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We return after a hot minute to discuss the current state of American politics, the importance of having difficult conversations, and finding hope in these very challenging times.

In this episode, we discuss:

• Taking a hiatus due to health challenges and the stress of current politics
• Postcard campaigns to contact elected officials
• The "Soul of America" and important core values 
• Navigating difficult political conversations with family members
• Increased civic engagement across political spectrums

CTA's (calls to action - after all, everything deserves an acronym, right?)

• Reach out and let us know you're listening, whether you agree with us or not. 
• Write a postcard to your congressional representatives to make your voice heard.

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A wave of book restriction and removal from library and classroom shelves has swept across America in recent years. These efforts are growing at an alarming rate, and that should concern everyone who values free thought and democratic principles.

In this episode, we dig into the disturbing reality behind these numbers: while historical book challenges typically came from concerned parents, today approximately 70% of bans originate from organized political pressure groups with specific ideological agendas. Their targets? Books discussing racial justice, LGBTQ+ experiences, mental health challenges, and even historical atrocities. Titles like Maya Angelou's "I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings," Margaret Atwood's "The Handmaid's Tale," and Khaled Hosseini's "The Kite Runner" have been systematically removed from shelves, not just in schools but in public libraries and even military academies.

Franklin D. Roosevelt once said, "Books cannot be killed by fire. People die, but books never die. No man and no force can put thought in a concentration camp forever." Join us in taking action—support your local library, volunteer, start a banned book club, or simply speak out. The fight for literary freedom is, at its core, a fight for the health of our democracy itself.

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How do we navigate the ever present double-edged sword of social media without cutting ourselves off from its benefits? This question forms the heart of our conversation as we explore the complex relationship many of us have with various digital platforms.

We begin by acknowledging our own struggles—the back-and-forth between wanting to disconnect completely and recognizing the significant value these spaces provide.

Beyond personal connections, we discuss how online spaces can sometimes facilitate more thoughtful discourse than face-to-face interactions. The asynchronous nature of digital communication allows time for reflection before responding—a benefit when engaging with differing viewpoints across political or ideological divides.

We hope you'll join in the conversation, and let us know what YOU think! 

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What happens when a government decides to starve its own safety net programs? The alarming cuts to SNAP and USAID represent more than just budget adjustments – they signal a fundamental shift in America's approach to both domestic and international humanitarian efforts. In this episode, we explore what these cuts will actually mean to Americans and others around the world.  

Join us in finding community with others who refuse to accept that America's compassion can be so easily dismantled. Together, we CAN reclaim our nation's commitment to caring for the vulnerable both at home and abroad.

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In this episode, Darren and Tracy explore the feeling of overwhelm that many of us are facing and how important it is to acknowledge that we are all in the midst of very challenging times. We must shift our focus and remember that we are all in this together - whatever THIS is!  Priority #1 must be finding your people and building community. 

Topic discussed: 

• The prevalence of overwhelm in our lives
• The importance of acknowledging feelings and seeking connection 
• Various ways to build community
• The impact of social media on mental health and connection 
• Actionable steps to combat overwhelm 

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If we as a nation are going to pursue the ideals of our American Demoracy, and help bring about a better tomorrow,  we should start by spending some time discussing what exactly are we pursuing?  

In this episode, Darren and Tracy discuss:

• What are the ideals of our democracy?   
• What do we stand for?
• Who are we - really?

As always, we hope this is the begining of the conversation, not the final word.  Please let us know what you think!

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Should political views remain fixed, or should they be subject to change as the years go by, times change, and you (hopefully) learn more about life?   In this episode we explore these questions and discuss how our own views have changed over the years.   

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Hello there - its nice to meet you! 

This one is all about getting to know each other.  But it does feel a bit one-way thus far.  We hope you'll join us for a discussion.   

Every week we will end with a question for your consideration, and for us to discuss during the next episode. So here we go:

Question for the week:  How have your political views changed over the years?  Both recently (say since about 2016...) or long term, over your lifetime?