Politics and Religion. We’re not supposed to talk about that, right? Wrong! We only say that nowadays because the loudest, most extreme voices have taken over the whole conversation. Well, we‘re taking some of that space back! If you’re dying for some dialogue instead of all the yelling; if you know it’s okay to have differences without having to hate each other; if you believe politics and religion are too important to let ”the screamers” drown out the rest of us and would love some engaging, provocative and fun conversations about this stuff, then ”Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other” is for you!
Episodes
3 days ago
3 days ago
In this episode, host Corey Nathan welcomes Kamy Akhavan, Executive Director at the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future and former CEO of ProCon.org. Kamy shares his extraordinary journey from war-torn Iran to becoming a champion of civil discourse and political bridge-building in the United States.
What We Discuss:
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Kamy’s powerful immigration story and personal connection to today’s immigration challenges
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What's actually happening in Los Angeles vs what many news programs are showing
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How debate and listening helped shape Kamy’s open-minded leadership
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The mission of USC’s Center for the Political Future and its bipartisan impact
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The root causes of polarization and how we can counteract them
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Why respect, listening, and humility are foundational for meaningful dialogue
Episode Highlights:
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[00:01:00] Kamy’s homage to Parliament Funkadelic and Sly Stone
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[00:06:00] Living through war in Iran and escaping with his family
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[00:14:00] Adjusting to poverty in Louisiana and finding strength in education
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[00:18:00] Discovering a passion for political discourse through debate
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[00:27:00] Leaving management consulting to lead ProCon.org
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[00:30:00] Kamy's role at USC’s Center for the Political Future
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[00:39:00] Building a culture where tough conversations can happen respectfully
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[00:55:00] A deeper look into today’s immigration debates and polarization
Featured Quotes:
"Every person you meet knows more than you do about something. If you approach with humility, every conversation becomes a chance to learn." — Kamy Akhavan
"If you really want to be a powerful advocate for your cause, the best tool you have isn’t your mouth—it’s your ears." — Kamy Akhavan
"We all inherit democracy. And that inheritance is a gift many have died for." — Kamy Akhavan
Resources Mentioned:
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USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future: https://dornsife-center-for-political-future.usc.edu/
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ProCon.org: https://www.procon.org/
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The Democracy Group: https://www.democracygroup.org/
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡
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