Reimagining Us Podcast: Crossing The Polarization Divide

Reimagining Us podcast has a lot on its mind, such as: "America is at a critical juncture, facing narratives of polarization and democratic decline that leave many communities rife with mistrust, fear, and isolation. To foster resilience, we must prioritize belonging and rebuild a broader sense of 'we.'"

"After the election, it's crucial to recognize that many will feel marginalized. Local communities are vital to democracy, and belonging requires intentionality; we must actively create spaces for connection in our daily lives, from our families to our neighborhoods. It's not just about being polite; it's about designing our interactions and systems to ensure everyone feels they matter and belong. Starting in our homes and communities, we can lay the foundation for a more inclusive future."

Reimagining Us podcast is produced by Next Chapter Podcasts, which was founded to tell stories. Stories that not only entertain but also educate, inform and have a positive impact on society. If that name means nothing to you, think of its successful Play On Podcasts series, where Shakespeare's greatest plays are re-enacted in modern language.It reimagines Shakespeare's timeless tales, featuring original musical compositions and the voices of extraordinarily gifted artists. The original music is delightful and enchanting. The acting bristles with emotive energy. 

Next Chapter podcasts also produces one of my favorite podcasts: Beef with Bridgett Todd, serving up the juiciest rivalries you've never heard of. 

Let me introduce you to the co-hosts of Reimagining Us. 

Dr. Nichole Argo is a social psychologist who works at the intersection of science and practice. She is currently the Founder and Executive Director of TogetherUp. She also founded and co-directs a diverse community leadership assembly, the Needham Resilience Network, designed to bridge silos, tool leaders in skills to communicate across difference, and co-create solutions to local problems. Dr. Argo has recently authored or co-authored: The Belonging Barometer: The State of Belonging in the US, The Science of Polarization and Insights for Bridge Building.

Scott Hutcheson is the Executive Director of E Pluribus Unum, a non-partisian organization that focuses on advancing equity across the American South. Hutcheson previously served as Deputy Chief Administrative Officer and Director of Cultural Economy for the City of New Orleans. Prior to that he served as the State of Louisiana Assistant Secretary of Culture Development and founding Executive Director of the Louisiana Cultural Economy Foundation. He resides in New Orleans.

The first episode released on November 27, is titled, Why This podcast Now? Bridging divides and rebuilding communities. In the beginning of the episode, Dr. Argo makes an excellent point: "Americans has always been polarized in ideology."

What's different now is that those divisions are toxic. The co-hosts point out that Americans fight more over the fact that they're divided than the underlying political viewpoints that separate us.

In that first episode, the co-hosts explain that the first three episodes will focus on identifying problems with solutions-oriented episodes coming after that. 

This podcast is a tricky proposition in several ways. First, podcasts with distinct political positions attract a larger audience while podcasts with more nuanced and often more moderate viewpoints do not have a natural audience segment. In effect, people like simple and straightforward, not ambivalent and complex.

Second, delineating, diagnosing, and prescribing societal ills is not sound-bite, digestible material. Reimagining Us asks listeners to engage their pre-frontal cortex.

Third, such a thematic goal can come off as lecturing, yet Dr. Argo and Hutcheson adopt a perfectly balanced tone designed to address confirmation bias and challenge thinking traps.

Yet, Reimagining Us avoids those snares and, instead, offers listeners a path to designing their interactions and systems to ensure everyone feels they matter and belong.