What's it like to get pounded by folks who passionately object to one's theological orthodoxy and political conservatism? And then to get mercilessly attacked for speaking out against the hypocrisy being exhibited by other supposed conservatives?
 
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In this much anticipated conversation with New York Times columnist David French, we discuss the health of democracy, judicial and political issues, potential outcomes of a second Trump presidency, and the complexities of interacting with opposing viewpoints. David shares personal anecdotes, including his wife Nancy French's battle with cancer, insights into dealing with dishonesty within political movements and religious communities, and how these latest chapters of American Christendom have tested his own faith.
 
We delve into
The impact of polarized environments on political and social discourse 
Insights into the current state of American Christendom versus Christianity
The judicial philosophy and significant rulings of the current U.S. Supreme Court
Strategies for engaging in meaningful conversations across political and ideological divides
Personal reflections on navigating public and private challenges with faith and integrity.
 
David Lee Roth... no wait... David French! David French is an Opinion columnist with the New York Times who writes about faith, friendship, marriage and parenting as well as foreign affairs and the latest developments in American constitutional law. He also writes about religion in America, with a particular focus on the health of the evangelical church. David graduated from Harvard Law and was a commercial litigator for a number of years, and then ultimately switched to constitutional law. Remarkably, well into his legal career, David decided to serve our country as an Army lawyer with the 3rd Armored Cavalry Regiment in Diyala Province in Iraq during the height of the Surge in 2007. After spending much of his career defending free speech, religious freedom and due process in courtrooms across the country, David joined National Review as a senior writer, but left in 2019 to help start The Dispatch, a conservative media company, where he continues to contribute to their "flagship" podcast Advisory Opinions. He also became a contributing writer for The Atlantic. And just last year, he joined The Times.
 
03:53 David French on Personal and Family Challenges 
06:49 Faith and Role Models 
10:54 Navigating Faith and Politics 
20:19 Concerns About American Christendom 
33:42 Potential Threats of a Second Trump Term 
45:37 Supreme Court and Judicial Philosophy 
49:44 Classical Liberals vs. MAGA Conservatives 
50:18 Supreme Court Decisions Frustrating MAGA 
52:13 Thomas and Alito: MAGA's Favorite Justices? 
57:08 The Rahimi Case and Judicial Philosophy 
01:05:43 Breaking Out of Political Bubbles
01:07:59 Engaging with Opposing Views 
01:18:20 PCA Cancellation and Personal Reflections 
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com
 
Advisory Opinions, the flagship podcast of The Dispatch: https://thedispatch.com/podcast/advisoryopinions/ 
 
https://www.nytimes.com/by/david-french 
 
https://www.threads.net/@davidfrenchjag 

This is a conversation with Mónica Guzmán from almost 2 years ago right after her book, I NEVER THOUGHT OF IT THAT WAY, came out. Moni is on the front lines of addressing the problem of polarization and helping people bridge the political divide in their everyday lives. Everything we discussed is even more pressing today than when we first talked.
 
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What can happen when people from different "tribes" actually get together in person? We often jump to conclusions based merely on how someone votes. But do we take the time to understand how they arrived at that decision? How can we bring our friends and neighbors from a posture of contentiousness to one of curiosity? To put down the weapons of the culture war and pick up a cup of coffee with someone from the "other side"? Does sharing facts change people's minds? Does the tactic of dropping the perfectly worded factoid actually convince anyone of anything? Is there a line someone might cross where they're no longer a person we can even have a conversation with? We can have conversations about what is true, what is meaningful and what is useful. Is that all the same conversation?
 
Monica Guzman is Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, the nation’s largest cross-partisan grassroots organization working to depolarize America; founder and CEO of Reclaim Curiosity, an organization working to build a more curious world; and cofounder of the award-winning Seattle newsletter The Evergrey. She was a 2019 fellow at the Henry M. Jackson Foundation and a 2016 fellow at the Nieman Foundation for Journalism at Harvard University. She served twice as a juror for the Pulitzer Prize. A Mexican immigrant, Latina, and dual US/Mexico citizen, and is the author of I Never Thought of It That Way: How To Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times.
 
https://braverangels.org/
 
https://www.moniguzman.com/
 
https://www.moniguzman.com/book
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

ICYMI... Let's talk about the words, actions and character of Donald J. Trump in light of what the Bible says about virtue and vice. But instead of starting with our political preferences and prejudices and THEN backing shards of Scripture into what we want, what if we started with what the Bible actually says FIRST? Then we can more earnestly reckon with the implications of what we're dealing with today. 
 
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Here are a few of the Scriptural references that came up:
Exodus 20: "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." 
2 Kings 3: "(Jehoram) did evil in the sight of the Lord." 
Proverbs 6: "There are six things that the Lord hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him..." 
Proverbs 10: "Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool..." 
John 2: "(Jesus) said, 'Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!'”
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

ICYMI... What does it mean to be a conservative? What about being a Christian? What does that mean in terms of how one would understand and uphold virtue vs vice? And if I am truly a conservative and a Christian, can I then support Donald Trump?
 
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In this edition, we explore the nuances of conservative values and Christian beliefs amidst our politically charged environment. To get clarity on what it means to be a conservative and a Christian, it requires NOT surrendering to the extremists who monopolize conversations around politics and religion. Our discussion dives into the foundational principles of conservatism, such as:
Individual Freedom, 
Limited Government, 
Rule of Law, 
Peace through Strength, 
Fiscal Responsibility, 
Free Markets, 
and *Human Dignity, 
...contrasting these with the divisive and aggressive tactics often employed in Trump-era politics. Contrary to what passes for “conservative” in today’s political and media landscape, we’ll look at the way true conservatism respects the U.S. Constitution and promotes a healthy, engaged citizenry, devoid of blanket vilification via broad generalizations and dehumanization. We’ll also give a sneak peak into Part II of this discussion on Christian values, specifically targeting the misalignment of Trump's actions with biblical teachings. So, yeah, this one might tweak some beaks!
 
02:49 The Impact of Extremism on Public Discourse; 
13:40 Exploring the True Meaning of Conservatism; 
14:16 Principles of Conservatism vs. Trumpism; 
27:29 The Importance of Human Dignity in Conservatism; 
34:35 Teaser for the Next Episode: Christianity vs Trumpism
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

Had to share this one again partly because Fred's beloved Florida Panthers are Stanley Cup Champs! (The same Florida Panthers who beat Corey's favorite team, the New York Rangers, in the Eastern Conference Final.) But this wasn't just a conversation that brought rivals across hockey loyalties together; it brought together "Two Dads Defending Democracy," Fred Guttenberg and Joe Walsh, who are helping to bridge the gap during divisive times...
 
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Fred Guttenberg became a nationally known activist on gun safety after his daughter Jaime was tragically murdered in the mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. Former Congressman Joe Walsh has been a self-described "rabid gun rights advocate." So how did these two guys go from being on completely different sides of such a heated issue to becoming dear friends who are now collaborating on a national tour called TWO DADS DEFENDING DEMOCRACY?
 
In this special coming together, we explore Fred and Joe's evolution from adversaries to collaborators through their unique friendship. Initially at odds due to their differing views on gun control, they discovered a shared commitment to democracy and engaging in respectful dialogue across political and ideological divides. They speak about their collaborative initiative, "Two Dads Defending Democracy," aimed at encouraging Americans to participate in the democratic process, highlight the importance of conversations across differences, and reflect on personal stories that underscore their transformation. We talk about a number of ways they're both trying to make a positive difference including Fred's non-profit Orange Ribbons for Jaime, Joe's continued contributions on White Flag with Joe Walsh, and their appearances together demonstrating that instead of remaining enemies over any given issue, even those we're most passionate about, mutual respect wins every time.
 
00:42 Getting to Know Joe Walsh: From Congress to Gun Rights Advocate; 
02:24 Fred Guttenberg's Journey: From Tragedy to Advocacy; 
03:44 Bridging Divides: A Story of Friendship and Understanding; 
07:39 Real Talk about Gun Safety; 
13:20 The Power of Dialogue: Moving Beyond Polarization; 
14:57 A Deep Dive into the Second Amendment and Gun Safety; 
20:33 Finding Common Ground: The Path to Reducing Gun Violence; 
30:58 Exploring Red Flag Laws: The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly; 
33:41 The Impact of 'White Flag' on Activism and Public Policy; 
35:09 America's Shift in Gun Culture and the NRA's Influence; 
42:31 More Bridging Divides: Two Dads Defending Democracy; 
50:44 Engaging Across Differences: Strategies for Democracy; 
52:41 Closing Thoughts: Hope, Engagement, and the American Experiment
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com
 
fredguttenberg.com
 
orangeribbonsforjaime.org/
 
twitter.com/WalshFreedom
 
White Flag with Joe Walsh: pod.link/1590913798
 
www.udel.edu/udaily/2024/january/joe-walsh-fred-guttenberg-snf-ithaca-initiative-democracy-speaking-tour/
 
joewalshwhiteflag@gmail.com

"Disinformation. Spam and Scams. Trolls." For those of us paying attention, one thing is clear: We got problems! Fortunately, Renée DiResta is helping with exactly that by studying online manipulation, and what we can do about it. And yeah, we get quite a primer on the concept of "bespoke realities."
 
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Renée DiResta is the Technical Research Manager at Stanford Internet Observatory. In this conversation we delve into the challenges of misinformation, online manipulation, and the impact of algorithmic curation on public discourse. Renée discusses her career journey, her work on election integrity, and the concept of "bespoke realities." The episode explores how media ecosystems shape our perception and the importance of fostering meaningful dialogue across differing viewpoints.
 
02:56 Renée DiResta's Background and Career Journey 
06:35 The Birth of Vaccinate California 
07:22 Facing Harassment and Public Backlash 
16:01 Understanding Bespoke Realities 
17:44 The Influencer-Algorithm-Crowd Trinity 
27:17 The Role of Free Expression in Social Media 
29:50 The Complexity of Free Expression and Moderation 
31:10 Platform Policies and Government Regulation 
32:23 Engaging with Conspiracy Theorists 
33:48 Understanding Algorithmic Curation 
34:38 Reflecting on January 6th and Political Polarization 
39:51 Election Integrity Partnership: An Inside Look 
46:22 Recognizing and Combating Propaganda 
50:37 Concerns About a Second Trump Term
53:20 Fostering Better Conversations Across Differences 
57:08 Engaging on Social Media: Strategies and Reflections
 
You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com
 
https://www.reneediresta.com/ 
 
https://www.threads.net/@renee.diresta 

Who's doing the canceling now? The leader doth protest too much... (the leaders of Presbyterian Church in America, that is.)
 
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In this edition, we take a look at a very public controversy surrounding the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and David French. We'll highlight a significant dispute within the PCA, where a planned panel on dealing with polarization was cancelled due to the inclusion of French. We explore articles and commentary (quoting extensively from a number of pieces), especially focusing on PCA Elder Ben Dunson's misleading attacks against French's views. In this inquiry, the mischaracterizations and false witness borne by Dunson get proper scrutiny so we can contextualize David (and Nancy) French's positions. The episode also explores broader implications of such church conflicts, stressing the importance of honesty, intellectual rigor, and faithfulness to Scripture.
 
01:38 Today's Topic: The David French PCA Controversy
02:17 Background on David French and the PCA
03:42 Criticism and Mischaracterization of David French
12:31 David French's Actual Stance on Drag Queen Story Hour
17:47 David French's Actual Views on Same-Sex Marriage
20:05 David French's Actual Position on Legislation Involving Transgender Youth
27:23 Addressing Personal Attacks on David and Nancy French
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com
 
You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
https://julieroys.com/pca-cancels-anti-polarization-panel-david-french-being-too-polarizing/ 
 
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/opinion/presbyterian-church-evangelical-canceled.html 
 
https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/david-french-sohrab-ahmari-and-the-battle-for-the-future-of-conservatism?_sp=9d3e8c33-72cc-4872-b332-e14d92b13983.1718748473071
 
https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/11/respect-for-marriage-same-sex-religious-freedom/676545/
 
https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/frenchpress/when-culture-wars-go-way-too-far/
 
https://www.deseret.com/politics/2024/04/16/nancy-french-ghosted-book-cancer-david-french/ 
 
https://americanreformer.org/2024/05/david-french-and-the-pcas-general-assembly/ 

What a great conversation to revisit on this Father's Day! Alex is a devoted dad and has such reverence and respect for his own father, all of which we covered in this talk. And yes, we also cover the grave risks of a potential 2nd Trump Administration, Lt. Col. Vindman's experience on the WH's National Security Council and so much more.
 
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Donald Trump's supposedly "perfect call" was the furthest thing from perfect. In this episode, Alexander Vindman tells us what was so dangerously wrong about it as well as WHY IT MATTERS.
 
Alexander Vindman, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and the director for European Affairs on the White House’s National Security Council, shares valuable perspectives on the Trump administration, Donald Trump’s unhinged lawlessness and the dangers the country faces if Trump is given another term. Dr. Vindman, having earned a Doctorate in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins, discusses international geopolitics, focusing particularly on Russian aggression and corruption. Lt. Col. Vindman offers a firsthand account of his experience in the Trump White House, the damage that’s already been done and the resilience of the U.S institutions that hold firm amidst these pervasive threats.
 
Throughout the conversation, Alex emphasizes the central role of local communities and the effectiveness of conversation in addressing divisive socio-political issues. His candid reflections on his own experiences -  as an immigrant serving the country, in the face of profound institutional challenges and even his personal setbacks (eg. Operation Cabbage Patch) - offer a compelling narrative about American resilience and the ongoing pursuit of a 'more perfect union'. This was an in-depth primer on international affairs, national security threats and democratic values. Lt. Col. Vindman had so many valuable insights for listeners interested in understanding the complexities of today's political landscape and the role of dialogue in bridging societal divisions.
 
WHY IT MATTERS: alexandervindman.substack.com/
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com
 
You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.