Stop Toxic Partisanship (Doing Our Part): Finding Humanity in Polarized Politics & Religion

Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

In this episode, host Corey Nathan reflects on a pivotal shift in direction for the podcast. The solo episodes of “Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other” will be moving toward a more practical focus—answering the question of how we engage in tough conversations about politics and religion in more productive, neighborly, human ways. Drawing from years of interviews, personal experiences, and lively social media debates, Corey opens up about the challenges and tools needed to bridge our deepest divides.

What's Discussed:

• Why Corey is focusing more on how we talk about politics and religion, not just what we talk about

• The role of "epistemic bubbles" and "informational universes" in shaping our perspectives

• Tools and strategies for engaging across political and religious differences

• How grace, curiosity, and relationship-building can change the tone of even the toughest conversations

• Real-life examples from Corey’s online and offline experiences—including some Facebook showdowns!

Episode Highlights:

• [00:02:00] Corey announces a new focus on practical tools for civil dialogue

• [00:06:00] The concept of “epistemic ecosystems” and how they isolate us

• [00:10:00] Why you can’t “convert” someone in one conversation—but you can plant seeds

• [00:13:00] Mike Madrid: “Effective communication across bubbles requires more than simply correcting facts...”

• [00:17:00] A quote from the Constitution sparks a wild Facebook debate

• [00:24:00] From “literate idiots” to neighbors with nuance—Corey breaks down who shows up online

• [00:32:00] How to actively listen, lead with curiosity, and find the serious point in a noisy thread

• [00:45:00] Tips on when to pick your spot, take it offline, or simply walk away

Featured Quotes:

• “Sometimes you can’t teach someone a new language—but you can give them a few new words.”
• “Give yourself grace. You’re going to mess it up. But keep showing up.”
• “Effective communication across bubbles requires more than simply correcting facts. It demands engaging underlying values and concerns.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Mike Madrid’s Substack - The Great Transformation: greattransformation.substack.com
• Tangle News: www.readtangle.com
• Ground News: ground.news
• Village SquareCast: podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/village-squarecast/id1520059234

📣 Call to Action:

If you found this conversation insightful, please:
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✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics
✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com
✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion

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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡