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Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt — the popular Republican who has won all three of his mayoral elections with at least 60% of the vote — joins the Chuck Toddcast to make an impassioned and deeply substantive case for pluralism as the foundation of the entire American experiment. Holt, who recently gave a notable speech on the subject, argues that the American system was fundamentally built on the acceptance of pluralism and the idea that compromise should produce something "good enough" rather than perfect for any single faction — and that the founders gave us a pretty good system specifically designed to channel disagreement away from political violence. The problem, Holt argues, is that the system is now actively making compromise harder. He points to closed partisan primaries as a central culprit: because he faces all voters rather than a narrow partisan base, he's incentivized to build consensus, but most candidates today are forced to pass bizarre litmus tests with base voters and campaign on culture-war messaging rather than the bread-and-butter issues people actually care about. The conversation broadens into the structural and cultural threats Holt sees to a pluralistic society. He argues this era has revealed the long-ignored flaws in American democracy — that we've all taken the system for granted — and makes the case that getting rid of closed partisan primaries, sometimes through ballot initiatives, is one of the most important reforms available, provided it's done in a way that doesn't simply flip parties or states for partisan advantage but instead empowers minority-party voters to act as genuine swing votes. Holt is sharp on education's role in all of this: he worries that the voucherization of schools and the explosion of private schools risk teaching kids in ideological monocultures, and laments the erosion of civics education over the past two decades, noting that public schools deliberately deemphasized social studies after No Child Left Behind. He and Chuck dig into whether pluralism can even be taught or whether it has to be lived in a genuinely diverse place, the difficulty of having a nuanced public conversation about AI data centers, and the housing crisis that Holt argues is not getting nearly enough attention from either the national media or Washington — closing with a concrete look at what a federal housing bill would actually mean for a fast-growing city like Oklahoma City. Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CHUCKTODDCAST at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chucktoddcast Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast 00:45 Was the city in mourning after the OKC Thunder lost? 02:30 Are San Antonio and OKC set to become rival cities? 04:30 The mayor gave a speech about the importance of pluralism 05:15 The American experiment is based on the acceptance of pluralism 06:00 Compromise should result in “good enough”, not perfect for anybody 07:30 The founders gave us a pretty good system to avoid political violence 09:45 Nowadays, the system is making compromise harder 10:30 OKC’s politics mirror the country, went 49-48 for Trump in ‘24 12:00 Won all three mayoral elections with at least 60% of the vote 12:45 Mayor faces all voters rather than closed partisan primaries 14:00 Electoral system needs to incentivize consensus building 15:45 Candidates used to campaign on their ability to work across the aisle 17:15 Messaging from gubernatorial candidates are not bread & butter issues 18:30 Candidates are forced to pass bizarre litmus tests with base voters 20:30 Can you teach pluralism, or do you have to live in a diverse place? 22:15 There are always opposing views that exist even in highly red/blue areas 24:30 This era has revealed the flaws/weaknesses of our democracy 25:30 We’ve all taken our system for granted 26:00 We have to get away from closed partisan primaries 28:00 How do you convince parties in power to open up primaries to more voters? 29:00 Some states can get rid of partisan primaries via ballot initiatives 30:45 The process shouldn’t flip parties or states 32:30 Voters in the minority should act as swing votes 34:45 Voucherization of schools can lead kids to learning in a monoculture 36:15 There’s been explosion in the creation of private schools 38:00 There’s been an erosion in civics education the past two decades 39:30 Public schools deemphasized social studies after No Child Left Behind 41:45 Can the electorate have a nuanced conversation around AI data centers? 43:30 Hard for elected officials to go against the NIMBY crowd 44:00 Politicians have to argue for the positive trade offs 45:15 Bringing in tech and investment used to be good politics, it’s not with data centers 45:45 Housing is the issue that’s not getting enough attention from media & DC 46:45 What would the housing bill do for you in OKC?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Chuck Todd breaks down a seismic primary night in New York, where Mamdani-backed Democratic Socialist candidates swept their races — and argues the DSA may be on the verge of becoming the far-left equivalent of the Freedom Caucus, a small but disciplined faction capable of making the establishment's life genuinely miserable. The most stunning data point: Chuck argues Chuck Schumer likely couldn't win a Democratic primary anywhere in New York right now, that Dan Goldman lost his primary handily, and that while Schumer clearly shouldn't run again, politicians rarely walk away on their own. It was also a quietly bad night for Hakeem Jeffries, and Chuck raises the genuinely open question of whether Jeffries would even survive a primary challenge — and whether he still has a clear path to the speakership if Democrats take the House. The strategic lesson the left has internalized, Chuck argues, is that the smaller the Democratic majority, the more leverage a committed progressive bloc can apply, which means Democrats may have to govern in a fundamentally different way than their leadership wants. But Chuck repeatedly returns to the central tension: this brand of far-left politics plays beautifully in coastal cities but the socialist label simply doesn't travel well elsewhere, the rise of far-left politics has become uncomfortably intertwined with rising antisemitism, pro-Israel Democrats may soon find themselves politically homeless, and the real test will be whether progressives can win anywhere outside their urban strongholds. It all amounts, Chuck says, to a genuine fight for the heart and soul of the Democratic Party. He closes with a heartfelt remembrance of former Federal Reserve Chairman Alan Greenspan, who passed away at 100 — recalling a man who always grounded his opinions in data, and what a personal treat it was to have known him. Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt — the popular Republican who has won all three of his mayoral elections with at least 60% of the vote — joins the Chuck Toddcast to make an impassioned and deeply substantive case for pluralism as the foundation of the entire American experiment. Holt, who recently gave a notable speech on the subject, argues that the American system was fundamentally built on the acceptance of pluralism and the idea that compromise should produce something "good enough" rather than perfect for any single faction — and that the founders gave us a pretty good system specifically designed to channel disagreement away from political violence. The problem, Holt argues, is that the system is now actively making compromise harder. He points to closed partisan primaries as a central culprit: because he faces all voters rather than a narrow partisan base, he's incentivized to build consensus, but most candidates today are forced to pass bizarre litmus tests with base voters and campaign on culture-war messaging rather than the bread-and-butter issues people actually care about. The conversation broadens into the structural and cultural threats Holt sees to a pluralistic society. He argues this era has revealed the long-ignored flaws in American democracy — that we've all taken the system for granted — and makes the case that getting rid of closed partisan primaries, sometimes through ballot initiatives, is one of the most important reforms available, provided it's done in a way that doesn't simply flip parties or states for partisan advantage but instead empowers minority-party voters to act as genuine swing votes. Holt is sharp on education's role in all of this: he worries that the voucherization of schools and the explosion of private schools risk teaching kids in ideological monocultures, and laments the erosion of civics education over the past two decades, noting that public schools deliberately deemphasized social studies after No Child Left Behind. He and Chuck dig into whether pluralism can even be taught or whether it has to be lived in a genuinely diverse place, the difficulty of having a nuanced public conversation about AI data centers, and the housing crisis that Holt argues is not getting nearly enough attention from either the national media or Washington — closing with a concrete look at what a federal housing bill would actually mean for a fast-growing city like Oklahoma City. Finally, skip the reflecting pool… Chuck presents his ToddCast Top 5 list of his favorite Washington D.C. monuments & answers listeners’ questions in the Ask Chuck segment. Link in bio or go to https://getsoul.com & enter code TODDCAST for 30% off your first order. Protect your family with life insurance from Ethos. Get up to $3 million in coverage in as little as 10 minutes at https://ethos.com/chuck. Application times may vary. Rates may vary. Refresh your wardrobe with Quince. Go to https://Quince.com/chuck for free shipping on your order and 365-day returns. Take your personal data back with Incogni! Use code CHUCKTODDCAST at the link below and get 60% off an annual plan: https://incogni.com/chucktoddcast Timeline: (Timestamps may vary based on advertisements) 00:00 Chuck Todd’s introduction 04:00 Mamdani backed DSA candidates sweep in NY primaries 06:00 Democratic socialists could become the far left equivalent of Freedom Caucus? 06:45 Chuck Schumer likely couldn’t win any Democratic primary in New York 07:30 Dan Goldman lost his primary handily 09:45 Schumer shouldn’t run again, but politicians rarely walk away 10:30 It was a bad night for Hakeem Jeffries, would he survive a primary? 13:30 The left has learned that you can make life miserable for the establishment 15:00 The smaller the Dems majority, the more pressure the left can apply in Congress 15:45 Hakeem Jeffries may not have a clear path to the speakership 17:00 Democrats will have to govern differently if the majority is narrow 19:00 The far left politics play on the coasts, but can it win elsewhere? 21:45 The socialist label doesn’t travel well outside the left leaning cities 23:30 Far-left politics has become intertwined with rise of antisemitism 24:45 Pro-Israel Democrats could become politically homeless 25:45 Big test will be if progressive can win elsewhere 27:45 There’s a real fight for the heart and soul of the Democratic party29:00 Alan Greenspan passes away at the age of 100 30:30 Greenspan always grounded his opinions in data 33:15 It was a treat to know Alan Greenspan personally 41:45 Mayor David Holt joins the Chuck ToddCast 42:30 Was the city in mourning after the OKC Thunder lost? 44:15 Are San Antonio and OKC set to become rival cities? 46:15 The mayor gave a speech about the importance of pluralism 47:00 The American experiment is based on the acceptance of pluralism 47:45 Compromise should result in “good enough”, not perfect for anybody 49:15 The founders gave us a pretty good system to avoid political violence 51:30 Nowadays, the system is making compromise harder 52:15 OKC’s politics mirror the country, went 49-48 for Trump in ‘24 53:45 Won all three mayoral elections with at least 60% of the vote 54:30 Mayor faces all voters rather than closed partisan primaries 55:45 Electoral system needs to incentivize consensus building 57:30 Candidates used to campaign on their ability to work across the aisle 59:00 Messaging from gubernatorial candidates are not bread & butter issues 01:00:15 Candidates are forced to pass bizarre litmus tests with base voters 01:02:15 Can you teach pluralism, or do you have to live in a diverse place? 01:04:00 There are always opposing views that exist even in highly red/blue areas 01:06:15 This era has revealed the flaws/weaknesses of our democracy 01:07:15 We’ve all taken our system for granted 01:07:45 We have to get away from closed partisan primaries 01:09:45 How do you convince parties in power to open up primaries to more voters? 01:10:45 Some states can get rid of partisan primaries via ballot initiatives 01:12:30 The process shouldn’t flip parties or states 01:14:15 Voters in the minority should act as swing votes 01:16:30 Voucherization of schools can lead kids to learning in a monoculture 01:18:00 There’s been explosion in the creation of private schools 01:19:45 There’s been an erosion in civics education the past two decades 01:21:15 Public schools deemphasized social studies after No Child Left Behind 01:23:30 Can the electorate have a nuanced conversation around AI data centers? 01:25:15 Hard for elected officials to go against the NIMBY crowd 01:25:45 Politicians have to argue for the positive trade offs 01:27:00 Bringing in tech and investment used to be good politics, it’s not with data centers 01:27:30 Housing is the issue that’s not getting enough attention from media & DC 01:28:30 What would the housing bill do for you in OKC? 01:29:45 Chuck’s thoughts on the interview with Mayor David Holt 01:32:00 ToddCast Top 5 list 01:33:30 Top 5 historical attractions in Washington DC 01:35:45 Honorable Mention - Mount Vernon 01:37:15 #5 The World War I Memorial 01:38:45 #4 Albert Einstein Memorial 01:40:30 #3 Arlington National Cemetery 01:43:00 #2 Korean War Memorial 01:44:15 #1 Vietnam Veterans Memorial 01:47:15 Ask Chuck 01:47:30 Thoughts on the predictions Trump might not finish his term? 01:56:15 Do leaders rise due to the political moment, or do they make the history? 02:03:00 Does George W Bush’s “go shopping” mindset say something about boomers? 02:09:15 Where would you rank the Iran war amongst top presidential blunders? 02:18:45 Why can’t the country ever deal with long term crises in advance? 02:23:15 How do you manage to juggle your busy schedule? 02:27:15 Does Trump’s leadership style hurt the ability to make peace?See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Polarization
Send Wilk a text with your feedback! (incoming msgs only - I can't reply) Diego Sanchez grew up undocumented in the United States. Jim Robb spent nearly thirty years fighting for immigration restrictions. They sat down at the same table, and discovered something neither of them fully expected: they could trust each other.This bonus episode drops ahead of the 2026 Braver Angels National Convention in Philadelphia—where Diego and Jim are serving as co-chairs. The Citizens Commission on Immigration, which grew out of the 2024 Braver Angels convention, is the driving force behind their story. It's a first-of-its-kind effort: bringing together longtime adversaries from across the immigration debate to find areas of common ground serious enough to actually matter. The conversation covers how this commission came together, what changed when people who'd been shouting past each other finally started listening, and why "common ground" doesn't mean "mushy middle." Jim and Diego still disagree on plenty. But they've figured out how to disagree without writing each other off—and that shift is exactly what the commission is trying to scale. If you're heading to the Braver Angels National Convention this week, or if you've written off immigration as a topic too toxic to touch, this one's for you. Learn more at braverangels.org/citizens-commission-on-immigration. The world is a better place if we are better people. Be grateful for all you've got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!Please follow the DTH podcast on:Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube, Substack 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.
Mazhar Abbas is a prominent Pakistani journalist, senior analyst, and staunch advocate for press freedom, born on July 6, 1958. Known for his extensive 27-year career, he currently works with Geo News and Daily Jang, previously holding senior roles at ARY News and serving as the secretary-general of the Pakistan Federal Union of Journalists. The Pakistan Experience is an independently produced podcast looking to tell stories about Pakistan through conversations. Please consider supporting us on Patreon:https://www.patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceTo support the channel:Jazzcash/Easypaisa - 0325 -2982912Patreon.com/thepakistanexperienceAnd Please stay in touch:https://twitter.com/ThePakistanExp1https://www.facebook.com/thepakistanexperiencehttps://instagram.com/thepakistanexpeperienceThe podcast is hosted by comedian and writer, Shehzad Ghias Shaikh. Shehzad is a Fulbright scholar with a Masters in Theatre from Brooklyn College. He is also one of the foremost Stand-up comedians in Pakistan and frequently writes for numerous publications. Instagram.com/shehzadghiasshaikhFacebook.com/Shehzadghias/Twitter.com/shehzad89Join this channel to get access to perks:https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC44l9XMwecN5nSgIF2Dvivg/joinChapters: 0:00 Chapters2:00 Vote of No Confidence, Military vs Democracy 7:00 Benazir Bhutto 19:05 Imran Khan22:19 Sindh and PPP28:00 Electoral politics vs non-electoral politics 30:42 PPP and Political Victimization 35:00 Political Process and Establishment controlling politics44:00 Charter of Democracy 54:33 Altaf Hussain, MQM, Imran Farooq and Azeem Tariq1:12:30 MQM and Muhajir Representation 1:28:10 Establishment, Political Parties and the political process 1:40:25 People suffered for supporting PPP and political culture1:48:40 Journalism, abusing Zia ul Haq and being targeted by MQM 1:56:30 Journalism, Media and Polarization 2:03:14 Rashid Latif and Match Fixing 2:08:00 Revolt in Pakistan Hockey and Pakistan going to India to play 2:11:00 Audience Questions
Send us Fan MailNEW EPISODE: Today I have the privilege of talking with an author, a pastor, and an influencer whose journey is as compelling as it is timely. Dr. Caleb Campbell is the lead pastor of Desert Springs Bible Church in Phoenix, Arizona, the author of Disarming Leviathan: Loving Your Christian Nationalist Neighbor, and one of the featured voices in the podcast series When the Wolves Came: Evangelicals Resisting Extremism.What makes Caleb's story so remarkable is that his understanding of extremism isn't merely academic. As a teenager, he was drawn into the world of neo-Nazi skinheads before eventually finding his way to Christian faith. Years later, after becoming a lead pastor, he began recognizing disturbing echoes of that same ideology emerging inside American evangelicalism—especially after the 2016 election, through the pandemic, and in the aftermath of January 6.In this conversation, we explore what Christian nationalism really is, why it has become so attractive to many believers, and why Caleb believes condemnation isn't the answer. Instead, he calls us to courageous conversations, deep listening, and radical hospitality. If you've struggled to understand friends or family caught up in today's political and religious polarization, I think you'll find this conversation honest, challenging, deeply compassionate—and filled with hope.I can also make this version a little more personal and conversational, in the style you've been using for your recent Beached White Male introductions.SHOW NOTES - including links to Caleb's book and the When the Wolves Came PodcastSupport the showBecome a Patron - Click on the link to learn how you can become a Patron of the show. Thank you!Ken's Substack PageThe Podcast Official Site: TheBeachedWhiteMale.com
In this conversation, Amar Peterman and I get into the slow, local, unglamorous work of becoming neighbors across real difference. We talk about the table as the place where the common good gets built, and why so many of us are far more comfortable playing host than being hosted - flinging our doors open without ever considering who actually walks through them. We get into hospitality as displacement, an accompaniment that refuses to leave, Thomas learning you can't reason your way to resurrection, and an imagination that can see life where everything around us insists there's only division. Here's the challenge: we have to learn to receive before we can ever give, to love people beyond their labels, and to start right where we are, with the one neighbor in front of us.Amar D. Peterman is a constructive theologian working at the intersection of faith and public life. He is the founder of Scholarship for Religion and Society LLC and the former assistant director of civic networks at Interfaith America. Peterman holds an MDiv from Princeton Theological Seminary and is currently a PhD student at the University of Chicago Divinity School. His writing and research have been featured in Sojourners, Christianity Today, The Christian Century,The Fetzer Institute, The Berkley Forum, and more. He also publishes regularly on his Substack, This Common Life.Amar's Book:Becoming NeighborsAmar's Recommendations:Make Your Home in this Luminous DarkGlimmeringsConnect with Joshua: jjohnson@shiftingculturepodcast.comGo to www.shiftingculturepodcast.com to interact and donate. Every donation helps to produce more podcasts for you to enjoy.Follow on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, Threads, Bluesky or YouTubeSupport the podcast and the ministry that my wife and I do around the world. Just click on the support the show link below Support the show
Hello everyone. Welcome to the latest episode of The Matchbox Podcast powered by Ignition Coach Co. I'm your host, Adam Saban, and on this week's episode we're talking about the opportunity costs of late-night training, some of the nuances of polarized training, and weighing the pros/cons of new bike day and what to look for in a budget build. As always, if you like what you hear, share this with your friends and leave us a five star review and if you have any questions for the show drop us an email at matchboxpod@gmail.com or head over to ignitioncoachco.com and fill out The Matchbox Podcast listener question form. Alight let's get into it! For more social media content, follow along @ignitioncoachco @adamsaban6 @dizzle_dillman @dylanjawnson @kait.maddox https://patreon.com/MatchboxPodcast?utm_medium=unknown&utm_source=join_link&utm_campaign=creatorshare_creator&utm_content=copyLink https://www.youtube.com/c/DylanJohnsonCycling https://www.ignitioncoachco.com https://www.youtube.com/@DrewDillmanChannel Intro/ Outro music by AlexGrohl - song "King Around Here" - https://pixabay.com/music/id-15045/ The following was generated using Riverside.fm AI technologies Timestamps: 00:00 - Race day announcement and course overview at Red River Gorge 02:33 - Course adjustments for accessibility and gravel versus road focus 03:55 - Comparing the riding experience in Townsend and Gorge 06:50 - Post-ride recovery strategies for late-night workouts 08:55 - Impact of workout timing on sleep quality and metabolic health 10:15 - Benefits of early morning workouts and routine transformation 13:19 - Nutrition considerations: carbs, protein, and sleep quality after training 15:37 - How to handle evening training on a budget and nutritional tips 17:34 - The importance of sleep for recovery and adaptation 19:42 - Training focus: polarized model, zones, and intensity distribution 23:06 - Avoiding threshold training pitfalls and balancing energy systems 27:35 - The value of periodization and race-specific training phases 33:28 - Gear advice for entry-level racers: affordable bikes and customization options 36:33 - Upgrading your bike on a budget: used market tips and component choices 44:33 - Conclusions: riding your existing mountain bike and considering used components
Welcome to In Reality, the podcast about truth, disinformation, and the media with Eric Schurenberg, longtime journalist and media executive, now founder of the Alliance for Trust in Media. When Eric interviewed Rob Sand last summer, his run for Iowa governor had more than a whiff of tilting at windmills. He remains the only Democrat to hold statewide elected office in a state that hasn't elected a Democrat to the governorship in more than 20 years and that Trump carried in 2024 by 13 points. Sand's prospects have drastically improved. Nothing quixotic about it now. He has run a campaign that may be one of the most bi-partisan in the country, by accusing both parties as out of touch with Iowans. His Republican opponent, Zach Lahn, has vulnerabilities, including that he voted in Kansas until recently, allowing Sand's campaign to label him a carpetbagger. Which is why we decided to encore last summer's interview. We'll hear how Sand plans to persuade Republicans to cross party lines and vote for him. We'll hear what personal qualities he thinks can bridge political divides and how, in his own life, he manages to avoid being trapped in the filter bubbles that make America's media ecosystem so toxic to civil discourse. Imagine an election in which the deciding principle isn't 'let's choose the lesser of two evils', but rather, 'may the best man win'. What a concept. Website - free episode transcriptswww.in-reality.fmAlliance for Trust in Mediaalliancefortrust.comProduced by Tom Platts at Sound Sapiensoundsapien.com
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.
In this episode, Chris and Mark speak with Robert (Bob) Eccles, godfather of the sustainability disclosure movement, Oxford professor, and so much more. The interview builds off an exploration of Bob's most recent book, An American's Guide to Climate Change: How America Can Lead and Prosper. Bob wrote the book for the vast majority of Americans on the left and right who recognize climate change impacts and want something done—the book outlines what and how. From that base, the conversation extends to explore how climate change is a growing part of right-wing politics, especially for younger voters, and the different kinds of solutions they favor. Bob also opines on the state of corporate sustainability disclosure and its likely path forward, then closes with some unique advice for listeners.
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. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices
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.
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
Care More Be Better: Social Impact, Sustainability + Regeneration Now
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.
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.
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
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