Podcasts about civility timeless principles

Welcome to the Art, Life, Faith Podcast, and I’m your host, Roger Lowther. Let me take a moment to invite you to our upcoming conference, May 22-27, 2026, just one month away, here in downtown Tokyo with easy access to all the beautiful art and culture of our city. During our time together, we will offer many short presentations, talks, and performances to lead us in worship through the heart art languages of Japan, all around the theme of “The Beauty of Japan, The Beauty of Heaven.” Every session will include discussion times to get to know the people around you, to encourage networking, and to inspire and encourage one another. We will also have an art gallery with plenty of space to display and distribute materials. We will also host unique activities we are calling “Worship in the City,” enabling people to worship God outside the walls of our building and through the art and culture of Tokyo. This gathering has space for up to 200 people. This is not just a conference, it is an experience. You have to come to know what I'm talking about. I know it's going to change your life. God has already blessed tremendously through the preparations for this event, and we can’t wait to see what he already has in store. We are hosting this event specifically over Pentecost weekend to celebrate the things to come, when all the nations will be united across their different languages and different cultures and different arts in worshiping God together. Hear me on this. We will not be speaking one language or sharing one culture, but God delights in the diversity of the cultures and calling us to worship together. So, come spend Pentecost weekend with us here in Tokyo! We look forward to having you. Well, this episode I had the privilege of having a conversation with Alexandra Hudson, or Lexi, the author of “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.” A number of weeks ago, she was passing through Tokyo on vacation with her family when she was gracious enough to sit down with me and talk about the various themes in her book and then lead an Art Life Faith event right afterward. One of the things that came up during our conversation was about “porching.” Porch is not usually used as a verb, but Lexi talks about it in her book. She and I share a mutual friend, Joanna Taft, director of the Harrison Center for the Arts in Indianapolis, who invites people onto her porch every week to just share their lives with one another. And through this Art Life Faith event, we realized that that is exactly what these gatherings are. We gather around a table, have a meal together, and get to know each other. This time, three visitors came who I had never met before. And then they came again to gatherings we had in the weeks that followed. This porching was a wonderful opportunity to invite people into our community, and it was wonderful to have Lexi and her family spend that time with us as well. I’m glad I get to share this conversation with all of you. Roger Welcome to the Art Life Faith podcast, and I’m your host, Roger Lowther. Well, tonight we have the privilege of talking with Alexandra Hudson, who was passing through with her family on vacation, and so we got to arrange an Art Life Faith event happening right after our conversation. So I wanted to introduce her to all of you. So thank you, Alexandra, for being on the show. Lexi Thanks for your hospitality. Great to be with you and Abi tonight and excited for the conversation. Roger We just met, so I’m not quite sure how to introduce you. Can you introduce yourself? Lexi Yeah, I am passionate about ideas and storytelling and how they can make our lives richer and better. I love history and philosophy, and I wrote a book called “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.” It’s about how to flourish across deep differences, which is the most urgent question of our day in our era of hyper-partisanship, of extremism, of despair, of loneliness. But it’s also a timeless fundamental human question: How do we peacefully coexist amidst competing visions of the good? That’s what I explore my book. Roger Well, it’s an interesting book title because civility, when I try to translate it into Japanese in my head, I’m not quite sure which word to use. Lexi Oh, interesting. What are the options? Roger Well, the one I want to use is politeness, but it’s not politeness, is it? Lexi No, it is not. It’s interesting that you said that. Roger How is it different? Lexi You’re setting me up really nicely. A core argument of my book is that there is an essential distinction between civility and politeness, and in English we have these two words. We have civility and politeness, but people often today use them interchangeably, whether or not they want more of it or less of it. And in America, in the West, we have two vocal groups right now. One group says, “Oh, we are so divided. We’re so broken. Democracy is in peril. We need more civility and politeness in order to save democracy.” So they use this one phrase, “civility and politeness.” And there’s another contingent as well that says, no, civility and politeness are part of the problem. They’re the tools of the powerful, the patriarchy. They oppress the powerless, and we need to burn it all down, throw the baby out with the bathwater. Less civility and politeness in order to achieve greater justice and equity in the world. But both these contingents use these phrases interchangeably, and I argue that they’re different. I love etymology. I love studying language, and I love the origin of language. I’ve loved learning about Japanese and Japanese characters and the stories. So the etymology of civility and politeness is illuminating, and it’s, it’s actually honoring the original etymology to separate these words. So the etymology of, well, let me tell you what the difference is first, then I’ll go. Roger I'm thinking like civilization… Lexi So politeness, I argue, is manners. It’s etiquette. It’s technique. I know there’s a lot of influence in Japan on Confucius philosophy, but so is this concept of li. I don’t know if that is a concept here at all, but it’s like ritual. It’s propriety. Roger Japan is certainly known for its politeness. Lexi That’s correct. What we do is what we say, whereas civility isn’t external, it’s internal. It’s an inner disposition of the heart. It’s a way of seeing others fundamentally as our moral equals, worthy of respect just by virtue of our shared dignity, our equal moral worth as human beings, by virtue of the imago dei, that we are, we are created with it. We have the divine imprint, and that means that every single one of us without exception bear an irreducible moral worth and are worthy of respect. We owe to others that bare minimum of respect by virtue of imago dei. Roger I think I read on the back of your book that it’s not just about your actions and words but about the attitude of your heart, right? Lexi Right. The disposition of the heart is what civility is, and that sometimes actually respecting someone, actually loving someone, requires being impolite. It requires telling a hard truth, having an uncomfortable conversation, even especially in a democracy, engaging in robust debate. I mean, think of a marriage, you know, sweeping differences under the rug is not sustainable for an authentic true relationship. It’s going to get messy. It’s going to get hard. You have to have uncomfortable conversations. But, and in fact, having difficult conversations can be a tool of strengthening a relationship. It’s not about whether you disagree, it’s how you do it and whether you are… Roger If you’re uncivil, does that mean that you are fighting these? What kind of interaction is uncivil? You guys are being uncivil. You know, something I may say to my boys something, right? Lexi Civility requires action sometimes, but it also takes certain action off the table. I’ll give you an example. In chapter 7 of my book, I talk about civil disobedience. And let me just go to the etymology to illuminate the distinction a little bit more. So politeness, our word in English, comes from the Latin polire, which means to smooth or polish. And that’s what politeness does—it papers over difference, it sweeps it under the rug, as opposed to giving us tools to grapple with difference head-on. The etymology of civility is civitas, which is our etymological root for citizen, citizenship, civilization, city. And that’s what civility is— it’s the, the duty, duties, the conduct, the mores, that the disposition, the habits befitting a citizen in a city, and especially in a democracy that requires truth-telling, that requires honest, robust debate that is the lifeblood of a democracy. Roger Okay, so, you know, living here in Japan, we’re often taught to be polite because that’s such a big part of society. And I have seen a lot of relationships broken when they don’t know how to be polite. They say, well, let’s just not talk to that person, and then I don’t have to be fake. I just won’t see that person. And there doesn’t seem to be a kind of a way through for building community. There’s a lot of brokenness in relationships in Japan. So what you’re talking about is a way through that. Lexi That’s so interesting. I’m not saying don’t be polite. I’m not condemning Japan as a polite society. I’m saying that’s not enough, that the form the words, the rituals, the actions, without the inner disposition that sees you as my fellow human being worthy of respect, that it’s not going to be enough. And in the West as well, we too often settle for politeness. We, we settle for just people doing and saying the perfectly correct thing, but we’re missing civility, that inner disposition of the heart that helps us actually know when to depart from politeness, when to have those uncomfortable conversations. Roger Okay, so let me ask you now, because this is the Art Life Faith Podcast, what is the role of beauty and art in creating this soul of civility? Lexi I did a kintsugi class while I was here in Japan, and I love that as a metaphor for life and the human condition, this ancient practice of taking broken pottery that some might cast away but taking it, piecing it back together, and making it more beautiful on the other side of this process, illuminating our brokenness. I think that’s really powerful. Roger So the brokenness of society is something that you as an artist of society are trying to speak into? Lexi I’ve been going back and forth about what I am because I’m not just a writer, I’m not just a speaker. In fact, like this season of my work, I’m a practitioner. Like I am both trying to live this and build initiatives and institutions in my community and helping dozens of other people across the country right now, including Congress, including state legislatures, including Ivy League universities, build initiatives around my work as well. So, civic architect is one idea. I don’t know. Listeners, write to me with your ideas for how to characterize what I’m doing. I wrote this book. It’s both descriptive and normative, but now I’m doing it, and so I don’t have there’s no category really for that that I know of. So if you know of one, if you can help me think of one, I welcome it. Roger Yeah, well, I’ll keep thinking about it. I mean, one reason I asked you to come and speak tonight for this event is we were connected by a mutual friend who runs the Harrison Center for the Arts. I looked at some of the pictures. I saw you were doing events there. You were connected to this art gallery. Can you tell us a little bit more about that connection? Lexi To really do justice to that story, let’s back up a little bit about why I wrote this book. I love history. I love philosophy. I love ideas. I was raised by two very curious human beings. My mom and dad are intellectually omnivorous, and our home life growing up was just very stimulating. And my parents taught me wonder was a way of life. I went to a combination of public, private, and charter schools growing up, but I loved all school because I had this really intellectually robust home life that promoted the life of the mind. Then I went to grad school at the London School of Economics, because I wanted to put ideas into practice. I feel like my education kind of stopped at the Italian Renaissance, and I wanted to know more about the world that I was about to live in. Then I got my first big break in DC. I served in federal government, and it felt like the honor of a lifetime. I couldn’t wait to serve my country, and I chose to serve at the United States Department of Education, the single largest institution in the history of mankind dedicated to student instruction. And I was devastated to discover they didn’t really care about education, at least not how I had been educated, about soul craft and ordering our passions and beauty and goodness and truth. And on top of that, it was so dehumanizing, my experience in Washington. My experience was kind of a microcosm of our dysfunction and division as a whole. I saw two extremes that are equally as dehumanizing. One was the hostile contingent in government, people who were willing to step on anyone to get ahead, overtly belligerent. And the other contingent were polished and poised and polite, but ruthless and cruel. Roger Yeah, I believe it. Lexi I saw people who would smile at me and others one moment and then stab us in the back the next. And that really disillusioned me. And I realized upon reflection that these two extremes they seem like polar opposites. And in fact, people often tack in one direction as an antidote to the other. People who are just exhausted by the hostility are trying to be uber polite to try and compensate, but they’re actually equally as dehumanizing. Both insufficiently appreciate the profound gift of being human in ourselves and in others. The hostile contingent sees others as pawns to be bludgeoned into submission, silenced. Roger That's certainly the image of government. Lexi And the polite contingent sees others as pawns to be manipulated and then discarded, but neither see human beings as they really are— beings with dignity, worthy of respect. So I fled Washington. I served one year. I remember the day very clearly. I came home from work one day. It was a very dispiriting day, and I said to my husband, I’m done with DC. I’m done with the swamp. I’m done with government. Let’s move to Indiana. And he said, okay, sounds good, we’ll move to Indiana. Roger So why Indiana? Lexi Because he’s from there originally. He’s from northern Indiana, and I wanted anywhere but Washington. I just wanted something different. I had in my mind like rolling pastures and farmland, like just peace and tranquility. So he smiled and said, okay, sounds good, we’ll move to Indiana. No takebacks. And a few months later, we were out there, and one of my first friends came up to me after church one day and she said, “Hi, I’m Joanna Taft. Would you like to porch with us sometime?” And I never heard the word porch used that way. Roger I’m not sure what that is. Lexi But I was curious, and again, we didn’t know many people in town. And so we went to her beautiful historic great big front veranda on her porch that Sunday afternoon, and I realized that she was staging a quiet revolution against our polarized, divided, isolated status quo from her front porch. She had curated people that day, much like what you’re doing here tonight, you know, not to have a structured dialog across difference, but just to say You know, what does it mean to engage one another as human beings first? And it was a beautiful oasis from the divisions that I had been just so immersed in in government, where, you know, the world wants us to assign value to our race, our wealth, our political persuasion, where we live, all these different identities. And it was an oasis from that. It was just a chance to be present with other human beings and I’ve been on book tour the last several years. I’ve been in like 145 cities and 5 countries. And I saw people like Joanna doing the same independently. People who said, this is the power in Joanna’s work and her life being an argument for this work. Lexi She was saying, I can’t control others. I can’t control who’s president. I can’t control what’s happening down at city hall. I can only control myself, and I’m going to choose to double down and make my community better and more beautiful. And I tell her story in my book, The Soul of Civility, because the porch is the metaphor that I use, one of the metaphors I used for this, this theory of social change, that we can’t change others. We can’t. It’s the world wants to disempower us and blame. Roger Yeah, I love it. Especially here in Japan, community is so much more important than ideas. And my sense is that America is getting more and more interested in, this is my idea, this is where I stand, are you with me or are you an enemy? Lexi Is there “porching” in Japan? Roger There’s a lot of cafes. People are always going out to izakaya, which is kind of Japanese bar restaurant type of thing. That is a meeting ground. Country Chicken is a fried chicken, izakaya-type place that’s just down there. We can see it out the living room window here. I do karate with my dojo, and we meet there like every couple months. It’s just a fun place to gather and talk. And I’m the only Christian in the group, I’m the only foreigner in the group, and they’ve invited me into their community through the sport of doing karate together. It feels like porching, I guess, because we’re always sharing various ideas. They sometimes ask me provocative questions about politics in the States, and I usually try to avoid those topics. But yeah, that could be porching, I guess. Lexi It absolutely is porching because it’s not even about the porch. You got that right away. It’s a way of engaging others in the world with civility, seeing them as a human being first. You know, you’re not American or Japanese first. You’re not a Republican or Democrat first. You’re my fellow human being and I want to know you. I want to see you. I want to know you and maybe even love you. That is what Joanna fostered on her porch that day that felt so powerful, to have people be seen and known and loved in the fullness of who they are. And that’s refreshing in a world that wants to essentialize us. Roger Yeah, that definitely is what we’re trying to create tonight. We open our home to people. It’s why we are where we are. It’s kind of easy to get to. You came from Tokyo Station. How far are we from there? Lexi Like 10 minutes. Roger Not too far, right? Lexi I know, it was wonderful. Roger Yeah, so we’re trying to be centrally located for that reason. And our church too isn’t far from here. We’re trying to create that kind of community. So going back to the art gallery, or just arts in general…For artists who are listening, what would you say to them about their role in this? How can they help be an architect of civility in their cities, in their communities? What does that look like? Lexi Well, Pope Francis has this great phrase. He called us all to be artisans of the common good. And I love that. I do a lot of work with civic leaders, with elected officials, with CEOs, with educators, people who might not consider themselves artists. I think we’re all artists. We are all creators because we are made in God’s image, and our God is the Creator. Roger Yes. Lexi And I think that we are closest to being who we really are and who God created us to be and most like him when we are creating. So that’s a core message I have for people in my community that might not think of themselves as creative. They’re not part of the creative economy. And it’s like, no, you are. And it’s about finding that still quiet voice that you have a calling to, and to innovate, to see a need, something that doesn’t exist, and to build something that meets that need. So this season of my work, I’m not just talking about the book. I call myself a co-creator with these dozens of local leaders. I call them Civic Renaissance Ambassadors. They’re congresspersons. They’re state representatives. They’re local mayors. They’re city councilors. They’re school teachers. They’re people from all walks of life who have read my book, found it useful, and said, “Okay, I’ve read it, I love it, but how do I live it?” And when I was getting that question all throughout book tour, I said, “I don’t know, I just wrote a book.” But now I’ve learned a lot and I’m co-creating. That’s what I call myself, a co-creator with these people who are doing this, who see loneliness, they see brokenness, they see life as it ought not be because people are cutting friends off, cutting family members off over politics. I don’t know if that’s a problem here. I’d be curious to know if it is, but that’s a big problem in the US where you’re ending friendships, lifelong friendships, family, no contact with parents. Over politics, your view on the vaccine, your view on Donald Trump. And that is like self-sabotage. That is disordered loves. We are making the most important things the not important. And so people see those needs and they want to be part of the solution. So, I’m calling them to co-create with me. Roger I think a lot of artists have this image that they make work and they hope somebody is going to buy their painting or hope that someone’s going to hire them to come in and play for this event but don’t know how it fits into the bigger picture. But you’re saying that everyone has a role to play in building the kind of community to build the kind of city that we want to see. It’s so easy for us to get practical. Like, this is what I have to do to make a living. And this is my narrow pathway here. But it’s a much bigger vision, how it all fits together. Is that right? Lexi Yes. And I think that the message I would share with my co-creators, these civic leaders that I work with is also a message for artists as well, is that no effort to create beauty is ever wasted. It can be really easy to feel like it if the piece doesn’t sell, or if, you know, no one notices— I feel that sometimes. I feel like I work so hard and I’m like, does anyone even care? Is this working? Is this doing anything? And then I have to remind myself, no, the process is the point. Just the act of creation, the act of bringing goodness and beauty and truth into the world, that is its own reward. Roger You were talking about keeping the conversation going by continuing to meet with these people working in government and other business leaders and people like that. I can see how the arts can play a role in that as well. There’s tremendous power in the arts to bring people together over certain topics from a third-party perspective. It’s a safe way to create a platform for people to engage one another, I think. So we’re almost out of time. People are going to start ringing the doorbell and coming in here. Is there anything you’d like to share before we end? Lexi The final chapter on my book argues—it’s on misplaced meaning and forgiveness—and it argues that we have made a religion out of politics, and that’s bad for democracy, bad for religion, bad for Christianity, bad for our souls. And I argue that we need to do things that give us life, that it’s not enough just to say love politics less. We have to do things to actively displace and replace a harmful affection. I’m getting this idea from Thomas Chalmers. He’s a Scottish theologian. He has an essay called “The Expulsive Power of a New Affection.” He says it’s not enough just to say, soul, love sin less. You have to cultivate love of God. That is what will permanently displace the love of the sin. Nature abhors a vacuum, he says. It’s not enough just to diagnose that we have an unhealthy attachment to politics and to toxicity that is poisoning our soul. What are some things we can proactively pursue that are more noble and life-giving? I talk about intellectual curiosity. I talk about friendship, especially friendship across difference. I talk about beauty and the sublime. Beauty is something that delights us. The sublime fills us with awe. It’s like, you know, a thunderstorm, waves crashing on the shore. It’s like staring up space at night and being humbled by this concept of infinity and giving us a sense of smallness. That is good for our souls. I’m on holiday here in Japan with my 3 children, and it’s hard to travel with 3 kids under 6, and it’s tiring. But I want them to know that the world is big and vast, and how we live every day is not the way that most of the world lives. That is humbling. It’s so beautiful. And I’m just so grateful to be here with you. Roger Yeah, that’s great. Well, how can people learn more about you? Lexi I host a newsletter intellectual community called Civic Renaissance. It’s about beauty, goodness, and truth, and reviving the wisdom of the past to help us lead better lives in the present. Please do consider joining me over at Civic Renaissance. It’s about taking ideas out of the ether and living them, like putting this work into practice now, and how can we live richer, more fulfilled lives and relationships now. And, of course, read my book, “The Soul of Civility.” I hope it’s an encouragement. If you are in Japan, and whether you’re Japanese or American or from the West, I want to hear your observations about how this distinction between civility and politeness applies here. I came here with a kind of working hypothesis. I’ve been all over the world talking about this distinction. I was like, what’s it going to be like going to the most polite society in the world? I hope that this does meet a need in some way here, because we need human dignity first. Just manners alone are not enough. Roger Well, thank you. I’m really looking forward to tonight and seeing the kind of discussions that we’re going to have. So thank you so much for sharing your time with us. Lexi My pleasure. Thanks for having us. Roger You’ve been listening to the Art, Life, Faith Podcast. Don't forget to pick up your own copy of The Soul of Civility, wherever you buy your books. As we say in Japan, “Ja, mata ne!” We’ll see you next time.

As we head into Thanksgiving week, fears are high and tensions are real and you and your family need both wisdom and peace for the wild cultural times and questions of faith in dark moments. Alexandra Hudson, leading world leader and founder of Civic Renaissance (with 50,000 subscribers and the praise of the Wall Street Journal) is timely on the pod, both in our convo here with Christa in also what she has written "The Soul of Civility" as she revived what the ancient Greeks called "the Great Conversation" about politics, beauty, goodness, and truth. On the must-listen pod here, Alexandra (Lexie) makes a crucial distinction: true civility is deeper than politeness, understanding the substance behind people's words and practicing robust discourse with love while respecting personhood. This conversation explores the "libido dominandi," the desire to dominate that shows up in marriages, families, and our cultural discourse, as human group effect takes us farther away from what we really need - each other. Whether you're navigating a tense marriage, a divided family gathering, or just trying to stay sane in our current moment, this listener-requested episode is a gem as you prep for differing voices over the holiday. Remember, respectful discourse doesn't mean avoiding disagreement, it means engaging it well and with love and grace so good is done in the world - we are all learning this together. Watch on YouTube! Get the book: "The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves" by Alexandra Hudson https://a.co/d/dzJN8Zs Get on her website to get her beautiful newsletter: https://alexandraohudson.com/ Get on our Advent adventure together too where we'll discuss hope, love, and joy starting December 1st at ⁠www.EnneagramandMarriage.com⁠. Find more about your type, the pod, freebies, and SO much more at our website right here! ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.EnneagramandMarriage.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Leave Christa a podcast question anonymously by sending an MP4 recording to enneagramandmarriage@gmail.com. Love what you're learning on E + M? Make sure you leave us a podcast review so others can find us, too⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ here!⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

It helps foreign nations and family relationships--can it transform your community? Bridging disagreements in politics and more can lead us to building a flourishing life and flourishing community. Tune in as we discuss how! Alexandra Hudson is the author of 'The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves' which empowers readers to live tolerantly with others despite deep differences, and to rigorously protest wrongs and debate issues rather than silencing disagreements. A robust public discourse is essential to a truly civil society, and respecting others means telling hard truths. If enough of us decide to change ourselves, we might be able to change the world we live in, too. Want to be better equipped with a Biblical Worldview? Check out summit.org! For more from Dr. Jeff on YouTube visit http://bit.ly/3flbj2j  For more resources from Summit Ministries visit their Resource Library at www.summit.org/resources/

Steve Adubato sits down with Tamika D. Mallory, author of “I Lived to Tell the Story,” to discuss the complexities of race relations in 2025 and the potential impact of President Donald Trump's second term on communities of color. Then, Steve Adubato welcomes Alexandra Hudson, author of “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal … Continue reading "Tamika D. Mallory; Alexandra Hudson"

Alexandra “Lexi” Hudson was raised by a philosopher father and a mother who is a recognized manners expert.  As a result, she has spent much of her life contemplating what forms of behavior constitute “the good life,” and lead to human flourishing.  Following a disheartening stint working in government and seeing even spotty incidents of politeness masking an underlying incivility, she was driven to write her new book, which reaches back to great thinkers and writers throughout history to teach us timeless lessons. It is this work that forms the basis of this Blue Sky conversation.    From her book description:  “From classical philosophers like Epictetus, to great twentieth-century thinkers like Martin Luther King Jr., to her own experience working in the federal government during one of the most politically fraught eras in our nation's history, Hudson examines how civility—a respect for the personhood and dignity of others—transcends political disagreements. Respecting someone means valuing them enough to tell them when you think they are wrong.”    Order The Soul of Civility Chapters: 02:05 Meet Lexi Hudson Bill introduces his guest, Alexandra Hudson, a writer and speaker dedicated to civility and human flourishing.   04:50 The Disease of Division Lexi discusses the societal ‘disease' of division and incivility, reflecting on her experiences in government.   06:54 Growing Up with Judy the Manners Lady Lexi shares her unique upbringing as the daughter of Judi the Manners Lady, highlighting the influence of her mother's kindness and emphasis on community.   08:00 Civility vs. Politeness Lexi distinguishes between civility and politeness, explaining that civility is rooted in recognizing others as moral equals.   11:40 The Importance of Disagreement Lexi emphasizes that true civility sometimes requires engaging in difficult conversations and disagreeing respectfully.   13:02 Global Trends in Incivility The conversation shifts to the global rise of incivility, with Lexi noting that the challenges faced in the U.S. are mirrored worldwide.   16:06 The Role of Social Media Lexi discusses the impact of social media on societal discourse, drawing parallels to historical concerns about new technologies. She highlights the need for mindfulness in digital interactions to preserve humanity.  22:33 Remembering the Human Element Lexi stresses the importance of recognizing the human side of social media interactions, which can often lead to dehumanization. She encourages listeners to maintain empathy and connection in digital communications.  27:20 Navigating Opinions in a Divided World Lexi shares insights on the pressure to have opinions on every issue, especially during crises. She advocates for the idea that it's okay to refrain from engaging in every argument, emphasizing the value of thoughtful consideration.  33:37 The Perils of Constant Distraction Drawing from Blaise Pascal's insights, Lexi addresses humanity's struggle with distraction and the inability to sit quietly in solitude. She argues that this constant need for stimulation detracts from self-awareness and authentic connections with others.  36:01 The Call for Solitude and Self-Reflection Lexi elaborates on Pascal's thoughts regarding the necessity of solitude for understanding oneself and forming meaningful relationships. She emphasizes that embracing quiet moments can lead to deeper connections and a more fulfilling life.  37:50 Envisioning a Civil Society In the concluding segment, Lexi paints a hopeful picture of a society transformed by the principles outlined in her book, advocating for deeper connections and understanding among individuals. She envisions a world where civility fosters warmth, intimacy, and genuine curiosity about one another. 

What does it mean to be civil with others – and why does this value often feel at risk? Alexandra Hudson, author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, says that civility is very different from being polite – but that it might be the key to building back positive relationships across differences in society. This week, Alexandra shares her research on why valuing the people you disagree with as human beings is so important, and what you can do to be a slightly better citizen of the world.

Alexandra Hudson joins Brian C. Anderson to discuss her book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.

“Fragile Neighborhoods is an essential and engaging read for everyone who wants to better understand the challenges facing our cities, towns and our nation at large.” Richard Florida – Bestselling Author of “The Rise of the Creative Class” Find the program online here: https://tlh.villagesquare.us/event/soul-of-civility/ While our special guest Alexandra O. Hudson, author of “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves,” finds the challenges to civility today dire, she thinks they're not new — and they're most definitely not about being more polite. Lexi brings a deep and fresh appreciation for the wisdom of the ages to the moment we're in, from Socrates and Confucius to more contemporary thinkers such as Martin Luther King Jr., Gandhi, and Henry David Thoreau. She joins forces with these heavyweights, along with a practically encyclopedic knowledge of our understanding of civility through the ages. We hope you'll join us for this inspiringly heartfelt and beautifully pitched argument that civility is not a luxury: it's necessary for the survival and flourishing of our species. ALEXANDRA O. HUDSON is a writer, popular speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth. She contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine, and Newsweek. She earned a master's degree in public policy at the London School of Economics and is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Her first book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, was published in October 2023. She lives in Indianapolis, IN with her husband and children. ______________ The Village Square is a proud member of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it. Funding for this podcast was provided through a grant from Florida Humanities with funds from the National Endowment for the Humanities. Any views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of Florida Humanities or the National Endowment for the Humanities. This program is part of a larger project "Healing Starts Here" funded by New Pluralists. Learn more about our project, and other inspiring grantees here.

ALEXANDRA O. HUDSON is passionate about how ideas and storytelling canchange people's lives. A writer and popular speaker, she also is the founder ofCivic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness, and truth. She was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to CBS News, Fox News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine, and Newsweek. She earned a master's degree in public policy at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar, and is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. She is also the creator of a series for The Great Courses,Netflix for lifelong learners, called Storytelling and The Human Condition. Her bestselling book, “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves,” was published by St. Martin's Press, and was selected as a “Must Read” book by The Next Big Idea Book Club. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and two children. https://alexandraohudson.com

Yascha Mounk and Alexandra Hudson discuss how civility can be a tool for pursuing justice. Alexandra Hudson is a writer, an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy, and the founder of the publication Civic Renaissance. Hudson's first book is The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. In this week's conversation, Yascha Mounk and Alexandra Hudson discuss how civility is different from mere politeness; why true civility can require engaging in uncomfortable conversations and delivering hard truths; and why certain social norms and expectations have proven timeless. This transcript has been condensed and lightly edited for clarity. Please do listen and spread the word about The Good Fight. If you have not yet signed up for our podcast, please do so now by following this link on your phone. Email: podcast@persuasion.community  Website: http://www.persuasion.community Podcast production by Jack Shields, and Brendan Ruberry Connect with us! Spotify | Apple | Google Twitter: @Yascha_Mounk & @joinpersuasion Youtube: Yascha Mounk LinkedIn: Persuasion Community Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan speaks with author Alexandra Hudson about how to navigate pragmatic situations through civility, unbundling the mental framework of people, her new book The Soul of Civility, and more. Alexandra is a writer, speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth. She was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine, and Newsweek. She earned a master's degree in public policy at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar, and is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. She is also the creator of a series for The Teaching Company called Storytelling and The Human Condition, now available for streaming. She lives in Indianapolis, IN with her husband and children.Get a signed copy of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves from The Painted Porch.IG: @alexandrahudsonX: @lexiohudson✉️ Sign up for the Daily Stoic email: https://dailystoic.com/dailyemail

Alexandra Hudson is the author of new book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. She joined host Andrew Kaufmann and the Bush Institute's Chris Walsh to discuss the difference between civility and politeness, why civility is a duty of citizenship, and how we can flourish across deep differences.Hear more from Alexandra on this episode of The Strategerist, presented by the George W. Bush Presidential Center.Related content:The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves

Alexandra Hudson is a writer, public speaker, and the author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. She joins Preet to discuss her book, the difference between politeness and civility, and the many figures that have inspired her—from Martin Luther King, Jr. to Larry David. Stay Tuned in Brief is presented by CAFE and the Vox Media Podcast Network. Please write to us with your thoughts and questions at letters@cafe.com, or leave a voicemail at 669-247-7338. For analysis of recent legal news, join the CAFE Insider community. Head to cafe.com/insider to join for just $1 for the first month.  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

What is the difference between politeness and civility? How do you show respect for others during difficult discourse instead of siloing yourself away in only like-minded company?Alexandra Hudson is an author and writer of the book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, and also the creator of the Civic-Renaissance newsletter. Alexandra and Greg discuss Alexandra's views on civility and humanity. Alexandra also recounts the wisdom of historical figures like Augustine and Pascal, shedding light on the balancing act between self-interest and societal harmony and why civility remains crucial, even when it's challenging. This episode not only offers a profound examination of civility's role in healing society but also provides actionable insights for integrating these timeless principles into the fabric of everyday life. *unSILOed Podcast is produced by University FM.*Episode Quotes:Are we overdoing democracy?38:36: I argue in the final chapter of my book [The Soul of Civility] that we've made idols out of democracy, out of public life, out of our national public discourse. When we have an unhealthy love, unhealthy addiction to something, we know that we've made idols. We have an unhealthy addiction to this because it's invaded all areas of our lives. Things that were historically apolitical now have a profound political dimension and valence to them, like sports, schools, and education, and what newspaper you read, what area of town you live in, all of these historically apolitical decisions now, like you can assess a person's political dimension based on these decisions. And we do that all the time. That's not good—not good for our souls, not good for democracy. Democracy is a beautiful, important, and wonderful thing, but there's such a thing as too much of a good thing, and we're overdoing democracy by making it part of every aspect of our lives, and we're undermining it as a result.Civility is inherent good04:15: We need to realize that even when the stakes are high, we still owe the other some basic baseline of respect. That is civility. Even when it might be costly to us and even when it's inconvenient, that's just the right thing. Inherently, that is the right thing to do. And it's an obligation we have.The essential distinction between civility and politeness19:21:  I also realized this essential distinction between civility and politeness. That politeness is manners; it's etiquette; it's technique; it's external. It's the stuff where civility is internal. It's the disposition of the heart. It's a way of seeing others as our moral equals who are worthy of respect. And crucially, sometimes respecting others requires being impolite, telling hard truths, and engaging in robust debate. What are the foundational questions you ask yourself to be considered truly educated?44:51: This is the dialogue about foundational questions that every single human being should have the opportunity to ask and answer for themselves in order to be considered truly educated. Questions of origin, purpose, and destiny: Who are we? Why are we here? What is the best way to live? These are thoughtful questions that thoughtful people across history and culture have reflected on and offered answers to. And we do ourselves a profound disservice if we don't grapple with these questions in the context of how other thoughtful people before us have answered them.Show Links:Recommended Resources:Augustine of HippoSigmund FreudBlaise PascalChimeraRamayanaGiovanni della CasaPetrus AlphonsiDistichs of CatoAlexander PopeGeorge Bernard ShawSlow HorsesRobert D. PutnamErasmusHannah ArendtAlexis de TocquevilleGuest Profile:AlexandraOHudson.comFaculty Profile from Indiana UniversitySocial Profile on XLinkedIn ProfileHis Work:The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and OurselvesCivic-Renaissance.com

Lexi Hudson joins me to discuss her recent book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Buy the book:  https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Civility-Timeless-Principles-Ourselves-ebook/dp/B0B9KTF7BP/Subscribe to my newsletter:  https://www.aaronrenn.com/

This is a free preview of a paid episode. To hear more, visit andrewsullivan.substack.comAlexandra is a journalist and public speaker. She's the founder of Civic Renaissance, a newsletter and intellectual community dedicated to moral and cultural renewal. She's also an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Her first book is The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.For two clips of our convo — on the moments when being civil is impolite, and the importance of indifference to others' opinions — pop over to our YouTube page. Other topics: being raised in horse country in Canada; having “Judi the Manners Lady” as a mother; moving to DC in the fall of 2016 and hating it; working for Trump in the Department of Ed; the rude awakening of being loathed by her peers as an appointee; the difference between politeness and civility; a story of Queen Victoria's bad manners; how personal boundaries are often crucial for civility; Arnold Bennett's book How to Live 24 Hours a Day; the virtue of curiosity toward those who seem boring; hypocrisy vs. inauthenticity; Tom Holland's Dominion; when the love of others and the self are in tension; online anonymity; the ever-growing need for forgiveness and gratitude; Aristotle and “the magnanimous soul”; the Stoics; Isocrates as the Miss Manners of ancient Greece; Erasmus; the “respectability politics” of the Civil Rights Movement vs. the crudeness of pro-Gaza protesters and the January 6 mob; empathy toward road-ragers; defenders of Gay retaliating with plagiarism charges of their own; Slow Horses and the crude authenticity of Oldman's character; the cult of authenticity in Gen Z; how civility and toxicity are contagious; zealous extroversion; why Alexandra wants to kill the phrase “let's get lunch”; me pressing her on how anyone praising civility could work for Trump; and why auto-didactism is the subject of her next book.Browse the Dishcast archive for an episode you might enjoy (the first 102 are free in their entirety — subscribe to get everything else). Coming up: Jonathan Freedland on the war in Gaza, Jennifer Burns on her new biography of Milton Friedman, and Abigail Shrier on why the cult of therapy harms children. Please send any guest recs, dissents, and other pod comments to dish@andrewsullivan.com.

This week on Givers, Doers, & Thinkers, Jeremy speaks with Alexandra O. Hudson about how cultivating the misunderstood virtue of civility can help us overcome our individual anxieties and social pathologies. Alexandra Hudson lives in Indianapolis, where she is an Adjunct Professor at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She was a Novak Journalism Fellow and the creator and developer of a TV series called Storytelling and the Human Condition. She has contributed to the Wall Street Journal, USA Today, Politico, and other publications. Most recently, Alexandra is the author of a new book titled The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.What's the difference between civility and politeness? How do we cultivate healing in our society? Jeremy and Alexandra discuss what defines civility and the timeless set of principles that can heal our society. They further expand on the need for civility and its impact on protest, societal change, social media, education, and philanthropy. And most importantly, how Larry David fits into it all.  You can find Givers, Doers, & Thinkers at Philanthropy Daily, Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music, Buzzsprout, and wherever you listen to podcasts.We'd love to hear your thoughts, ideas, questions, and recommendations for the podcast! You can shoot Katie Janus, GDT's producer, an email anytime!Center for Civil Society's YouTube Channel

In this episode, we chat with Alexandra Hudson about her new book -The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Hudson explores the difference between politeness and what Hudson calls civility – and we call CIVITY – truly seeing an OTHER and recognizing their humanity and dignity.Alexandra is also founder of Civic Renaissance, an online space dedicated to elevating our public discourse.

Can civility save our country? In this episode, Robert talks with Alexandra Hudson, an award-winning journalist, speaker, and author of the book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. “A refugee from the federal government,” Alexandra grew up in a home that prioritized politeness and viewed education as a lifestyle. Yet when she began working for the U.S. Department of Education, Alexandra soon discovered that her coworkers used politeness for corruption and also didn't care about education. In this conversation, Alexandra discusses her disillusionment with the Department of Education, not living a boxed life, the difference between politeness and civility, why we need less politeness in the world, how to respect someone while sharing hard truths, why the left and right don't share the same vision, how incivility hurts both others and ourselves, how one individual can start a quiet revolution that can change the world, and how the classical model of education can be used to teach future generations the art of being civil. To get a free audiobook version of The Soul of Civility, follow the steps in this episode's show notes. Show notes: RefiningRhetoric.com/Alexandra-Hudson Get a homeschool family the gift of Scribblers at Home: Recipes from Lifelong Learners this Christmas! Learn more at ClassicalConversations.com/Scribblers.

Today, we have Alexandra Hudson joining us on The Way Home podcast. Alexandra is a writer, popular speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance. We discuss her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, the distinctions between civility and niceness, how we as Christians are to navigate modern politics, […] The post The Way Home Podcast: Alexandra Hudson on Living as Christians in Modern Democracy appeared first on Daniel Darling.

In an era marked by contentiousness, rancor, and bitter divide, what role does or should civility play in our society? Further, how ought proper civility be understood and meaningfully differ from mere politeness? In her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, Alexandra Hudson addresses these insights with a refreshing exploration that digs deeply into the history of civility, its relevance for today, and the impact it can have on ourselves, our relationships, and our society.The Cato Institute's Sphere Education Initiatives is pleased to host Alexandra Hudson in the Hayek Auditorium on December 4th from 12–1 pm EST for a special book release event. Please join us in person or via online streaming video for this important conversation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The state of public discourse is often dire and includes insults and threats. We assume the worst of the other side and are not afraid to call them out publicly, especially online. Our guest on today's show says this behavior isn't just rude. It's uncivil. And that civility - not politeness - makes a real difference in how we think about ourselves and treat each other. Our guest, Alexandra Hudson, is the author of the new book The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. She grew up in a family where manners mattered. When she went to work for Education Secretary Betsy DeVos in the Trump administration, she thought good manners would help her navigate a hostile work environment.   But she failed to thrive, despite putting politeness and friendliness into overdrive. She left politics deflated. Still, her experience got her thinking about true civility and how it can help us find common ground.  As the holiday season begins, we explore the difference between civility and politeness, how loneliness and isolation contribute to an uncivil society, and the important part hospitality plays in being genuinely civil.

Iowa Business Report Thursday EditionNovember 16, 2023    Alexandra Hudson, author of the new book "The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society".

Jonah's even more sleep-deprived than usual on today's Remnant due to dingo-related difficulties. Thankfully, however, his guest has more than enough rich insights on hand to keep him awake. He's joined by Alexandra Hudson—writer, academic, and author of the new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. It's clear that American society isn't in a particularly civil state, and there's plenty of appetite for improvement. But Alexandra thinks that we often fail to grasp what civility really means in the first place. Armed with an esoteric collection of historical references, she and Jonah explore what the distinction is between civility and politeness, how we can bring about a “civility renaissance,” and why civility is foundational to liberal democracy. Break out your bingo cards. Show Notes: - Alexandra's webpage - Alexandra's new book, The Soul of Civility - Defining the World: The Extraordinary History of Dr. Johnson's Dictionary - Video version Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Alexandra Hudson joins us to discuss how to rise about the political ugliness. She's the author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Then we take calls.

Alexandra Hudson is a writer, popular speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth. She was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine, and Newsweek.   New Book: The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves

Alexandra Hudson, daughter of the "Manners Lady," was raised to respect others. But as she grew up, Hudson discovered a difference between politeness--a superficial appearance of good manners--and true civility. In this timely book, Hudson sheds light on how civility can help bridge our political divide. From classical philosophers like Epictetus, to great twentieth-century thinkers like Martin Luther King Jr., to her own experience working in the federal government during one of the most politically fraught eras in our nation's history, Hudson examines how civility--a respect for the personhood and dignity of others--transcends political disagreements. Respecting someone means valuing them enough to tell them when you think they are wrong. It's easy to look at the divided state of the world and blame our leaders, the media, or our education system. Instead, we should focus on what we can control: ourselves. The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves (St. Martin's Press, 2023) empowers readers to live tolerantly with others despite deep differences, and to rigorously protest wrongs and debate issues rather than silencing disagreements. A robust public discourse is essential to a truly civil society, and respecting others means telling hard truths. If enough of us decide to change ourselves, we might be able to change the world we live in, too. Alexandra Hudson is a writer and the founder of Civic Renaissance. She is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/new-books-network

Alexandra Hudson, daughter of the "Manners Lady," was raised to respect others. But as she grew up, Hudson discovered a difference between politeness--a superficial appearance of good manners--and true civility. In this timely book, Hudson sheds light on how civility can help bridge our political divide. From classical philosophers like Epictetus, to great twentieth-century thinkers like Martin Luther King Jr., to her own experience working in the federal government during one of the most politically fraught eras in our nation's history, Hudson examines how civility--a respect for the personhood and dignity of others--transcends political disagreements. Respecting someone means valuing them enough to tell them when you think they are wrong. It's easy to look at the divided state of the world and blame our leaders, the media, or our education system. Instead, we should focus on what we can control: ourselves. The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves (St. Martin's Press, 2023) empowers readers to live tolerantly with others despite deep differences, and to rigorously protest wrongs and debate issues rather than silencing disagreements. A robust public discourse is essential to a truly civil society, and respecting others means telling hard truths. If enough of us decide to change ourselves, we might be able to change the world we live in, too. Alexandra Hudson is a writer and the founder of Civic Renaissance. She is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/political-science

Alexandra Hudson, daughter of the "Manners Lady," was raised to respect others. But as she grew up, Hudson discovered a difference between politeness--a superficial appearance of good manners--and true civility. In this timely book, Hudson sheds light on how civility can help bridge our political divide. From classical philosophers like Epictetus, to great twentieth-century thinkers like Martin Luther King Jr., to her own experience working in the federal government during one of the most politically fraught eras in our nation's history, Hudson examines how civility--a respect for the personhood and dignity of others--transcends political disagreements. Respecting someone means valuing them enough to tell them when you think they are wrong. It's easy to look at the divided state of the world and blame our leaders, the media, or our education system. Instead, we should focus on what we can control: ourselves. The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves (St. Martin's Press, 2023) empowers readers to live tolerantly with others despite deep differences, and to rigorously protest wrongs and debate issues rather than silencing disagreements. A robust public discourse is essential to a truly civil society, and respecting others means telling hard truths. If enough of us decide to change ourselves, we might be able to change the world we live in, too. Alexandra Hudson is a writer and the founder of Civic Renaissance. She is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/sociology

Alexandra Hudson, daughter of the "Manners Lady," was raised to respect others. But as she grew up, Hudson discovered a difference between politeness--a superficial appearance of good manners--and true civility. In this timely book, Hudson sheds light on how civility can help bridge our political divide. From classical philosophers like Epictetus, to great twentieth-century thinkers like Martin Luther King Jr., to her own experience working in the federal government during one of the most politically fraught eras in our nation's history, Hudson examines how civility--a respect for the personhood and dignity of others--transcends political disagreements. Respecting someone means valuing them enough to tell them when you think they are wrong. It's easy to look at the divided state of the world and blame our leaders, the media, or our education system. Instead, we should focus on what we can control: ourselves. The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves (St. Martin's Press, 2023) empowers readers to live tolerantly with others despite deep differences, and to rigorously protest wrongs and debate issues rather than silencing disagreements. A robust public discourse is essential to a truly civil society, and respecting others means telling hard truths. If enough of us decide to change ourselves, we might be able to change the world we live in, too. Alexandra Hudson is a writer and the founder of Civic Renaissance. She is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast.fm/politics-and-polemics

Alexandra Hudson, daughter of the "Manners Lady," was raised to respect others. But as she grew up, Hudson discovered a difference between politeness--a superficial appearance of good manners--and true civility. In this timely book, Hudson sheds light on how civility can help bridge our political divide. From classical philosophers like Epictetus, to great twentieth-century thinkers like Martin Luther King Jr., to her own experience working in the federal government during one of the most politically fraught eras in our nation's history, Hudson examines how civility--a respect for the personhood and dignity of others--transcends political disagreements. Respecting someone means valuing them enough to tell them when you think they are wrong. It's easy to look at the divided state of the world and blame our leaders, the media, or our education system. Instead, we should focus on what we can control: ourselves. The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves (St. Martin's Press, 2023) empowers readers to live tolerantly with others despite deep differences, and to rigorously protest wrongs and debate issues rather than silencing disagreements. A robust public discourse is essential to a truly civil society, and respecting others means telling hard truths. If enough of us decide to change ourselves, we might be able to change the world we live in, too. Alexandra Hudson is a writer and the founder of Civic Renaissance. She is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. Caleb Zakarin is the Assistant Editor of the New Books Network. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can civility help bridge our political divide?

When did we lose touch with things like humility, grace, and civility?  There is a difference between civility and politeness. Alexandra Hudson is a writer, speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness, and truth. Alexandra joins Kennedy to discuss her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Alexandra urges listeners to revive civility, which is a basic respect for the personhood and dignity of others, rather than politeness, which is just etiquette at its core.  Follow Kennedy on Twitter: @KennedyNation Kennedy Now Available on YouTube: https://bit.ly/4311mhD Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves by Alexandra Hudson https://amzn.to/3tGNRYu Alexandra Hudson, daughter of the "Manners Lady," was raised to respect others. But as she grew up, Hudson discovered a difference between politeness―a superficial appearance of good manners―and true civility. In this timely book, Hudson sheds light on how civility can help bridge our political divide. From classical philosophers like Epictetus, to great twentieth-century thinkers like Martin Luther King Jr., to her own experience working in the federal government during one of the most politically fraught eras in our nation's history, Hudson examines how civility―a respect for the personhood and dignity of others―transcends political disagreements. Respecting someone means valuing them enough to tell them when you think they are wrong. It's easy to look at the divided state of the world and blame our leaders, the media, or our education system. Instead, we should focus on what we can control: ourselves. The Soul of Civility empowers readers to live tolerantly with others despite deep differences, and to rigorously protest wrongs and debate issues rather than silencing disagreements. A robust public discourse is essential to a truly civil society, and respecting others means telling hard truths. If enough of us decide to change ourselves, we might be able to change the world we live in, too. Provocative, personal, and acutely relevant, The Soul of Civility is an essential book for our era. Here are some key points from the podcast transcript: Guest Alexandra Hudson has a new book called "The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves" about restoring civil discourse. Civility is about seeing others as moral equals and respecting their humanity, which can sometimes require breaking politeness norms. Incivility is a timeless human problem going back to ancient Egyptian teachings. We have a natural tension between self-interest and community. We need to move beyond surface-level politeness to have the hard, honest conversations required in a democracy. But with respect, not aggression. Local efforts like porching (sitting on porches together) can help rebuild community and trust across differences. Shared spaces and meals are powerful. Technology and busyness have made us more isolated. We need to rediscover the value of spontaneous interactions and getting to know our neighbors. Small everyday decisions to see the humanity in each person we encounter helps support human flourishing and civilization. Feelings of helplessness globally should inspire us to be more gracious locally. We have the power to be part of the solution through our daily actions. In summary, we can all contribute to healing society's divisions by focusing on true civil discourse, community-building, and respecting the equal dignity of every person we interact with daily. Small acts of graciousness and connection matter. About the author Alexandra Hudson is a writer, popular speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth. She was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine, and Newsweek. She earned a master's degree in public policy at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar, and is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. She is also the creator of a series for The Teaching Company called Storytelling and The Human Condition, available for streaming as of May 2023. She lives in Indianapolis, Indiana with her husband and two children restoring their historic Italian renaissance style home, enjoying classic films, putting a new spin on old recipes in the kitchen, dabbling in water color, or reading a Platonic dialogue.

The King welcomes Alexandra Hudson, the author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Alexandra is an award-winning journalist, creator of “Storytelling and the Human Condition” for Wondrium (formerly known as The Great Courses), and an adjunct faculty member at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She’s also the founder of Civic... Source

The King welcomes Alexandra Hudson, the author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Alexandra is an award-winning journalist, creator of “Storytelling and the Human Condition” for Wondrium (formerly known as The Great Courses), and an adjunct faculty member at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She's also the founder of Civic Renaissance, an intellectual community and newsletter dedicated to personal and cultural renewal.We talk about how civility is different from politeness, its effectiveness in making change, and in improving your own life. Then Jon wraps up the news of the week, including the latest from Israel and the Hamas insurrection on Capitol Hill.Subscribe to the King of Stuff Spotify playlist featuring picks from the show. For video versions of the interviews, subscribe to Jon's YouTube or Rumble channel!

The King welcomes Alexandra Hudson, the author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Alexandra is an award-winning journalist, creator of “Storytelling and the Human Condition” for Wondrium (formerly known as The Great Courses), and an adjunct faculty member at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She’s also […]

Guests: Kristan Williams (MS Principal Plano campus), Jillian Bryant (Assistant Athletic Director Plano campus), and Gabe Boyd (parent North campus)   NOTE: Clint Davis will be speaking to parents about all things relating to social media - Tuesday, Oct. 24th at the Plano campus and Monday, Nov. 13th at the North campus, both from 6:30-8:00 pm   How do we engage, as Christian parents, with PCA - from athletics to academics and all facets of the school…especially when we feel that there is an issue or concern that we wish to express and address?   General Principles for Parents: Train up your children to self-advocate, to speak for themselves where and when appropriate - and to start with expressing their concern directly to their coaches or teachers. If parents need to engage with their students, start the communication process with the coach or teacher directly - and make sure that all communications are presented in a Christ-like manner that honors the position and person you are communicating with. If you feel that an issue remains unresolved, you can work your way up to the next level after addressing it first with the coach or teacher.   Parents - in athletics, coaches are not going to talk about playing time or other athletes, but they will help you understand how your athlete can improve on skills or attitude.   Parents - ask your students questions about situations, but also learn to listen to other perspectives before you draw conclusions on issues.   Parents - what teachers and coaches observe at school might be different than what you observe at home; situations are different, expectations are different. If your student is caught or accused or doing something wrong, it is an opportunity to train your children to respond with humility and develop maturity in the process.   Parents - teachers and coaches are not perfect, either. Please extend them the same grace that you expect them to extend to your students. When mistakes are made by anyone, create an atmosphere of cooperation and allow for forgiveness and restoration. Conversations can be conducted without condemnation. When engaging in conversations and meetings, assume positive intent and look for a workable solution.   Parents - remember that you are modeling proper behavior and attitude for our children. If a mistake is made, apologize and seek reconciliation. It's easier to forgive others when you've been forgiven much!   The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves by Alexandra Hudson Special shout out to Jared Wood for allowing us to use his music - check him out at JaredWoodMusic!

Engaging with those who are different from us is essential to democratic life and politics. Alexandra Hudson argues that in order to improve the tenor of our interactions we must cultivate civility, which unlike mere politeness entails a respect for others as our moral equals. She joins host Richard Aldous to discuss her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves (https://us.macmillan.com/books/9781250277787/thesoulofcivility).

Episode Notes Jeanne Cooper, author of the just released "Frommer's Hawaii 2024" was our first guest, followed by Alexandra Hudson, author of "The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves".

In this episode, Alexandra Hudson joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss her book, “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.” Music by Frederic Chopin licensed via Creative Commons. Tracks reorganized, duplicated, and edited.

In this episode, Alexandra Hudson joins Mark Bauerlein to discuss her book, “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.” Music by Frederic Chopin licensed via Creative Commons. Tracks reorganized, duplicated, and edited.

It often seems like we live in a very inconsiderate, indifferent, and ill-mannered time and that the cure for what ails our abrasive and disjointed relations is a lot more politeness. But my guest would say that what we really need is a revival of civility.Today on the show, Alexandra Hudson — author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves — explains the difference between politeness and civility, and how being civil can actually require being impolite. We discuss how civility ensures the health of democracy, and good government relies on citizens' ability to govern themselves and check each other, which may require acting a little like . . . Larry David. We talk about what Homer's Odyssey can teach us about the art of hospitality, the relationship between civility and integrity, and more.Resources Related to the PodcastAoM Article: How Manners Made the WorldClass: A Guide Through the American Status System by Paul FussellAoM Podcast #746: The Confucian GentlemanAoM Article: The Manly Art of Hospitality"Chat and cut" scene on Curb Your Enthusiasm The Odyssey translated by Emily WilsonConnect With Alexandra HudsonAlexandra's websiteAlexandra's Substack: Civic Renaissance 

At a time when America faces innumerable challenges, Alexandra Hudson wants her fellow citizens to focus on something only they can control: civility toward others.Hudson's new book, “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves,” is on sale today. She joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to talk about something why civility is so lacking in our society and what to do about it.In this era of “cancel culture,” Hudson believes it's critical to have tough discussions and debates with our friends and neighbors—especially those with whom we disagree—but we've lost sight of what it means to do so in a respectful way.Listen to the full episode or read a lightly edited transcript at The Daily Signal. You'll learn how to live tolerantly with others despite your differences. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At a time when America faces innumerable challenges, Alexandra Hudson wants her fellow citizens to focus on something only they can control: civility toward others. Hudson's new book, “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves,” is on sale today. She joins “The Daily Signal Podcast” to talk about something why civility […]

What is civility? What are the consequences of its absence? And why is it so important? Many people may inadvertently believe the words “polite” and “civil” are interchangeable. But as you hear and think about these words, you're probably recognizing just how different they are. I am so glad my guest, Alexandra Hudson (https://alexandraohudson.com/), has dedicated years of her life to write a fantastic book about this topic and it is hot off the press. The book is called The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves. Alexandra's website perfectly summarizes the book's relevance with this statement, “In an era of fraught political tension, civility—a respect for the dignity of others—is the key to bridging the divide.”I couldn't agree more. So many outstanding enterprises and causes—including the United States—have been the result of people with different points of view coming together and working together with civility. So, with that end in mind, listen in, as Alexandra shares her thoughts on the importance of civility.

In her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, Alexandra Hudson explores the question – how can a reinvigorated dedication to civility help our nation come together despite deep and growing differences? She argues that our difficulties in this arena are not new; luckily, the solutions aren't either. Drawing […]

In her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, Alexandra Hudson explores the question – how can a reinvigorated dedication to civility help our nation come together despite deep and growing differences? She argues that our difficulties in this arena are not new; luckily, the solutions aren't either. Drawing wisdom from a host of ancient philosophers and influential thinkers, Hudson encourages Americans to turn inward and commit themselves to live tolerantly. She contends that our Republic depends on it. Please join us as Alexandra Hudson sits down with The Federalist Society's Senior Vice President and General Counsel, Dean Reuter, to discuss The Soul of Civility.

What's the difference between civility and politeness? Writer Alexandra Hudson talks with Matt about her forthcoming book, 'The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.'

On this episode of "The Federalist Radio Hour," writer and speaker Alexandra Hudson joins Federalist Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky to define true civility and explain why politeness and etiquette aren't enough to heal the division plaguing our nation.You can find Hudson's new book, "The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves" here.

On this episode of “The Federalist Radio Hour,” writer and speaker Alexandra Hudson joins Federalist Culture Editor Emily Jashinsky to define true civility and explain why politeness and etiquette aren’t enough to heal the division plaguing our nation. You can find Hudson’s new book, “The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves” […]

Alexandra Hudson is a writer, speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth. She was named a 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO Magazine, and Newsweek. Her new book - The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves - comes out next week on October 10th.The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, by Alexandra Hudsonalexandraohudson.comCan Beauty Be Trusted?, by Alexandra HudsonThe Philosophy of Michel de Montaigne - YouTubeFollow Alexandra on X: @LexiOHudsonFollow Alexandra on Instagram: @lexiskye09----------Are you a fan of Where We Go Next? Listen to the very end of this episode for details.Email: wherewegopod@gmail.comInstagram: @wwgnpodcast

This episode of Hub Dialogues features Alexandra Hudson, a writer, commentator and founder and curator of Civic Renaissance, about her new, must-read book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves.The Hub Dialogues features The Hub's editor-at-large, Sean Speer, in conversation with leading entrepreneurs, policymakers, scholars, and thinkers on the issues and challenges that will shape Canada's future at home and abroad. The episodes are generously supported by The Ira Gluskin And Maxine Granovsky Gluskin Charitable Foundation and the Linda Frum and Howard Sokolowski Charitable Foundation.If you like what you are hearing on Hub Dialogues consider subscribing to The Hub's free weekly email newsletter featuring our insights and analysis on key public policy issues. Sign up here: https://thehub.ca/free-member-sign-up/. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What is the distinction between civility vs. politeness? How do we do life together? Why do so many of us have a lust to dominate others? How do we navigate the vertical relationship between the people and our governing authorities? More importantly, how do we navigate our horizontal relationships among our neighbors? How can we have a debate without it devolving into a quarrel? We've been grappling with these questions since the oldest story in the world has been told and since the oldest book was written.   ALEXANDRA HUDSON is a writer, popular speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth. She was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO, and Newsweek. She earned a master's degree in public policy at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar, and is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. She is also the creator of a series for The Teaching Company called Storytelling and The Human Condition. Her first book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, is forthcoming from St. Martin's press, which we cover at length on this episode.   Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.   www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion   www.threads.net/@coreysnathan   alexandraohudson.com   www.civic-renaissance.com   alexandraohudson.com/book-preorder

What is the distinction between civility vs. politeness? How do we do life together? Why do so many of us have a lust to dominate others? How do we navigate the vertical relationship between the people and our governing authorities? More importantly, how do we navigate our horizontal relationships among our neighbors? How can we have a debate without it devolving into a quarrel? We've been grappling with these questions since the oldest story in the world has been told and since the oldest book was written.   ALEXANDRA HUDSON is a writer, popular speaker, and the founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth. She was named the 2020 Novak Journalism Fellow, and contributes to Fox News, CBS News, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, TIME Magazine, POLITICO, and Newsweek. She earned a master's degree in public policy at the London School of Economics as a Rotary Scholar, and is an adjunct professor at the Indiana University Lilly School of Philanthropy. She is also the creator of a series for The Teaching Company called Storytelling and The Human Condition. Her first book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, is forthcoming from St. Martin's press, which we cover at length on this episode.   Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what's broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.   www.democracygroup.org/shows/talkin-politics-religion   www.threads.net/@coreysnathan   alexandraohudson.com   www.civic-renaissance.com   alexandraohudson.com/book-preorder

Alexandra Hudson, author of the upcoming book "The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves" joins Walk The Way to discuss the book. Hudson reacts to scenes from James Cameron's Titanic and helps answer how to employ civility when being asked for your pronouns when you'd prefer not to answer.  Pre-order THE SOUL OF CIVILITY before its October launch and get $700 worth of FREE GIFTS for you to enjoy RIGHT NOW from Alexandra HudsonYou can order the book and claim your gifts here:These gifts include:A course: Four Civility Books that Will Change Your Life (a $350 value)A toolkit: How to Talk to Anyone about Anything (a $47 value)An ebook: Cultivating Curiosity (a $12 value)Monthly calls with Alexandra Hudson and some of the most interesting and curious people of our day (a $250 value)A free year of Civic Renaissance (a $70 value)(And with a purchase of 20+ copies, enjoy a private virtual workshop, a $5000 valueWatch the video trailer for Alexandra's bookhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fb6Oa0gAU0YFollow us on Substack and join the community https://thisistheway.substack.com/Join Walk The Way on YouTubehttps://www.youtube.com/channel/UCrtAeMhf3qJcD2xjeMNNE1A Get full access to Geeky Stoics at www.geekystoics.com/subscribe

In this episode of the Trust Your Voice podcast, host Sylvie Légère sat down with Alexandra Hudson, Founder of Civic Renaissance, to inspire you to spark civility and interest in understanding the human condition through stories. In this conversation, Sylvie and Alexandra discuss: Deepening people's understanding of the human condition through ancient stories. Defining civility and the best way to practice it. Understanding suffering, love, hate, vengeance, competition, joy through stories. What stories are teaching us. Connect with Alexandra: Website: https://alexandraohudson.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlexandraOHudson/ Twitter: https://twitter.com/lexiohudson Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lexiskye09/ Alexandra published a book about the difference between politeness—a superficial appearance of good manners—and true civility, you can get your copy here The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal the Society and Ourselves. And enjoy her new series, Storytelling and the Human Condition, for FREE—and get a month subscription to Wondrium—by joining nearly fifty thousand other readers of Civic Renaissance! We hope you enjoy the episode! Tell us what you think by leaving a review on Apple podcasts. Stay tuned for more episodes and be sure to subscribe to the Trust Your Voice podcast on your favorite podcast player.

The King welcomes Alexandra Hudson, creator of the new series "Storytelling and the Human Condition" for Wondrium (formerly known as The Great Courses). Alexandra is an author, an award-winning journalist, and an adjunct faculty member at the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. She is the founder of Civic Renaissance, an intellectual community and newsletter dedicated to personal and cultural renewal, You can pre-order her upcoming book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, which will be published in October. Then Jon wraps up the news of the week, including Ukraine one year on, the House GOP's field hearing on the border, Subscribe to the King of Stuff Spotify playlist featuring picks from the show. This week, Jon's song of the week is “Engine” by Neutral Milk Hotel. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In this episode, I chat with Alexandra Hudson, writer, popular speaker, founder of Civic Renaissance, a publication and intellectual community dedicated to beauty, goodness and truth, and author of The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves, a forthcoming book from St. Martin's Press.Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life is a reader-supported publication. To receive new posts and support my work, consider becoming a free or paid subscriber.Highlights* What Lexi's newsletter, Civic Renaissance, is about* The central message of her new book, The Soul of Civility: Timeless Principles to Heal Society and Ourselves* What is the difference between civility and politeness? * Why classics are still important today* Whether you need a philosophy or classics degree to benefit from classical wisdom* What's happened to civility today?  How can we restore civil discourse?* About Lexi's Storytelling and the Human Condition elearning course* What can great stories across different cultures tell us about our lives?Links* * * The Soul of Civility on Macmillan's websiteThank you for reading Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life. This post is public so feel free to share it. Get full access to Stoicism: Philosophy as a Way of Life at donaldrobertson.substack.com/subscribe