March 05, 2026
SIU’s Paul Simon Institute discussion focuses on importance of ‘charisma’ in politics
CARBONDALE, Ill. — Southern Illinois University Carbondale’s Paul Simon Public Policy Institute will explore the power and mystery of charisma during a virtual discussion on Monday, March 16.
Molly Worthen, a professor of American history at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, will join John Shaw, institute director, to discuss her 2025 book, “Spellbound: How Charisma Shaped American History from the Puritans to Donald Trump,” along with other writings.
The free, public discussion via Zoom begins at 10 a.m.; registration at paulsimoninstitute.org/events is required to view the conversation. The event is part of the institute’s “Understanding Our New World” discussion series.
“Professor Worthen is a superb teacher and a stimulating and accessible scholar who helps us better understand how religion and politics often interact and shape each other,” Shaw said.
“Her remarkable book, ‘Spellbound’ argues that an important way to understand our current political and cultural situation in the United States is by examining the importance of charisma in both its religious and political manifestations,” Shaw said. “She believes that charisma is best understood as a relationship between leaders and followers — and these relationships can have profound social and political consequences.”
Worthen also writes regularly about religion, politics and higher education for the New York Times, The Atlantic, and other publications. She has a bachelor’s degree and doctorate from Yale University. Her first book, “The Man on Whom Nothing Was Lost: The Grand Strategy of Charles Hill,” was about a former American diplomat and Yale professor. Her second book, “Apostles of Reason: The Crisis of Authority in American Evangelism,” considers the history of American evangelism since 1945.
Attendees are encouraged to submit questions for Worthen on the registration form or email questions to paulsimoninstitute@siu.edu.
More information, including a list of the institute’s upcoming events and past speakers and events, is available.