The Unflinching Eye: McKay Coppins on Journalism, the Threats to Our Freedoms and the Power of Inquiry

🎙️Award-winning journalist and Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins joins us to explore the delicate intersections of politics, faith, and journalism. From shadowing Donald Trump to chronicling the political journey of Mitt Romney, McKay shares what it takes to pursue truth in turbulent times.

What We Discuss:

• What it’s like getting rare access to Trump, Romney, and the Murdochs

• How to navigate political rationalizations without losing your soul

• McKay’s writing rituals and creative process

• The powerful role of curiosity in building bridges across divides

• Why faith and civic life matter more than ever

Episode Highlights:

00:02:00 – McKay’s infamous 2014 Trump profile and its surprising legacy
00:10:00 – How luck and sincere curiosity lead to exclusive access
00:16:00 – Late nights, caps lock, and McKay’s writing habits
00:29:00 – The chilling effect of political intimidation on journalism
00:41:00 – Why many GOP leaders stay silent—and what Romney heard behind the scenes
00:50:00 – Do you lose your soul in politics? A deep dive
00:57:00 – The spiritual vacuum in modern America and how faith might fill it
01:02:00 – Why curiosity is the cure for today’s civic divide

Featured Quotes:

"He seemed like he desperately wanted affirmation all the time... and it was like empty calories." 
"To be somebody who has faith is to constantly have it tested and to have it evolve."
"We need leaders thinking more about their obituaries than the next news cycle."
"Curiosity is an underrated virtue in politics."

Resources Mentioned:

📘 Romney: A Reckoning – Simon and Schuster
📘 The Wilderness – Hachette Book Group
📰 McKay’s articles at The Atlantic – Visit

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