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In this episode, we welcome back David French, columnist for The New York Times , former constitutional attorney, and author of Divided We Fall . We discuss the current state of American democracy, the challenges of political division, and how we can engage in civil discourse despite deep ideological differences. David also shares a personal update on his family and reflects on the profound trials and growth that come with adversity. 📌 What We Discuss: ✔️ How David and his family navigated the challenges of a serious health crisis. ✔️ The rise of political polarization and the factors driving it. ✔️ Why distinguishing between “unwise, unethical, and unlawful” is crucial in analyzing political actions. ✔️ How consuming different perspectives (even opposing ones) helps in understanding political dynamics. ✔️ The role of Christian values in politics and how they are being redefined. ⏳ Episode Highlights 📍 [00:01:00] – David French’s background and his journey from litigation to journalism. 📍 [00:02:30] – Personal update: David shares his wife Nancy’s battle with cancer and their journey as a family. 📍 [00:06:00] – How to navigate personal trials while maintaining faith and resilience. 📍 [00:10:00] – The danger of political paranoia and the pitfalls of extreme polarization. 📍 [00:18:00] – The "friend-enemy" paradigm in American politics and its influence in Christian fundamentalism. 📍 [00:24:00] – Revisiting Divided We Fall : How America’s divisions have devolved since 2020. 📍 [00:40:00] – The categories and differences of unwise, unethical, and unlawful political actions. 📍 [00:55:00] – The balance between justice, kindness, and humility in political engagement. 📍 [01:00:00] – The After Party initiative: A Christian approach to politics focused on values rather than policy. 💬 Featured Quotes 🔹 "You don't know who you truly are until your values are tested." – David French 🔹 "If we focus on the relational, we can have better conversations even across deep differences." – Corey Nathan 🔹 "Justice, kindness, and humility—if you're missing one, you're doing it wrong." – David French 🔹 "The United States has a history of shifting without repenting. We just move on." – David French 📚 Resources Mentioned David French’s Writing: New York Times David’s Book: Divided We Fall The After Party Initiative – More Info Advisory Opinions Podcast (with Sarah Isgur & David French) – Listen Here 📣 Call to Action If you found this conversation insightful, please: ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion 🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media @coreysnathan: Bluesky LinkedIn Instagram Threads Facebook Substack David French: 🔗 Twitter | BlueSky | New York Times Our Sponsors Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com Prolux Autogroup: www.proluxautogroup.com or www.granadahillsairporttransportation.com Let’s keep talking politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡…
Content provided by Shyam Ronvelia. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Shyam Ronvelia or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Welcome to the 714! The day of recording this episode was the first time I met Ronnie. I didn't really come into it with too many expectations (or at least I try not to, because I feel like that causes more problems than it solves). So, I pulled into a parking space, and see another car pull up next to mine, I look outside the passenger side window... and see a big smile shine through a tinted window. I knew immediately we were going to have a fantastic time, and that we did. Enjoy :)
Content provided by Shyam Ronvelia. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Shyam Ronvelia or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Welcome to the 714! The day of recording this episode was the first time I met Ronnie. I didn't really come into it with too many expectations (or at least I try not to, because I feel like that causes more problems than it solves). So, I pulled into a parking space, and see another car pull up next to mine, I look outside the passenger side window... and see a big smile shine through a tinted window. I knew immediately we were going to have a fantastic time, and that we did. Enjoy :)
Welcome to the 714! The day of recording this episode was the first time I met Ronnie. I didn't really come into it with too many expectations (or at least I try not to, because I feel like that causes more problems than it solves). So, I pulled into a parking space, and see another car pull up next to mine, I look outside the passenger side window... and see a big smile shine through a tinted window. I knew immediately we were going to have a fantastic time, and that we did. Enjoy :)…
Welcome to the 714! I was going through a flurry of thoughts when I came across Andrew's channel. I felt like I was living the old saying, when the student is ready the teacher will appear. And like most students, I listened, I listened to ideas that I've heard a million times be put in a new way. It made me delve deeper into myself, and embrace parts of myself that have caused me to hold back in life. I think life puts us in challenging places to see if we have the courage to embrace something we think is so real. Because as soon as I was aware of the fear, it was gone. So, thank you Andrew for sharing your ideas, it impacts people in more ways than you'll ever know.…
Welcome to the 714! So, unfortunately we had some technical difficulties in the beginning of the episode. We ended realizing 20 minutes after we started that the audio wasn't recording (my heart actually dropped when I found out, I was like this can't be lol). Luckily, it was only 20 minutes (gotta look at the good side too) and we were able to keep rolling. But don't worry, Gaurav will be back soon and we'll get a 2 hour heart-to-heart conversation in. For now enjoy, this short (by my standards lol) episode and as always much love :)…
Welcome to the 714! How much do you bench bro? Most people might say 185, 225, maybe 305. But how many people can say they've benched 560 pounds! I'll tell you who can't, me. But David mf'n Reyes can. He might be able to lift an entire grand piano over his chest lol. And after meeting him I can tell you under all that muscle is one of the kindest souls you'll ever meet. And I think you'll agree while you're listening to this, not only is he freakishly strong, but his caring and loving attitude is palpable and that's the real strength.…
Welcome to the 714! Joey is one of those guys who you just love being around. The vibe this man gives off, is nothing but love and positivity. I think we all need people like that in our lives and try our best to be that person for others. And I hope while you're listening to this, you feel that energy. Much love.…
Welcome to the 714! Some ships are wood ships, but those ships may sink. The best ships are friendships, and to those ships, we drink! It's always a fun-loving time when we're with people who make us feel comfortable to be ourselves. To be able to share our deepest secrets and personal afflictions with, there's nothing like a good friend. And if you don't agree, here's two hours and twenty-seven minutes of the finest testimonial you'll ever hear. Enjoy!…
Welcome to the 714! You never know when you're gonna go, so we sippin' scotch like Frank Sinatra. Shout out Young Sinatra. Anyways, I don't drink often but when I do it's always in high spirits (see what I did there?) and with good company. And on this faithful evening was one of those times, I thought to myself wouldn't it be nice to have a glass with a good friend. So, we made it happen... and good googly-moogly was it fun time. Cheers and enjoy!…
Welcome to the 714! This was month's in the making, and I'm glad we finally got together because this is why love doing it. Mind you, we were all coming off some sort of sickness, but none of that mattered once we were in the studio. It seems like there's always something in the air, right before we record. A mix of excitement and nervousness that combusts into the best way to spend any 2 hours. A composition of laughter, stories, and deep thoughts. Enjoy.…
Welcome to the 714! This was a reunion of sorts. A group of elementary school kids getting back together. It was fun to catch up and look back on how much each of us had grown. 10 years doesn't always seem like a long time, but I'll tell you, a lot changes in a decade. And that's not a bad thing. One should change, change is necessary, integral I should say, to life. Without it, life becomes dull and meaningless. So, it's important to take it upon yourself, so that in 10 years you can look back and be proud of the person you have become.…
Welcome to the 714! I don't want to say it... f**k it, I'll say it. This is a top 5, not 2, not 3, not 4, not 5 episode. I already knew the second we shook hands in the parking lot, that this was going to be a special episode. And boy, oh boy was it. You know what, I don't think you're ready to hear the onslaught of motivation coming your way. By the end of this, if you're not conquering the world, you're not human lol. But really, I wish I could go back in time and do it again, that's how much fun we had recording this. And so I hope you have as much fun as we did, listening and watching. Much Love.…
Welcome to the 714! Well this is a first, having my uncle on the podcast lol. And I'm sure you'll enjoy listening to him just as much as I had talking to him. I'm as certain as I am because of the passion he has about the subject of Hinduism and the language of Sanskrit. It's become more than hobby for him, and so he wanted to take the time to share some of his studies with the world. And to be explicit, our conversation is not trying persuade or induce, instead I hope you find it a learning experience of unique ideas that you might've never heard before. A language that predates Christ, and a culture of spirituality that holds vast amounts of knowledge. Enjoy & Happy New Year!…
Welcome to the 714! I know it's been a while. Trust me I feel guilty taking days off, but I believe everything happens for a reason. And that every setback is an opportunity for a comeback (and beyond that). Furthermore, a change of pace allows you to reflect, it allows you to set a better sail and head for a better direction. So as the year's winding down, let's take the time to remind ourselves that everything is on time, and to focus on what really matters. Friends, family, and the love in your heart.…
Welcome to the 714! Well, we're a new studio again haha... I think we've gotten a new studio pretty much every year, but for some odd reason, all of them have been on the 2nd floor. Every single one. I don't know what it means, maybe 2 is my lucky number, I don't know. Anyways, I think the change is beneficial, we get too comfortable sometimes, and we become afraid to change even though the outcome might be beneficial. It takes courage to step into the unknown. But that's what makes life beautiful.…
Welcome to the 714! We've been trying to plan this episode for a while, and the stars finally aligned on the 30th. These 2 gentlemen are some of my favorite people to talk with, not just because we have the same love for history, but because we share our ideas freely and are open to all forms of thought. It's so freeing talking to people who aren't concerned about a belief system, those who are always open to new ways of thinking. It is not necessary to agree with every idea, however, it is our birth right to express them however we desire. And in the words of Henry David Thoreau, "All good things are wild and free."…
Welcome to the 714! You're never too old to learn and you're never too young to teach. Something I try to keep in mind as I go through life. Because we never know what the universe has in store for us, and if we neglect the opportunity to learn, it can be costly. And trust me, there have been times where it has. In this conversation alone, I learned more about a person than what they talked about, it reminded me about the time when I was 18, naive yet hungry to achieve. I'm proud of how much I've changed, and still excited for what's ahead. Time is a mf'er though, it stops for no one, but somehow if you stretch it far enough, it all makes sense. It shows you everything that happened, had to. So, if your reading this while you're in a dark place, just know it's life's way teaching you, make sure you get the lesson.…
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