E2: Curiosity, Polarization & Finding Hidden Ground

Being curious and open-minded is the most important thing we can do in our democracy today. Join Monica and I as we explore how we can find hidden ground despite our differences. There are really difficult issues dividing the country right now (2024, Trump, Biden, policy issues, race, etc), but that does not mean we can't find hidden ground.

Episode #2 QUESTION: Why is it so hard to find hope and bring people together to solve problems?

Episode #2 GUEST: Monica Guzman. Monica is an author, former journalist, and she currently serves as Senior Fellow at Braver Angels.

MONICA’s INFO:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/moniguzman

Book: I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times

PODCAST INFO:

Website: thehopefulmajority.com

Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6IHEdglmnyxan9DYieaNUH?si=9412de9f54a64360

Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-hopeful-majority-with-manu-meel/id1690288035?i=1000616646203

Youtube: https://youtu.be/L7jhtNu3_0g

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/manumeel_/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ManuMeel_

OUTLINE:

1:10 - Gen Z’s lived political memory

4:00 - The Trump-Biden 2024 rematch

8:00 - The polarization industrial complex

11:21 - Conversation with Monica Guzman

30:00 - How to have difficult conversations

38:00 - The irony of DEI, inclusivity, and belonging

42:30 - Can only privileged people have conversations across lines of difference?

46:30 - How to balance the desire for action with the necessity of having conversations

57:28 - Monica’s “why”

1:00:18- Closing