Podcast appearances and mentions of emily bashah

Join host Paul Johnson on The Optimistic American as he welcomes Esther Allouche, a remarkable mother of ten, rabbi's wife, and a powerhouse at Congregation Beth Tefillah in Phoenix. In this episode, Esther shares her journey of raising a large family, her insights on Jewish family values, and how she balances her roles in the community and family life. With co-host Emily Bashah, they delve into the challenges and triumphs of parenting, marriage, and maintaining faith, especially during times of conflict and adversity. Topics Discussed in This Video: - Parenting Kids: Esther Allouche provides a deep dive into the intricacies of parenting a large family. She discusses her approach to individual attention, fostering independence, and instilling resilience in each of her ten children. Esther shares her philosophy of patience, understanding, and the importance of listening to children's needs to create a nurturing and supportive home environment. - Balancing Family & Community Leadership: Balancing her roles as a mother, wife, and a community leader, Esther emphasizes the importance of viewing everyone in the community as family and how this perspective helps her stay connected and engaged. Additionally, she shares tips on prioritizing tasks and maintaining a strong support system to handle the demands of both family and community life. - Persevering & Having a Fulfilling Marriage: Marriage is a central theme in Esther's life. She talks about the importance of maintaining a strong marital relationship, especially in the context of raising a large family and community leadership. Esther discusses the challenges of a bad marriage, the negative effects it can have on the family, and offers advice on preserving a fulfilling marriage through mutual respect, communication, and shared values. - Keeping Faith Despite Tragedy: In the face of significant challenges, including having a son in the IDF and dealing with antisemitism, Esther's faith remains her anchor. She shares how her trust in God and adherence to Jewish values provide strength and guidance during difficult times. Esther discusses the power of spiritual resilience and optimism, and how faith helps her overcome adversity, maintain hope, and inspire her family and community. She offers a poignant reflection on how spiritual beliefs help manage life's hardships, from personal losses to broader societal issues.

Join host Paul Johnson and co-host Dr. Emily Bashah on The Optimistic American as they welcome Dr. Peter Simi from Chapman University, a renowned expert on extremist organizations. In this episode, they explore the structure and recruitment tactics of extremist groups, the political influence of right-wing organizations, the fallout from the assassination attempt on Donald Trump, and the controversial Project 2025. Topics Discussed in the Video: - Extremist Organizations: Dr. Simi and Dr. Bashah discuss the hierarchical structure of extremist groups, highlighting how their organized rankings enhance operational efficiency. They delve into the recruitment processes, including the use of social media and technology to spread ideologies and attract new members. The discussion also touches on the challenging process of helping individuals leave these groups. - Right-Wing Organizations: The conversation shifts to the various types of right-wing organizations and their increasing involvement in politics. Dr. Simi discusses how these groups have embedded themselves in social systems and society, influencing political discourse and actions. - Extremist Organizations and the Assassination Attempt on Donald Trump: Paul and Dr. Simi examine how right-wing groups have leveraged the assassination attempt on Donald Trump to further their agendas. They explore the spread of conspiracy theories and the potential for increased violence and division within America as a result. - Project 2025: The episode concludes with an in-depth look at Project 2025, its implications for America, and the key players behind it. Paul and Dr. Simi discuss Donald Trump's involvement and the broader concerns for American society, emphasizing the importance of public discourse to address these issues.

Description:  On this episode of The Optimistic American, hosts Dr. Emily Bashah and Paul Johnson are accompanied by Dr. John G Horgan, a preeminent psychologist, professor at Georgia State University, and is renowned for his deep insights into the psychology of terrorism. Join us as we explore the complex world of terrorist psychology, the nuances of radicalization, and the intriguing process of recruitment. Topics Discussed in This Video:   What is Terrorism and The Psychology Behind It: Dr. Horgan defines terrorism and discusses the psychological factors that drive individuals towards such extreme behaviors. Additionally, Dr. Emily Bashah discusses specific examples such as incel and jihadist ideologies. How People Get Involved With Terrorist Groups: The conversation explores the roles of recruiters in the radicalization process, revealing how individuals are drawn into terrorist activities and the sophisticated tactics used to lure them. The Contrast of Pessimism and Optimism: Reflecting contrasting viewpoints, Dr. Horgan articulates his pessimism about current counterterrorism strategies, while Paul Johnson discusses his optimism based on the resilience and ideals of American society. Pathways to Disengagement from Terrorism: This segment delves into the possibilities and processes of disengagement from terrorist groups, discussing strategies for confronting and assisting those who are radicalized. The Impact of Politics on American Psychology & Campus Chaos:  This segment explores how political climates affect the psychology of Americans and the increasing tensions on college campuses driven by political and ideological conflicts.

In today's hyper-connected world, children are more exposed than ever to extremist ideologies that can profoundly influence young minds. There has been an enormous uptick in groups ranging from white supremacists to religious extremists who are aggressively targeting children as young as 11 on platforms popular with teens. For example, a neo-Nazi organization recently ran a social media recruitment campaign using gaming imagery and memes that received 800,000 views from boys aged 12-15. In this episode, Dr. Emily Bashaw, a clinical psychologist and expert on radicalization, discusses the alarming trend of extremist groups targeting teenagers on social media platforms. She explains the concept of addictive ideologies and how vulnerable individuals can be influenced by propaganda and tribal beliefs. Dr. Bashaw emphasizes the importance of building resilience and critical thinking skills in teenagers to protect them from extremist influences. She also highlights the role of parents in fostering open communication and engaging in difficult conversations with their teens.  The conversation concludes with a reminder to humanize others and promote acceptance while demanding personal growth.   KEY TAKEAWAYS Teenagers are vulnerable to extremist influences on social media platforms, and parents need to be proactive in safeguarding their children. Building resilience and critical thinking skills in teenagers can help protect them from falling prey to extremist ideologies. Engaging in open and non-confrontational conversations with teenagers can help them develop a broader perspective and resist extremist messages. Humanizing others and promoting acceptance are essential in countering extremist beliefs and fostering empathy.   Chapters 00:00 Introduction 01:03 Addictive Ideologies and Radicalization 04:07 The Influence of Social Media and Online Behavior 05:24 Impact on Teenagers 09:31 Signs of Targeting and Messages 10:42 Preventing Extremist Influences 13:48 Engaging in Difficult Conversations 15:05 Understanding Extremist Recruitment Tactics 18:36 Promoting Agency and Critical Thinking 20:45 Acceptance and Demanding More 25:49 Humanizing Others and Building Resilience 29:34 Engaging with Teens 31:46 Conclusion Resources Mentioned in This Episode Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning in Agency When Politics Fail You. Dr. Bashah's FREE worksheets for parents. FREE Guide: Dr. Cam's 10 Pro Tips for Raising Teens   Thanks for Listening! Thanks so much for listening to our podcast! If you enjoyed this episode and think that others would appreciate the guidance and encouragement, please take a quick moment to rate and review. Reviews from my listeners are extremely valuable and greatly appreciated. Review on iTunes.   Subscribe to the Podcast If you would like to get automatic updates of new podcast episodes, you can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes, YouTube, Google, Spotify. You can also subscribe from the podcast app on your mobile device or listen LIVE in my Private Facebook Group.

Studies show that our world is becoming less optimistic, but this week's guest believes we can change that — and we can start this holiday season. Dr. Emily Bashah is a psychologist whose private practice specializes in mental illness, collective trauma, grief, and relationship dynamics. She's also co-host of The Optimistic American podcast, where she and Paul Johnson create space for a positive and hopeful view of America and help us feel more optimistic about the future. In this episode, she shares how we can regain our optimism by changing how we think. In this episode, you'll learn: Why we're feeling less optimistic these days. How to overcome your innate negativity bias and find your optimism. What to keep in mind this holiday season to boost optimism. 

Slow Living Podcast with Host Stephanie O'Dea Episode 111: Staying Optimistic this Holiday Season with Dr. Emily Bashahsee all podcast notes.Chances are, this is a very busy week for you.I'd like to offer you a joyful listen while you are making all the things happen for all the people — pop in your earbuds and take a listen to the newest episode of the Slow Living podcast. In this interview, Dr. Emily Bashah, of the Optimistic American podcast shares how to stay Peaceful & Present during the holidays — even in the midst of family drama, an uncertain economy, and parenting strife.Learn more about Dr. Bashah on her website.Purchase Addictive IdeologiesOverview I love helping listeners embark upon their own journey to Slow Down, and live the life they've always dreamt about: one filled with peace, purpose, and abundance.I understand how you're feeling when you are rushing around trying to do “all the things,” always playing catch up and finding time to get things done.I know because I'm a mom too.It's okay to stop and breathe. My philosophy isn't about cramming more and more into an already over-packed schedule, instead I offer realistic tips and plans to get things done quickly and efficiently so you can do things you want to do.Show Links Simple Shortcuts to Peace - https://stephanieodea.com/peaceNew You - https://stephanieodea.com/newyouMasterclass - https://stephanieodea.com/masterclass/Simple Shortcuts to Peace - https://stephanieodea.com/peace/Website - https://stephanieodea.comBlog - https://stephanieodea.com/blog/Podcast Page - https://stephanieodea.com/podcastSpeaking Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/speaking/Coaching Opportunities - https://stephanieodea.com/coaching/Courses - https://stephanieodea.com/courses/Contact - stephanieodea.com/contact/Stephanie's Story I know what it feels like to want to live a calm, peaceful, and harmonious life but you feel like you can't because there is simply too much to do. I believe that if we are lucky, life is long. You are not behind, and you don't need to rush around, trying to catch up. My philosophy isn't about cramming more and more into an already over-packed schedule.Instead, I want to you to stop. Breathe. It's all going to be okay.I want you to live out the life you've always dreamt about — the one that gets you excited to get up in the morning and puts a goofy grin on your face.Because the laundry, chores, soccer practice, meal planning, and litter box...

In this episode of The Optimistic American we look at how intellectual curiosity thrives, and the spirit of American patriotism comes alive. This time, we take you on an journey of national and international affairs unfolding in Israel & Ukraine, as it relates to the existing world order. This probing episode peels through the layers of complex dialogues surrounding the Israeli and Ukrainian nations. We unfold the dilemmas of free speech within academic institutions, the realties faced by Jewish students, and how Western civilization impacts world history. Academic Discourse and Free Speech: We navigate through the heated landscape of academia, as ideas, perspectives, and the principles encompassing free speech tangle with the reality of individual comfort. In Conversation with Governor Ducey: we guide through his observations on ensuing global events, scrutinized through the American lens. Dive into the Economy with Elliot Pollack: Decipher the complexities of our economy with expert economist, Elliot Pollack. Understand balanced budgets, budget deficits, and their peculiar interplay with our economy. Partisanship and Tribalism: With Dr. Emily Bashah, explore the divisive trenches of partisanship and tribalism that underline societal divides, and how to overcome these challenges to unite in the spirit of American unity. Remember, it takes our collective curiosity and unquestionable pride in our nation to help decipher these issues. We shape the future of America when we engage, discuss, and inspire others. Your participation powers this conversation beyond the screen and into our reality. Join us in shaping this discourse, thank you for being a part of The Optimistic American journey. Please comment, share, and participate in the Optimistic American community. Let's rekindle the American spirit, together.

Violent extremism is increasing in the United States and around the world, the latest example being the horrible attacks against Israel by Hamas and the subsequent criticism in the U.S. of Israel for defending itself.Appearing on the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcast with thriller author Mark M. Bello and myself, author and clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Bashah discusses the factors that lead to anti-semitism and addictive ideologies, including those that have led to the tragic war in the Gaza Strip.An Arab Jew whose family was persecuted by Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party, Dr. Bashah says the lack of understanding around what causes extremism simply adds fuel to the fire."The thought of understanding extremists feels very icky to many of us," she says. "But the truth is, more and more seemingly reasonable individuals are falling into the trap of violent extremism, and are lured in by compelling conspiracy theories and a feeling of control they have when they engage with extremist ideologies. By not working to understand extremists, we are actually encouraging extremism to continue." During the interview she was asked for her opinion of recent college campus demonstrations where students have shown support for Hamas and criticizing Israel for its attacks defending itself from those attacks."I'm saying it is okay to have sympathy and empathy for the innocent Palestinian child who has nothing to do with this conflict," she says. "And yet Hamas is exploiting them as a military terrorist organization, pseudo political."But they've got their own agenda in this and they're just exploiting Palestinians for their own political. agitation. And that is what is driving these massacres and the attacks that occurred in Israel on October 7th. They are political agitators. That is the motive of a terrorist. And it is happening on a broad scale."Anti-Semitism and Addictive IdeologiesDr. Bashah was asked for her thoughts about Israel being portrayed as the aggressor rather than the defender in this conflict."People have been asking me this, why is there so always been so much anti Semitism historically? What is it about the Jews that they become the scapegoat in so many historical contexts? "If you look even at my family story, so I am an Arab Jew, my parents escaped from persecution out of Baghdad during the time of the Ba'ath party, when Saddam Hussein was rising to power in 1941, we suffered the farhood, which was the violent dispossession.It's a pogrom. And we saw these horrific. type of atrocities, the same kind of sadistic massacres that we saw on October 7th where women who were pregnant, their bellies were cut open, fetuses were pulled out and Jewish people were mutilated and dismembered. Same thing that we saw on October 7th."I don't know if your audience has heard. Babies were beheaded, even Hamas was putting babies in ovens and killing them, burning them alive. There are horrific stories that I'm hearing on a day to day basis from family members directly who are talking about what has happened to their family in Israel."Jews, she says, have "never had something to defend aside from our own ethnic, religious, spiritual, racial identity. And so we learned to uproot ourselves in order to survive. Because it wasn't worth staying to defend until the state of Israel was created and Israel will stop at nothing. Israel will not, Israelis will not give up Israel. It's just full stop."Dr. Bashah frequently serves as an expert witness in civil and criminal court sand has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses. She and Paul E. Johnson Jr., former mayor of Phoenix, AZ, are the authors of the new book, Addictive Ideologies -- Finding Meaning and Agency when Politics Fail You."Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

Violent extremism is increasing in the United States and around the world, the latest example being the horrible attacks against Israel by Hamas and the subsequent criticism in the U.S. of Israel for defending itself.Appearing on the Lean to the Left and Justice Counts podcast with thriller author Mark M. Bello and myself, author and clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Bashah discusses the factors that lead to anti-semitism and addictive ideologies, including those that have led to the tragic war in the Gaza Strip.An Arab Jew whose family was persecuted by Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party, Dr. Bashah says the lack of understanding around what causes extremism simply adds fuel to the fire."The thought of understanding extremists feels very icky to many of us," she says. "But the truth is, more and more seemingly reasonable individuals are falling into the trap of violent extremism, and are lured in by compelling conspiracy theories and a feeling of control they have when they engage with extremist ideologies. By not working to understand extremists, we are actually encouraging extremism to continue." During the interview she was asked for her opinion of recent college campus demonstrations where students have shown support for Hamas and criticizing Israel for its attacks defending itself from those attacks."I'm saying it is okay to have sympathy and empathy for the innocent Palestinian child who has nothing to do with this conflict," she says. "And yet Hamas is exploiting them as a military terrorist organization, pseudo political."But they've got their own agenda in this and they're just exploiting Palestinians for their own political. agitation. And that is what is driving these massacres and the attacks that occurred in Israel on October 7th. They are political agitators. That is the motive of a terrorist. And it is happening on a broad scale."Anti-Semitism and Addictive IdeologiesDr. Bashah was asked for her thoughts about Israel being portrayed as the aggressor rather than the defender in this conflict."People have been asking me this, why is there so always been so much anti Semitism historically? What is it about the Jews that they become the scapegoat in so many historical contexts? "If you look even at my family story, so I am an Arab Jew, my parents escaped from persecution out of Baghdad during the time of the Ba'ath party, when Saddam Hussein was rising to power in 1941, we suffered the farhood, which was the violent dispossession.It's a pogrom. And we saw these horrific. type of atrocities, the same kind of sadistic massacres that we saw on October 7th where women who were pregnant, their bellies were cut open, fetuses were pulled out and Jewish people were mutilated and dismembered. Same thing that we saw on October 7th."I don't know if your audience has heard. Babies were beheaded, even Hamas was putting babies in ovens and killing them, burning them alive. There are horrific stories that I'm hearing on a day to day basis from family members directly who are talking about what has happened to their family in Israel."Jews, she says, have "never had something to defend aside from our own ethnic, religious, spiritual, racial identity. And so we learned to uproot ourselves in order to survive. Because it wasn't worth staying to defend until the state of Israel was created and Israel will stop at nothing. Israel will not, Israelis will not give up Israel. It's just full stop."Dr. Bashah frequently serves as an expert witness in civil and criminal court sand has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses. She and Paul E. Johnson Jr., former mayor of Phoenix, AZ, are the authors of the new book, Addictive Ideologies -- Finding Meaning and Agency when Politics Fail You."This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4719048/advertisement

Clinical psychologist, author, and host of the Optimistic American podcast, Dr. Emily Bashah, explains why she's staying optimistic despite America giving in to "addictive ideologies", and talks about being aware of your own agency.Hear Dr. Bashah's full interview in Episode 39 of Let's Talk Legacy.

Clinical psychologist, author, and host of the Optimistic American podcast, Dr. Emily Bashah, shares the story of her parent's flee from Iraq under Saddam Hussein, explains why she's staying optimistic despite America giving in to "addictive ideologies", and talks about gratitude and resilience, reaching for purpose and meaning over happiness, the nature of free will, learning through discovery, being aware of your agency, and why strength + trauma = survivorship.

Dive deep into the heart of American politics in this riveting episode. As the curtain falls on season 4, explore the pivotal role of political reform, the significance of individualism, and the influence of patriotic heroism. Uncover the might of the individual, honor the heroes who shaped the nation, and explore the potential for a brighter future through political reform. As we usher in season 5, gear up for a captivating journey into the American political landscape.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson reviews the second republican debate. He shares how Independent and unaffiliated voters will determine the next President and how they view the major talking points from the debate. Paul starts by describing how the second republican debate will affect Independent voters. The effect of Independent voters' impact on primaries are not easy to poll. According to Paul's background in presidential campaigns, Independent voters will determine the winner in the New Hampshire, and the debate will undoubtedly shape their opinions.  The debate at the Reagan Library raised Ronald Reagan's unique qualities that set him apart from other presidents. Paul goes through critical points from the debate and how each contestant addressed the controversial issues plaguing America today. Some of the main topics covered include: The Federal Deficit. Former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie said his top priority would be to rein in federal spending. Growing Powers of the Presidency. Mike Pence critiqued Donald Trump's new plan to centralize power in the Presidency if he wins, and shared his thoughts on why we should not increase the power of the presidency; instead make the federal government smaller. Child Care. Tim Scott talks about the ever-increasing childcare costs and how lowering taxes will mean Americans will have more in their pockets to take care of their families. The Ukraine Issue. Arguably the most important question asked in the debate. The presidential candidates showed a deep divide over America's involvement in the war. Supporters of Ukraine included Christie, Halley and Pense. Opponents included DeSantis and Ramaswamy. Abortion Rights. The pro-life and pro-choice debate was another controversial issue regarding being 100% pro life versus finding middle ground.  Paul believes this will be crucial in swaying the independent voters. Paul supported Halley's position on fixing healthcare in America until we figure out how to reduce claims costs. In healthcare, there is no better way to do that than the private sector route. If allowed to do so, the private sector can do a better job of cutting claims costs than the government. The candidates discussed whether AI technology is good or bad for Americans. Paul explains that although AI technology may have some risks, it's a much bigger risk if we allow China to get AI technology before we do. For Paul, the clear winners from the debate were Governor Nikki Haley and former New Jersey Governor Chris Christie. Both had a solid performance and will undoubtedly see their numbers grow.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets Dr. Emily Bashah A Nation of Victims: The Decay of the American Character by Charles J. Sykes

As the Hostages Crisis is happening in Israel, Psychologist Dr.Emily Bashah and I had this important conversation where we discussed :How can a parent implement the idea of restorative justice versus retributive justice as they handle sibling fights? Is the American citizens (children) immune to extremism? How to speak with your kids about tragedies happening in the world? Dr.Bashah is the author of the book "Additive Ideologies" and a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is an expert witness in criminal, immigration, and civil courts, she has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism capital offenses, and first-degree murder. Dr. Bashah was awarded the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Policy Fellowship and served within the American Psychological Association's Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. A frequent expert guest in media, Dr. Bashah clinically specializes in mental illness, personal and collective trauma, addiction and grief and loss, as well as family and relationship dynamics.  Relevant links:The Optimistic American Podcast#38 How to prevent extremism from childhood? with Dr.Emily Bashah PART A#35 Consequences: The Magic of Natural and Logical Consequences In ParentingAs a certified parent coach, I can help you own your parenting style! Want to connect? Book your free 30-minute session Leave a message Instagram Join the Bonding Boost Newsletter (We'll keep it short & sweet)!

As the hostage crisis is happening in Israel, we had this important conversation with Dr.Emily Bashah, where we discussed:What is extremism? How does extremism relate to Hamas? What are the 5 ways parents can protect their children while also not shielding them from consequences?How can you foster your children's sense of agency? and what does "agency" mean for you and for your kid?Dr.Bashah is the author of the book "Additive Ideologies" and a licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. She is an expert witness in criminal, immigration, and civil courts, she has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism capital offenses, and first-degree murder. Dr. Bashah was awarded the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Policy Fellowship and served within the American Psychological Association's Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. A frequent expert guest in media, Dr. Bashah clinically specializes in mental illness, personal and collective trauma, addiction and grief and loss, as well as family and relationship dynamics.  Relevant links:The Optimistic American Podcast#39 Are American citizens and children immune to extremism? with Dr. Emily Bashah PART BAs a certified parent coach, I can help you own your parenting style! Want to connect? Book your free 30-minute session Leave a message Instagram Join the Bonding Boost Newsletter (We'll keep it short & sweet)!

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss social pressures of fitting in and morality and its role in shaping human behavior. They talk about the ethical dilemma people face when their moral compass is at odds with societal expectations. Paul starts the discussion by describing how morality can make or break a society. He reveals how morality often comes into conflict with social status - people would rather be morally wrong than lose their place in society. Emily breaks down how Tribalism can devastate us as individuals. Paul and Emily break down shocking morality stories from the Bosnia ethnic cleansing campaigns - the worst act of mass killing in Europe since World War 2. According to Paul, two natures in each of us are constantly at war: good versus evil. Paul and Emily agree that it doesn't matter what group you're in. We all want to fit into some social establishment. Emily defines cognitive dissonance and how people can navigate the conflict between values and behavior. For Emily, it's not weak to avoid fights. Strength comes from picking the battles that are worthy and important. We are social creatures, and we are primed to crave a sense of belonging. Paul talks about forgiveness and why some people struggle to let go of their anger, hurt, and desire for vengeance. If you want to be patriotic, Paul believes the best place to start is to stop insulting other Americans. Paul and Emily discuss how cognitive dissonance played a role in the Rwanda and Bosnia genocides. Emily talks about people's internal battle between doing what's right and the need to fit in. Paul covers the common morality issues plaguing our society today. Want to learn how to be kind? Start by trusting your morality instead of following your ego.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets Dr. Emily Bashah The Gulag Archipelago by A. Solzhenitsyn

Dr. Emily Bashah is an author and licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. Dr. Bashah was awarded the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Policy Fellowship and served within the American Psychological Association's Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C.    Book:   Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency when Politics Fail You     Optimistic American Podcast:   https://www.optamerican.com     Relevant Podcasts:   Parenting Types: How both attachment and anti-fragility are important to your child's success     Triple the chance of your child becoming a successful adult and avoiding dangerous influences     How to exercise your civic responsibility without becoming an extremist     Worksheets:   Helping People Addicted to an Extreme Ideology     What Causes Violence and Extremism in Children, and What Parents Can Do to Help     Raising Children With Agency     Cognitive Blindspots  

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss the effects of love and forgiveness on our psychological and physiological well-being. They cover topics like the numerous benefits of forgiving others, lessons from countries who endured genocide, the use of forgiveness, what the research says about forgiveness, and much more. Paul starts the conversation by describing the research on the physiological and psychological benefits of love and forgiveness. Learning to forgive is not something you do for someone else's benefit but for your own good. Emily reveals how non-forgiveness can negatively impact a person's existence. Paul and Emily go through the research on the similarities between stress and hate-motivated behavior. Paul shares his thoughts on the stressful nature of American politics and how people can shield themselves from toxic politics. What the research says about the healing nature of forgiveness and letting go of hate. Emily believes forgiveness does not mean wrongdoers get away with what they did to you. Forgiveness is choosing to let go of the burden of someone else's wrongdoing. Paul adds that forgiveness doesn't mean you're a pushover. It means you're ready to accept what happened and are willing to find a way to go on productively with your life. Emily and Paul discuss the lessons we can learn from Bosnia and Rwanda after their genocides about forgiveness. Emily highlights why it's not a good idea to let politics or ideologies come in between you and your loved ones. Paul reveals how freeing it felt when he learned to forgive his political rivals.  According to Paul, forgiveness is self-healing. The act of forgiving someone often leaves you in a better position than the people you forgive. You don't have to give up on your values to forgive someone. You can be kind to them even though they're not treating you with the utmost kindness. Emily reveals how she focuses on understanding the other person before seeking to be understood when disagreements arise. For Paul, we live in an unfortunate environment where there is a daily barrage of negative news telling us who we should hate. This hate is creating a prolonged exposure to stress and is damaging our health and our society.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets Dr. Emily Bashah

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss the psychological benefits of being an independent or non-affiliated voter. The duo breaks down the benefits of being an independent voter, the rise of moral relativism in America, and how politicians benefit from being social chameleons. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing the psychological benefits of being an independent or a non-affiliated voter. Paul shares his thoughts on the American political duopoly and its effect on the American system. He also discusses major reforms he would like to see. According to Gallup, 49% of Americans identify as independent or non-affiliated voters. The big question is why? Paul and Emily agree that people today want the freedom to think independently without necessarily being allied to a particular political group. Paul defines agency as having a firm understanding of who you are and understanding your role in creating the future you want. Emily talks about the temptation and seduction of modern tribalism and its damage to human psychology. All people are challenged between fitting into their social groups and conflicts with their moral values. In this conflict most people pick their social group, although possibly unwittingly. This gives extreme groups in both political parties the ability to change public opinion to the point of making all of us more divided. Paul believes there's good and evil inside everyone. However, parties and ideology allow us to frame groups as good and evil. Thus encouraging us to objectify others. Political parties encourage this behavior. Emily breaks down cognitive dissonance, how it works, and what you can do to free yourself from addictive ideologies. Paul and Emily share their thoughts on moral relativism in American society today. Leaders benefit from being social chameleons and turning into what they feel a group needs from them to maintain that power. If you are considering how to register to vote, you might consider being unaffiliated or independent. This will allow you to think more critically about issues, and see others as individuals as opposed to seeing them as part of a group. This improves your life by creating greater options for the things you want. It's healthier to be an independent voter because you have greater agency through avoiding the social pressures of either political group. According to Paul, most people know when something's not right, but they would rather justify their wrongness than risk losing their position in the group. Paul and Emily talk about the Amygdala hijack and how elected officials use fear to terrify their followers about the opposing group. It is easier to scare you if you are a member of a tribal party. Paul explains why he believes the partisan primary system is not working for America and how it's feeding this delusion that everything is falling apart. Emily goes through the benefits of being an independent/non-affiliated voter.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets Dr. Emily Bashah

Paul Johnson analyzes the recent Republican debate from the view point of an independent voter, that featured former Vice President Mike Pence, Vivek Ramaswamy, Chris Christie, Ron Desantis and Nikki Haley. Paul's observations touch upon the status quo of U.S. politics, the influence of a small minority population on partisan primaries, the importance of states like Iowa and New Hampshire, the present state of America, as well as upon conversations about abortion and foreign policy. Today's episode is a commentary on what Paul refers to as the “exceptional” recent Republican debate. There are key commonalities among independents: they register as unaffiliated because they don't want to be identified as a group, and they like candidates that aren't afraid to buck their own party. Regardless of their vast differences they personify individualism. Paul played the answer given by the candidates about whether they would support Donald Trump as U.S. President even if he was convicted of a crime. Paul spoke about why a majority of candidates had to say yes. Paul reviewed how 44% of Americans registered as an independent, leaving about 60% split 30-30 between Democrats and Republicans. He illustrated how with less than 35% turnouts in the primary, it generally leaves about 8% of all Amercians who will vote in either primary. This gives a disproportional voice on both sides to voters who are more extreme. Candidates have no choice but to abide by this reality. Paul illustrates in congressional and legislative races, 70% of the districts have been gerrymandered to the point that there is no competition in the general election. This means that 70% of our congress is elected by less than 8% of the American voters. In the Presidential race it is still less than 8% of the voters who select the nominee of each party. After they have made the case to these more extreme voters in the primary, it can be hard to pivot. This leaves candidates and the parties to convince you that they are not as bad as the guy in the other party instead of creating an inspirational message of where we should go. Paul pointed out in this debate how some of the candidates bucked this trend. Paul discussed how from his experience working in Presidential campaigns, one of these candidates could upset the front runner Trump through winning Iowa, a caucus state or New Hampshire. Paul reviewed why Vivek Ramaswamy originally was attractive to independents. He wrote in his book Nation of Victims, how Trump represented a victim state, but did a 180-degree reverse on his position during the Republican debate. Sycophancy in this election is a valid strategy. If a candidate believes Trump may lose his criminal trials and was somehow not able to finish the primary, being his defender could cause his voters to shift to the defender – Paul explains why. Vice President Mike Pence is seen as a “coward” by both the left and the right. Paul points to the role he played by maintaining the constitution and not overturning the election, and will be seen by many independents as someone who actually did something heroic. Paul touches upon the role and approach Iowa and New Hampshire tend to have and how they will impact the upcoming presidential elections. The foreign policy part of the Republican debate is something that really caught Paul's attention. Paul plays several comments by candidates laying out dramatic views of America's role in the world. Paul unpacks the post-World War II ramifications that led the U.S. to become a superpower with plenty of allies worldwide. How this leadership role we played is being challenged by China, Russia, and here at home. Paul reviewed how different candidates approached describing problems: some using fear, others using inspiration. Paul countered some of the candidates' dark views of America. He believes that there isn't any better place to be today than the U.S. He notes that despite making up less than 5% of the world's population, the U.S. makes up over 31% of the world's global wealth and 35% of the world's innovation.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Previous episode - Does America Need a 3rd Party Candidate for President in 2024? With No Labels Founder, Sen. Joe Lieberman Previous episode - No Left, No Right but Forward with Forward Party Founder Andrew Yang Previous episode - Why America Needs a New Political Party with Forward Party Founder, Governor, and Madam Secretary Christine Todd Whitman Donald Trump Thomas Jefferson John McCain Chris Christie Vivek Ramaswamy Gallup.com The Nation of Victims: Identity Politics, the Death of Merit, and the Path Back to Excellence by Vivek Ramaswamy Mike Pence Kamala Harris Nikki Haley Ron DeSantis Hunter Biden

Paul Johnson is joined by Dr. Emily Bashah to talk about extremist ideologies, violent groups, and what parents can do to protect their children from them. The couple touches upon what happens at a neurological level in children's brains, what predators do to find “reclutes,” the Theory of Mind, and the T.R.I.P.L.E.D. parenting acronym. Paul and Dr. Bashah discuss when ideology can become a problem that leads to the recruiting of vulnerable people by extremist groups. Dr. Bashah explains that extreme ideologies tend to be driven by a victim-oppressor group-think mentality. In the context of addictive ideologies, there seems to be a psychological need to be right – Dr. Bashah and Paul touch upon what happens at a neurological level. In her work with predators, Dr. Bashah has learned a lot about the search and recruitment of youngsters. She shares some things parents should be mindful of and do to protect their children. Dr. Bashah lists the developmental periods a child's brain goes through and how that fits the context of relationship-building and radicalization. Dr. Bashah and Paul talk about the Theory of Mind and how the term bullying is being redefined. Did you know that, as an adult, you can be polarizing and can contribute to the creation of an environment of polarization? Paul and Dr. Bashah created the T.R.I.P.L.E.D. acronym to help parents think about how to triple the chance of their child growing into a successful adult and avoiding detrimental influences. Paul shares what he considers steps parents should take to nurture their relationship with their children and to keep them away from extremism.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets Dr. Emily Bashah

Paul Johnson unpacks the concept of addictive ideologies and the role they play in regards to the ongoing divisions in American society. He points out the addictive ideologies, of the far right and radical left, and the commonalities with all 21st century genocides – from Germany and China to Rwanda and Yugoslavia. And how the U.S. and other Western democracies can avoid similar catastrophes. Paul unpacks the question, “What is evil? Is evil an external force or is it actually something that's inside of each one of us?” The list of genocides that took place in the 21st century – from Nazi Germany to China and Cambodia, all the way to Rwanda, and Yugoslavia – is long and has plenty of similarities. According to Paul and Dr. Emily Bashah's research work and analysis, all genocides are tied to an ideology and to tribalism. The ideologies that end up becoming violent all start with the idea of an oppressor vs. an oppressed. Paul explains how violent ideologies begin with a loss of self-esteem and the loss of something either economical or social. Paul illustrates the addictive qualities of ideology, as well as what happens neurologically during an argument and one's desire to be right. There are common traits shared by the far right and the radical left – Paul touches upon them. Paul goes over key terms such as tribalism, moral relativism, cognitive dissonance, and amygdala hijacking, and their role in the context of addictive ideologies. Paul touches upon the current state of the American political system and shares potential reform ideas. The foundations of the American government empowered the individual over itself. Those nations who recognize the individual as the priority though civil rights, equal rights, human rights, property rights and free markets are all more prosperous than their authoritarian counterparts, says Paul. Paul shares his prediction of what's going to happen in the U.S. in the next few years and why understanding our own accountability is key.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium SaveDemocracyAZ.com Dr. Emily Bashah Pol Pot  Josip Tito Proud Boys Oath Keepers The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion by Jonathan Haith American Psycho Gallup.com Thomas Jefferson Martin Luther Paul Kennedy The Gulag Archipelago: An Experiment in Literary Investigation by Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn Ann Coulter Bill Maher Viktor Frankl Martin Luther King Jr.

Paul Johnson's guest in this episode is Forward Party Co-Chair Christine Todd Whitman. They discuss the current U.S. political landscape, what's not working, and how ranked-choice voting could change the current status quo. Additionally, they go over Whitman's journey from Republican New Jersey Governor and cabinet-level official to becoming involved with the Forward Party, the challenge of being unaffiliated with either major party, and how the Forward Party is trying to bring about change in American politics. Forward Party Co-Chair, Governor Christine Todd Whitman shares her story of going from governor of New Jersey and a cabinet-level official to getting involved with the Forward Party. There are a few things those interested in joining the Forward Party need to agree to. Upholding the rule of the law, respecting the Constitution, and being willing to solve problems working with others across the aisle. Additionally, willing to work to change the way the American people choose their candidates. One of the main goals of the Forward Party is to break the hold of the two parties so that people have more choices. Gov. Whitman shares that there are 500,000 elective offices across the country in any given year, and 70% of those are uncontested. Of those, 5-10% are never filled. Paul Johnson and Gov. Whitman talk about how the voting system has gotten to where it is today, as well as the consequences of not being affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic party. Gov. Whitman opens up about what made her choose the Republican Party, before getting involved with the Forward Party. For Paul, the greatest thing the American government has ever done has been to empower the individual over itself. Gov. Whitman shares what could be done to have a dialogue between different sides, and what to focus on to get people to buy into bringing about change. In Gov. Whitman's opinion, with ranked-choice voting, there wouldn't be a need for primaries. Moreover, it would prevent people from voting for “the lesser of evils.” Gov. Whitman hopes that ranked-choice voting and primaries aren't just going to change the voting system but parties, too. Gov. Whitman lists the steps people can take to join the Forward Party in its effort to bring about change.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Gov. Christine Todd Whitman ForwardParty.com Michael Willner Andrew Yang Benjamin Franklin Mary Peltola Sarah Palin Lisa Murkowski Donald Trump Martin Luther King Jr. Fox News MSNBC CNN Joe Biden James Carville Paul Begala Joe Manchin Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton

Paul Johnson sits down with presidential candidate and Forward Party Founder Andrew Yang. They discuss the status quo of the American political system and why the partisan system is dividing Americans and not providing them with a functional government. Additionally, the two talk about how the Forward Party was born and what it's all about, the biggest threats to American democracy, and some mind-blowing statistics about the current political landscape. Andrew Yang and Paul Johnson kick off the conversation talking about the Forward Party and why Yang decided to focus on reform as opposed to simply sticking with the Democratic Party and potentially run in another primary for President. In Yang's opinion, the current two-party system is not designed for good policy, but rather for putting people against each other. Yang discusses the aftermath and repercussions of going from being a longtime Democrat to an Independent. Yang believes that there are a lot of issues, such as climate change, education and immigration, that aren't going to be solved unless the political system itself evolves. Yang and Paul touch upon what's not working with the current political system and how people are getting dragged to the extremes by the tribalism of the Party. The Forward Party is focused on being a gathering ground for folks who want common sense solutions and good policy, while also advocating for structural reforms. Paul and Yang touch upon the financial ramifications of the current political system and what the Forward Party aims at achieving from that standpoint. Andrew Yang explains why you can be successful with an effort such as the Forward Party without actually having to win in every state. Many people think that 51% is needed for the Forward Party to change politics for the better – however, that number is way lower, closer to 10%, says Andrew Yang. The Forward Party's platform is really designed to change the existing system and empower independents and unaffiliated voters through promoting open primaries and rank choice voting. The effort is designed to push these reforms as well as eliminating dark money in politics, and it allows its members to make up their own minds on divisive issues. You can join the Forward Party and remain a registered Democrat, Republican, or Independent. Yang explains what people can do to try and make a change. A little dirty secret of American democracy: up to 70% of local races are uncontested or uncompetitive. Yang explains that getting a number of committed people together to boost a local candidate can make an enormous difference. Paul and Andrew Yang share what they consider the biggest threats to democracy right now. Both are very optimistic about America, but our biggest threat is politics and the two political parties.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Andrew Yang ForwardParty.com Voter Choice Arizona Liz Cheney Adam Kinzinger  Lisa Murkowski Previous episode - How Political Reform Created Cooperation and Collaboration in Alaska, with Alaska Senator Cathy Giessel Glenn Youngkin Mary Paltola  Sarah Palin Christine Todd Whitman Krist Novoselic  Donald Trump

Paul Johnson sits down with Pastor Anthony Cox of the Mercy Hill Church. They talk about the Mercy Hill Church, its role within the Phoenix community, and whether America is worth saving. Moreover, they touch upon the connection between God, individualism, finding meaning, and what can be done to address divisions and change the status quo of American society. Pastor Cox discusses the idea that some religious leaders question whether America, as it is today, is worth saving. This creates a robust discussion of America. Paul praises the diversity of Pastor Cox's inner city church, and the two unpack the concept of a diverse community further. Pastor Cox and Paul discuss the connection between individualism, which is what America was founded on, and religion. Paul discusses how the Reformation was inspired by Martin Luther's ideas that every person deserves dignity in the eyes of God. Later, philosophers argued that if God granted every individual dignity, the government should do no less. Thus the connection between the Reformation and the bier of individualism. This helps create an understanding of why western society sees individualism as a governing ideal. Paul brings up Viktor Frankl's idea that we find meaning in any of three things: in our ability to love the people and things we love, we find it in the things we create, and we find meaning in our ability to deal with struggle. Paul also believes that we find meaning in the service we give to other people. Paul and Pastor Cox touch upon Martin Luther King Jr.'s three words to describe love and Plato's idea of logos. The discussions focus on loving people you don't know and the importance of forgiveness. Pastor Cox opens up about how he, as a pastor, tries to address the divisions and cure the harm that's generated from the divisions inside his church. Pastor Cox and Paul talk about the current state of the American society and political system, and what could be done to try to improve the status quo. Pastor Cox talks about how any reform should focus on providing incentive to lower partisanship, and lower the discord between the parties.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Pastor Anthony Cox Thomas Jefferson John Locke The Disappearance of God: A Divine Mystery by Richard Elliott Friedman Martin Luther Jean-Jacques Rousseau Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl Martin Luther King Jr. Plato Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

Today's guests are the Honorable Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona, and Dr. Emily Bashah, a clinical psychologist. Paul and Emily are the authors of the book Addictive Ideologies, where they discuss the psychology that leads to terrorism and strategies to combat extremism. In this episode, Alon, Paul, and Emily use the experience of the Jewish population of Iraq to discuss radicalized ideologies in society and how they develop and spread on an individual and societal basis, the growing polarization in the United States and around the world, and what steps can be taken to resolve the increasing divide. Their book, Addictive Ideologies, can be found here: https://www.amazon.com/Addictive-Ideologies-Finding-Meaning-Politics/dp/195695547X Full bios Hon. Paul E. Johnson Jr. is the host of The Optimistic American podcast, whose goal is to create space in the news media for a positive and hopeful view of America. He has a significant background in business, politics and government, and became the youngest mayor of Phoenix, Arizona at 30 years old. He has managed several state campaigns for presidential candidates and is the CEO and co-founder of Redirect Health. Dr. Emily Bashah is an author and licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. An expert witness in criminal, immigration and civil courts, she has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses, as well as first-degree murder. Dr. Bashah was awarded the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Policy Fellowship and served within the American Psychological Association's Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. A frequent expert guest in media, Dr. Bashah clinically specializes in mental illness, personal and collective trauma, addiction and grief and loss, as well as family and relationship dynamics.

Paul Johnson welcomes the president of Thomas R. Brown Foundations, Sarah Smallhouse, and Rodel Foundation Chairman & Founding Director, Don Budinger, to talk about how political reform is key to improving education. The three go over why their foundations, that were set up to improve education, have made leadership a high priority. They establish a real connection between a country's leadership role and the quality of its public education system. They believe the partisan system has harmed our ability to improve education, and they talk about the reform approach they believe should be followed to achieve a high quality educational system. Sarah Smallhouse talks about the Brown Foundations and why they have made leadership a high priority. The Brown Foundations have worked to help leaders on both sides better understand state issues through educational programs designed to help leaders understand the complexity. However, Sarah points out that Brown Foundations went into leadership because the real focus was education. However, with so many leaders applying simple partisan approaches to education, they felt it necessary to help educate leaders and the public on issues. Don Budinger touches upon the origin story and the purpose of the Rodel Foundation, as well as how things have been on the educational front. Don Budinger had been a tech leader. He and others saw how our educational system in America was dramatically underperforming. When building the Rodel company, Bundinger and his partners noticed an educational difference between the high school graduates they hired in Europe and Asia to run their factories and companies in the U.S. Don points out there is a strong correlation between a country's leadership role and the quality of its public education system. As countries rise to becoming major superpowers, and those that provide for a high quality of life for its citizens, one of the determining factors is the quality of the educational system. And this is true for the United States too, says Don Budinger. Budinger discusses one thing that, if properly addressed during the learning process, can help every kid and improve the whole system. According to Budinger, what's currently missing in Arizona is the leaders' commitment to do what it takes for the whole system to improve. Sarah Smallhouse points out one thing that philanthropy cannot do: replace the public sector funding of public education. Philanthropy and foundations, with all their wealth, are significantly under financed to replace the role the government plays in funding. Don Budinger shares the findings of an experiment he ran years ago regarding education for children living in poor environments, and the approach that should be taken. This includes making sure that the children who can be high performers are given the tools to succeed just like those children who will need additional help. Unfortunately in poor environments both are in short supply. Paul, Smallhouse, and Budinger talk about the problems with the existing system. Paul points out that one party wants more money, but they reject reforms that demand more out of the system. The other party wants to increase demands, but they consistently underfund education. This is because the narrow interests that elect them in their primaries fundamentally are not concerned with improving outcomes, only serving the special interests within the party. Don Bundinger highlights the fact that compromise, which used to be the nugget of progress for most of American history, is now perceived as a weakness. The existing system promotes a zero sum game. Education requires the best from both sides. Paul and his guests unpack what they consider reform ideas that could help improve both primary and general elections. This would include eliminating the discrimination against unaffiliated voters and candidates that today represent the largest political group. This would empower less partisanship and focus more on the ideas necessary to make improvements. Paul pointed out how he had other guests from other states that have implemented reform including the Republican Majority Leader in Alaska. These representatives have said on prior shows that the reforms stopped leaders from focusing on divisive issues like who can use what bathroom and instead focus on big issues like education, quality of life and jobs.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Sarah Smallhouse  Thomas R. Brown Foundations Don Budinger Rodel Foundation Jack Jewett  Arizona Grantmakers Forum University of Arizona Flinn Foundation Craig Barrett Rusty Bowers Jeff Flake Kyrsten Sinema Hugo Chávez Sarah Palin Previous episode - How Political Reform Created Cooperation and Collaboration in Alaska, with Alaska Senator Cathy Giessel

DR. EMILY BASHAH is an author and licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. An expert witness in criminal, immigration and civil courts, she has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses, and first-degree murder. Dr. Bashah was awarded the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Policy Fellowship and served within the American Psychological Association's Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. A frequent expert guest in media, Dr. Bashah clinically specializes in mental illness, personal and collective trauma, addiction and grief and loss, as well as family and relationship dynamics.Book:Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency when Politics Fail YouRelevant Podcast:Parenting Types: How both attachment and anti-fragility are important to your child's successWorksheet:What Causes Violence and Extremism in Children, and What Parents Can Do to HelpIf you want a speaker in your school, email liz@savethekids.org and we will get you hooked up! OR fill out the form below.Link to speaker formMake sure to check us out on Instagram!@savethekidsincSupport the show

Paul Johnson welcomes U.S. Senator and No Labels Founding Chairman Joe Lieberman to discuss how No Labels plans to revolutionize American politics by empowering the actual majority. The two discuss how Lieberman almost became Vice President for candidate John McCain, their opinion on how many of today's leaders operate, how U.S. politics and the public seem to be going in different directions, and what No Labels should do to get the amount of delegates that are necessary to actually become president. Today's episode revolves around one of the most controversial topics of today: No Labels' attempt to put their party on the ballot and potentially nominate an independent candidate for president. Senator Joe Lieberman shares the story of how he, as an independent candidate, was both a Democratic nominee for vice president and almost became vice president under a Republican nominee, Senator John McCain. Paul and Senator Lieberman discuss their belief that U.S. politics is a lot more divisive than the public is, and why they believe that's the case. Both Paul and Sen. Lieberman believe that promoting the divisions is a very profitable model for the political parties and the nightly news. Politicians respond to that by being even more divisive. Senator Lieberman shares an interesting stat: “49% of the American people describe themselves politically as Independents." He sees that as a reaction to the Republican and the Democratic parties. Paul points out that less than 10% of the public vote in partisan primaries and, because of gerrymandering, out of 500,000 elected offices, 70% are decided with no real opposition in the general election, leaving most voters cut out of the process of electing their officials. As a result, Senator Joe Lieberman says that too many leaders are playing to the narrow base of people who vote in the primary and using fear to exploit the insecurity around various problems. Everything is existential, and we use alarmism on every issue.This exploitation is dividing the country. Paul touches upon what led him to become an Independent, and how, as an Independent, it became much easier to see the excesses of both parties. He points out that both parties see themselves as entitled to being only one of two choices to the American people, and they see No Labels as a spoiler, meaning they don't believe other choices should be available. Senator Lieberman illustrates some of the challenges of the current dual-opposing-parties political system, that No Labels aims to not only give people choices, but to try and allow for a more optimistic view of America than exists within the two parties today. Fun fact: the last successful third ticket at the presidential level was none other than Abraham Lincoln in 1860. According to Lieberman, even though a third party candidate for president has not been elected since Lincoln, third party candidates, if they've been credible, can really make a difference on policy. Teddy Roosevelt made both parties focus on conservation and rights for workers. Ross Perot campaigned around a balanced budget that resulted in Bill Clinton focusing on the first balanced budget in decades. Paul and No Labels Founding Chairman Joe Lieberman talk about what would be necessary for No Labels to be able to get the amount of delegates that are necessary to actually become president.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Senator Joe Lieberman NoLabels.org Ronald Reagan Tip O'Neill Donald Trump John McCain Abraham Lincoln George Washington Gallup.com  Barack Obama Hillary Clinton Bill Clinton  Joe Biden

Paul Johnson welcomes Arizona business leader Beau Lane and The Value Equation author Christopher Volk. The three touch upon the role that businesses have inside the U.S. political system, discuss the incredible benefits Americans will have from the growing American economy, and the threat that the current partisan model poses to America. They talk about reforms to the partisan system that business leaders see as a way to help ensure that our political system benefits the economy as opposed to threatening it. Christopher Volk starts the conversation off by sharing his story and by mentioning his book The Value Equation. The Value Equation is a guide to creating wealth for entrepreneurs, investors and average individuals wanting to improve their financial position. Paul Johnson noted the book explains how business really works in layman's language. The book provides a formula that converts complex subjects into manageable problems with easy math everyone can understand. The Value Equation is the foundation upon which most large fortunes were built. What interests Chirstopher Volk about reform is the excesses of the extremes in the existing system that threaten everybody's ability to build wealth or even a comfortable retirement. Beau Lane shares his story and touches upon how he got involved in politics, as well as why he believes the business community is starting to be engaged with politics. Volk points out that in Arizona, only 100,000 of the 1.4 million independents voted in the last primary election This is by design as the parties don't want unaffiliated voters to participate! Paul Johnson points out that in America and Arizona, unaffiliated voters now make up the largest group of registered voters. Yet, they are intentionally being discriminated against. These unaffiliated voters are much more interested in elected officials working across the aisle than partisan voters. Volk believes that 24-hour news has found it profitable to exacerbate the divisions. Yet polling says the level of disagreements across the U.S. isn't as high as we are led to believe, nor as high as the partisan political system promotes. Beau Lane advocates that a solution that businesses, education and unaffiliated voters support is eliminating partisan primaries and have all party, affiliated and unaffiliated, candidates run in an open primary. Every candidate on one ballot, with the same amount of signatures, and everyone has the right to vote in the election. Lane sees the current political system as an artificial market where there are two very bad products and people just have to pick between two evils. Paul and his guests go over what they consider an alternative to the current bipartisan political system and elections. This would be an open primary system which means stopping the discrimination against unaffiliated voters and candidates, and allowing a voice for the greatest amount of people. Christopher Volk and Beau Lane discuss what they see as the “features” and the “customer benefits” of the reformed political system. At the top of that list is preserving the ability for Americans to innovate, create and prosper. The existing partisan system has become an existential threat to free markets, free enterprise and the great prosperity of the American system.      Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium SaveDemocracyAZ.com The Value Equation by Christopher Volk Beau Lane Ronald Reagan Donald Trump John McCain J. D. Hayworth Rusty Bowers The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy by Katherine Gehl Karrin Taylor Robson Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton Tip O'Neill

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson is joined by Eric Bronner and Chris Sylvester from Veterans for Political Innovation. The three talk about the issues with the American political system, why political reform matters to veterans, the issues with the bi-partisan political scene, and what a real patriot is actually all about. Eric kicks off the conversation by sharing what Veterans for Political Innovation is all about. The initiative was launched about two years ago with the goal of mobilizing America's most trusted messengers to help repair some of the least trusted institutions – our partisan political system, through state-based campaigns for better elections, better politics, and more choices. Chris and Eric open up about their service for the country and the role they played in the United States military. According to Eric, political reform matters to veterans for the fact that independents are tired of the two-party doom loop the U.S. are stuck in. Reformers like Eric and Chris believe that reforms are the best path to changing the system itself, and to making American politics – and the country – better. Eric and Chris believe the existing partisan system is a threat to American national security. Chris talks about his run into politics as a Republican and the lesson he learned about trying to unseat an incumbent of the same party. Eric touches upon what he considers two key aspects that could improve the political system: a fully-open unified primary where every voter could vote for any candidate, and real competition for November's elections. Chris believes that the political system is riddled with apathy and ignorance. For Eric, if someone is more loyal to a political party or a political leader than to the Constitution, they are not a patriot. Eric brings the concept of Final Five Voting into the conversation. Chris and Eric go through their definitions of leadership. One of the major challenges for existing politicians is that out of 500,000 elected officials, 70% are determined in the primary and never face opposition in the general election. This gives an inordinate amount of leverage to the 10% of special interests who actually show up in the primary. Both learned in the Military the importance of putting Country before Party. They swore their oath to the Constitution. Today's politicians because of the broken partisan system put their party above their oath to the Constitution.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium Veterans for Political Innovation Michael Porter  Harvard Business School George Washington Martin Luther Jean-Jacques Rosseau Good to Great: Why Some Companies Make the Leap and Others Don't by Jim Collins SaveDemocracyAZ.com

Paul Johnson welcomes Fellow of the American Association for the Advancement of Science, Global Future Scholar, and former Senior Policy Director in the U.S. House of Representatives Dr. Sybil Francis. They discuss the Center for the Future of Arizona initiative, some of the key findings from big surveys, and talk about the so-called shared public values, and what data is actually showing in regard to divisions in America today. Dr. Sybil Francis shares the origin story of the Center for the Future of Arizona and discusses what it focuses on, as well as the methodology it utilizes. The two big surveys Dr. Francis and her team have done with Gallup were done in 2009 and 2020 – and they helped better understand who Arizonans are. One of the key indicators from polling around the country is that Americans are not as polarized and divided, they agree on much more than they disagree. Dr. Francis touches upon the so-called shared public values and some interesting traits about Arizonans that have transpired from the Gallup surveys. There's a specific approach to the Arizona voter's agenda and its goals, and Dr. Francis tells all about it. In the polling, Arizonians including the majority in both parties have vast agreement on major topics such as education, immigration, and the environment. The Arizona Polling confirms what other polls from around the U.S. show that Americans are not as divided as one could think, yet American politicians are more divided than ever even on this topics where broad consensus exist amongst the public. Dr. Francis says we need to ask why?. Paul Johnson and Dr. Francis shares their thoughts about why and it relates to partisan primaries and the incentive for news networks to play to the fringes, and to demonize the other side to terrify the viewers to watch again tomorrow. In the 14 years, Dr. Francis has had the data, she hasn't seen any better or more promising solution to finding a bridge between what the majority of voters want and politicians than the open primary ranked-choice voting system. Dr. Francis explains that their work is about helping the public understand who we are and thus change our mental construct of what is possible based on data. Furthermore, she plans on taking advantage of the crucial role Arizona will have in the 2024 elections to educate national media about who Arizonans are. Dr. Francis believes that ‘changing systems are the greatest leverage to really impactful change.'     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube Dr. Sybil Francis Center for the Future of Arizona Gallup  American Association for the Advancement of Science  AZ HighGround Arizona Progress Meters Education Forward Arizona WESTMARC State of Black Arizona Arizona Community Foundation

Paul Johnson is joined by fourth-generation Arizonan, former Speaker of the House in Arizona, and past Senate member Rusty Bowers. They talk about what led Bowers to run for office, his definition of “conservative,” what happened with the 2020 elections in relation to fake electors, and what can be done to change the current division in U.S. politics. Fourth-generation Arizonan Rusty Bowers shares his origin story, what led him to run for office in the first place, and what his first year was like. Despite being an artist, Rusty Bowers isn't just Republican, he's a rather conservative Republican that can't be easily put in what he refers to as “the box.” For Bowers, a conservative is someone who believes in institutions or principles that are worth conserving and not just for a personal agenda but for a country, a society. Paul and Rusty Bowers go over what Bowers considers conservative values, as well as the role of pluralism and finding common ground. Paul believes that the current far-right and far-left that are forming are outside the norms of the liberal Democratic Party and of the conservative Republican Party.  These new leaders of the Alt Right and Woke Left don't buy into constitutional truths. They see people as part of a racial group in a struggle for power and not as individuals. The point of a leader, according to Bowers, is to try to find commonalities and individual characteristics of people as a resource to move something forward. Rusty Bowers opens up about when he started to notice a change with the U.S. political system, the role of I.V.A.N., and what happened with the 2020 elections. Rusty Bowers shares what he thinks can be done at both an individual and collective level to try to resolve the ongoing divisions.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube Rusty Bowers John F. Kennedy Library Stan Barnes Mark Killian Jackie Robinson Barry Goldwater Carl Hayden

What if I told you that strict adherence to an ideology is corroding your individuality, dividing you from others, and preventing you from creating a better life?Does this sound familiar? You've been told to cling to certain ideologies, to believe in something wholeheartedly. This very act of adherence is corroding your individuality, dividing you from others, and preventing you from creating a better life.The pain you feel from trying to fit into a mold that doesn't align with your true self is real. And yet, the action of blindly following addictive ideologies, hoping for a sense of belonging and purpose, only leads to further disappointment and emptiness. It's time to break free from these ineffective patterns and empower yourself to live a fulfilling, purpose-driven life.In this episode, you will be able to:Uncover the destructive side of addictive ideologies and how they can corrode your individuality.Ignite the spark to shatter your limitations and march towards a successful, content life.Unmask the toxic effects of ideology addiction and how it fosters division, conflict, and misunderstandings.Delve into the importance of truth, accountability, and meaning in shaping a fulfilling, purpose-driven life.Cultivate the potency of optimism, personal agency, and a positive outlook to construct a better life.Paul Johnson - The Optimistic AmericanHON. PAUL E. JOHNSON JR. is the host of The Optimistic American podcast, whose goal is to create space in the news media for a positive and hopeful view of America. He has a significant background in business, politics, and government and became the youngest mayor of Phoenix, Arizona at 30 years old. He has managed several state campaigns for presidential candidates and is the CEO and co-founder of Redirect Health. Emily and Paul's collaboration in life and work marry their combined skills and backgrounds in clinical and forensic psychology, politics, and geopolitical issues. They address the problems of addictive ideologies to the self and to society while offering insight and wisdom for healing, growth, and transformation. They believe collaborating towards a worthy purpose is essential to unleashing the power of the human spirit. He is the co-author with Dr. Emily Bashah of Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning in Agency When Politics Fail You.Through my experiences, I developed a proven framework called T.E.N.T. It stands for Trustbuilding, Empowering, Navigating, and Thriving-Together. With TENT, I help leaders expel employee dissatisfaction and combat high turnover rates. I teach them the skills and tactics necessary to create a positive and engaging work environment. Are you ready for a transformation in your organization's leadership style? https://btrimpact.com/workshops Get a trial of Capsho now and enjoy TWO free episodes to process plus bonus training content from the Capsho team and see the difference this AI platform makes in repurposing your audio content into quality written pieces for show notes, blog posts, emails, social media, and more! BeyondTheRut.com/capsho. Join Chief Excitement Officer Sha Sparks as she discusses the power of investing in people through leaders' experiences and helps you turn your trauma into triumph.Support the show

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson is joined by Save Democracy's Ted Hinderaker and Ted Maxwell from the Arizona Leadership Council. The three discuss what it takes, from a community standpoint, to be successful in the U.S. today, reform work in Arizona, the role of Tucson citizens, and the differences between election systems. Ted Maxwell shares why he believes the existing system isn't working and what he considers important, from a community standpoint, to be successful in the U.S. Paul, Ted Maxwell, and Ted Hinderaker talk about the importance of understanding your role, and how the Tucson government works. Paul shares his experiences running in both a partisan and a nonpartisan primary and goes over the reasons why he believes that elected officials aren't being held accountable. Ted Hinderaker touches upon the characteristics of various election systems – primary, top two, top four, and ranked choice voting – and their effects on society. Paul asks his guests what they believe has led to the activation of the people in Tucson. Ted Maxwell mentions one of the main reasons why, in his opinion, more people are leaning towards becoming independents. Focusing on recruiting candidates that are pragmatic and that are better able to do the job doesn't last, says Ted Hinderaker.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube Cathy Giessel Save Democracy Ted Hinderaker Southern Arizona Leadership Council (SALC) Ted Maxwell University of Arizona Foundation Center for the Future Arizona Civil Francis Organization The Politics Industry by Katherine M. Gehl and Michael E. Porter Flinn-Brown Fellowship Program

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson is joined by former Senate President and current Alaska Senator Cathy Giessel. They discuss the role of divisiveness in America today, the existing partisan system that discriminates against candidates and voters not registered in the one of the two major parties, and reform efforts that work to give voters choices. This episode talks with the Republican Majority Leader in the Alaska legislature about how the reform is working in Alaska and how it promotes collaboration – and cooperation – between lawmakers with different political views. The current season of The Optimistic American is dedicated to the reforms that are going on in America that can help heal the ongoing divisions. Alaska Senator Cathy Giessel is the Republican and Majority Leader in Alaska who can tell how the reforms that removed partisan primaries and implemented rank choice voting actually work. The divisiveness in the U.S. is the highest Paul has seen in his 40 years watching the political system. Senator Giessel breaks down how a partisan primary system and an open primary system with a top four work. With partisan primaries, 85% of incumbents are in safe seats that are gerrymandered to stop competition in the general election. In an open primary system, every voter gets to vote for or against their representative. At first, Senator Giessel was reluctant about the ranked choice voting – she explains why that was the case. Senator Giessel shares her experience in regard to how the role of and the interaction with voters changed with the two systems. Paul, who ran in both an open primary system for mayor and a closed partisan primary for governor, pointed out that candidates in the open primary have to speak to all voters, even those registered in the other party. In closed primary systems, they only have to speak to members of their own party. He believes that talking to people they don't necessarily agree with is the single most important thing that educates leaders. In Alaska, today's legislature operates differently than it did before. Senator Giessel touches upon the changes that have taken place and how Democrats and Republicans have been able to work together despite some major differences in the open primary system. According to Senator Giessel, the open primary and the rank choice systems have really reduced negative campaigning because when you have multiple candidates in a runoff, going negative hurts the person leveling the negative information. Senator Giessel points out that the open primary in Alaska has promoted collaboration and cooperation between lawmakers.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Optimistic American on YouTube Cathy Giessel Alexander Hamilton Thomas Jefferson Mo Udall

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with members of the Voter Choice Arizona executive committee Blake Sacha, Kathy Knecht, and organizing director Kazz Fernandes. The panel discusses how Voter Choice Arizona came to be, what it's all about, and how it aims to change  the current political system and improve democracy. This season of The Optimistic American will focus on political reforms that can help make certain that the American political system operates better than it does today. Paul used it as an example of the disconnect between elected officials and the massive deficit spending of Congress. A balanced budget amendment is supported overwhelmingly by the public yet both parties, when in power, fail to advance it. Surprisingly, the last balanced budget was Bill Clinton's. Paul pointed out how recently even paying the debt of the United States has come into question, with multiple members of both parties voting against the compromise, seemingly willing to put the nation into bankruptcy over partisanship. Paul discusses the historical significance of paying the debt back with Alexander Hamilton, demanding paying back speculators who purchased debt instruments from soldiers at pennies on the dollar to Revolutionary War soldiers. His legacy was the importance of securing the good faith and credit of the United States, leading us to be a great power. Blake Sacha talks about how he became involved with the reform effort, “Voter Choice in Arizona” designed to treat all voters equally and make elected officials accountable to the public. He believes it is about 'Bad systems that beat good people.' Kathy Knecht shares how incumbents try to insure they won't have competition by making it impossible for independents to run by making signature requirements 6-10 times higher than democrats or republicans. This was why she decided to join Voter Choice in Arizona. Organizing director Kazz Fernandes touches upon different aspects of Voter Choice Arizona, including its beginnings, funding, and how the organization finds new members. The way Ranked Choice Voting works is simple: vote for the candidate you like and then indicate who your second place person is as well as your third.. If your #1 choice doesn't win, then your vote goes to your second choice. By having multiple candidates in the run-off, if you attack another candidate it harms you both, and the third candidate benefits. So, it disincentivizes mudslinging. Paul and his guests go over the pros and cons of Ranked Choice Voting and its system. They believe the existing partisan system is failing the American people. When asked who are the opponents of Ranked Choice Voting, the panel was clear it was incumbents. The reason incumbents dislike open primaries and Ranked Choice Voting is because it creates competition. Today through gerrymandering over 85% of legislative and congressional seats are safe districts. The overwhelming majority of incumbents don't have a general election opponent. This gives them the ability to ignore independent voters, and voters in the other party and only pay attention to the extremes in their own party. The result is greater division for our country as our elected officials no longer are willing to listen to people in the other party.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson VoterChoiceArizona.org Rank the Vote Bill Clinton Lyndon B. Johnson Thomas Jefferson Alexander Hamilton

Dr. Emily Bashah is a licensed psychologist, author, and podcast co-host with a private practice in Scottsdale, AZ. She was born and raised in Canada and her parents are from Iraq. In this podcast, she shares her personal, academic, and professional journey and discusses The Optimistic American and her new co-authored book Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You. Dr. Bashah also shares what drew her to the field of psychology and her commitment to humanitarian and social causes, about which she feels very passionate. Dr. Bashah shares a story of her parents living in Iraq during the rise of Saddam Hussein's power and control. She states, “so, when my parents were living there, my father was 17 years old at the time…he's riding his bicycle and all of a sudden, he comes across a commotion in the main Town Square, which is called Tahrir Square, and this is in Baghdad, and he sees that there are Jews that are being publicly hanged. This was a mock trail. It went over a couple of days. Basically, the government hand-picked several Jews. There were actually seven Jews that were hanged that day, two of whom were minors under age 17, and they were falsely accused for being spies for Israel.” Dr. Bashah later shares “unfortunately, my grandfather, my mother's father at the time, was last seen being pushed into a government vehicle and disappeared. The last we know about his whereabouts, he was taken to an underground jail called the Palace of No Return, never to be heard from again.” Dr. Bashah remembers being 12 years old and really committing herself to “somehow undoing or finding some kind of justice for the harm that had been committed to my family and my grandfather's disappearance because I saw how much it really traumatized my, my mother and my father.” She shares that she wanted to work with people in some kind of healing capacity and “that's really what led me to psychology.” Dr. Bashah discusses her work in forensics and how the intersection of psychology and law has helped her in her private practice as well as earning her a reputation as an expert witness in criminal, immigration, and civil courts. She has also worked on high-profile cases related to domestic terrorism, capital offenses, and first-degree murder. In addition to her private practice, Bashah Psychological Services, PLC, she is involved with The Optimistic American and is co-host of The Optimistic American podcast alongside her partner and co-host Paul Johnson, entrepreneur, and former mayor of Phoenix, AZ. Together, they also co-authored a new book Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You. Dr. Bashah shares the harrowing story of the persecution of Jews in Iraq by Saddam Hussein and the Ba'ath Party through her family's own personal experiences while Paul Johnson uses his own mayoral experiences to chart a path for the future that can avoid similar atrocities. The book draws upon an understanding of societal divisions and clinical and social psychology to show the real power we have to promote constructive change. Dr. Bashah reflects on her journey and shares advice with those interested in the field of psychology and shares a message of hope for those who want to recreate themselves. She states “I'm an author. I have a podcast. I have a private practice. I supervise doctoral students. I'm a businesswoman. I'm an entrepreneur. There are all these different facets of me. I'm an expert in courts, but also, I'm called upon as an expert in media and in news...so, there's so many different things that you could recreate who you want to be. It's a wonderful thing, and psychology permits that, but find your own path.” Near the end of our podcast discussion, Dr. Bashah shares how she picked up belly dancing and why dancing is such an important part of remaining connected to her Arab ancestry and heritage. She also offers additional advice including “I know a lot of your guests and listene...

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson welcomes North Arizona University's Martin-Springer Institute Director Bjorn Krondorfer to discuss his new book Unsettling Empathy (Peace and Security in the 21st Century). The two discuss Professor Krondorfer's work in the context of the Holocaust and genocides, the concept of “chosen trauma”, and what's happening with divisions and extremisms in America today. Paul opens the discussion by indicating the link between the divisions in America and genocide and extremism. Professor Krondorfer opens up about what led him to make genocides, the holocaust, and extremist movements the focus of his work and research. A desire for empathy that unsettles our assumptions about ourselves, about history, and about what we think is what led Professor Krondorfer to write his book Unsettling Empathy. Prof. Krondorfer discusses what happened when a group of German and Jewish students met at the end of the ‘80s to discuss their different narratives related to what happened in the Holocaust. For Prof. Krondorfer, in former perpetrator societies, the next generation has to be suspicious of the narratives that are being passed on to them. Paul and Prof. Krondorfer touch upon the good and evil that are inside all of us, the role propaganda makes – and how it's the common denominator in genocides such as the Holocaust and the Rwandan genocide. Prof. Krondorfer explains why, throughout several decades, “Chosen Trauma” is a concept that has posed a threat to various societies and cultures around the world. It's easier for unsettling empathy and honest communication to occur when a conflict is over and we're living in the aftermath (like in the case of the Holocaust) compared to an ongoing conflict like the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Paul discusses the concept of amygdala hijacking and the “formula” for trying to move a block of people. Professor Bjorn Krondorfer touches upon what “forgiving the unforgiving” entails, and why the focus shouldn't be so much on forgiveness, but rather on reconciliation practices. Prof. Krondorfer unpacks the question, “What's going on with the divisions in America today?” Paul introduces the idea of post-partisanism – and the challenges it would bring about – into the conversation.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson Unsettling Empathy (Peace and Security in the 21st Century) by Bjorn Krondorfer North Arizona University Temple University  Dr. Emily Bashah Vamik Volkan John McCain Martin Luther King New York Times

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Katherine Gehl to discuss the profound challenges in the American political system and the real solutions for a system that benefits everyone. Katherine is a business leader, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy. Katherine starts the conversation by describing what inspired her to write a book on political innovation. For Paul, politicians are not necessarily bad people. Often, they are good people in a bad system that provides the wrong incentives. Paul and Katherine agree that a politician's primary goal is to get re-elected. However, we live in a world where there's no connection between solving people's problems and getting re-elected. Katherine explains why we need to change the way people get elected. It's very unfortunate that elections in America today are about choosing the lesser of two evils. Paul describes how parties make it impossible for independent candidates to run for office by forcing independent candidates to collect 10 times the signatures, and making it harder for independent or non-party voters to vote. Katherine reviews the duopoly of political parties. They no longer serve their customers' needs, but they don't have to because they have no real competition. In the existing system, the political parties use fear to terrify the American voter on the dangers of the other side. Paul talks about how our negative bias and preaching the dangers of the other side is far more effective than selling your vision to voters. Katherine talks about the reform effort of eliminating the partisan primary, having all candidates run in an open primary where every voter can choose the top 5 candidates to go to a runoff. Then you can vote for your first-place choice, second place, third place etc. This is called the Final Five voting system and why it's effective. Paul and Katherine discuss the benefits of having a single open primary and how it ensures nobody wins the election on primary day. In the partisan system because of gerrymandering 90 percent of all races are decided in the primary. Most voters don't matter. In partisan primaries, people are more persuaded by the negative message about the opposing candidate, but in an open primary with multiple candidates going to the runoff, it is more difficult to go negative and incentivizes candidates to give more positive information about what you will do for them. According to Katherine, the most important reason we want to change the election system is to get better results for the community from the government. Election reforms should not be designed to change who, or which party wins elections. They should be designed to change what winners do and on whose behalf they're doing it. The problem with American elections is not with the voters or the politicians. Paul believes it's with the system of how we elect our representatives. For Katherine, it's easier for a camel to get through the eye of the needle than for a problem-solving politician to get through a party primary. Katherine would rather lose something that, if she won, would make a difference than win something that, having won, wouldn't make any difference.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson KatherineGehl.com Follow @katherinegehl on Twitter The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy by Katherine M. Gehl

In the final part of "Jordan Peterson : You're Just Wrong on This One," we conclude our discussion on the Ukrainian War and the West's involvement in it. This time, we focus on the broader implications of the conflict for international relations and global security. Jordan Peterson argues that the West's approach to the Ukrainian War is misguided and dangerous, as it could lead to a global conflict with catastrophic consequences. He suggests that the West needs to adopt a more nuanced and strategic approach that takes into account the complex historical, political, and cultural factors at play. In contrast, the host of the episode argues that the West's involvement in the Ukrainian War is not just a matter of strategy but also a moral imperative. They believe that supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is essential for maintaining the global order based on democratic values and human rights. They also point out that the Ukrainian War is not just a local conflict but a part of a broader struggle between democracy and authoritarianism that will shape the future of international relations. We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This episode reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

In the third episode of "Jordan Peterson: You're Just Wrong on This One," we continue our exploration of the Ukrainian War and the West's involvement in it. This time, we focus on the emotional and moral implications of the conflict and how it relates to the broader context of Western society. Jordan Peterson argues that the West's declining morality is partly to blame for its involvement in the Ukrainian War. He points out the hypocrisy of Western leaders who claim to promote individualism and free markets but engage in military interventions that go against those values. He also suggests that the West's moral decay is evidenced by the rise of identity politics, political correctness, and cancel culture. In contrast, the host of the episode argues that the West's values are not declining but rather evolving to become more inclusive and just. They point out that the Ukrainian War is not just a matter of geopolitical power plays but also a humanitarian crisis that demands a moral response. They believe that supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is the right thing to do, even if it means opposing authoritarian regimes like Russia.  We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This episode reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

In this episode 2 of a 4 part mini-series of The Optimistic American, we explore the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the West's involvement in it. Jordan Peterson and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's podcast on Russia and Ukraine sparked a lot of discussion, with Peterson calling out not just the Ukrainian war but also the declining morality of the West. He suggests that G7 leaders should focus on determining exactly what the Russians would accept as a minimum precondition for peace, instead of simply labeling Putin as a modern-day Hitler or Stalin. However, here at The Optimistic American, we take a different perspective. We believe in the importance of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and standing up against authoritarian regimes like Putin's Russia. While it's always important to question our government's actions, we see ourselves as part of the fight for the preservation of Western liberal democracy, free markets, and governments that prioritize the individual's wellbeing. In this episode, we also explore the motives behind the military-industrial complex, and whether their profits may be driving certain political decisions. So tune in, and join us as we navigate these complex issues with an optimistic eye towards the future. We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This episode reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

In this episode of a 4 part mini-series of The Optimistic American, we explore the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the West's involvement in it. Jordan Peterson and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's podcast on Russia and Ukraine sparked a lot of discussion, with Peterson calling out not just the Ukrainian war but also the declining morality of the West. He suggests that G7 leaders should focus on determining exactly what the Russians would accept as a minimum precondition for peace, instead of simply labeling Putin as a modern-day Hitler or Stalin. However, here at The Optimistic American, we take a different perspective. We believe in the importance of supporting Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and standing up against authoritarian regimes like Putin's Russia. While it's always important to question our government's actions, we see ourselves as part of the fight for the preservation of Western liberal democracy, free markets, and governments that prioritize the individual's wellbeing. In this episode, we also explore the motives behind the military-industrial complex, and whether their profits may be driving certain political decisions. So tune in, and join us as we navigate these complex issues with an optimistic eye towards the future. We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss gun control, mass shootings in the United States, and how we can use the data to prevent mass shootings from happening in the future. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how mass shootings, directly and indirectly, impact local communities. According to Emily, we need to understand how mass shooters think and operate - only then can we prevent more shootings from happening in the future. Emily breaks down what the data says about mass shooters. A study done in the 2021 book, The Violence Project: How to Stop A Mass Shooting Epidemic, compiled detailed data including the life history of 180 shooters. The data shows that nearly all mass shooters have a history of trauma and most mass shooters are suicidal and the hatred they have for themselves turns outward. Almost all mass shooters have one thing in common: they all want to die and don't care who they take with them. To solve the problem of mass shootings we have to be willing to look for answers that can work politically, be constitutional, and be effective. Some of the solutions being bantered about are ineffective if the data is correct. The solution will need both gun restrictions and mental health efforts. Paul and Emily agree that dedicating funds to community mental health efforts can help identify and potentially reduce the number of mass shooters. Especially on school campuses where the data helps us identify those people who are most at risk. Paul talks about gun laws that would effectively reduce the number of mass shootings in the US and those that will have little effect. Paul points out that while he isn't defending AR-15 sales,most of the shootings happen with hand guns, and if you banned AR-15's, there isn't evidence it would have stopped any of the mass shootings. It just would have happened with a different gun. Paul points out the type of gun laws that data shows works is the gun laws that keep guns out of the hands of people who commit the crimes, notably kids, people with a history of violence and those who are suicidal. This includes safe storage laws, red flag laws, and the ability to put restraining orders issued by a judge on people who have shown signs of being violent. Emily points out that at the scene of most mass shootings, there are usually many people with guns in the parking lot that didn't stop the shootings. We have to work on creating barriers before the incident. Paul and Emily agree that reducing the number of mass shootings is only possible if both gun laws are adopted that target the potentially dangerous individual and a focus on mental health. Emily points out the type of clues and hints mass shooters exhibit before attacking innocent civilians. Those clues can help us identify at risk individuals and save lives. Who is to blame for the increase in number of mass shooters? Emily believes it's everybody - from the government to the parents and everybody in contact with the mass shooters has to take responsibility to fix this massive problem.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Violence Project: How to Stop a Mass Shooting Epidemic by Jillian Peterson

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to talk about the right way to engage in politics. They explain how being obsessed with civic duties can make you a target for radicalization and impact your ability to find meaning in life. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how people can be involved in politics without harming their ability to think independently. The goal of people who run political parties is to use fear to radicalize you. Emily describes how winning an argument releases adrenaline and dopamine. This creates an addiction to both arguing and the need to always be right. Paul said the right and the left are both necessary, but the extreme right and the extreme left don't like America - they both reject the idea of an individualistic society. Politics is the place we go to resolve our problems; it will always be controversial. Compromise is essential if the union is to survive, but unfortunately, many people have a negative view of compromise. Paul shares why gerrymandering allows politicians to win without ever having to face half the voters who are in the other party. He feels elected officials should face every voter every time they run for office. When we allow politicians, political Party's or the nightly talk shows to terrify us, it drives us towards more extreme ideologies, giving these very groups more control over you. According to Emily, it's 100% possible to be involved in politics without jeopardizing your ability to lead a normal life, but you have to maintain your sense of objectivity and agency. Politics becomes an addiction when the obsessive components of the ideology are no longer in your control. You lose control when issues begin to scare, frighten or terrorize you. The people who often become radicalized are not those who have a lot and want more or those who have nothing and want something. They are the people who once had something and lost a piece of it. Paul uncovers the connection between genocide, terrorism, and extremist groups: ideology. The most dangerous ideological groups are the ones that separate people into the oppressed and the oppressor. Paul points out that in his experience, small radicalized groups can dramatically impact society with radical and harmful ideas (unless rational people say no). Once you believe a person is fundamentally evil, you objectify them and then you can begin to justify your atrocious acts against them. Radicalized leaders have the ability to take good people and make them do bad things. Paul and Emily agree that the easiest way to avoid radicalization is to stop consuming hateful TV and social media content, to find other things in life other than politics. People need to focus more on meaning and less on happiness. If we focus on happiness, we're never going to find it. If we focus on meaning, we have a chance of finding happiness. Paul shares how struggle can help you find meaning and happiness in life.      Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The True Believer: Thoughts on the Nature of Mass Movements by Eric Hoffer

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah sit down and discuss the three C's of every healthy relationship: communication, compromise, and compliments, and why it takes courage to be vulnerable enough to find love. There are three C's to every healthy relationship: communication, compromise, and compliments. If someone you are with can't get any insight into who you are and how you feel, it's going to be very difficult to grow together. Choosing how you communicate with your partner is going to be critical for a successful relationship. You need to understand the core values that brought you together in the first place. It's important to remember that your relationship with someone can end at any time and shouldn't be taken for granted. A mentor of Emily's advice on marriage was to “never stop pursuing your spouse. Just because you have someone, that doesn't mean you can keep them.” If you can't coach the other person (and vice-versa), and help them understand where you're coming from, the odds of you being able to communicate with them and compromise, or get the compliments you're looking for become very remote. Abusive relationships can come as a result of trauma bonds, where there are positive feedback loops and patterns in the relationship alongside the abuse. This can result in codependence. Oftentimes, the abuser will foster the dependency on them which encourages the environment of captivity, which is when autonomy begins to disappear. Be financially capable of taking care of yourself. Research has shown that men and women are both hardwired and socialized differently. Women tend to be process-oriented, and men tend to be product-oriented, but that's not a set-in-stone rule. These traits are necessary for a good parenting environment, even if they don't come from the traditional male/female pair. We need both perspectives and diverse ideas if you want a company or a country to succeed. Love is one of the most important things you can find in life, and do find it you need to dare greatly. You need to be able to surrender and be vulnerable in a relationship, and that takes courage.   Communication Strategies Emily has clients that tend to be fault-finders when it comes to their relationships, but she turns that around by observing what that attitude says about themselves. You can't expect someone to want to be with you if they always feel inferior because of your criticism. Emily tells the story of how something at work was making her life very difficult and her very frustrated. She asked for “pre-forgiveness” as a way to let other people know you're stressed and not at your best. We're all human and we are all going to make mistakes, asking for pre-forgiveness upfront will give people a heads up and make them much more likely to extend the grace you need. Good communication makes things clear and prevents your partner from creating stories in their head to fill in the gaps of their understanding. It's important to externalize the problems and name them, so the other person doesn't feel threatened by it. We all have problems and challenges in our lives, and those have emotional effects on us. You can make the situation worse if you don't inform people what is going on in your life. By communicating those emotions, you give the other person the opportunity to feel like an ally rather than a contributor to the problem. We all have moments of crisis in relationships. They come about because you both have a version of the story going on in your heads, and without knowing each other's story the odds of finding common ground are slim. Don't fight via text. Get them on the phone or meet them in person. You will apply the version of the story in your head and miss all the nuances that in-person communication comes with. Really listen and try to feel through the other person's perception. It's hard to see our own habits, but you can get a glimpse of how others perceive you by paying close attention.   Compliments Some believe that others learn through criticism. Paul believes that people learn more effectively through inspiration. Compliments lead naturally from inspiration. If you constantly highlight what you like about someone and their behavior, it will naturally reinforce those things in the relationship. Keep your eye on the good places you want your relationship to go and focus your language around that.   Compromising Compromising can be easily misunderstood. Co-dependent patterns in relationships can form when this becomes too extreme. Co-dependency is an excessive amount of emotional dependence on your partner. This can also lead to an abusive and controlling relationship. The traditional roles of men and women in relationships are changing as society is changing. 60% of all women are in the workforce today. People in a relationship can take roles in different spheres of life without being co-dependent if we look at the value of the effort both parties are bringing to the table. We each contribute to our relationships in different ways and we all play a role. The real key is to value those roles and come to a relationship with love. We all have limitations. It's important to accept each other for who we are. We each have to compromise and respect the role each person plays in the relationship. A common issue among couples going through a divorce is resentment. If you see that pattern in your relationship, it's important to get some therapy to work through that because resentment will gradually destroy everything. Tell your partner what you need when you are laying your problems out to them. If you're a man, a solution is not always the reason people come to you. Sometimes, they just need you to listen to them and be there for them. They might just be looking for support and understanding, not a hero.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

To see the video of this episode, visit https://youtu.be/d36N0HnPuMo. Wait, what? Genocide, optimism, and belly dancing in the same conversation? Our guests, Emily Bashah and Paul Johnson, cover those topics and more. Emily is a psychologist who has worked on high-profile cases covering terrorism. Her parents survived Saddam Hussein's campaign of genocidal violence against Jews in Iraq in the 1960s and 70s. Paul's background is as a politician (he was mayor of Phoenix when he was 30 years old) and entrepreneur. Their recent book is called Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You. And what about belly dancing? Listen to the end of the interview, where Emily explains how she became an accomplished belly dancer as an expression of her cultural heritage. And at around the 60-minute mark you'll hear Emily and Paul's amazing story of how their relationship transformed from colleagues to romance and marriage. You can find the “Optimistic American” podcast that Paul and Emily host at https://www.optamerican.com/. Want to suggest a topic or someone for us to interview? Go to https://ctin7.com and send us a message. And you can also sign up for Dr. Chalmer's newsletter right from our homepage. When you sign up for Dr. Chalmer's newsletter (you can do it right from our podcast website, https://ctin7.com), you'll get a link for a free download of Dr. Chalmer's booklet Seven Words to Jump-Start Your Love Life. You can also get the book on Amazon for $2.99. But why do that when you can get it for free? Dr. Chalmer's newest book is My Husband Complains About My Cleaning! What Do I Do? You can find out more about Dr. Chalmer's book, It's Not About Communication! Why Everything You Know About Couples Therapy is Wrong, at https://ctin7.com/books.

In this episode I speak with Emily Bashah, a licensed psychologist and co-author with Paul Johnson, of "Addictive Ideologies," whose parents made a harrowing escape from Iraq before she was born, and whose wakeup call was to fight against the ideologies that traumatize and kill innocent populations like her parents and hers by digging down into what drives people to become addicted to them. https://www.bashahpsychological.com/

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah sit down with Dr. Mark Goulston, a psychiatrist, executive coach, and consultant to major organizations. He is the inventor and developer of the Surgical Empathy Process, where he uses focused empathetic listening to break through to people and free them of their internal emotional and psychological blocks. Paul and Emily introduce Mark Goulston and the uniqueness of his work. Mark describes his journey to psychology and how he dropped out of med school twice. The three main steps in the Trifecta of Hope and learning to listen to people's hurt. Emily shares the approach she uses with suicidal patients - and what it takes to overcome the pain that won't go away. Paul and Mark talk about the different forms of extremism and how to deprogram a radicalized person. Emily describes the power of active listening instead of forcing your ideals on others. Mark reveals how the Magic Paradox technique can be used to show extremists that you understand what nobody else understands. Understand that people are listening for something as they're listening to you. Mark shares the steps he would take when he feels a conversation is not going well. Paul and Mark talk about finding meaning in life. For Mark, being an empathetic listener is about seeing the good in people and believing they're doing their best. Mark shares how he helps suicidal people see that finding something worth living for is possible. Mark describes his role in the OJ Simpson trial - and how detectives unsuccessfully tried to play psychological tricks on him. According to Mark, talking to extremists is difficult because they aim to make you feel powerless and helpless. When you feel that your spouse is tolerating you, Mark believes it can be painful until you realize how difficult you are and then it's a gift. Emily reveals the best thing you can do to support radicalized family members. How difficult people work: they set you up and corner you. Paul highlights the best way to act when confronted by an angry person. Mark's approach to talking to people that drive you crazy. According to Mark, most people don't do well with conflict. They either get angry or avoid it. Mark dissects the three steps to turn aggressive conflict into healthy conflict.      Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss how cults and extremist groups suck people into addictive ideologies. They talk about the most dangerous aspects of an addictive ideology, the growth of incel culture, and ways to deprogram an addicted cult member. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how Ideologies and cults suck people into addictive ideologies. Emily describes the difference between a cult and an addictive ideology. Paul describes how ideologies become toxic when they see the world in terms of the oppressor and victimhood. Emily breaks down the characteristics of cult leaders and what makes them charismatic. Paul shares his thoughts on woke culture.  Emily reveals how the incel community was formed and how "involuntarily celibate" men become radicalized. Emily describes how incels justify their acts of physically harming women. Emily shares her experience working with Muslim extremists and people from the incel community. Paul confirms with Emily how people in cults are not necessarily crazy or delusional - they just have a biased view of the world. Paul and Emily agree that the type of people prone to joining extreme ideologies and cults have a destabilized identity and are looking for meaning in life. For Emily, the one consistent thing among extremists and cult members is a loss of identity - which the cult leaders replace with flawed beliefs. Paul and Emily explore the dopamine hit people experience when winning an argument - and how wanting to be right all the time can be addictive. Emily outlines the chemical changes in the brain during and after an argument. Emily and Paul discuss how you can help loved ones trapped in cults or addictive ideologies.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Basha to talk about the friction that exists between attachment and anti-fragililty when raising children. They discuss what it takes to raise confident kids, how to bring up anti-fragile kids, and ways to support your child's sense of agency. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing what it takes to raise a child correctly. Know that people will criticize and judge your parenting style no matter what you do. For Emily, you are not forever damned if you had a poor childhood. You can still do something to salvage the situation for you and your kids. Emily breaks down the concept of scaffolding your kids and whether it's effective for all types of kids. Paul and Emily agree that parents need to give themselves a break - parenting is complex, and you're doing your very best. According to Paul, to love your kids, you need to also care for yourself. Paul and Emily assess what the research says about caregiver stress and why it's the most predictive component of a child's well-being. Emily dissects attachment theory and the four distinct types of attachments. Paul shares all of us are leaders in that leadership is defined as the ability to influence people. We are leaders as parents trying to mold our children into leaders. Emily and Paul go through the four main types of parenting styles and how they overlap with each other. Paul and Emily discuss the concept of anti-fragility. Both agree that kids need attachment but anti-fragile children's learning can be inhibited by overprotective parents who believe they need to be handled with care. Emily is convinced that parents who see their kids as fragile objects rarely raise confident and courageous kids. It is an error to believe what doesn't kill you makes you weaker. According to Paul, believing that failure and painful experiences will do lasting damage is setting your children up for long-term failure. For Emily, using anti-fragility concepts turns children into confident and courageous persons - but it takes hard work. Paul points to behavior psychologist Jonathan Haidt in the Coddling of the American Mind and the challenges and causes of our children being less resilient to what others think of them. Emily explains why we need to raise kids who can do what is unconventional despite what others think. Paul talks about the consequences of over-intruding in your child's life. According to Paul, safety is important when raising kids, but we have over valued emotional safety and studies have indicated this is resulting in higher levels of stress and depression. Paul and Emily discuss the hierarchy of agency as it relates to raising your kids. Paul and Emily discuss how to teach your children independence and give them the power to actualize their dreams.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson The Blank Slate: The Modern Denial of Human Nature by Steven Pinker The Coddling of the American Mind: How Good Intentions and Bad Ideas Are Setting Up a Generation for Failure by Jonathan Haidt

Dr. Emily Bashah, Author and Psychologist joins Carol and Tom discussing Psychologist tips for stress free civic engagement. 

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Basha to discuss the public sector vs private and how they contribute to economic development in the U.S. They cover how the public sector boosts economic development, ways to be successful in business, why money should not be the primary motivator for going into business, and so much more. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how the public and private sectors of the U.S. economy work. According to Paul, the greatest thing the government has ever done is empower individuals over itself. Paul is convinced the private sector is where you can make a positive social impact. Emily explains why you should start a business if you want to make a lasting change in the world. Paul describes why the world needs more producers and consumers - and how this can help end world poverty. Paul reveals the common trait among America's wealthy class. Emily and Paul agree that the government's primary job in driving private business success is to stay out of the way. Emily and Paul go through what it takes to succeed in business. Paul believes great business success only comes from taking great risks. According to Paul, anyone can be in business, but not everyone should be. Some of us are better off employed. Paul explains why you should not quit your job immediately after starting a business. For Paul, spending less than you make is the number one rule of accumulating wealth. According to Emily, the first business you go into should be something you're an expert in. Emily and Paul describe why money should not be the primary motivator for going into business. Paul reveals that most of the billionaires he's met did not start with the goal of becoming billionaires - they all wanted to solve a need in the community. Paul explores why customers buy from you - it's not because they like you. Emily and Paul go through the common mistakes and failures business people face when launching and scaling their businesses. Paul believes the only thing standing between you and success is fear. Paul breaks down the top 5 things you must do to go from nothing to something. In business, credibility is all you have. Protect it with your life.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

On a Monday morning in late March three nine year-olds and three adults were gunned down by a shooter who opened fire at the Covenant Presbyterian church school in Nashville, Tennessee. The children were students; the adults were staff members. One little girl, Hallie, was the daughter of the lead pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, which is connected to the school. The shooter, Audrey Elizabeth Hale, used two AR-15 type weapons and a handgun. Hale had been receiving treatment for “an emotional disorder” and had legally purchased seven weapons from five local gun stores. Hale's motive was not immediately clear.The massacre was just the latest in a chain of shootings that just over the last year have left dozens dead and injured in attacks in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California; Chesapeake, Virginia, Colorado Springs, Highland Park, Illinois, Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York among other places.As in Nashville, researchers found that shooters tended to alarm people around them, often signaling their plan in advance. Generally, they purchased their weapons legally. After the Nashville tragedy, the chaplain of the U.S. Senate urged lawmakers to “move beyond thoughts and prayers.” President Biden said he had exhausted his executive powers to deal with guns and said Congress should pass an assault weapons ban, saying “there's a moral price to pay for inaction.”But Capitol Hill lawmakers indicated there was little support for that legislation. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, reiterated their opposition to actions that would restrict access to guns, saying that mental health issues are the root cause of the gun violence problem in America.That's why Mark Bello and I present clinical psychologist Emily Bashah and political expert Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona. They are co-authors of Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You. Dr. Bashah frequently serves as an expert witness in court and has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses. Johnson was the youngest mayor of Phoenix when he was elected at age 30. He was sued by the NRA for implementing common sense gun laws, and in this episode, Johnson lays out a three-part approach that he believes is politically feasible and could dramatically reduce mass shootings and enhance school safety for children.Here are questioons we asked Dr. Bashah and Johnson: Q. What will it take for this country to take meaningful action to protect the lives of innocent people from mass shootings such as this tragic event in Nashville?Q. Military-style weapons like the AR-15 often are used in these shootings and about one in 10 Americans own such a gun. What is the attraction to these weapons? Should they be banned? Note: A Washington Post survey found that AR-15 owners come from red, blue and purple states, are significantly more likely to be White, male and between the ages 40 and 65. They're also more likely to have higher incomes, to have served in the military and to be Republican. AR-15 owners are more likely to live in states former president Donald Trump won in 2020 than adults overall. Q. What are red flag gun laws and why are they important in curbing gun violence? Tennessee two years ago failed to pass such a law that could have stopped the Nashville shooter who was known to be suicidal. Shouldn't there be a national red flag law?Q. What are risk assessments and how can they be implemented?Q. What can communities do to help people who are at risk of committing such violent acts? Bob – Dr. Bashah, why is treating ideological extremism as an addiction important in stopping mass murders?Q. Paul, when you were mayor of Phoenix, you ran into political trouble because of your efforts regarding guns. What happened? Why is it that so many politicians are afraid to act even in the face of these tragic events, which never seem to stop? Q. What are some ways people can deal with friends or loved ones who have fallen into to the trap of addictive ideologies?Q. How can Americans be optimistic when surrounded by all of the negative bias that exists today, and why is this optimism important?Q. How about the role of social media and the news media with respect to political divisions that exist today? What needs to be done? Are further restrictions on social media needed?Q. As a former mayor and politician, Paul, what is your advice to those lawmakers who are beholden to the NRA and seemingly are afraid to act?Become a supporter of this podcast: https://www.spreaker.com/podcast/the-lean-to-the-left-podcast--4719048/support.

On a Monday morning in late March three nine year-olds and three adults were gunned down by a shooter who opened fire at the Covenant Presbyterian church school in Nashville, Tennessee. The children were students; the adults were staff members. One little girl, Hallie, was the daughter of the lead pastor of Covenant Presbyterian Church, which is connected to the school. The shooter, Audrey Elizabeth Hale, used two AR-15 type weapons and a handgun. Hale had been receiving treatment for “an emotional disorder” and had legally purchased seven weapons from five local gun stores. Hale's motive was not immediately clear.The massacre was just the latest in a chain of shootings that just over the last year have left dozens dead and injured in attacks in Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay, California; Chesapeake, Virginia, Colorado Springs, Highland Park, Illinois, Uvalde, Texas, and Buffalo, New York among other places.As in Nashville, researchers found that shooters tended to alarm people around them, often signaling their plan in advance. Generally, they purchased their weapons legally. After the Nashville tragedy, the chaplain of the U.S. Senate urged lawmakers to “move beyond thoughts and prayers.” President Biden said he had exhausted his executive powers to deal with guns and said Congress should pass an assault weapons ban, saying “there's a moral price to pay for inaction.”But Capitol Hill lawmakers indicated there was little support for that legislation. Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, reiterated their opposition to actions that would restrict access to guns, saying that mental health issues are the root cause of the gun violence problem in America.That's why Mark Bello and I present clinical psychologist Emily Bashah and political expert Paul Johnson, former mayor of Phoenix, Arizona. They are co-authors of Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You. Dr. Bashah frequently serves as an expert witness in court and has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses. Johnson was the youngest mayor of Phoenix when he was elected at age 30. He was sued by the NRA for implementing common sense gun laws, and in this episode, Johnson lays out a three-part approach that he believes is politically feasible and could dramatically reduce mass shootings and enhance school safety for children.Here are questioons we asked Dr. Bashah and Johnson: Q. What will it take for this country to take meaningful action to protect the lives of innocent people from mass shootings such as this tragic event in Nashville?Q. Military-style weapons like the AR-15 often are used in these shootings and about one in 10 Americans own such a gun. What is the attraction to these weapons? Should they be banned? Note: A Washington Post survey found that AR-15 owners come from red, blue and purple states, are significantly more likely to be White, male and between the ages 40 and 65. They're also more likely to have higher incomes, to have served in the military and to be Republican. AR-15 owners are more likely to live in states former president Donald Trump won in 2020 than adults overall. Q. What are red flag gun laws and why are they important in curbing gun violence? Tennessee two years ago failed to pass such a law that could have stopped the Nashville shooter who was known to be suicidal. Shouldn't there be a national red flag law?Q. What are risk assessments and how can they be implemented?Q. What can communities do to help people who are at risk of committing such violent acts? Bob – Dr. Bashah, why is treating ideological extremism as an addiction important in stopping mass murders?Q. Paul, when you were mayor of Phoenix, you ran into political trouble because of your efforts regarding guns. What happened? Why is it that so many politicians are afraid to act even in the face of these tragic events, which never seem to stop? Q. What are some ways people can deal with friends or loved ones who have fallen into to the trap of addictive ideologies?Q. How can Americans be optimistic when surrounded by all of the negative bias that exists today, and why is this optimism important?Q. How about the role of social media and the news media with respect to political divisions that exist today? What needs to be done? Are further restrictions on social media needed?Q. As a former mayor and politician, Paul, what is your advice to those lawmakers who are beholden to the NRA and seemingly are afraid to act?This show is part of the Spreaker Prime Network, if you are interested in advertising on this podcast, contact us at https://www.spreaker.com/show/4719048/advertisement

What is behind the looming possibility of reactive violence to a Donald Trump arrest? According to clinical psychologist Dr. Emily Bashah and political expert Paul E. Johnson, it's an addiction to extremist ideologies. They explain.    Former Rep. Jim Townsend's latest project as the director of the Levin Center at Wayne State University has him telling legislators that good oversight is good policy and good politics.   And southeast Michigan business executive Nasser Beydoun says he's willing to spend "whatever it takes" to make a competitive U.S. Senate run.   Reporters Samantha Shriber and Andrew Minegar join MIRS Editor Kyle Melinn.  

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss how to master your emotions. They cover ways to improve your life through emotional mastery, the role of cognitive dissonance in our lives, and how being too analytical can rob you of simple life pleasures. Paul starts the conversation by defining emotions and how to differentiate them from feelings and thoughts. Emily and Paul discuss the best way to start your journey to emotional mastery. Our actions determine who we are, not our beliefs. Paul explores how diet and exercise can influence a person's emotions. According to Emily, taking the easier route does not necessarily mean you'll feel better; you might feel even worse. Emily is convinced you cannot master your emotions when your thoughts and feelings are inconsistent with your behavior. Paul shares the discrimination he faced growing up and how you can use rejection to achieve success. Emily uncovers the link between self-agency and identity. Paul talks about his overly analytical nature and how being too analytical can rob you of simple pleasures. Emily and Paul agree that you have to identify an emotion before trying to manage it. Emily explains the easiest way to get out of a power struggle - a strategy that works well for both toddlers and adults. For Paul, the single biggest inhibitor to real change is fear. Paul explains how the labels we put on ourselves influence how we think - if you see yourself as a victim, you'll never escape victimhood. Emily and Paul agree that the opposite of being a victim is recognizing that you have choices - and sometimes, your only choice is to view things differently. Paul goes through reasons why people need to be aware of their self-fulfilling prophecies - good or bad, these expectations can influence how people see you and how you see them. According to Paul, becoming emotionally resilient is ultimately achieved when you build a strong mental fortitude. Start by writing down how you feel and look for evidence for and against that belief. Paul and Emily discuss the benefits of seeking help from a psychiatrist to help you master your emotions.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss trauma and the effects it can have on a person's life. They cover the different stages of trauma, ways psychologists treat it, and effective practices you can use to work on trauma yourself. Emily starts the conversation by defining trauma from a clinical perspective. Paul and Emily agree that you cannot treat PTSD if the person is still in a traumatic environment. Emily describes the physical changes in a person's brain after experiencing a traumatic event. According to Paul, no two traumas are the same - never compare a person's trauma to someone else's. Trauma often comes down to its impact on the individual. Paul explains that it's possible for people to hang on to their trauma, especially if it's meshed into their identity. Paul and Emily talk about the effects of failure on a person's self-worth. According to Emily, a person's brain that was rewired by trauma can be rewired again through healing and therapeutic experiences. Paul goes through the three basic elements of motivation: You have to challenge yourself. You need someone who will encourage you. You must see growth and be able to measure it. According to Emily, not all trauma is bad or needs to be fixed - you can lead a happy and fulfilling life without needing therapy. Paul shares ways to help someone who grew up in a traumatic environment. Talking to people about their trauma starts with trust, and you cannot build trust without giving people the truth. Paul and Emily go through the seven ideals of healing trauma. Emily describes the power of changing your story in trauma healing - you are the story you tell yourself. You are either a victim or a victor of life. Paul and Emily share their opposing thoughts on trauma and discuss whether forgiveness is the correct response to trauma.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson Younger Next Year: Live Strong, Fit, Sexy, and Smart―Until You're 80 and Beyond by Chris Crowley et al

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss cognitive biases and blindspots and how they relate to you being able to find your sense of agency. They break down common biases that affect our everyday lives and how you can use love and connection to counter people who get high from being right. Paul and Emly start the conversation by defining blindspots and cognitive biases - and how they relate to being able to find your sense of agency. Paul uses one of his favorite movies, The Matrix, to describe biases and the ability to see things as they are. Emily shares a fun little exercise that makes it possible to navigate typical biases and why not all stereotypes are inherently bad. Paul and Emily discuss why some people have this inherent need to always be right. Did you know that there's a heightened dopamine release when you feel like you're winning an argument? Paul explains that this is why some people are addicted to the high of always being right. Paul highlights how you can use love and connection to counter people who get high from being right. Paul explains how the hormone released when you're proven wrong can sometimes feel like enduring physical pain. Paul and Emily talk about the power of love and how inspirational people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi used it to drive change. Emily talks about cognitive biases and the need to be right from a relationship and political point of view. Paul believes the smartest people often don't have all the answers and don't see the need for intellectual superiority. Paul and Emily analyze the difference between a narcissist and a psychopath. Emily reveals that the reason most relationships fail is the lack of intimacy - relationships these days are transaction-based with little to no commitment. Emily goes through the graph of what you know about yourself and what people know about you - and ways to identify deep blindspots. Paul and Emily discuss the difference between System 1 and System 2 thinking. According to Paul, nobody wants to hear your analysis of them. The best way to do it is to start by talking about yourself and opening with a question. We all have biases; if you think you're unbiased, then you're the one with a problem.      Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes are High by Kerry Patterson et al

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Dr. Emily Bashah and Paul Johnson discuss ways employees can improve the quality of life at work and get their needs met.  They break down topics like ways to ask for a raise or a promotion, the rise of the victimhood mentality, and the 5 keys to becoming a superstar employee. Emily and Paul start the conversation by describing the difference between a public and a private-sector employer. Paul shares why professional services like doctors struggle with great product delivery. Emily and Paul talk about negative beliefs employees have and the problems they cause at the workplace. Do we actually have control over our own destiny? Paul believes we do, but most people leave it to their environment. For Emily, mentors and coaches are the most important people when launching careers or starting a business. Paul goes through the 3 main avenues for finding meaning in life. Paul and Emily agree that although we cannot control all situations in life, we can control how we think and, therefore, how we feel when tragedy strikes. According to Paul, we are all leaders - but high-quality leadership is learned and earned. To be an outstanding leader, Paul believes you must be a great follower first. Emily highlights the benefits of being a nice boss and a nice employee - and ways to prevent yourself from being too nice. What is the victim triangle, and how does the victim mindset impact a person's destiny? Paul and Emily discuss the worrying rise of the victimhood culture and why it's time we consider it a worldwide epidemic. Paul feels the best way to navigate problems is to first take responsibility and admit it's your fault - only then will you be able to fix it. Paul and Emily go through the 5 keys to becoming a superstar: Learn to listen - This is a hard skill to master because to listen, you have to ask questions. Know the vision - Know the vision of the company you work for and what they're trying to achieve. Know your value - Be very clear on your strengths, limitations, talents, and what you bring to the table. Know and deliver on your timelines - If you consistently deliver projects on time, you will be seen as a superstar. Expand your education - This is a key part to getting promotions and succeeding at work. According to Emily, the best way to treat your customers is the exact way you would treat your mother. When it comes to income disparities, Paul feels the question to ask yourself is whether it's better to bring down the people at the top and get rid of inequality or raise everybody up but increase the disparity.     Mentioned in This Episode: optamerican.com Man's Search for Meaning by Viktor E. Frankl POWER OF TED (THE EMPOWERMENT DYNAMIC) by David Emerald

HON. PAUL E. JOHNSON JR. is the host of The Optimistic American podcast, whose goal is to create space in the news media for a positive and hopeful view of America. He has a significant background in business, politics, and government and became the youngest mayor of Phoenix, Arizona at 30 years old. He has managed several state campaigns for presidential candidates and is the CEO and co-founder of Redirect Health. Emily and Paul's collaboration in life and work marry their combined skills and backgrounds in clinical and forensic psychology, politics, and geopolitical issues. They address the problems of addictive ideologies to the self and to society while offering insight and wisdom for healing, growth, and transformation. They believe collaborating towards a worthy purpose is essential to unleashing the power of the human spirit. He is the co-author with Dr. Emily Bashah of Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning in Agency When Politics Fail You. In this video, you will learn: 1. What causes genocide and how can it be avoided? 2. How does free-market economics improve global poverty? 3. What is the power of love and how does it help create a better society? Www.optamerican.com Resources: SEND US YOUR VOICE NOTES Connect with us: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mdntv.live Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mdnnews YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/mdntvlive Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/mdnnewss LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/majordaughter Website: podcasts.mdntvlive.com Loved this episode?Leave us a review and rating here: podcasts.mdntvlive.com To Be Featured/Advertising/Collaborations Email: interviews@mdntv.live --- Send in a voice message: https://podcasters.spotify.com/pod/show/mdntv/message

In this KEEN ON episode, Andrew talks to the ADDICTIVE IDEOLOGIES co-author Dr Emily Bashah about strategies for liberating ourselves from political movements of hate and violence. Dr. Emily Bashah is an author and licensed psychologist with a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona. An expert witness in criminal, immigration and civil courts, she has worked on high-profile cases covering issues of domestic terrorism and capital offenses, as well as first-degree murder. Dr. Bashah was awarded the Society for the Psychological Study of Social Issues Policy Fellowship and served within the American Psychological Association's Public Interest Government Relations Office in Washington, D.C. A frequent expert guest in media, Dr. Bashah clinically specializes in mental illness, personal and collective trauma, addiction and grief and loss, as well as family and relationship dynamics. She is the co-author of ADDICTIVE IDEOLOGIES: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fails You (2022) Name as one of the "100 most connected men" by GQ magazine, Andrew Keen is amongst the world's best known broadcasters and commentators. In addition to presenting KEEN ON, he is the host of the long-running How To Fix Democracy show. He is also the author of four prescient books about digital technology: CULT OF THE AMATEUR, DIGITAL VERTIGO, THE INTERNET IS NOT THE ANSWER and HOW TO FIX THE FUTURE. Andrew lives in San Francisco, is married to Cassandra Knight, Google's VP of Litigation & Discovery, and has two grown children. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson welcomes back Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss psychopathy, decision-making, and agency in the context of hierarchy. The two also discuss their book Addictive Ideologies, Stanley Milgram's 1960s experiment and tyranny. Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah discuss psychopathy, the mistakes that are often made when trying to define it, and the tools that can help explain and identify a psychopath. Bashah explains that not all convicted killers are psychopaths, and that not all psychopaths are killers – there are CEOs, successful politicians, and companies that do share psychopathic traits and tendencies. Paul and Dr. Bashah talk about whether psychopathy has a genetic nature to it or not, and about the differences between narcissists and psychopaths. Paul shares his definition of power and his hypothesis about how it manifests in different contexts such as parenthood and politics. Paul and Dr. Bashah go over taking action, guilt, making decisions, and doing so as an informed person, as well as the tyranny and persecution that happened in Iraq with Saddam Hussein, during the Second World War, in the Bosnian War, and in Rwanda. Paul and Dr. Bashah bring up the role that agency has in the context of hierarchy, and they go over the psychology of a con artist. Paul's and Dr. Bashah's new book is called Addictive Ideologies – they focus on one of the key points they make in it. Bashah talks about when and why complacency is key, and about the 1960s experiment of Stanley Milgram.     Mentioned in This Episode: Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You Dr. Philip Zimbardo How to Become a Tyrant (Netflix series) Stanley Milgram

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah address several questions they received from people in regards to the concern about the arising recession and how to navigate your way through it, as well as the hierarchy of agency, how to navigate difficult conversations and finding meaning in life. The conversation between Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah kicks off by addressing the biggest part of the problem related to the bad national economy: the concept of the ‘dark passenger'.  Paul shares something he considers inarguable: the fact that we're going through a period of Enlightenment where we have dramatically reduced poverty throughout the world, decreased child mortality, and increased literacy, as well as promoted trade and free market, and advanced both the human condition and the economy in the U.S. The concept of Enlightenment dates back to the 1800s where it was challenged by followers of the so-called End of the Century movement that promoted the idea of pessimism and the notion that how people felt wasmore important than optimism and rationality. The End of the Century “philosophy” came to an end in the 1930s when the stock market crashed in 1929. That was followed by the rise of “isms”, Communism, Fascism and other movements that began to blossom all around the world. When talking about contemporary Enlightenment, some people bring the concept of Dark Enlightenment into the conversation. Some people have a very pessimistic view of the world. They believe that democracy isn't working and that the only way to solve the issues that are bothering them is by overthrowing democratic means. Paul believes that many people have the Dark Passenger within themselves, and that's overpowering their ability to make decisions and move forward in life. Paul and Dr. Bashah touch upon the role that showing your own vulnerability can make in regards to agency, having conversations with others and how to approach – and diffuse – difficult situations, and showing that we care about other people. Paul and Dr. Bashah unpack four elements of the hierarchy of agency: ‘know the truth', ‘be accountable to yourself', ‘finding meaning', and ‘we, not me'. Paul brings up Viktor Frankl's roadmap for finding meaning in life – and he and Dr. Bashah share what their meaning and purpose are.     Mentioned in This Episode: Previous episode featuring Prof. Pinker - Free Speech, Human Nature, and the New Wave of Enlightenment with Prof. Steven Pinker Crucial Conversations: Tools for Talking When Stakes Are High by Joseph Grenny and Kerry Patterson The Hierarchy of Agency  John D. Rockefeller  Viktor Frankl Dr. Philip Zimbardo

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson is joined by his co-author of the upcoming book Addictive Ideologies: Dr. Emily Bashah. They talk about the key principles and differences between the Alt-Right and Politically Correct Authoritarians, as well as studies that have covered human psychology in such areas.  Paul Johnson sets the stage for the episode by discussing the fact that the alternative right and the politically correct authoritarians represent a minority of people but have a loud voice because of social media and the news focusing on them. Paul and Dr. Emily Bashah discuss the fact that what happens on college campuses is affecting the agency, and go over the potential repercussions of the term value. Dr. Bashah discusses a study that had been done on a couple hundred students, which identified a link between cognitive distortion and the need for safety. Moreover, she touches upon cognitive distortions, emotional reasoning, and the mental trap they represent. People in the so-called “dark triad” fall into one of these categories: Machiavellian, narcissist, and psychopath. Dr. Bashah and Paul Johnson break down each one and go over similarities and differences.  Paul brings Dr. Ballinger's study on Obsessive Ideologies into the conversation. He and Dr. Bashah share the four key aspects of the study. Paul has a very clear opinion in regards to Stuart Rhodes, Donald Trump, and the January 6th Capitol Hill attacks: to Rhodes, Trump was just a tool. Dr. Bashah and Paul share their thoughts on political correctness, cancel culture, and why some people may decide to remain quiet even when they witness something they don't like. In their book Addictive Ideologies, Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah talk about seven ideals people should focus on. During their conversation in today's episode, Paul talks about those that fall into three categories: rationality, finding meaning in life, and the sense of belonging.

In today's episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah address those questions, as well as points around agency and authoritarianism related to leadership, cognitive behavioral therapy, and the concept of locus of control.  In today's episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah address questions around how agency and authoritarianism relate to leadership, the psychology behind leadership, and tactical things that can make you a better leader. Dr. Emily Bashah shares that in her clinical practice she sees people wanting models that are going to inspire them, give them hope and something to look forward to. Paul shares how he can be optimistic despite the threat of a potential new Cold War. Paul and Dr. Bashah go over their definition of leadership and list the traits they believe a good leader should have. Dr. Bashah praises Paul for the approach he has when talking about their book – this leads them into a conversation on ambition, leadership, and legacy. Dr. Bashah unpacks the concept of locus of control and the impact it can have on leaders. According to Paul Johnson, something “being your fault” isn't a negative thing, quite the opposite. That's because, as his father used to say, ‘If it's your fault, you can fix it.' Paul and Dr. Bashah talk about taking ownership, the best place to find agency, and Cognitive Behavioral Therapy. Paul believes that you should pick a different type of leadership – such as the servant leader, the coach, and the visionary – for different types of situations. Dr. Bashah mentions a study that looked at the power position and shares her advice in regards to making presentations and the importance of listening. Through his work, Paul employs and gets to interact with hundreds of millennials. He discusses how he translates some of his teachings to them.

This episode of The Optimistic American kicks off season two – listen to learn about what's to come, addictive technologies, the history of prosecutions in Iraq's and their impact on Dr. Emily Bashah, and what to consider and do to avoid falling prey to “amygdala hijacking”.   This episode discusses what's to come in season 2, as well as the prosecution of Jews in Iraq and how that impacted – and is still impacting – Dr. Emily Bashah's family. Paul and Dr. Bashah's upcoming book Addictive Ideologies discusses the fact that genocides don't happen with just one person nor overnight. They happen with a group of people that begin to fall into a cult-like type of mentality, and when people begin to lose agency. Paul and Dr. Bashah talk about what they consider to be the exact altar side of the spectrum from authoritarianism: agency. Dr. Bashah shares the connection between agency, the theory of mind, and morality. Paul and Dr. Basha touch upon amygdala hijacking, and what you should consider and do to avoid being manipulated. Dr. Bashah brings Dr. Zimbardo's Stanford Prison Experiment into the conversation. The study aimed at looking at what brings the evil out of people. The results were that people aren't inherently evil but they do become if you put them into certain circumstances and conditions. Paul discusses the book In the Garden of Beasts and the four results from studies on obsessive ideologies. Dr. Bashah reads the opening chapter of Addictive Ideologies and talks about the prosecution of Jews in Iraq, how that impacted her family, and the repercussions it still has today. Paul and Dr. Bashah touch upon different key moments in the history of Iraq that led and followed what happened to Dr. Bashah's family and many other members of the Jewish community. According to Paul, ideologies are about power. If you want to keep your agency, he says, the best ideology is rationalism. It's about recognizing that all sides bring benefits and detriments, and about having the ability to sort through the options to figure out what's best – so long as the rule of law stays in place. Paul and Dr. Bashah give a sneak-peek of what's to come in season 2 of The Optimistic American and share the 7 ideals future episodes will revolve around.

Dr. Emily Bashah, a psychologist focused on trauma and related challenges, and Paul Johnson, host and founder of The Optimistic American podcast, discuss the “7 Codes” designed to help listeners/readers successfully navigate this divisive world.    Their 7 Codes: Make Space for Optimism Begin Anew and Start with Love We Not Me – We Belong to Something Bigger Strength Over Safety Real Power is Within Us –We are Not Victims Exit the Box We Build for Ourselves – Stop Labeling/Comparing Others Building a Better You   In Episode 3, Dr. Bashah and Paul discuss putting strength over safety. Strength means resilience, courage, bravery. All of us need to face our fears, at times confronting others with difficult conversations yet looking others in their eyes and humanizing. The American founders created a country that remains a work in progress, designing America to progress towards a “more perfect union.”   Dr. Bashah and Paul note that in America we share fundamental truths binding each other. And while our founders focused on individual rights and freedoms, they created a “social contract” enabling the power of the collective, to solve together seemingly intractable problems. Every one of us needs to control their individual “agency,” their individual rights and powers.   We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism.   This interview reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead.   You can listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts!    Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mfMCiR0Jtqs8lr4JeuYwA   Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-optimistic-american/id1615223090   Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL29wdGFtZXJpY2FuL2ZlZWQueG1s   We post new content every week so make sure to subscribe, turn on notifications, and like our videos!    Learn more about The Optimistic American by checking out our website! https://www.optamerican.com

This is a new series focusing on helping you reclaim your sense of "agency".   Agency refers to the human capability to influence one's functioning and the course of events by one's actions. You may not be able to control your destiny but you can control your fate. There are three forms of Agency one can influence others: Individual   - You bring your influence on what you can control Proxy - You bring your influence on others who have knowledge or resources Collective - You pool knowledge, skills and resources to work with others   Our Theory: To own your agency, you must be able to use the neo-cortex portion of the brain where you can access rational thoughts, creativity, innovation, optimism. Without this you are doomed to serve a master other than yourself. You can lose your sense of agency through fear, despair, depression. These can be effected by others who manipulate you and your negative bias to steal your agency. The goal of those groups is to make you afraid so you will not think, you will only react. In this series we will be going over ways to get it back!   We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This episode reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead.   Check out this series on our YouTube, The Optimistic American!

➡️ Like The Podcast? Leave A Rating: https://ratethispodcast.com/successstory➡️ Join 321,000 people who read my free weekly newsletter: https://newsletter.scottdclary.com➡️ About The GuestDr. Emily Basha is a renowned psychologist, author, and podcast co-host who specializes in clinical and forensic psychology. She has a private practice in Scottsdale, Arizona, where she provides cutting-edge psychotherapy, psychological evaluations, and expert testimony for various legal cases. She has worked on high-profile cases involving domestic terrorism, capital offenses, and first-degree murder, as well as immigration, civil, and family law matters. She has testified in federal, state, and local courts, and has consulted for the FBI, the Department of Homeland Security, and the Department of Justice. She is also a sought-after consultant and trainer for public, private, and government sectors, offering workshops on topics such as addictive ideologies, cultural competence, and trauma-informed care. Dr. Basha is the co-author of the best-selling book “Addictive Ideologies: How to Break Free from the Hysteria and Find Your Purpose”, and the co-host of the popular podcast “The Hysteria Report”, where she discusses current events, politics, and psychology from a critical and nuanced perspective.➡️ Show Linkshttps://twitter.com/emilybashah/ https://www.linkedin.com/in/emilybashahpsyd/ https://www.bashahpsychological.com ➡️ Podcast SponsorsHubspot - https://hubspot.com/  Kajabi - https://kajabi.com/success (Code: success)ButcherBox - https://butcherbox.com/success (Code: success)Justin Wine - https://justinwine.com/ (Code: success)Green Light - https://greenlight.com/successIndeed - https://indeed.com/claryNudge Podcast - https://www.nudgepodcast.com/podcast/ NetSuite — https://netsuite.com/scottclary/ Factor — https://factormeals.com/successpod50 (Code: successpod50)HelloFresh — https://hellofresh.com/50successpod (Code: 50succespod)ZBiotics — https://zbiotics.com/success (Code: success)➡️ Talking Points00:00 - Introduction08:30 - Becoming the Target of Extreme Ideologies18:14 - Bringing People Back to Reality30:02 - Psychological Factors Behind Extremist Mentality38:27 - Sponsor: Nudge Podcast39:10 - How Does An Individual Become Anti-Fragile?51:03 - How to React to Hamas' attack on Israel?1:03:06 - Comparing Extremism with Addiction1:09:11 - When Does Extremism Shift from Ideology to Action1:09:55 - How to Tackle Extremism?1:13:44 - Ending Notes from Emily Bashah1:15:41 - Defining SuccessOur Sponsors:* Check out HelloFresh: http://hellofresh.com* Check out Justin Wine and use my code SUCCESS15 for a great deal: https://www.justinwine.com/* Check out Miro: https://miro.com/Advertising Inquiries: https://redcircle.com/brandsPrivacy & Opt-Out: https://redcircle.com/privacy