How Questions Can Save A Fractured Democracy | Eila Park Robertson #74

"Lean into courage and see what happens." - Eila Park Robertson Former ABC News journalist, award‑winning filmmaker, and crisis communications strategist Eila Park Robertson joins Curated Questions to explore what happens “when listening saves democracy.” Drawing from a childhood navigating violence, immigration, and loneliness, Eila shares how asking genuine questions became her superpower for building trust with people who would never normally talk to the media. She explains why Western culture has forgotten how to listen, how that loss feeds polarization, and what it really takes to build bridges across political and ideological divides, starting with presence, curiosity, and courage. Eila and Ken dive into introverts as secret leaders of the room, why outrage‑only politics is burning us out, and how personal relationships can transform deeply held beliefs. They also explore climate storytelling, South Korea’s fight against authoritarianism, and practical ways to resist despair and rebuild community in an age of fractured attention. This Curated Questions episode can be found on all major platforms and at CuratedQuestions.com. Be sure to subscribe to the weekly Curated Questions Dispatch newsletter for more fun with questions and curiosity! (https://substack.com/@curatedquestions (https://substack.com/@curatedquestions?)) Keep questioning! *Resources Mentioned* ABC News (https://abcnews.com/) Anecdotia (https://www.anecdotia.com/) Vogue Magazine Wedding Article (https://www.vogue.com/slideshow/elopement-wedding-beneath-the-largest-maple-tree-in-canada) Diane Sawyers (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Diane_Sawyer) Barbara Walters (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Walters) Muammar* *Gaddafi (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Muammar_Gaddafi) Mel Gibson (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mel_Gibson) Ziwe Fumudoh (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ziwe_Fumudoh) Dr. Jane Goodall (https://janegoodall.org/) International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW) (https://www.ifaw.org/) Azzedine Downes, CEO IFAW (https://www.ifaw.org/people/staff/azzedine-downes) United Nations (https://www.un.org/en/) Kelly Boesch (https://www.kellyboesch.com/) Eila on Instagram (eila2.2)(https://www.instagram.com/eila2.2) Producer Ben Ford (https://www.producerbenford.com/) Beauty Pill (https://www.beautypill.com/)