Turning from Toxic Politics

07/11/23 • 39 min

Drawing from personal experiences of living in different countries, having a diverse employment background, running successful companies and being involved in the Colorado Democratic Party, my guest today, Kevin Kuns and I explore how we can turn the tide on the toxic political landscape we are now living in. We also discuss what the word "patriot means" and how that word is being used against our groups of citizens today.
Kevin helps us identify some ways we have become polarized politically, what is dividing us and how we can begin to walk into unification beyond our differences. He shares his experiences on the campaign trail when he was running for office to represent District 58, on the Western Slope of Colorado. One of the things that impressed him most was that people he spoke with were not angry about issues. They were angry and frustrated by not being heard.
He stresses that a lot of people in the USA are moving away from extremism and the divisiveness that are threatening our democracy. He says we need to move into dialogue and listening to each other, while understanding we all pretty much have the same values and respecting each other's right to hold different opinions.
By way of encouraging us to be in conversation and respect for each other, he referenced a book called, "A Bigger Table," by John Pavlovitz. This book is available on Amazon Books.
Besides the ideas above, Kevin encourages us to check out some of the organizations around the USA dedicated to restoring civility and offering all voices a chance to be at the table. Some resources for finding and/or participating in these organizations are found below.
Unify America at https://www.unifyamerica.org/
Unify Montrose at https://www.unifymontrose.org/
Restore the Balance at https://www.restorethebalance.org/
Country First at https://www.country1st.com/
To visit the website of our sponsor for this program, Coffee Trader, go to https://www.thecoffeetrader.com/
To catch up with Gabriel Tafoya, the composer, producer and performer of the song "The Pivot" on this episode, go to [email protected]
The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com

Previous Episode

Turning Gracefully

Mary Hess is the host of the Back Forty Podcast, where she shares stories of people who are navigating the second half of life. She gives examples of topics she is sharing to offer truths and hope as well as the message that we are not alone in some of the changes, struggles and joys of living life in the back forty.
Mary says that her generation, which is generation X, was the one that began talking about the things her boomer parents just did not discuss. Mary wants us to know we do not need to fear the aging process. She reminds us that the Lord used lots of people when they were older or even what we now consider elderly.
She says we still have so much to give as older people. But, to withhold our knowledge and wisdom of what we have learned along the way, is not fair to the generations coming along behind us. God asks us to leave a legacy as older men and women, by sharing and teaching younger men and women.
Mary believes that many of the topics she is talking about on her podcast episodes typically were not discussed or talked about previously. And she thinks they should be talked about in order to prepare people for what to expect in the aging process. She also says we need to remember we always have the choice to think positively and to help new mental highways open in our brains. She believes this is one thing that can lead to peace. Positive thinking and gratitude are gifts we can give to God in response to all He has given to us.
Mary wants us to be talking about physical, mental and spiritual changes we are experiencing as individuals and as couples during the aging process. But she wants to help people walk into the realization that God has purpose at every age and every stage. She wants us to be aware that we are children of God no matter our age.
To reach out to Mary go to https://www.theback40podcast.com. There you will find all the links to subscribe, find out more about her and listen to her podcast episodes.
To connect with Stephen Ray Watts from the band Dotsero Praise Fellowship, the musician playing the song, "Amazing Grace" on this episode, go to https://dotseroband.com
To check out San Juan Brews in Montrose, go to https://www.sanjuanbrews.com or https://www.facebook.com/sanjuanbrews
The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com

Next Episode

Turning Toward Unity

I was excited to sit down with former senator and house representative, Don Coram, from the Western Slope of Colorado today. Our conversation focused on a frank and honest discussion about how we can begin to turn from toxic political division in America, and toward unity and healthy discourse with civility.
When asked how we, in the USA, have gotten to this point of malignant polarization, Senator Coram offered his opinion based on his experience as a lawmaker and a citizen. He tells us that we now have elected officials who are being rewarded for bad behavior. We've turned a blind eye to the fact that these people are not concerned about the future of this country, or the issues we are facing, but rather on making a name for themselves.
When asked how we can fix this situation, he replied that when the voters get sick of the extremists on both sides running the show, we will become more involved in the changes that need to be made. He encourages people to get involved by having dialogues with people who think differently. Calling on his own experience in authoring bipartisan bills in the Colorado chambers of government, he believes that regardless of party, most of us see things the same way about 80% of the time.
One of Senator Coram’s passions is educating our youth on our history, all of that. He calls this education without indoctrination and reminds us that if we do not know our history (especially the not so pretty parts of it), we are bound to repeat our mistakes.
Some of the organizations that are helping to spread the word on unity over party are listed below along with their websites. Also listed below is contact information for our sponsor today, the Coffee Trader and our musician, Gabriel Tafoya.
Unify America at https://www.unifyamerica.org/
Unify Montrose at https://www.unifymontrose.org/
Restore the Balance at https://www.restorethebalance.org/
Country First at https://www.country1st.com/
To visit the website of our sponsor for this program, Coffee Trader, go to https://www.thecoffeetrader.com/
To catch up with Gabriel Tafoya, the composer, producer and performer of the song "The Pivot" on this episode, go to [email protected]
The website to connect with Laura Padgett is https://lauralpadgett.com