The Braver Angels Story: Finding Ways to Unite a Polarized Nation
November 7, 2022
Hosted by Ron Roel
[Download MP3] [itunes] [Bookmark Episode]
Guest Information
Episode Description
On the cusp of what many observers are calling one of the most important mid-term elections in decades, we’re bombarded every day with political advertising for both Democrats and Republicans, each side lambasting the other as a danger to our safety, our economic future and freedoms—our very way of life. Americans are more polarized than ever, and we don’t seem to change much as we get older. But in today’s episode, Ciaran O’Connor, a leading member of Braver Angels, tells the story of how this organization came together after the 2016 election with a bold mission: to bridge the partisan divide, bring Americans together and strengthen our democratic republic. The determined group of founders wanted to see if we, the people, could still disagree respectfully—and just maybe, find common ground. They reject the normalization of extreme polarization, saying no to the breakdown of political and social life that it causes. Today, Ciaran will talk about how Braver Angels has worked to rebuild civic trust and heal the wounds between left and right. He’ll describe the organization’s local alliances, its workshops, one-on-one conversations, town halls podcasts and other events across the country. And he’ll talk about how each of us can join the efforts of a network of volunteers to help bring Americans together, bridge our differences and continue to build a more perfect union.
45 Forward
Monday at 12 Noon Pacific Time on VoiceAmerica Variety Channel
Thanks to advances in medicine and health, most of us are just at half-life when we reach our mid-40s, with many potentially productive years ahead. But there’s no road map to prepare us for this period. That’s where 45 Forward comes in.
My show provides you with strategies to shift the traditional waiting-for-retirement model to a journey of compelling life chapters. Each show tackles an aspect of health, finance, family and friends, housing, work and personal pursuits as part of an integrated plan. Experts discuss topics like revitalizing relationships, creating mini-retirements, managing the maze of technology, finding your next homestead and caring for aging parents.
The show instills confidence, and hopefully some comfort, amid the stresses permeating today’s society. Fear of the future is not knowing how to prepare for it. 45 Forward does not proffer prefabricated answers, but helps you shape your life amid the daily anxieties of our time.
Ron Roel
I’m a veteran journalist who spent a wide-ranging career covering business, politics and social issues, the last two decades focusing on the blend of diverse life skills I call successful aging.
I have written extensively on aging topics, spoken at conferences, radio and TV shows, and launched several entrepreneurial ventures, discovering along the way that the path to aging well also requires an unexpected entrepreneurial vision. I spent 20 years as a writer and editor at Long Island’s daily newspaper, Newsday, helping to found Act 2, a weekly section for 50-plus readers. I created Roelresources.com, a website offering practical advice and inspirational essays for people ages 40 and above. I have been a volunteer and consultant to AARP Long Island, writing articles, advocating for seniors, and developing action plans for the AARP Age-Friendly Communities initiative.
I am active in programs and organizations that support seniors, such as the National Aging In Place Council and the Senior Umbrella Network. I have developed a special expertise in family caregiving, as one of four brothers who took care of their mother for almost 25 years. I regularly collaborate with many professionals who provide services and support for older Americans, and I am completing a book for caregivers on Long Island, “The Caregiving Navigator/How to Plan, What to do, and Where to Turn When Caring for you Aging Loved Ones. And Yourself,” scheduled for publication in early 2021.
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