Podcasts about Polarization

A CMO Confidential Interview with Dr. David Bray, Distinguished Fellow and Chair of the Accelerator with the Alfred Lee Loomis Innovation Council and bipartisan advisor on cyber, space, AI as well as countering terrorism, inauthentic information campaigns, and bioterrorism. David shares thoughts on why geopolitics have become so important so quickly, the universal breakdown in trust, how anxiety fuels anger, which fuels grievance, and how business leaders might adjust to all of this.Key topics include: - Why geopolitical and tech issues should be added to the "risk management committee"- The need for contingency planning and directional decision-making - How anyone is now the equivalent of a 1970's cold war spy- Why "getting better at discernment" is critical. Tune in to hear about "responsible heretics" and how a high school science project resulted in a South American assignment for a 17-year old.⏱️ Chapters1:12: Introducing Dr. David Bray1:39: Why Business Leaders Should Care About Geopolitics2:33: Mapping the Ripple Effects of Technological Revolutions4:47: Historical Context: 1890s Polarization and Yellow Journalism7:01: Societal Anxiety, Governance, and the Path to Anarchy9:10: Impact on Global Supply Chains and Geopolitical Uncertainty12:25: The Complexity of Microprocessors and Hardware Risks14:10: Upgrading the Board: Risk Management for Tech and Geopolitics16:21: Pressures on the C-Suite and Decision-Making with Incomplete Information18:06: Marketing in a Volatile Landscape: Early Signal Networks20:07: The Role of the “Responsible Heretic” in Avoiding Groupthink23:29: Managing Super-Empowered Employees and Information Capabilities25:16: Disinformation Strategy: From Operation Denver to Modern Bots27:56: Balancing Principles, Ethics, and Global Competitiveness29:07: Preparing for the Future: Data Reassessment and the Art of Discernment31:43: Strategic Headspace: Establishing Pivot Options33:11: Predictions for 2026: AI Pushback and Conflict De-escalation34:03: Funniest Story: The South American Science Fair Mosh Pit35:51: Practical Advice: Leadership vs. Management Expectations36:07: Final Takeaways and Closing RemarksThis episode is sponsored by Typeface - the agentic AI marketing platform that turns one idea into thousands of on-brand assets. Learn more: typeface.ai/cmo. Subscribe for weekly episodes featuring world-class marketing leaders, board members, and C-Suite executives.#CMOConfidential, #MarketingLeadership, #BrandStrategy, #CorporateActivism, #MarketingStrategy, #CMO, #AIinMarketing, #ExecutiveLeadership, #BrandReputation, #ConsumerTrust, #DigitalMarketing, #MarketingInsights, #ThoughtLeadership, #BusinessStrategy, #CustomerCentricSee Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Michael McFaul outlines a grand strategy that leverages the military, economic, and ideational strengths of the democratic world. He acknowledges that American democracy is "wobbling" due to polarization, yet he remains optimistic that the values of freedom and liberty still hold more global appeal than autocratic models. McFaul warns against isolationist trade policies and underscores the need to reinvest in Cold War-era institutions like Radio Free Europe. Ultimately, he argues that a united, functional democracy at home is the best way to lead the new international order. (8)1897

The covid lockdowns were useless for public health, but they vastly strengthened government's stranglehold over our lives. We cannot allow this to happen again.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/potential-lockdowns-polarization-and-what-should-be-done

In the aftermath of the shootings that left state Rep. Melissa Hortman dead and state Sen. John Hoffman injured, we spoke to several experts who called it part of the rise in political violence they have been observing for some time across the country. Minnesota Now host Nina Moini spoke again with two of those experts a year after the attacks on how this uptick in political violence has continued to unfold.Jillian Peterson is a professor at Hamline University and executive director of the Violence Prevention Project Research Center. Larry Jacobs is a political science professor at the University of Minnesota and founder of the Center for the Study of Politics and Governance.

The covid lockdowns were useless for public health, but they vastly strengthened government's stranglehold over our lives. We cannot allow this to happen again.Original article: https://mises.org/mises-wire/potential-lockdowns-polarization-and-what-should-be-done

In this episode Ken continues the conversation on polarization. Intense polarization is the result of low levels of emotional maturity, he says, and according to Ronald Richardson, progress in society depends on people achieving a higher level of self-differentiation [another way of saying "emotional maturity"]." "If we want to change the world," he states, "we have to grow in our self-differentiation." Also, to be clear as to the objective, "we differentiate to change ourselves, not others."We all function as part of emotional systems. Self-differentiation, Ken explains, "is having beliefs and values we have thought through deeply on our own." It's "the ability to function as a separate, autonomous self and to be less impacted by other people in the emotional system."This episode was recorded on June 5th, 2026.

Branding is losing its personality. In the race for digital efficiency, the world has succumbed to “blanding”—clean, neutral, and entirely safe design built for algorithms instead of people. Mark Nichols, Creative Director and Co-Owner of WMH&I, joins the show to challenge this rise of system-friendly simplicity. He shares why the brands that truly matter must push against global scalability, embrace their unique quirks, and design for humans—even if that means not being for everyone. What You'll Learn in This Episode - Why brands are paying millions of pounds to strip away the exact quirks that drive human connection The strategic power of distinctiveness and why only fifteen percent of brand assets are actually memorable - How a sector agnostic approach allows creatives to cross pollinate ideas from fashion into electric vehicles - The shift from designing for machine efficiency to using live data sets and creative code for living brandscapes - Why Nike should have doubled down instead of backing out when a bold running campaign polarized audiences Episode Chapters (00:00) Intro (01:08) The Rise of Blanding (03:34) The Value of Distinctiveness (04:48) Sensory Storytelling with Red Breast Whiskey (07:31) The Case for Being Sector Agnostic (12:04) Overcoming Client Fear of Polarization (16:30) Idea Driven Branding vs Style Points (19:42) Embracing Irreverence and Creative Code About Mark Nichols Mark Nichols is the Creative Director and Co-Owner of WMH&I, a sector-agnostic creative agency specializing in bold rebrands that push against global scalability and machine efficiency. Trained as a multi-disciplined designer, Mark began his career at WMH&I as a graduate, refined his craft at leading agencies like Taxi Studio and Jack Renwick, and ultimately returned home to lead the agency's creative output. His exceptional, award-winning work for global giants and boutique brands alike has earned recognition from the New York Festivals, Art Directors Club, Pentawards, and Brand Impact. Beyond the agency, Mark is a dedicated champion of design education, lecturing internationally at institutions ranging from his alma mater, the Norwich University of the Arts, to IDEP Barcelona and the University of Delaware. What Brand Has Made Mark Smile Recently? Mark smiled recently at the daring and irreverence of brands that lean entirely into their distinct personalities. He highlighted Liquid Death's punk-media approach to the water category, alongside Nike's willingness to reflect the gritty reality of their consumers—such as their London campaign noting that running in the city is awful, but loved. Mark prefers brands that choose a clear voice and stand their ground rather than homogenizing their message for safe, forgettable neutrality. Resources & Links Connect with Mark on LinkedIn. Learn more about WMH&I. Listen & Support the Show Watch or listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube, Amazon/Audible, TuneIn, and iHeart. Rate and review on Apple Podcasts and Spotify to help others find the show. Share this episode — email a friend or colleague this episode. Sign up for my free Story Strategies newsletter for branding and storytelling tips. On Brand is a part of the Marketing Podcast Network. Until next week, I'll see you on the Internet! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Why do anomalous experiences so often arrive in the wake of trauma? And what happens when the people who understand that connection decide to use it as a weapon? This episode of Inquiry follows trauma as the hidden throughline connecting UFOs, consciousness, psychological operations, and the engineering of belief at scale. Kelly Chase starts with how human perception actually works, drawing on Donald Hoffman's "The Case Against Reality," James Madden's umwelt and über-umwelt from "Unidentified Flying Hyperobject," and Jeffrey Kripal's Filter Thesis, then grounds it all in the predictive processing model of the brain and Karl Friston's free energy principle. The picture that emerges is unsettling: trauma doesn't only wound a person, it makes them porous, loosening the filters that hold consensus reality in place. From there the conversation turns toward how that vulnerability has been exploited. It traces belief manipulation from the 1980 "From PSYOP to MindWar" paper by Michael Aquino and Paul Vallely, through MKULTRA and Operation Mockingbird, to the declassified reality of Operation Northwoods and the manufacturing of consent. It brings in Jacques Vallée's control system hypothesis and Colm Kelleher's concept of bidirectional mimicry to ask whether human institutions and the phenomenon itself may be using the same lever: disruption, destabilization, and the reshaping of belief in the rupture's aftermath. Then it turns the dread on its head. Research on openness to experience and Post-Traumatic Growth suggests the architects of mass stress made a critical miscalculation. Trauma creates openings, and openings go both ways. You can crack the shell of consensus reality to make people malleable, but you cannot control what hatches. Topics explored: Trauma and anomalous experience | experiencer patterns | the Filter Thesis | Donald Hoffman | perception as interface | umwelt and über-umwelt | James Madden | Jeffrey Kripal | predictive processing | Karl Friston | free energy principle | belief malleability | shattered assumptions | meaning violation | belief engineering | MindWar | Michael Aquino | Paul Vallely | psychological operations | MKULTRA | Operation Mockingbird | cognitive sovereignty | bidirectional mimicry | Colm Kelleher | black triangle craft | Jacques Vallée | control system hypothesis | Operation Northwoods | manufactured consent | openness to experience | Post-Traumatic Growth | consciousness-level immune response | non-human intelligence | contact experiences Inquiry with Kelly Chase is brought to you by SpectreVision Radio.Produced in partnership with Voltage.fm.  Referenced In This Episode The Case Against Reality: Why Evolution Hid the Truth from Our Eyes — Donald Hoffman (2019) Unidentified Flying Hyperobject: UFOs, Philosophy, and the End of the World — James Madden (2023) How to Think Impossibly: About Souls, UFOs, Time, Belief, and Everything Else — Jeffrey J. Kripal (2024) The Flip: Epiphanies of Mind and the Future of Knowledge — Jeffrey J. Kripal (2019) "The Free-Energy Principle: A Unified Brain Theory?" — Karl Friston (2010) "Trauma or Drama: A Predictive Processing Perspective on the Continuum of Stress" — Valery Krupnik (2020) "Predictive Processing and the Varieties of Psychological Trauma" — Sam Wilkinson, Guy Dodgson & Kevin Meares (2017) "Assumptive Worlds and the Stress of Traumatic Events" — Ronnie Janoff-Bulman (1989) Shattered Assumptions: Towards a New Psychology of Trauma — Ronnie Janoff-Bulman (1992) "PTSD as Meaning Violation: Testing a Cognitive Worldview Perspective" — Crystal L. Park, Mary Alice Mills & Donald Edmondson (2012) "Making Sense of the Meaning Literature: An Integrative Review of Meaning Making and Its Effects on Adjustment to Stressful Life Events" — Crystal L. Park (2010) From PSYOP to MindWar: The Psychology of Victory — Paul E. Vallely & Michael Aquino (1980) MindWar: The New Battle for the Mind — Michael Aquino (2016) Project MKULTRA, the CIA's Program of Research in Behavioral Modification — U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (1977) MKULTRA Collection — CIA Reading Room Intelligence Activities and the Rights of Americans, Book II (Church Committee Report) — U.S. Senate (1976) Justification for US Military Intervention in Cuba (Operation Northwoods) — Joint Chiefs of Staff (1962) "The Anxious State: Stress, Polarization, and Elections in America" — The Conversation (2025) "Politics Is Taking a Toll on People's Well-Being" — Psychology Today (2025) "Stressful Life Events and Openness to Experience: Relevance to Depression" — Chiappelli et al. (2021) "The Social Psychology of Responses to Trauma: Social Identity Pathways Associated with Divergent Traumatic Responses" — Orla Muldoon et al. (2019) "Posttraumatic Growth: Conceptual Foundations and Empirical Evidence" — Richard Tedeschi & Lawrence Calhoun (2004) "The Post-Traumatic Growth Approach to Psychological Trauma" — Richard Tedeschi (2023) "Confidence in U.S. Institutions Down; Average at New Low" — Gallup (2022) 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer — Edelman (2025) Support The Show Patreon: inquirywithkellychase.com Substack: inquirywithkellychase.substack.com Connect with Kelly Website: kellychase.media X: @kellychasemedia Instagram: @kellychasemedia TIMESTAMPS 04:12 Trauma and The Anomalous 07:01 Perception Is an Interface 11:05 Umwelt and Uber Umwelt 14:05 Kripal and Filter Thesis 18:27 Predictive Brain and Trauma 23:11 Belief Becomes Malleable 28:08 MindWar Doctrine 32:36 MKUltra and Mockingbird 36:58 Mimicry and Control System 42:17 False Flags and Consent 46:09 Algorithms as Trauma Engine 49:23 Openness and Growth 55:59 Consciousness Immune Response 57:18 Closing and Next Steps Learn more about your ad choices. 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Send Wilk a text with your feedback! (incoming msgs only - I can't reply) Kevin Dolan and Peter Calfee met at a Veterans Day luncheon in 2022 and spent three years writing Hijacked: Our Republic — a book built around one essential question: what does it take to keep what the founders built?In this conversation, Kevin and Peter walk through the six foundational pillars they believe hold a republic together — critical thinking, education, faith and values, history, political systems, and economics — and explain how each one has been quietly compromised. The word "hijacked" isn't hyperbole. It's a diagnosis.One exchange stands out: Kevin's explanation of why two people can look at the same set of facts, weigh them differently, and reach completely different conclusions — and why that's actually how it's supposed to work. The problem isn't disagreement. The problem is that we've stopped being interested in each other.If you want to understand the root causes behind the noise — and think seriously about what restoring the social contract actually requires — this episode is worth your time. Find the book at hijackedourrepublic.com. The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) ,  YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/ContactThe Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.orgWelcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

In this episode, we explore one of the most pressing challenges facing nonprofit leaders today: how to navigate growing polarization while staying true to mission, donors, and community. Trent Ricker, CEO and Chief Strategy Officer at AGP, and Tim Arnold, leadership development expert and best-selling author, examine why traditional either/or thinking falls short – and what it looks like to lead with a more nuanced both/and mindset in today's complex environments. Tim shares how leaders can often feel unequipped to unify teams and stakeholders across differing perspectives. From board dynamics to internal teams to donor communications, the discussion highlights where these tensions show up most and how leaders can navigate competing priorities like innovation versus stability, without losing focus. The conversation offers practical guidance for applying this both/and mindset in real-world situations, including how to approach donor messaging in a polarized environment and why curiosity and connection are critical leadership skills. Whether you're leading an organization, managing stakeholders, or shaping communications, this episode provides a grounded perspective on how to move forward without deepening division.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! (incoming msgs only - I can't reply) Brian Vogt spent 20-plus years strengthening democracy around the world. Then he came home—and started listening. His Democracy Listening Tour of Red America is a qualitative research project with a simple but radical premise: before you can reform anything, you have to understand what people actually believe and why.In this conversation, Brian and Wilk dig into what “democracy” really means to everyday Americans, why that word lands so differently depending on who's hearing it, and what the reform community gets wrong by skipping the listening step altogether.One story stands out: a Trump-voting Iraq veteran and community leader in Kentucky who defined democracy as equality—then shared a workplace experience that made him feel like anything but an equal. It's the kind of story that doesn't make headlines but shapes how millions of people relate to political institutions.If you believe that lasting change requires all voices at the table, this episode is for you. Learn more about and connect with Brian Vogt by getting the full show notes for this episode at www.DerateTheHate.com.  The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) ,  YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/ContactThe Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.orgWelcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Colombia's 2026 presidential election has become a three-way ideological battle with massive implications for security, foreign investment, energy, business, and the country's geopolitical alignment. In this deep-dive analysis, we examine the candidates' positions on crucial topics, while addressing the controversies other outlets avoid. For investors, business leaders, and anyone trying to understand Colombia's political future ahead of May 31, this is the full picture.Watch the video version here: https://youtu.be/ApZjTPZZTAwSHOW NOTES & CITATIONS CONDOR Weighted Aggregate (updated May 23, 2026, 6 firms) https://www.condorlatam.com/co/encuestas Invamer (May 13–20, sample 3,800 / 152 municipios) https://www.elcolombiano.com/especiales/elecciones-2026/encuesta-invamer-resultados-mayo-2026-JM36817835 CNC / Cambio https://www.elespectador.com/politica/elecciones-colombia-2026/encuesta-cnc-ivan-cepeda-372-abelardo-de-la-espriella-204-y-paloma-valencia-156-lideran-medicion-noticias-hoy/ Fundación Génesis Crea https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2026/05/22/estos-son-los-escenarios-de-primera-y-segunda-vuelta-presidencial-que-plantea-la-encuesta-de-fundacion-genesis-crea-para-2026/ Guarumo / Ecoanolítica https://www.pulzo.com/elecciones-colombia-2026/nueva-encuesta-presidencial-guarumo-mayo-2026-PP5189468 AS/COA Poll Tracker — Colombia 2026 https://www.as-coa.org/articles/poll-tracker-colombias-2026-presidential-election Colombia's Presidential Race Marked by Polarization, Divided Right and Absence of Debates — Jadín Samit Vergara, May 18, 2026 https://www.financecolombia.com/colombias-presidential-race-marked-by-polarization-divided-right-and-absence-of-debates/ Colombian Primary Election Picks Iván Cepeda https://www.financecolombia.com/colombian-primary-election-picks-ivan-cepeda-as-presidential-candidate-for-gustavo-petros-party-amid-record-low-turnout-legal-issues/ Colombia Confirms 14 Candidates https://www.financecolombia.com/colombia-confirms-14-candidates-for-2026-presidential-election/ Ecopetrol President Charged Over Campaign Spending Violations https://www.financecolombia.com/ecopetrol-president-ricardo-roa-charged-over-alleged-campaign-spending-violations-in-petros-presidential-campaign/ Who Are the Five Candidates Most Likely to Become Colombia's Next Vice President? https://www.financecolombia.com/who-are-the-five-candidates-most-likely-to-become-colombias-next-vice-president-after-the-upcoming-elections/ InSight Crime: Colombia's Total Peace Remains in Pieces https://insightcrime.org/news/gamechangers-2025-colombia-total-peace-in-pieces/ La Silla Vacía: Abelardo donación https://www.lasillavacia.com/silla-nacional/abelardo-ha-donado-mas-de-90-mil-dolares-a-los-republicanos-en-ee-uu/ Corrupción al Día: https://corrupcionaldia.com/lo-que-va-del-extraditado-alex-saab-al-abogado-candidato-abelardo-de-la-espriella/ El Colombiano: Abelardo De la Espriella https://www.elcolombiano.com/colombia/perfil-de-abelardo-de-la-espriella-candidato-presidencia-colombia-GH36646145 El Espectador: https://www.elespectador.com/investigacion/abelardo-de-la-espriella-cerebro-de-su-campana-fue-abogado-de-salvatore-mancuso-y-socio-del-vicecontralor-general/ Infobae: Iván Cepeda y De la Espriella https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2026/05/24/ivan-cepeda-y-de-la-espriella-lideran-la-intencion-de-voto-paloma-valencia-aparece-distante-segun-encuesta-del-centro-nacional-de-consultoria/ Infobae: Nueva encuesta https://www.infobae.com/colombia/2026/05/23/nueva-encuesta-sacude-la-carrera-presidencial-asi-quedarian-los-duelos-entre-paloma-valencia-ivan-cepeda-y-de-la-espriella-en-segunda-vuelta/ PARES: Iván Cepeda y su papá https://www.pares.com.co/la-complicada-relacion-de-ivan-cepeda-y-su-papa/ AS/COA: Colombia's 2026 Presidential Candidates Link: https://www.as-coa.org/articles/colombias-2026-presidential-candidates-cepeda-de-la-espriella-and-valencia CNN en Español: Quién es Paloma Valencia https://cnnespanol.cnn.com/2026/03/09/colombia/quien-es-paloma-valencia-consulta-derecha-orix El Colombiano: Iván Cepeda https://www.elcolombiano.com/especiales/elecciones-2026/ivan-cepeda-el-hijo-de-la-guerra-fria-LF36885871 Hotel Isla Múcura: https://hotelislamucura.com/ Sergio Fajardo Interview Part 1: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hIUIa_jTy8&feature=youtu.be and Part 2: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KtTdIOZpNzs&feature=youtu.be Subscribe to Finance Colombia for free: https://www.fcsubscribe.com/ Follow me on social media Facebook https://www.facebook.com/financecolombia LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/finance-colombia/ Instagram https://www.instagram.com/finance_colombia/Read more at Finance Colombia: https://www.financecolombia.com/ Subscribe to Finance Colombia for free: https://www.fcsubscribe.com/ Read more at Cognitive Business News: https://cognitivebusiness.news/ The place for bilingual talent! https://empleobilingue.com/ More about Loren Moss: https://lorenmoss.com/write Contact us: https://unidodigital.media/contact-unido-digital-llc/

In the final segment, Michael McFaul outlines a grand strategy for democratic revival, asserting that democracies still hold superior military and economic power if they remain united. He stresses the urgent need to fix domestic polarization and institutional "wobbling" to restore the U.S. as a global beacon of emulation. McFaul argues for reforming international trade and investing in Cold War-era institutions like Radio Free Europe to promote democratic ideas. He concludes that while the "glory days" of 1991 are gone, a proactive, forward-looking agenda focused on freedom and multilateral cooperation is the best path to national security. (8/8)1903 BRUSSELS

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! (incoming msgs only - I can't reply) Michael Lee is a professor of communication and the director of the Civility Initiative at the College of Charleston. He came to civility work through competitive debate—and found that debate, at its best, is deeply connective and dialogic. In this conversation, Michael and Wilk explore what's really going on when people avoid disagreement, and why that silence is often more damaging than conflict. They dig into the nervous system roots of fight, flight, freeze, and fawn—and how those responses show up in everyday conversations, especially online. Michael makes a sharp distinction between healthy stress and distress, arguing that real growth requires exposure to discomfort, not protection from it. One of the episode's most powerful ideas: people confuse conversation with complicity. Michael unpacks why that conflation is so common and what tools—perspective-taking, norm-setting, reciprocity—can help us move past it. And he reminds us that the stranger you're afraid to talk to is more likely to become a friend than an adversary. If you've ever felt like civility is code for “stay quiet,” this conversation is for you.Learn more about and connect with Michael Lee by getting the full show notes for this episode at www.DerateTheHate.com. The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) ,  YouTube Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/ContactThe Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America's largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.orgWelcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Chuck Todd opens with a wave of primary night results that all point the same direction: Thomas Massie has lost his reelection bid, Trump's grip on the GOP base is as strong as ever, and the president just endorsed Ken Paxton in Texas — a move that's great for Trump personally and disastrous for the Republican Party, which will now have to pour enormous money into a Senate seat that was supposed to be safe. Democrats outvoted Republicans in Georgia, with African-American turnout spiking in the aftermath of the Supreme Court gutting the Voting Rights Act — exactly the kind of backlash dynamic that could reshape the entire midterm map. The night's verdict: good for Trump, bad for the GOP. But he argues the deeper, more dangerous story isn't electoral — it's the systematic normalization of corruption that Trump is engineering in plain sight. He's turning the Republican Party into a kleptocracy, selling pardons that erase prison sentences and massive financial penalties, raising prices for ordinary Americans while amassing a personal fortune, and just secured a DOJ get-out-of-jail-free card for his family on tax evasion. The genius of Trump's strategy, Chuck argues, is that he understands corruption can be absorbed into the culture if it carries no meaningful penalty. He reminds listeners that Bill Clinton survived his scandals only because the economy was booming; corruption becomes a voting issue when people's lives get worse, and Trump's policies are now unraveling the American economy at exactly the wrong moment for him. The real warning sits in the structural pattern: once corruption becomes politically survivable, it becomes politically reproducible. Then, Dartmouth political scientist Sean Westwood — director of the Polarization Lab and one of the leading researchers studying why American politics has become so toxic — joins the Chuck Toddcast with a counterintuitive opening argument: America has actually been more polarized in the past than it is now, and polarization itself is a normal feature of democracy. What changed is that the Cold War spent four decades artificially suppressing American polarization by giving the country a unifying external adversary; once the Soviet Union collapsed, the Pat Buchanan wing of the GOP emerged from hibernation and the country returned to its more natural fractious state. The real threat, Westwood argues, isn't disagreement — it's the structural changes that have allowed disagreement to metastasize into something all-consuming. He walks through the menu of possible reforms — ranked choice voting, all-party primaries, stronger party control over nominations — and is refreshingly candid about the tradeoffs: every fix comes with its own problems, moving from a two-party to a multi-party system would be enormously difficult (most multi-party democracies still end up with two dominant parties anyway), and the most realistic reform is simply restoring stronger party control, though Congress will never vote for anything that threatens its own members. The conversation broadens into a sweeping diagnosis of what's actually broken. Westwood argues we're creating a world where if you don't opt-in to politics, you simply won't encounter it — meaning voters increasingly lack the basic information needed to hold elected officials accountable. He warns that any election denialism from one side gives the other side a permission slip to do the same, that America is experiencing more democratic backsliding than most observers want to admit, and that AI-powered microtargeting is about to make the information environment dramatically more disruptive than anything we've seen so far. Westwood identifies the Senate's malapportionment as the single most destructive feature of American politics, and observes that interracial marriage used to be the great cultural wedge before being replaced by raw partisanship — meaning partisan identity has now absorbed every other source of social division. He notes that Democrats have created litmus tests that will never win in rural America and that many modern legislators simply don't have governing skills but are very good at getting attention because humans are predisposed to focus on threat and conflict. Westwood's most haunting closing observation: telling voters they no longer live in a democracy can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and that's a risk both sides need to take far more seriously than they currently do. Finally, Chuck presents his ToddCast Top 5 list of primary elections that will have the biggest impact on the general election in November, and answers listeners’ questions in the “Ask Chuck” segment. Predict the action all the way through the finals. Sign up now for your twenty-five dollar bonus on https://fanduel.com/predicts Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCASTfor 30% off your first order. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction01:00 Thomas Massie loses re-elect. Trump still has grip over GOP 02:00 Trump endorsing Ken Paxton is good for him, bad for the GOP 03:15 Republicans will have to dump a ton of money into Texas 04:00 Endorsement is a gut punch for Cornyn, who had momentum 06:30 Georgia Republican governor & senate races headed to runoff 07:45 Rick Jackson has bragged about writing a million dollar check to Trump 08:15 Will Trump co-endorse in the GA governor’s race? 08:45 Democrats had higher turnout than GOP in Georgia 09:30 African-American turnout higher after gutting of Voting Rights Act 11:45 Trump’s endorsement really matters in a GOP primary 14:15 Election deniers turn off general election voters in swing states 15:30 Trump is not making decisions that are in the best interest of the GOP 18:00 Overall, a good night for Trump, a bad night for the Republican party 20:30 Corruption only becomes a voting issue when voters’ lives get worse 21:00 Clinton survived scandal because the economy was booming 21:30 Trump is normalizing corruption & selling of the presidency 22:15 Trump is stealing from taxpayers to create a slush fund 22:45 DOJ gives the Trumps a get-out-of-jail free card for tax evasion 23:30 Trump’s survival has come from convincing voters all politicians are corrupt 24:15 Trump’s policies are unraveling the American economy 25:00 Trump understands corruption can be absorbed into the culture 26:15 The danger is that corruption carries no meaningful penalty anymore 27:30 Trump is purging anyone who isn’t blindly loyal from the GOP 28:30 Trump is turning the GOP into a kleptocracy 30:00 This isn’t secretive corruption, it’s all out in the open 30:30 Trump sells pardons that erase jail + massive financial penalties 31:30 Trump has increased prices for everyone while amassing a personal fortune 33:00 Trump is weaponizing cynicism with both parties 34:30 Eventually the ruling class sees the public as something to extract from 35:15 Once something becomes politically survivable, it becomes reproducible 37:00 Republics decay once voters become accustomed to corruption 43:00 Sean Westwood joins the Chuck ToddCast 44:15 The origin of the Polarization Lab? 45:45 Partisanship is the area where negativity is rewarded 46:30 America has been more polarized in the past than it is now 48:15 The Cold War suppressed polarization 49:00 Once the Cold War ended, the Pat Buchanon wing of GOP emerged 50:00 Polarization is normal in a democracy 50:45 Structural changes that led to polarization are the threat 51:30 Potential “relief valves” to ease polarization 52:30 Structural changes come with both improvements & negatives 53:15 Ranked choice voting can lead to district in election outcomes 54:30 Stronger party control is the easiest and most realistic fix 55:15 Moving from two parties to multi party would be incredibly difficult 55:45 Congress won’t vote on reforms that threaten their own power 56:30 Even in multi party systems there’s generally two strong parties 57:30 Members don’t just dislike the other party, they dislike their own party 58:30 American third parties struggle to leverage their position 59:00 Ross Perot’s candidacy sobered up the two major parties 1:00:45 Mark Cuban is the only person who could run successfully as an I 1:02:00 Places with electoral reforms typically had overwhelming one party control 1:03:15 In California & Texas you aren’t running “typical” candidates 1:04:30 All party primaries can help to alleviate some polarization 1:05:45 Redistricting muddies election data, makes it harder to form conclusions 1:07:30 It’s important to disagree, but disagreement can’t become all consuming 1:09:00 Many Trump voters who don’t love Trump but want to “own the libs” 1:10:15 We’re creating a world where if you don’t opt-in to politics, you won’t see it 1:11:00 Americans won’t have the info to hold elected officials accountable 1:12:00 Newspaper delivery used to correlate with likelihood of voting 1:14:00 Local info can be easily accessed online, but still needs journalists 1:15:15 Public media is seen as a mouthpiece of the left in America 1:16:45 We’ve been reversing all the progress on fairer districts 1:17:30 Any election denialism gives a permission slip to the other side 1:18:15 Voters see democratic pullback from one side & want their party to do the same 1:19:15 We’re experiencing more democratic backsliding than we’d like to admit 1:20:45 The impact of big data and microtargeting 1:21:30 AI will make microtargeting far more impactful and disruptive 1:22:45 Partisans have become self-sorting geographically, but it’s incidental 1:24:15 Partisanship can become contagious 1:25:30 American politics urban/rural divide mirrors politics in Germany 1:27:15 Democrats created litmus tests that will never win in rural America 1:28:00 Dems would do well to make social issues determined by local governments 1:29:30 The malapportionment of the senate is most destructive to our politics 1:32:30 If you truly object to what your rep is doing, you have to take action 1:34:15 Haven’t had a consequential update to the democracy since before FDR 1:36:00 Interracial marriage used to be cultural wedge, replaced by partisanship 1:38:30 Many legislators don’t have governing skills, but good at getting attention 1:40:00 Humans are predisposed to focus on threat and conflict 1:41:30 Our information ecosystem is built to inflame, not moderate 1:43:45 Telling voters you aren’t in a democracy can be self-fulfilling 1:46:00 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview with Sean Westwood 1:47:30 Competitiveness of an election doesn’t correlate with hyperpartisanship 1:49:15 ToddCast Top 5 primaries that will have most impact on general election 1:50:00 #5 Wisconsin Democratic governor 1:53:30 #4 Michigan Democratic senate 1:57:30 #3 California gubernatatorial primary 2:00:00 #2 Arizona Republican gubernatorial 2:02:45 #1 Texas Republican senate 2:07:45 Ask Chuck 2:08:00 Why didn’t Virginia’s Supreme Court step in sooner on redistricting? 2:10:30 Any recommendations for road trips or places worth exploring? 2:13:30 Are we closer than ever to a viable 3rd party or are the barriers too high? 2:18:00 What will Trump be like once he leaves office? Will media move on? 2:23:15 What if 2028 did a listening tour at every state’s geographical center? 2:27:00 Could Bernie or Pete win without major improvement with black voters? 2:30:15 Credible worries that personal considerations are shaping middle east policy? 2:34:15 Will Trump’s endorsements of weak nominees eventually backfire? 2:36:30 Wemby is going to be transformational for the NBASee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dartmouth political scientist Sean Westwood — director of the Polarization Lab and one of the leading researchers studying why American politics has become so toxic — joins the Chuck Toddcast with a counterintuitive opening argument: America has actually been more polarized in the past than it is now, and polarization itself is a normal feature of democracy. What changed is that the Cold War spent four decades artificially suppressing American polarization by giving the country a unifying external adversary; once the Soviet Union collapsed, the Pat Buchanan wing of the GOP emerged from hibernation and the country returned to its more natural fractious state. The real threat, Westwood argues, isn't disagreement — it's the structural changes that have allowed disagreement to metastasize into something all-consuming. He walks through the menu of possible reforms — ranked choice voting, all-party primaries, stronger party control over nominations — and is refreshingly candid about the tradeoffs: every fix comes with its own problems, moving from a two-party to a multi-party system would be enormously difficult (most multi-party democracies still end up with two dominant parties anyway), and the most realistic reform is simply restoring stronger party control, though Congress will never vote for anything that threatens its own members. The conversation broadens into a sweeping diagnosis of what's actually broken. Westwood argues we're creating a world where if you don't opt-in to politics, you simply won't encounter it — meaning voters increasingly lack the basic information needed to hold elected officials accountable. He warns that any election denialism from one side gives the other side a permission slip to do the same, that America is experiencing more democratic backsliding than most observers want to admit, and that AI-powered microtargeting is about to make the information environment dramatically more disruptive than anything we've seen so far. Westwood identifies the Senate's malapportionment as the single most destructive feature of American politics, and observes that interracial marriage used to be the great cultural wedge before being replaced by raw partisanship — meaning partisan identity has now absorbed every other source of social division. He notes that Democrats have created litmus tests that will never win in rural America and that many modern legislators simply don't have governing skills but are very good at getting attention because humans are predisposed to focus on threat and conflict. Westwood's most haunting closing observation: telling voters they no longer live in a democracy can become a self-fulfilling prophecy, and that's a risk both sides need to take far more seriously than they currently do. Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Thank you Wildgrain for sponsoring. Visit http://wildgrain.com/TODDCAST and use the code "TODDCAST" at checkout to receive $30 off your first box PLUS free Croissants for life! Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Sean Westwood joins the Chuck ToddCast 01:15 The origin of the Polarization Lab? 02:45 Partisanship is the area where negativity is rewarded 03:30 America has been more polarized in the past than it is now 05:15 The Cold War suppressed polarization 06:00 Once the Cold War ended, the Pat Buchanon wing of GOP emerged 07:00 Polarization is normal in a democracy 07:45 Structural changes that led to polarization are the threat 08:30 Potential “relief valves” to ease polarization 09:30 Structural changes come with both improvements & negatives 10:15 Ranked choice voting can lead to district in election outcomes 11:30 Stronger party control is the easiest and most realistic fix 12:15 Moving from two parties to multi party would be incredibly difficult 12:45 Congress won’t vote on reforms that threaten their own power 13:30 Even in multi party systems there’s generally two strong parties 14:30 Members don’t just dislike the other party, they dislike their own party 15:30 American third parties struggle to leverage their position 16:00 Ross Perot’s candidacy sobered up the two major parties 17:45 Mark Cuban is the only person who could run successfully as an I 19:00 Places with electoral reforms typically had overwhelming one party control 20:15 In California & Texas you aren’t running “typical” candidates 21:30 All party primaries can help to alleviate some polarization 22:45 Redistricting muddies election data, makes it harder to form conclusions 24:30 It’s important to disagree, but disagreement can’t become all consuming 26:00 Many Trump voters who don’t love Trump but want to “own the libs” 27:15 We’re creating a world where if you don’t opt-in to politics, you won’t see it 28:00 Americans won’t have the info to hold elected officials accountable 29:00 Newspaper delivery used to correlate with likelihood of voting 31:00 Local info can be easily accessed online, but still needs journalists 32:15 Public media is seen as a mouthpiece of the left in America 33:45 We’ve been reversing all the progress on fairer districts 34:30 Any election denialism gives a permission slip to the other side 35:15 Voters see democratic pullback from one side & want their party to do the same 36:15 We’re experiencing more democratic backsliding than we’d like to admit 37:45 The impact of big data and microtargeting 38:30 AI will make microtargeting far more impactful and disruptive 39:45 Partisans have become self-sorting geographically, but it’s incidental 41:15 Partisanship can become contagious 42:30 American politics urban/rural divide mirrors politics in Germany 44:15 Democrats created litmus tests that will never win in rural America 45:00 Dems would do well to make social issues determined by local governments 46:30 The malapportionment of the senate is most destructive to our politics 49:30 If you truly object to what your rep is doing, you have to take action 51:15 Haven’t had a consequential update to the democracy since before FDR 53:00 Interracial marriage used to be cultural wedge, replaced by partisanship 55:30 Many legislators don’t have governing skills, but good at getting attention 57:00 Humans are predisposed to focus on threat and conflict 58:30 Our information ecosystem is built to inflame, not moderate 1:00:45 Telling voters you aren’t in a democracy can be self-fulfillingSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

“If it bleeds, it leads," they say—and in the algorithm age, we're all drowning in egregiously hyperbolic content designed to polarize. In the wake of the third assassination attempt on President Trump, plus Charlie Kirk's tragic murder and attacks on the UnitedHealthcare CEO and various state representatives, Chris and Joia launch a new Hot Takes mini-series confronting what the data shows is an alarming trend: Americans—especially young Americans—increasingly accept politically-oriented violence as justified.Chris and Joia argue this rise directly correlates with the decline of free speech culture, driven by the noxious idea that "speech is violence," which has blurred the lines of distinction between speech and physical force. They warn against carving out exceptions, noting that even after World War II, we responded to Nazis with the Nuremberg Trials, not with such a quick insistence on violence that so many seem to harbor today.The mission of this multi-part series will be to question, explore, and try to figure out how to reinstate some of the basic understanding and values around free speech in order to stop this trend toward violence. It's crucial, because when you can't distinguish words from weapons, civilization itself becomes the casualty.Here are links for data, polls, and surveys referenced in this episode:https://expression.fire.org/p/gen-z-is-10-times-more-acceptinghttps://x.com/kanekoathegreat/status/2048215568118133246?s=43&t=VYiTS2LZUOf6UxNW9GkBlA Americans say politically motivated violence is increasing, and they see many reasons why Political Violence in America: Public Perceptions, Polarization, and Accountability

In this episode, Ken talked about the role of triangling in the polarization process. He explained the concept of triangles in the context of relationships and how we can get sucked into them, becoming part of the polarization problem. Ken shared examples of triangling in scripture and showed how Jesus refused to be sucked into triangles. Ken then explained how to respond when others attempt to pull us into a triangle, out of their own anxiety. He concluded by asking the group, "How will we be different?" and emphasizing, "It takes work."This episode was recorded on May 8th, 2026.

Northwestern University just launched the Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement, a real-world institution devoted to "research-backed approaches to cultivating open-mindedness, identifying one's own cognitive biases, working collaboratively with others despite disagreement and more." In this episode, David McRaney details his time as a resident of the Center, teaching students how to ask questions that activate a person's introspection, and then follow up with questions that evoke a person's motivated reasoning, then keep going until the other side articulates things they may have never considered before, and, in so doing, reveal the deeper motivations and values generating disagreement. You'll learn about this and all the other modules of the Center's pilot program. You'll also learn about a new game they are designing to improve scientific literacy of news consumers and news creators. Previous Episodes How Minds Change The Litowitz Center for Enlightened Disagreement Medill School for Journalism Patti Wolter Brad Zakarin Eli Finkel Nour Kteily The Center for Public Deliberation The Listen First Coalition Better Together America Heather Barnes Martin Carcasson Point Taken The Visual Thinking Lab Steven Franconeri Joshua Greene's Website Tango Tango Quiz Game Research Love Factually Website Joshua Hudson Protein Research NYT Protein Deep Dive Tylenol Metastudy The Garage Monica Guzman Braver Angels Jacqui Banaszynski David McRaney's Twitter David McRaney's BlueSky YANSS Twitter YANSS Facebook Newsletter Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

On this insightful episode of Authority on Demand Podcast (formerly Authors On Mission Podcast), host Danielle Hutchinson sits down with Alison Sher, author of The Social Contagion, to examine the dynamics of cultural polarization in America.Alison discusses how contrasting narratives shape public perception, her disciplined approach to engaging opposing viewpoints, and the personal transformation she experienced through writing. She also offers practical guidance for authors on structuring ideas and redefining success beyond book sales.Key Takeaways:• Opposing narratives can create entirely different interpretations of the same event• Neutrality requires actively engaging with differing perspectives• Writing can serve as a tool for personal and intellectual transformation• Author success extends beyond sales to influence, authority, and opportunityA thoughtful perspective begins with a willingness to question, explore, and understand. Let this conversation encourage you to write with intention, think critically, and contribute meaningfully to the discourse.Connect with Alison L Sher:Email: sher.alison@gmail.comWebsite: https://alisonsher.com/Fb: https://www.facebook.com/alison.l.sher/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/all_listen_share/

In the dotcom era, communication professor Angèle Christin embedded herself in newsrooms, where she witnessed how audience metrics tilted journalism toward viral content over in-depth reporting. Christin now researches the influencer economy and how content creators monetize their production by any of three means – brand sponsorships, engagement-based payments from social media platforms, and direct-to-audience subscriptions, donations, or sales. She says this engagement-based ecosystem steers communication toward what captures attention, not always what best informs. To improve our reeling national dialogue, we must first change the financial model of social media content, Christin tells host Russ Altman on this episode of Stanford Engineering's The Future of Everything podcast. Have a question for Russ? Send it our way in writing or via voice memo, and it might be featured on an upcoming episode. Please introduce yourself, let us know where you're listening from, and share your question. You can send questions to thefutureofeverything@stanford.edu. Episode Reference Links: Stanford Profile: Angèle Christin Connect With Us: Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything Website Connect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / Mastodon Connect with School of Engineering >>> Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Chapters: (00:00:00) Introduction Russ Altman introduces guest Angèle Christin, a professor of sociology at Stanford University. (00:02:28) From Journalism to Social Media How Angèle's research moved from journalism to influencers. (00:03:23) Journalism's Digital Disruption How platforms and advertising shifts changed the news industry. (00:06:16) Metrics in Newsrooms Why journalists began tracking clicks, traffic, and audience behavior. (00:09:01) Redefining Success The tension between editorial quality and online popularity. (00:14:08) Unbundling Media How digital platforms changed the way audiences consume news. (00:15:29) The Pull of Virality Why going viral can be both rewarding and distorting. (00:16:22) The Creator Economy How influencers emerged as a new media ecosystem. (00:19:09) Studying Influencers Online How Christin researched creators during the pandemic. (00:23:59) The Passion Principle Why many creators begin by sharing expertise or personal experience. (00:25:44) Influencer Revenue Models The three main ways creators make money online, and the pitfalls of each model  (00:33:59) Rethinking Monetization The case for subscriptions, donations, and direct support. (00:35:09) Future In a Minute Rapid-fire Q&A: incentives, social media, and research. (00:36:23) Conclusion Connect With Us:Episode Transcripts >>> The Future of Everything WebsiteConnect with Russ >>> Threads / Bluesky / MastodonConnect with School of Engineering >>>Twitter/X / Instagram / LinkedIn / Facebook Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: Is Donald Trump more a consequence or the cause of our political polarization? Michael argues that most voters will instinctively blame Donald Trump for America's deep political divide — but says the more accurate answer is that Trump is a consequence of forces decades in the making. Drawing on conversations with Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei and Harvard political scientist Robert Putnam, author of "Bowling Alone", Michael explores how social isolation, declining civic engagement, and the collapse of shared community life created fertile ground for populism long before Trump arrived. The episode also previews Smerconish's new Mingle Project interview with Putnam and examines why Americans may actually have more in common than today's media environment suggests. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: 'True or false? Americans are hopelessly divided and increasingly hateful.' Michael challenges the dominant narrative of a fractured America, drawing on insights from Axios co-founder Jim VandeHei and broader social data. While cable news and social media amplify conflict, most Americans remain disconnected from that noise—focused instead on work, family, and community. Listen in as Michael explores how algorithms, declining shared experiences, and social “self-sorting” create the illusion of division, even as acts of generosity and civic engagement tell a different story. Is the country truly coming apart—or are we being misled about who we really are? Be sure to vote at Smerconish.com, and rate, review and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Chad Pecknold discusses Catholic Just War theory and church teaching on capital punishment. Dr. Ryan Burge on political polarization in U.S. churches and his new book. Fr. Ben Kiely on the persecution of Christians in Africa & the Middle East.

In this episode of The Fearless Mindset Podcast, host Mark Ledlow is joined by a former State Department and Diplomatic Security Service official Christopher Stitt, who describes transitioning from 28 years in federal service to entrepreneurship. Chris discusses building three efforts: Crisis Lead (risk navigation and preparedness), his book “Scaling Pyramids: Leadership Lessons from a Mid-Level Bureaucrat” as the basis for a leadership development platform, and keynote speaking focused on developing entry- and mid-level leaders. He explains how earning an executive MBA from Quantic helped with business structure, marketing, and communicating with C-suites, and emphasizes mentorship and “return on network investment” through conferences and relationships. The conversation broadens to concerns about anti-capitalism, leadership gaps for younger generations, misinformation-driven polarization, media bias, and how COVID-era remote work and doomscrolling may have accelerated societal divides.Learn about all this and more in this episode of The Fearless Mindset Podcast.KEY TAKEAWAYSTransitioning to Entrepreneurship Requires a Mindset Shift: Moving from government service to business ownership means learning pricing, value positioning, and operating beyond a “lowest bidder” mindset.You Can Build Multiple Value Streams: Christopher Stitt demonstrates how to combine consulting (Crisis Lead), thought leadership (his book), and keynote speaking into a unified entrepreneurial strategy.Business Education Helps Translate Ideas to Executives: His executive MBA wasn't just about knowledge—it gave him the language and perspective to communicate effectively with C-suite leaders.Leadership Starts Before the Top: You don't need a title to lead. Leadership begins with self-management, then extends to influencing others and eventually organizations.Mentorship and Network Investment Are Critical: Success often comes from relationships. Stitt emphasizes “Return on Network Investment (RONI)” as a powerful driver of opportunities.Your Book Can Be a Strategic Asset: Writing a book isn't just about sharing ideas—it can open doors to speaking engagements, teaching opportunities, and broader influence.There's a Growing Leadership Gap in Younger Generations: Many young professionals lack direction and belief in long-term success, highlighting the need for stronger leadership development.Polarization Is Fueled by Misinformation and Echo Chambers: Social media algorithms, 24-hour news cycles, and lack of critical thinking are deepening societal divides.COVID-19 Accelerated Disconnection: Remote work and increased screen time reduced real-world conversations, intensifying polarization and limiting exposure to diverse perspectives.Critical Thinking and Source Awareness Matter More Than Ever: Understanding whether information is fact-based or opinion-driven is essential in today's media environment.QUOTES“I don't want to be the lowest bidder—I want to be the highest quality bidder and have them take my price anyway.”“You can have formal leadership positions and informal leadership impact from wherever you are.”“Leadership doesn't start at the top—it starts with leading yourself.”“It's not just ROI anymore—it's RONI: Return on Network Investment.”“The book helped me focus on my passion to develop entry- and mid-level leaders.”“We've lost the ability to listen to each other and have civil conversations.”“Are you getting fact-based information—or just opinions that reinforce your beliefs?”“News is a business—their goal is to get more viewers and subscribers.”“COVID disrupted the natural rhythm of relationships.”“Without real conversations, people went deeper into their own echo chambers.”“A lot of younger people feel like they've already lost—so they've stopped striving.”Get to know more about Christopher Stitt through the link/s below.https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopherstittcem/To hear more episodes of The Fearless Mindset podcast, you can go to https://the-fearless-mindset.simplecast.com/ or listen on major podcasting platforms such as Apple, Google Podcasts, Spotify, etc. You can also subscribe to the Fearless Mindset YouTube Channel to watch episodes on video.Upcoming Event: Executive Protection & FIFA World Cup 2026As the FIFA World Cup 2026 approaches, join leading security professionals for a live session on executive protection and risk management for this global event.April 29 | 6:00 PM ESTRegister here: https://bit.ly/Webinar_WorldCupSecurity

This episode of Justice Above All investigates one way in which segregation has been rebranded in the twenty-first century: all-white, or “whites-only,” settlements. In recent years, there has been an alarming rise in these settlements across the United States. Attempts to build all-white settlements represent a modern rebranding of segregationist housing practices like restrictive covenants. All-white settlements are morally corrosive to a multi-racial democracy and undermine the principles of inclusive housing articulated in the Fair Housing Act. Policymakers and all people who oppose segregation should actively resist the rise of all-white settlements.Today's host is Dr. Kesha Moore, Research Manager of the Thurgood Marshall Institute. She is in conversation with the following guests: Jason Bailey, Senior Counsel, Legal Defense FundJin Hee Lee, Director of Strategic Initiatives, Legal Defense FundCynthia Miller-Idriss, Professor, American University School of Public Affairs and School of Education; Founding Director, Polarization and Extremism Research & Innovation LabYou can learn more about this episode by visiting our landing page.This episode was written and produced by Jakiyah Bradley. Resonate Recordings provided production support.If you enjoyed this episode please consider leaving a review and helping others find it! To keep up with the work of LDF please visit our website at www.naacpldf.org and follow us on social media at @naacp_ldf. To keep up with the work of the Thurgood Marshall Institute, please visit our website at www.tminstituteldf.org and follow us on Twitter at @tmi_ldf. 

Alex Edmans, a professor of finance at London Business School, tells us how to avoid the Ladder of Misinference by examining how narratives, statistics, and articles can mislead, especially when they align with our preconceived notions and confirm what we believe is true, assume is true, and wish were true. Alex Edmans  May Contain Lies What to Test in a Post Trust World How Minds Change David McRaney's Twitter David McRaney's BlueSky YANSS Twitter YANSS Facebook Newsletter Kitted Patreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This episode examines the aftermath of Peru's first-round presidential election held on April 12, 2025, recorded just five days later with results still not fully finalized. Host Adam Isacson speaks with Cynthia McClintock, a professor of Political Science and International Affairs at George Washington University who has studied Peruvian politics for over four decades. The conversation describes an extraordinarily fragmented and polarized electoral landscape. With 35 candidates on the ballot, the leading vote-getter—Keiko Fujimori, daughter of former authoritarian president Alberto Fujimori—led the count with only about 17 percent of the vote. The race for second place remained too close to call between Roberto Sánchez, a leftist candidate running under the mantle of impeached former president Pedro Castillo, and Rafael López Aliaga, a right-wing populist who served as mayor of Lima. The runoff, between candidates who will combine for less than 30 percent of the first-round vote, is scheduled for June 7th. McClintock traces Peru's current political dysfunction to the period following the 2016 election, during which Fujimori's party discovered the power of congressional impeachment. Peru has cycled through nine presidents in ten years, and McClintock argues that a corrupt governing coalition has consolidated power, particularly since Castillo's impeachment in December 2022. The discussion highlights the deep geographic and cultural divisions in Peruvian society. The gap between Lima and "las provincias"—Indigenous-majority rural and mountainous regions—manifests starkly in voting patterns. This division traces back centuries and reflects ongoing perceptions of discrimination and exclusion, even as economic indicators have improved. Organized crime and security are voters' primary concerns. While Peru's homicide rate remains low by regional standards, it has more than doubled since 2021-2022. Extortion has become particularly urgent. Yet paradoxically, Peru's economy continues to grow, buoyed by high commodity prices for copper and gold, though much mining activity is illegal and environmentally devastating. McClintock expresses concern about the future of accountability and democratic institutions. The newly reconstituted Senate grants Fujimori's party approximately one-third of seats, with significant power over appointments. On U.S.-Peru relations, she notes the current government has stayed under Washington's radar and is proceeding with a $3.5 billion F-16 purchase, though the Chinese-built Chancay port remains a potential point of tension. The episode concludes with McClintock explaining how the chaotic 35-candidate field happened by design: Fujimori's party had previously canceled a primary voting provision that would have winnowed the field, calculating that extreme fragmentation would allow them to win with a small plurality. Despite the grim political outlook, McClintock emphasizes the resilience of Peru and its people. Download this podcast episode's .mp3 file here. Listen to WOLA's Latin America Today podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, iHeartRadio, or wherever you subscribe to podcasts. The main feed is here.

In today's revisit to episode 472 of Daily Influence, Brian Smith dives into how we can overcome the polarization that's fracturing relationships with friends, family, and associates. Brian shares strategies for leading with curiosity instead of judgment, focusing on shared values, and rebuilding trust through intentional conversations. Learn how to shift from division to connection by listening to understand, emphasizing empathy, and finding common ground. Tune in and discover practical ways to heal divides and strengthen the relationships that matter most.

Inside Higher Ed asked whether AI can help depolarize college students. The council reframes the question: polarization isn't a glitch AI can patch — it's the product of the information environment we built.0:00 Intro - Inside Higher Ed on polarization0:25 MiniDoge: polarization is a market signal0:50 Nyx: the fracture is already in the model1:20 HH: equalize access before you personalize1:40 Saarvis: learn to game the border, not cross it2:10 Saarvis: rebuild the substrate, not the tutor⚡ Learn agentic ai free - https://staas.fund/ai-workshop ⚡-----

0:30 - Sheridan Gorman killer arraigned 12:58 - Manhattan Institute interview with illegal immigrant trans covered by Medi-Cal 34:37 - Anti-Fraud Task Force 51:32 - Alex Traiman, CEO and Jerusalem bureau chief for JNS.org, urges the U.S. and Israel to finish the job and take down the Iranian regime. Keep updated on X with Alex @traiman 01:11:50 - Libertyville 01:36:53 - Justin Logan of the Cato Institute on Trump’s threats to NATO and why he says even seemingly unwise moves can serve a strategic purpose. Follow Justin on X @JustinTLogan 01:50:16 - Editor of Commonplace magazine, Haisten Willis, on Pride and Polarization and why Dan Proft is Single 02:08:29 - Leaving IdahoSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Why do Americans have short memories? Our nation has radically changed since 2001. Polarization and disunity have reached a whole new level. What happened to us?

In this episode, Jeff Malec sits down with Vuk Vukovic and Scott Alford of Oraclum Capital (ORCA) to explore how an academic project on elections turned into a $70M hedge fund powered by crowd predictions. Vuk explains how he and his co-founders, coming from economics, physics, and computer science backgrounds, built a survey-based system that originally nailed events like Brexit and the 2016 and 2020 U.S. elections, then adapted the same framework to financial markets. Scott breaks down how ORCA combines wisdom of crowds, network analysis, and machine learning to identify the best retail predictors each week and turn their aggregated views into directional options trades on the S&P and Nasdaq. They discuss incentives for participants, how they filter noise, why independence and diverse networks matter more than “experts,” the limits of traditional polling, and the rise, and risks, of retail trading and prediction markets. The conversation also touches on political polarization, elite networks, and what it really takes to build a differentiated strategy in today's markets. SEND IT!Chapters:00:00-01:34=Intro01:35-12:38= Origins of ORCA: From Broken Polls to a Crowd-Powered Market Prediction Engine12:39-21:01= Why Traditional Polls Fail and How Academic Research (and Grants) Really Work21:02-35:35= Inside ORCA's Signal: Paying Predictors, Mapping Networks, and Turning Weekly Surveys into Option Trades35:36-49:49= Timing the Crowd: Weekly Signals, Zero-Dated Options, and How ORCA Differs from Prediction Markets49:50-1:01:03= Hot Streaks, Crypto Crowds, and Why True Wisdom of Crowds Needs Independent Thinkers1:01:04-01:20:36= Retail Traders, Polarization, and Building Better Predictors: How ORCA Sees the Future of MarketsFrom the Episode: Youtube: Predict Market Moves by Oraclum https://www.youtube.com/@predictmarketmovesYoutube: https://www.youtube.com/@vuk_vukovic_author/videosPersonal website: https://www.vukvukovic.org/Follow along with Vuk , Scott and ORCA on LinkedIn, you can find Vuk on X @wolf_vukovic and ORCA @OraclumCapital as well - be sure to check out oraclumcapital.com for more information!Don't forget to subscribe to⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠The Derivative⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠, follow us on Twitter at⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@rcmAlts⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ and⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠sign-up for our blog digest⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠.Disclaimer: This podcast is provided for informational purposes only and should not be relied upon as legal, business, or tax advice. All opinions expressed by podcast participants are solely their own opinions and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of RCM Alternatives, their affiliates, or companies featured. Due to industry regulations, participants on this podcast are instructed not to make specific trade recommendations, nor reference past or potential profits. And listeners are reminded that managed futures, commodity trading, and other alternative investments are complex and carry a risk of substantial losses. As such, they are not suitable for all investors. For more information, visit⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠www.rcmalternatives.com/disclaimer⁠⁠⁠⁠

Coming up with climate solutions, no matter how beneficial or positive they may be for the greater good, has become so polarized. What does it take to bring people from both sides together and develop efforts that could satisfy everyone? Corinna Bellizzi chats with someone who is doing exactly that: Peter Simek, CEO of EarthX. He shares the hard work needed to unite leaders across businesses, policies, and industries to vastly accelerate solutions for a sustainable future. Peter also discusses the benefits of aligning bottom-line economic incentives with positive outcomes, the ideal way to scale sustainable projects, and the immense power of local action in building a more environmentally friendly world. COMPLETE BLOG & TRANSCRIPT: https://caremorebebetter.com/from-polarization-to-progress-climate-solutions-with-earthx-ceo-peter-simek/ About Guest: Peter Simek is the Chief Executive Officer of EarthX, one of the world's premier conveners of leaders across business, policy, philanthropy, conservation, and advocacy to accelerate solutions for a sustainable future. In this role, he is leading EarthX's evolution as a trusted global platform where investors, innovators, policymakers, and advocates can cut through polarization, find common ground, and advance pragmatic, market-based environmental solutions.  Prior to his role at EarthX, he founded Simek Media, a boutique strategy and communications agency that helps mission-driven organizations shape campaigns, build brands, and design convenings that mobilize action. His work has spanned sectors from climate resilience to artificial intelligence, advising civic leaders, coalitions, and global nonprofits. Guest LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/earthx.org/ Guest Website: https://earthx.org/ Guest Social:  https://www.instagram.com/earthxorg/ https://www.facebook.com/earthxorg/ https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC79bJXPacuiS262Q5SB84Tg https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-simek-84507b41 Additional Resources Mentioned: Bioneers: https://bioneers.com Katharine Hayhoe's Book: Saving Us Show Notes: 01:52 - Origin Story And Mission Of EarthX 07:41 - Why Environmental Conversations Have Become Polarized 17:55 - Benefits Of Market-Driven Environmental Solutions 26:37 - Navigating The Challenge Of Scaling Sustainable Efforts 33:29 - Securing Successes And Avoiding Pitfalls In Cross-Sector Collaboration 36:48 - How To Turn Vision Into Real Action 39:12 - How Purist Ideas Get In The Way Of Sustainability 44:11 - What To Expect On EarthX's Upcoming Dallas Event 49:27 - Working At The Intersection Of Different Complex Systems 51:27 - Looking Into The Future With Optimism 53:44 - Get In Touch With Peter And EarthX 55:28 - Discussion Wrap-up And Closing Words BUILD A GREENER FUTURE with CARE MORE BE BETTER: Together, we planted 36,044 trees in 2025 through our partnership with ForestPlanet. We screamed past our goal of planting 20,000 trees thanks to subscribers like you! CAUSE PARTNER FOR 2026! If you value open dialogue, sustainability, and social equity, I invite you to support our new cause partner — Prescott College. To learn more about this effort and to support the show, visit: https://caremorebebetter.com/support/ Follow us on social media: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/caremorebebetter TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@caremorebebetter Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/caremorebebetter Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/CareMoreBeBetter LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/care-more-be-better Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Legendary documentarian Ken Burns joins Newstalk to discuss truth in a polarized media landscape, the enduring value of long-form storytelling, and why history offers perspective in moments of national division.

Palm Sunday – March 29, 2026 – May God's words be spoken, may God's words be heard. Amen. Now, if you've been coming here awhile, than you already know that this should just be Palm Sunday, with the passion being our Holy Week journey. Still, we do include it because Easter without the passion is an empty experience, and some will not be able to attend on Maundy Thursday & Good Friday. And as in past years, the Dzieci Theatre company will push our imaginations, engage our senses, and challenge our assumptions in the second half of our service as they envelope us in the experience of Christ's passion. But, let's not go there yet. Let's give the reading from Matthew, about the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, its due. It's a rather odd telling of this moment. There are cloaks and branches, not palms. Which was also almost our experience too, as these palms we have today got sidetracked by FedEx. And, unlike in the other gospels, Jesus doesn't mount one animal, but two. I mean, you can almost imagine it looking like one of those rodeo tricks – the cowgirl on with a foot on each animal? How the heck is he doing that, and even more to the point – why on earth is he doing that? Well, the short answer is that it ties Jesus directly to messianic prophesy – found not only in Zechariah, as quoted here (and as we heard earlier in the service before the procession), but also in Genesis 49. The author Matthew is making it clear that Jesus is the Messiah whose reign would not end until he drew all people to himself. But this author is also telling us that the people who greet him with praise, did not understand who he is, and the moment they were in. When some asked “Who is this?” Others answered that Jesus was a prophet from Galilee. This sets the stage for what will happen to Jesus. But there is another part to this gospel, something we will see if we read Matthew through the crucifixion to the resurrection. The text says “the whole city was in turmoil asking about him.” Yet the word turmoil is not exactly describing it. The Greek word here is σεισμός, which means earthquake, shaking, big commotion. It occurs again just after his death on the cross, and again as the women get to the tomb. Things aren't just a bit puzzling, everything was moving chaotically. That'll get your attention, just like it did the guards at the cross and the women at the tomb. Does it get ours? Because even while the people in Jerusalem didn't quite get it, the question they ask is one being asked today – of each one of us. The church is being asked to declare who we are as the body of Christ in this earthquake moment in which we together live, where empire crushes the vulnerable. What will be the crowds response if asked about us? Will we show them who we are, as Jesus did, even if they don't understand, even if they turn against us? These are questions for us today on this Palm Sunday, as much as they were for those there in Jerusalem so long ago. Jesus knew this would happen to him – he entered into this city, at this tense moment, opposite the powerful Roman military – and he knew that, while the people in the crowds may not fully understand, his disciples needed to. So, after he enters into the city, Jesus teaches his disciples a number of things, both in word and in deed. First, Jesus goes to the temple, overturns some tables, and heals the sick. Then, he offers them perhaps the most important lesson they, or we, will receive. It was about who he is. Maybe he heard the crowds, or maybe he thought his disciples still didn't understand, so he answered the crowd's question. Using the setting of a final judgement, he said about those who will be declared righteous, “…for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you gave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and you visited me.” When perplexed as to how they had done that, the answer came, “Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members of my family, you did it to me.” And finally, Jesus takes it a step further, washing the feet of his disciples as a model of servant ministry, a symbol of his commandment to love one another as he loved us. “Who is this?” the crowd asked. “Who is Jesus?” we need to understand the answer to, and it is this: Jesus is the stranger, the imprisoned, the hungry, the sick – the one who overturns the tables of injustice – who heals the broken ones – the loving servant – the crucified one. Why then would he be crucified – how could a government do that to another human being., or how could the people allow it to happen? It is questions like these that make this Passion we will experience here today by Dzieci is so powerful, because it is set – not in the ancient near east – but in the Warsaw ghetto of our 20th century. A Nazi created neighborhood prison, where the death toll among the Jewish inhabitants of is estimated to have been at least 400,000. This setting is a reminder to us of what can happen when we fail to understand who Jesus is as his followers. This is what can happen when we turn our backs on the crosses being erected outside our city walls. When we look at another as being “them” rather than “Him.” When we think – “that'll never happen here – not in the US, not in my neighborhood.” But, the passion sadly isn't something that just happened over 2,000 years ago. The passion is a story happening through the centuries up to this very moment, because Jesus is being crucified all over the world, not only by governments, but by our own greed, hatred, and neglect. The crucifixion of Jesus, is happening today, because today – Jesus is Alex Pretti, Renee Good, Liam Ramos, Lumos Campos, Ruben Ray Martinez, and all the other people killed, injured, unlawfully deported or detained. Jesus is the 150 Iranian girls and other civilians, killed by our bombs, and the US Servicemen and women killed in our unjustified war with Iran. Jesus is the farmer struggling to make ends meet, the mother with no food for her children, and the homeless veteran. Jesus is the LGBTQ+ person rejected by others. Jesus is the Epstein victim and all other women or girls trafficked. Jesus is the person of color afraid to grocery shop or go to school in our country for fear of being disappeared by masked Federal Agents. Jesus is the prisoner, the hungry poor, the neglected, and the oppressed. But on this Palm Sunday, Jesus is also the one who enters into the public sphere with authority and overturns tables, even as empire threatens all around, even as he can see the cross looming ahead for him. What can we learn from all of this? During Lent, a few of us have been reading together a book, “For Such A Time As This: An Emergency Devotional,” by Hanna Reichel. In it, the author writes this: “As a scholar, I have closely studied this nation. It prided itself in its influence in the world, its intellectual leadership, its technological innovation, its economic prowess. But as global orders shifted, its social and political system, built for simpler times, crumbled… Polarization increased and made coalition building ever less feasible. Widening gaps led to social unrest economic instability and even violence in the streets. The nation was overwhelmed and disoriented… Special leaders claiming for themselves special powers rode waves of public disgruntlement against immigrants, intellectuals, and those visibly “other.” Democratic processes were manipulated, checks and balances hollowed out. Executive overreach became the order of the day. The nation I am talking about is Germany; the time is roughly a century ago. But maybe my description sounded familiar to you today. Maybe, like me, you find yourself thinking: we have been here before…We’ve been here before. You won’t like what happens next.” Reichel then asks: “What should the church's response be?” Or, as Matthew might put it: “Who are you?” There were many in the church who complied with the Nazi's, even siding with them. In the decades since, many in Christendom have had to atone for this sinful inhumanity and shameful lack of courage. But there were others – those in what was called the Confessing Church – some of whom came late to it, others who resisted from the start. Deitrich Bonhoeffer is one of the more famous examples, but there were far more. But something Bonhoeffer was very clear about, “…the church is not a building, but is also not a people. It is the body of Christ.”[1] And as the body of Christ in the world, we too need to enter our proverbial Jerusalem – not on military horses with weapons, but as Jesus did – with a message of hope, healing, grace, and love – and some righteous anger to topple the tables of injustice too. And that is what many of us were a part of yesterday in the latest “No Kings” march – the largest single day of protest in the history of the United States – with 8 million people and rising in every state, and nearly every single county across our country. Joining with others of different faiths, or none at all, we were proclaiming that might does not make right – that we will not bend the knee to any President. In signs and voice, we said we will not turn our backs on our neighbors – immigrants, people of color, LGBTQ+, women, children, the poor. We will not allow them to be crucified. We will protect them, love them, and stand by their side. Because in them, we see Jesus, and we are called to love and serve him – not any imagined earthly “King.” And for me and many other parts of the body of Christ, we also proclaimed emphatically that Christian Nationalism is a heresy. Jesus did not enter Jerusalem to cooperate with Rome, or align himself with Pilate – and neither will we allow him to be used as a tool of the powerful to oppress the vulnerable. We didn't create the σεισμός – we WERE the earthquake! Did we do this weapons or violence? No. We did this the same way Jesus did and for the same reason too. Mercy and love is what shakes the city to its core, not abusive power. Think of how our own empire today wanted protestors to become violent – doing all they could to provoke them so the Insurrection Act could be brought out., and the people subdued by violence. But, Portland Oregon showed us the way – they came in inflatable frog costumes. Why? Maybe for the same reason Jesus enters Jerusalem on two animals. Not because this isn't a serious moment. No. Instead to meet the moment – to meet violence and hostility with love and joy. In protests since Portland, violence and power have been met with shouts of kindness, songs, and peaceful opposition. And you know what? That is the scariest thing any dictator could ever see. Jesus knew that too. And so, as the body of Christ today, many of us met that moment yesterday, and have been for many, many years. And we will keep doing it too. We must, because if we do not, then we are as clueless as those in Jerusalem so long ago as to who Jesus is, and who we are as his followers. Reichel in that same book ,when talking about what we do here on Sundays, said “There is no gathering without sending. The miracle of real community is a special blessing that strengthens us for everyday existence…The cross is a part of Christian life. Where we try to avoid it, we just end up putting others on it…The Christian belongs out in the world. Blessing turns into temptation when we use community to escape the world…” Or, as I have said for years – going to church on Sunday is not the destination, it is where we get strength for the journey – the journey to Jerusalem. And so we have a question to ask ourselves this Palm Sunday – the same one asked about Jesus. Who are we as the body of Christ? In this time of empire and oppression, when Christ is being crucified will we head to Jerusalem to overturn the tables of injustice? In this time of σεισμός, where it seems the world we knew is falling apart, will we move into the danger with grace and humility, love and righteous anger? Because make no mistake about it – The cross IS a part of the Christian life. The Christian belongs out in the world – and each and every one of you – every follower of Jesus – was made for such a time as this. Amen. [1] “For Such A Time,” Reichel. For the audio, click below, or subscribe to our iTunes Sermon Podcast by clicking here (also available on Audible): Sermon Podcast https://christchurchepiscopal.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Sermon-March-29-2026-1.m4a Rev. Diana L. Wilcox Christ Church in Bloomfield & Glen Ridge March 29, 2026 Palm Sunday 1st Reading – Isaiah 50:4-9a Psalm 31:9-16 2nd Reading – Philippians 2:5-11 Gospel – Matthew 21:1-11

Convention of States: Why Washington Can't Fix Itself with Rick Santorum. Is Washington broken beyond repair? The Convention of States and the Article V process may be the only path left to restore the Republic. Former Senator Rick Santorum joins The P.A.S. Report Podcast to pull back the curtain on why both parties have failed to limit government. This episode breaks down the Convention of States process, debunks the runaway convention myth, and explains how the states can reclaim their constitutional authority from an out of control Washington. What You'll Learn: The Incentive Problem: Why D.C. is structurally incapable of self-reform  The Dependency Trap: How federal spending fuels endless expansion  Article V Mechanics: A plain-English breakdown of the Convention of States process  Fact vs. Fiction: The real safeguards that prevent a runaway convention  The Path Forward: The types of amendments that could restore limited government  Don't miss this fact-based analysis of how the states can step in when Washington refuses to act and why the Convention of States is worth the fight.  

Tim Alberta, journalist, author, and frequent cable news commentator, explores the complex relationship between political power and American evangelicalism. In this timely conversation, we discuss what happens when the church gets too cozy with empire, how pastors can navigate politically divided congregations, and what Jesus actually has to say about power. Essential listening for anyone trying to lead faithfully in polarized times.Send me a text! I'd love to know what you're thinking!Click HERE to get my FREE online course, BECOMING LEADERS OF SHALOM.

Increasingly, it seems that a very public and nationalized Christianity is bouncing back as a live, contested question around the world, and there's a temptation to exist on the extremes of either loyalty to the point of idolatry, or total opposition to the point of suspicion of the human beings we need to get along with every day. That creates a dilemma for Christian witness, one that can perhaps only be solved by the courage and fortitude to live in the tension this creates, honoring everyone's dignity, and not falling into a gross idolatry of the state. Oxford's Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology Luke Bretherton joins Ryan McAnnally-Linz to name what's happening as Christianity sees a resurgence in democratic public life, and what faithful witness demands. In this episode, Bretherton reflects on Christianity's re-emergence and the theology it requires. Together they discuss the real-time collapse of secular progressivism, democratic agency, Augustine on glory and shame, how media monetizes suspicion, why community organizing outlasts protest, and how the church might tell a truer—and more costly—story about common life. Episode Highlights "The plausibility structure of Christianity is kind of back in play in the post-progressive vibe shift." "We want to have enemies—it's really hard to organize the world around love of enemies, and it's hard to make money off love of enemies." "How do you express loyalty to your particular political community—loyalty without idolatry?" "The giving over of responsibility is itself an act of self-dehumanizing." "The uncle who drives you crazy at Thanksgiving is also the one who turns up with a bake when your child is ill—that's how idolatry works." About Luke Bretherton Luke Bretherton is Regius Professor of Moral and Pastoral Theology at Oxford, director of the McDonald Centre for Theology, Ethics, and Public Life, and a canon of Christ Church. Previously at Duke University and King's College London, his work spans political theology, democracy, and grassroots politics. He hosts the Listen, Organize, Act! podcast. Books include A Primer in Christian Ethics (Cambridge, 2023), Christ and the Common Life, and Christianity and Contemporary Politics. Learn more at https://www.theology.ox.ac.uk/people/rev-canon-professor-luke-bretherton and @WestLondonMan https://x.com/WestLondonMan Helpful Links and Resources A Primer in Christian Ethics: Christ and the Struggle to Live Well (Cambridge, 2023) https://www.amazon.com/Primer-Christian-Ethics-Christ-Struggle/dp/1009329022 Listen, Organize, Act! podcast https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/listen-organize-act-organizing-democratic-politics/id1553824477 Luke Bretherton at Oxford https://www.theology.ox.ac.uk/people/rev-canon-professor-luke-bretherton Show Notes “Post-progressive vibe shift”; Christianity newly plausible across UK and Europe Bible Society "quiet revival" research; young people back in Oxford churches "The plausibility structure of Christianity is kind of back in play in the post-progressive vibe shift." Meaning, purpose, character; religion in government policy commissions Tom Holland; civilizational Christianity; the post-new-atheist turn Political theology replacing secular ideology: Ukraine, Gaza, India-Pakistan Two dominant scripts: total shame vs. lost glory Augustine's third way: grace, ambiguity, open wounds "How do you express loyalty to your particular political community—loyalty without idolatry?" Local social trust still holds; national trust collapsed Social media systems that profit from suspicion: monetized idolatry "We want to have enemies—it's really hard to organize the world around love of enemies, and it's hard to make money off love of enemies." Think with the body, from place; neighbors before scripts "The uncle who drives you crazy at Thanksgiving is also the one who turns up with a bake when your child is ill." Mass mailing dissolved federated civil society: unions, denominations, guilds Moses's challenge: atomized crowd to covenantal people Strongmen and unmediated belonging; technology and concentrated power Polanyi's two responses: strong man or democratic organizing "The giving over of responsibility is itself an act of self-dehumanizing." Mobilizing vs. organizing; the Arab Spring The Westfield story: a teenager discovers her democratic agency Thick vs. thin trust: the only metric that matters #PublicTheology #PoliticalTheology #ChristianWitness #Democracy #CommunityOrganizing #FaithAndPolitics #ChristianEthics #PostProgressivism #ChurchAndState #Secularism Production Notes This podcast featured Luke Bretherton Interview by Ryan McAnnally-Linz Edited and Produced by Evan Rosa Hosted by Evan Rosa Production Assistance by Noah Senthil A Production of the Yale Center for Faith & Culture at Yale Divinity School https://faith.yale.edu/about Support For the Life of the World podcast by giving to the Yale Center for Faith & Culture: https://faith.yale.edu/give

Today's Poll Question at Smerconish.com: "For those who oppose President Trump, which matters more, his political defeat or a US victory against Iran?" Michael Smerconish reacts to a striking poll result showing most respondents don't believe the U.S. is winning in Iran—and asks whether political bias is shaping that perception. He explores competing narratives about the conflict, media framing, and whether partisan divides are influencing how Americans assess national success abroad. The episode raises an uncomfortable but revealing question: in a hyper-polarized era, can political opposition outweigh national interest? Listen here, then vote! And please rate, review and share this podcast. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See https://pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

Dr. Kurt Gray, social psychologist, award-winning researcher and teacher, and author of Outraged, joins me on this episode. Kurt is the Weary Foundation Endowed Chair in the Social Psychology of Polarization and Misinformation at The Ohio State University, where he directs the Deepest Beliefs Lab and the Center for the Science of Moral Understanding. He was also appointed to lead the university's Collaborative for the Science of Polarization and Misinformation (C-SPAM). He earned his PhD from Harvard University. In this fascinating conversation, we explore the psychology behind outrage, conflict, and why disagreements escalate so quickly in today's world.

Ivana Stradner warns that Russia and China are actively amplifying existing American polarization through social media to foster domestic disorder and weaken America's global position. (3)1958

Send us a Positive Review!In this episode Val is joined by Jana Riess, author and researcher of the LDS spectrum of experience and Jason Bergman, former BYU professor & faculty member.  Together they discuss the many facets of the Clark Gilbert call to the Q12 of the LDS church.   In this conversation Jason contrasts his experience on the BYU faculty both before and during Gilbert's leadership and candidly shares the painful and life altering impact Gilbert's fervor for loyalty and conformity of LDS orthodoxy had on him and his career.  They also explore the possibility that well-intended loyalty to tradition can actually fracture lives, families, and even the potential good that churches can do in the long run--especially when loyalty to old ways end up getting in the way of further light and truth hiding in plain sight.  Join them for another bold, courageous, and candid conversation inviting spiritual growth in and around the LDS church.  Jana's Salt Lake Tribune ArticleTimestamps:00:00 Welcome and Guests00:36 Why This Topic Matters01:55 Jana Riess Research03:42 Jason BYU Background07:20 Mixed Reactions Online12:11 Why Gilbert Stands Out17:27 Culture Warrior Defined27:12 Polarization and Autonomy35:53 BYU Orthodoxy Crackdown40:43 Honor Code Turmoil Timeline43:58 Choosing to Leave BYU44:56 Faculty Fear and Silence47:15 Big Tent Tensions49:14 Incognito Faculty Support52:41 Loyalty Oath Explained58:33 Surveillance and Dismissals01:00:35 Hiring and Worthiness Filters01:02:52 Growth Versus Orthodoxy01:07:31 Data on Same Sex Marriage01:10:02 What BYU Lost01:17:44 Evolution One Funeral01:20:46 Gerontocracy and Mini Me01:22:07 Final Thanks and FarewellSupport the showSupport the show Listen, Share, Rate & Review EPISODES Friday Episodes Annual Access $89 Friday Episodes Monthly Access $10 Valerie's Support & Processing Groups Gift a Scholarship Download Free Resources Visit our Website

How can two people watch the same video yet see two different things? How can two people witness the same event but arrive at two different truths about what they witnessed? How can the same evidence lead people to drastically different realities? In this episode, Dr. Jay Van Bavel at NYU explains.Kitted Executive AcademyThe Power of Us WebsiteThey Saw A GameJay Van Bavel's TwitterJay Van Bavel's WebsiteHow Minds ChangeDavid McRaney's TwitterDavid McRaney's BlueSkyYANSS TwitterNewsletterPatreon Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.

This is The Briefing, a daily analysis of news and events from a Christian worldview.Part I (00:14 – 09:21)A Crisis of Dignity: Leaders Must See Dignity as Vital and EssentialPart II (09:21 – 15:55)Dignity and the American Presidency: Our Constitutional Order Depends on ItPart III (15:55 – 22:10)The Olympics, the Super Bowl, and the Divide of Red and Blue America: How the Polarization of Politics is Affecting SportsIf You Hate Bad Bunny, I Have Bad News for You by The New York Times (Noah Shachtman)Christianity at the Super Bowl defies a trend by The Washington Post (Paul Putz)Part IV (22:10 – 25:48)The Globalist Dream of the Olympics: But Sports Only Brings Unity in a Limited Way – Just Look at the Super Bowl Halftime ShowsLife in Abundance by The Holy See (Pope Leo XIV)As Olympics Open, Pope Warns Against Using Sports for ‘Propaganda' by The New York Times (Motoko Rich)Sign up to receive The Briefing in your inbox every weekday morning.Follow Dr. Mohler:X | Instagram | Facebook | YouTubeFor more information on The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, go to sbts.edu.For more information on Boyce College, just go to BoyceCollege.com.To write Dr. Mohler or submit a question for The Mailbox, go here.

Dr. David Eagleman, PhD, is a neuroscientist, bestselling author and professor at Stanford University. We discuss how to leverage the science of neuroplasticity to learn new skills and information and how accurate and false memories form and are forgotten. We also discuss time perception and why it speeds up or slows down depending on our age and stress level. We cover dreaming and the meaning of visual and other dream content. And we discuss the neuroscience of cultural and political polarization and how to remedy it. This episode provides science-based knowledge and practical tools you can use to enhance learning and better understand your experience of life in the past, present and future. Read the episode show notes at hubermanlab.com. Thank you to our sponsors AG1: https://drinkag1.com/huberman Mateina: https://drinkmateina.com/offer Rorra: https://rorra.com/huberman Lingo: https://hellolingo.com/huberman Function: https://functionhealth.com/huberman Timestamps (00:00:00) David Eagleman (00:02:35) Neuroplasticity & Learning; Cortex, Flexibility & Repurposing, Savantism (00:11:07) Sponsors: Mateina & Rorra (00:13:27) Specialization vs Diversification, Practice; Internet & Curiosity (00:22:05) Building a Well-Rounded Brain, Tool: Critical Thinking & Creativity (00:28:18) Neuroplasticity & Adults, Tools: Novelty & Challenge (00:32:41) Neuromodulators & Plasticity, Psychedelics; Directed Plasticity (00:38:50) Sponsor: AG1 (00:39:41) Building a Better Future Self, Tool: Ulysses Contract to Avoid Bad Behaviors (00:50:13) Brain Chatter, Aphantasia & Practice (00:56:57) Specialization vs Diverse Experience, Childhood & Brain (01:00:50) Space & Time Perception, Tool: Space-Time Bridging Meditation (01:06:17) Are We Good at Estimating Time?; Fear, Time & Memory (01:11:23) Sponsor: Lingo (01:12:53) Fearful Situations & Time Perception; Joyful Events & Novelty, Tool: Do Things Differently (01:18:56) Staying in the Present, Mental Illness & Time Domains, Addiction (01:27:09) Social Media, Addiction, Curiosity (01:30:51) Vision & Auditory Deficits, Sensory Substitution, Neosensory Wristband (01:35:26) Sponsor: Function (01:37:13) Sensory Reliance, Echolocation, Potato Head Theory, Sensory Addition (01:41:36) Why We Dream, Vision & Neuroplasticity, REM Sleep, Blindness (01:49:55) Victims, Fear, Memory Drift & Recall, Eyewitness Testimony & Jury Education (01:56:10) Kids vs Adults, Memory Manipulation; Photos (01:59:27) Polarization, In vs Out Groups, Empathy; Fairness (02:06:31) Polarization, Reward vs Punishment; Propaganda, Language, Complexification (02:19:27) Current Projects; Acknowledgements (02:21:44) Zero-Cost Support, YouTube, Spotify & Apple Follow, Reviews & Feedback, Sponsors, Protocols Book, Social Media, Neural Network Newsletter Disclaimer & Disclosures Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Allie opens the week fired up, drawing eerie parallels between 2020's BLM-fueled chaos and today's anti-ICE protests. She exposes the manufactured outrage, media double standards, and toxic empathy that shield criminals while demonizing law enforcement and Christians. Allie digs into why liberal women — especially Gen Z white progressive women — fall hardest for these traps, channeling misplaced mothering instincts into activism and politics instead of children, leading to bitterness, instability, and selective empathy. She breaks down the viral article “Why Young Women Moved Left While Young Men Stayed Sane” by Vittorio, citing data on the growing gender-political divide, social media's consensus engine, university echo chambers, declining marriage and motherhood priorities, and women's higher agreeableness, making them more susceptible to propaganda. This is a no-nonsense call to critical thinking, discernment, and biblical clarity. Buy Allie's book "Toxic Empathy: How Progressives Exploit Christian Compassion": ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.toxicempathy.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ --- Timecodes: (00:00) Intro (03:30) 2020 Deja Vu (11:50) Discerning the News (20:20) Why Women Move Left (26:30) Seeking Social Harmony (31:00) Polarization of Politics (34:15) Influence of Social Media (40:55) Influence of Universities (48:00) How Marriage Changes Perspective (58:50) Spiritual Crisis for Women (01:04:40) Biblical Response --- Today's Sponsors: Good Ranchers | To support a company that's committed to honoring America's past, present, and future, visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠GoodRanchers.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ today. And if you subscribe to any Good Ranchers box of 100% American meat, you'll save up to $500 a year! Plus, if you use the code ALLIE, you'll get an additional $25 off your first order. Re-Prev | Re-Prev supports your body in shifting out of fight-or-flight mode to a relaxed state of calm. Go to ⁠⁠⁠WholesomeIsBetter.com⁠⁠⁠ and use discount code ALLIE at checkout for 20% off your order.   Every Life | Visit ⁠⁠⁠⁠EveryLife.com⁠⁠⁠⁠ and use promo code ALLIE10 to get 10% off your first order today!  Crowd Health | Join CrowdHealth to get started today for $99 for your first three months using code ALLIE at ⁠⁠⁠JoinCrowdHealth.com⁠⁠⁠⁠. CrowdHealth is not insurance. Opt out. Take your power back. This is how we win. Legacy Box | Visit ⁠⁠LegacyBox.com/Allie⁠⁠ to save 55% when you digitize your memories. ⁠⁠ Alliance Defending Freedom | Your prayers are essential in this important fight. Join Alliance Defending Freedom in praying for these cases. Visit ⁠JoinADF.com/Allie⁠ or text “ALLIE” to 83848 to claim your free prayer guide on this issue. --- Episodes you might like:⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Ep 1287 | Why Your Aunt Hates ICE: A Spiritual Analysis of Liberal Women ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/relatable-with-allie-beth-stuckey/id1359249098?i=1000744895339⁠ Ep 1014 | Anti-White Racism in the Church, at Work & in Law | Guest: Jeremy Carl ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-1014-anti-white-racism-in-the-church-at-work-in/id1359249098?i=1000657966250⁠ Ep 328 | Cancel Culture, Antifa & BLM Strike Again ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-328-cancel-culture-antifa-blm-strike-again/id1359249098?i=1000499199303⁠ Ep 282 | Exposing & Opposing Social Justice Theology | Guest: Dr. Voddie Baucham ⁠https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/ep-282-exposing-opposing-social-justice-theology-guest/id1359249098?i=1000486696085⁠ --- Buy Allie's book "You're Not Enough (and That's Okay): Escaping the Toxic Culture of Self-Love": ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.alliebethstuckey.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Relatable merchandise: Use promo code ALLIE10 for a discount: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://shop.blazemedia.com/collections/allie-stuckey⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

What happens when everyone knows what everyone knows? Neil deGrasse Tyson and comic co-host Chuck Nice dive into human psychology and how recursive common knowledge is the invisible glue holding civilization together with cognitive scientist and author, Steven Pinker.NOTE: StarTalk+ Patrons can listen to this entire episode commercial-free.Thanks to our Patrons Zypherior (Fjottrik), Brett Peterson, Sheila Weinhardt, baltimega, Eric Gouse, Mathias Toft, Mike, Alex Boyer, Joey, Nathan, Mark, logan, Tal Rozow, Craig F, Nathir Kassam, Doug Calli, Artem, Jay Sawyer, Owen Aston, Tyler, smbriggs1, Galaxy Master, Stephanie Edwards, Fahad Sadiq, Erasmus, Margaret Kaczorowski, Julia, Marie Rausku, Andrew Talley, Wayne2566, Rob Weber, Eric Cabrera, Galarian Rowlet, Mark S. Meadows, Alexander Burov, Christopher Knight, Dan, William Hughes-Ruddell, Lisa R., Alison Broussard, Alex M. Zepeda, Michael Kroll, Caroline Cockrell, Shakeel Kadri, Cassondra Lowe, Ethan Rudkin, Fabio Scopel, Denisse Bermudez, Jacqui Wakeley, Nick, Shelley, Christina, RT, Jan Souček, Christopher NAVARRETTE, Ken, Dek Shanaghy, Matthew Bosheh, Ms. Netta, Deciphering Yiddish, DxGhostHawk, Olga Cadilla, Rick Prunty, Young Hahn, Yen-Chen Lee, Gail Reed Lobo, Joe Horner, Eps15 Unc, HiTecLoLife, Shazia, PatienceHoney, James Watson, Alex Court, Rylan Accalia, Alex1016, Çağlayan (Chao) Karagözler, Nick Parks, Christopher Causey, William, Dana, Dagim Afework Mekonnen, joseph Rollins, ulus, Brent Knoll, Ron Mueller, Rosa Harris, Casey Hall, Jill Whalen, Honey Moon, Neicy, Justin Laning, Chris Mackenzie, Malik Sankofa, and Jeff Allmendinger for supporting us this week. Subscribe to SiriusXM Podcasts+ to listen to new episodes of StarTalk Radio ad-free and a whole week early.Start a free trial now on Apple Podcasts or by visiting siriusxm.com/podcastsplus. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.