The Worst of All Possible Worlds

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The first and only podcast bringing you weekly case studies in the pop culture of a dying empire. Every Wednesday, co-hosts Josh, Brian, and A.J. dissect an artifact of popular culture, breaking down how its narrative choices reflect or subvert the reactionary political project. From video games to movies to theater to an apparently infinite supply of evangelical Christian radio drama, we expose the machinations of the worst of all possible worlds in order to figure out how to build a better one. Also, we have bits.

Episodes

Friday Jun 20, 2025

Promise Keepers: 700,000 Dicks Out for Jesus [ILL CONCEIVED Episode 1]

Friday Jun 20, 2025

This is the first episode of Ill Conceived, a new podcast from Josh Boerman of The Worst of All Possible Worlds and June Sternbach of Western Kabuki. Get new episodes every Friday in your favorite podcast client:

Josh and June take a look at Promise Keepers, the organization that massed 700,000 men on the National Mall in Washington, DC for a 1997 rally that promised to bring spiritual renewal to its attendees and a new order to the social health of the country. While they didn't quite pull off the fundamental transformation they were hoping for, Promise Keepers left a significant impact on the evangelical Christian psyche. And somehow, they're still around today, desperately trying to convince the world of their definition of fatherhood and family.

SOURCES:

The First Promise Keepers Event: Witnessing the Power of God" by David Roadcup
Jesus and John Wayne: How White Evangelicals Corrupted a Faith and Fractured a Nation by Kristin Kobes du Mez
Seven Promises of a Promise Keeper by Bill McCartney et al.
"Promise Keepers pledge to move from stadium rallies to the marketplace" by Adelle Banks, Religion News Service
"New Promise Keepers CEO ready to see a revival among men" by Maina Mwaura, The Christian Index
"Promise Keepers Pour Into The Nation's Capital" (CNN, 1997)
"The Promise Keepers Opens Its Doors To Women" (NPR, 2009)

AUDIO CLIPS:

6:18 – Bill McCartney in a profile by WXYZ-TV Detroit (September 24, 1994)
32:46 – Norm MacDonald on Saturday Night Live Weekend Update (October 4, 1997)
33:23 – Joseph Garlington, Promise Keepers worship leader, at the 1997 Stand in the Gap rally
34:55 – Patricia Ireland, president of the National Organization for Women, on Charlie Rose (October 3, 1997)
36:31 – Huron Claus, Native American Christian evangelist, at the 1997 Stand in the Gap rally
38:00 – Bill McCartney, Promise Keepers founder, on Larry King Live (October 7, 1997)
47:49 – Shane Winnings, current Promise Keepers CEO, on Morning Joe (April 3, 2025)
50:50 – Web trailer for Wake-Up Call, the 2025 Promise Keepers in-person summit in Yakima