Ruth Braunstein
@ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
Sociologist. Religion, culture, politics | Director Meanings of Democracy Lab | 📚 MY TAX DOLLARS, PROPHETS & PATRIOTS, RELIGION & PROGRESSIVE ACTIVISM | 🎧 WHEN THE WOLVES CAME
Pinned
What an honor for our documentary podcast When the Wolves Came to be named one of The Atlantic’s Top 20 Podcasts of 2025. Wild way to end a wild year!
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
Big fall-offs among all religious groups except Black Protestants - thus proving (as always) that everyone should listen to and understand Black theology, history, and ethics.
Extremely or very confident Donald Trump acts ethically in office
White evangelicals 40%
US adult avg. 21%
Unaffiliated 10%
Black Protestants 7%
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/02/09/white-evangelicals-remain-among-trumps-strongest-supporters-but-theyre-less-supportive-than-a-year-ago/
White evangelicals 40%
US adult avg. 21%
Unaffiliated 10%
Black Protestants 7%
https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2026/02/09/white-evangelicals-remain-among-trumps-strongest-supporters-but-theyre-less-supportive-than-a-year-ago/
February 10, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Big fall-offs among all religious groups except Black Protestants - thus proving (as always) that everyone should listen to and understand Black theology, history, and ethics.
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
The defense secretary ordered a review of women in combat roles, claiming standards were compromised — but the requirements for women and men in combat roles are identical.
Women combat veterans want Pete Hegseth to know that they already passed the test
The defense secretary ordered a review of women in combat roles, claiming standards were compromised — but the requirements for women and men in combat roles are identical.
19thnews.org
February 4, 2026 at 1:43 PM
The defense secretary ordered a review of women in combat roles, claiming standards were compromised — but the requirements for women and men in combat roles are identical.
Cool, cool. Lesson learned.
Are women's rights more at risk than we thought?
On the Handmaid's Tale, glass vs. rubber balls, and singing in the shower
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Cool, cool. Lesson learned.
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
Are women's rights more at risk than we thought? Another great essay from @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
Are women's rights more at risk than we thought?
On the Handmaid's Tale, glass vs. rubber balls, and singing in the shower
open.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:07 PM
Are women's rights more at risk than we thought? Another great essay from @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
If you aren't reading @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social 's Democracy is Hard Substack, you are missing out. Her latest post offers sober analysis about the SAVE Act, which if passed, could disenfranchise MILLIONS of women. It's a sleeping dog about which few know...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Are women's rights more at risk than we thought?
On the Handmaid's Tale, glass vs. rubber balls, and singing in the shower
substack.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:55 PM
If you aren't reading @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social 's Democracy is Hard Substack, you are missing out. Her latest post offers sober analysis about the SAVE Act, which if passed, could disenfranchise MILLIONS of women. It's a sleeping dog about which few know...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
substack.com/home/post/p-...
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
Never thought about the strategic use of chyrons by Trump & right-wing media. Then I read this by @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social & went to the gym. Saw 5 people on treadmills watching Fox or Newsmax on mute. So they don't get the rambling stupidity & ugliness. Just chyrons. ruthbraunstein.substack.com
January 15, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Never thought about the strategic use of chyrons by Trump & right-wing media. Then I read this by @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social & went to the gym. Saw 5 people on treadmills watching Fox or Newsmax on mute. So they don't get the rambling stupidity & ugliness. Just chyrons. ruthbraunstein.substack.com
What an honor for our documentary podcast When the Wolves Came to be named one of The Atlantic’s Top 20 Podcasts of 2025. Wild way to end a wild year!
December 24, 2025 at 4:57 PM
What an honor for our documentary podcast When the Wolves Came to be named one of The Atlantic’s Top 20 Podcasts of 2025. Wild way to end a wild year!
Ok Mitt Romney, I'm listening... "I believe in free enterprise... But we have reached a point where any mix of solutions to our nation’s economic problems is going to involve the wealthiest Americans contributing more."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/o...
Opinion | Mitt Romney: Tax the Rich, Like Me
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Ok Mitt Romney, I'm listening... "I believe in free enterprise... But we have reached a point where any mix of solutions to our nation’s economic problems is going to involve the wealthiest Americans contributing more."
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/o...
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
In a new Q&A, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social asks PRRI CEO @melissadeckman.bsky.social about young men and women's voting patterns in 2024 vs. 2025, and whether young men are anti-establishment, or just looking for campaigns to reach out and connect with them
open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
Busting myths about Gen Z politics
A Q&A with political scientist and PRRI CEO Melissa Deckman
open.substack.com
December 16, 2025 at 11:59 PM
In a new Q&A, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social asks PRRI CEO @melissadeckman.bsky.social about young men and women's voting patterns in 2024 vs. 2025, and whether young men are anti-establishment, or just looking for campaigns to reach out and connect with them
open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
We met up with @sssreligion.bsky.social recently in Minneapolis, Minnesota to ask "What Are You Working On?" Meet emerging scholars and familiar faces working on all things religious scholarship!
November 11, 2025 at 10:57 PM
We met up with @sssreligion.bsky.social recently in Minneapolis, Minnesota to ask "What Are You Working On?" Meet emerging scholars and familiar faces working on all things religious scholarship!
Did you know that more Americans eat alone today than at any other point in human history? 🤯 In my latest at Democracy Is Hard, I consider whether "civic restaurants" could help us repair our democracy and restore our humanity. Read more open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
Is eating alone the new bowling alone?
A case for civic restaurants ... and paperwhites
open.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Did you know that more Americans eat alone today than at any other point in human history? 🤯 In my latest at Democracy Is Hard, I consider whether "civic restaurants" could help us repair our democracy and restore our humanity. Read more open.substack.com/pub/ruthbrau...
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
For more info on this (failed) effort: religionnews.com/2025/07/30/e...
November 10, 2025 at 2:38 PM
For more info on this (failed) effort: religionnews.com/2025/07/30/e...
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
Hello! I'm coming up from the dissertation bunker to say that if you will be at SSSR I'll be putting together some fun Bluesky content with @dacuetovilla.bsky.social for the @asareligion.bsky.social account. COME TELL US WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON. We'd love to amplify some voices.
October 28, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Hello! I'm coming up from the dissertation bunker to say that if you will be at SSSR I'll be putting together some fun Bluesky content with @dacuetovilla.bsky.social for the @asareligion.bsky.social account. COME TELL US WHAT YOU'RE WORKING ON. We'd love to amplify some voices.
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
Participants were able to show they were not terrorists or anarchists. The marches were a success; they were peaceful, joyful & well-organized. But they were soon overtaken by other headlines. Yet, this won't be the end of these mobilizations. More here:
ruthbraunstein.substack.com/p/no-kings-p...
ruthbraunstein.substack.com/p/no-kings-p...
Do 7 million people in the streets matter?
A Q&A with social movements scholar Ernesto Castañeda, and my thoughts on that heist
ruthbraunstein.substack.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Participants were able to show they were not terrorists or anarchists. The marches were a success; they were peaceful, joyful & well-organized. But they were soon overtaken by other headlines. Yet, this won't be the end of these mobilizations. More here:
ruthbraunstein.substack.com/p/no-kings-p...
ruthbraunstein.substack.com/p/no-kings-p...
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
NEW: The 16th annual PRRI American Values Survey, released in partnership with @brookings.edu, finds that majorities of Americans say that Trump's cuts in funding for health care (60%), implementation of new tariffs (54%), and increase in funding for ICE (52%) have gone too far.
October 22, 2025 at 2:08 PM
NEW: The 16th annual PRRI American Values Survey, released in partnership with @brookings.edu, finds that majorities of Americans say that Trump's cuts in funding for health care (60%), implementation of new tariffs (54%), and increase in funding for ICE (52%) have gone too far.
Exciting news about our audio documentary When the Wolves Came — we were named a Signal Award Gold Winner! If you have not yet listened or shared, now is your chance! Xoxo Dream Team (aka The Mash Up Americans).
Proud. A win for our team at The Mash-Up Americans and a win for a story of hope and determination about the evangelical resistance movement AGAINST White Christian Nationalism and FOR democracy. You can still listen to When the Wolves Came wherever you get your podcasts. @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
October 16, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Exciting news about our audio documentary When the Wolves Came — we were named a Signal Award Gold Winner! If you have not yet listened or shared, now is your chance! Xoxo Dream Team (aka The Mash Up Americans).
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
Sociology+News! This week's TSP Clippings:
🧠Women managing the household mental load
⚠️ The phantom of political violence in 2025 @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
📻 Public radio’s donor dependence @lauragarbes.bsky.social
✊France’s Block Everything & 2018's Yellow Vests
🔗 bit.ly/4mizu1Q 🔗
🧠Women managing the household mental load
⚠️ The phantom of political violence in 2025 @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
📻 Public radio’s donor dependence @lauragarbes.bsky.social
✊France’s Block Everything & 2018's Yellow Vests
🔗 bit.ly/4mizu1Q 🔗
September 16, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Sociology+News! This week's TSP Clippings:
🧠Women managing the household mental load
⚠️ The phantom of political violence in 2025 @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
📻 Public radio’s donor dependence @lauragarbes.bsky.social
✊France’s Block Everything & 2018's Yellow Vests
🔗 bit.ly/4mizu1Q 🔗
🧠Women managing the household mental load
⚠️ The phantom of political violence in 2025 @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social
📻 Public radio’s donor dependence @lauragarbes.bsky.social
✊France’s Block Everything & 2018's Yellow Vests
🔗 bit.ly/4mizu1Q 🔗
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
Finalist also means we are eligible for the Listener's Choice award, which means you the people can VOTE for us. Won't you? 👉 vote.signalaward.com
The Signal Listener's Choice Award needs YOU
I just voted for this finalist to win a Signal Listener's Choice Award. You should too.
vote.signalaward.com
September 29, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Finalist also means we are eligible for the Listener's Choice award, which means you the people can VOTE for us. Won't you? 👉 vote.signalaward.com
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
💥💥Our podcast When The Wolves Came is a Signal finalist for Best Documentary! It explores the extremist politics that have taken over US evangelical Christianity, and the pastors, congregants, and organizers who are pushing back in favor of a pluralist path. It is, as they say, relevant.
September 29, 2025 at 7:50 PM
💥💥Our podcast When The Wolves Came is a Signal finalist for Best Documentary! It explores the extremist politics that have taken over US evangelical Christianity, and the pastors, congregants, and organizers who are pushing back in favor of a pluralist path. It is, as they say, relevant.
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
ASA member Ruth Braunstein @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social @jhu.edu, who has studied Charlie Kirk and the Right, notes that yesterday's shooting has the potential to spike already heated political tensions in the country. @reuters.com bit.ly/3VIeLtt
Death of Charlie Kirk lays bare deep US political divisions
Kirk’s death left many of his fellow conservatives seething and blaming liberals for the assault.
bit.ly
September 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
ASA member Ruth Braunstein @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social @jhu.edu, who has studied Charlie Kirk and the Right, notes that yesterday's shooting has the potential to spike already heated political tensions in the country. @reuters.com bit.ly/3VIeLtt
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
NEW PREPRINT: RELIGION UNBUNDLED
Earlier this week at #ASA2025, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, @jlkucinskas.bsky.social, Brian Steensland, and I presented ideas for a new paradigm for the 21st-Century sociology of American religion. Full MS at SocArXiv for all those interested:
osf.io/preprints/so...
Earlier this week at #ASA2025, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, @jlkucinskas.bsky.social, Brian Steensland, and I presented ideas for a new paradigm for the 21st-Century sociology of American religion. Full MS at SocArXiv for all those interested:
osf.io/preprints/so...
OSF
osf.io
August 15, 2025 at 7:43 PM
NEW PREPRINT: RELIGION UNBUNDLED
Earlier this week at #ASA2025, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, @jlkucinskas.bsky.social, Brian Steensland, and I presented ideas for a new paradigm for the 21st-Century sociology of American religion. Full MS at SocArXiv for all those interested:
osf.io/preprints/so...
Earlier this week at #ASA2025, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, @jlkucinskas.bsky.social, Brian Steensland, and I presented ideas for a new paradigm for the 21st-Century sociology of American religion. Full MS at SocArXiv for all those interested:
osf.io/preprints/so...
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
Writing this paper has felt like spending the year doing a seminar with some of the most inspiring and theoretically savvy scholars of spirituality and religion —and friends. Our conclusion? Religion has been unbundled. Read more below:
NEW PREPRINT: RELIGION UNBUNDLED
Earlier this week at #ASA2025, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, @jlkucinskas.bsky.social, Brian Steensland, and I presented ideas for a new paradigm for the 21st-Century sociology of American religion. Full MS at SocArXiv for all those interested:
osf.io/preprints/so...
Earlier this week at #ASA2025, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, @jlkucinskas.bsky.social, Brian Steensland, and I presented ideas for a new paradigm for the 21st-Century sociology of American religion. Full MS at SocArXiv for all those interested:
osf.io/preprints/so...
OSF
osf.io
August 15, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Writing this paper has felt like spending the year doing a seminar with some of the most inspiring and theoretically savvy scholars of spirituality and religion —and friends. Our conclusion? Religion has been unbundled. Read more below:
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
"We are each charged with building a common life. We build this, imperfectly, through social contracts. Taxpaying is one of those contracts." Carey Mott reviews “Taxation and Resentment” and “My Tax Dollars.” https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/ways-and-means/
August 10, 2025 at 3:20 PM
"We are each charged with building a common life. We build this, imperfectly, through social contracts. Taxpaying is one of those contracts." Carey Mott reviews “Taxation and Resentment” and “My Tax Dollars.” https://lareviewofbooks.org/article/ways-and-means/
Excited to see this review of My Tax Dollars in the @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social, alongside a discussion of Andrea Louise Campbell’s excellent new book Taxation and Resentment. Check it out! @princetonupress.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 12:03 PM
Excited to see this review of My Tax Dollars in the @lareviewofbooks.bsky.social, alongside a discussion of Andrea Louise Campbell’s excellent new book Taxation and Resentment. Check it out! @princetonupress.bsky.social
Reposted by Ruth Braunstein
"Religion in a Changing Workplace" explores how people navigate faith on the job. What did our distinguished critics - @oneyaokuwobi.bsky.social, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, and @evanstewart.bsky.social - have to say about it?
August 11, 2025 at 6:41 PM
"Religion in a Changing Workplace" explores how people navigate faith on the job. What did our distinguished critics - @oneyaokuwobi.bsky.social, @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, and @evanstewart.bsky.social - have to say about it?