How can Americans go beyond their bubble and connect across the political divide? It’s April 2021, and Americans are divided. My guest today is Tania Israel, a Professor in the Department of Counseling, Clinical, and School Psychology at the University of California, Santa Barbara. In August 2020, Tania released her book Beyond Your Bubble, a practical, politically neutral book that offers concrete skills for holding meaningful conversations that cut across today's intense political divide, showing readers how to connect to the people in their lives. The book was featured in the New York Times, Washington Post, Ted Talks, and NBC’s The Today Show among other media outlets. In this episode we discuss how to improve active listening during contentious conversations, why face-to-face dialogue is so important, the key takeaways from the political workshops Tania hosts, and more. Whether you agree or disagree with today’s guest, I invite you to join us with an open mind as we work to heal the division on going beyond your political bubble.

How does dark money influence US politics? It’s March 2021, and Americans are divided. My guest today is Karl Evers-Hillstrom, a money-in-politics reporter for OpenSecrets.org, an organization describing themselves as the most comprehensive, nonpartisan money-in-politics resource around. Karl has been part of the team since October 2018 with a specific focus in the area of dark money. In this episode we discuss how dark swayed our 2020 elections, why the amount of dark money donations is exponentially growing, reasons for some billionaires and corporations to disguise their political donations, and more. Whether you agree or disagree with today’s guest, I invite you to join us with an open mind as we work to heal the division on dark money influence in US politics.

Should the public trust COVID-19 vaccines? It’s March 2021, and Americans are divided. The voice you just heard is Dr. Nishant Joshi, an Accident and Emergency doctor. Both him and his wife, also a doctor, have made British national headlines stating that, for healthcare workers, “everyone is scared to speak up publicly” and highlighting the government’s “chaotic” guidelines for healthcare workers on the front line of the crisis. He’s since become an outspoken advocate for trusting and receiving a COVID-19 vaccination. In this episode we discuss whether vaccinations were rushed, if employees can be forced to get vaccinated, we evaluate the response of government officials, identify what herd immunity means, and more. Whether you agree or disagree with today’s guest, I invite you to join with an open mind as we work to heal the division on COVID vaccination public trust.

Were hedge funds at fault for the Gamestop short squeeze? It’s February 2021, and Americans are divided. My guest today is Joel Block, a 25 year veteran of the venture capital, private equity, and hedge fund worlds who addresses audiences from Silicon Valley venture firms to Wall Street bankers on matters of capital formation. In 2012, Joel formed the Bullseye Capital Fund, a real estate hedge fund. In this episode we discuss the role of hedge funds, the sincerity of the Robinhood CEO’s response, whether Reddit Wall Street Bets is guilty of market manipulation, if the stock market is an uneven playing field, and more. Whether you agree or disagree with today’s guest, I invite you to join with an open mind as we work to heal the division on the Gamestop short squeeze.

How is political division directly contributing to the climate change crisis? It’s February 2021, and Americans are divided. My guest today is Bill Shireman, a social entrepreneur, environmental policy innovator, and rare San Francisco Republican. He brings together people from all sides of the political spectrum. His latest book is ‘In This Together: How Republicans, Democrats, Capitalists, and Activists are Uniting to Tackle Climate Change and More’. In this episode we discuss how Republicans and Democrats unknowingly align with one another, tips for avoiding partisan echo chambers, his recommended politically neutral news sources, and more. Whether you agree or disagree with today’s guest, I invite you to join with an open mind as we work to heal the division on climate change.

Should school districts be opened across America for in-person learning? It’s February 2021, and Americans are divided. My guest today is Stephanie Edmonds. She’s a public school teacher in New York City and co-founder of the #Teachers4OpenSchools movement, which advocates for safe in-person learning for all students and teachers. Not everyone feels the same; teachers from school districts across the nation are protesting returns back to the classroom. In this episode we discuss whether these protests have merit, who should be setting the return criteria, we evaluate virtual vs. in-person learning, and more. Whether you agree or disagree with today’s guest, I invite you to join with an open mind as we work to heal the division on whether to reopen school districts for in-person learning.

How do we treat the symptoms of America’s political hatred today? It’s January 2021, and Americans are divided. My recurring guest today is Dr. René Levy, the primary influence for me launching this podcast. He’s received the highest award given by the American Epilepsy Society in recognition of contributions to the field. After the 2016 election, Dr. Levy applied his knowledge towards writing ‘Mending America’s Political Divide: What Science Tells Us About Solving The Political Hatred Between The Left and The Right’. In the second of our two-part series, Dr. Levy will treat the symptoms of America’s political divide as he would for a medical patient after first providing the diagnosis. We discuss whether political affiliations are genetic, if the bipartisan system is still effective, how to successfully engage with someone of opposing political views, and more. So whether you agree or disagree with today’s guest, I invite you to join me with an open mind as we heal the division by treating the political hatred in America today.

Are masks effective in preventing the spread of COVID-19? It’s January 2021, and Americans are divided. My first guest today is Rod Eccles, the outspoken host of the conservative radio talkshow “The Rod Eccles Show”. It’s become a favorite for military members around the world. My second guest is Panagis Galatsatos, a critical care medicine physician for Johns Hopkins Medicine in Baltimore, Maryland. He also serves as the Co-Chair of Health Equity and Co-Director of Medicine for the Greater Good at Johns Hopkins. In this episode we discuss inconsistent mask-wearing policies, if lockdowns should continue, how hospitals are operating, and more. Whether you agree or disagree with today’s guests, I invite you to join with an open mind as we work to heal the division on COVID-19 masks.

How do we diagnose America’s political hatred today? It’s January 2021, and Americans are divided. My guest today is Dr. René Levy, the primary influence for me launching this podcast. Not a psychologist or political scientist, Dr. Levy serves as the Professor Emeritus at the University of Washington in Seattle where he served as chair of the Department of Pharmaceutics for 26 years. His interest in neuroscience results from his work in the field of epilepsy, where he’s received the highest award given by the American Epilepsy Society in recognition of lifetime accomplishment and contributions to the field. After the 2016 election, Dr. Levy wrote ‘Mending America’s Political Divide: What Science Tells Us About Solving The Political Hatred Between The Left and The Right’. This was to provide the reader not trained in science with an understanding of the new tribalism-hatred condition that leads to a practical solution. After becoming one of those readers last summer, I took the first steps to start Heal our Division. In the first of two episodes, Dr. Levy will diagnose the symptoms of America’s political divide as he would for a medical patient. In the second he’ll provide the treatment. So with no further ado, I invite you to join me as we heal the division by diagnosing the political hatred in America today.

Are 5G networks dangerous to human health? It’s January 2021, and some Americans are divided. My first guest today is Patrick, a former science teacher and resident in Northern Sweden who argues that 5G is indeed dangerous. Of the opposing view is my second guest, David Robert Grimes. David is a physicist, cancer researcher, and science writer for outlets including the Guardian, the Irish Times, and the BBC. He was joint winner of the 2014 Nature & Sense About Science Maddox Prize for standing up for science. His book ‘The Irrational Ape’ is available wherever books are sold. In this episode we discuss the Nashville Christmas bomber, attacks on 5G towers, transhumanism and more. So with no further ado, I invite you to join me as we heal the division on whether 5G networks are dangerous.