We've Got To Talk

Nicole Fonarow and Jolene Conway
  • 4.8 (26)
  • Personal Journals
  • Updated Weekly

Our story begins in the halls of the University of Iowa, go Hawks! It was there that two seemingly different paths intersected and a friendship blossomed. Despite our different upbringings—Jolene in little Pleasantville, Iowa, and me, Nicole, just across the Golden Gate Bridge in the bustling Bay Area—we became fast friends. And here we are, almost 40 years later, living in a world that often seems intent on drawing lines in the sand and choosing sides. So why "We've Got To Talk"? Because we truly believe that in this deeply divided society, the power of conversation can unite us. Our goal isn't to change each other's opinions, but to listen with curiosity, kindness, and empathy. And yes, to have a good time while doing it! We invite you to join us on this journey and bring your friends along. We might not have all the answers or any of them—but we promise honesty, empathy, and a lot of heart. We hope our conversations give you a fresh outlook or at least entertain you as you go about your day.

  1. 3d ago

    Will Social Security run out in 2032?

    They’re saying Social Security could run out by 2032, and that timeline is close enough to feel real. We talk through what that warning actually means for everyday Americans, especially if you’ve got parents, grandparents, a spouse, or a future self who’s been assuming this safety net will be there. This isn’t a “someday” problem. It’s a real deadline that’s already shaping what comes next. We also clear up the most common question people ask: “Is Social Security really going to run out?” The program doesn’t just vanish overnight, but the money set aside to pay full benefits is projected to fall short, and if Congress does nothing, automatic benefit cuts become the default. That’s why this matters beyond politics, because Social Security is a monthly lifeline for millions of people, not a talking point. A lot of people forget Social Security isn’t only about retirement. It covers disability benefits, survivor benefits, and the kind of support that keeps families afloat after a death, an accident, or a diagnosis. We talk about why the silence around Social Security is so dangerous, and why it keeps getting pushed aside even though it affects real lives, real bills, and real dignity. Finally, we get into the frustrating part: there’s actually bipartisan agreement that something needs to be done, but the incentives reward delay. We walk through the kinds of solutions lawmakers keep circling, like raising the payroll tax cap, changing payroll taxes, adjusting benefits for higher earners, raising the retirement age and why every option comes with trade-offs. CHAPTER MARKERS:00:00 Introduction 00:46 Why Social Security Now 03:17 What Social Security Covers 04:27 Fixes Taxes Benefits Age 08:57 Congress Performance Problem 11:08 The Payroll Tax Cap 12:55 Big Beautiful Bill Impact 22:08 Donut Hole Explained 25:26 Raising Age And Investing 29:55 More System Pressures 32:29 Rapid Fire Solutions 33:58 Seniors With No Savings 34:44 Means Testing Debate 35:54 Tax Breaks For Giving Back 36:57 Teaching Money And Debt 37:54 Baby Bonds And Investing 39:13 Bipartisan Fix Now 39:53 Taxing Wages And Capital 43:30 No Benefit Cuts 45:40 Congress Needs Focus 47:06 Call Your Congressperson RESOURCES MENTIONED: Original clip from viewer: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DavOpqYgTi6/ CSPAN: Senate Social Security Meeting: March 25, 2026 https://www.c-span.org/program/senate-committee/senate-budget-committee-examines-social-security-solvency/676234 August 5, 2026 Senate Finance Committee SS Solvency: https://youtu.be/M4ZUg7woHAs?si=P4RUx90pd7xy7eyz August 4, 2026: Dick Durbin and Bill Cassidy Crosspartisan https://www.c-span.org/program/us-senate/sens-cassidy-and-durbin-on-social-security-insolvency/683706 Bridge Grades: https://www.bridgegrades.org/ Japanese 7/Eleven Egg Salad: https://www.7-eleven.com/products/fresh-chilled/egg-salad Bonus Recipe!!! https://www.foodandwine.com/japanese-7-eleven-egg-salad-sandwich-6416077 Zach Bryan: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwK3C8Vgphad4PweezfUBAQ Dierks Dirks Bentley: https://dierks.com/ Nascar: https://www.nascar.com/ LINKS: On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-to-talk/id1797423701 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJVgTvjciUffRmoUienx2 How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/ How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/

    Will Social Security run out in 2032?

  2. Aug 19

    How Future Caucus Gets Republicans and Democrats to Work Together

    We walked away from our conversation with Layla Zaidane feeling something we don’t always feel after talking about politics: hope. Layla is the President and CEO of Future Caucus, and her whole approach is built around a simple idea that changes everything. If young lawmakers across party lines can know each other as people first, the work changes. The temperature drops, the incentives shift, and bipartisan cooperation stops feeling like a miracle and starts feeling like a skill. Layla also shared the personal story behind why she does this work, from her family’s journey from Morocco to growing up in the shadow of 9/11 and the identity questions that followed. Listening to her, it’s easy to understand how someone ends up committed to diplomacy, civic leadership, and bridging divides. She’s not chasing a shiny version of politics. She’s trying to build a more human one, and that matters in a time when political polarisation is treated like entertainment. We talked about Future Summit, which is basically a mid-year reset for state legislators who are tired, stretched thin, and trying to keep going. There are real policy wins and serious conversations, but there’s also joy and connection because trust doesn’t grow in a vacuum. If you can’t laugh together, you’re not going to legislate together, and Future Caucus seems to understand that relationships are not a side quest. They are the work. We also got into the hard realities facing young people in politics, like the cost of running for office, low pay, burnout, threats, and rising political violence. Layla was blunt about what it will take to keep good people in public service: structural support, better compensation, stronger staffing, and systems that make the job sustainable. If you’ve been searching for how to reduce political division, how to rebuild trust in democracy, or how to have civil political conversations across party lines, this one is a hopeful reminder that better models exist, and they’re already being built. CHAPTER MARKERS:00:00 Introduction 00:21 Meet Layla Zaidane 01:13 Roots and 9/11 03:28 From Recession to Politics 07:14 Founding Future Caucus 09:47 How the Caucuses Work 16:20 Generations and Leadership 26:49 Why Young People Run 30:32 Inside Future Summit 35:46 Money Fundraising Hurdles 36:53 Retention Beyond One Term 37:45 Legislator Pay Reality 45:41 Political Violence Crisis 49:30 Solidarity Disagree Better RESOURCES MENTIONED: Future Caucus: https://futurecaucus.org/Future Caucus Exit Interview: https://futurecaucus.org/the-exit-interview/ Layla’s Podcast, Terms of Service: https://youtu.be/Nkbhx-o4FY0?si=fLud5hpQ4jlohHxj Layla’s Good for the Soul: The Little Prince: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/157993.The_Little_Prince LINKS: On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-to-talk/id1797423701 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJVgTvjciUffRmoUienx2 How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/ How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/

    How Future Caucus Gets Republicans and Democrats to Work Together

  3. Aug 12

    The problem with my political party is.....

    Accountability and common ground shouldn’t feel like rare collectibles in American politics, but lately that’s exactly what they are. In this episode, we ask the question a lot of exhausted Americans are asking right now: what is wrong with our political parties? We talk honestly about feeling a bit party-less, even while coming from different political leanings. Jolene is worn down by what Trump is doing and what parts of the Republican Party keep excusing, while Nicole is frustrated by the idea that the only path forward for Democrats is to become a far-left mirror image of the same chaos. The bigger point is how both sides can get trapped in a reactive loop where tribalism, outrage, and constant escalation are rewarded, and reasonable people are treated like they’re naive. From there, the conversation shifts to what most people actually want: safety, stability, and a government that doesn’t feel like a reality show. We dig into the “exhausted majority”, the people who aren’t screaming online all day and would love to see something almost radical in 2026: bipartisan cooperation and cross-party collaboration. They also get into why Congress feels broken, why executive orders keep whiplashing the country, and why durable laws require compromise, even when it’s uncomfortable. We also chat about the “America First” debate and why that phrase hits differently depending on who’s saying it. We then discuss why decency needs to be the way forward. Character matters, truth matters, and party loyalty shouldn’t be a free pass. If you’re tired of political chaos, culture war theatre, and leaders who perform for the loudest edges, this episode is a grounded conversation about voting (especially in primaries), rewarding adults in the room, and remembering that labels are meant to describe us, not trap us. CHAPTER MARKERS:00:00 Introduction 01:00 Democrats: Three Problems 02:52 Republicans Spending and Identity 03:29 Immigration and ICE Concerns 04:40 America First and Tariffs 08:39 Congress Is Broken 12:34 Language and Media Triggers 17:16 Bipartisan Budget Fixes 21:42 Extremes and Decency Debate 25:59 Collaboration Over Compromise 28:56 Vote in Primaries 33:01 Would You Rather Segment 35:09 Sponsor Plug and Wrap RESOURCES MENTIONED: Congress is Broken: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJmJTofEN3E Isaac Saul’s Ted Talk: https://www.ted.com/talks/isaac_saul_3_ideas_for_communicating_across_the_political_divide?utm_campaign=tedspread&utm_medium=referral&utm_source=tedcomshare Lalshareef: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbHAbAgOA4u/ Brad Porteus of Bridge Grades on MO News: https://lnkd.in/p/gQUQxSMN Dan Goldman District 10: https://www.instagram.com/repdangoldman/?hl=en Jolene’s Dible Dough: https://dibledough.com/ Our Website: https://www.wevegottotalk.com/ LINKS: On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-to-talk/id1797423701 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJVgTvjciUffRmoUienx2 How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/ How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/

    The problem with my political party is.....

  4. Aug 5

    What an Australian Really Thinks of America

    Social media algorithms are shaping how the world sees America, and it’s not pretty. In this episode, we ask a simple question people are searching for everywhere right now: what does the rest of the world think of Americans when the only thing they see is viral outrage? To get a real outside perspective, we have brought in our Australian producer and editor, Brianna Ansaldo, who has spent the last 18 months editing our conversations and absorbing American news from a distance. Brianna’s take is blunt and familiar to anyone who’s ever Googled “How America is viewed overseas” or “why does the world think America is violent.” When Australians picture the US, two images rise to the top fast: guns and healthcare. School shootings and a healthcare system that can bankrupt you dominate what makes it through the feed. At the same time, she says Americans as individuals often come across as warm, funny, and generous, which makes the contrast even more jarring. The big reveal is where that impression comes from. It’s not cable news. It’s not newspapers. It’s Social Media. Brianna explains that if she wants to know what’s happening in America, she scrolls and lets the algorithm decide, which is exactly how a lot of younger people get their news now. That means the “America” being exported is curated by an engagement engine built for outrage, fear, and spectacle, not by journalists weighing what matters. If you’ve searched “how TikTok algorithms influence politics” or “why social media makes everything worse,” this conversation will feel uncomfortably accurate. Finally, Brianna compares the US political system to Australia’s, where voting is compulsory and party differences can feel less extreme. She’s baffled by the size of the gap between Republicans and Democrats, and by the way Americans often treat party loyalty like identity. We take a look at what that does to trust, nuance, and civic life, and why America isn’t as divided as the highlight reel suggests, but also isn’t totally fine. The algorithm isn’t lying; it’s just repeating the loudest version until it feels like the whole truth. CHAPTER MARKERS:00:00 Intro 00:31 Introducing producer Brianna Ansaldo 04:07 Australia's take on American guns 05:11 The broken healthcare system in USA 06:52 Has Trump-era coverage of America spiked? 09:08 Why TikTok is the real news source 12:02 Has Brianna’s perspective on U.S. politics shifted? 13:36 Australia's parliamentary system explained 16:20 Compulsory voting in Australia 22:31 Australia's take on AI and data centers 23:31 The World Cup's surprising ripple effect 30:29 Being tired of talking about Trump 38:17 Is Trump secretly good for America? RESOURCES MENTIONED: Brianna Ansaldo - Bamby Media: https://www.bambymedia.com/ Brianna Carpenter Australian Idol Days: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x2v4rl Pauline Hanson, Australian One Nation Candidate: https://youtu.be/R6oVBLKbzjg?si=NM9SWWkjhGMDRp0O Stephen Hawkins: More In Common, WGTT episode: https://youtu.be/GpcXMoW2vcg?si=W-JZt-9sGnhqCXAO Julia Gillard, first Australian female prime minister: https://australian.museum/publications/200-treasures-of-the-australian-museum/100-people/julia-gillard/ Jacinda Ardern, New Zealand Prime Minister https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDtBqvfm7vY Aussie Perspective of World Cup/Trump/Spanish Football Team: https://youtu.be/yK8yMMelqMw?si=F6BVMX7XDKTJ53gF I’ve Had It: https://youtube.com/@ivehaditpodcast?si=cWfNZGsLYrDfIbzn Good For The Soul: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/212070792-music-as-medicine Our Website: https://www.wevegottotalk.com/ LINKS: On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-to-talk/id1797423701 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJVgTvjciUffRmoUienx2 How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/ How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/

    What an Australian Really Thinks of America

  5. Jul 29

    We Answered Your Political Questions

    Why does it feel like two-thirds of the country has completely checked out of the political process? In this special mailbag episode, Jolene and I step up to answer your political questions, breaking down everything from White House budgeting issues to local primary election shocks. We take an honest, unvarnished look at the real-world feedback filling our inbox, proving that a liberal and a conservative can unpack highly polarized topics with total respect, deep curiosity, and zero filtering. We jump straight into the controversy surrounding the $600 million White House ballroom renovation project. We look at the actual reality behind this massive infrastructure project, exploring why Trump's typical "bull in a china shop" style triggers immediate media panic even when certain facility updates are legitimately required for national security. We talk about what seems like a total breakdown of standard Request for Proposals (RFP) protocols, look at the cost-plus budgeting system, and share our mutual frustration over government contracts handed down to political insider buddies. There are also the surprising results of the recent New York primary, where an organized wave of Democratic Socialists completely dominated local platforms. I (Nicole) share a vital reality check on how a tiny 5% to 8% voter turnout completely skews our democratic representation, allowing fringe extremes on both sides of the aisle to capture the narrative while the "exhausted majority" sits on the sidelines. We also tackle a highly specific foreign aid dilemma, discussing the global stakes of tracking Ebola and medical research funding against the systemic fraud within programs like USAID. Finally, we reveal the top three takeaways we want to see implemented in high school civics curriculum to save the next generation from toxic polarization. From teaching the active, lost art of deep listening to designing classroom frameworks around real-world compromise and pocket Constitutions, we map out a practical path back to institutional decorum. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Intro 00:01:26 The $600M White House ballroom. 00:01:59 Going around Congress for funding. 00:02:40 Government bidding and RFP processes. 00:03:15 Giving contracts to political buddies. 00:04:06 Trump's image-driven leadership style. 00:05:50 Picking our dream impossible guests. 00:08:22 Reading the Bible at college. 00:10:08 Stephen Hawkins on polarization data. 00:12:45 Shaking up the NY primary. 00:14:12 Fixing our massive polarization problem. 00:14:37 The truth about the exhausted majority. 00:15:18 Low primary turnout ruins choices. 00:17:35 Remaking high school civics classes. 00:18:31 Tracking public education's rapid decline. 00:19:42 Fraud and waste in USAID. 00:20:18 The power of foreign aid. 00:22:48 Taking a chainsaw to government. 00:25:13 How this podcast changed us. 00:28:05 Unpacking pro-life and pro-choice stances. 00:29:41 Understanding the psychology of gun owners. 00:31:09 How social media monetizes anger. 00:33:55 The reality of money and power. 00:39:48 Shifting gears for the midterms. 00:43:05 Would You Rather RESOURCES MENTIONED: David French Interview: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JQSKSrQfw78 The Stephen Hawkins Research Profile: https://www.moreincommon.com/our-work/research/) Stephen Hawkins Interview: https://youtu.be/GpcXMoW2vcg The White House Ballroom Renovation Project: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/trump-dc-reflecting-pool-renovation-white-house-ballroom-triumphal-arch/ WGTT Switching News Sources for 10 days: https://youtu.be/5wtPeP8XwAk?si=mNyBqXYbdpk-kJD7 Monica Guzmán Interview: https://youtu.be/DqoLxk0-Yqk The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) Civic Engagement Report: Check out the direct tracking metrics on national primary voter turnouts and participation dips: https://www.cbo.gov/ Our Website: https://www.wevegottotalk.com/ LINKS: On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-to-talk/id1797423701 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJVgTvjciUffRmoUienx2 How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/ How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/

    We Answered Your Political Questions

  6. Jul 22

    Why is there no accountability on Capitol Hill?

    Accountability on Capitol Hill should be a given, but why is it that Congress feels immune to the standards the rest of us live by? It’s easy to see why voters across the political spectrum are fed up. If you’ve ever searched “why is Congress so ineffective,” “why don’t politicians get fired,” or “why is Washington so broken,” we’re discussing a lot of these questions in this episode. We start with the basics that should not be controversial: show up, do the job, and act like public service is actually service. We talk about the shift from a five-day work week to a three-day work week in Washington, D.C. and how that change fuels polarization by killing real relationship-building. Less time together means less trust, more performative politics, and a system that rewards soundbites over solutions. Then we get into two issues people constantly Google and argue about: stock trading for politicians and the budget process. Why are members of Congress allowed to trade stocks while writing laws that move markets? How do so many politicians become millionaires on a $175,000 salary? And why are continuing resolutions and government shutdown threats still being used like a weapon instead of passing a real budget like adults? Finally, we talk about the human cost of all of this. When elected officials disappear for weeks or months, miss votes, and hide behind vague explanations, it creates chaos and destroys trust. Mental health matters, but accountability matters too. If we want decency, transparency, and real consequences back in government, it may have to come from voters, not from the institution protecting itself. CHAPTER MARKERS: 00:00 Intro 00:28 Accountability on Capitol Hill. Congressional accountability and public trust 01:07 Three Fixes for Congress. 02:59 When politicians disappear and voters get no answers 08:19 Party loyalty, scandals, and “winning at all costs” 12:12 Reform Ideas. Term limits, ballot initiatives, and constitutional amendments 15:24 Money and Power in Washington. 17:50 Decency and Bipartisanship. Exhausted majority and Future Caucus hope 20:07 Israel and Antisemitism. Nuance, party distrust, and black and white politics 27:54 Rethinking the Congress Workweek. 5 day vs 3 day schedule and polarization 30:34 Attendance and Accountability. Show up, vote, and do the job 31:48 Fixing the Federal Budget Process. Continuing resolutions and shutdown threats RESOURCES MENTIONED: Lindsey Graham: https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-graham-dies-south-carolina-bfa556e170f2df22ce9ffc7165da3dfa Tom Kean: https://www.statnews.com/2026/06/30/republican-tom-kean-jr-reveals-depression-after-absence-from-congress/ End Congressional Stock Trading Act (H.R. 1908, 119th Congress) https://www.congress.gov/bill/119th-congress/house-bill/1908 Reps. Ocasio-Cortez, Roy, and Magaziner on insider trading legislation (C-SPAN) https://www.c-span.org/program/news-conference/reps-ocasio-cortez-roy-and-magaziner-speak-to-reporters-on-insider-trading-legislation/665092 We’ve Got To Talk David French Episode https://youtu.be/JQSKSrQfw78?si=G2PBvuhr0fHAF9sY Future Caucus (formerly Millennial Action Project) https://futurecaucus.org/ Congressional Future Caucus https://futurecaucus.org/future-caucus/congressional-future-caucus/ How America Got Mean (David Brooks, The Atlantic) https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2023/09/us-culture-moral-education-formation/674765/ We’ve Got To Talk Episode (David Brooks Article) https://youtu.be/qydEt3wbPXQ?si=DYQlKg1y4b1UlS6Q David Brooks: How America Recovers from All This (Yale Jackson School event page) https://events.jackson.yale.edu/event/david-brooks-yale-conversations-040726 David Brooks: How America Recovers from All This (video) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0YRTSA9q-6M James Talarico (official site) https://jamestalarico.com/ In Israel, Rahm Emanuel Calls for End of Unconditional U.S. Support (NYT) https://www.nytimes.com/2026/07/07/us/politics/rahm-emanuel-speech-israel.html Congress Schedule Opinion https://thehill.com/opinion/campaign/388007-lawmakers-to-help-repair-our-polarized-congress-make-dc-your-home/ Congress Schedule https://www.congress.gov/crs-product/TE10041?utm_source= We’ve Got To Talk Episode Brad Porteus of Bridge Grades ttps://youtu.be/Pq5BYIgxJvw?si=DzRop48P67TlNGH_ Bridge Grades (Brad Porteus) – About https://www.bridgegrades.org/about Bridge Grades (main site) https://www.bridgegrades.org/ We’ve Got To Talk Tipping and Rating Episode: https://youtu.be/Ou1CVCXOaXo?si=atxMn3OKK0GUFFIA NYTimes Bruce Feiler Article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/15/opinion/ritual-connection-meaning-community.html?unlocked_article_code=1.zVA.mxMX.F7_TlmWqQfUX&smid=url-share What Is an Honor Walk (organ donation tradition, Lifebanc) https://www.lifebanc.org/community-partners/hospitals-medical-professionals/the-hoor-walk/ Our Website: https://www.wevegottotalk.com/ LINKS: On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-to-talk/id1797423701 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJVgTvjciUffRmoUienx2 How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/ How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/

    Why is there no accountability on Capitol Hill?

  7. Jul 15

    The Conservative Solution to Climate Change

    Why has a critical issue like global energy independence been trapped inside a left-wing political monopoly for decades? In this episode, Jolene and Nicole sit down with former six-term South Carolina Republican Congressman Bob Inglis to discover the conservative solution to climate change. Bob shares his remarkable personal metamorphosis from a standard climate skeptic to a leading free-market advocate, proving that changing your mind in public is an act of courage, not tribal betrayal. We explore the brilliant, market-driven mechanics behind Bob's revenue-neutral tax swap policy, widely known as the "Untax". We break down the exact economic math of how slashing the regressive federal payroll FICA tax while placing a direct "tipping fee" on carbon emissions can fuel massive corporate innovation while leaving the bottom 70% of working-class Americans financially better off. Bob explains why true conservatism is rooted in absolute accountability and why allowing corporations to dump pollution into the sky for free violates basic free-enterprise economics. We also confront the vital geopolitical questions that right-of-center voters care about most: How do we force mega-polluters like China and India to play by the same rules? Bob explores the legal reality of border carbon adjustment tariffs under the World Trade Organization, demonstrating how American economic leverage can organically force a global carbon tax layout within 24 hours without starting a single trade war. We look at how economic reality is rapidly outracing shaky political ideologies, highlighted by the fierce global race for high-capacity EV batteries and modular nuclear tech. We talk about the deep spiritual connection to creation care, look at the real-world infrastructure crises facing coastal cities like Charleston, and look back at the sheer optimism of JFK’s historic 1962 Moonshot speech. CHAPTER MARKERS:00:00 Intro 00:27 Introduction of Congressman Bob Inglis 01:18 Shifting from climate disregard to advocacy 02:24 Witnessing ice core data in Antarctica. 02:33 A spiritual awakening on the Reef. 03:01 The political cost of climate policy. 03:58 Why human-caused change is good news. 06:54 How the 2008 recession stalled policy. 08:16 Framing climate action as energy security. 13:12 Placing a tipping fee on the sky. 14:42 Slashing regressive federal payroll FICA taxes. 17:21 Broadening the tax base for Social Security. 19:54 WTO border carbon adjustment tariff mechanics. 24:58 Reading Pope Francis's Laudato Si encyclical. 27:42 Hierarchical individualists versus communitarian egalitarians. 30:45 Aligning free-market solutions with Al Gore. 34:39 Giving politicians quiet space to transition. 37:43 The aggressive rise of Chinese EV infrastructure. 39:55 Global oil markets and national security interests. 44:34 Charleston's one-billion-dollar coastal sea wall. RESOURCES MENTIONED: The Power of Big Oil Documentary: https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/frontline/documentary/the-power-of-big-oil/ Bob's Good for the Soul, Kennedy Moonshot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WZyRbnpGyzQ Slide Rule: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slide_rule Bob's Foundation: https://republicen.org/ Our Website: https://www.wevegottotalk.com/ LINKS: On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-to-talk/id1797423701 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJVgTvjciUffRmoUienx2 How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/ How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/

    The Conservative Solution to Climate Change

  8. Jul 8

    Gen X: The Greatest Generation

    Why do people say that Gen X was the very last generation to have a real childhood? In this episode, we take a look at what it was like growing up Gen X and what it really means to belong to the smallest age grouping in modern history. We examine how our unique position between the analog and digital eras completely shaped our worldview, creating a cohort of people who are uniquely resilient and private. We look at the hilarious and slightly heartbreaking reality of being the original latchkey kids. From dodging broken bones in unsupervised neighborhoods to sitting with constructive boredom before smartphones existed, we look at the exact moments that taught us how to solve our own problems. We also take an honest look at the flaws of our upbringing, unpacking the deep emotional weight behind why so many of us stopped expecting people to save us. We also take an honest and vulnerable look at ways our generation has overcorrected as parents. We look at how our desire to protect our children has led to an era of hyper-scheduling, tracking apps, and anxiety, leaving younger people afraid of basic face-to-face discomfort. From the monetization of youth sports to the mental toll of carrying around a continuous stream of social media comparison in your pocket, we dissect why modern life feels so fragile. Finally, we confront the heavy reality of the sandwich generation. We talk about the intense, everyday stress of balancing our lives while managing aging parents who failed to make a plan for the future. CHAPTER MARKERS:00 Intro. 00:40 The reality of being a Gen Xer. 00:02:39 Adapting from analog childhoods to digital realities. 00:04:50 Latchkey kids and unsupervised after-school culture. 00:06:57 How Gen X parents aggressively overcorrected. 00:07:37 Hyper-surveillance, cell phones, and college campus protests. 00:12:41 Recording radio music onto physical mixed tapes. 00:14:24 Developing a strong, lifelong b******t monitor. 00:16:10 Passing paper notes versus permanent digital records. 00:18:52 Hyper-specialized youth sports and intense childhood stress. 00:22:48 Talk radio, cable news, and Walter Cronkite. 00:24:07 Balancing news reporting before political echo chambers. 00:26:08 Living through childhood parental divorce dynamics. 00:32:08 Grateful for real-world play on our streets. 00:33:51 Watching younger generations battle smartphone anxieties. 00:35:34 Surviving the stressful modern sandwich generation trap. 00:37:12 Gen X operates as society's quiet fixers. RESOURCES MENTIONED: https://youtu.be/GVxSREVTFTA?si=xS6MPooh7mEGDc1F https://youtu.be/GVxSREVTFTA?si=xS6MPooh7mEGDc1F https://youtu.be/7Ul5CHvgRRw?si=aFh_x9UbXY_rUvQt The Coddling of the American Mind Book: https://www.thecoddling.com/ Brad Porteus Book “Roll With It”: https://book-shelfie.com/roll-with-it/ MAPS!!!! Thomas Guide: https://thomasmaps.com/la-org-thomas-guide-2025-57th-edition-in-stock-now/ The Paper Fortune Teller!!! https://youtu.be/tOcRq1fRypo?si=cD3TKSC_IrQJt658 Our Website: https://www.wevegottotalk.com/ LINKS: On Instagram https://www.instagram.com/wevegottotalk/ On YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@WeveGotToTalk On Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/weve-got-to-talk/id1797423701 On Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0qJVgTvjciUffRmoUienx2 How to find Nicole https://nicolefonarow.com/ How to find Jolene https://dibledough.com/

    Gen X: The Greatest Generation
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Trailer

4.8
out of 5
26 Ratings

About

Our story begins in the halls of the University of Iowa, go Hawks! It was there that two seemingly different paths intersected and a friendship blossomed. Despite our different upbringings—Jolene in little Pleasantville, Iowa, and me, Nicole, just across the Golden Gate Bridge in the bustling Bay Area—we became fast friends. And here we are, almost 40 years later, living in a world that often seems intent on drawing lines in the sand and choosing sides. So why "We've Got To Talk"? Because we truly believe that in this deeply divided society, the power of conversation can unite us. Our goal isn't to change each other's opinions, but to listen with curiosity, kindness, and empathy. And yes, to have a good time while doing it! We invite you to join us on this journey and bring your friends along. We might not have all the answers or any of them—but we promise honesty, empathy, and a lot of heart. We hope our conversations give you a fresh outlook or at least entertain you as you go about your day.

Information

  • Creator
    Nicole Fonarow and Jolene Conway
  • Years Active
    2025 - 2026
  • Episodes
    82
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © Copyright 2026 Nicole Fonarow and Jolene Conway
  • Show Website
    We've Got To Talk

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