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The Radio Priest: Power, Prejudice, and a Microphone in Royal Oak.
Season 7
Episode 35
Published 1 day, 2 hours ago
Description
How did a parish priest in Royal Oak, Michigan, become one of America's most powerful voices—and what happened when that familiar voice began spreading hate?
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we trace Charles Coughlin’s rise from local religious broadcaster to national political force during the Great Depression. His broadcasts promised answers to Americans facing unemployment and uncertainty. But his economic crusade increasingly embraced antisemitic conspiracy theories, culminating in a broadcast that excused Nazi persecution after Kristallnacht.
Drawing on Coughlin’s sermons and newspaper, along with contemporary broadcast reports, we explore how listeners, Catholic leaders, and radio stations responded. Some defended him. Others challenged his message and restricted his access to the airwaves.
It’s a Michigan story with national consequences: a gripping look at radio, religious authority, and the dangerous distance between offering hope and assigning blame.
Content note: This episode discusses antisemitism and Nazi persecution.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.
In this episode of End of the Road in Michigan, we trace Charles Coughlin’s rise from local religious broadcaster to national political force during the Great Depression. His broadcasts promised answers to Americans facing unemployment and uncertainty. But his economic crusade increasingly embraced antisemitic conspiracy theories, culminating in a broadcast that excused Nazi persecution after Kristallnacht.
Drawing on Coughlin’s sermons and newspaper, along with contemporary broadcast reports, we explore how listeners, Catholic leaders, and radio stations responded. Some defended him. Others challenged his message and restricted his access to the airwaves.
It’s a Michigan story with national consequences: a gripping look at radio, religious authority, and the dangerous distance between offering hope and assigning blame.
Content note: This episode discusses antisemitism and Nazi persecution.
The End of the Road in Michigan is a production of Thumbwind Publications
This episode includes AI-generated content.