How Do We Fix It?

Liberals and conservatives are caught in a politically toxic feedback loop. Our guest, Zachary Elwood, argues that when people express contempt for those on the other side, they contribute to a cycle of conflict that weakens our nation.Increasingly, Americans view polarization as a worsening crisis. Two-thirds say the political system is too divided to solve the nation’s problems. A New York Times - Siena University poll found that many more people now believe the system is broken compared with five years ago.Elwood explains that Americans don't just disagree on issues. We increasingly view our political adversaries as immoral, deluded, and dangerous. Our fear and contempt affect our stances on issues, making us more hardened in our views and less willing to compromise. Zachary Elwood is the author of two books on toxic polarization. The first was “Defusing American Anger”. On this podcast we hear all about his latest: “How Contempt Destroys Democracy”. The new book is written by a left-leaning author for members of his own side, who mostly believe that President Trump is a threat to democracy.We discuss evidence that liberal disdain for conservatives and misconceptions about what they actually believe have increased support for Trump by right-leaning voters.“I think it’s very important to separate leaders from people that vote for them,” Elwood tells How Do We Fix It? “My views of Trump have not changed. How I speak and think about people who voted for him have changed a lot.”Toxic polarization means we see political opponents as part of a monolithic movement. “We end up seeing the entire other side as boiling down to the most extreme people on that side… and pointing out the worst antisocial and rude behaviors,” he says. In this episode we discuss the work of More In Common and other groups that explore our misconceptions about political adversaries. We learn why it’s productive yet very difficult to criticize your own political tribe. We find out more about Braver Angels’ creative work to depolarize America.Elwood mentions several authors who help him understand the true nature of political polarization:Erica Etelson - “Beyond Contempt: How Liberals Can Communicate Across the Great Divide”.Taylor Dotson - “The Divide”.Robert Tallise - “Sustaining Democracy”. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

“Our political leaders— left, right, and center— have a thin view of citizenship,” says Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty. He argues that everything from healthcare and education to public safety and politics “is the work of we the people. That’s the robust idea of citizenship…Ultimately the big problems are those of all of us”This episode features an interview recorded for “Derate The Hate”, a podcast hosted by Wilk Wilkinson in collaboration with Braver Angels, the nationwide movement that brings citizens together across political divides, and pushes back against grievance, outrage and toxic polarization.As Wilk writes in his show notes about this interview: “This is not about partisan politics—it’s about restoring a sense of shared responsibility in our communities through intentional dialogue and real problem-solving.”Bill and Wilk discuss a new definition of citizenship and other topics, including how structured conversations can transform toxic divides, and why personal accountability is essential in civic life.Bill Doherty is co-founder of Braver Angels, professor at the University of Minnesota, and a nationally recognized expert in family therapy and civic healing. He is Director of the Minnesota Couples on the Brink Project at the University's Department of Family Social Science. Wilk Wilkinson is the new Director of Media Systems and Operations at Braver Angels. He plays a pivotal role in shaping national dialogue through conversations, storytelling and strategic media. His podcast, Derate The Hate, complements this mission by offering practical tools and conversations that inspire personal growth and civil engagement.“How Do We Fix It?” asks questions about critical solutions in public life. We report on the people, projects and ideas of Braver Angels. Our show is hosted by former ABC New Correspondent, podcast consultant and media coach, Richard Davies. Our producer, editor and sound designer is Miranda Shafer. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Political speech in America is all too often dominated by hyperbole. We don’t just disagree, we find those on the other side to be offensive or even worse. All too often the language of curiosity, nuance and humility is missing from our dialog.In this episode we look at a novel way to reach across the divide. During the spring, Minnesota Braver Angels leaders who live in the Minneapolis-St. Paul region decided to visit six small towns in rural parts of the state. Our guests are Melinda Voss, who leans blue, and Scott Schluter who leans red. We find out what they learned while on their nine-day "Reduce the Rancor" bus tour. Melinda, Scott and other volunteers organized a series of events, including red-blue workshops, meetings with local community leaders, and conversations with people in six towns. They also did a lot of listening.“To be a Braver Angel requires a bit of humility," Melinda told us. "Your side might not have all the answers, and you might be wrong, and you might have something to contribute that would be valuable.”Getting both sides together to talk instead of yelling across the partisan divide has taken on a new sense of urgency. Nowhere more so than in Minnesota, after recent politically-motivated murders of a Democratic state politician and her husband, and the shootings of another Democrat and his wife. The violence was  especially alarming in a state traditionally known for being “Minnesota Nice”, a term used to describe its courteous, mild-mannered, polite citizens. Here at How Do We Fix It? we look at ways to disagree better. Recent episodes have mainly focused on the people, projects and ideas of Braver Angels— an extraordinary collection of volunteers who work to depolarize America. More about our guests: Scott Schluter has been involved with Braver Angels as a red-leaning member since 2018, starting a Minneapolis Alliance in 2021 and then Minnesota State Co-coordinator in 2024. He spent a lifetime in photographic retail sales and management, which he’s found ties in greatly to the Braver Angel model of listening, asking great questions, acknowledging and working toward shared goals.Melinda Voss is one of two state coordinators for Braver Angels Minnesota. She leans blue. Now retired, she was a staff writer for the Des Moines Register and Tribune for nearly 26 years, taught journalism at three universities, co-founded the Association of Health Care Journalists, and served as public relations director for the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system.. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

If you’re disturbed or simply turned off by America's rigid political divisions this is the show for you. We discuss creative skills and practices that put a little hope back in your political lifeDoug Teschner and Beth Malow are co-authors of the forthcoming book "Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times." Their work builds on what they've both learned as bridge builders and Braver Angels volunteers. They also write about their work on Substack.Imagine a country where people of opposing political beliefs and different social, geographical and educational backgrounds get along pretty well, and manage to make progress together on vital issues that they care about. Our two guests show how it can be done."We've always had debate and disagreement," Doug tells us. "The concern now is that this has become personalized. If you don't agree with me that means you're evil." People should disagree, but when it's about "us versus them, this is really dangerous for our country."Most Americans want to get along, says Beth. "I just think there are forces out there tearing us apart because that's what they see their profit and power in... We need to stand up and say enough is enough. We're better than this."Beth Malow leans blue. Doug Teschner leans red. He is a former Republican State Legislator in New Hampshire. Doug served as a Peace Corps country director in Ukraine and West Africa. He volunteers for Braver Angels as New England political leader. Beth Malow is a neurology physician, science and health communicator and lives in Vermont. She is also a trained volunteer moderator and debate chair for Braver Angels.This is our latest episode on the people, projects, and ideas of Braver Angels: The volunteer-led nationwide citizens’ group that’s working to bring people together across rigid and often antagonistic divides. During our interview Beth mentioned a May 20th Braver Angels New Hampshire debate that she's involved with.Our podcast host, Richard Davies, is a media trainer who works with clients to strengthen their public speaking, messaging, and interview skills. His email is daviescontentatgmail,com. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We release this show at a moment of high political drama. Economics, financial markets, and America’s relations with the rest of the world are in a state of tumult. So how on earth do we talk with and listen to people on the other side? Should you even try? Jessie Mannisto, Director of Debates at Braver Angels says “yes!” In this episode we learn why understanding those who you disagree with is a vital first step to repairing civic relations. We discuss the First 100 Days Debates: “Is President Trump Making America Great?” Braver Angels is holding a series of structured debates this spring on birthright citizenship, DEI, foreign policy, the limits of executive power and more.Everyone has an opinion about the President and his Administration. “Right now we are all in some way emotionally activated, whether with triumph or with fear and anger,” Jess tells How Do We Fix It? host Richard Davies. “At Braver Angels we are coming together to try to live well in a polarized time.”This episode is our latest report on the people, projects, and ideas of America’s largest cross-partisan group that’s boosting civic friendship. Bringing Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic is vital work. At a time of so much anger and misunderstanding the repair of our national conversation may be the biggest challenge the nation faces. Subscribe to our podcast. Like us at your favorite podcast platform. Head to Braver Angels to learn more about the work they’re doing.Jessie Mannisto came to Braver Angels as a volunteer after being "cancelled" by friends for disagreeing with some of their political views—an experience that led her to seek a space where she could, in the words of the Braver Angels Way, "speak freely and fully without fear." Now she works to cultivate such a space for others, regardless of their beliefs. She also trains Braver Angels members to chair their own debates; one major part of this is mastering our own responses to fear and anger so that we can support others in doing the same, learning from those emotions what they are trying to tell us and using this information constructively.Before joining Braver Angels, Jessie served as a leadership analyst at the Central Intelligence Agency focusing on Eastern Europe. She is also the founder and editor emerita of Third Factor, a magazine and membership community for creative and intellectually excitable people striving to develop and live by their values. She is a native of Detroit, Michigan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

What do you think of people who you totally disagree with about politics? Can you listen to their point of view and have a constructive conversation? Do you dismiss the other side as evil or deplorable?In this episode we hear from Wilk Wilkinson, a Christian conservative who voted for Donald Trump. He has working class roots and grew up poor. A decade ago Wilk was enraged at liberals, but today he’s working closely with both reds and blues at Braver Angels to turn down the volume on loathing and distrust.“There’s no reason why I can’t have civil conversations with people on the blue side”, says Wilk. “We cannot get stuck in this idea that just because politically we don’t see eye-to-eye we are enemies.”Wilk’s podcast is “Derate the Hate.” He’s had “guests from all over the spectrum and talked about gratitude, forgiveness, and personal accountability” with authors, journalists, life coaches, and psychologists.“I’ve taken away incredible things from people who I disagree with vehemently on politics and most other things”, Wilk told us. “We’ve all got our blind spots, but not one of us is not worth talking to.”Wilk works in the trucking industry in central Minnesota. He describes himself as a devoted husband, a loving father, and a steadfast Christian conservative. He came from humble beginnings and as a child lived in small towns across the upper Midwest. Wilk started working at the age of 10 and hasn’t stopped.Through his podcast and personal experiences, Wilk shares candidly about the power of personal accountability, gratitude, and civility. He firmly believes that our reactions to life's challenges define us more than the challenges themselves. In his view, civility entails recognizing the humanity in everyone, regardless of our differences, our differing opinions, and/or backgrounds.Wilk says his journey from adversity to success in his career, marriage, and parenting exemplifies the transformative power of perseverance and self-improvement. His podcast and work as a volunteer leader with Braver Angels, offer hope, guidance, practical tips and tools for positive change. Wilk was recently named to the Board of Advisors at the Prohuman Foundation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.