Here's Where It Gets Interesting

Lucia Knell and Gabriel Reilich, co-creators of Upworthy and authors of the NYT Best Seller 'Good People,' dive into the power of storytelling that champions kindness and humanity. They discuss the importance of promoting uplifting narratives in a world overwhelmed by negativity. Their journey from social media to publishing highlights over 100 inspiring stories that remind us of the impact of small acts of kindness. Emphasizing a mindful 'media diet,' Lucia and Gabriel inspire listeners to engage with positive content and foster a compassionate community.

Tiya Miles, a Harvard historian and NYT best-selling author, dives into the enduring legacy of Harriet Tubman. She shares how Tubman's humor, resourcefulness, and deep faith helped her lead over 700 people to freedom. Exploring Tubman's childhood and spiritual journey, Miles reveals how her connection with nature shaped her fight against oppression. In a world filled with fear, the discussion highlights why Tubman's story of resilience continues to inspire hope and reflects on its relevance to today’s struggles for equality.

Jamil Zaki, a Stanford psychologist and author of "Hope for Cynics," dives into the pitfalls of cynicism in our lives. He discusses its evolutionary roots and how it can negatively impact mental health and relationships. Zaki offers strategies for escaping the 'cynicism trap' by nurturing trust and hope. He emphasizes the power of everyday activism, promoting small, constructive actions over grand gestures. Listeners are encouraged to challenge their assumptions and embrace a more optimistic, connected approach to life.

Timothy Snyder, a renowned historian and author of "On Freedom," redefines the concept of freedom in this thought-provoking discussion. He challenges the conventional belief that freedom is merely the absence of constraints, emphasizing a positive vision that includes grace, honesty, and community support. Snyder critiques American misconceptions about freedom, suggesting that true autonomy thrives within supportive societal structures. He warns against the dangers of emotional manipulation in politics while advocating for a more collaborative approach to freedom in shaping a better future.

Deb Otis from FairVote, an organization championing election reforms, dives into the intricacies of improving U.S. elections. She discusses the transformative power of ranked choice voting and proportional representation for enhancing voter choice and reducing wasted votes. Deb argues that these methods could lead to friendlier politicians and rejuvenate civic engagement. The conversation also tackles the hurdles of implementing these reforms due to current political comfort zones and emphasizes the urgent need for better representation in government.

How does one man’s commitment to justice and equality change the course of history? David Greenberg takes us through the remarkable life of John Lewis, from his days as a civil rights icon to becoming a respected Congressman. He explores into the values that Lewis championed—nonviolence, collective action, voting rights and his powerful legacy of resilience, love, and an unshakable belief in a brighter future for America.Credits:Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahonSupervising Producer: Melanie Buck ParksAudio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What causes certain ideas to catch fire while others fizzle out? Malcolm Gladwell dives into this mystery, reexamining key themes from his groundbreaking book The Tipping Point. In his latest work, Revenge of the Tipping Point, he looks at how ideas spread today, focusing on issues like Medicare fraud in Miami and the dangers of parents pushing high school students all toward the same goal.Credits:Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahonSupervising Producer: Melanie Buck ParksAudio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

How did America’s Deadliest Election change the future of democracy? Sharon McMahon is joined by CNN's Dana Bash to discuss a lesser known chapter of history and how this pivotal moment forever changed the course of history.Credits:Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahonSupervising Producer: Melanie Buck ParksAudio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Feeling overwhelmed by the constant juggle of work and life? Always trying to be more productive with the little time you have? Kendra Adachi says there’s a better way. She shares with Sharon The Plan for how to let go of guilt and embrace the season you’re in. You’ll be guaranteed to walk away from this episode feeling better about yourself, no matter where you are in your life.Credits:Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahonSupervising Producer: Melanie Buck ParksAudio Producer: Craig Thompson To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In our final behind-the-scenes look at the making of The Small and The Mighty, Sharon McMahon shares explains the last stages of the book writing process, from copyediting to marketing, and what fun things to expect when you go to her book tour events!Credits:Host and Executive Producer: Sharon McMahonSupervising Producer: Melanie Buck ParksAudio Producer: Craig ThompsonHosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information. To learn more about listener data and our privacy practices visit: https://www.audacyinc.com/privacy-policy Learn more about your ad choices. Visit https://podcastchoices.com/adchoices