There are over 750 distilleries across all 50 states that are now producing hand sanitizer. On this episode, hear from one of them. Troy Downing is the co-owner of Wildrye Distilling in Bozeman, Montana. From working with the highway patrol to relay sanitizer across the state to fielding requests from EMTs as far as New York to loading hand sanitizer onto planes operated by volunteer pilots, the past month and a half has been a whirlwind for Troy and his team. On this episode, Troy shares how his family has pitched in to help, how he worked to cut through red tape via the CARES Act, and his favorite spirit (or two!).

In Season One, Sanity spoke with leaders who are working to bridge division in this country. For Season Two of Sanity’s podcast, SanityPod, we’re hearing from the Helpers doing their part to get us through. In the spirit of Mr. Rogers, we’re celebrating these men and women as we navigate a crisis that impacts every single one of us. We hope you’ll find some comfort in these messages of hope, determination, and good will.

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Kyle Emile talks to strangers. A lot. In cities across the country, and now around the world. His group, Free Intelligent Conversations (FreeIC for short) is on a mission to bridge divides one conversation at a time. The approach is simple: hold a sign bearing “Free Intelligent Conversation” in a high foot traffic area. What happens next is unscripted and magical and gets people talking in ways we could all benefit from in 2019. Because talking to strangers not only offers a mood boost, but can change our world views.

And they’re not alone in their thinking. NPR published an article this summer entitled, “Want To Feel Happier Today? Try Talking To A Stranger.” Malcom Gladwell’s latest book is titled, “Talking to Strangers: What We Should Know about the People We Don't Know.”

Kyle first started Free IC in 2012 as a college student. While the pulse of the nation has changed since then, Kyle says that the ease and flow of facilitated conversations with strangers has remained equally rewarding. In this episode, Kyle discussed what he’s learned as he’s grown his idea to have a foothold in over 50 cities world wide.

• Signs of Resistance to the Woke Gangs War on Reason, The Australian, June 2019

• Free Intelligent Conversation Website

• Free Intelligent Conversation | Kyle Emile | TEDxAndrewsUniversity, May 2015

• “Free Intelligent Conversation” as a Pedagogical Tool, Heterodox Academy, August 2018

• FreeIC Manifesto, July 2017