courtesy of Prime/Courtesy of Prime - copyright Amazon Content Services LLC" width="1024" height="425" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Kidman-holland-1024x425.jpg 1024w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Kidman-holland-300x125.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Kidman-holland-768x319.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Kidman-holland-1536x638.jpg 1536w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/Kidman-holland.jpg 2048w" sizes=" (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px" />Courtesy of Prime/Courtesy of Prime &#8211; copyright Amazon Content Services LLC</div>
Plus, newer studio space is helping smooth this transition. <a href="https://www.nashvillescene.com/arts_culture/coverstory/nashville-film-industry/article_b76671a9-cee1-44e5-84cb-6f30cf4fa99a.html">Recent Nashville-area additions</a> include Vu Studios in West Nashville, Worldwide Stages in Spring Hill, and Skyway Studios.
Erick Goss, CEO of the Christian streaming platform Minno, says Nashville has a cultural advantage.
“People recognize there’s a real creative community here in Nashville [already] with Christian and country music, a real appreciation of the arts,” says Goss, who established his kid-focused company in the city seven years ago.
“It’s not like institutions have moved here, but talent has moved here,” Goss says. “It’s different than Seattle or L.A. There’s a real sense of pride and civic nature here … people love what Nashville stands for and want to be a part of it.”
Some pieces of the Hollywood-like puzzle are still missing, he says.
“There are really world-class storytellers here in Nashville. They don’t necessarily have access to capital in the way they need,” he says.
Goss brings a wealth of experience to Minno, including time spent at Amazon and in the U.S. Military. He praises Nashville as having the “highest caliber” of talent he’s seen. What’s missing? Major tech companies that can complement the city’s blossoming production.
<div id="attachment_1047341" style="width: 874px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img loading="lazy" decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-1047341" class="size-large wp-image-1047341" src="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261145346-864x576.jpg" alt="NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE - FEBRUARY 13: (L-R) Tim Timmons, Milo Ventimiglia, Bart Millard, John Michael Finley and Trace Adkins attend Lionsgate's &quot;I Can Only Imagine 2&quot; Night at The Grand Ole Opry on February 13, 2026 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Lionsgate)" width="864" height="576" srcset="https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261145346-864x576.jpg 864w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261145346-300x200.jpg 300w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261145346-768x512.jpg 768w, https://dw-wp-production.imgix.net/2026/02/GettyImages-2261145346.jpg 1024w" sizes=" (max-width: 864px) 100vw, 864px" />Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Lionsgate</div>
“What company will aggregate and bring that talent together?” he asks. “We need more talented operators coming into the systems, creating companies that execute really well,” he says, noting that Erwin’s “I Can Only Imagine 2” arrives courtesy of his partnership with Lionsgate, an established film studio.
The key to creating the next L.A.-style production hub is simple, Goss says.
“Get the best projects, the best people, and the best money together. That’s happening. We’re beginning to see these things coalesce [in Nashville],” he says.
Erwin says it helps to believe in both the city and a Higher Power.
“There’s an emboldening that happens when you realize you’re not alone. I can really stay true to the stories I’ve felt called to tell and not have to apologize for it because there are a lot of others who believe what I believe,” Erwin says. “It’s been amazing to see people of faith just find Nashville.”
* * *
Christian Toto is an award-winning journalist, movie critic, and editor of <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>. He previously served as associate editor with Breitbart News’ Big Hollywood. Follow him at <a href="https://www.hollywoodintoto.com/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">HollywoodInToto.com</a>.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
This article has been updated for clarity.

Only Imagine

Hollywood Heads South: Music City’s Faith-Based Film Boom

Bible

Entertainment

Film

Hollywood

Movies

Nashville

Tennessee

For most of my adult life, I thought I knew exactly what my family would look like.
Two kids is the cultural norm now. That’s the number most people plan for, budget for, and feel comfortable defending. Two fits neatly into modern life. Two feels responsible. Two feels safe.
But I didn’t grow up in a family of two kids.
I came from a family of three. And because of that, three always felt right to me. Three felt full. Three felt lively. Three felt like the right amount of chaos and connection. So when my wife and I started our family, I assumed we’d land there — not to make a statement, but because it was the model I knew and loved.
For a long time, that plan held.
But I was also very clear about one thing: I would never have a kid in my 40s.
That was the line. The boundary. A promise I made back when 40 felt distant and theoretical — something older people dealt with.
Then I turned 40.
And a few weeks ago, my wife and I welcomed our fourth child into the world.
What I’ve learned, slowly and humbly, is that many of the promises we make when we’re younger are less about wisdom and more about fear.
Fear of sacrifice. 
Fear of inconvenience. 
Fear of losing control over a life we’ve worked hard to build.
Our culture feeds those fears relentlessly. It is engineered for comfort, speed, and personalization. It trains us to ask one question above all others: What do I get right now?
Children ask a different question.
They ask: What are you willing to give, over and over, for something that won’t pay you back today?
In that sense, kids are the ultimate form of delayed gratification.
They require sacrifice upfront — years of it. Sleep. Freedom. Money. Flexibility. Control. There is no way to sugarcoat that. Anyone who tells you otherwise is lying or trying to sell you something.
But the reward comes later. Slowly. Quietly. Compounding over time.
The first time your toddler reaches for your hand in a crowded room. 
The first time your child looks to you for moral clarity. 
The first time siblings defend one another without being asked. 
The moment you realize you are no longer the center of your own universe — and feel relief instead of loss.
This is what our culture never explains: sacrifice is not the enemy of happiness. Selfishness is.
A society addicted to instant gratification struggles to understand children, because children force adults to play the long game. They demand patience. They require faith — not just religious faith, but faith in the future. Faith that what you are building today will matter tomorrow.
That’s why having a big family today feels almost rebellious.
Birth rates are collapsing. Marriage is delayed or avoided. Children are framed as “lifestyle constraints” rather than blessings. Entire industries exist to convince young people that adulthood is something to postpone indefinitely.
And yet, there is a truth no one likes to say out loud because it cuts against the narrative.
No one — absolutely no one — who loves their kids ever says, “I shouldn’t have had that child.”
People regret jobs. 
They regret cities. 
They regret relationships. 
They regret wasted years chasing empty validation.
But parents do not sit at the end of their lives wishing they had fewer children. They wish they had more time with them.
At 40, with four kids, I don’t feel old.
If anything, kids keep you young. They pull you into the present. They keep you moving. They force you to laugh when you’d otherwise brood. They remind you that joy is often loud, messy, inconvenient — and worth it anyway.
And then there is the gift that often goes overlooked: siblings.
Watching siblings grow up together is one of life’s quiet miracles. They fight. They forgive. They learn loyalty, compromise, and love — not from lectures, but from living shoulder to shoulder.
Long after parents are gone, siblings remain.
They are the ones who know your childhood stories. Who remember your parents’ voices. Who will sit beside you at hospital beds and holiday tables. Who will help one another bury the people who once tucked them in at night.
In a world that prizes radical independence, siblings teach something far more enduring: you are not meant to do life alone.
And yes, one day, God willing, these children will flip the script. They will care for us the way we once cared for them — not out of obligation, but out of love forged through years of shared sacrifice.
Which brings me to faith.
From the beginning, Scripture tells us, “Be fruitful and multiply.” Not as a burden, but as a blessing. Children are not described as liabilities, but as arrows, as gifts, as signs of hope.
Faith teaches us that the point of life is not comfort, but calling. Not consumption, but creation. Not hoarding time, but giving it away for something eternal.
That doesn’t mean every family looks the same. It doesn’t mean everyone is called to the same path. But it does mean we should be honest about what leads to meaning — and what leads to emptiness.
For my wife and me, welcoming a fourth child at 40 was not reckless.
It was faithful.
Faith that love multiplies when shared. 
Faith that sacrifice produces joy. 
Faith that the future is worth investing in, even when it costs us something now.
In a culture obsessed with shrinking horizons, we chose to expand ours.
And if I’m being honest, part of that choice is simple.
I’m trying to make heaven crowded.
* * *
Gates Garcia is the host of the YouTube show and podcast “We The People.” Follow him on Instagram and X @GatesGarciaFL.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Father holding her newborn baby

I Said I’d Never Have A Child In My 40s. Then I Turned 40 And Had My Fourth.

Children

Family Values

Fathers

Parenting

The Daily Wire&#8217;s newest host Matt Fradd is launching the &#8220;new era&#8221; of his show &#8220;Pints With Aquinas&#8221; on The Daily Wire on Monday.
&#8220;I am so excited about this new era of Pints With Aquinas with The Daily Wire, and I&#8217;m especially excited about how many more people it&#8217;s going to reach,&#8221; Fradd told his audience.
&#8220;I can&#8217;t wait to show you guys the list of guests we have coming up,&#8221; he said. &#8220;I can&#8217;t wait to show you the brand new studio we built, it&#8217;s really lovely. It&#8217;s going to be as good as it&#8217;s ever been. Better, I hope.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/hosts/matt-fradd?utm_campaign=fradd&amp;utm_medium=paid&amp;utm_source=googlesearch&amp;utm_content=na_traffic&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23434102972&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA1JLLBhCDARIsAAVfy7hmqY536cRTLi3tQO60J1ihDWAogt6HUkPniSGlvKg10jSfdwSIaRQaApblEALw_wcB">WATCH MATT FRADD&#8217;S PINTS WITH AQUINAS</a>
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The first episode of Fradd&#8217;s long-form interview show features Dr. Brant Pitre for a conversation about the historical evidence that supports the Bible.
Fradd invited his followers to share the episode with &#8220;everybody who is not yet convinced of the reliability of the Bible and the divinity of the Lord Jesus,&#8221; and predicted it &#8220;will be life-changing for many.&#8221;
<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/big-news-pints-with-aquinas-is-joining-the-daily-wire-in-2026?elementPosition=0&amp;row=3&amp;rowHeadline=Articles+by+Matt+Fradd&amp;rowType=Square+Carousel">MATT FRADD: WHY WE&#8217;RE JOINING THE DAILY WIRE IN 2026</a>
Fradd&#8217;s show has been running since 2016 and his catalogue features more than 500 episodes, many of which are now available on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/hosts/matt-fradd?utm_campaign=fradd&amp;utm_medium=paid&amp;utm_source=googlesearch&amp;utm_content=na_traffic&amp;gad_source=1&amp;gad_campaignid=23434102972&amp;gclid=Cj0KCQiA1JLLBhCDARIsAAVfy7hmqY536cRTLi3tQO60J1ihDWAogt6HUkPniSGlvKg10jSfdwSIaRQaApblEALw_wcB">The Daily Wire</a>. Among the episodes available are a conversation with filmmaker Nick Stumphauzer on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/pwa-251205?elementPosition=3&amp;row=0&amp;rowHeadline=Recent+Episodes&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">fighting porn addiction</a>, an exploration of <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/pwa-ep-550?elementPosition=9&amp;row=0&amp;rowHeadline=Recent+Episodes&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">why Muslims are finding Christianity</a>, and a sit-down with prominent Catholic priest Fr. Mike Schmitz that touches on <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/pwa-ep-549?elementPosition=10&amp;row=0&amp;rowHeadline=Recent+Episodes&amp;rowType=Horizontal+Show+Episodes+Carousel">rising interest in Catholicism among young people today</a>.
Fradd announced on Monday that his show will now feature two episodes a week on Daily Wire.
&#8220;Our mission stays the same, to preach Christ and invite people into the one, holy, Catholic and apostolic Church.&#8221;

MF – PWA – 16×9 V3

‘Today Is The Day’: Meet Matt Fradd, Daily Wire’s Newest Host

Catholic

Daily Wire

DailyWire+

Matt Fradd

Men, don&#8217;t rely on a woman&#8217;s Hinge profile to tell you what she wants out of a relationship. Lead, and date with the intention of marriage. 
At this year&#8217;s Turning Point USA America Fest, The Daily Wire&#8217;s Isabel Brown sat down with four Gen Z ladies who made that message loud and clear when it comes to what conservative women want out of a relationship: &#8220;Put a ring on it.&#8221;
“Waiting over five years to put a ring on the finger is not right,&#8221; Sophie Fuller said during The Daily Wire Dating Panel.
In a world where having a deep dating roster is considered a flex, conservative Gen Z ladies are dating for marriage (For non-Gen Z readers who don’t know what a dating roster is, it&#8217;s where people have multiple guys or girls to choose from, instead of dating someone exclusively). 
Dating for marriage means the girls aren&#8217;t going for just anyone. The four told Brown they want a Godly man, who is strong in his beliefs both spiritually and socially.
“We don&#8217;t have men who are strong in their convictions,&#8221; Katie Toepfer told Brown. &#8220;I think social media has had a huge impact on that.”
Caitlyn Harris is 19 and engaged to a man who did things more traditionally. He asked for her number instead of her Snapchat and took her to church.
&#8220;It was important to him before we even really started to date that I met his church family,&#8221; Harris said.
What? There are still people out there who want to do things the old-fashioned way? Settle down? Have some kids? Raise a Godly household? Turns out, a man of faith is the top characteristic the women on the panel are looking for in their future spouse, starting as early as high school. 
“I hope high school boys realize girls are paying attention to this,” Elle Anderson, TPUSA High School Student of the Year, said. “We are paying attention to how you treat your family.”
The four girls all agreed that God is the center of marriage. 
“You are connected to God more when you are married,” Fuller said. 
Wise women all around at this year&#8217;s AmFest.
Brown reminded the four ladies that what they are looking for in a marriage is exactly why Charlie Kirk emphasized marriage and family to young men so much. Kirk wanted marriages built the way God intended them to be, which is the man leading and loving his wife the way God loved the church. 
“It&#8217;s been an incredible journey being led by someone who wasn’t afraid to lead,” Brown said about her own marriage. 
So men, less focus on rizz and more focus on raising the bar when it comes to relationships. Flowers and cards are nice, but Gen Z women made it clear on the dating panel that they want something more meaningful. 
“I am so excited to see the younger half of Gen Z have such a huge heart for marriage and family,&#8221; Brown said. 
Conservative women want to get married, have children, and build a legacy. 
 &#8220;The truth is more than anything you will ever do, more than your college diploma, more than your job promotions … the greatest legacy you will ever &#8230; leave behind is how you love your family and being able to raise and shepherd this next generation,” Brown said.

The Daily Wire Dating Panel

Gen Z Ladies Talk Dating At AmFest: ‘Put A Ring On It’

Dating

Gen Z

Isabel Brown

Marriage

“Cheers” and “Frasier” fans recognize Kelsey Grammer as a major Hollywood star. But beyond just being a celebrity, Grammer is also known for his willingness to be openly conservative – and unapologetically Christian – in liberal Hollywood.
In a recent interview with “Morning Wire,” Grammer discussed his new film, “The Christmas Ring,” 
 a faith-inspired holiday movie written by Christian author Karen Kingsbury that also pays tribute to American veterans.
The movie includes roughly 100 real-life veterans and active-duty service members, which Grammer said was intentional. “It was just an opportunity to salute the troops,” he explained during the interview, noting how the story is rooted in sacrifice, tracing back to “World War II, D-Day … dropping behind enemy lines.” The actor said it’s meant to “[commemorate] their sacrifice a little bit and the continuing sacrifice of service members.”
Grammer emphasized that the film is meant to send a simple message: “We didn’t reinvent the wheel or anything. But it’s a nice story about redemption and love and forgiveness and about Jesus.”
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That theme has become more common in Grammer’s work, including his portrayal of Chuck Smith in the 2023 Christian drama film “Jesus Revolution.” Grammer said he didn’t actively seek out faith-based roles, but rather that they seem to find him at the right time.
“The night before I read the script … I was sitting there in a kind of a quiet reverie … wondering what was next for me,” he told Morning Wire. “And I said, ‘I just wanna do something that means something, that has some meaning.’ And the next morning, that script came.”
“I’m a believer,” Grammer said of his faith. “I don’t go around proselytizing … but I would never deny Christ. I would never deny Him.”
While Grammer said he’s not strictly doing Christian-themed projects, he’s “quite happy” the role came up.
Reflecting on the messy, broken lives depicted in “Jesus Revolution,” Grammer framed the story through a theological lens. “Well, that’s what Jesus is for,” he said. “That’s why he came along.”
He described the world Christ was born into as violent and chaotic under Roman rule, noting that “God chose to send a baby to save the world,” calling it “pretty fascinating.”
“We get to watch it … every year at Christmas, we get to see the same story told again and again … it&#8217;s our story.”
Despite Hollywood being largely hostile to religion, Grammer said the industry is catching on to the majority of their viewers having faith. “Most of the people in America actually still really like God and Jesus,” he said, noting how there’s a “hunger” for these types of films.

Kelsey Grammer

‘It’s Our Story’: Kelsey Grammer Says Americans Are Hungry For Faith-Based Films

Celebrities

Morning Wire

U.S.

Actor Kirk Cameron has spent the last several years bravely engaging in the culture war. 
Despite a history in Hollywood, however, the “Growing Pains” alum has been doing battle in public libraries. In an interview with The Daily Wire&#8217;s “<a href="https://www.dailywire.com/episode/mrn-251224-member-exclusive?elementPosition=0&amp;row=0&amp;rowType=Vertical+Show+Episodes+Carousel">Morning Wire</a>” released on Wednesday, Cameron discussed why he believes the fight begins with young people.
Cameron said it was becoming a father and that really got him thinking about these issues. “Once you become a dad, and now I’m a grandfather, I’m beginning to think legacy,” he told Morning Wire. “I’m beginning to think of how can I help my children succeed and win.”
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For Cameron, that meant investing in “the moral spiritual health of my children and my grandchildren” by creating content that does not “bend with the political winds.” He pointed to beloved figures like Mr. Rogers and asked, “Who’s our guy today who’s gonna do that?&#8230; If not me, then who?”
This inspired Cameron to launch Brave Books and the children’s television series “Adventures with Iggy and Mr. Kirk.” He described reception as divided along the Right and Left political spectrum. 
“Well, it depends on who you ask,” Cameron said of the reception. “The drag queens don’t like the books much. And the libraries that support progressive agendas don’t like me entering much.”
Cameron recounted being denied access to roughly 50 public libraries, including those that host drag queen story hours, because, he was told their “values don’t align.” 
<a href="https://get.dailywire.com/subscribe/plus/?utm_medium=website&amp;utm_source=editorial&amp;utm_campaign=christmas&amp;utm_content=christmassale25&amp;_gl=1*5t4t5l*_gcl_au*MTYzODg4ODI4OS4xNzY1ODA4NTE2*_ga*NDM4MjI1MTA1LjE3NTc5NTYzMzI.*_ga_CZKR9ZYKJP*czE3NjY0MTg4MTgkbzM1MCRnMSR0MTc2NjQyMjYwNyRqNjAkbDAkaDA." target="_blank" rel="noopener">Christmas Sale – Get 40% off New DailyWire+ Annual Memberships</a>
“I thought the rules were… diversity, equity, and inclusion,” he said. “Why do you exclude me? Why not diversity of thought instead of this monoculture that the kids are getting?”
When libraries ultimately reversed course after being threatened with legal action, Cameron said the response from families was overwhelming. “Thousands of parents and grandparents showed up and said, ‘Thank you. We don’t want this other stuff, but we’re being marginalized and silenced.’”
Critics often frame Christian values as inherently discriminatory. Cameron rejected that premise outright. “Every view is inherently discriminatory,” he said, “particularly the progressive inclusive view, as I experienced.”
The TV star quipped that he’s been “run over by the tolerance bus several times.”
“If someone’s coming at you with a sign that says ‘love everybody,’ be careful,” Cameron added. “They might whack you over the head with it.”
Cameron told Morning Wire that the root of the problem is conflicting worldviews. “There are ideas that lead to liberty and blessing, and then there’s ideas that don’t,” he said. The TV star said his own values are “the value set of Moses that’s been around for thousands of years and produced the world’s greatest civilizations.”
Cameron said he’s been encouraged by recent changes in the culture. “Three years ago we were being locked out of public libraries,” he said. “This last year we were invited by the Library of Congress… so that we could read these same books.”
“Whoever rocks the cradle rules the future,” Cameron said of inspiring the youngest generation. “Whoever gets to tell the kids the bedtime stories… you’re shaping the next generation’s hearts and minds.”

Kirk Cameron

Kirk Cameron: Why Helping Children ‘Succeed And Win’ Matters More Than Ever

Kirk Cameron Discusses Faith, Children’s Media, And Winning Back The Culture

Culture

Library

Social Issues

We are at a critical moment in our shared history. A moment that calls for moral clarity and an unwavering commitment to justice. 
Christians around the globe are facing a genocide. And while President Donald Trump champions religious liberty in Syria after hosting the former al-Qaeda fighter-turned-president, Ahmad al-Sharaa, and declares <a href="https://www.nationalreview.com/2025/11/trump-deserves-credit-for-focus-on-nigerian-christians/">Nigeria</a> a “country of particular concern” because of the slaughter of Christians, we cannot be naive.
Christian persecution is already here in America. Our nation is becoming a dangerous place for faithful believers to live.
We must stand up now for the persecuted not only as individuals but as a united front for our brothers and sisters around the world.
Policymakers, churches, and ordinary citizens have a moral responsibility to ensure our nation remains a beacon of hope and freedom for all, especially those persecuted for their faith.
I know something about persecution and the price of freedom. I grew up in Communist Romania, where the freedoms we now experience in America were stolen from its citizens. Speaking the truth meant imprisonment, torture, and even death. The government sought to control every thought, every word, every breath. That’s why I became a political refugee and found a new home in America in 1988.
A <a href="https://www.cato.org/blog/new-poll-74-worry-americans-could-lose-our-freedoms-were-not-careful">2024 Cato Institute survey</a> found that nearly 74% of Americans worry that if we’re not careful, Americans could lose their God-given freedoms and liberties. An out-of-control regime can gradually build persecution against Christians, making small, incremental changes that could go unnoticed until it is too late. I know. I lived it.
In Communist Romania, Nicolae Ceaușescu’s regime controlled religious organizations by appointing loyal leaders, restricting activities, and nationalizing properties. Atheism was promoted through education and propaganda, portraying Christianity as outdated. Religious groups faced pressure to align with state policies, with non-compliance leading to imprisonment, job loss, or death.
The legacy of this persecution continues to shape the religious landscape in Romania today.
While the extent and nature of persecution differ significantly between Communist regimes and contemporary American society, there are parallels in the experiences of marginalization, pressure to conform, and struggles for expression. The challenges faced by Christians today often manifest initially in social and cultural pressures rather than outright physical persecution. And we are beginning to see signs of it here.
That’s why I’m joining the “<a href="https://www.washingtonpolicyinstitute.org/events/persecuted-and-prevailing-addressing-christian-persecution-in-the-modern-world/">Persecuted and Prevailing”</a> panel on December 4, 2025, at the Museum of the Bible to promote the truth, amplify our voices, and push for legislative action to support Christians.
As a human rights attorney in Communist Romania, I defended Christians, experiencing firsthand America’s crucial support. Congressmen Frank Wolf and Christopher Smith met with me often to discuss my cases, raising awareness among U.S. policymakers and the public about Romania’s dire situation. Their efforts drew media attention to the plight of Romanian Christians under the thumb of Communism, creating urgency for supporting persecuted believers.
Wolf’s actions shaped U.S. foreign policy to prioritize religious freedom, and the global impact included co-sponsoring the <a href="https://www.congress.gov/114/plaws/publ281/PLAW-114publ281.pdf">International Religious Freedom Act</a> (IRFA) of 1998, which established a framework to combat religious persecution worldwide and monitor and recommend policies. The Congressman also backed resolutions condemning persecution in Iran, Sudan, North Korea, and China, reinforcing human rights as a cornerstone of U.S. foreign policy.
Now it’s our turn to carry the torch forward. Citizens who have the freedom to advocate for change must pressure policymakers to strengthen global religious liberty.
We are the voice for the persecuted who suffer in silence worldwide. If we fail to speak about oppression, like what I and many others endured in communist Romania, it will most certainly take root here. This generation needs to understand the fragile nature of freedom and the courage it takes to preserve it.
Using our voice and Constitutional rights to petition our government is the only way to protect our freedom and stand for truth. If we don’t use our voice today, we risk being silenced tomorrow.
When truth is distorted, freedom fades. Pray for discernment in a world clouded by lies. Live boldly, speak the truth in love, for true freedom flows from God’s presence, which has been with America since its founding. Remember, if God’s presence fades, so will our freedom.
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<a href="https://www.virginiaprodanbooks.com/">Virginia Prodan</a> is an international human rights attorney, best-selling author of the memoir “<a href="https://virginiaprodanbooks.com/get-the-book-2/">Saving My Assassin</a>,” and host of the “<a href="https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/courageous-leadership-with-virginia-prodan/id1590554517">Courageous Leadership with Virginia Prodan</a>” podcast. She serves as an ambassador on the President’s Council for National Religious Broadcasters, a member of the Advisory Board of the American Christian Leaders for Israel, and an Allied Attorney with Alliance Defending Freedom.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
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I Escaped Communist Romania. I Recognize The Early Signs Of Religious Persecution.

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Thanksgiving is a time when families thrive, and our conservative movement can learn key lessons from this uniquely American tradition as we move forward together.
Let’s begin with what’s best about the day: a shared table, familiar laughter, and the quiet grace of gratitude. Gratitude is not the fruit of harmony; it is the seed. Traditions renew; children grow up knowing the laugh of a cousin; and an uncle regales with stories of where the family came from. The mystic chords of memory, those invisible threads that bind generations, grow stronger and endure.
Thanksgiving is meant to be practiced. The meaningful work of breaking bread with people who vote differently, pray differently, and have different points of view preserves more than a holiday tradition. Amongst people you don’t always like but with whom you share a deep bond is where public deliberation starts — a practice foundational to American self-government. We keep the muscle memory of belonging to something larger than ourselves.
What’s true for our families is, of course, also true for our conservative movement and the nation we all endeavor to save.
Ronald Reagan is often remembered for saying, &#8220;All great change in America begins at the dinner table.” What is left out, however, is the line that follows: “So, tomorrow night in the kitchen, I hope the talking begins. And children, if your parents haven&#8217;t been teaching you what it means to be an American, let &#8217;em know and nail &#8217;em on it. That would be a very American thing to do.&#8221;
Let the talking begin this week — and let our conversations be an invitation to those we love to once again find unity in our purpose, first as families and then as a nation. At Heritage, we’ve started this family conversation, centered around four questions plain enough to ask around the dinner table and significant enough to guide a movement and save a republic:
What does it mean to be a flourishing American family?
What does it mean to honor the dignity of work and secure the future of free enterprise?
What does it mean to have true national security?
What does it mean to be an American citizen?
At Heritage, we have a point of view, confident in our thinking and our institution’s 52 years of robust intellectual history. We believe that united, good-faith conservatives will engage in this discussion. We are also certain we know what a restored America looks like:
<ul>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Marriage and family celebrated, not ignored or mocked.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Work dignified, wages rising, and two incomes a family choice, not a necessity.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Borders secure, military strong, enemies deterred.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Children learning truth — not ideology — in educational institutions that parents control.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Faith respected, civic virtue restored, patriotism the norm.</li>
<li style="font-weight: 400;" aria-level="1">Government limited, debt shrinking, freedom expanding.</li>
</ul>
We call this Heritage 2.0 inside our organization, where every colleague contributed to its creation. We present it to you as our battle plan to save America.
Let there be no mistake; we are taking back Washington to save America. That puts a target on us — from the uniparty, the entrenched bureaucracy, and the deep state. Now may be a suitable time to reiterate with clarity our message to the purveyors of the status quo: Bring it on.
We sweat not for the elites, but for everyday Americans. We toil not to be keyboard warriors but to chart a course of national renewal. The future of conservatism — a fusion of old and new right — will succeed when we return power to the people.
Today’s populism didn&#8217;t emerge in a vacuum. It arose from failed leadership, calcified institutions, and elites who prioritized bureaucracy over everyday Americans. The people aren&#8217;t seeking minor fixes; they&#8217;re challenging the very credibility of the system, and often, they&#8217;re spot on. This ought to inspire our movement!
The clearest path to returning power to the people is through a wholehearted rejuvenation of federalism. We will never lose sight of the many millions who feel the weight of the world on their shoulders. More than any organization across the country, Heritage is fully engaged in the work required to ensure a free, self-governing people can raise families and engage in community and commerce with peace, principles, and prosperity.
Of course, the people will decide our future, as President Trump last week noted, appealing to the beauty of our American system. We are clear-eyed that our effort comes at a time of cultural and civic strain. But we’ve been here before. My friend and predecessor Ed Feulner wrote in his book The March of Freedom that conservatism is “a broad social movement of diverse but reinforcing beliefs, gathering travelers on the same journey — pilgrims who argue over the topography of their promised land but move in the same direction.”
As Vice President Vance also said, the forces arrayed against conservatives of all stripes have massive resources, and there is a point where infighting becomes counterproductive.
So, let us pull up chairs at the family table. Let us channel that turbulent passion and refine it with cool reason through public deliberation. Let us all be builders of a better America. Just as we will nurture the family tree through open dialogue, let us build America’s next 250 years under a thriving canopy of vibrant, interconnected branches rooted in self-governance.
Our Heritage is our future. Through it, together, we will save the republic and secure its future.
* * *
Kevin Roberts, Ph.D., is president of the Heritage Foundation.
The views expressed in this piece are those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.
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Thanksgiving, The Family Table, And A Playbook For The Work Ahead

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Through four books now, fans of Andrew Klavan’s Cameron Winter novels have wondered if the assassin-turned-poetry professor would conquer his inner demons and realize his life’s great ambition: becoming worthy of a good woman’s love. In his fifth outing, After That, the Dark, readers may at last have their answer.
This installment finds Winter continuing to flirt with faith — literally. The object of his affection, therapist Gwendolyn Lord, is a committed Christian, and her belief in the spiritual realm prompts Winter to wonder whether his latest case is bringing him in contact with the demonic. 
When Winter first meets Gwendolyn in the third book of the series, The House of Love and Death, he tells her of his “strange habit of mind&#8221; that leads him to obsess over crimes that don’t make sense. Remembering this, now that Cam has, thanks to therapy, overcome his guilt and self-loathing enough to ask her out on a date, Gwendolyn shares the story of an “impossible murder.”  
After a mental breakdown leads him to slaughter his wife and baby, upstanding Tulsa man Owen McKay is confined to a jail cell and under constant video surveillance when he’s found dead of a single bullet to the heart. The authorities preposterously rule his death a suicide, but it’s obvious to Winter they’re covering up evidence.
Just as he’s decided to solve the classic locked room mystery to impress Gwendolyn, he gets word of a similar murder in Connecticut. Once again, a loving husband and father is overcome by dark impulses that seem completely out of character. Is technology or something even more malevolent driving these violent breaks? And are there other ordinary family men out there at risk of committing similar crimes? 
Klavan tells me part of the fun of writing this novel was contrasting Gwendolyn’s faith with Cam’s agnosticism as they consider motives for the killings. “Cam’s absolutely crazy about Gwendolyn from the first minute he sees her in one of the earlier books,” Klavan shares, “but at the same time, she&#8217;s saying things that make him feel like he doesn&#8217;t know what she&#8217;s talking about. Every time she says, ‘Well, maybe it&#8217;s a problem with demons,’ he&#8217;s thinking, ‘What on earth is this woman?&#8217; But at the same time, he&#8217;s swept away by her. So he&#8217;s trying to take it seriously.”
As Cam continues to hunt for clues, he discovers the killers may have been possessed by a more artificial form of intelligence — one that’s learned to take advantage of ordinary human predilections for evil. 
Klavan says that if he were starting out writing today, he would focus on science fiction for the simple reason that while technology is moving faster than ever and challenging our culture’s moral boundaries like never before, ultimately, it is still our own virtue, or lack of it, that shapes how we use the tools the best and brightest minds invent. 
“It&#8217;s never the technology. It&#8217;s always the people,” Klavan says. “People always say, ‘We&#8217;ve got to regulate this.’ But you can’t regulate technology. You regulate what people do because people do evil things. And so, everything we create has a possibility to do something good and has a possibility to do something bad. And people being what they are, those who want to do bad with them are kind of ahead of the game.”
This focus on the fallen nature of man occupies Winter’s mind, too, as he considers his service to his country and weighs the assassinations he once considered patriotic. 
“No country can really be good, can it?” he thinks. “They’ve all got people in them. And you know what they’re like.” At the same time, he is coming to understand that the inability of a country and its people to be all good doesn’t erase their noble and worthy aspects. He even begins to realize that his protective instincts may redeem his own lethal past—the one that has so plagued his psyche during his sessions with therapist, Margaret: if taking up killing again means protecting Gwendolyn.
“Cam had a major breakthrough in the fourth book,” Klavan explains. “He really deals with the past that has had its grip on him, and he’s now he&#8217;s free, and we&#8217;re going to see what he&#8217;s like when he gets rid of all this baggage. I mean, here&#8217;s a guy who walks into mortal danger cool and calm. He&#8217;s a courageous guy, yet he cannot bring himself to call this girl on the phone, because he knows she matters. He knows she&#8217;s not just another girl. He knows that this is something important. And so when he finally works up the courage and does it, it is a genuine catapult into his own future. And so I think that this is the book where Cam becomes fully himself.”  
And a Cam who is fully himself may have to return to the work he once did so well—removing opposition. But this time, he will do it not for duty. Not for country. But for love.

Andrew Klavan, After That, the Dark

Winter In Love: In New Book, Andrew Klavan’s Tortured Detective Finally Gets The Girl

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