00:00 The episode explores how the prosperity gospel and the idea that God gives more to good people helped create the narrative of capitalism.

05:06 The prosperity gospel and the idea that we are in control of our own success is powerful and appealing, but it creates an illusion of equality and ignores the systemic barriers that prevent some people from achieving success.

11:24 The Protestant work ethic and the belief in deferring gratification and being productive laid the foundation for the development of the prosperity gospel in the United States.

16:39 The Second Great Awakening rejected predestined salvation and emphasized that believers could actively work towards getting into heaven by sinning less and doing more good things, which was fueled by the changing lifestyle and anxieties of the middle class in the 1800s.

21:27 The 19th century saw the rise of self-improvement and the merging of capitalism and Christianity, with figures like Oro Roberts playing a central role in the prosperity gospel and Pentecostalism.

26:58 Pentecostalism resonated with black Americans in the early 20th century as a source of empowerment and spiritual strength in the face of racism and limited opportunities, and the prosperity gospel began to emerge through radio evangelism and the teachings of figures like Oral Roberts, promoting the idea of seed faith and giving money to preachers in order to receive wealth in return.

32:10 The prosperity gospel, which promotes the idea of self-reliance and harnessing the power of the mind to achieve wealth and success, spread beyond Pentecostal denominations with the rise of television and televangelism.

37:18 The prosperity gospel spread through television shows and televangelism, reaching millions of Americans and becoming intertwined with the rise of neoliberalism and the idea that free markets are the solution to all problems.

42:11 The prosperity gospel, intertwined with neoliberalism, spread globally and varied in its impact on people's lives, with some preachers being sincere and practical while others defrauded their followers, but ultimately, the belief in God's goodness and the promise of a better future mattered more to the parishioners than the sincerity of the preachers themselves.

46:53 The belief in an empowered individualism and the promise of a better future drives people to seek guidance from figures like preachers, politicians, and business minds, even if they may be fraudulent or lack practical solutions.