Ep. 25: Wilk Wilkinson on Citizen Courage in an Age of Divides
We Made This Political Podcast · Lauren Hall
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Show Notes
In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall explore the importance of face-to-face interactions in politics with guest Wilk Wilkinson, host of the ‘Derate The Hate’ podcast. Wilk shares his journey of replacing division with understanding, influenced by his background in transportation and operations management. He talks about his work with Braver Angels, a grassroots cross-partisan movement, and emphasizes the need for better communication and courageous citizenship. The conversation covers the significance of personal engagement, the challenges in the bridging space, and how fostering real-world interactions can lead to a more united society.
00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview
01:04 Guest Introduction: Wilk Wilkinson
02:24 Wilk’s Journey to ‘Derate The Hate’
06:28 The Impact of Podcasting and Positive Conversations
08:33 Addressing Toxic Polarization and Bridging Divides
20:16 Challenges in the Bridging Space
27:36 Encouraging Civic Engagement and Real-Life Interactions
32:29 The Importance of Face-to-Face Interactions
34:29 Overcoming Anxiety and Building Confidence
36:11 Misconceptions and Political Divides
39:46 The Power of Everyday Interactions
44:02 Lessons from Personal Experiences
48:37 Parenting and Curiosity
54:34 Challenges in Political Systems
56:45 Leadership and Human Connection
01:01:35 Hope for a United Future
More Resources:
Listen to Wilk’s podcast here: https://deratethehate.com/
Find a local Braver Angels chapter and get involved here: https://braverangels.org/
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