You'll love how I met Ann-Marie, a friend whose perspective I value despite not having met in person yet.
After the 2016 election, I posted a piece on Inc., If You Voted for Trump, Let's Meet, because living in lower Manhattan means what Trump voters are around get bullied, effectively, into keep quiet about it. I disagree with many Trump policies, to say the least, especially on the environment, but he won. I wanted to know more about him and his voters.
She responded, among others, as I wrote in a follow-up Inc. piece, Leaders Listen: Crossing the Political Divide, What happened when I spoke to people on the opposite pole of everyone around me. I think we both pleasantly surprised each other on our civility, curiosity, and mutual unhappiness with our nation's level of political conversation, if you can call it that.
We've kept in touch. My podcast conversation with Jonathan Haidt and reading his book led me to want to bring more diverse views on the podcast. I thought of Ann-Marie, invited her on, and here is the result.
She describes herself as a green Republican but says there aren't many of her.
I wouldn't balance issues as she does, but frankly I don't see the behavior of people on the left so consistent with their environmental values. I don't see almost any Americans polluting less.
I don't think people like Ann-Marie are rare, but I do think people acting on the environment prefer to browbeat or insult conservatives and Trump supporters more than listen to them.
I hope it's the first of more diverse views. I don't want a bubble or echo chamber for you. I want to learn and expand my network. I hope you this episode broadens your horizons as it did mine.
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