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Brad interviews activist and parent Natalie Hastings, LifeWise Academy, a religious release program in public schools that takes children out of their school day for Bible study. Hastings provides insights into the program’s growth, its impact on students, and its connections to larger political movements such as Project 2025. The discussion highlights concerns about the program’s effects on school resources, inclusion, mental health, and the push for policies mandating such programs in different states.
Natalie Hastings is a public school parent who began tracking the efforts of national extremism on public schools when her own district elected four new board members who promised to “fight CRT,” canceled an opt-in Racial Diversity Awareness Day, and passed a “Culture of Kindness” resolution to restrict teaching and discussions on race, gender identity, and inclusion. She educates and activates local communities to protect the rights of every student through Honesty for Ohio Education, an alliance of 70+ nonprofit organizations and its Honesty Teams Network, a partner in HEAL Together Race Forward’s #PublicSchoolStrong initiative. Hastings also manages research for Ohioans Against Extremism, (OHAgainstExtremism.org) a new website launching in August 2024.
Other links:
Policy across the US: http://www.schoolministries.org
00:00 Introduction to LifeWise and Personal Journey
01:07 Overview of LifeWise Program
02:44 Interview with Natalie Hastings
03:38 How LifeWise Operates
05:38 Challenges and Controversies
07:45 Expansion and Legislative Push
30:51 Connections to Project 2025
39:26 Community Response and Resistance
47:41 Conclusion and Subscriber Segment
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