Conservatives and liberals disagree about everything from guns to Medicaid. Rarely do they take the time to share the personal experiences that have shaped their beliefs. In a time where identities increasingly drive politics, building empathy and understanding requires going beneath the surface. 

In this episode Matt interviews Andy about the sources of his conservative beliefs. Andy walks us through his thought process on the 2020 election and its aftermath (2:10) why he picked fights with his liberal teachers in school (“Check the graphs, Mrs. Hunger!”) (17:01), and why he thinks secularized public education is broken (41:45). Andy shocks Matt with his opinions on the merits of school choice, gay pride parades, and gay marriage (50:49) before they share concerns about why they think the next generation isn’t being taught how to disagree with openness and respect (1:04:27). In part 2, Andy shares his experiences as a political insider on Republican Scott Jensen’s campaign and explains how that woke him up to the performative dimension of politics (1:16:00). Finally, Matt picks Andy’s brain on advice he would give to conservative young people who want to grow in wisdom and one day leave a legacy to their children (1.29:25). 

Mentioned:

The Right Side of History, by Ben Shapiro

The Rise and Triumph of the Modern Self, by Carl Trueman

The Heritage of Anglican Theology, by J.I. Packer

The 300-page global warming refutation that Andy printed for his 9th grade biology teacher, by Marc Morano*

*Matt's note: The list of dissenting scientists hasn’t been updated since 2010, it was compiled by a non-scientist who receives funding from oil companies, and a significant number of the quoted scientists Monroe quotes don’t actually doubt that man-made global warming is real. Matt also notes that Andy definitely found real scientists who disagreed with global warming in 9th grade. For additional context on the article, see the 2009 article “Dissenter on Warming Expands His Campaign” from the New York Times.

“Anyone who holds to the Judeo-Christian tradition accepts that we have manifold duties to one another. The disagreement is about whether it's the state's job to enforce those moral obligations.”

Stephanie Slade is the manager of Reason magazine. Her twin commitments to limited government and moral virtue, known as “fusionism,” offer a bracing challenge to post-liberal conservatives. Andy and Matt ask Stephanie, a Roman Catholic, if she thinks conservatives should fight back against liberal attitudes and laws and whether freedom makes moral character stronger or weaker. They also debate whether the government has a role in preserving public schools, whether the state should make marriage counseling mandatory for couples seeking divorce, and whether Catholics should try to take over the government. Matt and Andy also ask Stephanie to settle their debates about whether Joe Biden is a real Catholic and whether getting baptized in a sink by your Catholic grandmother gives you a shot at heaven!

Mentioned:

“Is There a Future for Fusionism?” by Stephanie Slade

“Abandoning Defensive Crouch Conservatism” by Patrick Deneen

“A Good That is Common” by Patrick Deneen

Why Liberalism Failed by Patrick Deneen

Nice White Parents by Serial Productions and The New York Times

The Stranger by Albert Camus

This podcast is brought to you by the Optiv Network

Music: “Easy Money" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)

Matt Flaherty and Andy Schmitt discuss their brand new podcast, Across The Aisle.

This podcast is brought to you by the Optiv Network

Music: “Easy Money" by Birocratic (http://birocratic.lnk.to/allYL)