How We Got Here: Understanding the Anti-Democratic Movement

How We Got Here: Understanding the Anti-Democratic Movement

Tuesday, June 24, 7:00 - 8:00 pm ET

For those who are writing about democracy and those seeking to understand what brought us to the current political moment, this event is for you. Award-winning journalist Mary C. Curtis will interview Katherine Stewart, one of the nation's foremost experts on the conservative movement and rise of the religious right. In her 15+ years reporting on the inner workings and leading features of the anti-democratic movement, Katherine has documented how it has weaponized disinformation and grievance and turned religion into a tool of domination. Her current book, ‘Money, Lies, and God,’ along with her many columns in the New York Times and elsewhere, trace the moral collapse of conservatism in America and provide the inside information that we can use to point the way toward a democratic future.

WHAT TO KNOW

PAY WHAT YOU CAN: This event is open to everyone, regardless of means. To help us estimate attendance and sustain our social justice model, we offer a sliding scale. Please pay what you can afford.

ALL ARE WELCOME: If the lowest tier on the scale is a hardship, please email info@theopedproject.org for a full scholarship.

JOIN VIA ZOOM: After you register, you will receive a confirmation email that includes the Zoom link to join the talk.

RECORDING: A recording will be made available the day after the talk to everyone who registered, accessible for one week only.

ABOUT THE SPEAKERS

Katherine Stewart is the award-winning author of Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy (Bloomsbury, 2025). Her previous book, The Power Worshippers: Inside the Dangerous Rise of Religious Nationalism, formed the basis of the documentary feature God & Country, produced by Rob Reiner. Stewart's work appears in The New York Times op ed, New Republic, Religion News Service and others.

Mary C. Curtis is an award-winning multimedia journalist and educator based in Charlotte, North Carolina, and Washington, D.C. Writing and speaking frequently on the intersection of politics, culture and race, Mary is a columnist at CQ Roll Call, host of its “Equal Time” podcast, guest host of Slate’s “What Next” podcast, and contributor to NPR. She is a former Nieman Fellow at Harvard who has contributed essays to several books. Mary C. has been a Fellowship Coach and Facilitator with The OpEd Project since 2013.

ABOUT THE OPED PROJECT

The OpEd Project is a global thought leadership project that accelerates the ideas and impact of underrepresented voices, especially women of all backgrounds. We believe the best ideas, regardless of where they come from, should have a chance to be heard and change the world. We also believe the world is more intelligent when it is more inclusive.

We are a community of journalists, commentary writers, thought leaders and change-agents who actively share knowledge, resources and connections across color, creed, class, sexuality, gender, age, ability and beyond. We have been featured in most major media. We have stunning results. Learn more and join us at www.theopedproject.org.