Browse Our Educational Events
Here you will find our archives of education events that we have recorded that range from a myriad of social and political issues. If you have any suggestions for future speakers, feel free to email us at 805speakeasy@gmail.com. Enjoy!
Book Talk With John Fugelsang.
We kicked off the year with a special book talk on January 11 at 4pm with John Fugelsang, discussing his new book Separation of Church and Hate: A Sane Person’s Guide to Taking Back the Bible from Fundamentalists, Fascists, and Flock-Fleecing Frauds.
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Whether you’ve read the Bible cover to cover or never cracked it open, whether you know a lot, or nothing at all, this conversation is for you. It’s an illuminating (and very funny) reminder of what the Jesus really preached, why church and state were meant to stay separate, and how the Christian right has twisted metaphor and parable to fit their political agendas.
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John took us through an enlightened path breaking down just what the Bible says and doesn't say, and this recording has everything you need for a factual "come to Jesus" moment. And as a bonus: this one was lighter and more humor-laced than some of our usual book talks. Still thoughtful. Still meaningful. Just with more laughs along the way.
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Let’s talk about the F-word.
No, not that one. The other one. The one that keeps popping up in headlines, history books, and, unfortunately, on our doorstep.
Yes… fascism.
If you’ve ever wondered how to spot it, explain it, debunk it, or stop it from creeping into your community, this is the event you don’t want to miss.
Watch our recording for a deep-dive with someone who actually makes studying fascism… weirdly fascinating: Dr. Craig Johnson. Craig holds a PhD in History from UC Berkeley and hosts the wildly compelling podcast Fifteen Minutes of Fascism, where he breaks down the global rise of the radical right in a way that’s informative, accessible, and surprisingly fun. He’s also the author of How to Talk to Your Son About Fascism, a guide for parents and educators on keeping young men out of extremist pipelines.
We’re thrilled to welcome him back. Craig will take us through how fascist regimes around the world rose to power, what warning signs they all shared, and why the tactics we’re seeing in American politics today, particularly from Trump, echo those patterns more than many people realize.
If you’ve ever asked yourself, “Am I overreacting… or is this actually how these things start?” this talk is your answer. Come learn, ask questions, and get empowered. Because the more we understand the F-word, the better prepared we are to fight it.
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You can access the Recording [HERE]
Christian Nationalism—What It Is & Why We Must Pay Attention
805 Speak Easy Presents: An Evening with
Dr. Matthew D. Taylor - Virtual Event
WATCH THE RECORDING HERE
Buy "The Violent Take It By Force" HERE
PodCast "Charasmatic Revival Fury" Featuring Matthew D. Taylor HERE
Christian nationalism isn’t a far-away theory. it’s here in our own backyard. It blurs the line between church and state, moving us toward a theocracy. With recent political shifts, rising public rhetoric, and proposals creeping into lawmaking inspired by this worldview, this talk is timely and critical.
Meet Matthew D. Taylor.
Dr. Matthew D. Taylor is Senior Christian Scholar at the Institute for Islamic, Christian, and Jewish Studies in Baltimore, specializing in American Christianity, Christian extremism, and religious politics.
He’s the author of The Violent Take It by Force: The Christian Movement That Is Threatening Our Democracy (2024) and Scripture People: Salafi Muslims in Evangelical Christians’ America (2023).
Why This Matters
• Christian nationalism ≠ mainstream Christianity. While mainstream Christianity can inspire moral values and community, Christian nationalism pushes the notion that Christian identity should dictate law, public policy, and civic life—marginalizing those who don’t share it.
• It’s a threat to democracy. When religious authority becomes entangled with political power, we risk eroding pluralism, freedom of belief, and the separation of religious and civil spheres.
• The danger is growing. Increasingly, leaders and movements are conflating faith with citizenship, using religious language to legitimize political agendas.
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Local Leaders & Influence
We need to be aware of how Christian nationalist ideas are affecting our community. Leaders in positions of power, officials who are close to these movements, or who use religious rhetoric to influence civic policy, must be held accountable.
Join Us
If you care about democracy, religious freedom, pluralism, equity, and what it means to live in a diverse societythis conversation is for you. Let’s get informed, ask difficult questions, and demand accountability.
Inside the Seven Mountains Plan: How the Far Right Wants to Rule America
805 Speak Easy Presents: An Evening with
Matthew Boedy
Recording Available.
As we head deeper into the second Trump administration, understanding the forces shaping our democracy has never been more critical. That’s why 805 Speak Easy was proud to host a virtual evening with Dr. Matthew Boedy, a leading expert on the rhetoric and rise of Christian nationalism in the U.S.
Matthew Boedy is an Associate Professor of English and Rhetoric & Composition at the University of North Georgia. He’s been on the front lines of this issue for nearly a decade, after publicly criticizing gun laws and right-wing extremism on campus, Boedy was added to Turning Point USA’s infamous Professor Watchlist in 2016 and has since become a vocal critic of the far-right’s intrusion into higher education and public discourse.
His newest book, The Seven Mountains Mandate: Exposing the Dangerous Plan to Christianize America and Destroy Democracy, breaks down one of the most urgent threats to American democracy today. The book dives into the decades-old dominionist strategy to take control of seven key areas of society—government, education, media, religion, family, business, and the arts—under the banner of Christian nationalism. Boedy connects the dots between televangelists, right-wing influencers like Charlie Kirk, Rob McCoy, and the broader movement fueling Trump’s political resurgence.
Watch this thought-provoking author talk and live Q&A as Boedy shares his personal experiences of being targeted by extremist groups and unpacks how this religious-political movement is positioning itself for power in 2026 and beyond.
This conversation is essential for anyone concerned about the direction of our country, and what we can do to protect democracy, truth, and the public good.
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WATCH THE RECORDING [LINK]
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BUY THE BOOK Preorder before September 30th [LINK] Coupon code 7MCAST
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An Evening With
Katherine Stewart
Everyone walked away with a clear understanding of what Christian nationalism is, how it operates both locally in Ventura County and across the country, and the real-world consequences of its rise. Katherine shed light on the coordinated efforts of large funders and powerful think tanks, like the Council for National Policy, that are actively working to hijack our democracy through school boards, local government, and media influence.
Most importantly, Katherine didn’t just sound the alarm, she also laid out concrete steps for what we can do to fight back, organize our communities, and defend democratic values.
After the talk, the energy didn’t stop. Guests stayed to mingle, meet Katherine in person, and enjoy some delicious refreshments. It was wonderful to see so many connections being made and conversations continuing well into the evening.
We’re already planning to welcome Katherine back soon for another event—stay tuned for details!
If you weren’t able to make it, don’t worry, Simi Valley Church of Christ has uploaded a full recording of the event on YouTube [link here] so you can catch up on everything you missed. And if you haven’t yet, we highly recommend picking up Katherine Stewart’s powerful book, Money, Lies, and God: Inside the Movement to Destroy American Democracy. You can order it here: [Buy Book].
Supporting authors like Katherine is essential—her work is a vital service to our democracy, and we’re so grateful to have her as an ally in this fight.
Thank you again to everyone who came out and made the evening so special. Let’s keep the momentum going!
May 4th, 2025, over 45 guests came together for an eye-opening and inspiring evening with the brilliant Katherine Stewart, whose expertise and passion made for a truly unforgettable experience.
Katherine’s deep knowledge and sharp insights into the forces threatening American democracy captivated the entire room. The audience engagement was electric—so many thoughtful questions, important discussions, and a clear hunger to learn more about how we can push back against extremism and misinformation.
EDUCATION
Welcome to our education page! We are dedicated to bringing inspiring speakers and educational events to our community, featuring authors, leaders, and visionaries. Stay tuned for updates as we plan exciting events just for you. Check back soon to see what's coming up!