))
Our lives have changed – our politics need to change too. Now is a time for us to remember that we need each other as Americans. Now is a time for us to reject those voices that say we don’t. The Braver Angels Podcast brings you face to face with leading voices from across the divide alongside remarkable Americans you did not know existed. Experience a movement to reignite the spirit of America and defeat the forces that divide us. With John Wood, Jr., Ciaran O’Connor and April Lawson.
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
“What I Saw at the Capitol on January 6: Perspectives from Two Protestors”
1:02:31
1:02:31
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:31
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.
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Calling In, Calling Out, and Where to Draw the Line
48:36
48:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
48:36
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…
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 re…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Diversity, Social Justice, & Personal Responsibility | Lisa Forbes, Marilyn Hosea, Peter Bell, Thomas J. Reeves Jr., & Carlos Hernandez
57:28
57:28
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
57:28
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…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Could a Multiparty System Depolarize American Politics? | Lee Drutman, Ciaran O'Connor, & Luke Nathan Phillips
55:41
55:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
55:41
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 …
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Remembering Charlottesville through Song & Action | Becca Stevens, Susan Bro, & Alma Cook
40:23
40:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:23
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 …
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Social Media is Broken. Is Minds.com the Answer? | with Ciaran O'Connor and Bill Ottman
56:54
56:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:54
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 Br…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Antiracism, Blackness and What Killed Michael Brown | Shelby Steele with John Wood, Jr.
1:12:14
1:12:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:12:14
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 antir…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Braver Angels-of-Color: Experience The Student Voices of Color - High School, College, and Doctoral Studies.
49:07
49:07
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:07
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 celebriti…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Processing the 2020 Election | with Ciaran O'Connor and John Wood, Jr.
50:47
50:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:47
"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.…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Envisioning Unity: John Wood, Jr. with Alma Cook, Greg Steinbrecher and Stacia Wilson
1:04:08
1:04:08
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:04:08
Artist and entrepreneur Alma Cooker, actor and Braver Angels social media manager Greg Steinbrecher, and Stacia Wilson of the Unity 2020 Movement join John Wood, Jr. to talk about the shifts in American political life on the eve of the election, and to survey the growing movement towards unity and political depolarization in American political life…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Warriors: Specialists. Blue and Red. Woman and Man.
50:57
50:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:57
Braver Angels' holds as its ethos the ability to be opposite colors, emphasizing one's values, vocalizing beliefs and opinions, and be more than civil. Meet and hear Ms. Julie Boler, Braver Angels' Partnership Specialist, and a Blue. Hear Mr. Jim Allen, Red, also a specialist of a different sort - a retired US Special Forces warrior, Christian Past…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
To Trump or Not to Trump | Chris Paul & Mike Casentini with John Wood, Jr.
1:06:52
1:06:52
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:06:52
Stand-up comedian and entrepreneur Mike Casentini and Chris Paul, (host of Be Reasonable: with Your Moderator, Chris Paul), join John Wood, Jr. to have a real conversation about the 2020 election. Is President Trump corrupt? Can we trust the outcome of the vote? And can we get along regardless of the outcome? Mike and Chris trade fascinating person…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Republicans Who Are Voting Biden | Peggy Wardlaw and Andrew Stegmaier with Silas Kulkarni
54:27
54:27
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
54:27
Think swing voters don't exist? These two lifelong conservatives have decided to vote Biden this year. Join us to find out why. Braver Angels member Peggy Wardlaw is a former TX Republican congressional candidate, a mother, and an entrepreneur from a ranching family. Across the country member Andrew Stegmaier is a millennial, libertarian software d…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Race, Antiracism and Growing up Biracial | Thomas Chatterton Williams and John Wood, Jr.
1:03:34
1:03:34
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:34
Author Thomas Chatterton Williams is a unique and insightful voice out in the American cultural landscape. Contributor at New York Magazine and author of Losing My Cool Williams racial commentary emphasizes the need to transcend racial categories to help depolarize American racial life. In this conversation he and John Wood, Jr. discuss their birac…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Ciaran O'Connor Interviews Rick Gates, Star Witness in the Mueller Investigation
59:17
59:17
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:17
Rick Gates is a former aide to the Trump campaign who is best known for being charged with money laundering as part of Special Counsel Robert Mueller's investigation into ties between the campaign and Russia. In 2018, Gates pled guilty to lying to investigators and became a cooperator by helping the investigation that led to the convictions of Paul…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
David French on How to Prevent a Civil War
59:30
59:30
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
59:30
David French, Senior Editor of The Dispatch, has a new book called “Divided We Fall” about why America is so polarized, how it could tilt into civil war, and ways we can stop that from happening. On this episode of the Braver Angels Podcast, he talks to Ciaran O’Connor and Greg Steinbrecher about his book, how and why polarization has gotten so bad…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Politics and Hollywood | Roxanne Hoge meets Lydia Cornell (with John Wood, Jr.)
1:03:23
1:03:23
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:23
Lydia Cornell is an actress, producer and writer known for her work on shows ranging from Love Boat and Full House to Curb Your Enthusiasm. She is the author of the book How to Talk to Ann Coulter, If You Must. You may know Roxanne Beckford-Hoge from shows like A Different World and films including Father of the Bride II and Something's Gotta Give.…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Donald Trump and the Realignment of Conservatism / Daniel McCarthy with Luke Nathan Phillips and Silas Kulkarni
56:42
56:42
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:42
Daniel McCarthy, editor of the venerable journal of conservative cultural commentary Modern Age, has been observing and commenting on Republican politics and intellectual trends in conservatism for decades now. How does someone who once deeply supported Ron Paul go on to deeply supporting Donald Trump? In this episode of the Braver Angels Podcast, …
"Why do you support Trump, and what reservations do you have about him?" Five conservative-leaning Braver Angels members join co-hosts Ciaran O'Connor and Carlos Hernandez for a lively discussion on President Trump, Joe Biden, and the Supreme Court vacancy. Featuring guests Iris Diaz, Larry Gutman, Joe D'Aura, Mark A Reinecke, and Ruth Littmann-Ash…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
The Accidental Anchor | Greta Van Susteren with Ciaran O'Connor & John Wood, Jr.
38:57
38:57
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
38:57
Host of Full Court Press with Greta Van Susteren, and former host of Fox New's On The Record, Greta Van Susteren has been one of the most visible anchors in American political media for many years. But how did Greta's media career begin? And what did it have to do with a Toga party in 1976? Hear Greta recap her whipsaw career in broadcast journalis…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Feminism, Free Speech & Thinking Freely | Heather Heying with April Lawson
1:10:37
1:10:37
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:10:37
Many Americans are deeply concerned about the culture of shaming and silencing that some see as becoming dominant on college campuses and increasingly in major American institutions and cities. No one has more reason to be concerned about this than Heather Heying - former professor of evolutionary biology at Evergreen State College and noted member…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
"No Ballot No Buck": A Trump Supporter's Case for Campaign Finance Reform | Bill Fry with Ciaran O'Connor
45:54
45:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
45:54
Bill Fry is retired Military, a Tea Party activist, and an avid Trump supporter. He's also a longtime Braver Angels leader who is co-organizing "No Ballot No Buck," a bipartisan campaign finance reform initiative in Ohio with his liberal counterpart Rob Weidenfeld. Bill talks to host Ciaran O'Connor about Braver Angels, Donald Trump, and working to…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Antiracism, Christianity, Trump & Triumphing over Adversity | Carol Swain with John Wood, Jr.
1:01:14
1:01:14
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:01:14
Carol Swain may not reflect the image some people have in mind when they think of an elite university professor. She is an African-American Christian Conservative who grew up in severe rural poverty to achieve success at the top of the academic ladder. Her story of personal accomplishment shines light on the power of perseverance in face of adversi…
Carlos Hernandez is a Latino Braver Angels leader from San Francisco who supports President Trump. In this episode, Carlos talks to host Ciaran O'Connor about what it's like to be a conservative in San Francisco, why he supports the President, and how he believes Braver Angels' work can build trust and understanding between those who plan to vote d…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Bridging Black Perspectives | Dominique DiPrima meets Kira Davis with John Wood, Jr.
1:00:15
1:00:15
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:00:15
Dominique DiPrima is a former co-host of the Steve Harvey Morning Show and is the host of The Front Page with Dominique DiPrima. A “leading-edge” progressive activist, she has challenged the political status quo from the airwaves of KJLH in Los Angeles as LA’s most popular Black morning show host. Kira Davis is the editor at large of Red State, a n…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Understanding Nonviolence | Harry Boyte, Damien Conners, April Lawson & John Wood, Jr.
50:11
50:11
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
50:11
The philosophy of Nonviolence guided the moral leaders of the Civil Rights Movement in a struggle for freedom and justice that inspired the world. Dr. King's philosophy birth a vision for American society that still challenges the conscience of the nation. And yet the true substance and practice of Nonviolence is largely forgotten today. How can we…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Depolarizing America | ft. Pearce Godwin, Debilyn Molineaux & Liz Joyner with Ciaran O'Connor & John Wood, Jr.
1:03:56
1:03:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:56
There is a movement underway to depolarize American politics. It is a movement committed to transforming the way we interact with and think about each other as Americans. And guess what? It is bigger than just Braver Angels. John and Ciaran welcome National Conversations Project and Listen First founder Pearce Godwin, Bridge Alliance founder Debily…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
"And the Winner Is!" Announcing the Braver Angels Songwriting Contest Winners
49:40
49:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:40
The Braver Angels Songwriting Contest is over! And we've emerged with three incredible winning songs. In this episode of The Braver Angels Podcast John Wood, Jr. and Sage Snider speak to Jon Baker and Donna Elaine Miller (writers of the "A United States of Humanity," performed by Donna), Thomas Prasada-Rao ("Even You") and Scott Cook ("Say Can You …
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Empathy in Black & White from the U.S. to the U.K. | Ayishat Akanbi & John Wood, Jr.
1:08:36
1:08:36
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:08:36
Fashion stylist and cultural commentator Ayishat Akanbi is a uniquely refreshing voice in the social discourse of the United Kingdom. Increasingly however Ayishat's following is growing in the United States where people of widely differing background are drawing value from her empathetic and deeply perceptive approach to communicating across ethnic…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
The Politics of Coronavirus and "Cancel Culture"
1:24:22
1:24:22
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:24:22
Why has America struggled so mightily to control the coronavirus compared to other countries? Is there something about American identity or culture that renders us uniquely ill suited to managing this crisis? What do we mean by "cancel culture?" And how can we promote the values of free speech while making sure marginalized voices are heard? Ciaran…
What are the forces driving the breakdown in our media system? How do media polarization, hyperpartisanship, and disinformation threaten our values and democracy? And what can we do about it?? Ciaran O'Connor talks to the leaders of two organizations working to free people from filter bubbles so they can better understand the world, surmount the bu…
Can gay rights activists and proponents of religious liberty build the trust and understanding needed to find common ground? Or is this divide destined to be a zero-sum fight? Jonathan Rauch is a Senior Fellow at the Brookings Institute and a contributing writer at The Atlantic. He's also a gay man who helped lead the movement to legalize same-sex …
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
'What we Mean by White Supremacy' Perspectives from Joy Donnell and Maleena Lawrence (with Monica Guzman and John Wood, Jr.)
1:02:01
1:02:01
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:02:01
In different ways, Joy Donnell and Maleena Lawrence are on the front lines of the cultural and political struggle against "White Supremacy." The idea of white supremacy holding sway over the dominant institutions and culture of American life strikes many Americans as outrageous whereas for many other Americans this truth is almost self-evident. But…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Bridging Black Perspectives - Bob Woodson meets Hawk Newsome (with John Wood, Jr.)
1:07:18
1:07:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:07:18
This is a conversation like few others. Bob Woodson and Hawk Newsome are among the most important voices in black America today, but their politics couldn't be any more different on the surface. Hawk Newsome is the chairman and former president of Black Lives Matter of Greater New York. Bob Woodson advised the Reagan administration, the Bush admini…
How can America move from a politics of hate to a politics of love? Ciaran O'Connor interviews Harvard Law Professor Lawrence Lessig.
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Race, Policing, Experience and Perspective with Coleman Hughes
52:54
52:54
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
52:54
A columnist at Quillette Magazine, a contributor to Citi Journal and a person who has testified before the House of Representatives on the subject of reparations, Coleman Hughes is a writer and public commentator who has been celebrated for his sober analysis of issues relating to race in America. He joins John Wood, Jr. to talk about the statistic…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Tara Burton and the New Awakening | with April Lawson and Luke Phillips
1:03:50
1:03:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:50
Tara Isabella Burton, one of the most interesting rising commentators on religion (broadly-defined!) in the American public square, joins April Lawson and Luke Nathan Phillips on the Braver Angels Podcast to discuss her new book, Strange Rites: New Religions for a Godless World. Why do Americans in a secularizing age seem to find spiritual fulfillm…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Arriving at the Grand Divide | Jonathan Haidt, John Wood Jr. and April Lawson
1:03:40
1:03:40
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:03:40
Braver Angels leaders John Wood, Jr. and April Lawson are joined by author, social psychologist and Braver Angels board member Jonathan Haidt to discuss the historical and psychological paths by which the United States has found itself looking over the cliff of chaotic social divisions – and wrestle with how we forge a positive path into the future…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Journey to Justice | Sally Kohn Interview with April Lawson & Monica Guzman
42:18
42:18
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
42:18
Political commentator and author Sally Kohn returns to the Braver Angels Podcast to talk about her personal path to social justice advocacy, her empathy for conservative America and the battle to be aware of our own prejudices.
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Race, Free Speech, and "Defunding the Police"
1:15:33
1:15:33
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:15:33
What does "defund the police" really mean? How can media outlets balance concerns about social justice and free speech? And how can America come together amidst upheaval? Ciaran O'Connor, John Wood, Jr., April Lawson, and Monica Guzman discuss on the latest edition of the Braver Angels Podcast.
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Bridget Phetasy & the Culture Wars | with John Wood, Jr. and Monica Guzman
1:26:50
1:26:50
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:26:50
Bridget Phetasy is a writer, actress and comedian whose Twitter feed has emerged as an unlikely refuge for political misfits across the spectrum. Formerly a columnist for Playboy, a contributor to publications including The Federalist and a guest on podcasts including The Joe Rogan Experience and The Rubin Report, Bridget has never gone into depth …
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Transcending Politics Through Art | Sage Snider, Phillippa Hughes, Luke Phillips and John Wood, Jr.
46:03
46:03
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
46:03
John Wood, Jr. is joined by Braver Angels leaders Sage Snider, Luke Phillips and special guest Phillippa Hughes, founder of the Looking for America project, to talk about the Braver Angels songwriting contest, the cross-cultural artistic and convening work of Looking for America, and the power of music, art, food and culture to transcend the normal…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Experiencing COVID-19 | Ciaran O'Connor, April Lawson, Monica Guzman and John Wood, Jr.
43:56
43:56
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
43:56
Like the rest of America, Braver Angels has been touched by the COVID-19 epidemic and the national response. Some of us have been touched in very personal ways. So listen as the Braver Angels crew, including Ciaran, April, Monica and John, share their own experiences related to COVID-19, while exploring the warring attitudes of the American people.…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Morality, Politics and Persuasion | Scott Adams and John Wood, Jr.
1:16:13
1:16:13
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
1:16:13
How do we overcome the bitterness of American politics and change the way things are done? This is John Wood, Jr. "Left of Bernie," yet a consistent defender of President Trump; author, commentator and creator of the comic strip "Dilbert" Scott Adams is a fascinating or infuriating voice in the political conversation, depending on who you ask. But …
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Getting Results: Organizing Across the Divide | Sam Daley-Harris
49:41
49:41
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
49:41
Sam Daley-Harris is a true pioneer in the area of bipartisan political organizing, and he has the track record to prove it. From his beginnings in anti-poverty work in the 70's to climate change today, Sam has built organizations that have set the cutting edge in grassroots coalition building. In this episode of The Braver Angels Podcast, Sam trave…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
In Search of a Braver Nation ft. Chloe Valdary and Ken Bone
56:21
56:21
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
56:21
Things have changed in the USA. But while ordinary Americans fight extraordinary battles to beat back COVID-19 and keep our economy running, Braver Angels and hopeful Americans across the country look for ways to make our politics worthy of our heroes and the future we want to see. In this episode of the Braver Angels Podcast, guests Chloe Valdary …
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
The Media and COVID-19 – featuring Annafi Wahed, Denise Nanke and Monica Guzman
51:51
51:51
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
51:51
Everybody seems to hate the media. But is it the problem or the solution? And is it possible that during the COVID-19 pandemic Americans are coming together after all? Ciaran O'Connor and John Wood, Jr. are joined by media figures Annafi Wahed (founder of The Flipside), Denise Quinn (talk radio show host on KYKN in Salem, OR) and Monica Guzman (co-…
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Introducing Braver Angels with John Wood, Jr. and Ciaran O'Connor
40:47
40:47
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
40:47
It's a new day in America, and many things have changed. This new day requires courage. Better, has become Braver. In this episode Braver Angels national ambassadors John Randolph Wood, Jr. and Ciaran Justice O'Connor talk about Better Angels transformation, the politics of Republicans and Democrats during the Coronavirus crisis, and the challenge …
T
The Braver Angels Podcast
1
Impossible Conversations and Coronavirus with Peter Boghossian
35:46
35:46
Play later
Play later
Lists
Like
Liked
35:46
Recorded 3/12/2020: Peter Boghossian, Co-author of the book How to Have Impossible Conversations, drops by The Better Angels Podcast to talk with John Wood, Jr. and Ciaran O'Connor about how the techniques in this book prepare us for some of the difficult dialogues the spreading pandemic is confronting us with. Pick up your copy of How to Have Impo…
