{"podcast":{"title":"New Books in Religion","slug":"new-books-in-religion-42803","podcast_index_feed_id":42803,"rss_url":"https://feeds.megaphone.fm/LIT9789987066","website_url":"https://newbooksnetwork.com","image_url":"https://megaphone.imgix.net/podcasts/cfd5d93c-dddb-11e8-b346-7779d85ce4c2/image/b4c82d0e99e73663f8e58e455f382564.png?ixlib=rails-4.3.1&max-w=3000&max-h=3000&fit=crop&auto=format,compress","author":"New Books Network","episode_count":2719,"summary":"This podcast is a channel on the New Books Network. The New Books Network is an academic audio library dedicated to public education. In each episode you will hear scholars discuss their recently published research with another expert in their field. Discover our 150+ channels and browse our 28,000+ episodes on our website: ⁠newbooksnetwork.com⁠ Subscribe to our free weekly Substack newsletter to get informative, engaging content straight to your inbox: ⁠https://newbooksnetwork.substack.com/⁠ Follow us on Instagram and Bluesky to learn about more our latest interviews: @newbooksnetwork Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/religion","last_synced_at":"2026-07-01T18:21:23.231818+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-books-in-religion-42803"},"episode":{"title":"Joanna Dee Das, \"Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America\" (U Chicago Press, 2025)","slug":"joanna-dee-das-faith-family-and-flag-branson-entertainment-and-the-idea-of-america-u-chicago-press-2025","published_at":"2026-05-31T08:00:00+00:00","page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-books-in-religion-42803/joanna-dee-das-faith-family-and-flag-branson-entertainment-and-the-idea-of-america-u-chicago-press-2025","show_page_url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-books-in-religion-42803","url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NBNK8525662157.mp3","audio_url":"https://traffic.megaphone.fm/NBNK8525662157.mp3","summary":"Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America (University of Chicago Press, 2025) examines the history of Branson, Missouri’s entertainment industry within the context of America’s culture wars. The book explores how Branson became a major center for live performance rooted in patriotism, Christianity, and family centered values, attracting millions of visitors each year. Professor Joanna Dee Das shows how Branson represents more than lighthearted entertainment. Through its music, shows, humor, and tourism industry, the city offers audiences a vision of the American Dream centered on the “three Fs” — faith, family, and flag. While supporters view these values as universal and deeply American, critics often associate them with modern political conservatism. The book explores how Branson became a powerful cultural and political symbol in debates about national identity, religion, class, entertainment, and American values. Key Ideas: The book explores how faith, patriotism, and family centered entertainment shaped Branson’s popularity of more than just an entertainment town. Reflects how entertainment can reflect deeper cultural and political beliefs within society. Examines tensions between urban and rural America and how different groups viewed Branson. Critics sometimes viewed Branson as politically conservative, while supporters viewed it as authentic, nostalgic, patriotic, and values driven. The book highlights how entertainment, comedy, and audience experiences create emotional connection and community, much like social media culture today. One of the most interesting ideas from the discussion was that entertainment is never just entertainment. The music, performances, humor, patriotism, and storytelling found in places like Branson can…","meta_description":"Faith, Family, and Flag: Branson Entertainment and the Idea of America (University of Chicago Press, 2025) examines the history of Branson, Missouri’s e…","key_points":[],"chapters":[],"topics":[],"duration_seconds":3661,"processing_state":"not_requested","actions":[{"name":"request_transcript","method":"POST","url":"https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/new-books-in-religion-42803/episodes/joanna-dee-das-faith-family-and-flag-branson-entertainment-and-the-idea-of-america-u-chicago-press-2025/transcription-requests","description":"Idempotently request low-priority transcript generation for this episode."},{"name":"read_markdown","method":"GET","url":"https://stenobird.com/podcast/new-books-in-religion-42803/joanna-dee-das-faith-family-and-flag-branson-entertainment-and-the-idea-of-america-u-chicago-press-2025.md","description":"Read the agent-friendly Markdown representation of this episode resource."}]}}