On the Other Hand

#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.

#49 Marquis Hunt, recording artist, interfaith leader, author and thought leader, 9-25-23, Part 1: OTOH episode 49

Glen & April talk with Marquis Hunt, an eclectic community leader who is also a  talented saxophonist and recording artist, interfaith leader, author and thought leader. In this first part of the conversation, Marquis traces his origins in his upraising in Arkansas as a Christian, and how it has influenced his current views and work.  He also explores his roles in our community as a person of faith who reaches across religious boundaries, as he shares some of his key notions about the intersection of personal morality and spirituality. His creation of an online program - The Flow - during the COVID pandemic led him to numerous conversations in response to the racially tinged environment that arose after the George Floyd and related incidents. He describes a public event at that time in which he took a conciliatory approach to those who often are in position, such as law enforcement, people of color, politicians, and others. Marquis shares his approach to dealing with those who are different, how one can respond with love despite being treated at times with bias or other forms of mistreatment. You'll find intriguing his comparisons of his work as a jazz musician with approaches to interacting with others in potentially difficult situations.

#48 Rex Nelson, veteran journalist and political/governmental figure, 9-27-23, single episode: OTOH Episode 48

Rex Nelson is a veteran journalist who also served in key roles in Governor Mike Huckabee's administration. In this interview with Rex (a single, 45-minute episode), we hear his take on the uniqueness of Arkansas and how it provides him a rich depth of topics for his columns, which include historical, cultural, political and other coverage of life in Arkansas. Some recent developments in the state are seen as offering Arkansas an important opportunity to grow economically and culturally, although he describes some concerns from current political developments in the state that may fail to take advantage of this moment.  A long-time Republican, Rex explains his recent criticisms of the state and national Republican party and his desire for a return to what was historically considered conservative philosophy. He outlines key current political movements and media developments that he sees as jeopardizing our democracy and reviews some key potential efforts that could help move us back to a more healthy and effective democracy. He also contrasts how Mike Huckabee's governorship functioned with how the governor's daughter and current governor, Sarah Huckabee Sanders, has performed so far as governor. Tips are offered for how to get along with those who have differing political philosophies, and he suggests some areas of bipartisan agreement that have the potential to improve the current polarized state of Arkansas politics.

#47 John Brummett, prominent and long-time Arkansas journalist & columnist, 8-25-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 47

In this second part of our interview with John Brummett, April and Glen hear John assert that "a steady, committed effort to human dialog" is a potential antidote to polarization. Currently, he views our nation as a "tied country" where the political math leads politicians to feed on division and pandering to the base of each party, while demonizing the other side. His solution is that moderates must become a movement on their own. The current state of the media, which is discussed in some detail, makes a movement from the middle particularly tough, as he feels our politics have become largely nationalized. Unfortunately, John feels this reality has made state and local news sources less relevant and influential in the community. Options for maintaining a healthy “media diet” are discussed. In addition to pushing for a more involved moderate element in this country, John advocates for "a movement for human connectedness." Finally, John sheds light on the evolution of his alter ego “Bubba” in his columns.

#46 John Brummett, prominent and long-time Arkansas journalist & columnist, 8-25-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 46

Glen and April interview John Brummett, prominent long-time Arkansas journalist and columnist for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. John describes his early family life as a pivotal influence, and he relates an instance when he was criticized in his family's church for an article he wrote, and how his family responded. Also, he noted that while he generally did very well in elementary school, there was one area of conduct in which he persistently got poor ratings, and how this may explain his subsequent success in his career choice. Although he is widely viewed as liberal, John says he now is "formerly liberal, never conservative" and that he has disdain for extremes on both sides of the political spectrum (for example, he views some extreme leftists as "illiberal"). At this point, he believes neither main party now serves our country well. Instead, he advocates for a "muscular moderation" by persons in the broad center, whether right or left leaning. A key for him in doing this is via the strength of human connection.