Walls of the Mind: Anand Pandian on Belonging and Division

Have a comment? Send us a text! (We read all of them but can't reply). Email us: Will@faithfulpoliticspodcast.com Why do everyday Americans feel more divided than ever—despite living side by side? Anthropologist Anand Pandian joins Faithful Politics to explore the literal and metaphorical walls shaping American life. Drawing from his new book, Something Between Us: The Everyday Walls of American Life and How to Take Them Down, Pandian reflects on how gated communities, armored SUVs, and isolated media bubbles reinforce our moral divisions and political tribalism. From border walls to suburban surveillance, the conversation investigates how social infrastructure amplifies fear, reduces neighborly contact, and fosters moral distance. Pandian doesn’t just critique—he models empathy across difference, even recounting his own experience at a Trump rally. Together with hosts Will and Josh, the episode challenges listeners to reconsider what “safety” really means and how we might rediscover shared belonging. Whether you"re wrestling with polarization, cultural identity, or moral responsibility, this episode offers a hopeful reframe grounded in anthropology, faith, and civic curiosity. 👉 Subscribe, share, and join the conversation. Guest Bio Anand Pandian is a professor of anthropology at Johns Hopkins University and the author of Something Between Us: The Everyday Walls of American Life and How to Take Them Down. His work blends ethnography, cultural theory, and storytelling to explore how we live with difference, both globally and within the U.S. He has conducted fieldwork across multiple continents and brings a deeply personal lens to the study of American social divisions. Something Between Us by Anand Pandian: https://bookshop.org/a/112456/9781503637870 Anand Pandian"s Website: https://anand.studio Support the show 🎧 Want to learn more about Faithful Politics, get in touch with the hosts, or suggest a future guest? 👉 Visit our website: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com 📚 Check out our Bookstore – Featuring titles from our amazing guests: faithfulpoliticspodcast.com/bookstore ❤️ Support the show – Help us keep the conversation going: donorbox.org/faithful-politics-podcast 📩 Reach out to us: Faithful Host, Josh Burtram: Josh@faithfulpolitics.com Political Host, Will Wright: Will@faithfulpolitics.com 📱 Follow & connect with us: Twitter/X: @FaithfulPolitik Instagram: faithful_politics Facebook: FaithfulPoliticsPodcast LinkedIn: faithfulpolitics 📰 Subscribe to our Substack for behind-the-scenes content: faithfulpolitics.substack.com 📅 RSVP for upcoming live events: Chec...