"Disinformation. Spam and Scams. Trolls." For those of us paying attention, one thing is clear: We got problems! Fortunately, Renée DiResta is helping with exactly that by studying online manipulation, and what we can do about it. And yeah, we get quite a primer on the concept of "bespoke realities."

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Renée DiResta is the Technical Research Manager at Stanford Internet Observatory. In this conversation we delve into the challenges of misinformation, online manipulation, and the impact of algorithmic curation on public discourse. Renée discusses her career journey, her work on election integrity, and the concept of "bespoke realities." The episode explores how media ecosystems shape our perception and the importance of fostering meaningful dialogue across differing viewpoints.

02:56 Renée DiResta's Background and Career Journey

06:35 The Birth of Vaccinate California

07:22 Facing Harassment and Public Backlash

16:01 Understanding Bespoke Realities

17:44 The Influencer-Algorithm-Crowd Trinity

27:17 The Role of Free Expression in Social Media

29:50 The Complexity of Free Expression and Moderation

31:10 Platform Policies and Government Regulation

32:23 Engaging with Conspiracy Theorists

33:48 Understanding Algorithmic Curation

34:38 Reflecting on January 6th and Political Polarization

39:51 Election Integrity Partnership: An Inside Look

46:22 Recognizing and Combating Propaganda

50:37 Concerns About a Second Trump Term

53:20 Fostering Better Conversations Across Differences

57:08 Engaging on Social Media: Strategies and Reflections

You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

https://www.reneediresta.com/

https://www.threads.net/@renee.diresta

Who's doing the canceling now? The leader doth protest too much... (the leaders of Presbyterian Church in America, that is.)

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In this edition, we take a look at a very public controversy surrounding the Presbyterian Church in America (PCA) and David French. We'll highlight a significant dispute within the PCA, where a planned panel on dealing with polarization was cancelled due to the inclusion of French. We explore articles and commentary (quoting extensively from a number of pieces), especially focusing on PCA Elder Ben Dunson's misleading attacks against French's views. In this inquiry, the mischaracterizations and false witness borne by Dunson get proper scrutiny so we can contextualize David (and Nancy) French's positions. The episode also explores broader implications of such church conflicts, stressing the importance of honesty, intellectual rigor, and faithfulness to Scripture.

01:38 Today's Topic: The David French PCA Controversy

02:17 Background on David French and the PCA

03:42 Criticism and Mischaracterization of David French

12:31 David French's Actual Stance on Drag Queen Story Hour

17:47 David French's Actual Views on Same-Sex Marriage

20:05 David French's Actual Position on Legislation Involving Transgender Youth

27:23 Addressing Personal Attacks on David and Nancy French

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

https://julieroys.com/pca-cancels-anti-polarization-panel-david-french-being-too-polarizing/

https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/09/opinion/presbyterian-church-evangelical-canceled.html

https://www.newyorker.com/news/the-political-scene/david-french-sohrab-ahmari-and-the-battle-for-the-future-of-conservatism?_sp=9d3e8c33-72cc-4872-b332-e14d92b13983.1718748473071

https://www.theatlantic.com/newsletters/archive/2022/11/respect-for-marriage-same-sex-religious-freedom/676545/

https://thedispatch.com/newsletter/frenchpress/when-culture-wars-go-way-too-far/

https://www.deseret.com/politics/2024/04/16/nancy-french-ghosted-book-cancer-david-french/

https://americanreformer.org/2024/05/david-french-and-the-pcas-general-assembly/

What a great conversation to revisit on this Father's Day! Alex is a devoted dad and has such reverence and respect for his own father, all of which we covered in this talk. And yes, we also cover the grave risks of a potential 2nd Trump Administration, Lt. Col. Vindman's experience on the WH's National Security Council and so much more.

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Donald Trump's supposedly "perfect call" was the furthest thing from perfect. In this episode, Alexander Vindman tells us what was so dangerously wrong about it as well as WHY IT MATTERS.

Alexander Vindman, retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel and the director for European Affairs on the White House’s National Security Council, shares valuable perspectives on the Trump administration, Donald Trump’s unhinged lawlessness and the dangers the country faces if Trump is given another term. Dr. Vindman, having earned a Doctorate in International Affairs from Johns Hopkins, discusses international geopolitics, focusing particularly on Russian aggression and corruption. Lt. Col. Vindman offers a firsthand account of his experience in the Trump White House, the damage that’s already been done and the resilience of the U.S institutions that hold firm amidst these pervasive threats.

Throughout the conversation, Alex emphasizes the central role of local communities and the effectiveness of conversation in addressing divisive socio-political issues. His candid reflections on his own experiences - as an immigrant serving the country, in the face of profound institutional challenges and even his personal setbacks (eg. Operation Cabbage Patch) - offer a compelling narrative about American resilience and the ongoing pursuit of a 'more perfect union'. This was an in-depth primer on international affairs, national security threats and democratic values. Lt. Col. Vindman had so many valuable insights for listeners interested in understanding the complexities of today's political landscape and the role of dialogue in bridging societal divisions.

WHY IT MATTERS: alexandervindman.substack.com/

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Please support our sponsor Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com

You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

"...expos(ing) the activities of dictators and human rights abusers, while sharing stories of those doing good around the world."

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Hagar Hajjar Chemali is a YouTube host and creator of “Oh My World!” which covers the major world news of the week in an easy-to-understand and entertaining way. Hagar is also an adjunct professor at Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs and a nonresident senior fellow with the Atlantic Council’s GeoEconomics Center. She writes on national security and is featured regularly as a guest expert on MSNBC, CNN, BBC, Bloomberg, and one of our favorites, Politicology. Prior to all this, Hagar was Director of Communications and Spokesperson for the U.S. Mission to the United Nations under President Obama, Spokesperson for Terrorism and Financial Intelligence at the U.S. Department of the Treasury, Director for Syria and Lebanon at the National Security Council at the White House, and she was a Senior Policy Advisor on Asia, and Policy Advisor on the Middle East in the Office of Terrorist Financing and Financial Crimes at the U.S. Treasury. But the most important thing you need to know about Hagar is that she, her 3 kids and her dad are excellent dancers!

01:24 Guest Introduction: Hagar Hajjar Chemali

02:00 Hagar's Work and Background

04:32 The Crush List and Zeitouna

08:58 Civil Dialogue and Empathy

18:01 Navigating Media and Information

23:18 Columbia Protests and Student Engagement

43:28 Sanctions and Counter Illicit Finance

48:02 Global Economic Concerns

49:52 Ukraine Conflict: A Long-Term Struggle

52:09 The Role of U.S. Leadership

55:52 Transnational Repression and Authoritarianism

01:05:13 Mentorship and Career Reflections

01:19:06 The Importance of Diverse Perspectives

01:30:39 Conclusion and Future Conversations

You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

https://youtube.com/@ohmyworldshow

https://www.instagram.com/geekoutwithhagar

https://www.instagram.com/ohmyworldshow/

No, this isn't the start of a joke... but it was pretty funny. This happened on the day Trump's convictions were announced. We were at a hotel pub with one self-described conservative and one progressive on each side of the bar. The truth is, there were some encouraging examples of how to connect across our differences. But there was also much that illustrated what NOT to do. And it might surprise you who ended up displaying the more virtuous way to engage.

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00:33 Big Announcement: Joining Patreon

03:01 The Bar Conversation: Setting the Scene

06:27 Engaging with Different Perspectives

10:03 Unexpected Interruption

20:12 Reflecting on the Encounter

27:46 Conclusion and Takeaways

You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

We’re joined by friend of the pod, Pete Wehner, contributing writer at The Atlantic and senior fellow at the Trinity Forum, to explore how Peter’s Christian faith influences his views on suffering, scriptural interpretation, and ethical dilemmas. The conversation addresses the current political climate, particularly focusing on Donald Trump's impact on the Evangelical community and the Republican Party. Emphasizing honest and empathetic dialogue, we discuss the challenges of maintaining faith in divisive times and envision potential paths for the church's and conservative movement’s future redemption. Highlighting the power of personal connections, there’s a fun story about 2 New York Rangers fans finding common ground across political differences while watching the game at a bar in LA, illustrating the broader theme of building relationships beyond political and ideological differences.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

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And we're on Patreon! Join the community:

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00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:32 Big Announcement: Join Us on Patreon

01:36 Introducing Today's Guest: Pete Wehner

02:46 Pete Wehner on Faith and Doubts

03:33 The Question of Suffering and Hermeneutics

07:32 Literal vs. Figurative Interpretation of Scripture

22:59 The Profundity of the Crucifixion

40:54 Evangelicals’ Support for Trump

52:23 Political Reactions to Trump's Conviction

57:40 The Cult of Personality in Modern Republicanism

01:02:46 The Future of the Republican Party

01:05:33 Hope and Redemption in Politics and Faith

You can also find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

https://www.theatlantic.com/author/peter-wehner/

https://www.nytimes.com/column/peter-wehner

This time, Corey was in the hot seat. He joins Michael Baranowski, Professor Emeritus of Political Science at Northern Kentucky University and Host of The Politics Guys Podcast, for a conversation on their terrific show. Here are the show notes from TPG:

"Mike talks with Corey Nathan, host of the most excellent podcast, Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other. Corey shares his unique perspective as a “born-again Christian with a thick Jewish accent” and how his background has influenced his approach to discussing sensitive topics like politics and religion.

"Topics Mike & Corey Discuss Include:

– how and why Corey doesn’t fit the ‘Evangelical Christian’ stereotype

– discussing politics with evangelical Christians

– a Biblical approach to political issues like immigration and LGBTQ rights

– searching for the truth, as opposed to trying to ‘win’ every argument

– the value of regularly engaging with people with whom we disagree

"Follow Corey on X

The Politics Guys on Facebook | X

Mike’s other podcast is Sustainable Planet.

"Listener support helps make The Politics Guys possible. You can support us or change your level of support at patreon.com/politicsguys or politicsguys.com/support. On Venmo we’re @PoliticsGuys.

"The Politics Guys is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it."

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

http://politicsguys.com/

Can you imagine a better and a healthier politics? If so, what does that look like? And how do we get from here to there?

In this conversation, we’re joined by Michael Wear, founder, president, and CEO of the Center for Christianity and Public Life, about the intersection of faith and politics. Michael shares insights from his book, THE SPIRIT OF OUR POLITICS, discussing his personal journey of faith, the role of Christian resources in public life, and the importance of spiritual formation. The discussion also covers Michael's reflections on political sectarianism, the importance of integrating various aspects of one's soul, and the significance of engaging in productive, humble dialogue. We touch on practical antidotes to current political polarization, and how Christians and non-Christians alike can benefit from these insights.

It would mean so much if you could leave us a review:

https://ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics

01:03 Meet Michael Wear: Faith and Public Life

02:16 Personal Reflections and Faith

06:10 Christianity's Role in Politics

08:28 Navigating Diverse Beliefs

16:31 The Importance of Moral Knowledge

19:18 Dallas Willard's Influence

32:53 Ruby Bridges: A Lesson in Faith and Courage

40:54 Forgiveness and Public Testimonies

42:51 Misinterpretations of Biblical Actions

47:56 Political Sectarianism and Its Antidotes

50:15 Spiritual Practices for Modern Times

53:18 Introduction to 'Wear We Are' Podcast

55:37 Center for Christianity and Public Life

57:40 Apprenticeship to Jesus

01:03:37 Reflections on Political Engagement

Let us know what you think. You can find Corey on all the socials @coreysnathan such as www.threads.net/@coreysnathan.

Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other is part of The Democracy Group, a network of podcasts that examines what’s broken in our democracy and how we can work together to fix it.

Very grateful for our sponsor Meza Wealth Management. Reach out to Jorge and his team: www.mezawealth.com

www.ccpubliclife.org/

www.michaelwear.com/spirit-of-our-politics

thatsoundsfunnetwork.com/podcasts/wear-we-are/