I Feel That Way Too

Can We Be Friends If We Disagree Politically?

11 snips
Jul 1, 2025
Kai Cheng Thom, a talented writer, performer, and coach specializing in trauma healing, joins the conversation about friendship amidst political discord. They candidly explore the emotional turbulence of navigating relationships with differing values, highlighting feelings of judgment and isolation. Listeners hear poignant anecdotes that reflect on love and regret, urging the importance of vulnerability and connection. Thom inspires clarity on how to embrace each other's humanity, even when opinions clash, reminding us that understanding can bridge chasms created by polarization.
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ANECDOTE

Personal Impact of Genocide

  • Michelle MiJung Kim shares how the genocide in Palestine deeply affected her and led her to protest and even get arrested.
  • She felt hurt and confused that friends, including her close friend Kenny, were not showing the same level of engagement.
INSIGHT

Polarization Feeds Threat Perception

  • Political polarization makes people feel threatened by friends with different values.
  • Disagreement often triggers intensity because we interpret differences as threats to ourselves or loved ones.
ANECDOTE

Friendship Strains Over Activism

  • After conflict, Michelle and Kenny considered ending their friendship due to feeling judged and unsupported.
  • Michelle wrestled with anger and sadness but also recognized different ways to express care and activism.
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