I wanted to talk about politics and combating polarising opinions… but I didn’t want to get dark about it.

So, to help, I’ve called in my friend and optimism security blanket, Dave Richards. He’s one of those people who has realistic but optimistic insight into the world. He’s lived all over the world, has a deep cultural understanding, and just makes me feel better about the state of things.

So I thought I’d have him join me for a bit of a wide-ranging, mostly optimistic chat about the state of the world.

In this episode we talk about:

• The importance of maintaining optimism amid global and local challenges
• Why politics often seems theatrical, but politicians may genuinely care about making change
• The fact that environmental progress over decades shows improvement, even if it’s hard to see in the short term
• The significance of media literacy, critical thinking, and recognising manufactured divides and misinformation
• The potential of podcasts and open dialogue to foster understanding across political and ideological lines
• Why we should meet people where they are, find common ground, and avoid polarisation
• The myth of political and societal "us vs them" divides
• The importance of science-based policies and genuine conversations, even with those holding opposing views
• How media, algorithms, and social platforms influence polarisation and radicalisation

If you want to check out Dave’s incredible photography head along to his Instagram.

Giveaway! This week, I'm giving away copies of Talking Across the Divide, by Justin Lee. It’s a brilliant read on how to actually talk to people you disagree with - something we all probably need a bit more of. Join me over on Instagram to enter.

Find our full podcast via the website here: https://www.nowthatswhaticall.com/

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