I’ve been continually amazed at how Chris produced this well-researched and creatively-delivered podcast, drawing in primary sources as well as scholarly experts to deliver a lot of the backstage history of American evangelicalism, ALL WHILE WORKING A HIMBLE FULL-TIME JOB and recording from his church’s basement. He’s going for it full-time now and if you can support him you should. (I do not know him personally)

Chris has not just done loads of digging through the dusty piles of history, but has aptly uncovered cause and effect connections that ultimately unify many known facts, and even more unknown facts, into one cohesive whole, that, although he is not bashful about his conclusions, you will have already concluded from the picture he has portrayed with painstaking detail. Thanks Chris for your diligence and perseverance. I’m thinking you’re like a monk who’s devotion to God, study and serving others reaches far beyond his time and place. What a gift to us all.

Chris Staron provides incredible detailed accounts of the interaction of faith and extremism in the US political Conservative movement. His research is thorough. The format keeps me on the edge of my seat. Great job!

Chris does a great job pulling many forgotten facts and buried through lines to the surface.

This podcast is both very positively focused and full of incredible detail for those like me interested in history/non-fiction podcasts. Smooth to listen to and Chris keeps it moving at the right pace. Would very highly recommend!!

Engaging, elucidating, sui generis

Chris is able to weave multiple threads of history into a compelling and comprehensive narrative. He offers in-depth reporting on the origins of our current political system & culture. And his voice quickly becomes a trusted guide on the complicated topic of “how did we get here?”.

I enjoy this so much. I always learn something.

Thankful for this podcast!!!

Very interesting and informative discussion of the country and the church. Really enjoyable.

Chris Staron has a gift for explaining complex historical developments in an interesting and creative way. The Truce podcast has an important role to play in the honest self-examination and spiritual renewal that the American church desperately needs.

I appreciate the historical insights and appreciation.

Chris has done the research to accurately trace how we got where we are today. I’ve learned so much. This explains so very much.

Thorough and engaging history to better understand our times! Thank you!

Chris does a phenomenal job of piecing together all the little details of how the evangelical church (of which I count myself a member) have gotten to where we are today. His presentation is enlightening, sometimes shocking, and always uplifting and challenges people to do better with what they have. Been listening for a few months and can’t wait to hear what the years bring.

Time is a resource. Listening to this podcast is time well spent. These are challenging topics, and looking at them Biblically (and calling in those times when we are apt not to) is incredibly important.

You and I may not agree with everything portrayed on this podcast but it is very well done. And a great source to get true and genuine perspective that we may not have consider. In a culture of frustration and anger. This podcast challenges us to breath and reflect on why we hold the positions of culture and politics that we do. We must look outside ourselves and repent where there is opportunity too and rebuild. This podcast can help move you down that road. Great resource! You can tell there is a lot of hard work and dedication put into this.

Lots of important info & context in an engaging, pleasant way. I like Chris’s pops of humor. Good job!

Chris does such a thorough, scholarly but very entertaining job of delving into history and searching out, as he says, how we got to where we are and how we can do better going forward. Vitally important.

I came across this podcast looking for journalism that doesn’t pander to the left or the right. I wanted a voice that was Christ-centered rather than wed to American politics. I found a gentle but bold approach that is respectful of different leanings while also speaking truth. I’m already a regular listener.

Expertly and meticulously research, Chris could write a book on each of his episodes. His command of history brings a refreshing light to Christianity today. He helps put our challenges in context.

This podcast has been so fun to listen to but also incredibly informative and thought provoking. The way Chris inspires us to ask questions and look into the history of the church is amazing!

I’m so glad I found this podcast. Each episode is like a mini documentary that gives each listener an opportunity to explore how the Bible might inform our response. Well researched, informative, and a must-listen for curious people.

Truce has been such a useful resource for asking fair and balanced questions of the stories we have told ourselves about the Christian church’s actions and intentions over the last 100 years. We believers have a tendency to assume we and our church are infallible despite the evidence. With an honest look at the Torah, Revelation and everything in between its pretty clear people of God are equally proficient as any outside force at undermining and opposing God’s will and reign. It’s unwise to assume we are above that. We need our motivations and actions scrutinized so we can be refined individually and communally and God’s will can truly be done. Big thanks to Chris for the hard work in providing a way to engage in that scrutiny.

This podcast helps the world make more sense while being accessible to a broad audience.

I thought this was one of the best episodes. Never knew there was a Madison Avenue co-opt of the term. I am from Nebraska, so the history of WJ Bryan is interesting. There is a challenge at the end of the podcast…it’s a completely fair shot.

This is such a great podcast! A blend of history, modern debates and theology.

Love history and love the church. This show brings both to life. It’s a great reminder the we, the church, have always been in need of much grace - just as we are today. A small check is in the mail from Albany, Oregon. God bless!

This is a great podcast!! I love hearing about where we’ve come from and what to learn from history from a Christian perspective!

I stumbled on this podcast by accident and am truly glad I did. There’s so much history and insight here that I feel like I’m just starting to see how ideas and people and movements are connected and how much they shape our world today.

Really enjoy your podacest I have learned so much thannk you for all the hard work keep up the great work and God bless

With hints of old-time radio sound effects, and the relaxed communication style of Chris Staron, I have enjoyed every episode. I have been listening for two years and continue to look forward to each new release. This podcast informs me in a way that sticks!

I want to like this show. However, I think the host is making broad conclusions about pivotal historical moments with limited research. As a PhD student in Modern Church History I spend a LOT of time reading about the very things this show discusses. In fact, I’ve read many of the authors he has had appear on this show. And with each episode’s “moral” conclusion I find myself saying, “yeah but I don’t think you read ____ or considered ____ yet you made this moral imperative.” It irks me. Like any student we have to learn how to learn. And I believe, given more time, the host will become a better student of history. For that reason I will continue to subscribe rooting on my fellow historian. And maybe one day I can give it 5 stars.

Greetings from Philadelphia! Hey Chris, it’s UpChurch from the Millennial Mustard Seed podcast! Stopped by to show some support! What a genuine and thought provoking show. Keep up the good work! You never know who is listening.

At first I thought this would be a good overview of simply understanding how the fundamentalism that has accompanied history since the early 20th century could be held accountable. Instead the podcasters focus on history-lite from a very insider perspective. There seems to be little introspection. Non-believers are spoken if as of there are people in the USA who have ‘never heard’ rather than understanding many of us were once wholly in, keeping these branded churches going. We are done but we deal with the fallout of those years daily. A more insightful approach may not be possible.

Really like this. Binge listening to catch up on the last few years. I’ll be bummed when I catch up and have to wait two weeks for new episodes. Informative, thought provoking, and entertaining.

Chris is doing an important work with Truce. “Pressing pause on the culture wars” is what so many of my fellow Christ following brothers & sisters need to do but seem incapable of. I’m thankful Chris is courageously pursuing that end and his podcast is helping to bring historical honestly to so many of the sacred cows of evangelical christianity. Follow, listen, and share!

In the past month I have binged so many of these episodes! Chris is fair, insightful and thorough in his investigation of the history of Christianity and how it impacts the church and culture today. The show has high production value, tells great stories and is one of the best examples of Christian long-form journalism up there with The Rise and Fall of Mars Hill. I definitely recommend!

I don’t know how he does it, but Chris is able to break down HUGE concepts over the course of 30+ episode seasons. BUT not a single episode is dry or boring. Each episode is dynamic and relevant to the overall throughline he is tracing through history. He is far from repeating the same old talking points as everyone else. He provides insights that challenge both Christians on the right and the left. He is truly creating a middle ground that is nuanced for Christians to find common ground and unity on. Don’t stop, Chris!!!

Chris is a broad and deep thinker - the American west, Russia and evangelicalism, conservative politics and Jesus- he goes deep and pulls back layers, exposing connections, always revealing something interesting that’s I need to think about in my own life. So good, keep up the good work!

Church history and influence may sound dull, but Chris digs up good stories that challenge the status quo. The goal is to “do better”, not slam an institution. Chris is sincere and doesn’t take himself too seriously!

This podcast is needed to bring about good reformation in our worldwide church family. I pray that Holy Spirit continues to guide this Christian leader.

This is for any Christian of any political belief. It is full of nuance and promotes balance. Don’t listen to one episode and quit because you don’t like that “side of the aisle” - because a few episodes after will show the “other side of the aisle” and then show the balance. I love that he discusses that extremes are unhealthy for everyone. A podcast of wisdom and research and things you don’t hear/think much about. If you like Christianity, history, politics, or just learning, this podcast is for you.

This is one of the absolute best podcasts I’ve listened to lately. It is so well researched and the topics are timely and relevant. Every Christian I know NEEDS to listen to the whole podcast, Season 3 in particular. It has such good information and the host presents things so well. Thank you for your podcast!

Found this show from an ad on the Rise & Fall of Mars Hill podcast. Sounded like exactly my kinda podcast. Looked at the topics and got really excited. Lots of similar passions. Started listening, and after a few minutes had to turn it off. Tried a few, but they all have the same issue: the audio quality is missing. Vocal is tinny and crunchy. Needs a better diaphragm mic and a pop filter, or a better one if already using one. Great content like this deserves good audio!

Truce is a much needed voice in the Church. Since the start of the Church man made structures and their fallen natures have made fractures in the Church body. Chris expertly, with a brilliant since of storytelling, leads to the listener to ponder some of the ways the church has been connect to the US and global politics. The old adage is true if we do not know our history we are “doomed to repeat it.” I encourage every Christian bible teacher to follow and hear of the sins of the church. May we all repent and seek the better way.

Truce is not afraid to speak truth to protestant Christianity. It also speaks up against White Nationalism/Supremacy, Racism and hypocracy i the Christian Church.

I’ve learned so much listening to Truce! The topics are so important for Christians today and they don’t just scratch the surface-Truce gets deep into theological and historical questions that a lot of Christians don’t want to acknowledge. Truce is such a welcoming change from typical Christian media. I can’t recommend it enough!

Met you at PM21! I checked out the episode just before your 100th episode as promised. Great work!! Your passion for storytelling and your love and hope for the Church is evident! Rep the King!

I’ve been enjoying listening to Truce as I work from home 2 days a week. For Christian listeners it’s excellent. For those who are new to Christianity it’s fair, informative and very well produced. Try it, you’ll like it.