Ep #258: The Fight Against Antisemitism with Dr Matthew Harper

In this episode of The Charles Kovess Show, Charles sits down with Dr Matthew Harper, a Southern Baptist minister, psychologist and veteran White House correspondent who has covered three US administrations from inside the James Brady Press Room.Matthew brings a rare combination of credentials to the conversation: a PhD in psychology, decades of experience reporting for Christian and pro-Israel news outlets, and 25 trips to Israel that have resulted in close relationships with Israeli leadership.The conversation opens with Matthew's account of daily life in the White House briefing room, including how questions get allocated, the pressures of operating in a small and increasingly crowded space, and how he sees his role as a Christian and pro-Israel voice in a media landscape he believes is often hostile to those perspectives.Matthew speaks candidly about being talked over and belittled by colleagues in the room, and about the psychology of bullying more broadly, drawing on both his clinical training and his faith to explain what he thinks drives that behaviour.From there, the discussion moves into deeper territory: antisemitism, the theological roots of Matthew's convictions about Israel, and his concern that Western nations have drifted from the Judeo-Christian foundations he believes underpin their stability and success.Charles, drawing on his own Catholic upbringing and long-standing interest in the constitutional and cultural parallels between Australia and the United States, pushes Matthew on where these ideas come from and what he believes people can do in response.Matthew expresses strong and clear views on religion, geopolitics and immigration.The episode closes on more personal ground, with Matthew reflecting on discipline, one of Charles's recurring themes on the show.Matthew describes the daily practices that sustain him, built around what he calls an intimacy with his faith rather than ritual for its own sake, and shares a striking story from his early days at the White House that he still regards as more than coincidence.He also mentions a forthcoming book on antisemitism, and recommends Religion and the Individual as a resource for listeners keen to explore the connection between spirituality and mental health further. He finishes with his views on work and retirement (“I don’t believe in retirement”), making clear he has no intention of slowing down.It's a wide-ranging and at times provocative conversation about courage, conviction and what it takes to keep showing up for what you believe in, even when the room or the majority isn't on your side.More from Dr Matthew Harper: imcnews.orgVisit Charles Kovess' website: charleskovess.comReach out to Charles via email: [email protected] more about Charles and this show: charleskovess.com/show-notes/Visit and subscribe to the YouTube channel: youtube.com/@CharlesBKovessCharles also supports the Forever Freedom Movement — visit foreverfreedommovement.com to learn how children trapped in trafficking can be aided. Intro/Outro music credit: Music by bensound.comLicense code: SVLGLBBT9BLK1ZT4