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Bridging Divides Through Living Room Conversations

In this episode of Derate The Hate, host Wilk Wilkinson welcomes Stewart Fletcher, Director of Communications for Living Room Conversations. They explore the power of civil dialogue in healing political and social divides, the importance of empathy and curiosity, and how structured conversations can help build trust across differences.

Stewart shares his personal story of entering the bridge-building space and explains how Living Room Conversations works to reconnect communities through meaningful, respectful discussion.

Learn more about Stewart and Living Room Conversations:
🌐 livingroomconversations.org
📷 Instagram: @livingroomconvo
📘 Facebook: Living Room Conversations
💼 LinkedIn: Living Room Conversations
📺 YouTube: @LivingRoomConversations

 👉 Ready to be part of the solution?
Subscribe to the Derate The Hate podcast and check out BraverAngels.org to join the movement. 

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

Episode 270: From Polarization to Proactive Citizenship – with Dr. Bill Doherty

In the first official Derate The Hate episode produced in collaboration with Braver Angels, host Wilk Wilkinson is joined by Braver Angels co-founder Dr. Bill Doherty to explore how we can move beyond polarization through meaningful citizenship and personal accountability.

Dr. Doherty shares insights on the founding of Braver Angels and introduces the concept of “thick citizenship”—a form of civic engagement that goes beyond voting and paying taxes to include structured conversations, problem-solving, and shared community responsibility.

🔑 In this episode:

• Why Braver Angels was founded in 2016
• How “thin” citizenship fuels polarization
• What “thick” citizenship looks like in practice
• The power of structured conversations and listening to understand
• How personal accountability can heal a divided society

🎧 Tune in to learn how you can be part of the solution.

Subscribe to the Derate The Hate podcast and please visit BraverAngels.org to get involved.

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

Political Detox & Shadow Work: Reclaiming Emotional Sovereignty in a Polarized World

In Episode 269 of the Derate The Hate podcast, host Wilk sits down with Chuck Gafvert — a former corporate executive turned political detox coach and Jungian psychology practitioner. They explore the deep psychological roots of political stress, the harmful effects of toxic polarization, and how we can regain inner peace through self-awareness and emotional responsibility.

🎯 What You’ll Learn in This Episode:

• How Jungian shadow work can reduce political anxiety
• Why political identity shouldn't define your self-worth
• How social media hijacks your emotional system
• Practical ways to break free from political stress

🧘 “Politics causes suffering — but it can also be a gateway for transformation.” — Chuck Gafvert

Chuck also shares immediate steps you can take today to reduce political anxiety, including insights from his free eBook:

🌐 Grab Chuck’s Free eBook:
5 Steps to Start Reducing Political Stress

📣 Don’t forget to subscribe, rate, and share!
 Learn more about Wilk’s work at DerateTheHate.com

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

 🎙️ From Hate to Humanity: Jeff Schoep's Journey Out of Extremism 

In Episode 268 of the Derate The Hate podcast, host Wilk Wilkinson welcomes back Jeff Schoep—former neo-Nazi leader turned leading deradicalization expert—to discuss his new memoir, "American Nazi: From Hate to Humanity."

In this powerful and deeply personal conversation, Jeff shares how he went from heading the National Socialist Movement to becoming a global voice in counter-extremism. He opens up about the moments that cracked his extremist ideology, the violent past he’s reckoning with, and his mission to help others find a way out of hate.

They also explore the modern implications of identity politics, fear-driven narratives, and the shared humanity we must embrace to prevent radicalization in all its forms.

Don’t miss this compelling episode on transformation, redemption, and the path forward.

📘 "American Nazi: From Hate to Humanity" releases this week—learn more at JeffSchoep.com 

🎧 Listen now on your favorite platform and share with someone who needs to hear this.

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

From Average Mohamed to Dissident: Mohamed Ahmed Returns

Mohamed Ahmed, known to many as "Average Mohamed," returns to the Derate the Hate podcast for a powerful third appearance. In Episode 267, Mohamed discusses the closure of the Average Mohamed Organization and his new mission with the Republican People of Color (RPOC.org) PAC. He also introduces his second book, Dissidence in America, a bold call for non-violent civic engagement and principled dissent.

Topics covered include:

• The evolution from anti-radicalization activism to broader anti-hate advocacy
• Challenges of being a Black, Muslim, Republican in a polarized political landscape
• The impact of government surveillance and censorship on activists
• The founding of RPOC.org and why political action is the next necessary step
• The importance of peaceful protest and defending American democratic values

Mohamed’s journey reminds us that loving our country means standing up for the ideals of liberty, equality, and justice—even when the road is hard.

About the Guest:
Mohamed Ahmed has been recognized as a Citizen Diplomat by the U.S. State Department and Global Ties USA. He is the founder of RPOC.org and the author of Average Mohamed: Freedom Fighter and Dissidence in America. A proud Minnesotan, businessman, and father of five, Mohamed believes in fighting the good fight one soul at a time—with values, vision, and unwavering peaceful resolve. 

📕 Get his books free at RPOC.org
📲 Follow Mohamed on Twitter/X @averagemohamed
🔗 Connect on LinkedIn, YouTube, Facebook & Instagram @averagemohamed

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

 Beyond the Politics of Contempt – DTH Episode 266 with Beth Malow and Doug Teschner 

In this powerful episode of Derate The Hate, host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with fellow Braver Angels Beth Malow and Doug Teschner to discuss their upcoming book, Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times. In a time when toxic polarization threatens the fabric of our nation, Beth and Doug offer a hopeful and actionable roadmap to reconnect with one another—across political, personal, and cultural divides.

Key Topics Covered:

• The rise of "conflict entrepreneurs" and their role in fueling division
• Why people are craving meaningful connection in today's polarized climate
• How self-reflection and emotional intelligence are vital for healing divides
• Practical tools for restoring relationships damaged by political conflict
• Bridge-building activism that promotes dignity, respect, and understanding
• The role of hope and empathy in shaping a better future
• Tips for standing firm in your beliefs while building bridges

Notable Quotes:

• “People are looking for something better.”
• “Self-reflection is key to change.”
• “It’s about being part of the solution.”
• “We can solve any problem if we feel heard.”
• “Hope is essential for our country.”

Connect & Subscribe:
🌐 Visit togethernow.substack.com to subscribe to Beth and Doug’s free newsletter, Together Across Differences.

 🌐 Visit BraverAngels.org to learn more about America's largest grassroots movement towards bridging divides. 

🎧 Subscribe to Derate The Hate on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your favorite platform. Don’t forget to leave a rating and review!

📣 Share this episode with someone who’s ready to move beyond contempt and build a stronger, more united America.

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

Replay: Polarization – The Issue of Our Time (feat. John Wood Jr.)

This week, I’m re-sharing a powerful episode from the DTH archives during a little family downtime. In this classic, I sat down with my good friend and Braver Angels National Ambassador, John Wood Jr., to tackle what may be the greatest challenge facing our country: polarization.

We discuss:

• Why polarization prevents progress on all other issues
• How to better engage with people who think differently
• The dangers of whataboutism and political pandering
• Why long-term thinking beats short-term outrage

John brings the kind of insight and calm conviction that’s rare in today's divided landscape. This episode is packed with value—don't miss it!

🎧 Listen now, share with a friend, and let’s keep bettering the world, one attitude at a time.

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

Unpacking the Woke Right, White Identity Politics & The Equality Fight 

In Episode 264 of Derate The Hate, host Wilk Wilkinson welcomes Hunter Ash and returning guest Julian Adorney for a bold, honest, and highly relevant conversation on the rise of woke right identity politics, the pitfalls of anti-racism orthodoxy, and how we might build a more unified, equitable society without falling into the traps of division and fear.

🔥 What we cover:

• The rise of white identity politics and the “woke right”
• How anti-racism initiatives can backfire on the goal of true equality
• The dangerous cycle of reifying group divisions in the name of justice
• DEI, critical race theory, and the real-world consequences of policy
• Building bridges beyond the binaries of left vs. right

👥 Julian Adorney, writer and contributor to Reality’s Last Stand, shares key insights from his article, “Why Christians Must Reject the Woke Right’s Answer to Racism,” offering a hopeful path forward grounded in empathy, faith, and individual dignity.

🎯 Hunter Ash, a bold new voice from the dissident right, challenges mainstream narratives and presents the uncomfortable truths behind many rising sentiments in post-woke conservatism.

✅ Subscribe, rate, and share if you find value in this conversation. We’re here to learn, not just to argue.

🎧 Tune in now and check out previous conversations with Julian Adorney in earlier episodes of Derate The Hate!

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

Episode 263: How Contempt Fuels Division and What We Can Do About It – with Zachary Elwood 

What’s truly tearing us apart isn’t disagreement—it’s contempt. In Episode 263 of the Derate The Hate podcast, Wilk Wilkinson is joined once again by Zachary Elwood, author of the new book How Contempt Destroys Democracy: An American Liberal’s Guide to Toxic Polarization.

Zach shares powerful insights into how confirmation bias, emotional thinking, and our grievance culture feed political division. Wilk and Zach dive deep into why curiosity is a critical tool for unity, how media and social platforms fuel outrage, and why focusing on local community action can help us escape the national polarization trap.

🎧 Tune in and learn:

• ✅ Why contempt, not disagreement, is one of our biggest societal threats
• ✅ How online behavior fuels tribal thinking
• ✅ The power of emotional intelligence and curiosity in bridging divides
• ✅ What you can do to depolarize conversations in your own life

If you're ready to understand the emotional roots of toxic polarization and what we can do about it, this is an episode you don’t want to miss.

🔗 Previous Episode with Zachary Elwood: Check out our earlier conversation in Episode 170 for even more insight into Zach’s powerful work in the depolarization space. Link can be found in the full show notes at DerateTheHate.com

📘 Learn more about Zach’s new book: www.american-anger.com
🎙️ Explore Zach’s podcast: People Who Read People

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.

Send Wilk a text with your feedback!

Exposing the Cost of Fear: School Closures, Media Failures, and COVID Truths 

In DTH Episode 262, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with investigative journalist and author David Zweig to explore the pandemic-era decisions that reshaped American education. David, widely known for his work on the Twitter Files and now his explosive new book, An Abundance of Caution, unpacks how fear, flawed media narratives, and political tribalism drove the closure of schools—with devastating consequences for children and society.

From misinformed public health messaging to the silencing of dissenting voices, this episode pulls back the curtain on what really happened during COVID—and how we can make sure it never happens again.

🔎 Topics include:

 ✅ Why school closures were more harmful than helpful
 ✅ How fear-mongering in the media shaped destructive policies
 ✅ The lasting impact on student learning, development, and mental health
 ✅ The dangers of manufactured consensus and silence among experts
 ✅  How political polarization endangered education 

Don't miss this powerful conversation with one of today’s most courageous investigative voices.

 If you’ve heard my conversations with Dr. Francis Collins (former NIH Director) and Dr. Jay Bhattacharya (current NIH Director), this episode is an essential follow-up. Where they explored restoring trust in science and medicine, David shines a light on some of the how and why that trust was lost in the first place. 

The world is a better place if we are better people. That begins with each of us as individuals. Be kind to one another. Be grateful for all you’ve got. Make every day the day that you want it to be!

Please follow The Derate The Hate podcast on:

Facebook, Instagram, Twitter(X) , YouTube

Subscribe to us wherever you enjoy your audio or from our site. Please leave us a rating and feedback on Apple podcasts or other platforms. You can share your thoughts or request Wilk for a speaking engagement on our contact page: DerateTheHate.com/Contact

The Derate The Hate podcast is proudly produced in collaboration with Braver Angels — America’s largest grassroots, cross-partisan organization working toward civic renewal and bridging partisan divides. Learn more: BraverAngels.org

Welcome to the Derate The Hate Podcast!

*The views expressed by Wilk, his guest hosts &/or guests on the Derate The Hate podcast are their own and should not be attributed to any organization they may otherwise be affiliated with.