Impolite Company

Impolite Company

“Impolite Company” is a twice monthly internet radio show and podcast that explores the intersection of politics and religion, how they inform each other in healthy and harmful ways, and how important it is to have healthy conversations with others around politics and religion. The show is hosted by Rev. Matthew Best, who is an ordained ELCA Lutheran pastor who also has an extensive background in politics. The concept for the show comes from the old adage “don’t talk about religion and politics around polite company.” It is Rev. Best’s conviction that avoiding talking about these important topics has not served American politics or faith traditions well. We need to be able to talk about these important topics in healthy ways because they shape people’s identities and beliefs as well as have an impact on policies and how we interact with one another. “Impolite Company” targets politically engaged individuals, religious-minded people, and those who see the importance of a healthy conversation between the two.

Episodes

July 21, 2026 • 59 mins
In this episode, I had the opportunity to talk with author Deacon Marsha Roscoe about her new book: “Breathing in Christ.” We talk about how to survive and thrive in a faithful way in an over worked world.
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In this episode, I had the opportunity to talk with author Mel Brennan on his new book “Saving Soccer.” We talk about world soccer, FIFA, corruption, normalization, institutions, and how change is possible.
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In this episode, I had the opportunity to talk with Dr. Samantha Bise about her new book, “Tongue in Church: A Liberating Primer on Church Vocabulary,” as well as the importance of language in faith and living.
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In this episode I had the opportunity to talk with Tyler Graham about spirituality, spiritual practice, silence, AI, and more.
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In this episode, I talk about xenophobia – the fear of the other. I reference multiple Scripture passages about welcoming the stranger and talk about the history of xenophobia in the US.
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In this episode, I talk about what it means to love one’s enemies. What did Jesus mean when he told followers to love their enemies and why? We also explore some of the other Scripture passages around this phrase and where else the concept shows up in Scripture.
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In this episode, I talk about the most abused and weaponized passages of Scripture today, the lenses people see Scripture through, and how to read Scripture more carefully and faithfully.
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In this episode I talk with ELCA Deacon Amy Kelly about women in ministry, the various rosters, toxic individualism and masculinity, and more.
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In this episode, I talk about women’s ordination. With the advent of a new Archbishop of Canterbury, there has been many vocal critics of women’s ordination. I look at the Scripture and arguments against women’s ordination and offer a refutation.
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December 21, 2025 • 59 mins
In today’s episode, I talk with Ivy Schweitzer, the author of “Dividing Rivers,” a book of poetry. We talk about race and healing in the show.
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