Kinch Hoekstra, a political science professor at UC Berkeley, specializes in Hobbes and political theory, while Shana Guderian, an associate dean at Syracuse's Maxwell School, studies public reactions to political events. They explore how Thomas Hobbes' notions of anxiety relate to today’s democratic landscape. The conversation highlights anxiety as a driving force in political behavior, linking emotions to the fragility of liberal democracy. They also discuss how political conflicts can be navigated through mutual respect, advocating for personal well-being over divisive politics.