*What if, at a pinnacle of our civilization’s technological achievement, everything just broke — the institutions we’ve come to rely upon in navigating a modern complex world, the shared stories that hold a large and diverse democratic republic together, and even a common language through which to navigate the rising tide of crisis.  According to renowned social psychologist and author Jonathan Haidt, this describes our current reality, one that he calls “After Babel.” In this new normal, we are scattered by a digital environment into feuding tribes that are governed by mob dynamics and driven by a minority of ideological outliers, made stupid at warp speed by group think, and — thanks to social media — armed with billions of metaphorical “dart guns” with which to immediately wound “the enemy” in ways that are hardly only metaphorical. What could go wrong?
 
Our very special guest, Dr. Jonathan Haidt, will delve into the profound impact of social media on democratic societies, dissecting the intricate web of challenges it poses to civic trust and civil discourse. Don’t miss this chance to hear from one of the foremost thought leaders of our time — one who has generously given his counsel to The Village Square, and countless efforts like ours — on this existential challenge of our time. 
 
*The above was stolen lovingly from Village SquareCast's shownotes.
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
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.
 
Read Why the Past Ten Years of American Life Have Been Uniquely Stupid in The Atlantic.
 
The program includes a preview of Haidt’s highly anticipated upcoming book The Anxious Generation, available at the end of March. You’re not going to want to miss it.
The Village Square and TP&R are proud members 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.
 
jonathanhaidt.com/
 
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2022/05/social-media-democracy-trust-babel/629369/
 
www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/729231/the-anxious-generation-by-jonathan-haidt/
 
tlh.villagesquare.us/ 
 
Village SquareCast - pod.link/1520059234
 

Have you ever posted something on social media only to have someone drop in to completely disagree with you? Well, that sort of thing is the genesis of this conversation. Corey's buddy from high school, Rich Weiss, joins us to discuss politics, education, media influence, and the impact of social media on public discourse. Rich Weiss, a musician with the band Guilty Pleasures and an 8th grade teacher, and Corey explore their differing viewpoints on various political and societal issues, including the role of the media, education system challenges, and specific policies from the Trump administration. The dialogue also touches on the importance of listening, the potential benefits of ranked choice voting, and the ways to nurture relationships across differences. And believe it or not, Corey and Rich demonstrate how engaging in meaningful conversations about contentious topics is both possible and beneficial. We can do this!
 
01:10 Introducing Rich Weiss; 
02:17 The Genesis of the Conversation; 
02:54 Rich's Political Awakening and Journey; 
09:20 Rich's Teaching Experience and Views on Education; 
13:10 Rich's Views on Current Political Issues; 
31:05 Discussion on Media Consumption and Information Sources; 
39:26 The Double-Edged Sword of Media Democratization; 
40:44 The Importance of Discernment in Consuming Media; 
41:41 Challenging Political Assumptions; 
44:14 The Role of Principle in Politics; 
01:03:43 The Importance of Process in Politics; 
01:09:10 Conclusion: The Power of Listening and Understanding
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
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.
 
Here's how you can follow Rich's band: www.instagram.com/guiltypleasuresmusic/
 
And here are just a handful of the articles and videos Rich shared:
ourworldindata.org/grapher/united-states-rates-of-covid-19-deaths-by-vaccination-status 
www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26079957 
www.youtube.com/watch?v=WWX_ThcpIsQ 
www.newsweek.com/balenciaga-bondage-child-abuse-allegations-photo-shoot-claims-social-media-1761519 
www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/columnist/2023/05/17/durham-report-vindicates-trump-fbi-russia-investigation/70222344007/

We’re joined by author, essayist, investigative journalist and the gloriously feral Nancy French. We discuss Nancy's new memoir, GHOSTED: AN AMERICAN STORY, which involves deeply personal topics such as her experiences with sexual abuse, faith struggles, being a ghostwriter for politicians, and increasing political turmoil. Nancy also talks about navigating her long-standing personal and professional relationships amid the Trumpification of the Republican party; how the party has drifted away from folks like her even though Nancy’s positions and philosophy haven’t changed; and how her Christian faith has played a significant role in the journey. We also candidly explore the dynamics of interpersonal relationships, the complexities in religious institutions, and being resilient in troubled times.
 
Nancy French is a five-time New York Times bestselling author, essayist, investigative journalist, and storyteller at the Moth. She’s published op-eds and articles in the Washington Post, USA Today, Time and many other publications. Her investigative journalism into abuse at Kanakuk Kamps appeared on the front page of USA Today. Nancy is also the co-author of The After Party with friend of the pod Curtis Chang and she’s the author of the new memoir GHOSTED: AN AMERICAN STORY.
 
01:20 Nancy French: A Brief Introduction; 
05:14 The Art of Ghostwriting; 
09:53 The Journey of Discovery and Art; 
13:45 The Struggles of Writing Your Own Story; 
19:38 The Challenges of Confronting Past Abuse; 
31:10 The Power of Love and Relationships; 
37:47 The Struggle with Faith and the Church; 
40:25 Reflections on Christian Faith and History; 
41:16 Experiences of Divine Intervention; 
42:07 Discussing Faith with Non-Believers; 
46:19 Political Writing and Its Consequences; 
50:12 The Shift in Political Identity (Despite Not Having Changed); 
52:11 The Impact of Political Polarization; 
55:34 The Power of Human Connection Across Differences
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
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.
 
www.nancyfrench.com
 
GHOSTED on Amazon - https://amzn.to/49tSNzO
 
www.threads.net/@nancyjanefrench

"I'm the bad guy?" This is about the whole idea of being part of group - the word "tribe" is often used - that thinks of itself as the good guys and anyone outside of that group as the bad guys. But do we ever stop to ask whether "I'm the bad guy?"
 
Here's the reference from the movie FALLING DOWN: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hLmuF-0P4tk
 
In this episode, Corey discusses the concept of personal accountability in the context of political and religious engagement. He explores his experiences with political disagreements, how personal conduct can alienate and vilify, and how the refusal to accept one's role as the bad guy can fuel conflict. There are specific instances where Corey owns up to failing to uphold the principles of peaceable conversation and draws attention to the fact that acknowledging personal fallibility can be a significant step toward grace and understanding. Admitting it is the first step, right?
02:11 Reflections on the Movie 'Falling Down'03:51 Political Polarization and the 'Good Guys vs Bad Guys' Mentality04:50 Personal Experiences with Political Disagreements12:23 Continuation of Personal Experiences and Reflections20:09 The Role of Virtues in Political Engagement27:14 Confessions, Grace, and the Journey Towards Understanding28:54 Closing Thoughts and Listener Engagement
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
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.

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/
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
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
 
Be sure to check out another great podcast, Beyond Politics. They've become friends of ours and are doing really important work.
 
You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

I know, I know! Not everything’s okay. And yeah, there’s so much we can worry about. But, seriously. It’s gonna be okay.
 
In this episode, we take stock of a number of ways things have gone off the rails as well as what we’re looking at down the road. We get into the potentials of a second Trump term and its implications on American democracy. We outline potential threats of another Trump administration such as weaponizing the department of justice, using the military against domestic protest, and withdrawing the U.S. from NATO among others. Despite these potential challenges, there’s still reason to be hopeful. And it’s worth constantly reminding ourselves that things will be okay - one way or another.
 
We can account for the current state of divisiveness within the country, particularly around sensitive topics like immigration and the wave of disinformation. Despite legitimate skepticism and criticism of Trump and the way things are shaping up, it’s worth maintaining some equilibrium. In other words, as one curtain said to its other half, the other curtain, “Pull yourself together!” While bad things could happen, life will still go on. We each have agency to dictate how we react to and experience what's happening around us and, ultimately, the ability to still find a sense of peacefulness in life.
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: 
https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
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
 
Be sure to check out another great podcast, Beyond Politics. They've become friends of ours and are doing really important work.
 
You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as
www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
And here's a link to that special edition of The Atlantic, IF TRUMP WINS:
www.theatlantic.com/if-trump-wins/

Do political conversations leave you feeling like a 'combatant', a 'cynic' or just 'exhausted'? Are you a 'disappeared one' or do you have 'disappeared ones' that were a part of your life? Curtis Chang provides a roadmap to become a 'disciple' – Hopeful and humble.
 
In today’s episode, we welcome Curtis Chang, who's been on this program previously, to discuss The After Party, a timely, much-needed new project he launched with Dr. Russell Moore, David French and Nancy French. We dove deep into the concept of Christian politics, conspiracy theories, and the impact of societal divides on personal relationships. Curtis shared his thoughts around the need for a new approach to politics in the church, as well as a method for Christians to engage in political conversations without damaging relationships.
 
We explored Scripture, such as the differing political identities between Matthew the Tax Collector and Simon the Zealot, and examined how they managed to come together for a greater cause. (And for what it's worth, Tax Collectors and Zealots of the 1st Century make today's Republicans and Democrats look like besties!) Curtis explained a four-quadrant model that categorized Christians in politics as Combatants, Exhausted, Cynics, or Disciples. The goal of the program they created, The After Party, he said, is to move people towards the Disciple quadrant where both hope and humility are high. Corey also opens up about some personal experiences with harsh political divides and recounted how meaningful face-to-face reconciliations had been. Curtis encouraged listeners to take The After Party course and put humane relationship and engagement back into the church’s approach to politics.
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: 
https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
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
 
Be sure to check out another great podcast, Beyond Politics. They've become friends of ours and are doing really important work.
 
And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as
www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
redeemingbabel.org/the-after-party/
 
redeemingbabel.org/about/
 
And here's Curtis's excellent podcast, Good Faith:
redeemingbabel.org/podcast/

Did we really just ask whether voters are like "hungy baby, tired baby or poopy diaper baby?" Did we really say folks can find one of these fellas by looking for the horse's patoot? Oh yes. Yes, we did. (This is actually part 1 of a 2 part fun, informative, thought-provocative crossover episode. No, really.)In this conversation, we engage in a detailed discussion with writer, podcast host, and political analyst, Matt Robison. We delve into the intricacies of the political landscape, the role of media narratives, and the psychology and economics driving American politics. Highlighting the disconnect between what the public perceives and what the hard political and economic data shows, we conclude that voters often rely on subtle signals and cues to form their political opinions. We also discuss Biden's approval numbers and their impact on his presidency.06:04 The Importance of Civil Conversations in Politics06:17 The Current State of the Republican Party08:44 The Influence of Newt Gingrich on American Politics17:57 Matt's Journey into Politics21:59 Collaboration on a Sitcom Idea22:13 Discussion on a Newsweek Piece24:40 Critical Thinking in News Consumption25:44 Election Analysis and Voter Behavior29:01 The Impact of Media on Public Opinion37:00 The Complexity of Voter Sentiment43:01 Wrapping Up and Planning for Part Two
 
Be sure to check out the companion conversation Matt and Corey have over on Beyond Politics:
beyondpoliticspodcast.com
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: 
https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
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 wonderful sponsor Meza Wealth Management:
www.mezawealth.com
 
And you can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as
www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
beyondpoliticspodcast.com/about