We Made This Political Podcast

Show Notes:Join us as we discuss the challenges of managing personal and professional lives amid the current chaotic world events. We delve into balancing bureaucracy in education with what's happening nationally, the impact of continuous news cycles, and the 'flood the zone' strategy. We talk about federalism's role in resisting authoritarianism, the importance of maintaining neutral spaces, and the significance of understanding and connecting with people from differing political spectrums. Strategies for fostering civil dialogue and preserving the dignity of all individuals are key themes. Expect optimism, concrete thoughts, and a long-awaited kid bomb!00:00 Introduction and Greetings00:20 Balancing Personal and Professional Life01:30 Managing Digital Distractions02:46 Overwhelming News Cycles03:39 Current Events and PR Strategies04:36 Flood the Zone Strategy06:05 Misinformation and Protests09:06 Accountability and Transparency in Government17:13 Federalism and Local Governance20:09 Ingroup and Outgroup Dynamics22:49 Toxic Polarization and Political Accountability29:02 The Role of Federal Government Power30:30 Liberal Institutions and Neutrality30:59 The Importance of Due Process and Liberal Institutions31:37 Toxic Polarization and Dehumanization33:14 Short-Circuiting Dehumanization Through Dialogue34:46 The Role of Online Spaces in Political Conversations38:30 Understanding and Engaging with Different Perspectives46:07 The Power of Neutral Spaces and Institutional Neutrality53:50 The Radical Concept of Human Dignity56:54 Optimism and Building a Better Civil SocietySources Cited “One story for the public, another for the courts” (The Preamble, by Sharon McMahon) This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com

Show Notes:Ep. 06: Building Resilient Communities with Seth KaplanIn this episode of 'We Made This Political,' we talk with Seth Kaplan, an expert on fragile states, social cohesion, and community resilience. We discuss Kaplan's work, including his book 'Fragile Neighborhoods: Repairing American Society One Zip Code at a Time.' The conversation covers Kaplan's transition from studying international communities to focusing on American neighborhoods, the importance of strong local institutions, and practical steps for building trust and connectedness in communities. Kaplan emphasizes the need for local engagement, stewardship, and the benefits of a localized approach to creating healthier societies.00:00 Introduction and Hosts00:31 Guest Introduction: Seth Kaplan01:26 Seth Kaplan's Journey and Work04:03 Community Dynamics and Social Cohesion10:20 Trust and Social Interaction17:28 Government Decentralization and Community Empowerment28:33 Neighborhood Design and Social Innovation35:15 Gardening as a Metaphor for Community Growth36:14 The Importance of Relationships in Politics37:17 Top-Down vs. Bottom-Up Politics38:13 Historical Context: Local vs. National Focus43:43 Revitalizing Segregated Neighborhoods49:58 Building Trust and Overcoming Challenges52:12 Practical Steps for Community Engagement58:20 Optimism and Future of Local Civil Society01:06:13 Final Thoughts and Encouragement This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com

Reimagining Political Engagement: Majority in the Middle’s Shannon WatsonJoin us as we chat with Shannon Watson, founder of the nonprofit Majority in the Middle. We discuss the challenges of political partisanship, the importance of civic education, and how we can create spaces for constructive political engagement. Shannon shares insights on demographic shifts, the personal impacts of running for office, and the power of positive reinforcement in political discourse. Tune in to learn about making politics more inclusive and less adversarial.*There are a couple places where the audio in this episode is not ideal because Shannon was recording from a busy space for unavoidable (and very good!) reasons. Thanks for overlooking the audio imperfections so we can keep getting fantastic guests with busy lives like Shannon.What You Can Do TodaySend an email or public social media comment to a public servant or politician you think is doing a great job doing bipartisan or bridging work. With so much negativity bias in politics, the folks who are doing the work of reaching across divides don’t hear enough (or any!) positive reinforcement when they’re doing the right thing. Those public messages of encouragement and support matter!Books and resources we talk about and/or recommend: What’s the Matter with Kansas (older book on voting behavior)It Takes a Candidate (women and political office)Show Notes00:00 Introduction and Guest Welcome01:20 Shannon Watson's Background and Majority in the Middle02:13 Defining the Middle and Civic Education04:04 Personal Political Journeys05:47 Family Political Dynamics10:06 Political Polarization and Social Media13:42 The Origin of Majority in the Middle19:21 Challenges in Political Participation20:40 Structural Partisanship in Legislatures23:17 Encouraging Collaboration in Politics26:05 Politics as Relationships vs. Power27:39 Reflecting on Values and Intentional Storytelling28:23 The Role of Media and Universities in Shaping Public Perception29:07 Congress and the Attention Economy30:01 Activists vs. Jurors in Politics34:53 Challenges of Political Moderation and Independent Voters44:09 Local Government and Nonpartisan Roles48:58 Concluding Thoughts and Future Directions This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com

In this episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall introduce Austen Campbell, founder of the Independent National Coalition. Join them as they discuss the importance of independent thinking in politics, the challenges of the two-party system, and the need for coalition-driven strategies. They explore the potential of citizens' assemblies, the significance of representing diverse voices, and the necessity of genuine problem-solving over partisan politics. The conversation delves into the future of American politics, the role of technology, and the pressing issues facing the next generations.00:00 Introduction and Host Introductions00:36 Meet Austen Campbell: Founder of the Independent National Coalition01:28 The Appeal of Independent Politics03:28 Challenges and Litmus Tests for Independent Candidates07:53 Historical Context and Growth of Independent Movements12:19 Moderation, Centrism, and Independent Identity18:07 Problem Solving and the Future of Independent Politics24:36 Common Sense Immigration Policy24:56 Challenges of the Two-Party System25:24 Hope in Local Politics26:03 Electoral Reforms and Obstacles27:54 The Role of Morally Aligned Leaders29:04 Career vs. Celebrity Politicians34:01 The Value of Citizens Assemblies35:17 Barriers to Participation41:34 Experiencing the System Firsthand43:41 The Impact of Technology on Politics46:08 Optimism and Community Values This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com

Episode three is up! We’re still working out the kinks over here, including experimenting a bit with sound quality and some other things. Hopefully each episode will get a bit better.Send us any and all feedback, including ideas for new episodes! And if you like what you read, please share and subscribe! This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com

Welcome to the launch episode of 'We Made This Political,' a new podcast by Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall. In this introductory episode, Lura and Lauren discuss their goals, backgrounds, and what listeners can expect. The podcast aims to explore the intersections of modern life and politics, drawing on their diverse academic and personal experiences. They touch on parenting, polarization, and the need for better political discourse, setting the stage for future episodes. Expect candid conversations, tech hiccups, and even some pet and kid interruptions.00:00 Welcome to Our New Podcast!00:58 Meet Your Hosts: Lura and Lauren02:02 Diving into Our Backgrounds05:24 Parenting and Politics: A Unique Intersection11:24 The Importance of Constructive Conversations17:59 Hopeful Moments and Closing Thoughts This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com

Navigating Control and Agency in Politics and ParentingIn the second episode of 'We Made This Political,' hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall explore the concepts of control versus agency through the lenses of political science, psychology, and parenting. We discuss Mel Robbins' book 'The Let Them Theory' and its relevance to reducing anxiety by relinquishing control. We delve into psychological theories like illusory control, locus of control, and reactance to explain how people respond to attempts at control. The conversation also touches on the implications of these ideas for public policy, highlighting the necessity of understanding people's behaviors and motivations before attempting to change them. The episode emphasizes the importance of personal interactions in overcoming polarization and advocates for a bottom-up approach to building community trust.00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview01:10 Exploring Control vs. Agency01:20 Mel Robbins' 'Let Them Theory'04:56 Psychological Concepts: Illusory Control and Reactance10:09 Parenting and Control Dynamics18:06 Nudge Theory in Policy and Parenting27:22 The Complexity of Retirement Savings28:04 The Role of the State in Retirement Planning29:06 Communicating Policy Effectively29:57 Understanding Human Behavior in Policy Making31:46 Polarization and Policy Interventions34:39 Ingroup and Outgroup Dynamics43:49 The Importance of Face-to-Face Interactions49:19 Parenting and Policy Parallels51:12 Concluding Thoughts and Future Discussions This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com