Derate The Hate

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Episode 286 – Michael Sodini | Walk The Talk America

In this episode, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Michael Sodini, founder of Walk The Talk America (WTTA) — an organization dedicated to bridging the gap between mental health and responsible gun ownership.

They discuss the stigma that keeps people from seeking help, the impact of suicide prevention programs like Cause of Pause, and how the firearms...

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Faith 250 – A Clergy-Led Celebration of our Shared Civic Story

What if the 250th anniversary of America’s founding became more than fireworks — what if it became a spiritual renewal of our shared civic story?

In this episode, Wilk sits down with Rabbi Michael Holzman and Pastor Becca Messman to explore Faith 250, a multi-faith initiative uniting clergy and congregations across the nation. Through s...

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"In Defense of Christian Patriotism " – DTH Episode 284 with Daniel Darling

What does it mean to love both God and country without falling into the trap of Christian nationalism? In this episode, Wilk is joined by author Daniel Darling to talk about his new book In Defense of Christian Patriotism. Together they explore:

• The vital difference between Christian patriotism and Christian n...

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Affirming Identity, Building Community, and Cultivating Leadership

In this episode of Derate The Hate, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Dr. Beverly Daniel Tatum—renowned psychologist, author, and president emerita of Spelman College—to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing higher education in today’s polarized climate.

Dr. Tatum shares insights from her groundbreaking work on race and identi...

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Speaking Out With Courage When It Matters Most

In this episode of Derate The Hate, Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Jennifer Sey — author, filmmaker, business executive, athlete, and outspoken advocate for children and women.

Jen’s story spans from the highs of being a national champion gymnast to the lows of enduring — and later exposing — an abusive system in her sport. She courageously told the wor...

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Leadership Beyond the Checklist: How “Being” Leaders Create Value and Navigate Complexity

What does it really mean to become better—not just at what we do, but in who we are?

In this episode, I’m joined by Dr. Ryan Gottfredson, a best-selling author and leadership professor whose work has transformed the way we think about growth. Ryan explains why most leadership training focuses too much on “doin...

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Coaching Beyond the Game: Football as a Platform for Healing, Accountability & Social Progress 

This week, we kicked off the 2025 NFL season — and what better time to explore how youth football can be so much more than just a game? Host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with Coaches Jim Place and Al Powell, the co-founders of the Miami Valley Football Coaches Association’s Social Justice seven-on-seven...

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Common Ground from the Ground Up: Humility, Healing & Rethinking Our Politics 

In this episode of Derate The Hate, Wilk sits down with Nathan Smolensky—author of Common Ground from the Ground Up. Nathan brings a unique perspective shaped by his upbringing in a family of Soviet immigrants and his experience working with Republicans, Democrats, and independents alike.

Together, they explore how h...

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From Rooftop to Roadwork: Faith, Dignity and the Walk Across America  

Pastor Corey Brooks — known to many as the Rooftop Pastor — is back on Derate The Hate with a story that’s nothing short of incredible. What began years ago with a bold stand on a rooftop has grown into Project Hood’s 90,000-square-foot community center, now halfway complete on Chicago’s South Side.

This isn’t just a building. I...

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On the Road with US United: How Sheriffs Spark Community Connection

In this episode of Derate The Hate, I’m joined by Adam Mizel, Co-Founder and CEO of Us United, for a conversation that gets right to the heart of how communities heal. Adam and his team are literally on the road, traveling across America to meet with sheriffs, local leaders, and everyday citizens. Their mission? To spark conversat...

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Bridging Racial Divides Through Sacred, Selfish & Shared Action – DTH Episode 276 with Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. spoke of the Beloved Community — a vision of reconciliation, redemption, and shared humanity. This week, Wilk is joined by Rev. Dr. Terrlyn L. Curry Avery (“Dr. TLC”), a groundbreaking “pastologist” who unites the worlds of psychology and ministry to...

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Courageous Connections: Embracing Pluralism Amidst American Populism

In this Derate The Hate bonus episode, host Wilk Wilkinson sits down with fellow Braver Angels Ibrahim Anli and Will Harwood for a powerful discussion on cultural and religious pluralism in the face of American populism. 

They explore what it means to be American in today’s polarized climate and the importance of courageous connec...

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DTH Episode 275 with Neil Ghosh — Purpose, Empathy, and Engaged Citizenship

This week, Wilk is joined by Neil Ghosh - author, executive, and social impact strategist, for a powerful conversation on purpose, empathy, and building a meaningful legacy. From the immigrant experience to small acts of micro-altruism, 

Neil shares personal stories and actionable insights that remind us why active particip...

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Episode 274: Reigniting Purpose Through Gratitude & Legacy with Dean Taylor

In this episode, Wilk is joined by Dean Taylor for a powerful discussion on how gratitude, personal accountability, and intentional mindset shifts can transform your life. Dean opens up about rediscovering his purpose after years of feeling stuck, inspired by the dream his father never got to fulfill.

 They ex...

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Can community service heal what politics has broken?

This week, Wilk sits down with Chip Webster, founder of Unity in Service, for a powerful conversation about bridging divides through action, not outrage. From the rise of cancel culture to the erosion of trust in democracy, Chip offers a bold vision for rebuilding unity—one citizen at a time.

💬 Key themes:

• The lost art of responsible citizens...

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 Restoring Our Belief in Each Other: A New Civic Path for Healing America – Episode 272 with Rich Harwood 

In Episode 272 of Derate The Hate, Wilk welcomes Rich Harwood, founder of The Harwood Institute, to discuss how civic engagement, shared aspirations, and community agency can overcome toxic division in America. Drawing on decades of experience revitalizing communities, Rich explains how we ca...

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Bridging Divides Through Living Room Conversations

In this episode of Derate The Hate, host Wilk Wilkinson welcomes Stewart Fletcher, Director of Communications for Living Room Conversations. They explore the power of civil dialogue in healing political and social divides, the importance of empathy and curiosity, and how structured conversations can help build trust across differences.

Stewart shar...

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Episode 270: From Polarization to Proactive Citizenship – with Dr. Bill Doherty

In the first official Derate The Hate episode produced in collaboration with Braver Angels, host Wilk Wilkinson is joined by Braver Angels co-founder Dr. Bill Doherty to explore how we can move beyond polarization through meaningful citizenship and personal accountability.

Dr. Doherty shares insights on the founding of ...

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Political Detox & Shadow Work: Reclaiming Emotional Sovereignty in a Polarized World

In Episode 269 of the Derate The Hate podcast, host Wilk sits down with Chuck Gafvert — a former corporate executive turned political detox coach and Jungian psychology practitioner. They explore the deep psychological roots of political stress, the harmful effects of toxic polarization, and how we can regain ...