Polarization Series: The Soul of Civility. Alexandra Hudson

Polarization Series: The Soul of Civility. Alexandra Hudson

It's easy to look at the impacts of rigid polarization and blame our leaders and political parties, the media, or the education system. In this episode, we hear an argument that the first thing all of us should do is focus on what we can control: ourselves. We discuss how to learn to live with others despite deep divisions.


All democracies need protests and debates to flourish. But we also need to respect ourselves and acknowledge the dignity of others.


Alexandra Hudson is the author of the new book, "The Soul of Civility", and an adjunct professor in philanthropy at Indiana University. She argues that civility is a key solution for polarization and a breakdown in social order. In her writing she examines how civility—a respect for the humanity of others—transcends political disagreements. Civility, she writes, is not a technique, but a disposition: "a way of seeing others as beings endowed with dignity and inherently valuable."


The divided state of the world "is a timeless problem. It's an intractable problem, but there's no policy solutions or simple cure," Lexi tells us. "It requires constant vigilance on behalf of each of us. That's humbling."


We learn about the crucial difference between outward politeness, polish or poise, and civility which requires constant internal work and the application of true character. We individually have the power to improve and change, Lexi says. Her book looks at arguments for civility from the ancient times until the present day.


Recommendation: Richard recently read "The Spinning Heart" by the Irish writer Donal Ryan. This short, powerful novel set in a small town in Ireland in the wake of the 2008 financial collapse. People are left without work, with routine and meaning in their lives. Each short chapter is from the vantage point of a different speaker who has been wounded — by the economy as well as by their parents, their lovers, by life. The book is funny and poignant.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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#21 Climate Shock: The Global Warming Threat, How Do We Fix It?

#21 Climate Shock: The Global Warming Threat, How Do We Fix It?

If you had a 10% of facing a flood or getting into a fatal car accident, you'd make sure you bought first-rate insurance coverage. That's what our guest Gernot Wagner says we should do about climate change. Science tells us that if we do nothing, there is the risk of a global catastrophe. We hear the argument for climate insurance. Gernot is the co-author of "Climate Shock - The Economic Consequences of a Hotter Planet," and lead senior scientist at the Environmental Defense Fund.Even if climate skeptics are right and the risk of global warming is small, that does not eliminate the need to plan for an extreme emergency. Gernot Wagner makes the case for pricing carbon as a way of boosting the incentives for energy efficiency. "Unless we act, we will experience major disruptions. We already are experiencing them," says Gernot. Our interview also looks the revolution in solar energy and ocean damage caused by rising levels of carbon dioxide.Ready to take action? https://www.edf.org/action Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

21 Okt 201527min

#20 Insurance Errors: Are You Covered For A Disaster? How Do We Fix It

#20 Insurance Errors: Are You Covered For A Disaster? How Do We Fix It

Many of us make potentially disastrous mistakes with insurance. Either we don't have nearly enough coverage or pay through the nose for duplicate options that we don't need. Insurance expert Laura Adams has easy-to-follow solutions and smart buying tips to save you money. The author of several personal finance books, Laura hosts the popular "Money Girl" podcast. She is Senior Insurance Analyst for InsuranceQuotes.com. To find out more: http://lauradadams.com/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14 Okt 201529min

#19 Lenore Skenazy(Rerun): Free Range Kids

#19 Lenore Skenazy(Rerun): Free Range Kids

Do helicopter parents need to come in for a landing? Lenore Skenazy, host of the cable TV show, "World's Worst Mom", says yes. The founder of the parenting movement Free Range Kids is Jim and Richard's expert guest. Skenazy argues society fills parents with fear about what might happen to their children. www.freerangekids.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

6 Okt 201528min

#18 Stock Market Panic and Investor Mistakes: How Do We Fix It?

#18 Stock Market Panic and Investor Mistakes: How Do We Fix It?

With recent worries about the global economy and stock market panic, investment expert Susan Schmidt, Senior Portfolio Manager at Westwood Holdings Group, has a simple message: keep calm. 55% of Americans have money in the market. Most are long term savers. She says the basic rules of investing are surprisingly simple. Building wealth means savers should resist emotion and act as investors, not traders, ignoring the day-to-day changes in the market. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 Sep 201529min

#17 We're Sending The Wrong Message To Kids About Jobs: How Do We Fix It?

#17 We're Sending The Wrong Message To Kids About Jobs: How Do We Fix It?

TV host, writer, author and producer Mike Rowe says America needs to change its understanding about work and face up to the widening skills gap. Many manufacturers can't fill find workers to do well-paid skilled technical and labor one jobs. Mike argues that stereotypes about blue-collar work must change. He's launched the mikeroweWORKS foundation to raise awareness and help young workers. The third season of his popular CNN show, "Somebody's Gotta Do It," starts September 27th. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 Sep 201525min

#16 Campus Free Speech Is Under Threat: How Do We Fix It?

#16 Campus Free Speech Is Under Threat: How Do We Fix It?

We look at threats to free speech on college campuses with Greg Lukianoff, a constitutional lawyer and CEO of the Foundation for Individual Rights in Education (FIRE). Greg says there's been an alarming rise in trigger warnings and hypersensitivity, with a growing number of students demanding protection from words, ideas and emotions that they don't like. Is this a disaster in the making for education and for students themselves? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

16 Sep 201526min

#15 The Hysteria Over Sex Offenders: How Do We Fix It?

#15 The Hysteria Over Sex Offenders: How Do We Fix It?

"Protecting Our Kids?: How Sex Offender Laws Are Failing Us" is the provocative title of the new book by sociology professor Emily Horowitz. She argues that America is in the grip of panic, saying that sex offender laws enacted over the past twenty years have failed to protect children and promote vigilante justice against alleged offenders. Professor Horowitz is chair of sociology and criminal justice at St. Francis College in Brooklyn, New York. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

9 Sep 201525min

#14 The Housing Market Is Still Broken: How Do We Fix It?

#14 The Housing Market Is Still Broken: How Do We Fix It?

Fear and panic gripped the stock market this week with worries that China's problems could cause a global recession. But is Wall Street out of step with Main Street? Time for a reality check with economist and housing market expert Nela Richardson, Chief Economist at Redfin, the real estate brokerage firm. Nela gives us the low down on the future of the housing market and the U.S. economy, plus suggestions on how we can build a better future. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

26 Aug 201528min

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