Ep. 25: Wilk Wilkinson on Citizen Courage in an Age of Divides

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 Overview01:04 Guest Introduction: Wilk Wilkinson02:24 Wilk’s Journey to ‘Derate The Hate’06:28 The Impact of Podcasting and Positive Conversations08:33 Addressing Toxic Polarization and Bridging Divides20:16 Challenges in the Bridging Space27:36 Encouraging Civic Engagement and Real-Life Interactions32:29 The Importance of Face-to-Face Interactions34:29 Overcoming Anxiety and Building Confidence36:11 Misconceptions and Political Divides39:46 The Power of Everyday Interactions44:02 Lessons from Personal Experiences48:37 Parenting and Curiosity54:34 Challenges in Political Systems56:45 Leadership and Human Connection01:01:35 Hope for a United FutureMore Resources: Listen to Wilk’s podcast here: https://deratethehate.com/Find a local Braver Angels chapter and get involved here: https://braverangels.org/ 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