A governor’s Christmas proclamation that actually says what Christmas is about. A president joking with kids about cookies while thanking service members. Federal agencies quietly restoring room for faith at work and school. The start of 2026 comes packed with moments that reveal where conviction and culture meet—and why it matters.

We open with Arkansas Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders’ proclamation naming Jesus and closing state offices so families can celebrate together, followed by the Freedom From Religion Foundation’s objection and a forceful reply that re-centers Christmas on Christ. From there, we jump to the NORAD Santa Tracker’s quirky origin and a holiday call-in where the president mixes humor, nostalgia, and a clear salute to the military, including an end-of-year bonus that put help into real households.

The conversation deepens as we explore the USDA’s move to protect religious expression—touching school lunch policies and even meatpacking plant break rooms—reminding listeners that rights don’t stop at the factory floor. We widen the lens to Nigeria, where U.S. strikes targeted ISIS-linked terrorists amid persistent attacks on Christians and dissenting Muslims. The question is sobering: when should power be used to restrain evil, and what does moral clarity look like on the world stage?

We also unpack a rare bipartisan push: 42 attorneys general pressing AI companies to curb misleading, “tell-me-what-I-want-to-hear” outputs for kids, signaling a cultural return to verifiable truth over algorithmic flattery. Finally, we turn to the Smithsonian, where the White House is demanding documentation and accountability for historical narratives as America approaches its 250th anniversary. Artifacts deserve honest framing, and audiences deserve transparent standards.

If you care about faith in public life, religious liberty, truthful storytelling, national security, and the health of our information ecosystem, this conversation connects the dots. Subscribe, share with a friend who loves history and policy, and leave a review telling us which moment gave you the most hope.

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