

The Dissidents
The Dissidents
Welcome to the Dissidents podcast from the Institute for Liberal Values (formerly the Counterweight Podcast), where we talk about how we can strive for a world in which freedom and reason are at the forefront of all human society.
Episodes
Mentioned books

Dec 3, 2020 • 38min
Episode 6: Red & Blue in Black & White | Ron McFarland
There are approximately 40 million Black Americans, and 40 million different life stories. Ron McFarland, aka Sugar Bear, has his own story to tell. His bottom line - he is a Republican because of Frederick Douglass. All discussed with a chaser of civility, of course. For Mr Sugar Bear, that included a nice cold beer and a hot toddy for me.
To see what we were reading this week, check out our blog Red & Blue in Black & White or visit us on our website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

Nov 26, 2020 • 35min
Episode 5: Family Reunion in Black & White | James Twyman & W.F. Twyman, Jr.
W.F. Twyman Jr and James Twyman join me to discuss coming together as family across racial divisions, all over a ginger beer. A multicultural family reunion in time for Thanksgiving!
To see what we were reading this week, check out our blog, Family Reunion in Black & White or visit us on our website. You can also watch the conversation on the Hold my Drink YouTube page.

Nov 19, 2020 • 26min
Episode 4: Fear, Freedom & the Law | Finnegan Gray
After last week's episode, Finn expressed his concerns over the latest Supreme Court appointment so I asked him to join me again for another conversation. In this episode we discuss fear, freedom and Amy Coney Barrett's appointment to the Supreme Court, and the impact it may have in shaping our American landscape.
To read more about our conversation and to see what each of us is reading for this episode, see our blog post Fear, Freedom & the Law.

Nov 12, 2020 • 27min
Episode 3: Red v Blue Family Survival | Finnegan Gray
On this week's podcast my co-host is my son, Finn. We discuss how we survived a divided household during the 2020 Election, all over a cup of hot chocolate.
To read our Family Survival Guide and see what we're reading this week, see our blog post Red v Blue: Family Survival.

Nov 1, 2020 • 33min
Episode 2: Cancel Culture & Free Speech | Branche Brown
A Republican and a Democrat walk into a bar and .... Not exactly in a bar in this age of Covid 19, but two people with different views, different genders and different ethnicity talk about how Cancel Culture is affecting American's ability to talk all while having a drink. Grab your favorite beverage, sit back and learn how someone on the other side thinks and talks about things you care about, without the barroom brawl... well, mostly...
To read more of what we're thinking and to see what we are reading - different news with different views - see our accompanying blog Disagreement and Offense.

Oct 29, 2020 • 33min
Episode 1: Information Warfare | Branche Brown
Have you noticed how conversations about politics quickly devolve into bitter arguments and it seems the facts being discussed are not the same. Well, Bronchae a former Military Information Operation planner explains how this is not by chance.
To read more on this topic and to see what each of us reading - different news and different views - visit our accompanying blog Information Warfare.


