Michigan Talks: How Fear Shapes Our Politics in 2026

In this full episode of Michigan: We Need to Talk, Stephen Henderson and callers from across Michigan take on the politics of fear.Fear can help us recognize real danger, injustice and abuse of power. But what happens when fear becomes the default way we understand public life? When we read, watch, scroll or listen to the news, do we become more informed or more anxious, angry, suspicious and powerless?Stephen is joined by Mónica Guzmán, journalist, speaker and senior fellow for public practice at Braver Angels, and Yanna Krupnikov, professor of communication and media at the University of Michigan. Together with callers, they explore how fear shapes our news habits, our political choices, our conversations with people we disagree with, and the way we see democracy itself.The question at the center of the hour: When you finish taking in the news, what kind of citizen do you feel yourself becoming?Call us anytime at 734-412-7155, or email us at [email protected] our online community at www.MIweneedtotalk.org