Introductions and welcome

Have your parents ever doubted Trump?

Who would be hardest for you to talk to?

Staying curious without being overwhelmed

Was our nation's founding a bridging failure?

How do you help someone see their ‘privilege’?

When she says her views aren't your business

Does compromise make you a moderate?

What keeps Moni up at night?

Why is infighting with allies so hard?

What got Monica into bridgebuilding work?

Talking to neighbors on the other side

Closing thoughts and how to reach us

What do you do when someone on your own side lets you down — or a family member says their politics are “none of your business”? In our second mailbox episode, Mónica and producer Jessica Jones tackle listener questions about whether America’s founding was a failure to bridge, how to recognize our own blind spots, and what Mónica’s parents really think of President Trump. Plus, April Lawson joins in with advice for approaching a firmly closed door. Want to send us your question? Email abraverway@reclaimcuriosity.com!

Show notes with full credits, reference links and transcript can be found here: https://www.reclaimcuriosity.com/post/a-braver-way-episode-28

What do you do when someone on your own side lets you down &mdash; or a family member says their politics are &ldquo;none of your business&rdquo;? In our second mailbox episode, M&oacute;nica and producer Jessica Jones tackle listener questions about whether America&rsquo;s founding was a failure to bridge, how to recognize our own blind spots, and what M&oacute;nica&rsquo;s parents really think of President Trump. Plus, April Lawson joins in with advice for approaching a firmly closed door. Want to send us your question? Email <a href="mailto:abraverway@reclaimcuriosity.com">abraverway@reclaimcuriosity.com</a>!
Show notes with full credits, reference links and transcript can be found here: https://www.reclaimcuriosity.com/post/a-braver-way-episode-28

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.

A Braver Way

A Braver Way with Mónica Guzmán

Mailbox: Your questions on Trump, ‘privilege’ and compromise

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

How to talk politics when your body says ‘run’

Introductions & welcome 

Ground rules for this debate episode 

Is NYC's socialist experiment a good idea?

Is it ok to pull grants from blue states?

New Jersey's voter registration cover-up

Trump, Israel, and the war with Iran

Debrief: learning and lingering questions

Closing thoughts & credits 

Moni is liberal. Travis Tripodi is conservative libertarian. Much of what he supports terrifies her… and vice versa. But when Trump returned in 2025, they knew they had to talk. In a new A Braver Way experiment, the two friends let you in on what’s become a critical exercise: bringing each other the headlines that bother them most, saying what they really believe, and having it out.

This isn’t a tidy debate or performance of “civility”. In good faith clashes over everything from socialism to political retaliation, Moni and Travis push, challenge, and *try* to listen even when they hate what they hear. Then, they debrief: Did Moni get too mad — or not mad enough? Did Travis listen, or just assume he did? And in all that heat, did they find any light? Note: This conversation was recorded on July 30.

Show notes with full credits, links and transcript can be found here: https://www.reclaimcuriosity.com/post/a-braver-way-episode-26

Moni is liberal. Travis Tripodi is conservative libertarian. Much of what he supports terrifies her&hellip; and vice versa. But when Trump returned in 2025, they knew they had to talk. In a new A Braver Way experiment, the two friends let you in on what&rsquo;s become a critical exercise: bringing each other the headlines that bother them most, saying what they really believe, and having it out.
This isn&rsquo;t a tidy debate or performance of &ldquo;civility&rdquo;. In good faith clashes over everything from socialism to political retaliation, Moni and Travis push, challenge, and *try* to listen even when they hate what they hear. Then, they debrief: Did Moni get too mad &mdash; or not mad enough? Did Travis listen, or just assume he did? And in all that heat, did they find any light?&nbsp;Note: This conversation was recorded on July 30.
Show notes with full credits, links and transcript can be found here: https://www.reclaimcuriosity.com/post/a-braver-way-episode-26

‘Explain yourself’: A Trump voter and Trump critic let you in

Welcome & introducing producer Jessica Jones 

Is political division too big to bridge?

What nature teaches us about curiosity

Being the bridge in a divided family

Is our political identity nature or nurture?

Why Moni put an American flag on her house

When Moni lost her temper with her Dad

What changed Moni more than any book 

How to differentiate real from imaginary fear

Lightning round: hobbies & fun facts 

Closing thoughts: share your story

In this special episode, Mónica and producer Jessica Jones explore questions from curious listeners about fear, family conflict, patriotism when we’re so at odds, and the unforeseeable ways we come to believe what we believe. Also on deck: Advice to a mom caught in a political rift between father and son, what happens when Moni loses her temper, and bridging tips from Mother Nature. Want to send us *your* question? Email abraverway@reclaimcuriosity.com! 

In this special episode, M&oacute;nica and producer Jessica Jones explore questions from curious listeners about fear, family conflict, patriotism when we&rsquo;re so at odds, and the unforeseeable ways we come to believe what we believe. Also on deck: Advice to a mom caught in a political rift between father and son, what happens when Moni loses her temper, and bridging tips from Mother Nature. Want to send us *your* question? Email abraverway@reclaimcuriosity.com!&nbsp;

Mailbox: Your questions on hope, betrayal and losing your temper

Mailbox: Your questions on Trump, ‘privilege’ and compromise

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