"You’re there to play a sport, and you’re there to represent your country . . . you’re not there to pop off about politics." - VP Vance Sports, and the Olympics especially (!), have always been political. (and "popping off about politics" can be an effective way to represent your country)

The “God bless America” and then naming all of the countries in the Americas is a beautiful rebuttal of Christian Nationalism

BREAKING NEWS: Sharon Owens and Dorcey Applyrs were just elected as the first Black mayors of Syracuse and Albany.

This team is already so fun 😄

Also a shameless plug for my research a few years back with @cjobolin.bsky.social about support and opposition to women's ordination in the U.S.: /3 blog.oup.com/2018/06/wome...

My new article with Politics and Religion is available! It’s Open Access, so give it a read. 🎉

As the gardening season is nearing its end (😭), I present the tiniest and the tallest (11 feet!) flowers I grew this season.

My husband and I were just such good active listeners on a historic homes tour that the tour guide asked if we were architects 😂 We explained that we’re just professors that appreciate a good head nod during class.

More rose updates from our neighbors—they just keep blooming 🥰

We’re in KY for a few weeks visiting family, and our next door neighbors are sending us rose updates. Only one had bloomed before we left 🤩

After a whirlwind semester where I won a teaching award (😊) and had a grant terminated by the Trump administration (😑), I’m ready for a summer focused on finishing my book manuscript.

I just got an ad during a podcast about a 2-month free trial of ChatGPT plus for students, and OH BOY am I NOT the target audience for that ad. “Chat GPT Plus is here to help you through finals.” •Research faster! •Spark creativity! •Upload, summarize, go! 😭

In the six months since Trump won in November, 45k+ people have signed up to consider a run for office with @runforsomething.net -- that's officially more than the # of people who signed up with us in the first *three* years of Trump 1.0. People are ready to fight back.

Some good news in Kentucky: -KY’s first majority women Supreme Court -KY’s first woman to serve as chief justice -KY’s first Black woman to serve in the Supreme Court apnews.com/article/kent...

I think a lot abt how marginalized people are expected to be perfect just to be treated w/ basic dignity, just to access legal protection. But democracy can’t mean rights for the respectable few. It has to mean fair and just treatment even for those seen as least deserving. That’s the real test.

Unexpected snow calls for 2 lil treats from Trader Joe’s: a mini tote and a mini hydrangea. 1) garbanzo beans for scale 2) cat approved

Friends, the new APSA Status Committee on Disability has sent out a survey to present and past APSA members.... (it's rolling out so if you didn't get it yet, you will). We are looking for an awesome response rate from ALL political scientists. Please fill it out! @apsa.bsky.social

ICMYI: reported protests in the US in 2025 are almost certainly outpacing protests during Trump 1.0. In March 2025, we recorded significant growth in the number of cumulative events, and also an uptick in the rate of events (# of protests/week).

A reminder as Todd Golden makes the Final Four: he has multiple allegations of sexual harassment against him. Yet again, a powerful man’s career has not been ruined by his abhorrent behavior: www.cbssports.com/college-bask...

SWEET 16!

50-something degrees and sunny calls for seed starting and visits from the neighbor cat

A good full day of basketball: Murray State women playing their quarterfinal game now, going to support the UAlbany women in the conference championship at 5, and watching UK men (way too late) tonight 🏀 March is so fun 👏

SO GOOD HE DID IT TWICE 😼

!!!! All games that go past 1 AM need to end with your team winning on a buzzer beater. Thanks, Oweh! 🤩

Truly frightening and a chilling preview of what could transpire if the SAVE Act is passed.

The CR, unless it’s changed, will block the District of Columbia from spending about $1 billion of its locally raised revenue (from local taxes, fees, etc.), forcing sweeping cuts for a city that had passed a balanced budget www.washingtonpost.com/dc-md-va/202...

Incredible work 👏

@cjobolin.bsky.social and I first connected over religion and politics research, but as former student-athletes, we’re also drawn to studying the civic and political engagement of athletes. So excited about this project!

All of this 👏 Another option I like: “name 5 current women athletes competing in any NCAA sport.” There are over 230,000 women NCAA athletes, but I imagine the percentage who could name at least 5 athletes would be shockingly low.

Super cool opportunity for religion & politics PhD students. Check it out!

This Friday I'll be presenting my research at Smith College's Women and Religious Leadership Symposium. I'm honored to be included in this multidisciplinary group of academics and clergy: sites.smith.edu/womensreligi... 🤩 In the midst of ~everything~ it's nice to share a fun thing!

Ceramic goose at the coffee shop perfectly encapsulating 2025 🪿

Our spring Lunch & Learn series kicks off Monday at noon. I'll be talking about President Trump's EO on birthright citizenship and the history of this fundamental constitutional principle! All are welcome; register for link. emclick.imodules.com/ls/click?upn...

Happy February! May it be gentler to us all. (Enjoy this photo of Marty sitting in the sink)

Perfect frozen paw prints from our neighbor’s cat 🐾

My mom on today’s events: “I am not watching any news and wearing black! Just for me !”

👀 🏀 Ron DeSantis is sitting with the Crafts in the front row at the UK-Florida game. DeSantis provided a late endorsement of Craft in the 2023 KY GOP primary.

2024 garden highlights: we grew these massive sunflower beauties from a pack of free seeds!! 🌻

CATS!!