Braver Angels: Bridging America's Divide ft. Zak Gillies | Pt. 2 | 07-01-26
In this episode of the Liberty RoundTable Radio Talk Show, host Sam Bushman sits down with producer Zak Gillies to unpack their experience at the Braver Angels conference in Philadelphia. They dive into groundbreaking research showing the divide between Americans is far worse in the media and politics than it is in real life, share powerful personal stories (including a Greatest Showman-inspired anthem and a moving GoFundMe story of forgiveness), and explore how storytelling, music, and simple human kindness can rebuild the bridges our culture desperately needs. From liberal journalist Monica Guzman's transformation to lessons on civility from the Founding Fathers, this conversation is a hopeful, practical guide to disagreeing without hating. 0:00 Intro: Broadcasting live from the Rocky Mountains 0:15 Recapping the Braver Angels conference in Philadelphia 0:50 The research: division is worse in media than real life 2:31 Fear, not hatred, is driving the silence 2:54 Braver Angels workshops: putting research into practice 3:41 The Greatest Showman inspired unity anthem 4:18 Choosing grace over triggering: the abortion conversation story 6:04 We all want the same things at our core 7:53 Change yourself first, and others change too 8:27 Political Leaders and friendship across differences 9:08 The power of storytelling to humanize people 9:42 Monica Guzman's journey from liberal extremism to bridge building 10:38 Why there are no "rock stars" at Braver Angels 12:15 Leadership that isn't distant: the "no rock stars" culture 13:00 What's disappointing vs. what brings hope 13:59 Finding hope in Christ and in the younger generation 15:52 Jesus and the woman taken in adultery: calling out behavior, not people 16:15 Leadership in action: serving instead of being served 16:52 The jazz and blues session and lessons from hardship 18:09 The artist who visually documented every session 19:22 The LDS church attack and a story of forgiveness 19:52 A GoFundMe and grace for the shooter's family 21:37 Why Braver Angels' mission matters 22:14 The disappointment: fear of starting hard conversations 22:46 Training people to communicate without triggering 23:14 Comparing TPUSA and Braver Angels on faith 23:43 Founding principles and the Constitution Call to Action: If this conversation gave you hope, share it with someone you disagree with, and challenge yourselves to have one civil conversation this week. Subscribe to Liberty RoundTable for more interviews with Braver Angels leaders in upcoming episodes, and visit braverangels.org to find an event near you. Together we can bridge the divide.
