Introductions and welcome

Why Jamie studies political anxiety

How your heart reacts to political discussion

Can we regain agency of our physical response?

The 4D Framework of political conversation

Detection and our underlying assumptions

Weighing the social costs of speaking up

Can I soften the tendency to fight or freeze?

Social media vs. face-to-face conversations

Would findings differ in today's climate?

The hope question: reasons for optimism

Closing thoughts and credits

Researcher Jaime Settle has found that just anticipating a political conversation with someone who disagrees can send your heart rate soaring — sometimes by as much as it rises during a panic attack.

Will this damage a relationship? Will I be judged? Is it safer to hide what I believe? Those calculations happen fast, often pointing you toward the exit. So what does it take to make the riskier choice?

Jaime joins Mónica to explore what to do when your body hits the alarm, why admitting "I'm nervous about this" can lower the temperature, and how talking about the conversation before having it can make honest disagreement a whole lot easier.

This episode's guest: Jaime Settle, Department Chair and Professor of Government at William & Mary

Show notes with full credits, reference links and transcript can be found here: https://www.reclaimcuriosity.com/post/a-braver-way-episode-27

Researcher Jaime Settle has found that just anticipating a political conversation with someone who disagrees can send your heart rate soaring &mdash; sometimes by as much as it rises during a panic attack.
Will this damage a relationship? Will I be judged? Is it safer to hide what I believe? Those calculations happen fast, often pointing you toward the exit. So what does it take to make the riskier choice?
Jaime joins M&oacute;nica to explore what to do when your body hits the alarm, why admitting "I'm nervous about this" can lower the temperature, and how talking about the conversation before having it can make honest disagreement a whole lot easier.
This episode's guest: Jaime Settle, Department Chair and Professor of Government at William &amp; Mary
Show notes with full credits, reference links and transcript can be found here: https://www.reclaimcuriosity.com/post/a-braver-way-episode-27

With political tensions at a new peak, it can be tough — and exhausting — to find a way forward. So what does it take to stay strong, engaged, and grounded in dangerously divided times?

In each episode, host Mónica Guzmán joins guests from across the political spectrum. Together they’ll share tools, insights, and messy real-life stories to help you navigate the challenging divides in your everyday life without losing heart.

With political tensions at a new peak, it can be tough &mdash; and exhausting &mdash; to find a way forward. So what does it take to stay strong, engaged, and grounded in dangerously divided times?
In each episode, host M&oacute;nica Guzm&aacute;n joins guests from across the political spectrum. Together they&rsquo;ll share tools, insights, and messy real-life stories to help you navigate the challenging divides in your everyday life without losing heart.