Best Joseph Wilkinson Podcasts (2025)

1
America’s Changing Role in the World. Democracy Group Event: Ben Rhodes 57:52

13d ago57:52

57:52

What is America’s role in a dramatically changing world? How does the health of our democracy impact other nations? In this episode we hear a rich mix of ideas in a conversation with podcaster, commentator, and former U.S. Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes. “Young people today are going to have to imagine a new US government and a new set…

1
Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Beth Malow & Doug Teschner 30:11

1M ago30:11

30:11

If you’re disturbed or simply turned off by America's rigid political divisions this is the show for you. We discuss creative skills and practices that put a little hope back in your political life Doug Teschner and Beth Malow are co-authors of the forthcoming book "Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in…

1
Compromisers and Contrarians. Our 10th Anniversary Podcast: Richard and Jim 43:27

2M ago43:27

43:27

Ten years ago this month we launched our first show at a time of new beginnings for podcasts. We were early to this game, and well before podcasting became part of mainstream media. In contrast to other shows about politics and current affairs we ran against the grain, avoiding snarky slogans and angry attacks. How Do We Fix It? focused instead on …

1
Braver Angels First 100 Days Debates: "Is Trump Making America Great?" Jessie Mannisto 24:39

3M ago24:39

24:39

We release this show at a moment of high political drama. Economics, financial markets, and America’s relations with the rest of the world are in a state of tumult. So how on earth do we talk with and listen to people on the other side? Should you even try? Jessie Mannisto, Director of Debates at Braver Angels says “yes!” In this episode we learn w…

1
Braver Angels: Beginnings and Today’s Challenge. David Blankenhorn 21:12

3M ago21:12

21:12

I don’t do this work in optimism. I do it in hope”, Braver Angels President David Blankenhorn tells our podcast. “If we’re going to have any chance to fix this and save our country, this is what needs to be done.” Soon after the tumultuous 2016 election Braver Angels sprung to life— co-founded by David, Bill Doherty and David Lapp. Two years after …

1
Braver Angels. Learning & Listening Across Political Divides: Wilk Wilkinson 23:46

4M ago23:46

23:46

What do you think of people who you totally disagree with about politics? Can you listen to their point of view and have a constructive conversation? Do you dismiss the other side as evil or deplorable? In this episode we hear from Wilk Wilkinson, a Christian conservative who voted for Donald Trump. He has working class roots and grew up poor. A de…

1
Why Should I Trust You? Vaccines and Public Health. Brinda Adhikari and Tom Johnson 23:42

5M ago23:42

23:42

In the five years since the COVID pandemic began, trust in public health institutions and vaccines has plummeted. According to a new opinion poll, just over half of the public now says they trust the Food and Drug Administration to make the right recommendations on health issues at least “a fair amount,” down from nearly two-thirds (65%) in June 20…

1
Braver Faith: Building Bridges With Respect Not Agreement. Mark Beckwith 23:10

5M ago23:10

23:10

How Do We Fix It? raises questions about solutions to divisive topics of politics and public policy: Decidedly secular matters. In this episode we look at how religious groups and institutions can help bring people together across divides. Braver Faith is our focus. The Right Rev. Mark Beckwith is our guest. Braver Faith is one the newest and most …

1
Braver Angels "Road Trip Across a Divided America": Joseph Sim 22:38

7M ago22:38

22:38

In the fall 2024, a young British filmmaker jumped in a small car and drove across America, asking more than 200 strangers the same two questions: "How did we lose connection with our neighbors, and how do we get it back?" Many of the answers and explanations are fascinating. "I am a firm believer that developing a curiosity or a curiosity in stran…

1
Holiday Helper: Embracing Disagreement With Love. Tania Israel and Arthur Brooks 30:03

7M ago30:03

30:03

The holiday season is here, but many people across the country may dread sitting down with their nearest and dearest— all because of politics. In this episode we share down-to-earth advice from two wise experts who have thought deeply and creatively about how to minimize conflict and maximize cooperation with parents, family, and friends. Tania Isr…

1
Braver Angels Reds and Blues: Election Day 2024 and Beyond 23:20

7M ago23:20

23:20

Some wore red hats, others wore blue. Outside scores of polling places in many states across the country, pairs of Democrats and Republicans sat together in a radically simple experiment called the Braver Angels Election Day Initiative. The contrast between dire media forecasts of violence, and calamity during the election and what actually happene…

1
#7 Studio 21:03

8M ago21:03

21:03

Summer has come and gone, and we are back, recording in our new studio. In this episode, we give an update on all things life and work and explore the topic of physical spaces in the creative process.By Cam Brandow and Joseph Wilkinson

1
Tangle: Independent, Non-partisan News. Isaac Saul 25:12

8M ago25:12

25:12

Do you believe what you see in newspapers, websites and on TV? Most Americans don't trust the people who are supposed to truthfully report the news. A new Gallup poll says Americans have record-low trust in mass media. Only one-in-three adults has a "great deal" or a "fair amount" of confidence in the media to report the news "fully, accurately and…

1
Braver Angels Election Day Initiative. Elizabeth Doll and Don Goldberg 22:16

8M ago22:16

22:16

Are you fed up with politics and especially the presidential campaign? On How Do We Fix It? we're reporting on the people, projects and ideas of Braver Angels. This nationwide citizen-led movement is a growing coalition of liberals and conservatives working to restore hope and co-operation to our politics. In this episode we speak with a second pai…

1
Braver Angels: Red and Blue Voters Together on Election Day 23:26

9M ago23:26

23:26

These final days before the election are tense times. Today’s toxic politics are hurtful and heart breaking for many of us. Maybe we all need a hope vaccine. An injection of kindness, curiosity and understanding for those who see the world differently than we do. In our latest report on the work, ideas, and people of Braver Angels, the nationwide c…

1
Braver Angels Trustworthy Elections Report: Larry Mayes and Walt McKee 25:40

9M ago25:40

25:40

Elections are vital to all democracies: The authority of the government comes solely from the consent of the governed. But millions of Americans don’t trust the electoral process and have highly negative views of politics.. Many have little or no confidence that all votes will be fairly and accurately counted. What should be done to improve our ele…

1
How Braver Angels is Bridging Divides. David Blankenhorn (part 2) 26:53

10M ago26:53

26:53

Braver Angels is addressing a huge threat that could disrupt the future of our democratic republic: The rigid, often bitter, divisions between reds and blues. While nearly four in ten voters identify as "independent", more than nine in ten Americans fall into one of two broad categories. They identify as either conservative or liberal leaning and t…

1
Braver Angels: Past Present & Future. David Blankenhorn (part 1) 25:59

10M ago25:59

25:59

“I don’t do this work in optimism. I do it in hope”, Braver Angels President David Blankenhorn tells us. “If we’re going to have any chance to fix this and save our country, this is what needs to be done.” Soon after the tumultuous 2016 election Braver Angels sprung to life— co-founded by David, Bill Doherty and David Lapp. Two years after its foun…

1
Braver Angels Truth & Trust. Francis Collins and Wilk Wilkinson 31:21

10M ago31:21

31:21

When renowned physician-scientist Francis Collins was about to have his first conversation with Christian conservative Wilk Wilkinson in early 2022, he admits that he had concerns. "I thought oh boy, this is going to be a tough one". Dr. Collins had recently stepped down as Director of NIH— The National Institutes of Health. He served under Preside…

1
Braver Angels: Guide Across The Divide. Móni Guzmán 24:43

11M ago24:43

24:43

Toxic polarization is "the problem that eats all other problems... It's the sludge at the base of everything else," says our guest Mónica Guzmán. Think how much progress could be made on the great problems of today if politics were much more about discovering nuance than shouting slogans. This show is our second episode on the work, people, and ide…

1
Braver Angels at The Republican Convention: Jessie Mannisto and Luke Nathan Phillips 27:04

11M ago27:04

27:04

This is our first in a series of new reports on the work, people and projects of Braver Angels— the largest volunteer-led group in the bridging community. The show was recorded a few days after the assassination attempt against Donald Trump. Our guests are Jessie Mannisto and Luke Nathan Phillips, who spent this week in Milwaukee, right outside the…

1
#6 Community 48:45

11M ago48:45

48:45

How does the online climate shape our way of showing up in the world? In this episode, we use recent events to unpack the complexity and potential of community in our time. We share experiences from the polar ends of the spectrum – from when we have been caught in the line of online criticism to the sacred ways of connecting in real life.…

1
Special Announcement About Our Future 0:59

11M ago0:59

0:59

In the last episode Jim Meigs and Richard Davies celebrated more than nine years as co-hosts. They also announced that their podcasting partnership was ending. But "How Do We Fix It?" is not going away. Instead we plan to focus on something we've covered a great deal recently, and is of urgent importance right now: The broken nature of American pol…

1
Jim & Richard: A Friendship Across Divides 24:44

12M ago24:44

24:44

When we first started our podcast in the spring of 2015, Jim and Richard came from different political tribes. They still do. But during more than 400 shows they've deepened their friendship and learned a tremendous amount from each other, and our remarkable guests. While "How Do We Fix It?" podcast will continue its journey, Jim and Richard's nine…

1
The Case For Ranked Choice Voting. Rob Richie 27:18

1y ago27:18

27:18

Supporters of Ranked Choice Voting argue that we need to a big change how we vote. Our “choose-one” elections, they say, deprive voters of meaningful choices, create increasingly toxic campaign cycles, advance candidates who lack broad support and leave voters feeling like our voices are not heard. We examine the case for this form of proportional …

1
#5 Time and Trees 49:22

1y ago49:22

49:22

In this episode, we take a walk through the forest and discuss its benefits for us as creatives. We share our relationship with this ancient teacher and end with a short-form documentary that has been aired on the radio since its release.By Cam Brandow and Joseph Wilkinson

1
Refuge: A Unique Strength of Liberalism: Professor Bryan Garsten 33:14

1y ago33:14

33:14

Liberalism is out of fashion. You might say that it's under siege. From the populist right to the progressive left, liberal touchtones of limited government, personal freedom, the rule of law, and a mixed economy have come in for harsh criticism. Liberalism is assailed by many critics, but it has not failed, argues Yale Political Science Professor …

1
#4 Creative Piece: Dandelion Kisses 2:03

1y ago2:03

2:03

Dandelion Kisses is a poem written and read by Cam, with music and sound by Joseph. This poem was inspired by a fate many are affected by – Alzheimer’s. It expresses the grief and gratitude that we feel when we have allowed ourselves to love deeply, yet can’t hold on to what has been.By Cam Brandow and Joseph Wilkinson

1
The Collapse of Local News and How to Rebuild Regional Journalism: Anna Brugmann 23:45

1y ago23:45

23:45

In much of the country local news has collapsed, threatening civic pride and a sense of community for countless towns and cities. This dramatic change has also deepened America's divides. As our guest, journalist and public policy researcher Anna Brugmann explains in this episode, "the internet disrupted the local journalism model". Newspaper adver…

1
#4 Creative Partnerships 28:34

1y ago28:34

28:34

How is it to partner up for a creative endeavour, and more specifically, how is it to work with your spouse? In this episode, we discuss the challenges and opportunities that follow when making a close relationship into a creative partnership.By Cam Brandow and Joseph Wilkinson

1
Diversity Is Great. DEI Isn't. Amna Khalid and Jeff Snyder 35:30

1+ y ago35:30

35:30

Diversity equity and inclusion: Sounds like a good thing in an incredibly diverse country such as ours, especially when teaching young people at American colleges and universities. But the DEI industry - or DEI Inc. — has arguably gone off the rails. There’s a big difference between the intentions behind a lot of diversity training and the results.…

1
#3 Salvation Mountain 28:33

1+ y ago28:33

28:33

After a trip to California we arrive back with new perspectives. In this episode, we discuss the importance of changing scenery, the moral dilemma of taking a break, and the unexpected colorful findings along the dry desert roads.By Cam Brandow and Joseph Wilkinson

1
#2 Creative Piece: The Echo 2:29

1+ y ago2:29

2:29

The Echo is a piece of music created by Joseph Wilkinson, Kersha Bailey, and Cam Brandow. It formed the centrepiece for episode #2, where we explored and discussed creative failure and what we can learn from it.By Cam Brandow and Joseph Wilkinson

1
Politics: Majority In The Middle. Shannon Watson 29:35

1+ y ago29:35

29:35

News coverage of Super Tuesday and other party primaries focused mainly on base voters— Democrats and Republicans. But most Americans are actually on the political sidelines or somewhere in the middle. Many have a mix of conservative and liberal views. This episode is about them. Our guest is Shannon Watson, the Founder and Executive Director of Ma…

1
#2 The Graveyard of Pitches 48:28

1+ y ago48:28

48:28

In this episode, we discuss failure. After a recent rejection of a music pitch, we dive into the open wounds that failure brings into the game of creativity. Inviting you into a conversation covering the pitching process, the relationship to negative self-talk, and external validation.By Cam Brandow and Joseph Wilkinson

1
#1 Creative Piece: Unfold 3:29

1+ y ago3:29

3:29

Unfold is a poem written and read by Cam, with sound and music by Joseph. It transports us between what is and what is becoming, taking us on a journey across seas of hope and doubt, bridging the distance between our inner and outer world.By Cam Brandow and Joseph Wilkinson

1
Changing Journalism: Boosting Trust in the News Media. Joy Mayer 26:05

1+ y ago26:05

26:05

Only four-in-ten Americans say they have a lot of trust in the news media. That's a big problem for our democracy, especially in this volatile presidential election year. While journalists are supposed to tell the truth and get the story right, just 35% of right-of-center voters have some trust in what they see on the news. Democrats and independen…

1
Ideas For Everyone: The Virtues of a Liberal Education. Roosevelt Montás 30:06

1+ y ago30:06

30:06

What is the point of a good education? Do we need it to learn a narrow set of skills ro help us get ahead in the workplace, or should knowledge and learning to be used over a lifetime to acquire wisdom that enables us to think more deeply about our place in the world? This question has profound resonance at a time of angry divides over American pol…

1
#1 Unfold 53:03

1+ y ago53:03

53:03

In this first episode, we dive into the constant unfolding of time. Marking the beginning of a new year with an exciting journey ahead, we discuss the art of planning versus being in the now and the dance between actively creating and allowing for what one wants to become.By Joseph Wilkinson and Cam Brandow

1
What Could Go Right? 2024 Predictions Show 26:09

1+ y ago26:09

26:09

From the economy and prospects for a Biden vs Trump rematch to the future for global energy and artificial intelligence, Richard and Jim make their forecasts for 2024. And we re-visit our predictions from exactly a year ago and report on precisely how we did. "It's sort of like weather forecasters and opinion pollsters going back and owning up to t…

1
How to Escape The Identity Trap - Yascha Mounk (part two) 31:48

1+ y ago31:48

31:48

We continue our discussion with Yascha Mounk, one of the leading public intellectuals of our time. The subject is a hugely influential ideology that attempts to put racial, sexual and gender identity at the center of our social, cultural and political life. The "identity synthesis", Mounk argues, denies that members of different groups can truly un…

1
The Origins of Today's Identity Politics - Yascha Mounk (part one) 31:30

1+ y ago31:30

31:30

Having skewered right-wing populism and its demagogues in his two previous best-selling books, politics professor, writer, and podcaster Yasha Mounk turns now to the threat posed to liberalism from those progressives who champion "woke" identity politics. We discuss his latest, "The Identity Trap: A Story of Ideas and Power In Our Time." This episo…

1
Imaging a Better Future. How Doomers Prevent Progress. James Pethokoukis 36:13

1+ y ago36:13

36:13

Yes, it's our 400th episode. But instead of looking back over the past eight-and-a-half years of our podcasts, we consider the future: How collective optimism or pessimism can have a huge impact on the economy, risk taking, and the acceptance of new technologies that spark growth and innovation. Our guest is scholar and journalist James Pethokoukis…

1
Polarization Series: Bridging Divides at Braver Angels. Erica Manuel and Manu Meel 30:15

1+ y ago30:15

30:15

Affective polarization in America – the gap between voters' positive feelings about their own political party or "side" and negative feelings toward the opposing party – has sharply increased during the past two decades. We speak with two leaders in local government and a nationwide students group about effective ways to bridge divides. Erica Manue…

1
Polarization Series: The Soul of Civility. Alexandra Hudson 28:38

1+ y ago28:38

28:38

It's easy to look at the impacts of rigid polarization and blame our leaders and political parties, the media, or the education system. In this episode, we hear an argument that the first thing all of us should do is focus on what we can control: ourselves. We discuss how to learn to live with others despite deep divisions. All democracies need pro…

1
Polarization Series: The Keys to Good Conflict. Hélène Biandudi Hofer 28:22

1+ y ago28:22

28:22

Destructive conflict aims to destroy the other side. But constructive conflict can be a force for good. In this episode we learn how good conflict helps move people beyond polarization, slogans, and angry tweets to a place where they can connect and grow— even as they strongly disagree. Hélène Biandudi Hofer says that when we have the vocabulary an…

1
Polarization Series: Is Social Media to Blame? Professor Chris Bail 34:17

1+ y ago34:17

34:17

Almost everyone has an opinion about the impact of social media on political polarization. Most of us believe that Twitter, Facebook, Reddit, YouTube and other sites have made our civic life more angry and divided. But how much of this is true? Are consumers as much to blame as the platforms themselves? 15 years ago, in the very early days of socia…

1
Polarization: My Side Is Wrong. Jim & Richard 26:08

2y ago26:08

26:08

Have you ever been asked by a political opponent to describe what's wrong or weak about your own side's arguments? That's what Richard and Jim do here. This episode could have been ripped from a Braver Angels training seminar, but to our knowledge, no other podcast has tried this before. Liberal-leaning Richard takes on three hot topics, picked by …

1
Polarization: Is America Too Fragmented? Rick Pildes and Lee Drutman 30:35

2y ago30:35

30:35

Why is American politics so dysfunctional? Is it because we are too polarized or too fragmented? Throughout this fall we will be exploring different aspects of polarization— arguably the most important threat to both effective governance and a stable democracy. This episode includes an edited recording of a lively conversation from the podcast, "Po…

1
American Polarization: Political and Personal. Mónica Guzmán 29:02

2y ago29:02

29:02

Toxic polarization is "the problem that eats all other problems... It's the sludge at the base of everything else," our guest Mónica Guzmán tells us. In this really useful repeat episode from 2022, we learn how to fight back against the confusion and heartbreak of living with rigid divides. This show is a curtain raiser for a series we are doing th…

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