In this live episode of ‘We Made This Political’, hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall are joined by special guest Kristi Kendall, president of Kristi Kendall and Company. Kendall brings over 25 years of experience in journalism and media to the conversation, focusing on the role of media in exacerbating or challenging societal polarization. They discuss Kendall’s diverse career, including her work with ABC’s 2020 and her executive production role with John Stossel at Fox News and Fox Business. The discussion covers the importance of storytelling, the moral responsibilities of journalists, and Kendall’s philosophy of creating hopeful content. Highlighted projects include the acclaimed documentary ‘Unite Us’, which aims to bridge political divides, and the innovative ‘Raft for America’ initiative, which fosters civil discourse through whitewater rafting experiences. The episode closes with an optimistic note on the potential of the younger generation to navigate and improve societal complexities.

00:00 Welcome to the Live Episode

00:34 Introducing Kristi Kendall

02:02 Kristi’s Journey into Media

05:28 The Role of a Producer

07:14 Impact of Storytelling in Media

11:35 Media’s Influence on Parenting

15:48 Risk Perception and Media Responsibility

21:49 Encouraging Civil Discourse

29:32 The Skillset for Effective Interaction

29:57 False Consensus and Airport Behavior

30:28 Cultivating Curiosity in Parenting

31:41 Children’s Interests and Storytelling

32:22 Civil Discourse and Media Perception

34:01 Introducing the Movie ‘Undivided Us’

35:30 The Impact of Fear and Social Isolation

38:02 Friendships Across Divides

39:40 Rafting for Depolarization

52:24 The Power of Perspective Swapping

54:40 Optimism About the Next Generation

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