Politics and Religion. We’re not supposed to talk about that, right? Wrong! We only say that nowadays because the loudest, most extreme voices have taken over the whole conversation. Well, we‘re taking some of that space back! If you’re dying for some dialogue instead of all the yelling; if you know it’s okay to have differences without having to hate each other; if you believe politics and religion are too important to let ”the screamers” drown out the rest of us and would love some engaging, provocative and fun conversations about this stuff, then ”Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other” is for you!
Episodes
Friday Feb 21, 2025
Friday Feb 21, 2025
In this episode, host Corey Nathan takes on one of the biggest challenges in today’s society: toxic partisanship. He explores how political and social divisions have deepened, fueled by media, social networks, and entrenched ideological battles. But rather than just diagnosing the problem, Corey offers a powerful antidote—getting local and engaging in real-life, face-to-face conversations. He draws inspiration from scholars like Jonathan Haidt, Katherine Stewart and Robert Putnam, as well as his personal experiences, to make a compelling case for community-based solutions to polarization.
What We Discuss
✅ The real extent of political division in America—and why it's not as bad as it seems
✅ How social media and national narratives exaggerate our differences
✅ The philosophy of Carl Schmitt and its impact on modern political discourse
✅ Why local engagement—like city council meetings, PTAs, and even bar conversations—is the key to bridging divides
✅ Practical steps to foster meaningful discussions and rebuild relationships
Episode Highlights
⏳ [00:02:00] – The growing problem of toxic partisanship and how social media makes it worse
⏳ [00:05:00] – A study from More in Common shows Americans want unity, but doubt the other side does
⏳ [00:09:00] – Corey shares personal examples of online political attacks and how they reflect broader polarization
⏳ [00:14:00] – A key solution: Local engagement and organizations like Village Square
⏳ [00:17:00] – How shared community goals, like better roads and schools, help bridge ideological divides
⏳ [00:20:00] – The inspiring story of Joe Walsh and Fred Guttenberg: Two ideological opposites who became close friends
⏳ [00:23:00] – The challenge of engaging with people who seem beyond reach—and knowing when to step away
⏳ [00:26:00] – A call to action: Take the first step, invite someone for coffee, and start humanizing one another
Featured Quotes
🗨️ "Division defines the country, but the desire to be united transcends parties." – More in Common study
🗨️ "The number one antidote to toxic partisanship is simply getting together." – Corey Nathan
🗨️ "When you're with each other, you're no longer just a data point—you’re a human being." – Corey Nathan
🗨️ "We don't have to agree on everything to build something better together." – Liz Joyner, Village Square
Resources Mentioned
🔗 Village Square – Bridging divides through local community engagement
🔗 More in Common Study – Research on polarization and unity
🔗 Jonathan Haidt’s Work – Understanding social and political divisions
🔗 Robert Putnam’s Bowling Alone – How community engagement strengthens democracy
🔗 Joe Walsh & Fred Guttenberg’s Story – Bridging the political divide
📣 Call to Action
If you found this conversation insightful, please:
✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform.
✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics
✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion
✅ Watch the full conversation on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media
@coreysnathan:
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🔥 Now go talk some politics and religion—without killin' each other! 🔥
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