Listen to Ciaran O’Connor and John Wood, Jr. break down the political and racial divides alongside special guest, Chloe Valdary. Chloe Valdary is a writer and the founder of the Theory of Enchantment, a curriculum which confronts polarization through the use of pop-culture. Chloe’s written work has appeared in The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal and Quillette.
Learn more about Chole:
https://theoryofenchantment.com/
Twitter: @cvaldary
Read the full speech by Braver Angels CEO Maury Giles given at the National Conference on Citizenship explaining the vision behind Braver Angels’ new program, Citizen-Led Solutions.
September 10th was a devastating day for our nation. There are no words for the loss of Charlie Kirk. Our hearts are with his family and loved ones. It’s on each of us to stop this dangerous cycle of mutual destruction. No matter where we stand on the political spectrum, here’s what we must do in the wake of this tragedy.
Before the events in Utah, today—September 11—was already a somber day of remembrance. Twenty-four years on, we honor the lives lost and the resolve that followed. That same resolve is what we need now. We are all shocked by the assassination of Charlie Kirk yesterday. We are saddened—and moved to act—by the pattern of political assassinations and attempts over the last 14 months. We will avoid speculation and await official updates even as we care for one another and our communities.
How do we, as Braver Angels members, respond?
1 thought on “Pop-Culture and Polarization: with Chloe Valdary”
The theme of “love” came up on a few occasions during this podcast. I would just like to articulate a structure, or model, of love for your consideration. It is my belief that love is the fundamental truth of our existence. It’s expression, however, is suppressed to the extent that we are fearful (or are consumed by our various fears). To the extent we can reduce those fears (in the case of Better-Angels, a reduction of our fear of the “other” through structured one-on-one contact) then to that extent, our increased expression of love automatically takes place.
(John, this is part of the conversation I was seeking with you during the recent convention)