Podcaster wants James Talarico to “die”? Not exactly…
By Easton Martin | March 25, 2026
Journalist Jennifer Bendery recently pushed a narrative claiming a pastor wants James Talarcio to die. She framed podcast comments by Brooks Potteiger as a literal death threat against Democratic state Representative James Talarico. Bendery focused on a few shocking words, but completely missed the theological context of the conversation.
During the podcast episode, the host stated he prays God “kills” Talarico. The host immediately clarified this meant killing his heart and raising him up to a new life in Christ. Potteiger agreed with this sentiment, adding that they want Talarico “crucified with Christ.” This language comes directly from the New Testament. In Galatians 2:20, the Apostle Paul writes about being crucified with Christ. This verse describes the old self dying so Christ can live within the believer.
The mainstream media coverage failed to grasp this fundamental Christian concept of spiritual rebirth. They took an established biblical idiom and spun it into a sensationalized headline to fit their narrative. Anyone familiar with evangelical theology, or even theology in general, recognizes this as a prayer for profound personal transformation.
Journalists covering religious figures have a duty to understand basic spiritual terminology.
Potteiger and the podcast host still deserve some criticism for their delivery, however. Their presentation was incredibly odd to be entirely fair. Leading a public discussion with a phrase like “I pray that God kills him” can come across to some as reckless. They used jarring rhetoric to make a standard spiritual point, which perhaps was their aim.
Ultimately, Potteiger was praying for his political opponent to experience a spiritual conversion, he was clearly praying for Talarico’s soul. The accusations of an actual death threat are completely false.
