In this episode of ‘We Made This Political,’ hosts Lura Forcum and Lauren Hall explore the importance of face-to-face interactions in politics with guest Wilk Wilkinson, host of the ‘Derate The Hate’ podcast. Wilk shares his journey of replacing division with understanding, influenced by his background in transportation and operations management. He talks about his work with Braver Angels, a grassroots cross-partisan movement, and emphasizes the need for better communication and courageous citizenship. The conversation covers the significance of personal engagement, the challenges in the bridging space, and how fostering real-world interactions can lead to a more united society.

00:00 Introduction and Podcast Overview

01:04 Guest Introduction: Wilk Wilkinson

02:24 Wilk’s Journey to ‘Derate The Hate’

06:28 The Impact of Podcasting and Positive Conversations

08:33 Addressing Toxic Polarization and Bridging Divides

20:16 Challenges in the Bridging Space

27:36 Encouraging Civic Engagement and Real-Life Interactions

32:29 The Importance of Face-to-Face Interactions

34:29 Overcoming Anxiety and Building Confidence

36:11 Misconceptions and Political Divides

39:46 The Power of Everyday Interactions

44:02 Lessons from Personal Experiences

48:37 Parenting and Curiosity

54:34 Challenges in Political Systems

56:45 Leadership and Human Connection

01:01:35 Hope for a United Future

More Resources:

Listen to Wilk’s podcast here: https://deratethehate.com/

Find a local Braver Angels chapter and get involved here: https://braverangels.org/

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