Dispatches from the Divide

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Dispatches from the Divide episodes

October 19 She Was Afraid to Speak Her Mind. Then She Got in an RV With Seven Strangers. | 8
Two days earlier, Laryssa Bishop had no idea this trip existed. Now she's climbing into an RV with seven strangers to spend a day talking about one of the most divisive issues in America.
After becoming afraid to speak openly about politics, Laryssa sees the trip as a chance to try again. But the topic is immigration – deeply personal for a Brazilian international student waiting for her green card – and she'll be discussing it with Republicans and Democrats whose views she doesn't know.
What if the conversation gets ugly? What if she isn't prepared? What if this isn't actually a place where she can speak freely?
By the time Laryssa finally pulls her chair into the circle, her heart is racing.
This is the final episode of Dispatches from the Divide — true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.
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Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels.
Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide
If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited
More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/
More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/
More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/
Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway
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CHAPTERS
(0:00) Laryssa Joins RV Trip
(2:03) A Campus Killing Shakes Her
(3:21) Why She Stopped Speaking
(5:45) Braver Angels Explained
(7:40) Common Ground Workshop Setup
(9:28) Ground Rules And Fishbowl
(12:02) Immigrant Stories In The Circle
(16:14) Tension and Searching For Policy
(18:01) Laryssa Sparks A Breakthrough
(22:09) Courageous Citizenship Lessons
(23:170 Finding Her Voice Again
(24:21) Final Reflections And Farewell
#DispatchesFromTheDivide #BYUradio #DisagreeBetter #BraverAngels #Immigration #BridgingDivides #CommonGround #CivilDiscourse #PoliticalPolarization #Courage
27 min
October 12 She Came to America Expecting Freedom of Speech. Instead, She Went Silent. | 7
Laryssa Bishop left Brazil for college in America believing she'd finally found a place where she could speak her mind. Instead, she slowly became afraid to say what she really thought.
As an international student in Salt Lake City, Laryssa wants to talk openly about politics, immigration, the Israel-Gaza war, and the issues dividing America. But conversations turn hostile, people on both sides unfollow her, and worries about her green card make speaking up feel increasingly risky
Then an act of political violence close to home seems to confirm her worst fears.
This is Episode 7 of Dispatches from the Divide — true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.
—-----
Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels.
Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide
If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited
More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/
More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/
More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/
Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway
—-------
CHAPTERS
(0:00) Leaving Rio Behind
(1:09) First Steps in America
(3:28) Free Speech Expectations
(5:03) Silenced Back Home
(6:37) Campus Labels and Pushback
(7:50) Social Media Backlash
(8:32) Marriage and Green Card Fears
(10:00) A New Hope Emerges
(10:43) Birth of Peacemaker Project
(13:18) The Big Immigration Debate
(15:16) Peacemaking at Home
(17:00) National Conference in Mountains
(18:30) Larissa Gets Invited
(19:32) Finding Her Voice Again
(20:47) Campus Assassination Shock
(22:26) RV Trip and Cliffhanger
(24:37) Credits and Wrap Up
#DispatchesFromTheDivide #BYUradio #DisagreeBetter #BraverAngels #FreeSpeech #PoliticalPolarization #InternationalStudents #Immigration #PoliticalDivision #CivilDiscourse
26 min
October 12 She Wanted to Report the News Differently. Then a Story In Her Own Backyard Put That to the Test. | 6
Helene Biandudi Hofer walked away from the kind of journalism she feared was making people more divided. Now she has to find out whether her alternative actually works.
In Episode 6 of Dispatches from the Divide, Helene takes on a local election story in her own small town—and deliberately ignores some of the instincts that shaped her decades in journalism. Instead of chasing the obvious political conflict, she follows the parts of the story that don’t fit.
Then election night throws the whole thing into doubt.
Can she report the news differently—and still make people want to listen?
—--
Subscribe to Dispatches from the Divide for more true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.
—-----
Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels.
Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide
If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited
More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/
More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/
More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/
Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway
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CHAPTERS
(0:00) Mom Tips Off Mystery
(3:02) Dispatches Theme Setup
(4:24) Spotting The Misfit Story
(5:28) Trust First Reporting
(8:05) Election Clock Ticking
(9:41) Loss Then Breakthrough
(11:20) Bert Interview Begins
(13:43) Final Story Playback
(14:13) Williamson Sets The Scene
(16:26) Why Republicans Back Joe
(20:30) Results snd Ripple Effects
(23:28) Monica Reflects On News
(26:00) Closing And Next Episode
Watch the video of Helene’s story about Joe and Bert on the Good Conflict YouTube channel here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pvgy9a3CVeQ
#Journalism #PoliticalPolarization #LocalNews #LocalPolitics #SolutionsJournalism #BridgingDivides #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BYUradio #DisagreeBetter #B
28 min
October 05 She Got into Journalism to Help People. Was She Actually Making Things Worse? | 5
Veteran journalist Helene Biandudi Hofer is sitting at home scripting her weekly news show when she suddenly puts down her laptop and starts to cry. She became a reporter because she wanted to help people understand each other. But after decades in the new business, she can't shake a troubling question: What if the way she's been telling stories is making our divisions worse?
Just when she thinks she’s out of options, something lands in her inbox.
This is Episode 5 of Dispatches from the Divide — true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.
—-----
Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels.
Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide
If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited
More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/
More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/
More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/
Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway
—-----
CHAPTERS
(0:00) Crisis By The Fireplace
(1:39) The Story She Regrets
(5:12) Why News Feels Broken
(6:42) A Childhood Calling
(9:15) Solutions Journalism Spark
(11:12) Complicating The Narrative
(13:59) Teaching Looping Skills
(15:44) Good Conflict Begins
(18:44) What Audiences Want
(23:50) Testing Nuanced Local Stories
(25:47) Next Episode Tease
(26:05) Credits And Wrap
#Journalism #TrustInMedia #PoliticalPolarization #NewsMedia #SolutionsJournalism #MediaLiteracy #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BYUradio #DisagreeBetter #BraverAngels
27 min
October 05 He Tried to Get Her Kicked Out of Office. Then He Knocked on Her Door. | 4
Bob Hathcock helped launch a campaign to remove Julie Spilsbury from office. Now he's walking into her home—and neither of them knows how this conversation will end.
In Episode 4 of Dispatches from the Divide, a bitter Mesa, Arizona, recall election fueled by political polarization, the 2024 election, and deep disagreements over local politics becomes intensely personal.
Julie believes she followed her conscience. Bob believes she betrayed the conservative district that elected her. Now, with election day approaching, they finally sit down face to face.
What happens when the person on the other side is suddenly sitting on your couch?
—-------
Subscribe to Dispatches from the Divide for more true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.
—-----
Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels.
Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide
If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited
More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/
More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/
More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/
Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway
—-------
CHAPTERS
(0:00) Intro
(0:15) Recall Rivals Face Off
(1:33) Couch Talk And Tears
(2:29) Why Bob Felt Betrayed
(5:18) Campaign Turns Ugly
(7:06) Small Gestures Of Humanity
(8:19) Election Night Fallout
(9:49) Staying In Church Community
(13:55) Love Over Civility Talk
(18:07) Lunch With Former Opponent
(19:50) Politically Homeless After Recall
(22:29) Return Day And Closing
#DispatchesFromTheDivide #BraverAngels #DisagreeBetter #BYUradio
#JulieSpilsbury #ArizonaPolitics #RecallElection #LocalPolitics #PoliticalPolarization #BridgingDivides
26 min
September 28 She Won by a Landslide. Then Her Own Neighbors Tried to Remove Her From Office. | 3
Julie Spilsbury was known around Mesa, Arizona, for two things: her city council seat and her cinnamon rolls. Then one public decision turned people she'd known for twenty years — church members, fellow moms, neighbors down the street — into the architects of an unprecedented recall campaign. And the man leading the charge against her was about to make a move nobody saw coming, including him.
This is Episode 3 of Dispatches from the Divide — true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.
—-----
Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels.
Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide
If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited
More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/
More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/
More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/
Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway
CHAPTERS
(0:00) Recall Petition Shock
(2:00) Why Politics Feels Like War
(3:03) Cinnamon Roll Diplomacy
(5:13) First Big Council Vote
(7:13) Governing by Conscience
(9:19) Endorsing Democrats Publicly
(11:31) Bob Sparks the Recall
(17:01) Signatures and Obsession
(19:26) Community Fallout and Hurt
(21:48) An Unexpected Meeting Setup
(22:41) Next Time and Credits
#JulieSpilsbury #MesaArizona #PoliticalPolarization #LocalPolitics #RecallElection #DispatchesFromTheDivide #BraverAngels #DisagreeBetter #BYUradio
24 min
September 28 They Called Him a Monster for Helping the Wrong Family. | 2
The fundraiser exploded overnight — and so did the backlash. As Dave Butler's small act of compassion turns into a national story, a nagging doubt creeps in: what if he's making things worse for the people he's trying to help?
In Episode 2 of Dispatches from the Divide, Dave finally makes contact with the family at the center of it all, in a pair of raw, emotional phone calls that neither side saw coming. What happens next puts his decision — and its consequences — into a whole new light.
—-----
Subscribe to Dispatches from the Divide for more true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.
—-----
Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels.
Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide
If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited
More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/
More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/
More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/
Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway
CHAPTERS
(0:00) A Risky Fundraiser
(0:45) Viral Attention Hits
(2:18) Backlash and Doubt
(3:57) Mistaken Identity Trouble
(4:55) Trying to Reach the Family
(6:45) Sister Reaches Out
(7:43) A Tearful Drive Call
(11:32) Talking to the Widow
(14:04) Trust and Ongoing Support
(14:42) Nearly 400K Raised
(16:05) The Pebble and the Avalanche
(18:29) Monica's Takeaway
(19:47) Next Time and Credits
#GrandBlancShooting #PoliticalPolarization #BridgingDivides #MoralCourage
#LatterDaySaints #FaithAndForgiveness #Compassion #BraverAngels #DisagreeBetter #BYUradio
23 min
September 28 His Church Was Attacked. Then He Did the Unthinkable. | 1
A tweet on a quiet Sunday morning stops Dave Butler cold: a shooting at a Latter-day Saint church in Grand Blanc, Michigan. He doesn't know a single victim — but he’s a member of the same faith, so the attack feels personal. As the news spreads and fear turns to anger online, Dave makes a choice that no one sees coming, one that will pull him into the national spotlight and put him directly in the path of backlash he never expected.
Dispatches from the Divide features true stories of ordinary people in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn. Hosted by Monica Guzman.
—-----
Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Disagree Better and Braver Angels.
Connect with us on social media @DispatchesfromtheDivide
If you’re enjoying the podcast, you’ll love the new documentary “A House United.” Find a screening near you: https://www.jojofilm.co.uk/ahouseunited
More about Disagree Better: https://disagreebetter.us/
More about Braver Angels: https://braverangels.org/
More podcasts from BYUradio: https://www.byuradio.org/
Listen to Monica Guzman’s other podcast “A Braver Way” https://www.moniguzman.com/abraverway
—-----
CHAPTERS
(0:00) Breaking News Shock
(1:09) Fear Spreads Online
(2:03) Welcome to Dispatches from the Divide
(3:40) Attack Details Emerge
(5:25) Personal Vulnerability
(6:30) A Radical Idea Appears
(9:05) Walkies And Motives
(11:18) Faith And Compassion
(13:04) Launching The Fundraiser
(14:39) Glitches And A Pivot
(16:25) Viral Donations Roll In
(17:54) Media Attention And Trolls
(18:25) Next Episode Tease
#DispatchesFromTheDivide #BraverAngels #GrandBlancShooting #Forgiveness #DisagreeBetter #TrueStoryPodcast #ActsOfCompassion #FaithInAction #PodcastEpisode #BYUradio
20 min
September 21 TRAILER: Dispatches from the Divide
Four stories. Four ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances . . . that take some surprising turns.
In this limited series, Monica Guzman follows individuals into moments of extreme conflict. Stakes are high—relationships, careers, and communities on the line. But just when you think you know how the story ends, one person does something to turn the whole plot on its head.
These are gripping looks at courage, compassion, forgiveness, and the surprising ways people respond when tension is at its peak.
Welcome to Dispatches from the Divide.
From the team behind Top of Mind with Julie Rose, Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Braver Angels, and Disagree Better.
2 min
September 15 BIG NEWS from Top of Mind
A personal note from Julie with a bittersweet announcement and some exciting changes coming to the Top of Mind feed in the coming weeks. Watch for Dispatches from the Divide to debut right here on September 28th. A new podcast from the Top of Mind team, Dispatches from the Divide is a co-production of BYUradio, Braver Angels and Disagree Better. It's hosted by Monica Guzman and follows four ordinary people who find themselves in extraordinary situations that take an unexpected turn.
5 min