Derate The Hate

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!A Hunger For Healing That Gives Us HopeIt may be lost on many who spend all their time navigating the toxicity of the internet ecosystem, but there is a deep hunger for civic renewal and a return to civility in public discourse. As hardworking individuals in the exhausted middle, who often feel overlooked or caught in the crossfire of partisan battles, many yearn for a political landscape that prioritizes practical solutions over ideological grandstanding. Our concerns lie in the everyday struggles of making ends meet, and we recognize the importance of respectful dialogue in finding common ground to address pressing issues. We are tired of the constant bickering and divisiveness that seem to overshadow the real problems facing our communities. Why do people like me and this week’s guest, Brian Allain, do what we do within the depolarization movement? Among many reasons is that a hunger for healing gives us hope. Who is Brian Allain?Brian Allain founded Writing for Your Life, a resource center and conferences for spiritual writers, and the Publishing in Color conference series, intended to increase the number of books published by spiritual writers of color. Brian also founded Compassionate Christianity and How to Heal Our Divides. Previously Brian served as Founding Director of the Frederick Buechner Center where he led the launch of Mr. Buechner’s online presence and established several new programs and strategic partnerships. Brian has developed and led spiritual writers' conferences at Princeton Theological Seminary, Drew Theological Seminary, Western Theological Seminary, the University of Southern California, Belmont University, New Brunswick Seminary, and several churches. He led the publishing effort for the book "Buechner 101: An Introduction to Frederick Buechner" in collaboration with Anne Lamott, and also the books in the How to Heal Our Divides series. Brian serves on the Board of non-profit TechFoundation and was named a 2014 Top Fundraiser by the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Along with his work in the depolarization space, Brian's latest passion is with his start-up "Find Your Next Calling".Learn more about and connect with Brian Allain by visiting the full show notes for this episode at DerateTheHate.com.What have you done today to maThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Are Conservatives The Biggest Challenge The LGB Community Faces?It's not often you see the letters LGB these days without the rest of the characters. What was once a movement of same-sex attracted persons, traditionally known as Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual, has become something many from that original movement find hard to recognize, let alone agree with. One thing I will continue to emphasize on this podcast though is that disagreement does not constitute HATE. There are many facets to a movement that was once considered LGB, but now is more reminiscent of a secure password that my computer generated. I have so many blind spots with regard to this topic, (and many others) and I am always grateful to speak with those who are living it. True wisdom comes from having conversations with those who's lived experience is very different from our own. Many know that I am a conservative. My understanding of conservatism is much different than most of those who oppose and take every opportunity to demonize conservatives. This week I'm asking my guest, Eva Kurilova, are conservatives the biggest challenge the LGB community faces?Who is Eva Kurilova?Eva Kurilova quickly drew my attention with an article she wrote for her substack entitled "Obey Us or the Conservatives Will Come For You". At the time, I knew nothing of Eva, but the more of her work that I read, the more that I wanted to know. Her Twitter profile suggests that she is Canada's preeminent lesbian, and a writer, so naturally I had to read more. The mainstream narrative, as most mainstream narratives do, puts every LGBTQ (etc.) individual into one bucket and then paints the movement with a broad brush instead of describing those within said bucket as individuals. Sad and familiar story. Eva has a different story. Join us for this insightful and informative conversation.Learn more and connect with Eva Kurilova online by  checking out the full show notes at DerateTheHate.com. What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another. Be grateful forThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!How Looking Through An Us-vs-Them Lens Leads To More Animosity & Anger So much of the work I do in the depolarization space leads me to great people of all mindsets. It's not that we have to agree, we just have to find a way to disagree in a more civil way. In today's hyper-connected world, where social media platforms amplify our differences and echo chambers abound, it has become increasingly crucial to cultivate a culture of respectful dialogue and understanding. So often, we lose focus on the shared humanity in those who have mindsets that differ from our own. Why? How do we allow this to happen? It really is not that hard to see if you know where to look.  In this episode we talk about how looking through an us-vs-them lens leads to more animosity and anger.Who is Zachary Elwood?Zachary Elwood is the host of the psychology podcast People Who Read People. For that podcast, he's interviewed many experts on topics related to our us-versus-them polarization and the psychology behind our divides (see the politics-related episodes).  His research into deceptive online activity has been featured in the New York Times, the Washington Post, Buzzfeed, and many more. Zachary is a former professional poker player and the author of Reading Poker Tells, which has been translated into eight languages, and other books.  Learn more about and connect with Zachary online by checking out the full show notes for this episode at DerateTheHate.comWhat have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!2023 Braver Angels National Convention RecapOn Wednesday, July 5, 2023, Braver Angels orchestrated a remarkable gathering, uniting nearly 700 delegates from diverse backgrounds across our great nation. Their mission: to engage in meaningful discussions on how individuals with varying political mindsets can unite and contribute to the betterment of America. Spanning four days, this convention provided an immersive experience with eight impactful plenary sessions and numerous breakout sessions for delegates to actively participate in or attend. The event exuded an atmosphere reminiscent of a vibrant festival, brimming with notable speakers, engaging skits, uplifting music, and spirited dancing. Join me as I engage in conversation with Ciaran O'Connor, the esteemed Chief Marketing Officer of Braver Angels, as we delve into the highlights of the remarkable event. Here is our 2023 Braver Angels National Convention recap.Learn more about Braver Angels below:website: https://braverangels.org/2023 Braver Angels Convention on YouTubeYouTube PlaylistWhat have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , TruthSocial, The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!What is The People's Patriot Project? I am often asked where I find the drive to do this work I do with the Derate The Hate podcast, or how I find the time to do the work I do with the Braver Angels organization. It seems that I answer this in many ways because there are many reasons, but it often comes down to this; I absolutely love speaking with, and learning from, those who are trying to better the world in which we live. I want to spread the message that most of our societal ills can be remedied with the right mindset. The right mindset can be found in curious conversations with great people. In this episode I had the opportunity to learn about another incredible organization doing great work for our country's veterans and first responders. In this episode, we get insight into What is the People's Patriot Project?We, The People's Patriot Project Has adopted the Mission of Honoring and Empowering those who have served by being the shock and awe when combating the silent and deadly enemy of our veterans and first responders, the enemy that leaves mortal and invisible wounds. Their Vision is to provide a community and network of support, with the necessary tools, insights, and resources to aid in the rehabilitation of veteran and current service members and civil servants to go through a recovery process and transition into real-world opportunities and situations. Learn more and connect with The People's Patriot Project by checking out the full show notes for this episode at DerateTheHate.com.What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter , TruthSocial, ParlerThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Why The Uproar About The Latest SCOTUS Rulings?There's nothing like a little Supreme Court action these days to get the masses all riled up. In these polarized and divisive times, would you expect any less. While approximately 70% of the American public believes that race should not play a part in college admissions, many on social and within the main stream media would have you believe that an "illegitimate court" is setting the clocks back to the colonial days. I think nuances within concepts like contract law and freedom of association can be disagreed upon by reasonable people, but much of what I've seen in recent days is anything but reasonable. Why the uproar about the latest SCOTUS rulings?For this incredible conversation, I've invited back my friend Christian Watson!Christian is a recently graduated  philosophy student and political writer with a keen interest in political and social commentary. You may have seen Christian on one of his many appearances on Fox News. He often commentates from a right-leaning libertarian point of view, but his philosophy is more complex than can be represented by a single label. Christian often covers a variety of topics ranging from politics, arts, science, philosophy⁠—and much, much more. If you did not catch it, Christian joined me onDTH Episode 100  to discuss his work with the organization Color Us United.Learn more and connect with Christian Watson by checking out the full show notes for this episode at DerateTheHate.com.What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Finding Common Ground With Those Who Hold Contrary BeliefsPolarization and tribalism have taken hold of many parts of our public discourse today. It has been my experience that many who I once thought to be reasonable, have now placed politics over principles. How did we get here? When people place political blinders on, and quit interacting with those of differing mindsets, they often lose their ability to focus on things such as integrity, consistency and our common humanity. As my friend and Braver Angels brother John Wood Jr. recently stated in DTH Episode 165, "Polarization is the one problem that ensures all other problems won't be solved". Why? If we we are not having conversations with those of differing mindsets, we lose the opportunity for finding common ground with those who hold contrary beliefs.Who is Jefferson Shupe and what is "The Bathwater Brigade"?Jefferson Shupe is a father, software coder, musician and author living with his family in Utah. After making plenty of his own mistakes when it came to public political discourse, Jefferson began to realize that toxic conversations and interactions seldom, if ever, led to positive or productive results. Jefferson has a strong passion for discussing world events with friends and strangers who challenge his ideas as he try's to make sense of it all and connect with founding principles. This passion led to Jefferson writing "The Bathwater Brigade" a novel on principles over politics. It is a fictional account of what happens when a racial tragedy divides a Texas college town and a free-speech club stands for unity amid violent demands for its termination.Learn more and connect with Jefferson Shupe by checking out the full show notes for this episode at DerateTheHate.com.What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:FThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Should we fear AI, or use this tool to live in a better way?It is often those things that we know the least about that we fear the most. There has been a lot circulating in the news and political circles in recent weeks and months about “slowing the progression” of artificial intelligence technology. Is this the correct response? Are we even asking the right questions? It is a general tendency for us as humans to fear that which we don’t understand. This is not only true with people who differ from us, but history has proven time and time again that new innovations often meet with great resistance. Could it be that there are some looking to capitalize on others’ hesitation to embrace such innovations? My guest this week believes that AI presents “the biggest opportunities of our generation”. What if we could experience personal and professional, exponential growth backed by science and artificial intelligence? Should we fear AI, or use this tool to live in a better way?Who is Manuj Aggarwal?How does someone go from making just $2 working 12 hours a day in a factory to speaking in the boardrooms of Fortune 500 companies? This conversation is not just about AI, but also one of personal triumph over incredible adversity.Manuj Aggarwal is now a global thought leader after 15 years in the world of, and developing 4 patents in artificial intelligence. Manuj has served clients like Microsoft, IBM, Pearson Education, and many others, producing for them more than $500 million in value.Listen as Manuj shares with me how he went from being a troubled, often aloof and angry teenager working for a $2/day salary in a factory in India, to an innovator whose projects have impacted the lives of more than 10 million people.To learn more about and connect with Manuj Aggarwal online, please check out the full show notes for this episode at DerateTheHate.com.What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Polarization, The Issue Of Our TimePeople who know me, or those who have listened to the DTH podcast for long know about my great passion for depolarization. With a mission statement like “Bettering the world, one attitude at a time”, it’s easy to surmise that to better the world, we as individuals must get along with each other. I know that getting everyone to agree is unrealistic, in fact, I’d say it’s unhealthy and unproductive. I do think it’s time we all put greater effort into getting along with those of differing mindsets than our own. Why? As my guest this week says, “Polarization is the one problem that ensures all other problems won’t be solved.” I could not agree with him more. Polarization, it’s the issue of our time.Who is John Wood Jr.?John Wood Jr. is one of today’s leading figures in the American depolarization movement. John is a nationally recognized speaker, columnist for USA Today and  podcaster. John also serves as national ambassador for Braver Angels, the United States largest grassroots, bipartisan organization dedicated to depolarization and bridging the divide between Americans on topics such as politics, race, economics, etc. John and I take a deep dive in this episode into how and why he got involved in Braver Angels. Other topics of discussion are:·       Working effectively with those with whom we disagree.·       The failed strategy of “whataboutism”·       Politicians and the media use the same strategy of pandering to small subsets of society instead of broad scope thinking.·       Long term strategies “long game thinking" vs. immediate attention grabbers.·       How conservatives did not engage until they were enraged.·       Braver Angels National Convention in Gettysburg, PA July 5-9, 2023And so much more… This is truly an episode you don’t want to miss! This is an episode you should download, share, and listen to multiple times. SO MUCH VALUE! Do Not Miss This!Learn more about and connect with John Wood Jr. online by checking out the full show notes for this episode at DerateTheHate.com.What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with eachThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!Giving Your Best Self By Finding Your Purpose When we find ourselves loving our partner more than we love ourselves, we often overlook our own worth and potential. It becomes challenging to recognize and appreciate our own strengths, as we are constantly focused on meeting the needs and expectations of our partner. However, it is crucial to remember that we cannot truly be the best version of ourselves for someone else if we neglect our own well-being and self-care. By prioritizing self-love and personal growth, we gain the capacity to nurture a healthier and more balanced relationship. Only when we are in tune with our own needs and self-worth can we authentically give and receive love in a way that enriches both ourselves and our partner. Often, giving your best self begins by finding your purpose. Who is Frank Rich? Frank Rich is an author, entrepreneur, former bodybuilder, and men's health & recovery coach.  After starting Frank Rich Fitness in 2016,  he has successfully helped thousands of men around the world transform their lives through the art and science of muscle building. After a series of life transforming events and spiritual awakening, Frank knew that he had a much larger message to share with both his audience and the world.His goal with his podcast, "The Super Human Life" podcast, and his content is to help others overcome the everyday challenges and battles that we're all facing, and provide real actionable steps and insights to inspire others to create the life they were designed to live.To learn more and connect with Frank Rich online, check out the full show notes for this episode at DerateTheHate.com.What have you done today to make your life a better life? What have you done today to make the world a better place? The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us leading a better life. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for everything you’ve got. Make each and every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, MeWe, InsThe world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be! Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on: Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast! *The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.