Explore every episode of the podcast My Leaving MAGA Odyssey

Bailee Tyler once supported Donald Trump and considered herself deeply conservative. Leaving MAGA didn’t happen all at once. Today, Bailee speaks publicly about her experience because she wants others to know that people can change, and that leaving MAGA can be the beginning of a much better way of life.

To watch this conversation, visit below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_szYaLGO1iE

Addy grew up in a far-right conservative household, where Fox News shaped her worldview long before she was old enough to vote. Homeschooled and surrounded by MAGA culture, supporting Donald Trump felt like the natural path.

In this conversation, Addy shares what it was like growing up inside the movement, why she proudly voted for Trump in 2020, and the experiences that ultimately led her to question everything she believed.

As she began listening to perspectives outside her own, she came to a painful realization: MAGA had taken away her empathy for other people. Today, she speaks publicly in hopes that others questioning the movement know they are not alone, and that change is possible.

To watch this conversation, visit below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oYJK8KhiDW0&t=1s

Why do people join the MAGA movement, and what can make someone begin questioning it? Brian Batts, a leader in the Leaving MAGA community, shares what originally attracted him to Donald Trump and the MAGA movement, including anger following the 2008 financial crisis, distrust of political institutions, and the appeal of an outsider promising to disrupt the system.

Brian also discusses his religious and political deconstruction, why he now speaks publicly about leaving MAGA, and the hope his story can offer families who feel they have lost someone to political extremism.

To watch this conversation, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MAr3VsRm1sM&t=21s

Jay Gilley shares his story of how he became drawn into MAGA ideology, how gaming culture, Gamergate-era anger, conspiracy media, and QAnon-style thinking shaped his worldview, and what finally helped him begin questioning it all.

To watch this conversation, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXkZq4lQ8Vk&t=5s

Meet Jennie Gage, an ex-Mormon who left MAGA.

To watch Jennie's testimonial, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qusHI_fiCaQ

Meet Steve Francisci, who survived the trauma of being in the MAGA community.

To watch Steven's testimonial, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5uDcLXjz3Jc

Meet Jerry Koch, who was radicalized online and left MAGA.

To watch Jerry's testimonial, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZqrZ1F0aE2c

Meet Erica Roach, who was deep in QAnon before she left MAGA.

To read Erica's testimonial, visit here:

https://leavingmaga.org/they-left-maga/erica-roach/

Madison Morrison, a former White supremacist, left MAGA after Jan. 6.

To watch Madison's testimonial, visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JbdnlJK9Pu0&list=PL36GQAccexbwnjcPnwbUXu5g8xIk8Ydx4

An Epiphany in Prison Led Danny Collins to Leave MAGA.

To read Danny's testimonial, visit here:

https://leavingmaga.org/they-left-maga/danny-collins/

Meet Tori, whose impoverished upbringing made her susceptible to the MAGA movement.

Jason Riddle rioted at the Capitol on Jan. 6, and did time in prison for his actions. Hear why he refused Trump's pardon, and left MAGA.

To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tuuli6TVURQ&list=PL36GQAccexbwnjcPnwbUXu5g8xIk8Ydx4&index=3

Meet David, a millennial who underwent a personal transformation in his odyssey of leaving MAGA.

To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3bNhgOas8lU&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=24

MAGA Americans are regretting their votes for Trump after many lost government jobs because of his cuts to the federal workforce. Some are facing harassment from Trump voters for speaking out against him.

To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ttYbAOdYV18&list=PL36GQAccexbwnjcPnwbUXu5g8xIk8Ydx4&index=2

Leaving MAGA sat down with American Values Coalition to discuss our MAGA odyssey, how to combat mis- and dis-information and why it's important to welcome the Trump remorseful.

To watch this episode, please visit below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZHrzlcyPJVg&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMOcyZZwdVhJAfL5NGGoCKK&index=42

WPCT Chicago 820 Interview: Rich Logis and Stephania Messina of Leaving MAGA. Hear from Rich, Leaving MAGA's founder; and Stephania, an evangelical Christian who left MAGA after a crisis of faith. They discuss the importance of welcoming the remorseful who leave MAGA.

To read and watch Stephania's story, please visit the below link:

https://leavingmaga.org/stephania-messina/

A conversation with Anthony Brooks, an evangelical Christian from Texas who left MAGA, and is now challenging Trump policies in his community. Anthony's faith collided with MAGA, and he could no longer defend Trump.

To watch our conversation on the Meidas Touch Network, please visit below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=15nkYamTl3w&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=20

Leaving MAGA's step-by-step blueprint for how friends and family of those in the thrall of MAGA can potentially rejuvenate their pre-Trump relationships.

To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IQYXzutwwUc&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=19

James Hicks, a Black American, went from publicly donning the Confederate flag as a MAGA supporter, to leaving MAGA.

To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APyl7fmQ0eI&list=PL36GQAccexbwnjcPnwbUXu5g8xIk8Ydx4&index=2

Michael Sirback, a young man who left MAGA before 2024, offers insights into why some of America’s youth find MAGA appealing.

To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob33JC4JZ-M&t=195s

Rich offers a Leaving MAGA insider take on why Trump attacks DEI (Diversity, Equity and Inclusion); and how his recent response to the Washington, D.C. airplane accident was reminiscent of his mismanagement of Covid.

To watch this episode at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uh_Fds7FoGQ&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=16

A Leaving MAGA insider take on Trump's first 10 days in office; they were deliberately, and unsurprisingly, chaotic.

To view this video at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yJztN2AvcGw

Rich's Leaving MAGA Insider Take on the Jan. 6 Pardons.

To view this video at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6dfh9OSpps&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=14

Courtney Rae, a former MAGA voter from Michigan, broke the spell of MAGA lies and deceit, and is encouraging others in the MAGA community to do the same.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gnphM4KCjbM&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMOcyZZwdVhJAfL5NGGoCKK&index=15

Minnesota Mame discusses the gun lobby’s influence over her son, and how it encouraged him to gravitate to the MAGA community.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=begIMi6jQCY&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=10

Part 2 of a conversation with a Gonzaga Law School student about the appeal of MAGA as a community, restorative justice and the alt-right.

NOTE: Views expressed are not necessarily those of the university.

For more My Leaving MAGA Odyssey podcast episodes, visit here:

https://rss.com/podcasts/leavingmaga/

Part I of a conversation with a Gonzaga Law School student about the appeal of MAGA as a community, restorative justice and the alt-right.

NOTE: Views expressed are not necessarily those of the university.

For more My Leaving MAGA Odyssey podcast episodes, visit here:

https://rss.com/podcasts/leavingmaga/

PattyAnn Giles, a former devout MAGA American, discusses why she gravitated to the MAGA community; and, some of the reasons why she left.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft08bRFbolw&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=5

A conversation with Erin Stynchula, whose brother was sucked into the rabbit holes of MAGA, QAnon & other conspiracies.

Now, she's seeking reconciliation and healing.

P.S. Erin is from Springfield, OH, and she assures us no Haitians are eating people's pets.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=en4_KsYNRyI&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=11

Terry Roth, a mother whose sons fell prey to MAGA, QAnon & the so-called "tech bros," is fighting back, and will not surrender.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BVkgcBIzQ-Y&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&t=106s

Megan Seivert, a Harris voter from Pennsylvania, discusses the strain MAGA has caused on her personal and familial relationships, including with her father. She's working to mend ties with her Trump-supporting relatives.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ko9AurxeT1A&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=6

Alison Bono, who lost her best friend because of MAGA, discusses why the divisiveness of Donald Trump has torn asunder so many personal relationships; and, how people can move forward with these relationships following Trump's victory.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xKYdixul07Q&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=7

Guinevere Nell, an ex-Heritage Foundation analyst, speaks out about the inner workings of the organization and the creation of Project 2025.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZIqVnYEtdA8&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=2

Now 21, Steve Vilchez gravitated to MAGA when he was 13 years old. He enlightens with some of the reasons why young Americans are enticed by the MAGA community.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nw3LOjQf-iQ&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=3

A conversation with Justin Yu, an Iraq and Afghanistan veteran with the Army National Guard, who left MAGA, and is working to empower other service members to leave.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y3h2e4HU3XI&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=4

A conversation with Stephania Messina, an ex-evangelical who left the MAGA community after she was ostracized by her church community for holding certain beliefs. She explains the inextricable link between MAGA and the Evangelical Church, and describes how she saw the light to escaping the MAGA darkness.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c4RJqxD-xOA&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=8

Ben Meiselas speaks with Rich Logis, a self-described remorseful ex-MAGA American and Co-chair of Republicans for Harris, who delivered a powerful speech at the Democratic Convention about his journey away from Trumpism and toward supporting Kamala Harris for president.

To view our conversation at the MeidasTouch Network, please visit the below link:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d2JJZFReNFo&list=PLX_rWdQSOcZMZjdaSQUkgFlegPNmGSdRk&index=1