What would make elections trustworthy? Hear from two volunteer leaders how more than 200 people across the political spectrum reached “collaborative consensus” (patent pending) in 7 key areas in the Trustworthy Elections Report.  Larry Mayes and Walt McKee volunteer for Braver Angels.  They joined Ramsey to talk about the report, but also how they got involved with Braver Angels, how the organization builds bridges between people with different viewpoints, and how they enjoy a cigar and a few laughs after a long day of solving the nation’s problems.  Learn more and download the executive summary or the full Trustworthy Elections Report at https://braverangels.org/trustworthy-elections/. 

Instead of bickering and fighting, how can we better connect with the people around us, whether family, neighbors or people online, to reduce societal tensions?  In this Deep Dive, Ramsey explores today’s Bridge Building movement. Learn about resources from leading organizations to open your thinking, have calmer more productive conversations in your living room or across a table, and to see examples of others doing just that.  Celebrate National Week of Conversation April 15 through 21 and visit the websites listed below to check out Starts with Us, Living Room Conversations, Braver Angels, Resetting the Table, Civic Health Project, and Listen First Project. 

Websites mentioned in this episode:

startswith.us

livingroomconversations.org

braverangels.org

resettingthetable.org

civichealthproject.org

listenfirstproject.org

conversation.us

Okay, Parfait, “Aspirational” Peacemaker. Through his music, storytelling and professional facilitation, Parfait Bassalé seeks to bring people closer together, help them see and understand others, and instill a healthy commitment to being uncomfortable.  Ramsey and Parfait talk about bridge building, peace making, spicy food and why people in the Pacific Northwest lay on the grass.

“Let’s Face It” is from his album “The Journey Home” and included with permission from Parfait Bassalé, whose music can be found on Spotify and Apple Music.

Instead of two party candidates and some “spoilers”, what election systems empower people to select all the candidates that represent them? In this Deep Dive, Ramsey talks through modern efforts to promote Ranked Choice Voting, independence, and anti-corruption efforts.  Learn about the leading organizations working with volunteers to bring about change, including Represent Us, Independent Voting, Open Primaries, Rank the Vote, FairVote and Bridge Alliance.

Websites mentioned in this episode:

https://represent.us

https://independentvoting.org

https://openprimaries.org

https://rankthevote.us

https://fairvote.org

https://fairvotewa.org

https://bridgealliance.us

https://citizenconnect.us

https://thefulcrum.us

100-mile Ultra Marathons weren’t enough for Jose Ramirez … he’s training for a 200-mile endurance race.  WHAT? Ramsey asks Jose why he does it, how he prepares, and what it’s like.  They have a great discussion about getting and staying fit and healthy, the connections between mind, body and spirit, and how ultra running has influenced other areas of Jose’s life.  They also have a good chat about their faith, and the value of creating meaningful relationships.  So if you’ve ever wondered what it’s like to run for an entire day (or several days), listen in to this What’s Worthwhile Discussion.

Announcing deep dives into 5 topic areas with questions, insights, work being done by groups and individuals.  Upcoming Deep Dive episodes will cover: Health & Fitness, Sustainable Energy, Political Reform, Bridge Building and Christian Spirituality.  In this introduction to the series, Ramsey takes a few minutes to lay the groundwork, set the stage, prime the pump … argh … none of those metaphors work with diving!  Ah well, you get the picture.

When to speak up and when to stay silent? Modern sensibilities encourage us to speak up, but it is often difficult to deliver our understanding of truth, when others believe something else.  Our motivation behind speaking is essential ... is it love or anger or worse?  Hate Speech is never well received.  Let’s stick to Love Speech. Ramsey shares his thoughts as well as the 3 best pieces of advice he’s gotten in a long time.  But get ready … Ramsey is starting to speak up, and he may push your Hot Buttons, whether you lean right or left.

What is essential to bring on this spiritual, personal and professional journey?  And what to leave behind?  One approach is to try to bring everything you'll need, while the opposite is to trust that you'll find what you need along the way.  Ramsey admits that he is a chronic over-packer.  And seems overly focused on ketchup.  Listen in for a clear accounting of what we should bring, what we should set aside, and what topics and sites are likely destinations.

What's worthwhile? An honest question. Here's your invitation to join me on a journey to focus on what's important, to ask difficult questions, to weigh varying perspectives and try to find some answers.  I am focused on and interested in health, politics, identity, sustainable energy and spirituality.  They are matters of life and death and beyond.  Let's give ourselves some space to think and see where the Journey goes.

Have you ever felt truly free?  How was that possible?  I felt true freedom, perhaps for the first time, just the other day.  It was amazing.  So what is freedom and how do we find it?  Is personal freedom even possible within polite society?  How can we have societal freedom if people can all just do what they want?  Ride with me for a few minutes down the winding road of my thoughts as we try to enjoy some freedom while obeying the speed limits.  Sort of.