Can we fix America’s toxic political culture? | Josh Bandoch

Can we fix America’s toxic political culture? | Josh Bandoch

From Defending Ideas by Sutherland Institute

April 7, 2026 · 50 min · Season 1 · Episode 141

About this episode

The episode discusses the polarization of political culture and the importance of persuasion in improving political discourse.

Political debates today often feel more like battles than conversations. But what if the deeper problem in our disagreements is that we have forgotten how persuasion actually works? On this episode of Defending Ideas, host Nic Dunn is joined by Josh Bandoch , author of How to Get What You Want: Mastering the Art and Science of Persuasion, to examine why political culture has become so polarized and what can be done to improve it. Their conversation explores the difference between persuasion and winning, the psychology of how people actually change their minds, and why storytelling, shared values, and a focus on others are essential for reducing polarization and achieving meaningful progress in public life. Show notes: How to Get What You Want: Mastering the Art and Science of Persuasion, by Josh Bandoch How to be more persuasive | Joshua Bandoch | TEDxIllinois Tech How to keep politics civil Defending Ideas is a weekly podcast produced by Sutherland Institute. On this show, we are committed to renewing the principles of common sense conservatism, making you a better champion of sound ideas. Visit defendingideas.org.

People in this episode

Host: Nic Dunn

Guest: Josh Bandoch

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Mentioned in this episode

Books & works: How to Get What You Want: Mastering the Art and Science of Persuasion

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