More Eyes — and Ears — Turn Toward Moscow, Idaho

Podcast Extremely American turns to Christian patriarchy and Christian nationalism

Some time in the spring of 2021, I caught a story lead: there were growing tensions in Moscow, Idaho, over a small, YouTube podcast in which women were sharing stories about their experiences in a local church. As one does, I started looking into it, asking questions, and fell down a rabbit hole of research and reporting that has consumed my thoughts for massive chunks of time ever since. I met bold, brave people. I met intimidated, frightened people. I met folks who lost their faith and others who described how they defiantly held onto scraps left after confrontations with the church and its pastor, Douglas Wilson.

My first encounter with Moscow led to this story for VICE — which I’m told locally is still referred to as “the VICE story.” Later, I’d write three chapters in Disobedient Women about Moscow and its Christ Church.

So, I’ve been curious for over a year, since a former source told me ‘this NPR podcaster guy’ had started asking questions. That podcaster (different from the one in 2021) is Heath Druzin of Extremely American, who paired up with Boise State Public Radio reporter James Dawson to report on philosophical and property tensions within Moscow, the impact of…