In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson is joined by Save Democracy’s Ted Hinderaker and Ted Maxwell from the Arizona Leadership Council. The three discuss what it takes, from a community standpoint, to be successful in the U.S. today, reform work in Arizona, the role of Tucson citizens, and the differences between election systems. Ted Maxwell shares why he believes the existing system isn’t working and what he considers important, from a community standpoint, to be successful ...
Jul 05, 2023•56 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson is joined by former Senate President and current Alaska Senator Cathy Giessel. They discuss the role of divisiveness in America today, the existing partisan system that discriminates against candidates and voters not registered in the one of the two major parties, and reform efforts that work to give voters choices. This episode talks with the Republican Majority Leader in the Alaska legislature about how the reform is working in Alaska a...
Jun 28, 2023•34 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with members of the Voter Choice Arizona executive committee Blake Sacha, Kathy Knecht, and organizing director Kazz Fernandes. The panel discusses how Voter Choice Arizona came to be, what it’s all about, and how it aims to change the current political system and improve democracy. This season of The Optimistic American will focus on political reforms that can help make certain that the American political system operates better...
Jun 21, 2023•59 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson welcomes North Arizona University’s Martin-Springer Institute Director Bjorn Krondorfer to discuss his new book Unsettling Empathy (Peace and Security in the 21st Century) . The two discuss Professor Krondorfer’s work in the context of the Holocaust and genocides, the concept of “chosen trauma”, and what’s happening with divisions and extremisms in America today. Paul opens the discussion by indicating the link between the divisions in Am...
Jun 14, 2023•1 hr 8 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Katherine Gehl to discuss the profound challenges in the American political system and the real solutions for a system that benefits everyone. Katherine is a business leader, entrepreneur, speaker, and author of The Politics Industry: How Political Innovation Can Break Partisan Gridlock and Save Our Democracy. Katherine starts the conversation by describing what inspired her to write a book on political innovation. For Paul...
Jun 07, 2023•1 hr 19 min
In the final part of "Jordan Peterson : You're Just Wrong on This One," we conclude our discussion on the Ukrainian War and the West's involvement in it. This time, we focus on the broader implications of the conflict for international relations and global security. Jordan Peterson argues that the West's approach to the Ukrainian War is misguided and dangerous, as it could lead to a global conflict with catastrophic consequences. He suggests that the West needs to adopt a more nuanced and strate...
Jun 03, 2023•14 min
In the third episode of "Jordan Peterson: You're Just Wrong on This One," we continue our exploration of the Ukrainian War and the West's involvement in it. This time, we focus on the emotional and moral implications of the conflict and how it relates to the broader context of Western society. Jordan Peterson argues that the West's declining morality is partly to blame for its involvement in the Ukrainian War. He points out the hypocrisy of Western leaders who claim to promote individualism and ...
May 31, 2023•19 min
In this episode 2 of a 4 part mini-series of The Optimistic American, we explore the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the West's involvement in it. Jordan Peterson and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's podcast on Russia and Ukraine sparked a lot of discussion, with Peterson calling out not just the Ukrainian war but also the declining morality of the West. He suggests that G7 leaders should focus on determining exactly what the Russians would accept as a minimum precondition for peace, instead of sim...
May 27, 2023•14 min
In this episode of a 4 part mini-series of The Optimistic American, we explore the ongoing conflict in Ukraine and the West's involvement in it. Jordan Peterson and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard's podcast on Russia and Ukraine sparked a lot of discussion, with Peterson calling out not just the Ukrainian war but also the declining morality of the West. He suggests that G7 leaders should focus on determining exactly what the Russians would accept as a minimum precondition for peace, instead of simpl...
May 24, 2023•13 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss gun control, mass shootings in the United States, and how we can use the data to prevent mass shootings from happening in the future. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how mass shootings, directly and indirectly, impact local communities. According to Emily, we need to understand how mass shooters think and operate - only then can we prevent more shootings from happening in the ...
May 17, 2023•25 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to talk about the right way to engage in politics. They explain how being obsessed with civic duties can make you a target for radicalization and impact your ability to find meaning in life. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how people can be involved in politics without harming their ability to think independently. The goal of people who run political parties is to use fear to radicalize ...
May 10, 2023•32 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah sit down and discuss the three C’s of every healthy relationship: communication, compromise, and compliments, and why it takes courage to be vulnerable enough to find love. There are three C's to every healthy relationship: communication, compromise, and compliments. If someone you are with can’t get any insight into who you are and how you feel, it’s going to be very difficult to grow together. Choosing how you commu...
May 03, 2023•1 hr
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah sit down with Dr. Mark Goulston, a psychiatrist, executive coach, and consultant to major organizations. He is the inventor and developer of the Surgical Empathy Process, where he uses focused empathetic listening to break through to people and free them of their internal emotional and psychological blocks. Paul and Emily introduce Mark Goulston and the uniqueness of his work. Mark describes his journey to psychology a...
Apr 26, 2023•1 hr 30 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss how cults and extremist groups suck people into addictive ideologies. They talk about the most dangerous aspects of an addictive ideology, the growth of incel culture, and ways to deprogram an addicted cult member. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how Ideologies and cults suck people into addictive ideologies. Emily describes the difference between a cult and an addictive ideolo...
Apr 19, 2023•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Basha to talk about the friction that exists between attachment and anti-fragililty when raising children. They discuss what it takes to raise confident kids, how to bring up anti-fragile kids, and ways to support your child's sense of agency. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing what it takes to raise a child correctly. Know that people will criticize and judge your parenting style no matter what yo...
Apr 12, 2023•1 hr 12 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Basha to discuss the public sector vs private and how they contribute to economic development in the U.S. They cover how the public sector boosts economic development, ways to be successful in business, why money should not be the primary motivator for going into business, and so much more. Paul and Emily start the conversation by describing how the public and private sectors of the U.S. economy work. According to...
Apr 05, 2023•1 hr 15 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Brandon Tatum to discuss race and police relations in America. They cover some very controversial issues ranging from race relations, the reality of White privilege, police shootings, and the 1619 Project. Paul and Brandon start the conversation by discussing Brandon's early life, his relationship with God, and playing competitive sports. Brandon explains what it means to be uncoachable and why you should stop taking things...
Mar 29, 2023•1 hr 32 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss how to master your emotions. They cover ways to improve your life through emotional mastery, the role of cognitive dissonance in our lives, and how being too analytical can rob you of simple life pleasures. Paul starts the conversation by defining emotions and how to differentiate them from feelings and thoughts. Emily and Paul discuss the best way to start your journey to emotional mastery. Our ...
Mar 22, 2023•1 hr 14 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss trauma and the effects it can have on a person's life. They cover the different stages of trauma, ways psychologists treat it, and effective practices you can use to work on trauma yourself. Emily starts the conversation by defining trauma from a clinical perspective. Paul and Emily agree that you cannot treat PTSD if the person is still in a traumatic environment. Emily describes the physical ch...
Mar 15, 2023•1 hr 10 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss cognitive biases and blindspots and how they relate to you being able to find your sense of agency. They break down common biases that affect our everyday lives and how you can use love and connection to counter people who get high from being right. Paul and Emly start the conversation by defining blindspots and cognitive biases - and how they relate to being able to find your sense of agency. Pa...
Mar 08, 2023•1 hr 9 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Marc Bonilla to discuss the art of negotiation and why it's such an important skill to master. They break down practical ways to improve your negotiation skills, the value of trust in negotiations, and how to protect your reputation during a negotiation. Marc and Paul start the conversation by describing the key features of a great negotiation and the benefits of mastering the art of negotiations. Marc explains why all nego...
Mar 01, 2023•38 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Dr. Emily Bashah and Paul Johnson discuss ways employees can improve the quality of life at work and get their needs met. They break down topics like ways to ask for a raise or a promotion, the rise of the victimhood mentality, and the 5 keys to becoming a superstar employee. Emily and Paul start the conversation by describing the difference between a public and a private-sector employer. Paul shares why professional services like doctors struggle wit...
Feb 22, 2023•1 hr 14 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson sits down with Former NATO commander General Wesley Clark to discuss what we can do as Americans to have better conversations with one another. They break down what the Civility Leadership Institute is all about, the role of the US in keeping world peace, and how strengthening public accountability makes democracy work. Paul and Wesley start the conversation by breaking down the three main parts of a democracy - Leaders, Laws, and Institu...
Jan 11, 2023•39 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson welcomes back Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss psychopathy, decision-making, and agency in the context of hierarchy. The two also discuss their book Addictive Ideologies , Stanley Milgram’s 1960s experiment and tyranny. Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah discuss psychopathy, the mistakes that are often made when trying to define it, and the tools that can help explain and identify a psychopath. Bashah explains that not all convicted killers are...
Jan 04, 2023•1 hr 5 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson welcomes former Phoenix Mayor and past Attorney General of Arizona Terry Goddard to talk about dark money and the key role it plays in political campaigns. They discuss what dark money is all about, how it’s influencing political campaigns and the ongoing efforts to get rid of it. Paul Johnson shares his thoughts about being optimistic. It doesn’t mean that you don’t recognize that there are problems and challenges. Paul has always been a ...
Dec 28, 2022•56 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson welcomes former Maricopa County County Attorney and U.S. Marine Corps veteran Rick Romley to discuss his incredible story of overcoming adversity and finding meaning in life. The two also discuss Romley’s career and the key challenges he faced, as well as running for office and giving back to the community. Rick Romley joined the Marine Corps in March of 1968 with the goal of joining for two years to get his G.I. Bill and help finance his ...
Dec 21, 2022•1 hr
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah address several questions they received from people in regards to the concern about the arising recession and how to navigate your way through it, as well as the hierarchy of agency, how to navigate difficult conversations and finding meaning in life. The conversation between Paul Johnson and Dr. Emily Bashah kicks off by addressing the biggest part of the problem related to the bad national economy: the concept of th...
Dec 14, 2022•1 hr 21 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson is joined by Professor Michael Beckley. They discuss his new book Danger Zone, the role of China and the threat that exists, as well as how it could affect places like Taiwan and how the U.S. should be responding to it. According to Professor Michael Beckley, there is such a different narrative about China than the one we see going on in mainstream American politics, where China is inevitably going to keep rising. When looking at Chinese h...
Dec 07, 2022•1 hr 3 min
In this episode of The Optimistic American , Paul Johnson is joined by his co-author of the upcoming book Addictive Ideologies: Dr. Emily Bashah. They talk about the key principles and differences between the Alt-Right and Politically Correct Authoritarians, as well as studies that have covered human psychology in such areas. Paul Johnson sets the stage for the episode by discussing the fact that the alternative right and the politically correct authoritarians represent a minority of people but ...
Nov 30, 2022•53 min
Host Paul Johnson welcomes Harvard University Professor and author Steven Pinker. They discuss the new wave of enlightenment, what stands in the way of us being more rational, the difference between being an optimist and an optimistic, free speech, cancel culture, and more. Paul Johnson and Prof. Steven Pinker discuss the ongoing issue of American people losing faith, which often leads to losing agency and having a problem with identity politics. Prof. Pinker touches upon the fact that several h...
Nov 23, 2022•57 min
