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There’s so much we urgently need to talk about, mask mandates, transgender issues, race relations, growing incivility, threats to our democracy, but so little we can safely discuss in mixed company. Increasingly, what starts out as a cordial and benign conversation can get weird quickly. In this second episode, we talk about why the way we often manage difficult conversations is no longer sustainable and how to identify the right people with whom we can talk through the difficult cultural, social, and political discussions that are becoming more unavoidable.

Tony Pingitore is a father, husband, teacher, counselor, and highly respected community organizer in Ohio. His state is home to a large population of “red people” who are struggling with the changes sweeping the country. Tony spends his days navigating the hard lines that divide us and has personally witnessed the damage the relentless conflict is having on friends family, and organizations.

Errol St.Clair Smith is a 30-year veteran of traditional media, an Emmy-winning correspondent, and the executive producer at BAM Radio Network. Errol spends his days listening to educators navigate increasingly sensitive topics in an attempt to maintain their authenticity and integrity, without doing damage to their professional relationships or careers. Errol lives in California with his wife, daughter, and a large population of “blue people.”