Bill Kole
@billkole.bsky.social
720 followers 930 following 160 posts
Veteran journalist and author of two big-idea books: IN GUNS WE TRUST (coming Oct. 2025 from Broadleaf) and THE BIG 100 (2023, Diversion). Runner, sailor, fly fisherman. billkolebooks.com https://substack.com/@billkole
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billkole.bsky.social
Much more from Father Dear and others in my new book, IN GUNS WE TRUST: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms — releasing Tuesday via @broadleafbooks.bsky.social
billkole.bsky.social
📢 I'm donating a portion of my author proceeds from sales of IN GUNS WE TRUST to @momsdemand.bsky.social / @everytown.bsky.social.

When you purchase a copy, you'll be supporting their essential work. Let's team up to break the cycle of endless gun violence in America!

shorturl.at/SNjOz
Reposted by Bill Kole
adapalmer.bsky.social
I see pieces like this a lot, often w/ a spin of lamenting cultural degeneration, but reading is a LABOR issue, it’s declined because so many people are working overtime or two jobs & employers expect after hours work. France has Earth’s highest reading rate b/c long lunch breaks & labor protections
billkole.bsky.social
If only thwarting gun violence were as easy as Lucy makes it look.

It's not. But it's also not impossible. IN GUNS WE TRUST, my new book, charts a way out of our uniquely American gun scourge. Get your copy today wherever you buy your books & let's end the madness.

www.youtube.com/shorts/5exmL...
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Reposted by Bill Kole
phileil.bsky.social
Rhode Island folks: my friend and colleague @billkole.bsky.social is having a launch day event for his excellent book, "In Guns We Trust: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms" next Tuesday, 10/14 at Riffraff, in Providence.

I'll be there. Will you?
A digital flier for Bill Kole's October 14 event for "In Guns We Trust
The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms" at Riffraff in Providence, RI.
billkole.bsky.social
I’m so grateful for those who read the excerpts of IN GUNS WE TRUST published in @bostonglobe.com last month — and then wrote in to express their solidarity.

If enough of us care, we can break the endless cycle of gun violence. I really do believe that. 🤲🏻
billkole.bsky.social
Looks like it's Podcast Thursday! Here's my conversation this morning with the great @brianallain.bsky.social on his acclaimed "How to Heal Our Divides" podcast about guns, evangelicals, and ... fly fishing?

One of these things is not like the others. WATCH:

youtu.be/vVqwrgbi70w
William Kole - "IN GUNS WE TRUST: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms"
YouTube video by Faith and Justice Book Group
youtu.be
billkole.bsky.social
I had a terrific conversation with @pcusa.bsky.social on their A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast.

We talked about my new book, IN GUNS WE TRUST: The Unholy Trinity of White Evangelicals, Politics, and Firearms, and how to engage with gun owners.

www.amatteroffaithpodcast.com #booksky
A Matter of Faith: A Presby Podcast
The podcast where we respond to your questions and comments on issues of faith, social justice and church life.
www.amatteroffaithpodcast.com
billkole.bsky.social
Jane Goodall on death as the "next adventure."

Here's the clip from my 2021 interview with her for my book, THE BIG 100, an exploration of longevity. (Jane was the perfect example of a super-ager; someone who makes the most of their bonus years.)
billkole.bsky.social
"And there was a kind of gasp that went around this huge auditorium. But when you die, there’s either nothing, in which case I don’t have to worry anymore, or there’s something. And if there’s something, which I happen to believe, then what an adventure it’ll be to discover what that is.”
billkole.bsky.social
When I interviewed Jane Goodall for THE BIG 100, she told me she'd been asked about her next adventure.

“I said, ‘Well, dying.’" More in the comments.
billkole.bsky.social
Sure, mental illness is a factor in some gun violence. But easy access to military-style assault weapons is a factor *in nearly all of it.*

Other countries have similar rates of mental illness, yet see far fewer if any mass shootings. The differentiating factor? Gun access.

Do the math.
billkole.bsky.social
My latest, this time from the reliably weird and predictably self-indulgent realm of the fishing show.

The Fly Guy 🎣 is free — hit subscribe!

#flyfishing #fishing

open.substack.com/pub/billkole...
Showoffs
We distill into distorted funhouse mirror reflections of ourselves at a fishing show.
open.substack.com
Reposted by Bill Kole
jonwalkerpdx.bsky.social
This is literally what the actual "siege" of the auxiliary ICE building looks like
billkole.bsky.social
👋🏼 Hello, angling amigos and others! 👋🏼

I’ve launched a new Substack, The Fly Guy, where I’ll be sharing the blunders, wonders, adventures and misadventures of the fly fishing life.

Please give it a read and a follow! #flyfishing

open.substack.com/pub/billkole...
Shit’s Creek
Is it still fishing even though you’re not catching?
open.substack.com
billkole.bsky.social
My new book, IN GUNS WE TRUST, ends with these words.

Someone asked me today if I really believe we can fix America’s gun violence problem.

Absolutely.

The future is ours to write. Let’s write a better one for ourselves and our children.

#guns #gunviolence #booksky @booksky
Reposted by Bill Kole
jackjenkins.me
Okay, Charlie Kirk memorial event has wrapped, with Trump and Erika Kirk embracing before walking off together.

One of the most prominent — in terms of the political power wielded by participants — intermingle-ings of religion and politics I've ever witnessed.

Anyway, hire more religion reporters.
Reposted by Bill Kole
adamjschwarz.bsky.social
Minutes before Trump bragged that he "HATES" his opponents, Charlie Kirk's grieving widow said she forgives her husband's killer and called for love for his opponents.

Unfathomably grotesque for Trump to deliberately and explicitly contradict her at her own husband's memorial service.
billkole.bsky.social
“A River Runs Through It” will forever be my fave Robert Redford picture. RIP 💔
billkole.bsky.social
Preorders of IN GUNS WE TRUST, officially out on Oct. 14 via @broadleafbooks.bsky.social, apparently are shipping ... so watch your mailboxes!

Below is from new friend @pamelaohara.com ohara.com, who got hers today. Hi, Pam, and hi, pup! 📕🐶
Reposted by Bill Kole
billkole.bsky.social
The @bostonglobe.com's Rhode Island Report podcast had me on to talk about my new book and our uniquely American gun violence crisis. Give it a listen here or on Spotify:

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/t...
The link between white evangelicals and guns
Podcast Episode · Rhode Island Report · 09/11/2025 · 19m
podcasts.apple.com
Reposted by Bill Kole
sithtyminutes.bsky.social
You can listen to my interview with Bill Kole on just how prevalent guns are and how deeply intertwined it is in our DNA with a group of evangelicals viewing access to weapons as a “holy” act in service of a god that normally preaches peace.

podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/s...
billkole.bsky.social
These are guns that were turned in during an amnesty program run by New Mexico gun violence activist Miranda Viscoli and Albuquerque police.

(I was there reporting in summer 2024 for my new book, IN GUNS WE TRUST.)