In this edition, host Corey Nathan dives into two behaviors that shut down meaningful dialogue before it even starts: ad hominem attacks and treating individuals as proxies for groups. Drawing from real-life interactions and candid personal stories, Corey illustrates why civil discourse matters now more than ever.
What Is Discussed:
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Why personal attacks destroy productive dialogue
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How assuming people represent an entire group harms mutual understanding
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Strategies for better conversations: passive, defensive, and proactive
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Why labels and assumptions often miss the mark
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The power of treating others as individuals with unique stories
Episode Highlights:
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1:00 – Defining the two dialogue killers: ad hominem and proxy labeling
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2:00 – A local mayor faces national-level hostility in small-town politics
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4:00 – A neighborly disagreement about family farms shows how it can be done right
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5:00 – Corey’s impassioned reaction to toxic comments and attacks
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10:00 – When people are reduced to stand-ins for political ideologies
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14:00 – Facebook comments spiral as users resort to vilifying each other
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19:00 – Setting realistic expectations when engaging across divides
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27:00 – “I will not defend positions I don’t hold”—drawing healthy boundaries
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30:00 – Lessons from the fight for marriage equality: changing hearts through human connection
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33:00 – Passive, defensive, and proactive strategies to communicate better
Featured Quotes:
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“People are people—not proxies...”
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“I will not defend positions that I don’t hold.”
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“You’re not talking to ‘them,’ you’re talking to me.”
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“Go talk some politics and religion with gentleness and respect.”
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 ✅ Check out our substack: coreysnathan.substack.com ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion
🔗 Connect on Social Media:It's @coreysnathan on...
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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡
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