We live in a concerning age. It has become commonplace to caricature, demonize, label, cheapen, and overall completely neglect the God-given humanity of a person one disagrees with. In fact, social media algorithms reward this kind of divisive behavior. TV ratings thrive on conflict and hyperbole. The better the fearmonger, the more successful the politician. Long gone seem the days of decency and civility. Thankfully, there are peacemakers in the world like this episode's guest, Chloé Simone Valdary. Chloé is a writer and entrepreneur whose company, Theory of Enchantment, teaches social and emotional learning, as well as diversity and inclusion in companies and government agencies. She has written for the New York Times, The Atlantic, and The Wall Street Journal, and she has appeared on podcasts and talkshows across the political spectrum: from "Real Time with Bill Maher" to "Honestly with Bari Weiss" to "The Jordan Peterson Podcast" to "The Megyn Kelly Show." Her three principles from the Theory of Enchantment and their alignment with Franciscan peacemaking are the focus of this episode.

Click here to read this episode's show notes: https://www.franciscanmedia.org/off-the-page-by-franciscan-media/

(00:00:01) Introduction

(00:04:19) What is Theory of Enchantment?

(00:11:44) Chloé's Spiritual Background and Worldview

(00:19:47) Enchantment, Sound, and Mysticism

(00:28:58) First Principle: Treat Others Like Human Beings, Not Political Abstractions

(00:41:11) Grace in Introspection, Journeying Inward

(00:47:25) Second Principle: Criticize Only to Uplift and Empower (Dia-Logos)

(00:56:33) Third Principle: Root Everything You Do in Love and Compassion

(01:04:09) Closing Thoughts

(01:05:51) Conclusion