On the Other Hand

#40 Nitin Agarwal, UA-Little Rock Professor and Social Media influence researcher, 7-18-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 40

Glen and April welcome University of Arkansas at Little Rock professor Dr. Nitin Agarwal, the Jerry L. Maulden-Entergy Chair & Distinguished Professor in the UA-Little Rock Information Science Department. Dr. Agarwal is also the Director of the Collaboratorium for Social Media and Online Behavioral Studies (COSMOS). His work focuses on influence operations online, information environment manipulation, mis/disinformation and propaganda campaigns that primarily originate outside the US and which potentially impact US defense strategic interests. As a subject matter expert on how social media is used to impact people and societies, such as through promoting toxic polarization and other negative consequences, Dr. Agarwal was interviewed to help us better understand what he and his team have found through his research about the ways that social media is being used in nefarious ways around the world. We also explore with him ways to improve our interactions with social media in our culture. In this first episode, Nitin describes the "good, bad and ugly" behaviors on social media, tactics, techniques and procedures used for online influence campaigns, and how social media, which originated with high hopes for positive use in society, has gone down a dark path in many ways currently. 

#39 2023 Braver Angels National Convention recap with April Chatham-Carpenter & Ray Hanley, 8-11-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 39

In this second part of Glen White's interview with Braver Angels Arkansas leaders April Chatham-Carpenter & Ray Hanley about their experiences at the 2023  Braver Angels National Convention, we hear April and Ray share their thoughts about the struggles they and most of us have in "walking the walk" in their work with Braver Angels.  Maintaining a respectful approach to one's conversations, social media interactions, and other means of interaction with people of differing political views turns out the be a challenge for all of us. Yet both talk about examples of positive outcomes when using the skills and approaches espoused by Braver Angels, and the potential benefits of persisting even when our passion for advocating for our beliefs puts us in potential conflict with others. Based on what they learned during the convention, they provide some ideas about next steps for Braver Angels in Arkansas. 

#38 2023 Braver Angels Convention recap with April Chatham-Carpenter & Ray Hanley, 8-11-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 38

Glen White interviews Braver Angels Arkansas leaders April Chatham-Carpenter & Ray Hanley about their experiences at the 2023 Braver Angels National Convention.  In this first of two episodes, Ray provides a background on the historic nature of the setting of the convention, while April describes the wide variety of events and activities that made up the first in-person convention since the COVID pandemic.  "A Christian, a Jew, a Muslim, and a Wiccan walk into a convention..." - Sound like a bad joke? Nope, it's more like one of the more notable experiences Ray describes from his time at the convention. For music fans, April tells us about some of the musical moments during the convention, which included a group that combines hip-hop and bluegrass. Talk about your reaching across divides!

#37 Rebecca Glazier, UA-Little Rock political scientist & Associate Professor, 6-13-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 37

In part 2 of our interview with Dr. Rebecca Glazier, Professor in UA-Little Rock's school of Public Affairs, Rebecca reveals strategies she employs for dealing with difficult, rigid people in her attempts to bridge differences, including "cross-cutting," as ways to build more positive relationships and interactions. An example is described in how a potentially difficult conversation about immigration led to finding several elements of common ground. Rebecca views religion as one of several potential means for bringing the right and left politically toward common ground. She used this approach in a "Race and Faith" summit of faith-based leaders in the community, and she outlines some of the both difficult and encouraging moments from that summit. Various negative societal influences, such as social media, gerrymandering, and others are described in terms of their tendency to increase polarization, as well as positive alternative strategies for broadening one's view of their "in-group." Rebecca points out how politicians are "single-minded seekers of re-election" and the implications of that reality on compromise as well as how to respond. She then concludes with additional ideas for how to reduce defensiveness when having political discussions. 

#36 Rebecca Glazier, UA-Little Rock political scientist & Associate Professor, 6-13-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 36

Dr. Rebecca Glazier, Professor in UA-Little Rock's school of Public Affairs, is interviewed about her work, including research with various faith communities in central Arkansas and their interests in community involvement. She works with her students and the community in trying to explore sources of division and polarization, as well as ways of reducing those tendencies. A key goal of her work is to learn more about the impact of religion, social identity and other factors that may contribute to division in the congregations and community. Initial work revealed a strong interest on the part of many congregations to look specifically at race as a topic that needs better understanding for overcoming tensions and silos in the community.  Rebecca explores both positive and negative impact of religion in various areas, through a discussion of something she calls "ambivalence of the sacred." She also shares some of her classroom strategies for helping her class be a safe environment for having potentially difficult discussions for the students. 

#35 Vic Snyder, former AR congressman, 4-25-23, part 2: OTOH Episode 35

In part two of our interview with Vic Snyder, he encourages citizens to not give up on their elected representatives.  Vic expresses concerns about current Arkansas politics becoming more extreme than most voters, but he recognizes that campaigning often leads candidates to go to the extreme views of their party in order to get elected.  However, when they get elected, they realize that governing isn't as easy as their campaigning views portrayed. Vic expresses concern about the influence of big money in politics, which can pose a danger to our democracy, the integrity of our elections, and our quality of life. He also shares lessons from his past involvement in the impeachment proceedings of Bill Clinton and how they might apply in today’s political environment.   

#34 Vic Snyder, former AR congressman, 4-25-23, part 1: OTOH Episode 34

Glen and April sat down with former congressman from Arkansas 2nd district Vic Snyder recently. In this first episode, hear Vic’s views of bipartisan possibilities in Congress, based on his experiences as a congressman in the past. Vic describes some of the key things that he believes have contributed to the worsening of relationships in Congress.  He also describes some potential areas of common ground that should be possible for Congress.  Vic worked early in his career with Republicans, and in this interview, he expresses strong concerns about identifying too heavily with one party, and he expresses serious concerns about our current struggles in government.  Vic, in his retirement, also is working on a fundraising initiative for a project recognizing the 1865 explosion and sinking of the Sultana steamboat, which was the largest maritime disaster in US history at that time.

#33 Rita Chisum Braver Angels activist 3-8-23: OTOH Episode 33

In this 2nd part of our interview with Braver Angels activist Rita Chisum, we hear Rita's thoughts about Truth (big T) versus truth (little t) and the importance of maintaining humility in one's beliefs about what we see as true.  She explains some concerns she has about stereotypes some Blues may have about Reds, quotes Maya Angelou, and talks about her hopes for where Arkansas may be headed. She ends with strong assertions about respecting, listening to, and finding good in all people, not just those of the same political or religious persuasion. 

#32 Rita Chisum Braver Angels activist 3-8-23: OTOH Episode 32

Glen and April interview Rita Chisum, an Arkansan and Braver Angels activist.  In this episode, Rita describes how her family upbringing and strong Christian faith led her to being the person she is today. She also notes how those values drew her to the Braver Angels mission. As a Red politically, Rita ties her political views to her early influences, but she also notes her strong beliefs in respecting others who may disagree with her on politics, religion, and other topics. She emphasizes the importance of dealing directly but lovingly with differences one encounters when difficult conversations arise. Rita also suggests the value of providing early, developmentally appropriate education in psychology for young children, which she feels would help increase their empathy and skills for dealing with difficult issues they may face as they grow. 

#31 Chris Jones, Democratic Party candidate, Part 2, 2-14-23: OTOH Episode 31

In part 2 of this conversation Glen and April have with recent Democratic candidate for governor Dr. Chris Jones, Chris describes the importance of authentic dialog in political conversations, with emphasis on a positive and respectful approach - including clarity in one's positions. He draws parallels between a divided legislative and executive branch in Arkansas during the Winthrop Rockefeller years with the potential for productivity even with possible future such divisions in Arkansas's government. Discussions include the importance of hearing from a wide range of voices when trying to solve difficult problems, potential areas of common ground between political factions in Arkansas, and the need to avoid demonizing other views, while continuing to call out destructive public assertions. He also covers how he views science and religion as being complementary and not necessarily being inconsistent with each other.  He outlines recent attempts to broaden who he talks with in Arkansas as he hopes to build a more responsive and widespread involvement in political activities.