Episode 267  |  July 30, 2026

The Real Thing Driving American Politics from No Small Endeavor

I don't think you can understand the current political moment if you don't understand anxiety.
— Curtis Chang

Bridging Two Worlds: An American Immigrant's Story of Faith, Anxiety, and Political Calling

Today, we are sharing a conversation between Curtis Chang and Lee C. Camp on the Signal Award-winning and 2026 Ambie Award-nominated podcast No Small Endeavor. Hosted by award-winning teacher and Professor of Theology and Ethics Lee C. Camp, No Small Endeavor explores what it means to live a good life through conversations about culture, ideas, and the habits that help people flourish.

In this episode, you’ll hear from Curtis Chang as he reflects on his experience as a Chinese American immigrant, former pastor, and public theologian, and argues that anxiety sits at the root of America’s political crisis. Chang explains how anxiety is rooted in a fear of future loss, and offers actionable ways to name, face, and move through that anxiety with compassion rather than avoidance.

Chapters
00:00:19
Introducing You to No Small Endeavor
00:04:07
What Is Curtis Chang's Earliest Memory?
00:05:26
Immigrant Curtis and Cultural Displacement
00:07:24
The Subtle Art of Bridge Building
00:11:44
Henry Kissinger and Harvard
00:16:32
Reconciliation Work in South Africa
00:20:20
Is Anxiety an Opportunity?
00:27:54
Anxiety in American Politics
00:39:20
Are Institutions Multipliers of Humanity?
00:43:44
The “How” vs. The “What” of Politics
00:50:21
Curtis Navigates Cynicism
00:54:23
Pessimism, Hope, and the Resurrection
00:59:40
The Practice of Contemplative Prayer
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