The Conversation

The Conversation

Author: Crossing Party Lines Language: English Episodes: 17
The weekly discussions facilitated by the non-profit Crossing Party Lines form the raw, authentic material for The Conversation. This podcast captures those unscripted dialogues where individuals from across the spectrum gather not to debate, but to genuinely share and listen. You’ll hear people articulate their thoughts and feelings on politics, society, and the nuanced issues that define our daily lives, often moving beyond headlines into personal experience. The core intention is to understand the ‘why’ behind beliefs, fostering a sense of shared curiosity rather than confrontation. Each episode of this podcast serves as an extension of that living room table, allowing listeners to be a fly on the wall during exchanges that model how we might bridge divides. It’s less about finding immediate answers and more about the process of asking better questions together. By tuning in, you gain access to the patient, sometimes challenging, but always human work of building understanding one conversation at a time. The rhythm of the dialogue itself-with its pauses, reflections, and moments of connection-becomes the real subject. This is a direct audio feed into the efforts of a community dedicated to relearning the art of discussion, making the private act of listening to others a public and shared experience through this podcast.
Episodes
NATO: Does It Still Matter? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:42
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed in 1949 to “guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.” Seventy-three years later, many are wondering whether it’s tim…
What's Your Political Color? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 31:12
We've funneled ourselves into "Red" or "Blue". When in reality there’s an enormous range of colors on the political spectrum. You can even find different “shades” within a single party. The Pew Research Center recently r…
The US Withdrawal From Afghanistan: Reflecting on the War [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 29:28
America has been fighting in Afghanistan for 20 years. That makes it the longest war in American history. But now, the few thousand troops remaining are leaving. Is it time to leave? What has the war cost everyone? What,…
A $15 Minimum Wage: Too Much, Too Little or Just Right? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 58:56
The debate around raising the federal minimum wage has flared up again. What are the arguments for and against increasing it? Should we have a minimum wage at all? Or should we trade it in for a living wage?
The 2020 US Presidential Election is Over. Now what? [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 48:30
As the dust settles on the 2020 US Presidential Election, we ask three Americans how they feel about how it went, what they wish the other party knew about them, what they expect from a Biden Administration and where the…
Trying to Make Sense of the Capital Riots [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 52:40
On Wednesday, January 6th, a crowd stormed the Capitol building. Some walked around. Some took photos. Some vandalized property. Some engaged in violence. Why? And how do Americans feel about what happened?
Talking to Erik, an Independent – “Thinking Independently” [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 44:54
In this new 'Talking to...' series we’ll get to learn about individual Americans, how they came to think the way they do, what they think are the most important problems facing the country and why. In this episode we’re…
The Last Ballot to Define America [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 59:38
Americans are coming out in historic numbers during a dangerous pandemic in what is shaping out to be the highest Presidential voter turnout in US history. What are the values that American's believe they are fighting fo…
Deciding Who Gets Shot: Kenosha, WI [not-audio_url] [/not-audio_url]

Duration: 42:52
In less than a week a man was shot in the back seven times and two others were killed during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Why did a police response to a local residence turn violent? Why did local protests that follo…