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 Liz Joyner, founder and president of The Village Square, a civic organization dedicated to bridging divides and fostering dialogue across political and cultural lines. Liz shares the story behind founding The Village Square, her passion for preserving democratic values, and her experience navigating political polarization with grace, humor, and tenacity. As dear friends and collaborators, Corey and Liz offer listeners a heartfelt and insightful conversation about the importance of disagreement, empathy, and genuine connection.
What You Will Learn:
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How Liz Joyner built The Village Square to combat political divisiveness
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The power of human connection and shared experiences in fostering civic trust
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Key strategies for having meaningful conversations across ideological divides
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Why now is a pivotal moment for preserving democracy and civil discourse
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How personal stories and experiences shape our political views and actions
Episode Highlights:
- [00:01:00] Introduction to Liz Joyner and her work with The Village Square
- [00:06:00] Reflecting on her family’s military background and public service
- [00:13:00] The key question: How can we engage across our differences?
- [00:22:00] The role of The Village Square’s God Squad in promoting interfaith dialogue
- [00:31:00] The psychological roots of tribalism and political polarization
- [00:50:00] The threat to public humanities and the importance of civic institutions
- [01:00:00] Liz’s favorite spot in D.C. and its symbolic value for democracy
Featured Quotes:
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“We just need to do it. Reach out. Make the call. Share a meal. Be human.”
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“When we see others up close, we see their good intentions. That’s where empathy begins.”
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“Disagreement, done well, is the genius behind our democracy.”
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“The genius of our system is that it relies on heterogeneity—on us learning from each other.”
Resources Mentioned:
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The Village Square: villagesquare.us
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The Constitution of Knowledge by Jonathan Rauch: www.brookings.edu/books/the-constitution-of-knowledge
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Roger Herbert's Substack: https://rogerherbert.substack.com
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The National Portrait Gallery: https://npg.si.edu
📣 Call to Action:
If you found this conversation insightful, please:
✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.
✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics
✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com
✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
🔗 Connect on Social Media:
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡
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