Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other - I Was Right About the Law, But My Delivery Was WRONG: How to Discuss Threats to Our Rights Without Being a Jerk

I Was Right About the Law, But My Delivery Was WRONG: How to Discuss Threats to Our Rights Without Being a Jerk

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04/22/25 • 26 min

Talkin‘ Politics & Religion Without Killin‘ Each Other

In this episode, host Corey Nathan shares a candid reflection about a recent encounter where he was right on the facts and the law—but completely wrong in how he presented them. Yet if we're honest with ourselves about when we make mistakes, it's a good opportunity to learn, reminding us that how we communicate is just as important as what we communicate.

What You’ll Learn:

Why being right on the law isn’t enough in a conversation
How righteous anger can derail productive dialogue
Why due process matters for everyone—especially those who aren't guilty of crimes
Tools for engaging in hard conversations with empathy and curiosity
How the Constitution and Judeo-Christian values intersect in public discourse

Episode Highlights:

[00:02:00] Corey introduces the story and the key lesson he learned
[00:05:00] Breakdown of the Alien Enemies Act and a real legal case
[00:06:45] A stranger challenges Corey at a restaurant
[00:07:30] Corey "goes Jersey" and loses his cool
[00:13:00] What due process really protects and why it matters
[00:16:00] How Isaac Saul, David Brooks, and Mónica Guzmán inspired a better way to respond
[00:18:00] Reading the First and Fifth Amendments to ground the conversation

Featured Quotes:

"I was completely right on the facts, but I was completely wrong on the delivery." — Corey Nathan
"Due process is there for the innocent just as much as the guilty—even more so for the innocent." — Corey Nathan
"Ask at least three questions before making your point." — inspired by Isaac Saul

📣 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:

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What You’ll Learn:

Why being right on the law isn’t enough in a conversation
How righteous anger can derail productive dialogue
Why due process matters for everyone—especially those who aren't guilty of crimes
Tools for engaging in hard conversations with empathy and curiosity
How the Constitution and Judeo-Christian values intersect in public discourse

Episode Highlights:

[00:02:00] Corey introduces the story and the key lesson he learned
[00:05:00] Breakdown of the Alien Enemies Act and a real legal case
[00:06:45] A stranger challenges Corey at a restaurant
[00:07:30] Corey "goes Jersey" and loses his cool
[00:13:00] What due process really protects and why it matters
[00:16:00] How Isaac Saul, David Brooks, and Mónica Guzmán inspired a better way to respond
[00:18:00] Reading the First and Fifth Amendments to ground the conversation

Featured Quotes:

"I was completely right on the facts, but I was completely wrong on the delivery." — Corey Nathan
"Due process is there for the innocent just as much as the guilty—even more so for the innocent." — Corey Nathan
"Ask at least three questions before making your point." — inspired by Isaac Saul

📣 Call to Action:

🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media

@coreysnathan:

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. 🎙️💡

Previous Episode

Untangling the Partisan Knot: A Balanced Look at Political News with Isaac Saul of Tangle

In this episode, we sit down with Isaac Saul, founder of Tangle, a widely respected, nonpartisan political newsletter. Isaac and his team bring a fresh approach to political journalism by curating multiple perspectives—right, left, and independent—on major stories of the day. Corey, a fan and avid reader of Tangle, dives deep into Isaac’s upbringing in Bucks County, PA, how that shaped his civic “multilingualism,” and the genesis of Tangle during a particularly difficult phase of his career. Together, they explore the challenges of journalistic ethics, political polarization, media bias, and the future of trustworthy news.

What We Discuss:

Why Bucks County, PA, is so friggin' awesome! And why it plays a crucial role in shaping moderate political thinkers.
How Isaac Saul built Tangle from the ground up as a response to media frustration.
The journalistic principles and ethical guardrails that guide Isaac’s work.
How to discern quality journalism in an era dominated by clickbait and misinformation.
The dangers of polarization and what gives Isaac hope about our democratic future.

Episode Highlights:

[00:01:00] Isaac Saul shares the mission behind Tangle and what inspired him to create it.
[00:05:00] Corey and Isaac explore how growing up in politically diverse Bucks County cultivated empathy and civic fluency.
[00:10:00] Isaac discusses his unique way of reaching conspiracy-minded friends—by “using their language” and exposing financial incentives in media.
[00:15:00] Isaac describes his journalistic background and the importance of reporting with integrity and skepticism.
[00:24:00] Isaac recounts his “f*** this” moment that led to launching Tangle after being rejected from multiple major outlets.
[00:34:00] Corey explains his methodical approach to reading Tangle and how it helps refine his own viewpoints.
[00:40:00] Behind the scenes: How Isaac and his team choose stories and fairly represent both sides of complex political issues.
[00:54:00] Isaac shares his hopes and fears about political division, executive overreach, and the role of media in democracy.

Featured Quotes:

"The people who are really politically engaged on the right and the left right now are living in just different realities." – Isaac Saul
"I know what I think. It’s the least interesting thing on the planet. I live with this brain all day. I want to hear what others think." – Isaac Saul
"You should treat every click like you're handing a news outlet a dollar." – Isaac Saul
"Centrism is an ideology in and of itself. I’m not trying to land in the middle—I’m just being honest about my real reactions." – Isaac Saul

Resources Mentioned:

Tangle Newsletter – www.readtangle.com
Isaac Saul’s TED Talk: “What Media Doesn’t Tell You” – youtu.be/543mYKKh1EE?si=CjdQv94HzT04vknh
How Media Bias Works (Tangle article) – www.readtangle.com/why-the-media-is-broken/
Isaac on Twitter: x.com/Ike_Saul

📣 Call to Action:

🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media

@coreysnathan:

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 gentlene...

Next Episode

The Unflinching Eye: McKay Coppins on Journalism, the Threats to Our Freedoms and the Power of Inquiry

🎙️Award-winning journalist and Atlantic staff writer McKay Coppins joins us to explore the delicate intersections of politics, faith, and journalism. From shadowing Donald Trump to chronicling the political journey of Mitt Romney, McKay shares what it takes to pursue truth in turbulent times.

What We Discuss:

What it’s like getting rare access to Trump, Romney, and the Murdochs
How to navigate political rationalizations without losing your soul
McKay’s writing rituals and creative process
The powerful role of curiosity in building bridges across divides
Why faith and civic life matter more than ever

Episode Highlights:

00:02:00 – McKay’s infamous 2014 Trump profile and its surprising legacy
00:10:00 – How luck and sincere curiosity lead to exclusive access
00:16:00 – Late nights, caps lock, and McKay’s writing habits
00:29:00 – The chilling effect of political intimidation on journalism
00:41:00 – Why many GOP leaders stay silent—and what Romney heard behind the scenes
00:50:00 – Do you lose your soul in politics? A deep dive
00:57:00 – The spiritual vacuum in modern America and how faith might fill it
01:02:00 – Why curiosity is the cure for today’s civic divide

Featured Quotes:

"He seemed like he desperately wanted affirmation all the time... and it was like empty calories."
"To be somebody who has faith is to constantly have it tested and to have it evolve."
"We need leaders thinking more about their obituaries than the next news cycle."
"Curiosity is an underrated virtue in politics."

Resources Mentioned:

📘 Romney: A Reckoning – Simon and Schuster
📘 The Wilderness – Hachette Book Group
📰 McKay’s articles at The Atlantic – Visit

📣 Call to Action:

🔗 Connect With Us on Social Media

@coreysnathan:

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