The Focus Group Podcast
S4 Ep10: Our Better Angels (with Judy Woodruff)
Nov 23, 2023
PBS NewsHour's Judy Woodruff joins Sarah for a special Thanksgiving episode to discuss how Americans are thinking of their political differences, and how we might move beyond them going into another contentious election year. They explore the increasing political divide in America, the impact of divisive language in presidential elections, navigating political divisions within personal relationships, the perception of media and politics, the influence of politics on relationships, the divide between Democrats and Republicans, and the importance of leadership in addressing polarization.
49:46
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Quick takeaways
- The deepening political divide in America is causing pain and estrangement among family and friends, but initiatives like Braver Angels and Listen First aim to foster more constructive conversations and bridge the gap across political differences.
- The influence of cable news and social media in exacerbating political polarization is evident, with people choosing news sources that align with their views and deepening the divide further. It is important to critically evaluate and diversify news sources to escape the echo chamber effect.
Deep dives
Deepening Political Divide
The podcast episode explores the deepening divide in American politics and the challenges of discussing politics with loved ones during the holiday season. The guest, Judy Woodruff, reflects on her long career as a journalist and how she has witnessed an unprecedented level of political polarization. People are increasingly identifying themselves by their political beliefs, and the negative perception of the opposite party has intensified. This level of division is causing pain and estrangement among family members and friends. However, there is hope in initiatives like Braver Angels and Listen First, which aim to foster more constructive conversations and bridge the gap across political differences.
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