https://simplecast.com Grapevine In August 2022, at a packed school board meeting in Grapevine, Texas, a mom approaches the microphone and describes the exact nightmare that Republican politicians have been warning about. She accuses a teacher of convincing her child to change genders. As a result, she says, “I lost my son.” But when NBC News reporters Mike Hixenbaugh and Antonia Hylton look into this mother’s allegations, they find a different story: of a transgender child desperately wanting to be heard, a mother determined to put God first — and an English teacher caught in the middle. And they discover this isn’t just a story about one broken family. It’s also a story about a fringe religious movement wielding newfound power and the revival of a long-simmering quest by evangelicals to remake American education based on their version of biblical values. From NBC News Studios and the team behind the Peabody Award-winning series Southlake, Grapevine is a podcast about faith and power — and what it means to protect children — in an American suburb. 2023 NBCUniversal Media LLC, all rights reserved en Tue, 14 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000 Thu, 2 Apr 2026 18:00:17 +0000 https://www.nbcnews.com Grapevine https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/8ba89b80-a681-4cd2-87bd-79a6315b0474/225ed3e6-d18f-40a7-b1ad-2744c66c33f6/3000x3000/grapevine-key-art-3000x3000-rev.jpg?aid=rss_feed https://www.nbcnews.com serial In August 2022, at a packed school board meeting in Grapevine, Texas, a mom approaches the microphone and describes the exact nightmare that Republican politicians have been warning about. She accuses a teacher of convincing her child to change genders. As a result, she says, “I lost my son.” But when NBC News reporters Mike Hixenbaugh and Antonia Hylton look into this mother’s allegations, they find a different story: of a transgender child desperately wanting to be heard, a mother determined to put God first — and an English teacher caught in the middle. And they discover this isn’t just a story about one broken family. It’s also a story about a fringe religious movement wielding newfound power and the revival of a long-simmering quest by evangelicals to remake American education based on their version of biblical values. From NBC News Studios and the team behind the Peabody Award-winning series Southlake, Grapevine is a podcast about faith and power — and what it means to protect children — in an American suburb. NBC News false https://podcastfeeds.nbcnews.com/grapevine nbc news, nbc, nbc news studios, grapevine podcast, grapevine, southlake podcast, books, church, anti-trans, christianity, christian, anti-lgbt, banned books, book bans, christian dominionism, christian nationalism, education, classroom, lgbtq, far-right, school, gateway, public school, patriot mobile, texas, republican, evangelical, teaching, teacher, southlake, right wing, library, school board, seven mountains mandate, librarian, homophobic, grape vine, gcisd, transphobic, grapvine, protect kids, grappvine, library books, grapevine-colleyville, save the children, seven mountains, grapevyne, protect children NBC News news.podcasts@nbcuni.com 766c783e-afb5-4694-a363-674bc61f607c They Came for the Schools In an exclusive audio excerpt from Chapter 1 of “They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms,” author Mike Hixenbaugh uncovers Southlake’s history, demonstrating how policies meant to protect the town from outside development a half-century ago helped plant the seeds for conflicts over diversity, equity and inclusion—conflicts that are now tearing apart suburbs across the nation.

For more details and to purchase the book, on sale May 14, 2024, follow this link: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/they-came-for-the-schools-mike-hixenbaugh?variant=41284682088482


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]]> Tue, 14 May 2024 08:00:00 +0000 news.podcasts@nbcuni.com (Mike Hixenbaugh) https://www.nbcnews.com In an exclusive audio excerpt from Chapter 1 of “They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms,” author Mike Hixenbaugh uncovers Southlake’s history, demonstrating how policies meant to protect the town from outside development a half-century ago helped plant the seeds for conflicts over diversity, equity and inclusion—conflicts that are now tearing apart suburbs across the nation.

For more details and to purchase the book, on sale May 14, 2024, follow this link: https://www.harpercollins.com/products/they-came-for-the-schools-mike-hixenbaugh?variant=41284682088482


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]]> They Came for the Schools Mike Hixenbaugh 00:40:40 An exclusive audio excerpt from Mike Hixenbaugh’s new book, “They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms.” An exclusive audio excerpt from Mike Hixenbaugh’s new book, “They Came for the Schools: One Town's Fight Over Race and Identity, and the New War for America's Classrooms.” censorship, structural racism, education, desegregation, library, suburbs, librarian, southlake, mike hixenbaugh book, racism, crt, public school, banned books, systemic racism, nbc, audiobook, black face, integration, grapevine, nbc news, critical race theory, texas, school board, brown v board of education, minstrel shows, classroom, teacher, they came for the schools book, civil rights, social studies, books, race, book bans, teaching, history, exclusionary zoning false bonus 1 02a73456-95e6-4285-99e6-ae14f433b87c A Final Lesson Grapevine goes to the polls in a contentious school board election driven by the fight over the role of religion and LGBTQ inclusion in public schools. As the dust settles, Ren reflects on the impact of her mother’s allegations. And, after months of feeling as if she’s had to erase herself, Em Ramser reclaims her voice.


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]]> Fri, 20 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000 news.podcasts@nbcuni.com (Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton) https://www.nbcnews.com Grapevine goes to the polls in a contentious school board election driven by the fight over the role of religion and LGBTQ inclusion in public schools. As the dust settles, Ren reflects on the impact of her mother’s allegations. And, after months of feeling as if she’s had to erase herself, Em Ramser reclaims her voice.


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]]> A Final Lesson Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton 00:49:07 Grapevine votes in a school board election driven by religion and LGBTQ inclusion. The student and teacher at the center of it all decide how to move forward. Grapevine votes in a school board election driven by religion and LGBTQ inclusion. The student and teacher at the center of it all decide how to move forward. christian dominionism, far-right, christianity, protect kids, grapevine-colleyville, education, gateway, library, grapevyne, librarian, southlake, voting, evangelical, republican, congregation, anti-lgbt, seven mountains mandate, seven mountains, austin, public school, megachurch, vote, banned books, save the children, homophobic, school board election, christian, grapvine, nbc, grappvine, grapevine, grapevine podcast, library books, nbc news, gcisd, religion, texas, school board, protect children, classroom, teacher, pastor, school, right wing, robert morris, sermon, books, election, james robison, church, anti-trans, patriot mobile, lgbtq, christian nationalism, book bans, teaching, grape vine, gateway church, transphobic false full 6 1 f0d52538-d279-480d-8831-cde8b194d5f8 Open The Floodgates Evangelical activists open a new front in their campaign to impose their version of biblical morality in public schools — at the Texas statehouse. While legislators debate bills requiring the Ten Commandments and banning mention of gender identity in classrooms, three nonbinary students share the trauma they’ve endured at Grapevine High. Meanwhile, a coalition of progressive parents and disillusioned conservatives pledge to retake control of their school system.


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]]> Wed, 18 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000 news.podcasts@nbcuni.com (Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton) https://www.nbcnews.com Evangelical activists open a new front in their campaign to impose their version of biblical morality in public schools — at the Texas statehouse. While legislators debate bills requiring the Ten Commandments and banning mention of gender identity in classrooms, three nonbinary students share the trauma they’ve endured at Grapevine High. Meanwhile, a coalition of progressive parents and disillusioned conservatives pledge to retake control of their school system.


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]]> Open The Floodgates Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton 00:44:42 Amid a battle at the Texas statehouse over religion and LGBTQ rights, three nonbinary students reflect on their Grapevine High experiences. Amid a battle at the Texas statehouse over religion and LGBTQ rights, three nonbinary students reflect on their Grapevine High experiences. legislature, christian dominionism, far-right, christianity, bible, protect kids, grapevine-colleyville, sergio harris, education, gateway, richard newton, library, grapevyne, librarian, southlake, lawmaker, bill, evangelical, republican, anti-lgbt, texas capitol, seven mountains mandate, seven mountains, austin, public school, banned books, save the children, homophobic, christian, in god we trust, grapvine, flashpoint, nbc, 10 commandments, grappvine, grapevine, grapevine podcast, library books, representative, nbc news, the victory channel, gender affirming medical care, gcisd, texas, ten commandments bill, protest, texas republicans, worship, school board, protect children, education committee, classroom, teacher, school, right wing, conservative parents, books, ten commandments, church, anti-trans, patriot mobile, lgbtq, christian nationalism, book bans, prayer, nate schatzline, teaching, grape vine, project blitz, transphobic false full 5 1 83d7d59b-c8e3-4a9f-bee8-c5b8712c8fc4 A Raging Fire Weston Brown, 28, sees a video of his homeschooling mother calling for dozens of books on sexuality and gender to be banned from public schools in another Texas school district. To counter her political activism, Weston publicly shares his story of growing up gay in a fundamentalist Christian family. Feeling pressured by parents and school officials, Em Ramser removes LGBTQ symbols from her classroom and no longer recognizes the teacher she’s become.


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]]> Fri, 13 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000 news.podcasts@nbcuni.com (Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton) https://www.nbcnews.com Weston Brown, 28, sees a video of his homeschooling mother calling for dozens of books on sexuality and gender to be banned from public schools in another Texas school district. To counter her political activism, Weston publicly shares his story of growing up gay in a fundamentalist Christian family. Feeling pressured by parents and school officials, Em Ramser removes LGBTQ symbols from her classroom and no longer recognizes the teacher she’s become.


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]]> A Raging Fire Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton 00:43:09 A man goes public about growing up gay in a fundamentalist Christian home in Texas. A teacher is at a loss after removing LGBTQ symbols from her classroom. A man goes public about growing up gay in a fundamentalist Christian home in Texas. A teacher is at a loss after removing LGBTQ symbols from her classroom. censorship, wallbuilders. joshua generation. indoctrination, christian dominionism, far-right, christianity, bible, protect kids, grapevine-colleyville, education, stephen king, gateway, library, grapevyne, librarian, conversion therapy, southlake, duggar family, evangelical, republican, iblp, anti-lgbt, homeschooling, seven mountains mandate, seven mountains, monica brown, public school, banned books, save the children, homophobic, christian, grapvine, it, nbc, coming out, department of education, christine jorgensen, grappvine, homeschool, grapevine, grapevine, grapevine podcast, library books, nbc news, institute in basic life principles, jeremy glenn, gcisd, wisdom booklets, texas, school board, protect children, david barton, classroom, teacher, weston brown, school, right wing, hood county, adam and eve, books, monica lowery, church, church, granbury, anti-trans, patriot mobile, lgbtq, christian nationalism, 19 kids and counting, book bans, teaching, grape vine, gateway church, transphobic false full 4 1 2d7b0aca-68d0-404f-bdfb-8a7a06a5c5ec A Harvest Is Coming Amid a growing anti-trans backlash, Ren devises a plan to get out of Texas — and away from her mother. In Grapevine, Sharla’s claim that teacher Em Ramser “infected” her child with lies about gender triggers online attacks, leading Ramser to consider leaving the profession.


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]]> Wed, 11 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000 news.podcasts@nbcuni.com (Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton) https://www.nbcnews.com Amid a growing anti-trans backlash, Ren devises a plan to get out of Texas — and away from her mother. In Grapevine, Sharla’s claim that teacher Em Ramser “infected” her child with lies about gender triggers online attacks, leading Ramser to consider leaving the profession.


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]]> A Harvest Is Coming Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton 00:47:43 A student in Grapevine, Texas, plans to escape her mother as she’s caught in an anti-trans battle involving her family, her English teacher and her school. A student in Grapevine, Texas, plans to escape her mother as she’s caught in an anti-trans battle involving her family, her English teacher and her school. christian dominionism, far-right, christianity, protect kids, grapevine-colleyville, education, gateway, library, grapevyne, librarian, gender-affirming care, southlake, dallas express, rainbow sticker, evangelical, sean feucht, cpac, republican, anti-lgbt, the dallas express, monty bennett, ron desantis, gender dysphoria, seven mountains mandate, seven mountains, anti-trans backlash, public school, florida, banned books, save the children, homophobic, christian, grapvine, nbc, michael knowles, grappvine, woke, gender expression, greg abbott, grapevine, grapevine podcast, library books, lgbtq flag, nbc news, gcisd, texas, chris rufo, school board, parents, gender identity, protect children, classroom, teacher, school, right wing, trans healthcare, books, nashville, conservative political action conference, church, covenant school shooting, anti-trans, patriot mobile, lgbtq, christian nationalism, book bans, teaching, grape vine, transphobic, family false full 3 1 76c15d6f-a032-42bb-9bac-0655d39e5b14 The Seven Mountains Conservatives are gaining power in Grapevine, fueled by a once-fringe movement that calls on evangelicals to control the seven key “mountains” of American society — including education. A cellphone company with a Christian nationalist agenda heeds that call and sets its sights on winning school board seats in Grapevine, following an example set a year earlier in the neighboring city of Southlake.

CORRECTION (Oct. 4, 2023, 08:40 p.m. ET): A previous version of this episode misstated the amount of money Patriot Mobile Action spent in school board elections in North Texas in spring 2022. It was nearly $500,000, not $600,000.


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]]> Wed, 4 Oct 2023 08:05:00 +0000 news.podcasts@nbcuni.com (Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton) https://www.nbcnews.com Conservatives are gaining power in Grapevine, fueled by a once-fringe movement that calls on evangelicals to control the seven key “mountains” of American society — including education. A cellphone company with a Christian nationalist agenda heeds that call and sets its sights on winning school board seats in Grapevine, following an example set a year earlier in the neighboring city of Southlake.

CORRECTION (Oct. 4, 2023, 08:40 p.m. ET): A previous version of this episode misstated the amount of money Patriot Mobile Action spent in school board elections in North Texas in spring 2022. It was nearly $500,000, not $600,000.


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]]> The Seven Mountains Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton 00:44:26 Conservatives aim to embed fringe Christian values in schools. A cellphone company tries to win school board seats to that end, emulating Southlake. Conservatives aim to embed fringe Christian values in schools. A cellphone company tries to win school board seats to that end, emulating Southlake. christian dominionism, far-right, prophesy, christianity, protect kids, grapevine-colleyville, classroom prayer, education, gateway, tammy nakamura, library, truth & liberty coalition, jesus, grapevyne, librarian, southlake, evangelical, charismatic christian, cpac, republican, anti-lgbt, marjorie taylor greene, seven mountains mandate, seven mountains, public school, gop, end times, banned books, leigh wambsgnass, ronald reagan, save the children, ted cruz, homophobic, christian, grapvine, nbc, grappvine, grapevine, grapevine podcast, library books, nbc news, 7m ministries, political action committee, gcisd, nar, pac, texas, nonbinary, lauren boebert, school board, jerry fallwell, protect children, separation of church and state, classroom, teacher, school, right wing, religious right, rafael cruz, pentacostal, lance wallnau, books, conservative political action conference, church, anti-trans, patriot mobile, lgbtq, christian nationalism, book bans, prayer, donald trump, teaching, grape vine, new apostolic reformation, evangelical pastor, modern religious right, transphobic, patriot mobile action false full 2 1 51f66c7a-e5ca-4169-b50b-c8cb262d3236 The Girl And The English Teacher A mother named Sharla publicly accuses a high school teacher in Grapevine, Texas, of using a graphic novel called “The Prince and the Dressmaker” to convince her child to change genders. Reporters Mike Hixenbaugh and Antonia Hylton set out to investigate the allegation. Sharla’s child, Ren, and Ren’s English teacher, Em Ramser, tell them a different story.


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]]> Wed, 4 Oct 2023 08:00:00 +0000 news.podcasts@nbcuni.com (Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton) https://www.nbcnews.com A mother named Sharla publicly accuses a high school teacher in Grapevine, Texas, of using a graphic novel called “The Prince and the Dressmaker” to convince her child to change genders. Reporters Mike Hixenbaugh and Antonia Hylton set out to investigate the allegation. Sharla’s child, Ren, and Ren’s English teacher, Em Ramser, tell them a different story.


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]]> The Girl And The English Teacher Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton 00:43:21 A mother in Grapevine, Texas, accuses an English teacher of persuading her child to change genders. The teacher and her student tell a different story. A mother in Grapevine, Texas, accuses an English teacher of persuading her child to change genders. The teacher and her student tell a different story. christian dominionism, far-right, english teacher, queer students, christianity, protect kids, grapevine-colleyville, christianity will have power, education, gateway, library, grapevyne, librarian, conversion therapy, southlake, evangelical, grapevine high school, representation, republican, anti-lgbt, gender dysphoria, seven mountains mandate, seven mountains, public school, pride flag, the prince and the dressmaker, student, banned books, queer teacher, save the children, homophobic, queer, transgender student, christian, grapvine, nbc, coming out, transgender, grappvine, grapevine, grapevine podcast, library books, nbc news, conservative, gcisd, texas, school board, pride, gender identity, protect children, classroom, culture war, teacher, indoctrination, school, right wing, pronouns, board meeting, books, church, anti-trans, patriot mobile, lgbtq, christian nationalism, book bans, donald trump, teaching, grape vine, trump, transphobic false full 1 1 4f9f82a0-5fe5-40b9-954d-21459700ee21 Introducing: Grapevine Two years after conservative activists turned critical race theory into a right-wing rallying cry, the political fight has shifted. The team behind the Peabody Award-winning podcast Southlake tells the story of one family broken apart in the midst of a new anti-LGBTQ culture war, and the high school English teacher caught in the middle.


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]]> Tue, 26 Sep 2023 19:21:27 +0000 news.podcasts@nbcuni.com (Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton) https://www.nbcnews.com Two years after conservative activists turned critical race theory into a right-wing rallying cry, the political fight has shifted. The team behind the Peabody Award-winning podcast Southlake tells the story of one family broken apart in the midst of a new anti-LGBTQ culture war, and the high school English teacher caught in the middle.


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]]> Introducing: Grapevine Mike Hixenbaugh, Antonia Hylton 00:03:08 Two years after conservative activists turned critical race theory into a right-wing rallying cry, the political fight has shifted. The team behind the Peabody Award-winning podcast Southlake tells the story of one family broken apart in the midst of a new anti-LGBTQ culture war, and the high school English teacher caught in the middle. Two years after conservative activists turned critical race theory into a right-wing rallying cry, the political fight has shifted. The team behind the Peabody Award-winning podcast Southlake tells the story of one family broken apart in the midst of a new anti-LGBTQ culture war, and the high school English teacher caught in the middle. grapevine, grapevine podcast, nbc news studios, nbc news, southlake podcast false trailer 1