Ep. 18 Kristi Kendall on Building a More Hopeful Media

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 Episode00:34 Introducing Kristi Kendall02:02 Kristi's Journey into Media05:28 The Role of a Producer07:14 Impact of Storytelling in Media11:35 Media's Influence on Parenting15:48 Risk Perception and Media Responsibility21:49 Encouraging Civil Discourse29:32 The Skillset for Effective Interaction29:57 False Consensus and Airport Behavior30:28 Cultivating Curiosity in Parenting31:41 Children's Interests and Storytelling32:22 Civil Discourse and Media Perception34:01 Introducing the Movie 'Undivided Us'35:30 The Impact of Fear and Social Isolation38:02 Friendships Across Divides39:40 Rafting for Depolarization52:24 The Power of Perspective Swapping54:40 Optimism About the Next Generation This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit wemadethispolitical.substack.com