The intensifying political division and violence in our country is concerning — but it’s not unique. And few know that better than Tim Phillips. For 30 years, his organization Beyond Conflict has been bringing people from opposing sides of violent divides together to find common ground. He shares insights from their research into human psychology that could hold keys for overcoming violent division, along with lessons from Northern Ireland, South Africa and beyond to help us fight polarization here at home. 



SHOW ACTIONS

Internally Reflect - Try the 90-Second Rule 

Think about a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about a political or ideological issue, and notice where you felt that tension or frustration in your body. The next time you’re in that situation: try the 90 second rule — created by Harvard researcher Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, who found it takes 90 seconds for an emotion to pass. Before engaging in a debate or discussion that gets your blood boiling, take 90 seconds to do absolutely nothing: wait to exchange words, step away from your phone — whatever it takes to give you that minute and a half of simply not-that-debate.

Become More Informed - Learn about polarization 

Check out this video from Tim’s organization, Beyond Conflict about polarization and misperceptions between Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. And if you want to dig deeper, read their two reports on the issue: America’s Divided Mind: Understanding the Psychology That Drives Us Apart and Renewing American Democracy: Navigating a Changing Nation. Tim also recommends listening to this interview with South African leaders about how the U.S. can move beyond toxic polarization. 

Publicly Participate - Invest in building real relationships 

Move conversations offline and invest in building real relationships with people across the aisle in your community. Try engaging with organizations setting up opportunities for Americans to come together, and navigate our divides at the local level, such as One America Movement, Civic Genius, Make America Dinner Again, and Living Room Conversations.



SHOW NOTES

Read Tim’s article about what neuroscience can teach us about gun culture in America. 

Find How To Citizen on Instagram or visit howtocitizen.com to join our mailing list and find ways to citizen besides listening to this podcast! 

Please show your support for the show by reviewing and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords and helps others like you find the show!

How To Citizen is hosted by Baratunde Thurston. He’s also host and executive producer of the PBS series, America Outdoors as well as a founding partner and writer at Puck. You can find him all over the internet. 



CREDITS

How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of iHeartRadio Podcasts and Rowhome Productions. Our Executive Producers are Baratunde Thurston and Elizabeth Stewart. Allie Graham is our Lead Producer and Danya AbdelHameid is our Associate Producer. Alex Lewis is our Managing Producer. John Myers is our Executive Editor. Original Music by Andrew Eapen and Blue Dot Sessions. Our Audience Engagement Fellows are Jasmine Lewis and Gabby Rodriguez. Special thanks to Joelle Smith from iHeartRadio and Layla Bina. Additional thanks to our citizen voices Andrea B., Debra, Ina P., Mary P., Damon W., and Allison M.

The intensifying political division and violence in our country is concerning — but it’s not unique. And few know that better than Tim Phillips. For 30 years, his organization <a href="https://beyondconflictint.org/">Beyond Conflict</a> has been bringing people from opposing sides of violent divides together to find common ground. He shares insights from their research into human psychology that could hold keys for overcoming violent division, along with lessons from Northern Ireland, South Africa and beyond to help us fight polarization here at home. 
 
SHOW ACTIONS
Internally Reflect - Try the 90-Second Rule 
Think about a time when you strongly disagreed with someone about a political or ideological issue, and notice where you felt that tension or frustration in your body. The next time you’re in that situation: try the<a href="https://www.psychologytoday.com/ca/blog/the-right-mindset/202004/the-90-second-rule-builds-self-control"> 90 second rule</a> — created by Harvard researcher Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor, who found it takes 90 seconds for an emotion to pass. Before engaging in a debate or discussion that gets your blood boiling, take 90 seconds to do absolutely nothing: wait to exchange words, step away from your phone — whatever it takes to give you that minute and a half of simply not-that-debate.
Become More Informed - Learn about polarization 
Check out this <a href="https://beyondconflictint.org/adm-video-intervention">video </a>from Tim’s organization, Beyond Conflict about polarization and misperceptions between Democrats and Republicans in the U.S. And if you want to dig deeper, read their two reports on the issue: <a href="https://beyondconflictint.org/americas-divided-mind/">America’s Divided Mind: Understanding the Psychology That Drives Us Apart</a> and<a href="https://beyondconflictint.org/renewing-american-democracy"> Renewing American Democracy: Navigating a Changing Nation</a>. Tim also recommends listening to this <a href="https://www.wxxinews.org/show/connections/2023-01-24/south-african-leaders-on-how-america-can-move-beyond-toxic-polarization">interview</a> with South African leaders about how the U.S. can move beyond toxic polarization. 
Publicly Participate - Invest in building real relationships 
Move conversations offline and invest in building real relationships with people across the aisle in your community. Try engaging with organizations setting up opportunities for Americans to come together, and navigate our divides at the local level, such as<a href="https://oneamericamovement.org/"> One America Movement</a>,<a href="https://www.ourcivicgenius.org/"> Civic Genius</a>,<a href="http://www.makeamericadinneragain.com/"> Make America Dinner Again</a>, and<a href="https://livingroomconversations.org/"> Living Room Conversations</a>.
 
SHOW NOTES
Read Tim’s <a href="https://www.salon.com/2014/01/09/missing_from_the_gun_control_debate_sacred_values_partner/">article</a> about what neuroscience can teach us about gun culture in America. 
Find How To Citizen on <a href="https://baratun.de/howtocitizen-ig-shownotes">Instagram</a> or visit <a href="https://baratun.de/howtocitizen-dotcom-shownotes">howtocitizen.com</a> to join our mailing list and find ways to citizen besides listening to this podcast! 
Please show your support for the show by reviewing and rating. It makes a huge difference with the algorithmic overlords and helps others like you find the show!
How To Citizen is hosted by Baratunde Thurston. He’s also host and executive producer of the PBS series, <a href="https://baratun.de/americaoutdoors-shownotes">America Outdoors</a> as well as a founding partner and writer at <a href="https://baratun.de/puck-shownotes">Puck</a>. You can find him all over <a href="https://baratun.de/linktree-shownotes">the internet</a>. 
 
CREDITS
How To Citizen with Baratunde is a production of iHeartRadio Podcasts and Rowhome Productions. Our Executive Producers are Baratunde Thurston and Elizabeth Stewart. Allie Graham is our Lead Producer and Danya AbdelHameid is our Associate Producer. Alex Lewis is our Managing Producer. John Myers is our Executive Editor. Original Music by Andrew Eapen and Blue Dot Sessions. Our Audience Engagement Fellows are Jasmine Lewis and Gabby Rodriguez. Special thanks to Joelle Smith from iHeartRadio and Layla Bina. Additional thanks to our citizen voices Andrea B., Debra, Ina P., Mary P., Damon W., and Allison M.

How To Citizen with Baratunde reimagines the word “citizen” as a verb and reminds us how to wield our collective power. So many of us want to do more in response to the problems we hear about constantly, but where and how to participate can leave us feeling overwhelmed and helpless. Voting, while critically important, simply isn’t enough. It takes more to make this experiment in self-governance work! Listen in to learn new perspectives and practices from people working to improve society for the many. Join writer, activist, and comedian Baratunde Thurston on a journey beyond politics as usual that will leave us all more hopeful, connected, and moved to act.

How To Citizen with Baratunde

To End Conflict, We Must Transform It (Tim Phillips)

https://api.omny.fm/orgs/e73c998e-6e60-432f-8610-ae210140c5b1/clips/b8c6f55a-cfec-4df3-bc60-afcf00fd9386/transcript

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