Faithful Politics Podcast
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Christian Utopias and Network States: Kiera Butler on Theo Bros in Appalachia
Posted
May 13, 2025
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81
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May 13, 2025
81
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In this episode, Faithful Politics welcomes back Kiera Butler, senior editor at Mother Jones, to discuss her latest reporting on a group of Christian nationalists aiming to build a secluded community in Appalachia. Butler unpacks how this network of self-identified "Theo Bros," led by figures like Andrew Isker and supported by investment firm New Founding, is attempting to create a crypto-fueled, autonomy-driven enclave in Tennessee. We explore the ideological motivations behind this project, the connections to Silicon Valley's "network state" movement, and the potential implications for local communities already established in the region. Tune in to hear Butler's insights on the intersections of faith, real estate, and the radical vision for a "Christian nation" in the American heartland.
Guest Bio:
Kiera Butler is a senior editor at Mother Jones, where she covers politics, culture, and the intersection of religion and power in America. She is known for her investigative reporting on Christian nationalism and emerging political movements and has written extensively on the rise of "Theo Bros" and their efforts to create autonomous Christian enclaves.
Resources & Links:
The Christian Theobros are Building a Tech Utopia in Appalachia
Support Sarah Stankorb’s work and preorder Damned If She DoesWhy Women Quit Church and What It Means for the Future of Religion, Releases September 15, 2026. Bookshop.org
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