On the Other Hand

#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. 

#30 Chris Jones, Democratic Party candidate, Part 1, 2-14-23: OTOH Episode 30

In this first part of a conversation with recent Democratic candidate for governor Dr. Chris Jones, Glen and April explore with Chris how he views his politics, some of the early life influences on his political views, and his strong belief that all points on the political spectrum can contribute to problem solving.  He explains his approach to dealing with political differences, which includes preference for "high conflict" vs "conflict entrepreneurs." He also discusses the voluntary nature of our social contract and the need to "re-humanize" each other, and he compares the concepts of "calling out" vs "calling in" when faced with possible destructive political views and actions by others.  

#29 Caroline Stevenson peace activist 1-20-23 Part 2 Episode 29

OTOH Episode 29: Part 2 of a conversation with Caroline Stevenson
This second episode of Glen and April's interview with long-time community activist Caroline Stevenson begins with her describing how she worked as a peace activist alongside members of the military in developing and funding the Beacon of Peace and Hope in North Little Rock and how both groups came to have enduring and respectful relationships despite their differences. Caroline explains her hopes in Arkansas for an eventual swing toward more moderation and mutual respect in its politics, which she saw during the Winthrop Rockefeller governorship. She recommends using one's own life experiences as a basis for taking action on matters of personal importance to each of us. 

#28 Caroline Stevenson peace activist 1-20-23 part 1: OTOH Episode 28

Glen and April interview long-time community activist Caroline Stevenson, who has provided advocacy in areas such as mental health, peace, and interfaith relationships. In this first episode, Caroline discusses how the development early in life of a serious mental illness in one of her sons fueled her interest in mental health, which led her and a few other families in Arkansas to develop a state affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness for support of families and reduction of stigma of mental illness. Caroline also disclosed how the death of another son in the PanAm airline bombing in 1988 initially led to bitterness and thoughts of vengeance, yet she chose to instead embark on a life-long attempt to reach across differences in religious beliefs. Additionally, she became active in peace movements, while still seeking to develop relationships with others who saw things differently, including members of the military. 

#27 Monica Guzman, author and Braver Angels leader, 2-9-23, Part 2: OTOH Episode 27

In this 2nd episode of a conversation with journalist, national Braver Angels leader, and best-selling author Monica Guzman, April & Glen explore with Monica her assertion that "people underrepresented in our lives are overrepresented in our imagination" and how that requires us to  get to know more people who differ from us. She points out how talking with those others helps us to check our darker visions with the realities we find when we talk with curiosity with others. Monica identifies politics and journalism as two key institutions that may be mostly responsible for our current polarization but that they can also be our best hope for helping solve those problems. They can change by learning and incorporating the best new ideas of our current people and culture. Seeing many opportunities for discovering common ground across our various groups, Monica tells stories of how others have grown closer via their discovery of unexpected common ground. She describes the "temperamental revolution" required of all of us, especially politicians whose yelling in public discourse is often an audition for media appearances. Finally, she talks about her hopes for our country and culture and asserts that "there is no one not worth talking to."

#26 Monica Guzman, author and Braver Angels leader, 2-9-23, Part 1: OTOH Episode 26

Glen & April welcome Monica Guzman, a journalist, Braver Angels national leader, and best-selling author of the book "I Never Thought of It That Way:  How To Have Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times."  In this first episode, Monica traces her journey in journalism as she encounters pressure to take sides and instead commits to promoting multiple voices and perspectives.  She describes how an extended conversation with someone on the other side taught her to be patient in order for an understanding and relationship to develop, so that each of them could recognize flaws on their side and acknowledge good points on the other side. She emphasizes the importance of this complete understanding in revealing truth, and how that approach requires intellectual humility, curiosity, and courage in the face of uncertainty.  When so much of us easily view others as monsters or as posing an existential threat to our way of life or our identity, Monica notes the role of fear in this process, and how it greatly distorts the reality and the truth that can ultimately bring us together.