Best Depolarization Podcasts (2025)

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Speaking Out With Courage When It Matters Most - DTH Episode 282 with Jennifer Sey 41:05

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4h ago41:05

41:05

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Speaking Out With Courage When It Matters Most In this episode of Derate The Hate, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Jennifer Sey — author, filmmaker, business executive, athlete, and outspoken advocate for children and women. Jen’s story spans from the highs of being a national champion gymnast to the lows of endur…

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72. The Fight to Make Online Spaces Civil Again - Yevgeny Simkin 40:52

7d ago40:52

40:52

Why Owning Your Online Identity Matters More Than Ever Is it possible to fix social media? In this episode, I’m joined by Yevgeny Simkin, Co-Founder of Sez.us, a new social media platform built to encourage civility and healthier online spaces. We talk about why we need real alternatives to Facebook and Twitter, who controls online conversations to…

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Leadership Beyond the Checklist: How “Being” Leaders Create Value and Navigate Complexity – DTH Episode 281 with Ryan Gottfredson 36:06

7d ago36:06

36:06

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Leadership Beyond the Checklist: How “Being” Leaders Create Value and Navigate Complexity What does it really mean to become better—not just at what we do, but in who we are? In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ryan Gottfredson, a best-selling author and leadership professor whose work has transformed the way we …

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Alameda Pride Interview 21:47

10d ago21:47

21:47

On this episode of the Island City Beat podcast, we meet Jeramie Andehueson. Jeramie is the founder of Alameda Pride which he brought to life in 2019. His organization was created to provide a safe, inclusive space for Alameda's LGBTQ+ community. We will get a glimpse of the many ways that Alameda Pride is making a difference in lives of many peopl…

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DOCUMENTARY - What’s Pulling Young Men to the Right? 35:47

14d ago35:47

35:47

Gen Z’s political gender gap is widening. Young women are trending left, while young men drift right—and it’s not just politics. In this episode, we explore the cultural, social, and economic pressures shaping young men’s identities, from the “manosphere” to societal expectations around masculinity and the pressure to be the breadwinner. We examine…

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Coaching Beyond the Game: Football as a Platform for Healing, Accountability & Social Progress - DTH Episode 280 with Coaches Jim Place & Al Powell 38:21

14d ago38:21

38:21

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Coaching Beyond the Game: Football as a Platform for Healing, Accountability & Social Progress This week, we kicked off the 2025 NFL season — and what better time to explore how youth football can be so much more than just a game? Host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Coaches Jim Place and Al Powell, the co-founder…

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71. Do Facts Really Change Minds? – Nick Stagnaro 32:23

21d ago32:23

32:23

The Shift from Certainty to Nuance We’ve all heard the saying: facts don’t change minds. But new research challenges that idea. In this episode, David talks with social scientist Nick Stagnaro about what happens when people dive deep into the facts on divisive issues like gun control. The findings? Knowledge can soften extreme positions—shifting pe…

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Common Ground from the Ground Up: Humility, Healing & Rethinking Our Politics - DTH Episode 279 with Nathan Smolensky 37:21

21d ago37:21

37:21

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Common Ground from the Ground Up: Humility, Healing & Rethinking Our Politics In this episode of Derate The Hate, Wilk sits down with Nathan Smolensky—author of Common Ground from the Ground Up. Nathan brings a unique perspective shaped by his upbringing in a family of Soviet immigrants and his experience workin…

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From Rooftop to Roadwork: Faith, Dignity and the Walk Across America - DTH Episode 278 with Pastor Corey Brooks 35:15

28d ago35:15

35:15

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! From Rooftop to Roadwork: Faith, Dignity and the Walk Across America Pastor Corey Brooks — known to many as the Rooftop Pastor — is back on Derate The Hate with a story that’s nothing short of incredible. What began years ago with a bold stand on a rooftop has grown into Project Hood’s 90,000-square-foot communi…

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Keegan Tatum 42:57

1M ago42:57

42:57

The amazing Keegan Tatum is an outstanding local presence in social media. He astutely applies his psychology training to analyze political identities. He's a brilliant raconteur on the big political scene and a great interview. Tune in for a fluent and flowing conversation with the engaging and articulate Keegan Tatum!…

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70. Is There Still Hope for the Internet? - Kristin Hansen 41:59

1M ago41:59

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The Hidden Power of Social Norms Social media often gets blamed for fueling outrage and deepening political divides. But what if the very tools that spread division could be used to bridge it? In this episode, we talk with Kristin Hansen, Executive Director of Civic Health Project, about Normsy.ai—a groundbreaking initiative using human-plus-AI too…

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On the Road with US United: How Sheriffs Spark Community Connection - DTH Episode 277 with Adam Mizel 39:04

1M ago39:04

39:04

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! On the Road with US United: How Sheriffs Spark Community Connection In this episode of Derate The Hate, I’m joined by Adam Mizel, Co-Founder and CEO of Us United, for a conversation that gets right to the heart of how communities heal. Adam and his team are literally on the road, traveling across America to meet…

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Bill Chapin explains Alameda's rent control program 17:29

1M ago17:29

17:29

The Alameda city council passed a rent control program in 2019 following five years of pressure and struggle by Alameda's renters who faced rapid rent increases that began in 2014 and forced many long-time residents out of the city. City Rent Program director Bill Chapin goes over the basics of this program, which is now located in the City Attorne…

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BONUS - Teaching Civics in the Age of Outrage - June Klees 37:58

1M ago37:58

37:58

What Happens When Students Talk Across Generations? We sit down with with Dr. June Klees, a historian and educator at Bay College, about the Waging Dialogue initiative — a unique civics program designed to help students develop the confidence and skills to engage in dialogue across generational and ideological divides. Students are paired with olde…

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Bridging Divides Through Sacred, Selfish, and Shared Action - DTH Episode 276 with Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery 40:50

1M ago40:50

40:50

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Bridging Racial Divides Through Sacred, Selfish & Shared Action – DTH Episode 276 with Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the Beloved Community — a vision of reconciliation, redemption, and shared humanity. This week, Wilk is joined by Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery (“Dr. TLC”),…

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Courageous Connections: Embracing Pluralism Amidst American Populism - DTH Bonus Episode with Ibrahim Anli & Will Harwood 1:03:36

1M ago1:03:36

1:03:36

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Courageous Connections: Embracing Pluralism Amidst American Populism In this Derate The Hate bonus episode, host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with fellow Braver Angels Ibrahim Anli and Will Harwood for a powerful discussion on cultural and religious pluralism in the face of American populism. They explore what it me…

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Braver Angels - Depolarizing America 35:02

2M ago35:02

35:02

The divide between "red" and "blue" political points of view in the United States is causing many to despair about our nation's future. But a national organization, Braver Angels, is trying to join the two sides by helping people come together to listen and talk in safe and structured settings. Paul Norris and Leslie Lopato say the group offers wor…

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69. America’s Connection Opportunity - Kate Carney and Calista Small 34:10

2M ago34:10

34:10

The Connection Opportunity Report: Hope, Barriers, and the Path Forward How can we truly connect across political, racial, religious, and class divides? In this episode of Outrage Overload, host David Beckemeyer dives into the Connection Opportunity report from More in Common with guests Kate Carney and Calista Small. Discover: ✅ Why most Americans…

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Purpose Whispers, Division Shouts: Tune Out the Noise - DTH Episode 275 with Neil Ghosh 37:48

2M ago37:48

37:48

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! DTH Episode 275 with Neil Ghosh — Purpose, Empathy, and Engaged Citizenship This week, Wilk is joined by Neil Ghosh - author, executive, and social impact strategist, for a powerful conversation on purpose, empathy, and building a meaningful legacy. From the immigrant experience to small acts of micro-altruism, …

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MyPath lights the way to economic prosperity for youth 44:03

2M ago44:03

44:03

America does an awful job educating our youth about money and making sound decisions about it. Our guests Alexandria Downing and Angely Miranda aim to change that narrative. They're from an organization called, "MyPath", whose mission is to teach youth about banking, savings and building credit as the first steps toward financial prosperity. Progra…

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Reigniting Purpose Through Gratitude & Legacy - DTH Episode 274 with Dean Taylor 34:38

2M ago34:38

34:38

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 274: Reigniting Purpose Through Gratitude & Legacy with Dean Taylor In this episode, Wilk is joined by Dean Taylor for a powerful discussion on how gratitude, personal accountability, and intentional mindset shifts can transform your life. Dean opens up about rediscovering his purpose after years of feel…

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New cedar trees at Linear Park boosts Alameda's biophilia 23:17

2M ago23:17

23:17

Island City Beat joins Alameda Parks & Rec and 50 volunteers who recently planted 10 native cedar trees in Linear Park between Main Street and the Bayport neighborhood. We introduce people from the three city groups responsible for organizing and running this important 'green' event: The Rotary Club - Alameda .. 100K Trees For Humanity .. Community…

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68. Is Our Democracy Failing Because We’re Not Thinking Enough? - James Fishkin 42:07

2M ago42:07

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Is democracy failing because citizens aren’t truly thinking through the issues? In this episode, we hear from Prof. James Fishkin, Stanford scholar and creator of Deliberative Polling, a groundbreaking method used around the world to reveal what people would think if they had the chance to deliberate in depth. Fishkin explains why deliberation is a…

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Healing Division with Unity In Service - DTH Episode 273 with Chip Webster 35:04

2M ago35:04

35:04

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Can community service heal what politics has broken? This week, Wilk sits down with Chip Webster, founder of Unity in Service, for a powerful conversation about bridging divides through action, not outrage. From the rise of cancel culture to the erosion of trust in democracy, Chip offers a bold vision for rebuil…

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Outrage on the Mic – Part 3: Rage Sells, But We Don’t Have to Buy It 12:37

2M ago12:37

12:37

War, political chaos, economic fears, AI disruption—the world feels like it’s on fire. And the media? It never stops pouring fuel on the flames. In this final chapter of the Outrage on the Mic series, we explore how outrage has become the currency of media—from the fiery sermons of Father Coughlin to the viral rants of today’s podcasters and politi…

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Restoring Our Belief in Each Other: A New Civic Path for Healing America- DTH Episode 272 with Rich Harwood 37:28

2M ago37:28

37:28

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Restoring Our Belief in Each Other: A New Civic Path for Healing America – Episode 272 with Rich Harwood In Episode 272 of Derate The Hate, Wilk welcomes Rich Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute, to discuss how civic engagement, shared aspirations, and community agency can overcome toxic division in Americ…

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Outrage on the Mic, Part 2: Outrage Has Always Been With Us 33:42

3M ago33:42

33:42

In Part 2 of our special series Outrage on the Mic, we go back in time to explore how public outrage has shaped societies long before the digital age. David Beckemeyer is joined by Outrageous History! host Ernest Granson, who brings his journalist’s eye to scandals, uprisings, and media-fueled conflicts from the French Revolution to the Spanish-Ame…

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Bridging Divides Through Living Room Conversations - DTH Episode 271 with Stewart Fletcher 35:43

3M ago35:43

35:43

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Bridging Divides Through Living Room Conversations In this episode of Derate The Hate, host Wilk Wilkinson welcomes Stewart Fletcher, Director of Communications for Living Room Conversations. They explore the power of civil dialogue in healing political and social divides, the importance of empathy and curiosity…

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Thushan Amarasiriwardena walks the streets he loves 37:15

3M ago37:15

37:15

Jeff Gould walks and talks with 2024 city council candidate Thushan Amarasiriwardena on the streets of Alameda about his affection for our city and where his career in AI, other tech is taking him. We touch on Thushan's ideas around the potential abundance thinking holds, his run for council, housing development at the former Svendsons Marine site …

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Outrage on the Mic – Part 1: Laughing Through the Outrage 50:24

3M ago50:24

50:24

Outrage Overload x Outrage Factory This week, we kick off our special July series, Outrage on the Mic, with a fun and irreverent crossover featuring the hosts of Outrage Factory—Dale Deruiter and Geoff Gauthier. We explore the absurdity of online outrage, how humor can both defuse and amplify it, and what it means to build a show around the week’s …

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From Polarization to Proactive Citizenship - DTH Episode 270 with Braver Angels Co-Founder Dr. Bill Doherty 33:45

3M ago33:45

33:45

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 270: From Polarization to Proactive Citizenship – with Dr. Bill Doherty In the first official Derate The Hate episode produced in collaboration with Braver Angels, host Wilk Wilkinson is joined by Braver Angels co-founder Dr. Bill Doherty to explore how we can move beyond polarization through meaningful …

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Meet Julia Owens, the new director of the Alameda Education Foundation 25:40

3M ago25:40

25:40

In January Julia Owens took over as head of the 40-year-old organization that has stepped in where school funding for many activities has been cut. She comes from a background in non-profits focused on children's needs, and is excited about continuing AEF's vital work in Alameda. She describes its many roles from providing the school district's mid…

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67. AI vs. Ancient Hatreds: Can Tech Ease the Israeli-Palestinian Divide? – Adam Boaz Becker 36:42

3M ago36:42

36:42

Why is it so hard to have civil conversations about the Israeli-Palestinian conflict? And can we break through the outrage culture, media tribalism, and polarization that dominate today’s discourse? In this episode, we talk with Adam Boaz Becker, founder of Headon.AI, an AI platform designed to foster political dialogue and bridge divides. Adam sha…

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Political Detox & Shadow Work: Reclaiming Emotional Sovereignty in a Polarized World – DTH Episode 269 with Chuck Gafvert 35:26

3M ago35:26

35:26

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Political Detox & Shadow Work: Reclaiming Emotional Sovereignty in a Polarized World In Episode 269 of the Derate The Hate podcast, host Wilk sits down with Chuck Gafvert — a former corporate executive turned political detox coach and Jungian psychology practitioner. They explore the deep psychological roots of …

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BONUS - Are We Witnessing a Democracy in Crisis? - Lucan Way 30:53

3M ago30:53

30:53

Exploring Democratic Erosion and the Rise of Authoritarian Tactics Is the U.S. Sliding Toward Competitive Authoritarianism? Political scientist Lucan Way joins us to discuss signs of democratic erosion, competitive authoritarianism, and the weaponization of institutions. Drawing from his co-authored New York Times essay, “How Will We Know When We H…

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From Hate to Humanity: Jeff Schoep's Journey Out of Extremism – DTH Episode 268 with Jeff Schoep 34:28

3M ago34:28

34:28

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! 🎙️ From Hate to Humanity: Jeff Schoep's Journey Out of Extremism In Episode 268 of the Derate The Hate podcast, host Wilk Wilkinson welcomes back Jeff Schoep—former neo-Nazi leader turned leading deradicalization expert—to discuss his new memoir, "American Nazi: From Hate to Humanity." In this powerful and deepl…

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Doug Biggs recounts the saga of Alameda's groundbreaking Wellness Center 39:44

3M ago39:44

39:44

It's been six-plus years since Alameda approved the transformation of aging federal buildings on McKay Avenue into a facility to care for and house homeless seniors discharged from hospital stays. Spearheaded by the Alameda Point Collaborative, this humanitarian project was delayed by a stubborn clutch of naysayers, the Covid pandemic and federal i…

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66. What It Really Takes to Fix the Division in America – Rich Harwood 29:47

3M ago29:47

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Why are we so divided — and what can we really do about it? In this episode, Rich Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute and author of The New Civic Path, returns to the show to share how communities across America are rebuilding trust and taking action — without waiting on Washington. We talk about how to bring people together, restore belief i…

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From Average Mohamed to Dissident: Mohamed Ahmed Returns – DTH Episode 267 41:45

4M ago41:45

41:45

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! From Average Mohamed to Dissident: Mohamed Ahmed Returns Mohamed Ahmed, known to many as "Average Mohamed," returns to the Derate the Hate podcast for a powerful third appearance. In Episode 267, Mohamed discusses the closure of the Average Mohamed Organization and his new mission with the Republican People of C…

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DOCUMENTARY - How ‘Natural Living’ Becomes Extremism: Inside the Crunchy-to-Radical Pipeline 52:31

4M ago52:31

52:31

How Wellness Content Fuels Conspiracies What starts as a search for natural living or homegrown veggies can slowly become something else entirely. In this episode, we follow the personal story of Kavisha Pillay, a digital ethics expert who unexpectedly found herself pulled into the “tradwife” aesthetic while simply exploring homesteading and wellne…

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Beyond the Politics of Contempt - DTH Episode 266 with Doug Teschner and Beth Malow 35:16

4M ago35:16

35:16

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Beyond the Politics of Contempt – DTH Episode 266 with Beth Malow and Doug Teschner In this powerful episode of Derate The Hate, host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with fellow Braver Angels Beth Malow and Doug Teschner to discuss their upcoming book, Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive …

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Jillian Saxty on growing Alameda "one veggie at a time" 15:42

4M ago15:42

15:42

Alameda Backyard Growers board president Jillian Saxty wants to spread the ethic of growing your own food as far as possible. Over 15 years ABG has developed a volunteer gleaning program that provides fresh produce to the Alameda Food Bank as well as offered free instruction to countless Alamedans with backyard and container gardens. Saxty describe…

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65. Grief, Fatigue, and the Aftermath of COVID - Zeest Khan 37:00

4M ago37:00

37:00

How a Doctor’s Long COVID Journey Exposed Systemic Failures Millions are still living with long COVID, yet many patients are dismissed, misunderstood, or left without answers. In this episode, Dr. Zeest Khan shares her personal journey—from treating critical patients as a cardiothoracic anesthesiologist to becoming a long COVID patient herself. Thi…

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(DTH Classic Replay) Polarization - The Issue of Our Time - with Braver Angels National Ambassador John Wood Jr. 45:53

4M ago45:53

45:53

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Replay: Polarization – The Issue of Our Time (feat. John Wood Jr.) This week, I’m re-sharing a powerful episode from the DTH archives during a little family downtime. In this classic, I sat down with my good friend and Braver Angels National Ambassador, John Wood Jr., to tackle what may be the greatest challenge…

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Jennifer Rakowski looks at Alameda's police reform efforts 43:04

4M ago43:04

43:04

Five years ago this weekend, the killing of George Floyd, just two days after the controversial arrest of Mali Watkins here in Alameda, prompted the city council to establish the Racial Equity Police Reform Task Force. Jennifer Rakowski, who served on it with 50 other Alamedans, talks about one of its successes -- the Care Team -- and some of its u…

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BONUS - Crisis in National Service Undermines Civic Engagement – Maureen Eccleston 30:40

4M ago30:40

30:40

How AmeriCorps Cuts Threaten Our Civic Future Tens of thousands of AmeriCorps service positions are being eliminated. In this episode, we explore how cuts to national service programs are affecting communities, civic engagement, and the future of democracy in America. Maureen Eccleston, Chief Impact Officer at Service Year Alliance and longtime Ame…

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Unpacking the Woke Right, White Identity Politics & The Equality Fight - DTH Episode 264 with Hunter Ash and Julian Adorney 50:27

4M ago50:27

50:27

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Unpacking the Woke Right, White Identity Politics & The Equality Fight In Episode 264 of Derate The Hate, host Wilk Wilkinson welcomes Hunter Ash and returning guest Julian Adorney for a bold, honest, and highly relevant conversation on the rise of woke right identity politics, the pitfalls of anti-racism orthod…

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Chris Tam on Doing Good In Community 24:35

4M ago24:35

24:35

Chris is the founder of the All Good Living Foundation begun in honor of his father's legacy and owner of All Good Living home goods and apparel store in downtown Alameda. Neil Tam, who died in 2015, (pictured above) was a beloved Alameda school teacher, principal and school board member. Chris describes his father's influence on the charitable wor…

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64. Our Democracy Is Fraying—Here’s How We Start Repairing It - Karissa Raskin 37:58

4M ago37:58

37:58

Why 500 Organizations Joined Forces to Bridge America’s Deepest Divides We sit down with Karissa Raskin, the new CEO of Listen First Project, a national organization leading a coalition of over 500 groups working to reduce toxic polarization and build stronger communities through connection and dialogue. Karissa shares her personal journey into the…

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How Contempt Fuels Division and What We Can Do About It – DTH Episode 263 with Zachary Elwood 37:13

4M ago37:13

37:13

Send Wilk a text with your feedback! Episode 263: How Contempt Fuels Division and What We Can Do About It – with Zachary Elwood What’s truly tearing us apart isn’t disagreement—it’s contempt. In Episode 263 of the Derate The Hate podcast, Wilk Wilkinson is joined once again by Zachary Elwood, author of the new book How Contempt Destroys Democracy: …