An Empire Built On Blind Faith

The Pope's Long Con by Louisville Public Media

Dec 14, 201700:19:00News & Politics

Go inside the Heart of Fire Church and meet the motorcycle-friendly congregation and gun choir. Check out the fellowship hall — or biker bar — and learn more about Johnson's dark past.

Related Episodes

Continue listening to more episodes from The Pope's Long Con.

Introducing Dig, Season 3: The Girls

Nov 11, 2025 - 00:02:10

From the Peabody Award-winning team behind "The Pope's Long Con," a new season of "Dig" is available now....

Check Out Our New Investigative Podcast, Dig

Dec 19, 2019 - 00:25:38

From the newsroom that brought you the Pope’s Long Con, check out our newest podcast, Dig. In the first s...

The Pope's Wife

Mar 5, 2018 - 00:16:25

We knew the story wasn't over at the end of the last chapter — but no one could've known what would happe...

When Our Institutions Fail

Dec 14, 2017 - 00:16:33

Over and over, there were warning signs for law enforcement, political leaders and others. What happens w...

An Accusation Of Molestation

Dec 14, 2017 - 00:15:50

A teenage girl thought of Johnson as a second dad. Her family trusted the pastor. But in 2013, he alleged...

From Bastrop To Bullitt

Dec 13, 2017 - 00:23:29

Like Forrest Gump, he just so happens to be in the front row, playing a pivotal role in America’s biggest...

Welcome To The Pope's House

Dec 13, 2017 - 00:17:32

Meet Danny Ray Johnson, Kentucky's fast-talking preacher-turned-politician who is known as the Pope. He p...

Introducing The Pope's Long Con

Nov 29, 2017 - 00:00:56

What happens when the institutions we depend on fail at every level? What happens when lies go unchecked?...