The Braver Angels Podcast

Toxic levels of ungrace are tearing us apart. That's the diagnosis from Kirsten Powers, senior political analyst at CNN and former political analyst at Fox News. But is grace really possible across divides this huge and seemingly threatening? In a candid interview with host Mónica Guzmán, Kirsten draws on her Catholic faith, her years of cross-partisan debates in the spotlight, her experience with anger and contempt after the 2016 election to unpack a virtue she argues is deeply misunderstood and critically needed.  Check out Kirsten’s book, Saving Grace, out November 2: https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/653308/saving-grace-by-kirsten-powers/  Twitter: @braverangels, @moniguzman, @KirstenPowers 

Andrew Yang isn't done challenging the way Americans look at politics. The former presidential candidate and entrepreneur is launching the Forward Party: a third-party effort to depolarize our politics through election reform. Can it work? And what does Yang have to say about the sensitive issues of race that divide Americans? Silas Kulkarni and John Wood, Jr. ask probing questions from a red and blue perspective in this episode of the Braver Angels Podcast, diving into electoral reform tactics, polarization, and navigating race and identity in political discourse. Learn more about the Forward Party at www.forwardparty.com, and connect with Yang or purchase his new book at www.andrewyang.com.  Become a member of Braver Angels: www.braverangels.org Twitter: @braverangels, @AndrewYang, @SilasKulkarni, @JohnRWoodJr

Ciaran O'Connor convenes Hawk Newsome, co-founder of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York; David Iwinski, a Trump supporter who helps lead Braver Angels Debates; and Dr. Tess Russell, an anesthesiologist and intensive care specialist at Columbia New York Presbyterian Hospital for a raw and wide-ranging discussion on trust, science, and the COVID vaccine. Twitter: @braverangels, @ciaranjoconnor, @IamHawkNewsome, @davidiwinski, @CortessaRussell 

Barbara Thomas is a lifelong liberal. Rick Hotchner is a committed conservative. As a couple, they are one of a dwindling number of politically mixed marriages between Democrats and Republicans in America. They made a life-changing decision last summer to leave a diplomatic post abroad to depolarize America—one divided relationship at a time. How do they stand each other when they can’t stand each other’s politics? What tips and tricks have they learned to always disagree but rarely argue? And what did they do when, during the run-up to the 2020 election, they didn’t speak to each other for days? Tune in as host Mónica Guzmán leads a frank and open conversation with a fascinating couple whose enduring relationship is a model for our country. Hear more of Rick and Barbara’s story on these additional podcasts:   Derate the Hate, “Episode 48: Bridging the Divide” Traumatic States of America, “23. US Diplomat returns home to focus on America” Somali Link Radio, “Somali Link Radio 2021-04-13 interview” Liberty Roundtable “Radio Show Hour 2 – 08/03/2021” Knuckleheads of Liberty, “Knuckleheads Of Liberty 128: Interview with Braver Angels” Twitter: @braverangels, @moniguzman

Social media has become a prism that distorts our identities, empowers status-seeking extremists, and renders moderates all but invisible. In his new book, Breaking the Social Media Prism, Duke professor Christopher Bail challenges common myths about echo chambers, foreign misinformation campaigns, and radicalizing algorithms, revealing that the solution to political tribalism lies deep inside ourselves.  In this episode of the Braver Angels Podcast, Bail joins Ciaran O'Connor for a wide-ranging discussion on how we might redesign social media platforms to change incentives—and how we can combat online polarization without deleting our accounts. Learn more about Bail’s work and purchase his book here: www.chrisbail.net  Twitter: @braverangels, @ciaranjoconnor, @chris_bail

Ready to take on the COVID-19 divide? In this special roundtable edition of our podcast, two red and two blue Braver Angels leaders tackle big questions about vaccines and vaccine mandates. How do the left and right help and hurt America’s struggle against the pandemic? Are President Joe Biden’s vaccine mandates tough love or bad medicine? Featuring John Wood, Jr. (national ambassador), Alma Cook (music ambassador), Ciaran O’Connor (CMO), and Mónica Guzmán (director of digital and storytelling). Also in this episode: John Wood, Jr. lays out his vision for the upcoming launch of the John Wood, Jr. Show, Alma explains the “Lindy Effect,” Mónica dishes on why her cooking no longer sucks, and Ciaran shares a message for Nikki Minaj.  What tough topic should we tackle next month? Email media@braverangels.org to share your thoughts! Ready for the launch of the John Wood Jr. Show? Subscribe on YouTube here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy2NKTrKM_MY_WbY8ISSq2g   Twitter: @braverangels, @moniguzman, @ciaranjoconnor, @JohnRWoodJr, @HearAlma

Joy Mayer just launched a bold effort to help conservatives trust journalists. What will it take for America's local journalists to tell stories responsibly—not just for liberals, whose views most journalists identify with, but also for conservatives, whose views are easier for most journalists to misunderstand, neglect, or dismiss?  Joy, director of the Trusting News Project, joins host and fellow journalist Mónica Guzmán to break open a fraught conversation that, for the most part, the journalism industry has not been having. Together, they count down six things right-leaning news consumers wish journalists would do better—and some things all news readers can do to support the American promise of journalism as a critical public service.  Learn more about the Trusting News Project's #RoadToPluralism project: www.trustingnews.org/pluralism  Twitter: @braverangels, @moniguzman, @mayerjoy 

After enduring significant childhood trauma, Morgan Brown spent much of his adult life homeless. Now an advocate for housing and mental health, Morgan shares his perspectives on trust, dignity, and how "going the extra gracious mile and beyond" can make all the difference—both on the streets and in politics.  Morgan resides in Montpelier, Vermont, where he previously served on the Montpelier Homelessness Task Force. We first met Morgan through The Working People's Project at Braver Angels. Learn more about WPP here: www.braverangels.org/wpp    Twitter: @braverangels, @davidlappoh

Is it worth striking up a conversation with the stranger in the checkout line? What’s on the other side of that silence, and how do we bridge it? Journalist Joe Keohane is out with a new book, The Power of Strangers: The Benefits of Connecting in a Suspicious World, which explores the lost art of connecting with unfamiliar people. Ciaran O'Connor talks with Joe about why and how we should talk to strangers—starting with your local barista—and what these experiences can do to improve our daily lives and our politics. Twitter: @braverangels, @JoeKeohane, @ciaranjoconnor

Ever wonder just how expansive the American national service system is and how those involved in it see their work? Luke Nathan Phillips interviews AmeriCorps' chief of external affairs, Sri Preston Kulkarni, about the work and mission of the organization. They discuss how AmeriCorps aims to promote service and national unity in troubling times, also exploring the history of national service programs in bringing the best out of Americans.  Learn more about AmeriCorps: www.americorps.gov On August 19th, Braver Angels will be debating whether we have a moral obligation to serve America. Sign up here: https://bit.ly/3jIXU6A  Twitter: @braverangels, @SriPKulkarni, @AmeriCorps