This week, we’re tackling a topic that’s hard to ignore: the growing political polarization in the U.S. To help us unpack it, we sat down with Dr. Sean Freeder, associate professor of political science at UNF, for a powerful and timely conversation.

Why does the divide feel so personal these days? Why do disagreements so often spiral into full-blown hostility? 

Dr. Freeder brings a wealth of insight into the why behind the polarization — from the psychology driving it, to the role social media plays in fueling our echo chambers, to the steep decline in trust among American voters.

We also ask the big question: is there any hope for bridging the gap? Whether it’s through tough conversations, institutional change, or waiting on the next generation — we explore what it might take to rediscover a sense of shared purpose.

This one’s thoughtful, raw, and real — and we hope it gets you thinking.

Stick around to the end, and don’t miss what’s coming next week, when Mike Hightower takes us behind the scenes of his eye-opening journey to Ukraine.

Hit play, and let’s talk about where we go from here — is unity possible, or is polarization here to stay?

Tune in to the show on your favorite Podcasting platform and on MikesOnMic.com

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Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/show/1osbkLvqreSJPXmfaubY1M?si=yVwAAnw1TmSSzZnZ3vM8sA

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Enjoy!