I stumbled upon this show mid 2023, I consumed every episode in record time. It was so refreshing to hear two people on opposite sides of the political spectrum disagree about politics in a kind and respectful way, that was actually pleasant to hear. Every episode, they found common ground on issues and policies that they didn’t necessarily agree on. They discussed it to a point where they understood where the other was coming from. Oftentimes, they even brainstormed solutions that would help people, while also containing provisions that would prevent said solution from offending one party’s objections. I keep coming back to this podcast to see if Van Jones is back at it. I hope that Season 2 is on the horizon, but if it isn’t… I’m sure whatever that man is doing right now, he is actively making this world a better place.

Sad to hear this is the final episode! Your conversations gave such hope and insight in a growing divide. The humanity was beautiful to listen to and absorb. Thank you.

This podcast which presents itself as using conversation to find common interest, however Van somewhere along the way decided that his beliefs only mattered as much as they served his ambition. Now stands for nothing other than what advances his brand. When integrity is negotiable there is no tension and the dialectic flows to “common grounds” like water. And you end up with a praxis that stands for nothing and provides nothing of significance. Because Van as a centrist shill can never be wrong. As a centrist be can only be wronged. And at the end of the day its still boring.

Letting someone like Matt Schlapp come on and spout nonsense with absolutely zero fact checking or pushback is just furthering his agenda. There’s no way to find understanding with these people if they’re blatantly lying, and proud of their hypocrisy and pretend religious conviction. Every accusation out of Schlapp’s mouth is an admission of something the right is currently doing or has already done and should be called out.