Conversations with Candidates: Rebecca Mueller (D), Primary Candidate Oregon CD-2

Episode 12: How Does this get Better?

In the final episode of Season 2, I ask a simple but difficult question: how do things get better? After a season spent exploring division, distrust, and frustration, I turned to my guests to ask what a path forward might actually look like — through the anger, bitterness, and judgment that so often define our politics. Their answers were thoughtful. At times, surprising. And not always easy. The question for Season 3 is whether any of us are willing to follow through.

Conversations with Candidates: Doug Chapin (D), Primary Candidate Minnesota CD-6

In this episode of Nobody's Side, I speak with Doug Chapin. Doug is a Democratic candidate for Minnesota's sixth congressional district. Doug is a lawyer, founder of electionline.org (a nonpartisan source of election policy news), and successfully lobbied for military and overseas voting reform in Congress -- he is self-described "elections geek." I speak with Doug about our divisions, challenges, and the importance of respect within our system.

Episode 11: American Pessimism

Americans have traditionally been an optimistic bunch. But over the last number of years, a new American pessimism has taken hold. Fewer Americans believe the future will be brighter than the past, fewer believe the American dream is functioning. Most believe political violence is on the rise -- and will continue. Why are we experiencing this pessimism -- and do Americans even want it to get better if that means working across the aisle?

Conversations with Candidates: Rebecca Mueller (D), Primary Candidate Oregon CD-2

In this episode of Nobody's Side, I speak with Rebecca Mueller. Rebecca is a Democratic candidate for Oregon's second congressional district. She's a pediatrician and a first time candidate for office. I speak with her about our divisions, challenges, and how she would go about building trust across the aisle.

Episode 10: Why Is America So Politically Divided?

Why does America feel so divided? In this episode of Nobody’s Side, guests from across the political spectrum share what they believe is driving the deep divisions in our country. Three themes come up again and again: extreme voices drowning out moderates, a media ecosystem fueled by outrage, and political leaders who amplify conflict rather than calm it. But the conversation goes deeper than politics. Many guests point to something more fundamental — the human instinct to defend our political tribes, even when it means sacrificing facts, ethics, or common ground.