John McWhorter is a professor of linguistics at Columbia University, the author of many books, a witty and passionately independent voice on the subject of American race relations. Hear him join John Wood, Jr. of Braver Angels to compare perspectives on the traditional narratives that shape our racial conversation, the post Civil Rights era Black experience, and the ways in which the varieties of experiences in the Black community impact the dialogue on race in the United States. (The book on th...
May 14, 2021•48 min•Ep. 113
For 20 years, Nick Gillespie has been the "intellectual godfather" of Reason Magazine and one of the leading minds of the libertarian movement in America. Yet while libertarianism has a notable place in American culture and has proven influential in our political conversation, it hasn’t yet proven itself to be a strong force in electoral politics. What are the challenges facing political libertarianism in America? Where does libertarianism come from in American history? Nick joins John Wood, Jr....
May 06, 2021•1 hr 18 min•Ep. 112
Tristan Harris, former Google design ethicist, has been heralded as "the conscience of Silicon Valley." He most recently starred in The Social Dilemma on Netflix, one of the most popular documentaries of 2020. Tristan has been steering the conversation about how social media interacts with democracy and the human mind in American and global society. In the second of Tristan's conversations with John Wood, Jr. and Ciaran O'Connor (who were recently guests on Tristan’s Your Undivided Attention pod...
May 03, 2021•1 hr 24 min•Ep. 111
Jason is a black stay-at-home father from South Lebanon, Ohio. Believing that Biden is too conservative, he voted for Bernie Sanders in the Democratic primaries. A few towns over, Lance is a white father and utility locator who enthusiastically voted for Trump. Though miles apart in their politics, they both believe working-class Americans like them are getting cheated and that most politicians are in the pockets of corporations. Is a multiracial working-class revolution in the future—and if so,...
Apr 29, 2021•1 hr 13 min•Ep. 110
Cooperation feels good. Human society is built on it. So why do we clash so destructively—in our marriages, at work, and especially when talking about politics? Julia Minson is a social psychologist who studies the psychology of disagreement, aiming to tease out ways we can make fraught conversations more enjoyable and productive. Her current research is inspired by Braver Angels' workshops, and her studies may have revealed the "secret sauce" that makes them so effective. The answer...probably ...
Apr 26, 2021•59 min•Ep. 109
In her latest book, High Conflict, Amanda Ripley explores how good people get captured by devastating conflict and how they can break free. Amanda combines storytelling with data—drawing lessons from examples like the FARC militants of Colombia and the violent gangs of Chicago—to develop a theory of successful conflict resolution. In this edition of the Braver Angels Podcast, Amanda joins hosts Ciaran O'Connor and April Lawson to dive deep into her book and illuminate lessons we can apply to tri...
Apr 20, 2021•58 min•Ep. 108
Collaboraction Theatre Company is a Chicago nonprofit exploring theatre's role in social change. Through its year-round programming, the group invites its crew and audience members alike to listen and learn from one another, bringing their disagreements and questions in tow. In this episode, Collaboraction's artistic director Anthony Moseley and executive director Dr. Marcus Robinson share their experiences in the organization. With hosts Ciaran O'Connor and Alma Cook, they discuss how theatre c...
Apr 15, 2021•1 hr•Ep. 107
Michael Patrick F. Smith is a musician, playwright, former oilfield hand, and author of a new memoir documenting his experience in the North Dakota oil patch. He and Braver Angels host Alma Cook—a fellow musician with experience in the same oil patch Michael writes about in his book—traded stories about life in North Dakota and chatted about the global petroleum dependency, the dignity of blue collar trades, and music's role in the political space. Read Michael's front-page New York Times featur...
Apr 12, 2021•58 min•Ep. 106
Are calls to unity too weak, too generic, or too "blue" to move Americans? What are the hard truths that stand in the way of unity? Educator, activist, and author Tim Shriver joins the Braver Angels Podcast to talk about his new book, The Call to Unite, and the budding nationwide movement to unite America. Joined by April Lawson and John Wood, Jr., Tim reflects on the history of nonviolent movements, shares his own methods for building connection and empathy, and responds to criticisms of the id...
Apr 08, 2021•57 min•Ep. 105
Sarah Anderson is the author of forthcoming book The Space Between Us: How Jesus Teaches Us to Live Together When Politics and Religion Pull Us Apart. Host April Lawson and Sarah discuss her background being raised in a very political family, her journey of learning that people of faith can differ politically, and how she engages—and teaches others to engage—faith and politics in our key relationships. Sarah has a degree in Christian thought from Grove City College. Currently, she works as a wri...
Apr 05, 2021•58 min•Ep. 104
Photographers Roben Bellomo and Jim Hamel created Behn Gallery to explore the different ways people might experience their work. Randy Lioz chats with them about how—through their own very distinct views of the world, often experienced side-by-side—they've come to a much more complete understanding of perspective and meaning. Roben and Jim are co-owners of Behn Gallery ( www.behngallery.com and @behngallery on Instagram). On their blog, you can learn more info about their philosophy and perspect...
Mar 26, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 103
"America's politics diet is broken," says Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle News. "And Tangle is here to fix it." Isaac Saul, a former reporter, has quickly grown his newsletter, Tangle, into one of the most original, informative political newsletters in the country, combining a left/right breakdown of the news of the day with Isaac's raw personal perspective. Whatever the issue, Isaac’s goal is to represent the best arguments from both sides of the aisle. In this episode of the Braver Angels Podcas...
Mar 15, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 102
Author and journalist Bari Weiss stops by the Braver Angels Podcast to talk about her upbringing in Pittsburgh, how the Tree of Life massacre and her Jewish roots informed her journalistic mission, the ideological capturing of mainstream media, and the reasons she resigned from The New York Times. Hosts Ciaran O'Connor and John Wood, Jr. chat with Bari about the need for diversity in the editorial room, The 1619 Project, the role of conservative media in polarization, and more in this episode of...
Mar 11, 2021•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 101
James Lindsay is a leading critic of antiracism in the digital space. But he is a lightning rod for criticism and condemnation, with a style that many believe makes him a damaging influence on the public discourse. For others, he is a champion of truth telling and an independent intellectual voice that needs to be heard. John Wood, Jr., national ambassador for Braver Angels and a public voice on matters of race and society, plumbs the depths of antiracism in its substance, cultural origins, and ...
Mar 04, 2021•2 hr 16 min•Ep. 100
Should the outcome of the 2020 election be up for debate? Braver Angels exists to connect Americans in dialogue over their differences. That’s why Braver Angels decided to hold a debate about the 2020 election—though some BA leaders think the decision was a bridge too far. Braver Angels leaders Ciaran O'Connor, John Wood, Jr., David Blankenhorn (BA president) April Lawson, and Silas Kulkarni talk it through in real time in this special episode of the Braver Angels podcast. Register for our upcom...
Mar 02, 2021•1 hr 10 min•Ep. 99
Rakim Brooks of the American Civil Liberties Union joins John Wood, Jr. to clear the air on the ACLU's commitment to free speech and to highlight the organization’s work in the area of social justice. But before all of that, Rakim takes us back to his upbringing in the public housing projects of East Harlem and his unlikely journey to success as a public interest attorney. Learn more about the ACLU's campaign for systemic equality: https://www.aclu.org/press-releases/aclu-launches-new-systemic-e...
Feb 25, 2021•58 min•Ep. 98
The U.S. Senate must decide whether to convict Donald Trump of high crimes and misdemeanors in the aftermath of the January 6th insurrection at the U.S. Capitol. Two intellectual heavyweights on opposite sides of the aisle join host Ciaran O'Connor for a penetrating exchange. The conversation begins with the merits and constitutionality of Trump's second impeachment and ends with a deeper discussion of the role of cultural and racial grievance in political polarization—and how we might move forw...
Feb 12, 2021•59 min•Ep. 97
Matt Taibbi is a contributing editor at Rolling Stone Magazine and the author of numerous books including Hate Inc. and Insane Clown President. Matt joins John Wood, Jr. and Ciaran O'Connor to talk about the history of media and how it became so polarized, the dangers of big technology companies regulating the public square, lessons learned as a journalist in Russia, Donald Trump being booted off Twitter, and more. More by Matt Taibbi: TK News (Substack newsletter); Useful Idiots (podcast), Hate...
Feb 09, 2021•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 96
Greg Smith, a blue-collar Ohioan and Trump voter, and Sage Snider, a Nashville musician and Biden voter, became friends through Braver Angels. Greg is deeply worried for America after President Biden’s inauguration; Sage is hopeful. In this candid and heartfelt conversation, they join Braver Angels cofounder David Lapp to discuss their thoughts on unity and what it will take for reds and blues to save the Union. (Be sure to listen all the way to the end to find out how they really feel about eac...
Feb 04, 2021•1 hr 6 min•Ep. 95
The Reunited States is a groundbreaking documentary film by filmmaker Ben Rekhi, executive produced by Van Jones and Meghan McCain. The documentary follows the journeys of 5 Americans from across the political spectrum as they challenge themselves and the people around them to rediscover the shared humanity and imagine a path towards a healed nation.Ben Rekhi alongside Erin Leaverton, one of the subjects of the documentary, join John and Ciaran to talk about the mission of the film, the stories ...
Feb 01, 2021•57 min•Ep. 94
Braver Angels members Chrissy Koach and Tom Cook are Trump voters who were at the January 6 protests on Capitol Hill. They join Braver Angels co-founder David Lapp to share their first-hand accounts of that day, and their thoughts on how we can move forward together.
Jan 19, 2021•1 hr 3 min•Ep. 93
Loretta Ross is an author, academic, and radical Black feminist who currently teaches courses on human rights and white supremacy at Smith College. She believes deeply in the value of empathetic conversation -- "calling in" -- versus shaming, humiliating, or publicly "calling out" those with whom we disagree (or indeed those whose views we may find appalling). But she also believes there's a limit. Professor Ross joins Ciaran O'Connor for a wide-ranging discussion on racial politics, right wing ...
Jan 11, 2021•49 min•Ep. 92
2020 was a year of pain, isolation, and deep uncertainty. But it was also a year of hope, perseverance, and a reminder that -- for better or worse -- we're all in this together. In the final episode of 2020, Ciaran O'Connor joins April Lawson, Randy Lioz, and Alma Cook to reflect on a year that broke our hearts, tested our mettle, and ultimately reaffirmed our commitment to the work of Braver Angels.
Dec 30, 2020•1 hr 20 min•Ep. 91
What is most challenging about getting people of color to participate in Braver Angels? What impact does member diversity have on our activities and mission? In this episode of the Braver Angels podcast, Carlos Hernandez interviews four Angels of Color about these questions and more. The guests share thoughts and stories about crime, social justice, reparations, trauma, and the dimensions of who “owns” one's problems. Featured are Dr. Prof. Marilyn Hosea (member), Lisa Forbes (CO state coordinat...
Dec 23, 2020•57 min•Ep. 90
Lee Drutman, senior fellow in governance studies at New America, is a careful analyst of American political institutions. In his latest book, Breaking the Two-Party Doom Loop: The Case for Multiparty Democracy in America, he arrives at the startling conclusion that America's two-party system is problematic not because it constrains voters' choices but because it creates incentives that drive Americans apart, polarizing them beyond reason. On this episode of the Braver Angels Podcast, Ciaran O'Co...
Dec 15, 2020•56 min•Ep. 89
In this episode of the Braver Angels Podcast, Alma Cook invites activist Susan Bro and singer-songwriter Becca Stevens to reflect on the 2017 Charlottesville rally. The women are connected through the death of Heather Heyer, Susan's daughter, who was killed while counter-protesting the Unite the Right demonstration. The event sparked something new in both women: in Susan, a new charitable foundation, and in Becca, a song from her last record called "Heather's Letters to Her Mother." Learn about ...
Dec 10, 2020•40 min•Ep. 88
Bill Ottman is the founder of Minds.com , a new community-owned, "open source" social media network that prizes privacy, transparency, and open exchange. Unlike Facebook, which mines your data to target you with ads, Minds does not monetize its users' data and offers people financial credits based on the content they share. In this episode of the Braver Angels Podcast, Ciaran and Bill discuss how the structure of major social networks like Facebook has fueled political polarization, toxified our...
Dec 07, 2020•57 min•Ep. 87
Shelby Steele has been one of America's most important Black conservative voices for more than a generation. His recent documentary film "What Killed Michael Brown?" critiques the mainstream narrative surrounding the death of Brown, a tragedy which spark protests for social justice across America. But does Steele see any legitimacy in the new antiracist movement? And what does it mean to be Black in America? John Wood, Jr. puts forward the questions in this deep diving conversation on politics, ...
Nov 20, 2020•1 hr 12 min•Ep. 86
Cheyenne Donaghy, a junior at Detroit International Academy for Women, Autumn Brown, an Oklahoma State University aspiring Ph.D. candidate, and Keyshawn King, a Stanford University Class of 2022 member) tackle questions-of-curiosity. Which ones? Their vision, influencers, and cancel culture. They even probe the adult Angels' musings about celebrities' influence. Interviewing them are Braver Angels' Donna Lee, David Joseph, and Carlos Hernandez.
Nov 18, 2020•49 min•Ep. 85
"It's been an emotional rollercoaster." Ciaran O'Connor and John Wood, Jr., the original hosts of the Braver Angels Podcast, come together to discuss the 2020 election, its aftermath, and how we can begin to heal the nation, confront multiple crises at once, and build a House United in 2021 and beyond.
Nov 16, 2020•51 min•Ep. 84
