How big is the political middle of America? What traits make somebody part of this political middle? How can this political middle overcome the toxic political division of today?

Shannon Watson, executive director of Majority in the Middle, gives her insights into these questions and more. She also discusses the biggest roadblocks to overcoming division, recent encouraging signs in building bridges across division, and practical ways anybody can overcome political division in their lives.

(0:00) Intro to Americans in the Middle, Shannon Watson

(1:49) Shannon's Political Upbringing, What Sparked Her Work

(6:37) Human Nature is to Divide, How it is Ramping Up in US Politics

(9:17) Divisiveness that Shannon Witnessed in Campaigns

(16:55) Positive Campaigns Shannon Witnessed

(20:28) Do Candidates Make Campaigns Negative...or is it Interest Groups?

(23:07) What are the Goals of Majority in the Middle?

(32:28) On Parties' Increasing Ideological Uniformity, One-Party States

(35:35) How Many Americans are Politically in the Middle?

(41:36) The Prevalence of Political Apathy and Its Problems

(46:07) What is a "Moderate"? And the Concerning Power of Labels

(56:47) The Biggest Obstacles to Overcoming Division

(1:05:09) Encouraging Signs in Overcoming Political Division

(1:08:34) Actionable Ways Anybody Can Overcome Division in Their Lives

(1:14:43) Random Question: Little-Known Facts About Your State?

(1:20:10) Closing and Our Links