At the top of today’s episode, host Brett Freeman welcomes three editors from our Halston Media newspapers: Brian Marschhauser, editor of Yorktown News; Tom Walogorsky, editor of North Salem News and The Somers Record; and Bob Dumas, editor of Mahopac News. They discuss the recent downfall of Governor Andrew Cuomo, and the calls for him to resign following numerous allegations of sexual harrassment and sexual assault. You’ll hear their thoughts and opinions as they deliberate about extreme accountability, particularly in the Me Too era, how Governor Cuomo might move forward either by way of resignation or impeachment, and avoiding a “mob justice” mentality as these allegations have not yet stood trial or conviction at this point. Marschhauser, Walogorsky, and Dumas chat about local headlines, share the biggest stories from their respective papers this week, and give listeners a sneak peek at what they’re working on next.

Next, our host speaks with today’s guest, Randy Freeman. Freeman is one of two New York State coordinators for the nonprofit organization Braver Angels, whose mission is to bring Americans together to bridge the partisan divide and strengthen our democratic republic. Freeman is a practicing psychotherapist with her MSW and LCSW, and has moderated many red/blue workshops, and she co-hosts monthly moderator calls. She joins the show today to discuss how her background as a marriage counsellor made her a perfect fit for Braver Angels, how she applies the principles from her therapy practice to today’s political divide, and explains the importance of accepting one another’s differences to move forward together as a country. Freeman breaks down the history of polarization in the United States, and how social media has exacerbated this issue. She also offers her perspective on how to have political debates in a civilized, respectful manner, the power of allowing each side to have a voice, and why it’s actually necessary that we not agree on everything as a society.

To learn more about Freeman’s work to help red and blue individuals find common ground and depolarize American politics, visit BraverAngels.org or contact her directly at [email protected]. Thanks for listening.

Episode Highlights:

• Today’s show begins with a conversation with three editors from the Halston Media team: Brian Marschhauser, editor of Yorktown News; Tom Walogorsky, editor of North Salem News and The Somers Record; and Bob Dumas, editor of Mahopac News
• They discuss the recent downfall of Governor Andrew Cuomo and what we can learn from this turn of events
• Host Brett Freeman poses the question of whether Governor Cuomo felt so insulated from the media, that he was immune from the effects of the Me Too Movement
• Governor Cuomo does not plan to resign; Marschhauser breaks down the impeachment process
• New York State Senator Pete Harckham called for Governor Cuomu to resign, as well as anyone on his staff who was involved in the unlawful retaliation and coverup of the crisis
• This is one of Governor Cuomo’s closest allies in the State Senate
• We live in an era of the Me Too Movement and extreme accountability
• It’s important to avoid mob justice - everyone is innocent until proven guilty, and these are still allegations that have not yet stood trial or conviction...