Explainers

Faith as Trust: Why Religious Frameworks Matter Right Now (Even If You're Not Religious)

You might have noticed I haven’t been Ezra Klein’s biggest fan lately.

Jan 19 • Liz Bucar

Her Last Words Were 'I'm Not Mad at You.' Then He Shot Her and Called It Self-Defense.

What last week's Minneapolis killing has in common with the Brazilian honor defense I studied 30 years ago

Jan 11 • Liz Bucar

When Following Orders Breaks You: What the Military Knows About Moral Injury (That Wellness Culture Ignores)

Six Democratic lawmakers, all military veterans or former intelligence officers, released a video in mid-November reminding U.S.

Dec 16, 2025 • Liz Bucar

Teachers vs. Charlatans and False Prophets: How to Tell the Difference (Part 2)

On Tuesday I argued that “trust your discernment” is spiritual “do your own research.” It sounds empowering, actually leaves people more vulnerable.

Dec 11, 2025 • Liz Bucar

Can Mindfulness Make You Sick?

The wellness industry has sold us the idea that meditation is always good for you.

Nov 11, 2025 • Liz Bucar

Elizabeth Gilbert's AA Insight Is Half Right

She Gets the Problem. But Her "Higher Power" Solution Misses the Point.

Oct 14, 2025 • Liz Bucar

What Everyone Missed About Pete Hegseth's 'Fat Generals' Speech

How a 19th-Century Theology Became Military Policy

Oct 7, 2025 • Liz Bucar

Spiritual Bypassing Is a Luxury Only Privileged People Can Afford

Earlier this week I wrote about Ezra Klein quoting Buddhist meditation after Ta-Nehisi Coates described MLK’s murder.

Oct 2, 2025 • Liz Bucar

Ezra Klein Just Showed Us Everything Wrong With Secularized Meditation

There’s a moment in Ezra Klein’s recent interview with Ta-Nehisi Coates that’s been bugging me.

Sep 30, 2025 • Liz Bucar

I Have Degrees from Harvard and The University of Chicago. TikTok Still Schooled Me on Expertise.

I’ve been thinking a lot about expertise, probably because the news this week featured a president who can’t pronounce “acetaminophen” telling pregnant…

Sep 25, 2025 • Liz Bucar

I'm a Religion Professor With No Religion. Here's What the Data Says About People Like Me.

New global survey reveals what 500 million 'nones' actually believe—and it's not what you think.

Sep 23, 2025 • Liz Bucar

The Invisible Protestant Template Shaping American Law

We claim to have separation of church and state, but what we actually have is the separation of other people’s churches from the state.

Aug 12, 2025 • Liz Bucar

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