Let's Find Common Ground

In honor of Women's History Month, CPF hosts a discussion with former California State Senators Martha Escutia and Fran Pavley on the role of women in politics and the challenges they face as leaders. They discuss how they got involved in politics, Sen. Pavley's landmark work on environmental and climate change legislation, and how they overcame challenges they faced as women legislators in the California Assembly and State Senate. Featuring: Fran Pavley: Former California Senator (2008-2016); Environmental Policy Director, USC Schwarzenegger Institute Martha Escutia: Former California Senator (1992-2006); Vice President, USC State Government Relations and Special Counsel; Spring 2023 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Kamy Akhavan: Executive Director, Center for the Political Future

Our last show focused on finding common ground when talking to strangers. In this show we explore friendship and empathy with two guests who are friends themselves, a Catholic priest and a Protestant pastor. Father Tim Holeda leads Saint Thomas More Co-Cathedral, and Latricia Scriven is pastor of Saint Paul's United Methodist Church, both in Tallahassee, Florida. As religious leaders, our guests offer a perspective many people don't have these days. They grapple with moral questions in their work that we often don't consider, and draw on the wisdom of ancient texts to help them navigate our complicated modern world. Tune in to hear more on this latest episode of Let's Find Common Ground. Thank you to The Village Square and The Village Square's God Squad, a politically diverse group of faith leaders, for making this show possible. Please tell us what you think! Share your feedback in this short survey. For every survey completed, we'll plant 5 trees. Common Ground Podcast Feedback Survey (qualtrics.com)

CPF Executive Director Kamy Akhavan joins Stavros Lambrinidis, European Union Ambassador to the U.S., for a conversation on the history and current status of the European Union and United States relationship. They discuss EU support for Ukraine, the latest on the post-Brexit Windsor Framework, important human rights issues, and advice for young people who want to get involved in public service. Stavros Lambrinidis: European Union Ambassador to the United States Kamy Akhavan: Executive Director, Center for the Political Future Alison Dundes Renteln: USC Professor of Political Science, Anthropology, Public Policy and Law

Most of us live comfortably in our bubbles, interacting with people who think and often look like us. We may sift out others who don't fit our mold. A long pandemic hasn't helped: Covid has made many people wary of being around strangers, let alone talking to them. If you live in a city you operate by invisible rules where you pay just enough attention to a stranger, allowing each of you the space to carry on politely…and distantly. But our guest on this episode says taking the time to talk to people you don't know can bring unexpected pleasures, and lead to more openness and tolerance. Kio Stark is a qualitative researcher and the author of the book When Strangers Meet. She says when you engage with another person in a store, on a park bench, in line at the DMV, you are getting a peek into someone else's world and entering into a shared humanity. You're forging a connection that may help you see the world from another person's perspective. As Kio says, "a conversation with a stranger can open up your idea of who you think of as part of the society in which you live." Hear more on the latest episode of Let's Find Common Ground. Please tell us what you think! Share your feedback in this short survey. For every survey completed, we'll plant 5 trees. Common Ground Podcast Feedback Survey (qualtrics.com)

In the first eight weeks of this year, America's epidemic of mass shootings and gun crimes showed no signs of reprieve. In fact, the crisis may be getting much worse. According to the Gun Violence Archive, a nonprofit group that tracks firearms violence in the U.S., there have been at least 90 mass shootings since January 1. We take a close look at gun violence and the search for common ground. We learn why so many Americans love guns and say they need them for self-defense. We also hear about differences in regional attitudes to guns, and what happens to communities that witness mass shootings. Our guests are journalist Patrick Jonsson and gun safety advocate Ryan Busse, author of "Gunfight: My Battle Against the Industry That Radicalized America". Patrik Jonsson is the Atlanta-based correspondent for The Christian Science Monitor. He writes about The South, gun rights, race, extremist groups, natural disasters, and hockey. Ryan Busse grew up around guns — hunting and shooting with his father and had a long and successful executive career in the gun industry. Despite being a strong critic of the NRA, he's still a proud gun owner, hunter, and outdoorsman who lives in Montana. Please tell us what you think! Share your feedback in this short survey. For every survey completed, we'll plant 5 trees. Common Ground Podcast Feedback Survey (qualtrics.com)

In honor of Black History Month, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future (CPF) hosted an all-star panel discussion with Spring 2023 CPF Fellow Stephanie Young and activists Angela Rye and Brittany Packnett Cunningham on their careers, political impact, and challenges. On Tuesday, February 21, these women discussed the importance of Black History Month, how race and identity impact politics, and the current political roadblocks affecting our democracy. This event was in partnership with VoteSC, USC Political Student Assembly, Trojan Democrats, and USC College Republicans. Featuring: Angela Rye: Attorney, Activist, CEO of IMPACT Strategies Brittany Packnett Cunningham: Speaker, Political Analyst, Social Justice Champion Stephanie Young: Executive Director, When We All Vote; Spring 2023 Barbara Boxer Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Sir Lindsay Hoyle, Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom, for a discussion on how the United Kingdom Parliament operates and the special relationship between the United States and the UK. They discuss the powers of the Speaker of the House of Commons, how elections and political parties work in the UK, and advice to students who want to get involved in politics. Featuring: Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP: Speaker of the House of Commons of the United Kingdom Bob Shrum: Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Almost 70 percent of Generation Z voted for Democrats in November's midterm elections. As the years go by, Republicans are getting an ever smaller slice of the youth vote. In the last episode, we looked at why Democrats are failing with rural voters. This time we ask why the GOP does so badly with young ones. Generation Z is often described as overwhelmingly liberal. But our guests on this show - two young Republicans - say it's not that simple, and that if the GOP engaged in better marketing and outreach, it could win over many of the young electorates. Joe Mitchell is a former state congressman from Iowa, elected to the Iowa House of Representatives at the age of 21. He is also the president and founder of Run Gen Z, a nonprofit dedicated to recruiting and mentoring the next generation of conservative leaders as they prepare to run for office. Karoline Leavitt ran for Congress in New Hampshire last year, securing the nomination in the state's 1st Congressional District at the age of 25. Previously she worked in the White House as assistant press secretary to President Trump. Joe and Karoline say Republicans don't need to change their conservative message to win over young voters. Rather they argue that the GOP should appeal to Gen Z where they are, particularly on social media, and support the young candidates trying to reach them. Please tell us what you think! Share your feedback in this short survey. For every survey completed we'll plant 5 trees. Common Ground Podcast Feedback Survey (qualtrics.com)

CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join Spring 2023 CPF Fellows, Bill Carrick, John McConnell, Hank Plante, Ira Reiner, and Stephanie Young, for a lively discussion on current events, their careers, and their USC study groups. Featuring: Bill Carrick: Political Strategist for Bill Clinton, Eric Garcetti, & Dianne Feinstein; Spring 2023 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future John McConnell: Senior Speechwriter for President George W. Bush & Vice President Dick Cheney; Spring 2023 Parikh Family Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Hank Plante: Emmy & Peabody Award-Winning TV Reporter & Anchor; Spring 2023 Bohnett Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Ira Reiner: Former District Attorney for Los Angeles County; Spring 2023 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Stephanie Young: Executive Director, When We All Vote; Spring 2023 Barbara Boxer Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Bob Shrum: Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Mike Murphy: Co-Director, Center for the Political Future; NBC Political Analyst

Why do the two main political parties do so poorly with some large groups of voters? In this episode, we look at how in recent decades Democrats have been losing rural America by growing margins. In 1996, Bill Clinton carried nearly half of all rural counties. But in 2020 Joe Biden won majorities in fewer than 7% of these counties. Our guest, Chloe Maxmin, a progressive Democrat from rural Maine, was the youngest woman ever to serve in Maine's Senate. She was elected in a conservative district in 2020 after unseating a two-term Republican incumbent in a region that twice voted for Donald Trump by large majorities. She argues that her party has ignored voters in rural America and that their road to winning begins with respect, empathy, seeking common ground, and listening carefully to rural voters' concerns. On the doorstep candidates and volunteers, Maxmin argues, should "take the time to listen to why somebody believes the things they do and why they think the way they do." Our next show will focus on Republicans and their struggles with Gen-Z voters. Our previous episode was about why independent voters are ignored and misunderstood by both main parties. Please tell us what you think! Share your feedback in this short survey. For every survey completed we'll plant 5 trees. Common Ground Podcast Feedback Survey (qualtrics.com)

Independent voters make up more than 40 percent of the voting public. But you wouldn't know that from media coverage, which focuses almost exclusively on red versus blue. Independents are often overlooked or seen as wishy-washy. Our guests on this episode say that's a big misconception. In this show we look at a group of voters, including many young people, that is making up a growing slice of the US population. Our guests are Jackie Salit and John Opdycke. Jackie is the author of Independents Rising and president of Independent Voting, an organization dedicated to bringing respect, recognition and reform to independent voters. John Opdycke is president of Open Primaries, which campaigns for primary elections in which every American can vote, not just Republicans or Democrats. John and Jackie say that independents are not moderates: They envision a much less divisive political system than the current one, and they want to play a bigger role in American democracy. Please tell us what you think! Share your feedback in this short survey. For every survey completed we'll plant 5 trees. Common Ground Podcast Feedback Survey (qualtrics.com)

Want to know one of the most exciting and innovative ways to find common ground? Get people out of their political bunkers and move them beyond rigid polarization in our divided nation. Consider local grassroots efforts, such as the one we profile in this podcast episode. Journalist Simon Montlake of The Christian Science Monitor tells us about his reporting on a lively grassroots effort in northeast Ohio to help people of all political stripes disagree constructively. Participants meet first over dinner at a community center and then debate a hot topic. The audience is invited to discuss a controversial proposition, listening to different points of view. It's called Dinner and a Fight with the word "fight" crossed out and replaced by "dialog". Event organizers Ted Wetzel and Tom Hach explain how the evenings work and why they can be part of a broader effort to rebuild civic bonds. Ted is the founder and executive director of Fighting-To-Understand, a nonprofit group that encourages people to be more skilled at healthy disagreement. Former IT program manager and retired Navy Reservist Tom Hach is the Director of Ohio Freedom Action Network (OhioFAN). Please tell us what you think! Share your feedback in this short survey. For every survey completed we'll plant 5 trees. Common Ground Podcast Feedback Survey (qualtrics.com)

2022 was a year of surprises in politics and the world beyond. In our year-end special, "Let's Find Common Ground" podcast puts the spotlight on six interviews that we published during the past twelve months. We hear former Congressman Will Hurd discuss moderation and extremes in American politics. Author and market researcher Diane Hessan tells us what pollsters often overlook when they speak with voters. Former gun industry executive Ryan Busse reveals the key differences between responsible gun ownership and the reckless use of firearms. Co-hosts Richard Davies and Ashley-Milne Tyte also feature their conversation with a prison reformer and a corrections industry executive. Two members of Congress— one Republican, one Democrat— explain their efforts to improve how Congress works. And a leading newspaper editor and reporter discuss how they face up honestly and creatively to bias and misinformation in the news media. Learn more at commongroundcommittee.org/podcasts

CPF Co-Director Mike Murphy joins political insiders and strategists for a discussion on the 2024 presidential election. The panelists also talk about how candidates and campaigns are shaping up for the upcoming election, the possibility of a Joe Biden 2024 campaign, and Donald Trump's 2024 campaign. Featuring: Tad Devine: President, Devine Mulvey Longabaugh Media; Chief Strategist, Bernie Sanders' 2016 presidential campaign Jon Favreau: Co-Founder of Crooked Media; Former Head Speechwriter for President Barack Obama Shaniqua McClendon: Vice President of Politics, Crooked Media; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Corrin Rankin: California Republican Party's Central Valley Vice Chair John Thomas: Republican Strategist, President of Thomas Partners Strategies Mike Murphy: Co-Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future; NBC Political Analyst

FOX 11 News Co-Anchor Elex Michaelson joins political insiders, strategists, and education experts for a discussion on how California and Los Angeles were impacted by the elections. They also talk about the Los Angeles mayoral election, the future of Gavin Newsom's political career, control of the Senate, and the future of the Democratic and Republican parties in California. Featuring: Barbara Boxer: Former U.S. Senator (D-CA); Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Addisu Demissie: Principal and Co-Founder, 50+1 Strategies; Political Strategist, Gavin Newsom's 2018 gubernatorial campaign and Cory Booker's 2020 presidential campaign Christian Grose: Professor of Political Science and Public Policy, USC Dornsife; Academic Director, USC Schwarzenegger Institute for State and Global Policy Ira Reiner: 39th Los Angeles County District Attorney; Former Los Angeles City Attorney and Controller, Fall 2022 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Tom Ross: President and CEO, Swing Strategies political consulting firm Elex Michaelson: Host, "The Issue Is"; Co-Anchor, FOX 11 News; Winner of multiple Emmy and Golden Mic awards

Collaboration is seen as a given in working life. Being part of a team means cooperating with others on all kinds of projects. But the reality is few of us learn how to collaborate. And when a collaboration fails it can leave such bad scars that the people involved never want to work together again. In this episode, we speak with professor and collaboration expert Dr. Deb Mashek, author of the forthcoming book Collabor(hate): how to build incredible collaborative relationships at work (even if you'd rather work alone). Deb found that three-quarters of people have been in at least one collaboration they loathed. But she says if more of us learn some simple skills, these kinds of disasters can be avoided. She also reveals how her own journey from trailer park to Ph.D. helped her become an expert in human relationships.

Award-winning journalist Hank Plante joins political insiders, journalists, and education experts for a discussion on the 2022 midterm election results. Panelists also talk about Nancy Pelosi stepping down as House Democratic leader, the reliability of polling, and messaging strategies of both political parties. Featuring: Elan Carr: Former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism; Former Deputy District Attorney of Los Angeles; Fall 2022 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Bill Carrick: Political Strategist, President Bill Clinton, Robert Luna, Eric Garcetti, Dick Riordan, Dianne Feinstein, and more Seema Mehta: Staff Writer for the Los Angeles Times covering the 2022 midterm elections Symone Sanders: Former Senior Advisor and Chief Spokesperson to Vice President Kamala Harris; Former Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Lynn Vavreck: Marvin Hoffenberg Professor of American Politics and Public Policy, UCLA; Contributing Columnist to The Upshot at The New York Times Hank Plante: Emmy and Peabody-winning political journalist

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Democratic political icon James Carville and former White House Chief of Staff and Republican National Committee Chairman Reince Priebus for a Common Ground Committee discussion on the 2022 midterm election results and the state of our democracy. They discuss the biggest takeaways from the midterm election, Carville's take on a Biden second run, and Priebus' experiences in the Oval Office. Featuring: James Carville: Political Icon Reince Priebus: White House Chief of Staff (2017), Chairman of the RNC (2011-2017) Bob Shrum: Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

The holiday season is here but many people across the country may be dreading sitting down with their nearest and dearest— all because of politics. In the first half of this episode, we discuss political differences with a father and daughter who have different ways of seeing the world. Clare Ashcraft and her dad Brian live in Ohio. He's an engineer and a conservative. She is a liberal-leaning college student. In the second half, we hear from an expert— well-known psychologist Tania Israel, author of "Beyond Your Bubble: How to Connect Across the Political Divide: Skills and Strategies for Conversations That Work." We share a series of smart tips that aim to minimize conflict and maximize cooperation with parents, family and friends. "Let's Find Common Ground" is hosted by Ashley Milne-Tyte and Richard Davies.

Democrats feared and Republicans expected a "red wave" election, but it didn't happen. Why was the outcome such a surprise? Who gets the credit and blame? How do results impact the near-term future? What are the prospects for finding common ground in Congress where both the Senate and House will have razor-thin majorities? We discuss these questions with two of America's most experienced political thinkers: Democratic consultant Bob Shrum and Republican strategist Mike Murphy. Both men serve as co-directors of The Center for the Political Future at the University of Southern California. Mike Murphy is one of the Republican Party's most successful political media consultants, having handled strategy and advertising for more than two dozen successful gubernatorial and senatorial campaigns. Bob Shrum was once described as "the most sought-after consultant in the Democratic Party," by The Atlantic Monthly. He was the strategist in over 25 winning U.S. Senate campaigns, eight successful races for governor, and numerous campaigns for Congress and statewide offices.

While many American consumers have given up their daily news habit, millions of others are now addicted to rage media— cable news and social media that push sensationalism, groupthink, and tribalism. This trend of "news bubbles" is relatively recent. Over the past 30 years, the decline of many regional newspapers has given way to a new form of slick, easy, and profitable national opinion journalism that caters to narrow segments of the population. In this episode, we look at the current state of the news industry and ask why the media and news consumers should insist on better journalism. Our guest is Chris Stirewalt, a columnist for The Dispatch, author, and former political editor for Fox News. Chris's new book is "Broken News: Why the Media Rage Machine Divides America and How to Fight Back."

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins authors Patricia Turner and Gabriel Debenedetti for a discussion on their books about the Obama presidency. Turner's book, "Trash Talk: Anti-Obama Lore and Race in the Twenty-First Century," focuses on the cultural and racial reaction to Barack Obama's election. Debenedetti's book, "The Long Alliance: The Imperfect Union of Joe Biden and Barack Obama," focuses on the relationship between Barack Obama and Joe Biden over the years. They discuss Obama's influence on Biden's 2016 presidential run, misinformation and conspiracy theories on Barack and Michelle, and Trump's influence on Obama's public opinion. Featuring: Gabriel Debenedetti: New York Magazine National Correspondent; Author Patricia Turner: UCLA Professor of World Arts, Culture/Dance, & African American Studies; Arthur Ashe Legacy Project Director, UCLA; Author Bob Shrum: Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Alison Dundes Renteln: Professor of Political Science, Anthropology, Law, and Public Policy

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins an all-star panel discussion on the Supreme Court's decision to overturn Roe v. Wade and the politics of Supreme Court decisions. They discuss the Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization decision, the impact of Roe v. Wade on voters and the midterm election, the upcoming Supreme Court cases, and if Roe can be restored. Featuring: Lee Epstein: Hilliard Distinguished Professor of Law, USC Gould School of Law Jessica Lall: President and CEO, Central City Association of Los Angeles; Fall 2022 Barbara Boxer Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Mark Schoofs: Pulitzer prize-winning Professor of Journalism, USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism Bob Shrum: Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

The United States has one of the highest news avoidance rates in the world. Tens of millions of Americans don't read, watch or listen to the news each day. The media are held in low regard by the public. So, is there a better way to report and analyze current events that satisfies readers' interests? We hear from Mark Sappenfield, Editor of The Christian Science Monitor, and Story Hinckley, the paper's National Political Correspondent. We're releasing this podcast less than two weeks before the midterm elections— a time when many news outlets have amped up their coverage, speculated about winners and losers, and put additional emphasis on the nation's deep partisan divides. To date, this episode of Let's Find Common Ground is our most downloaded episode. We discuss evolving news values with The Monitor and how reporters and editors are striving to highlight constructive solutions that unite rather than divide. We also hear about election coverage and why the media need to challenge readers, build trust, and report the news truthfully. In this episode, we mention Common Ground Scorecard— a tool that helps voters learn which elected officials and candidates are seeking common ground on vital issues. The President, Vice President and every Senator, Member of Congress, and governor has a personal rating. Learn more: commongroundscorecard.org.

Rigid polarization and political division are among the biggest challenges facing our country. Young people often feel that tribalism is better than unity and that conversations across political and cultural divides are impossible. College students Clare Ashcraft, who comes from a conservative background, and Jackson Spencer Richter, who calls himself a committed liberal, are active members of BridgeUSA, a national movement of students working to emphasize the importance of empathy, understanding, and ideological diversity. In this episode we hear about students' personal experience of cancel culture, the impact of social media on Generation Z, and why many young people actually feel that free speech can harm or threaten their safety. We also learn about efforts to find common ground, equip students with skills to find solutions across divides, and build bridges with others of different backgrounds and points of view.

For the 2022 Trojan Family Weekend, CPF Co-Directors and veteran political strategists Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy have a balanced and witty conversation about the latest political headlines. They discuss Joe Biden's administration, the state of the Democratic and Republican parties, and the midterm election and what it means for the 2024 general election.

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) to discuss his new book "Dignity in the Digital Age: Making Tech Work for All of Us," which is a roadmap to facing America's digital divide and offering greater economic prosperity to all. They also discuss the digital economy, technological innovation, progressive capitalism, and the future of American democracy. Featuring: Ro Khanna - U.S. Representative (D-CA) for California's 17th Congressional District Bob Shrum - Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife

Polarization is not just a problem for Congress and our political system, it's also taking a toll in the workplace. Employees are falling out with each other over politics and fiery issues in the culture wars. Organizations are trying to stem the discord. Some have banned political talk at the office. Others have taken a public stand on an issue of the day in an effort to 'do the right thing'. Simon Greer, our guest on this show, says edicts like this won't help, though more thoughtful approaches can. Simon is the founder of Bridging the Gap, a group that helps college students develop the skills to communicate well across differences. He also consults with organizations who face these same challenges among their workforces. He explains how he went from 'bomb thrower' to bridge builder over the course of his career, tells stories from his work with employers and employees, and outlines the very personal reason for his belief in the humanity of the other person.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, CPF hosts an all-star panel discussion with Fall 2022 CPF Fellow Noelia Rodriguez, Hector Hernandez, and Maria Romero-Morales as they discuss their experiences working in the White House and their careers, including the challenges and discrimination they faced, as trailblazing Mexican Americans. Featuring: Hector Hernandez: Former Special Agent, U.S. Secret Service Noelia Rodriguez: Former Press Secretary and Communications Director to Laura Bush; Chief of Staff, Metrolink; Fall 2022 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Maria Romero-Morales: Assistant Chief Diversity Officer for Communication, Community and Student Engagement, USC

Our guests on today's show are part of the school shooting generation. Each grew up with active shooter drills and concerns that their school could be next, concepts that were unthinkable when most of today's politicians were in the classroom. Sophie Holtzman and Jackson Hoppe are sophomores at George Washington University. They are also joint vice presidents of their college's chapter of BridgeUSA, a group that brings students of different ideologies together to have open discussions on political issues. Sophie, a liberal, and Jackson, a conservative, share stories of being raised in the South, their experiences with guns, and how listening to others' opinions on the topic is a vital first step to finding common ground.

CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join our Fall 2022 CPF Fellows, Elan Carr, Jessica Lall, Ira Reiner, Noelia Rodriguez, and Maria Salinas for a lively discussion. They talk about the midterm elections (many predictions were made!), Los Angeles mayoral and sheriff elections, bridging the partisan divide, and their upcoming USC study groups. Featuring: Jessica Lall: President and CEO, Central City Association of Los Angeles; Fall 2022 Barbara Boxer Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Elan Carr: Former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism; Fall 2022 Polak Foundation Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Ira Reiner: Former District Attorney for Los Angeles County; Fall 2022 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Noelia Rodriguez: Former Press Secretary and Communications Director to Laura Bush; Chief of Staff, Metrolink; Fall 2022 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Maria S. Salinas: President and CEO, Los Angeles Area Chamber of Commerce; Fall 2022 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Bob Shrum: Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Mike Murphy: Co-Director, Center for the Political Future; NBC Political Analyst

The primary election season in this midterm election year is now over in most states. Turnout was often very low— less than 20% of registered voters showed up in many places— while the partisan divide was as wide as ever. In this episode, we hear from leading political strategists, scholars, authors, and journalists about the American system for choosing candidates who will face each other in November's election. We hear criticisms of closed party primaries and look at other ways to pick candidates for public office. Proposals aimed at reducing polarization include the introduction of ranked-choice voting and open primaries, where independent voters, and those who are neither registered Republicans nor Democrats, can participate. Guests include Former Democratic Party Chair Donna Brazille, ex-Congressmen Will Hurd, David Jolly, and Barney Frank, Domestic Policy Council Director Susan Rice, constitutional law scholar Rick Pildes, author Tony Woodlief, and journalists Salena Zito, Christa Case Bryant, and Story Hinckley.

In US politics bipartisanship is now the exception, not the rule. But the Millennial Action Project is pushing back: it trains young leaders to bridge the partisan divide and work together to solve America's problems. In this episode, we meet two members of the Millennial Action Project from opposite sides of the aisle. They are state representatives from Connecticut, Republican Devin Carney and Democrat Jillian Gilchrest. They discuss the joys and challenges of being a local politician at a time when national politics is so divisive. 'Get to know me' is something they often say to constituents who judge them solely on the 'R' or 'D' after their name. Carney and Gilchrest talk about listening and responding to their constituents, having their own prejudices upended, and how they find ways to agree for the good of their state.

American business can be a force for finding common ground, but large corporations must now answer to a growing array of stakeholders, who often have opposing views on hot-button issues. In recent years, social media has also forced companies to respond immediately to a variety of conflicting demands. We discuss these challenges with Davia Temin, a highly respected marketing and reputation strategist, crisis manager and communications coach. We also learn the ways that business can help contribute to improving public discourse at a time of polarization and political conflict. "I think the landscape is almost unrecognizable for businesses these days, versus ten years ago," Davia tells us. In this episode, we hear about the daily hazards and opportunities for corporate leaders, and get practical lessons on how they can respond to today's changing political, cultural and social landscape. in a clear, caring and authentic voice.

Center Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join two of our five Fall 2022 CPF Fellows, Jessica Lall and Elan Carr, to discuss current events, their careers, and their upcoming USC study groups. They discussed the Los Angeles mayoral race, California's COVID response, diplomacy, and how to move away from polarization. Featuring: Jessica Lall: President and CEO, Central City Association of Los Angeles; Fall 2022 Barbara Boxer Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Elan Carr: Former U.S. Special Envoy to Monitor and Combat Anti-Semitism; Fall 2022 Polak Foundation Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Bob Shrum: Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Mike Murphy: Co-Director, Center for the Political Future; NBC Political Analyst

The world is being shaken by a collision of energy needs, climate change, and clashes between nations in a time of global crisis— made much worse by Russia's all-out invasion of Ukraine. Roaring inflation has shocked consumers, the Biden Administration, and other governments around the world. In this episode we discuss the rapidly growing challenges of national security as well as opportunities for common ground with Pulitzer Prize-winning author Daniel Yergin, one of the world's foremost experts on energy, international politics and economics. We examine the reasons behind President Biden's latest visit to Saudi Arabia, Europe's rapidly growing dependence on U.S. oil and natural gas, and the changing threats to the West from Russia and China. Daniel Yergin's book, "The New Map: Energy, Climate and the Clash of Nations," led to his selection as Energy Writer of the Year by the American Energy Society

CPF Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join two of our Fall 2022 CPF Fellows, Ira Reiner and Noelia Rodriguez, to discuss current events, their careers, and their upcoming USC study groups. Featuring: Ira Reiner: Former District Attorney for Los Angeles County; Fall 2022 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Noelia Rodriguez: Former Press Secretary and Communications Director to Laura Bush; Chief of Staff, Metrolink; Fall 2022 Fellow, USC Center for the Political Future Bob Shrum: Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Mike Murphy: Co-Director, Center for the Political Future; NBC Political Analyst

Environmental activist and author Bill McKibben warned the public about the perils of climate change and the damage human activity is causing more than forty years ago. Former South Carolina Republican Congressman Bob Inglis became a climate activist much later, but he is no less passionate. Both differ on politics and who to vote for, but they agree on the goal of sharply reducing carbon emissions as soon as possible. Inglis and McKibben join us for this episode of "Let's Find Common Ground". They sound the alarm about the need for urgent action. Bob Inglis is a conservative Republican and a committed believer in free enterprise capitalism and limited government. He's executive director of RepublicEN.org, a conservative group that advocates for solutions to climate change. Bill McKibben is a writer and teacher who has dedicated his life to confronting the climate crisis. He has written a dozen books about the environment, is a distinguished scholar at Middlebury College, and leads the climate campaign group 350.org. Last year Bill launched Third Act, a new campaign aimed at engaging activists over the age of 60

We live in a world of political extremes, with the far right and far left denigrating each other on a regular basis. But could the future lie with politicians who appeal to everyone else? Our guest on this show says yes. Former CIA agent and Republican congressman Will Hurd of San Antonio won three terms representing Texas's 23rd district. He was told he could never it because it was bright blue, while he was red. Hurd says he succeeded by engaging with everyone, not just voters who shared all his beliefs. "In the media in Washington DC…moderate means middle of the road," he says. "But in reality, moderates are the ones that do the hard work and get things done because they're the ones that are having to take a philosophy to people that may not identify with it." Hurd grew up bi-racial in Texas, which gave him the early experience of finding common ground. In his book American Reboot he outlines how to "get big things done" by focusing on policy, not politics. He also shares his thoughts on what Americans should be worrying about, including losing control of the technology which we use to run our lives.

All too often people in public life talk past each other and assume that all Americans are rigid Republicans or determined Democrats. So what happens when we actually listen and give voters the respect and space they need to explain how their true opinions? On guns, abortion, government spending and even partisan politics, most people may not be nearly as far apart as polling suggests. For more than four years, our guest, entrepreneur and market researcher, Diane Hessan, conducted a remarkable series of conversations with hundreds of voters from all across the country. She checked in with them every week. What Diane found may surprise you, give you hope, and change the way you feel about your fellow Americans. Diane also has some fascinating insights into the role of business, and how corporations could bridge divides among their workforce and the public at large. Note: Please take our brand new listener survey at commongroundcommittee.org/podcasts. We value your feedback.

Center Co-Directors Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy join journalists Jonathan Martin and Alexander Burns to discuss their latest book and the degree to which the two-party system has been strained to the point of disintegration. Featuring: Jonathan Martin - Co-Author, "This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future"; National Political Correspondent, New York Times Alexander Burns - Co Author, "This Will Not Pass: Trump, Biden, and the Battle for America's Future"; National Correspondent, New York Times; Political Analyst, CNN Bob Shrum - Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Mike Murphy - Co-Director, Center for the Political Future; NBC Political Analyst

Every day on social media and cable TV, in newspapers and magazines, we're told that we live in a red-versus-blue world of rigid divides. Our podcast guest, Tony Woodlief, begs to differ. "In reality, most people fall somewhere in the middle, or else have a complex blend of views from both sides of the aisle, Tony tells us. His new book "I, Citizen" uses polling data, political history, and on-the-ground reporting to make the case that party activists and partisans are attempting to undermine the freedom of Americans to govern themselves and make decisions that have a direct impact on their lives. Many people have fallen for a false narrative promoted by leaders of political parties, academia, media, and government, that we're all team red or team blue, he argues. In this episode, we learn a different perspective and discuss how all of us can find common ground in our local neighborhoods and national discourse.

Kelly Johnston and Rob Fersh disagree strongly on many issues, and voted differently in the 2020 presidential election. But they are friends and "agree on major steps that must be taken for the nation to heed President-elect Biden's welcome call for us to come together." Both believe that constructive steps must be taken to help build trust among Democrats and Republicans, despite deep polarization and a firm resistance to bipartisanship from both ends of the political spectrum. They encourage open dialogue between sectors and interest groups whose views diverge in an effort to deal with divisive political discourse. Rob Fersh founded Convergence Center for Policy Resolution, and previously worked for Democrats on the staffs of three congressional committees. Kelly Johnston, also a founding board member of Convergence, is a committed Republican and former Secretary of the U.S. Senate. In this episode of Let's Find Common Ground, produced in partnership with Convergence, we talk with both Fersh and Johnston about bridge building and why this work is so urgently needed in an era of political gridlock.

We all judge others on how they sound: their accent, their pronunciation, their use of slang. Some of us have been criticized for these things ourselves, mocked because we sound different from those around us. The way we speak can be a source of division. But it doesn't have to be. In this episode we speak with Jessica Mendoza and Jingnan Peng of the Christian Science Monitor. They host the Monitor's new podcast Say That Again?, which explores how we sound, how we listen, and how we can come to better understand each other. Both hosts and guests on this show were once newcomers to the US. We hear some personal stories of how their own voices have affected their experience, and how listening differently can help us all find common ground.

Center Director Bob Shrum joins a panel of energy experts and industry leaders to discuss the latest national policies advancing cleaner energy and curbing the effects of climate change, in commemoration of Earth Day. Featuring: Bob Shrum - Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Ted Bardacke - CEO, Clean Power Alliance Ivan Penn - Energy Correspondent, New York Times Jason Rondou - Director of Resource Planning, Development & Programs at Los Angeles Department of Water and Power Aura Vasquez - Chair of Climate Action Committee, Sierra Club Los Angeles Chapter; Former Commissioner, Los Angeles Department of Water and Power

The recent mass shootings in Sacramento, California, and at a subway station in Brooklyn, New York have prompted renewed calls for action on gun control. In this podcast episode, we gain a unique perspective on the raging debate with a former gun industry executive who says the NRA and its supporters have gone too far. Our guest, Ryan Busse grew up around guns— hunting and shooting with his father. He is a proud gun owner, hunter, and an avid outdoorsman, who lives in Montana. But today, Busse says that his industry radicalized large numbers of Americans, and argues it must change before gun violence can be reduced and our nation can heal. After a successful 30-year career, he decided to retire from the gun manufacturer he worked for, and write "Gunfight", a book that tells the inside story of a little-known industry. In this episode, we learn about Busse's lifelong love of guns and discuss his call for sensible rules of conduct.

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski to discuss her decades-long efforts to bridge partisan divides and promote sustainability efforts, and her thoughts on Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson. Featuring: Bob Shrum - Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical Politics, USC Dornsife Lisa Murkowski - U.S. Senator (R-AK)

Mónica Guzmán is the loving liberal daughter of Mexican immigrants who strongly support Donald Trump. We hear her warm personal story of how Mónica set out to understand what divides America and discovered ways to overcome divisions that hurt our relationships and society. In this episode of "Let's Find Common Ground", we discuss ways to use our own sense of curiosity to have rewarding cross-partisan conversations with colleagues, friends, and family. Mónica Guzmán is the author of the new book, "I Never Thought Of It That Way". She serves as an advisor to the depolarization organization, Braver Angels. Our interview shows listeners how to cross boundaries and find common ground with others from different viewpoints and life experiences.

CPF Executive Director Kamy Akhavan joins Sangita Shresthova, research director at Civic Paths Group, and Monica Guzman, journalist and author, to discuss her latest book and share insights on how to better understand and connect with those whose opinions and beliefs vastly differ. Featuring: Kamy Akhavan - Executive Director, USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future Mónica Guzmán - Author, "I Never Thought of It That Way: How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times," Digital Director, Braver Angels Sangita Shresthova - Director of Research, Civic Paths Group at USC Annenberg School for Communication and Journalism

The public's trust in government is near an all-time low. Now some politicians are recognizing that polarization and division in the United States is a threat to how our democracy functions. In this episode, we hear from two members of Congress: One Republican, one Democrat. Representatives Derek Kilmer and William Timmons both work together on the Select Committee on the Modernization of Congress and are leading supporters of the Building Civic Bridges Act — a proposal that would fund federal and local efforts to reduce polarization. We also discuss how bipartisan support for robust measures in response to the invasion of Ukraine may strengthen efforts to improve ties between Members of Congress of both parties. This effort comes at a critical time. Recent polling has found that about four-out-of-five Americans are very or extremely concerned about America's political divisions. "Let's Find Common Ground", produced for Common Ground Committee, is co-hosted by Richard Davies and Ashley Milne-Tyte.