Braver Angels co-founder Bill Doherty and national leader John Wood, Jr. spoke with educator Drew Perkins of The Teach Thought Podcast about the relationship between critical thinking, depolarization, and challenges in academia, bringing unique insight to tough questions.
‘It absolutely changed my life’: How a conflict-ridden ‘dirtball’ became a legendary bridge builder
09/02/2026
No Comments
Growing up in the eighties, his family moved all around the Midwest as his parents chased down steady, blue-collar work: factory jobs, construction, truck driving, whatever could pay the bills. “We were always poor,” Wilk said. And whether they were in Iowa, South Dakota, Colorado, or Minnesota, he often found himself on the outs. “It didn’t matter which side of the tracks we were on,” he said. “It was always the wrong side of the tracks.”
