Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other Scan Media, LLC

On today’s edition, we shook it up a bit. Rachel Bitecofer, Ph.D. has dissected well-worn tactics that today’s Republican Party deploys with a great deal of success. Her latest book HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS is about how to “beat Republicans at their own game.” As former RNC Chair, Michael Steele, has said, “Democrats and Republicans who care about democracy would be wise to pay attention to her work.” (Yeah, you read that correct and it wasn't a typo - that's from the guy who used to head up the Republican National Committee.)
 
Rachel Bitecofer is a political scientist and election forecaster turned political strategist. You may have seen her interviews and analysis in such outlets as The New York Times, The Washington Post, Salon, Politico, The New Republic, Real Time with Bill Maher, CNN, MSNBC, and many other prominent news sources. She worked with Democratic Party candidates and organizations to implement negative partisanship strategy in the 2022 midterms. Rachel is also the author of HIT ‘EM WHERE IT HURTS: HOW TO SAVE DEMOCRACY BY BEATING REPUBLICANS AT THEIR OWN GAME. But she came to prominence way before all this when she predicted the size (to the seat) of the Democrats’ Blue Wave in the 2018 midterms.
 
00:54 Spotlight on Rachel Bitecofer: From Political Scientist to Strategist; 
01:49 The 2018 Midterm Predictions and Political Shifts; 
05:31 Analyzing the 2024 Election Risks and Trump's Influence; 
08:23 The Urgency of Understanding Project 2025; 
15:16 Rachel Bitecofer's Personal Journey and Academic Background; 
20:29 Strategies for the Democratic Party: A New Approach; 
36:22 The Role of Journalism and Media in Democracy; 
38:22 The Impact of Right-Wing Ecosystem on Public Belief; 
38:41 The Role of Donald Trump in Shaping Public Distrust; 
39:12 Manipulation of Journalism and Public Perception; 
39:49 The Strategy Behind Republican Messaging; 
40:59 Observing Real-Time Messaging During the Mar-a-Lago Raid; 
41:14 The Power of Unified Messaging in Politics; 
41:41 Media's Role in Legitimizing Questionable Narratives; 
42:35 Challenging the Normalization of Extremism; 
45:47 The Art of Electoral War: Strategies and Countermeasures; 
47:14 Tackling Misinformation and Strategic Messaging; 
59:46 Engaging in Political Conversations: Strategies and Insights; 
01:01:50 Effective Communication Across Political Divides
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:
https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics 
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com
 
https://www.hitemwhereithurts.com/ 
 
https://twitter.com/RachelBitecofer 
 
And please remember that review: https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics 

We all have opinions. And there are more ways than ever to voice those opinions. But before expressing those opinions, have we really taken the time to understand the complexity of any given issue? More specifically, have we taken the time to speak with and consider the views of folks who are on the “other side” of that issue?
 
In this edition, we’ll be looking at the widespread phenomenon of campus protests across the country and the world. The initial plan was to compare campus protesters to January 6th insurrectionists; but instead, it was more valuable to explore the topic more thoughtfully, aiming to avoid fueling conflicts. So we examine diverse aspects of protests, including their objectives, the media's focus on sensational aspects (“nut picking”), and the potential ineffectiveness of disruptive tactics as well as the historical record that indicates how many such protests ultimately did more harm than good to their own cause. It was helpful to share the personal account from a friend who participated in peaceful demonstrations, offering insights into the protesters' perspectives and demands. We also review the importance of understanding and respecting the rights to free speech and assembly while considering reasonable restraints on those rights such as “time, place and manner” restrictions, as well as the impacts of protests on broader society. More broadly, it’s important to emphasize the need for balanced and informed conversations around contentious issues, advocating for empathy and open-mindedness in evaluating differing viewpoints.
 
01:31 A Deep Dive into Campus Protests; 
05:58 Exploring the Other Side: Conversations with a Protest Participant; 
07:43 Understanding the Demands and Goals of Campus Protests; 
11:04 Reflecting on Free Speech and Its Complexities; 
27:45 The Role of Universities in Nurturing Democracy; 
35:26 Concluding Thoughts and Encouragement for Dialogue
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com
 
David French's 4/28/24 NYT piece "Colleges Have Gone off the Deep End. There Is a Way Out."
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/28/opinion/protests-college-free-speech.html
 
David Brooks 5/2/24 NYT piece "Why the Protests Help Trump"
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/02/opinion/student-protests-trump.html
 
Free Speech Center article on "time, place and manner" restrictions:
https://www.nytimes.com/2024/05/02/opinion/student-protests-trump.html 
 
If Not Now Org - https://www.instagram.com/ifnotnoworg/ 

With Nikki Haley having dropped out of the race for the Republican nomination for president, why is she still getting so many votes in primaries all over the country? Even though it's been months since Haley suspended her campaign, she still gets significant percentages of the vote in the Republican primary contest. So where will those Haley voters turn in the general election? Robert Schwartz, the Co-founder and Senior Advisor to Haley Voters for Biden, is joining in a sweeping effort to persuade Nikki Haley supporters to vote for President Joe Biden this fall.
 
With a background in foreign affairs as a public policy professional focused on authoritarian regimes, Robert has a better understanding than many of what's at stake in 2024. So we were glad that he joined us to better understand this bloc of voters and so much more. Robert shares his journey from a politically curious teenager to a major advocate for bipartisan dialogue and action; his role in foreign policy and his time at Harvard's public policy program; and his efforts to promote democratic values against the backdrop of rising authoritarian tendencies. We also discuss the strategies and motivations behind the Haley Voters for Biden initiative, aiming to mobilize support among Republicans and independents who are disillusioned with Donald Trump's leadership. Then we get real as we explore the challenges facing American democracy, the potential impact of third-party candidates, and strategies for engaging voters across the political spectrum in meaningful conversations.
 
01:16 Introduction: Robert Schwartz, Co-Founder HV4B; 
05:17 Navigating Political Philosophy and Activism; 
08:17 Concerns Over American Democracy's Stability; 
10:35 Exploring the Impact of Project 2025 and Political Strategies; 
20:22 Analyzing the Republican Primary and Voter Dynamics; 
29:23 Strategic Messaging and Targeting for Political Influence; 
38:10 Decoding the Political Strategy: The Plus Two Concept; 
41:00 The Swing State Focus: Key States in the Presidential Election; 
58:26 The Challenge of Third-Party Voters in Swing States; 
01:06:35 Engaging Across Political Divides: Strategies for Conversation
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com
 
www.haleyvotersforbiden.org/
And here are some of their socials:
- twitter.com/HaleyVote4Biden
- twitter.com/HaleyVotersWG
- www.instagram.com/haleyvote4biden/

Let's talk about the words, actions and character of Donald J. Trump in light of what the Bible says about virtue and vice. But instead of starting with our political preferences and prejudices and THEN backing shards of Scripture into what we want, what if we started with what the Bible actually says FIRST? Then we can more earnestly reckon with the implications of what we're dealing with today. 
 
Here are a few of the Scriptural references that came up:
Exodus 20: "Thou shalt have no other gods before Me." 
2 Kings 3: "(Jehoram) did evil in the sight of the Lord." 
Proverbs 6: "There are six things that the Lord hates, Seven that are an abomination to Him..." 
Proverbs 10: "Doing wickedness is like sport to a fool..." 
John 2: "(Jesus) said, 'Take these things away from here; stop making My Father’s house a place of business!'”
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com
 

Can an atheist and a Christian have a meaningful, friendly conversation? Can we explore our differences without being jerks to each other? Well, here's one atheist and one Christian who gave it a whirl!
 
Kate Cohen, a Washington Post contributing columnist, is a writer whose latest book, WE OF LITTLE FAITH, is "an impassioned call for nonbelievers to be honest with themselves and their families about their lack of belief—and help change the American cultural conversation." So, it was a special treat to have Kate on the program to discuss her journey to atheism and the implications of raising children as atheists in today's society. We explored a range of issues such as Kate's insights into the creative process, the importance of honesty in personal belief systems, and the intersection of atheism with culture, family, and politics. She also discusses the role of humor when tackling serious topics, the significance of understanding and openness in conversations about differing beliefs, and the perspective of facing mortality and legacy as an atheist. Additionally, we exchange personal stories, highlighting challenges and nuances in family dynamics when belief systems diverge, and explore the common ground atheists and religious folks can find in activism and moral responsibility.
 
01:46 The Art of Crafting a Book Title and Memoir Writing; 
03:24 A Special Presenation from Jesse Cohen-Greenberg; 
19:29 Navigating Family Dynamics and Beliefs; 
27:02 Engaging with Atheism and Theism; 
33:30 Understanding Atheism: Definitions and Personal Reflections; 
46:36 The Importance of Community and Morality Beyond Religion; 
48:25 Finding Awe and Wonder Without Supernatural Beliefs; 
50:29 Legacy, Memory, and Making an Impact; 
01:02:06 Navigating Family, Faith, and Identity; 
01:18:23 Reflecting on Atheism, Activism, and Social Responsibility
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com
 
Kate's website: https://katecohen.net/
 
Her columnist page at the Post: https://www.washingtonpost.com/people/kate-cohen/
 
Here's one of Kate's pieces in WaPo: Opinion | America doesn’t need more God. It needs more atheists. | https://wapo.st/3WaSjLl
 
A link to WE OF LITTLE FAITH: https://www.amazon.com/We-Little-Faith-Stopped-Pretending-ebook/dp/B0BV7MG25G?ref_=ast_author_mpb
 
And this is Jesse Cohen-Greenberg's music: When Will My Body Be Mine? | https://open.spotify.com/album/3GHFu2zZIBVzuwjhuK61j7?si=w_r4ZHGXQ8OJsVY3M2zYMg
 

What does it mean to be a conservative? What about being a Christian? What does that mean in terms of how one would understand and uphold virtue vs vice? And if I am truly a conservative and a Christian, can I then support Donald Trump?
 
In this edition, we explore the nuances of conservative values and Christian beliefs amidst our politically charged environment. To get clarity on what it means to be a conservative and a Christian, it requires NOT surrendering to the extremists who monopolize conversations around politics and religion. Our discussion dives into the foundational principles of conservatism, such as:
Individual Freedom, 
Limited Government, 
Rule of Law, 
Peace through Strength, 
Fiscal Responsibility, 
Free Markets, 
and *Human Dignity, 
...contrasting these with the divisive and aggressive tactics often employed in Trump-era politics. Contrary to what passes for “conservative” in today’s political and media landscape, we’ll look at the way true conservatism respects the U.S. Constitution and promotes a healthy, engaged citizenry, devoid of blanket vilification via broad generalizations and dehumanization. We’ll also give a sneak peak into Part II of this discussion on Christian values, specifically targeting the misalignment of Trump's actions with biblical teachings. So, yeah, this one might tweak some beaks!
 
00:40 Celebrating Listener Reviews and Engagement; 
02:49 The Impact of Extremism on Public Discourse; 
13:40 Exploring the True Meaning of Conservatism; 
14:16 Principles of Conservatism vs. Trumpism; 
27:29 The Importance of Human Dignity in Conservatism; 
34:35 Teaser for the Next Episode: Christianity vs Trumpism
 
Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.
 
It would mean so much if you could leave us a review on Apple Podcasts: https://bit.ly/TPandRPod
 
Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.
 
Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com