On the Other Hand

#59 Wendall Griffen, pastor, ex judge and social justice activitist, Jan 30 2024, Part 1: OTOH Episode 59

Here's a guest you should make a point to listen to: Wendell Griffen, a veteran, attorney, retired judge, CEO of his own organization, author, public speaker, and the pastor at the New Millennium Church in Little Rock. In part 1 of this interview, April and Glen sit down with Wendell, well known in Arkansas as a passionate advocate for various social justice issue. Here he explains how his views originate from influences by his parents growing up, as well Jesus, Martin Luther King, Jr, and others. He especially resonates with the call to "love the least of these."  Wendell embraces a version of Christianity that he contrasts with what he terms "empirical Christianity," a version that troubles him and is covered in his upcoming book "The Hateful Faithful."  Yet he urges being open to talking to others as critical for growth ("iron sharpens iron"). The struggle he sees is chaos vs community, where fear feeds chaos. He sides with the forming and strengthening of community. In a powerful metaphor, he relates a personal story that helped motivate him to be more active in his community.  The inspiration came to him in learning to swim as an adult and led him to realize that we need the courage to "get off the side of the pool" and into the deep water in order to "learn how to swim."

#58 Ryan Norris, Director of Americans for Prosperity Arkansas, 11-13-23, Part 2: OTOH episode 58

In part 2 of his second appearance on our podcast, Ryan shares with us information about his work on increasing civil engagement by Arkansans. Those actions include initiatives that Americans for Prosperity Arkansas provides for any Arkansans who are interested in becoming more involved and engaged in political actions and advocacy.  He also discusses how he combines advocacy for the conservative, free-market approach to government with strong support for cross-partisan engagement. Finally, we hear about his involvement in the recent movement to provide protection for Arkansas's nationally respected Freedom of Information law and how he and others from across the political spectrum are taking steps to maintain that level of transparency for Arkansas.

#57 Ryan Norris, Director of Americans for Prosperity Arkansas, 11-13-23, Part 1: OTOH episode 57

Glen & April invite Ryan Norris back for a repeat interview. As Director of Americans for Prosperity Arkansas, Ryan has been in charge of an organization that nationally has been associated with strongly Red views, yet he has persistently advocated and acted in accordance with values of civility and maintaining relationships across the political divide. In the first part of this second interview, Ryan provides insight into the importance he attaches to including people of various views in negotiations, as long as they maintain a respectful approach. He even advocates hearing from those with extreme views of either ideological slant, with the caveat that they remain civil in their approach. He provides details on some of the work his group has done with Arkansans in relation to bills considered in the 2023 legislative session. 

#56 Robert Richards, Asst Prof, Clinton School of Public Service, 12-5-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 56

In part 2 of our interview with Dr. Robert Richards of the Clinton School of Public Service, we learn about the various communication systems and practices that the students learn to help them appreciate the perspectives of others whose views differ from their own. Drawing distinctions between dialog and deliberation, Robert helps us better understand how students with such diverse cultural backgrounds and life experiences become effective practitioners of those and other approaches, thus making them valued members of the organizations with which they work. Robert's optimistic view of the future draws on the optimism he sees in these young (and some not so young) students.  He sees that they share expectations that people of varying backgrounds and beliefs can communicate effectively and work together for goals that help move their organizations, and even countries, forward.

#55 Robert Richards, Asst Prof, Clinton School of Public Service, 12-5-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 55

April & Glen welcome Dr. Robert Richards, Assistant Professor at the Clinton School of Public Service, who provides insight into the work done in training future professionals in government, non-profits, and for-profit organizations. For those who are curious about the nature of the Clinton School's vision and work with its students, Robert provides details on the training, both academic/research oriented work, as well as real-world experience in various companies and organizations or governments both in the US and around the world. We hear about the varied characteristics of those in the program, and perspectives of international students who come from differing cultural and government backgrounds, as they live and work in the US and are exposed to the American political and cultural environment.  Robert also outlines several key communication and related techniques for having productive interactions with people of differing views.

#54 Clarke Tucker, AR state senator and attorney, 10-6-23, Part 2: OTOH episode 54

In part 2 of our interview with Clarke Tucker, Glen & April hear Clarke's account of recent work in the 2023 legislative session, including being able to get some long-sought measures in criminal justice reform included in a bill that became law. He describes its benefit in reducing recidivism and yet notes the many ways that some of that recent legislation is likely to prove counterproductive, failing to actually make Arkansans safer. He worries about the strong divisiveness between the parties in Arkansas and the country. Clarke provides an in-depth explanation of the factors that are contributing to or even worsening the current high level of tribalism and polarization, along with how certain democratic reforms that he feels would help reduce this problem. This conviction has led him to regularly file legislation that  would help reduce this division by changing the primary system, but he has not yet been able to get enough support for its passage.  However, he sees some hope for more bipartisan work recently in a couple of key areas, where persons across the political spectrum have been collaborating to support measures that would improve education in Arkansas and would strengthen and protect government transparency. He concludes with a humorous story of an experience he had while going door to door to garner support for his re-election. 

#53 Clarke Tucker, AR state senator and attorney, 10-6-23, Part 1: OTOH episode 53

Glen and April sit down with Clarke Tucker, an attorney who currently serves as the Democratic Senator in the Arkansas Legislature from Little Rock, District 14. In this first part of our interview with Clarke, we learn how he serves in government out of a strong sense of obligation, given the many privileges he has been blessed with in his life. As we explore his view of politics in Arkansas and nationally, he explains how he sees the changes in recent years as "partisan, not political." He also provides insightful background into the nature of the legislative process in Arkansas these days, which is "grueling" in terms of the required fundraising and the strong pressure to "run with the party." Despite the realities of that current system, he tries to work for the people in his legislative activities. He believes that how one responds to that balancing act reveals the true nature of the politician. There are those who try to do honest work for the people of Arkansas, but too many are "posturing for re-election" and are only in it to win, seeing the process as merely a game. 

#52 Nate Bell, former AR legislator, political consultant, government transparency activist, 10-18-23, Part 2: OTOH episode 52

In part 2 of our conversation with Nate Bell, Glen and April explore with him his work on the Freedom of Information law in Arkansas, his ideas on improving good government, and his suggested remedies for the extreme political polarization currently seen in our state and the nation. While describing himself as "bull-headed" in his political views, he values facts and is prepared to hear others who can provide legitimate information that may support an alternative view. His assessment of Arkansas's political environment now is one that has been unduly influenced by people on the extreme ends of political ideology, which he attributes to our primary system. He offers several concrete suggestions for alternatives that would lead to governmental actions more in line with the majority of Arkansans. 

#51 Nate Bell, former AR legislator, political consultant, government transparency activist, 10-18-23, Part 1: OTOH episode 51

Nate Bell, a former Arkansas Republican legislator turned "politically homeless" and a consultant currently active in seeking to enshrine Arkansas's Freedom of Information law into the state constitution, sits down with Glen and April. Nate advocates for good government in his work, and he also consults on commercial and off-grid solar power projects.  A self-described Reagan conservative, he draws a sharp contrast between his views and those currently seen in Arkansas's Republican community. As a result, he is working closely with a wide variety of Arkansans who differ strongly with him in some areas but find common ground  in key areas such as governmental transparency and educational reform.

#50 Marquis Hunt, recording artist, interfaith leader, author and thought leader, 9-25-23, Part 2: OTOH episode 50

In this second part of our conversation with Marquis Hunt, we explore his life as a musician, and he offers sage advice on how to work across divides in his community. He offers advice such as "hate that which is not love" and points out how often these days, some divisive elements are targeting as "bad" such currently central points in the culture wars as being black, gay, transgender, etc.  He focuses on finding ways to neutralize the efforts of those who try to vilify people who are different, which he associates with a form of hostage-taking. Drawing a distinction between those who design division societally and those who are caught up in this designed divisiveness, unaware that they are "unwilling co-conspirators," he emphasizes the importance of our approaching these two sources differently. He points out how we are built to handle toxicity in both physical, emotional, and more metaphysical ways as a way to empower us and offer a sense that we can make a difference.  Marquis also talks about humility, the importance of being honest with oneself, and being in right relationship with oneself and others. The importance of appropriate boundaries turns out to be a rather widely encompassing notion that he uses, with concrete examples, that can help us "love anyway."  His assertion is that everything he does, whether in music or in his work in the community, is in essence, listening and breathing, something he learned in his musical pursuits.