In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss the psychological benefits of being an independent or non-affiliated voter. The duo breaks down the benefits of being an Independent voter, the rise of moral relativism in America, and how politicians benefit from being social chameleons. -Being an independent or non-affiliated voter might be better for your psychological health. -Thoughts on the American political duopoly and the major reforms we must make to save our democracy. -According to Gallup, 49% of Americans identify as independent or non-affiliated voters. -What is agency, and why is it important? -The temptation and seduction of modern tribalism. -Why do people often pick their social groups over their moral values? -How to free yourself from addictive ideologies. -The moral relativism in American society today. -How political leaders benefit from being social chameleons. -Social pressure versus moral pressure. Which one is stronger? -The Amygdala hijack and how elected officials use fear to terrify their followers about the opposing group. -Why the partisan primary system is not working for Americans, and how it promotes the delusion that everything is falling apart. -The benefits of being an independent/non-affiliated voter. You can listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts! Spotify: https://optamlink.com/spotify Apple Podcasts: https://optamlink.com/apple Google Podcasts: https://optamlink.com/google We post new content every week so make sure to subscribe to stay in the loop. Learn more about The Optimistic American by checking out our website! https://www.optamerican.com Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:43 - Last season’s recap 02:43 - Independents 05:03 - Extremisms, Genocides, Terrorism, & Ideologies 07:07 - Tribalism 11:20 - Cognitive Dissonance 15:31 - Moral Relativism 22:23 - Social Power 24:37 - The Amygdala Hijack 28:59 - Why it's healthier to be an Independent 35:03 - Final Remarks & Conclusion Mentioned in this video: -optamerican.com -Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson - amazon.com/Addictive-Ideologies-Finding-Meaning-Politics/dp/1956955488 -The Optimistic American on YouTube - youtube.com/@optamerican -Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium -Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets -Dr. Emily Bashah - bashahpsychological.com

In this episode, Paul Johnson is joined by Dr. Emily Bashah to talk about extremist ideologies, violent groups, and what parents can do to protect their children from them. The couple touches upon what happens at a neurological level in children’s brains, what predators do to find “reclutes,” the Theory of Mind, and the T.R.I.P.L.E.D. parenting acronym. -Paul and Dr. Bashah discuss when ideology can become a problem that leads to the recruiting of vulnerable people by extremist groups. -Dr. Bashah explains that extreme ideologies tend to be driven by a victim-oppressor group-think mentality. -In the context of addictive ideologies, there seems to be a psychological need to be right – Dr. Bashah and Paul touch upon what happens at a neurological level. -In her work with predators, Dr. Bashah has learned a lot about the search and recruitment of youngsters. She shares some things parents should be mindful of and do to protect their children. -Paul and Dr. Bashah created the T.R.I.P.L.E.D. acronym to help parents triple the chance of their child growing into a successful adult and avoiding detrimental influences. We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This interview reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead. You can listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mfMCiR0Jtqs8lr4JeuYwA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-optimistic-american/id1615223090 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL29wdGFtZXJpY2FuL2ZlZWQueG1s We post new content every week so make sure to subscribe, turn on notifications, and like our videos! Learn more about The Optimistic American by checking out our website! https://www.optamerican.com Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:52 - Addictive Ideologies 05:31 - The Psychological Need To Be Right 06:36 - Incel 08:24 - Oxytocin & Dopamine 09:06 - When Are Kids Most At Risk? 11:42 - Understanding The Development Cycle of Your Children 13:39 - The Most Aggressive Period In A Human Being's Life 15:49 - When To Intervene 16:39 - Theory of Mind 17:21 - Bullying 18:43 - Parenting Matters 19:25 - Setting The Right Model 21:16 - T.R.I.P.L.E.D. 41:30 - Final Remarks & Conclusion Mentioned in this video: -optamerican.com -Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson - amazon.com/Addictive-Ideologies-Finding-Meaning-Politics/dp/1956955488 -The Optimistic American on YouTube - youtube.com/@optamerican -Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium -Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets -Dr. Emily Bashah - bashahpsychological.com

In this episode, Paul Johnson unpacks the concept of addictive ideologies and the role they play in regards to the ongoing divisions in American society. He lists the different traits of addictive ideologies, a trait shared by the far right and radical left, and what all 21st century genocides – from Germany and China to Rwanda and Yugoslavia – have in common. -The list of genocides that took place in the 21st century – from Nazi Germany to China and Cambodia, all the way to Rwanda, and Yugoslavia – is long and has plenty of similarities. -According to Paul and Dr. Emily Bashah’s research work and analysis, all genocides are tied to an ideology and to tribalism. -The ideologies that end up becoming violent all start with the idea of an oppressor vs. an oppressed. -Paul illustrates the addictive qualities of ideology, as well as what happens neurologically during an argument and the desire to be right. -Paul illustrates the common traits shared by the far right and the radical left. We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This interview reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead. You can listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mfMCiR0Jtqs8lr4JeuYwA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-optimistic-american/id1615223090 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL29wdGFtZXJpY2FuL2ZlZWQueG1s We post new content every week so make sure to subscribe, turn on notifications, and like our videos! Learn more about The Optimistic American by checking out our website! https://www.optamerican.com Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:00 - The American Struggle 01:51 - Genocides, Terrorism, & Extremist Movements 25:07 - The Cure 27:26 - The Immune Pt.1 28:18 - The At Risk 29:15 - The Immune Pt.2 29:37 - Disproportionate Representation 32:48 - Results 33:27 - Reforms 34:59 - The Most Powerful Thing Government Did 37:31 - Exposing The Truth 39:35 - What We Need To Do 39:46 - Good & Evil 42:51 - Strength Over Adversity 44:13 - Finding Meaning 45:14 - MLK & Love 46:31 - American Heros 48:45 - We NOT Me 49:39 - Final Remarks & Conclusion Mentioned in this video: -optamerican.com -Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson - amazon.com/Addictive-Ideologies-Finding-Meaning-Politics/dp/1956955488 -The Optimistic American on YouTube - youtube.com/@optamerican -Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium -SaveDemocracyAZ.com -Dr. Emily Bashah - bashahpsychological.com -Pol Pot - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pol_Pot -Josip Tito - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Josip_Broz_Tito -Proud Boys - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Proud_Boys -Oath Keepers - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Oath_Keepers -The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and -Religion by Jonathan Haith - amzn.to/45ITt2k -American Psycho - imdb.com/title/tt0144084 -Gallup.com -Thomas Jefferson - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson -Martin Luther - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther -Paul Kennedy - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Kennedy -The Gulag Archipelago: An Experiment in Literary Investigation by -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Gulag_Archipelago -Ann Coulter - anncoulter.com/ -BillMaher.com -Viktor Frankl - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Viktor_Frankl -Martin Luther King Jr. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr.

In this episode, Paul Johnson’s guest is Forward Party Co-Chair Christine Todd Whitman. They discuss the current U.S. political landscape, what’s not working, and how ranked-choice voting could change the current status quo. Additionally, they go over Whitman’s journey from Republican New Jersey Governor and cabinet-level official to becoming involved with the Forward Party, the challenge of being unaffiliated with either major party, and how the Forward Party is trying to bring about change in American politics. -There are a few things those interested in joining the Forward Party, people need to agree to. Upholding the rule of the law, respecting the Constitution, and being willing to solve problems working with others across the aisle. -Gov. Whitman shares that there are 500,000 elective offices across the country, in any given year, and 70% of those are uncontested. Of those, 5-10% are never filled. -Paul Johnson and Gov. Whitman talk about how the voting system has gotten to where it is today, as well as the consequences of not being affiliated with either the Republican or Democratic party. -Gov. Whitman shares what could be done to have a dialogue between different sides, and what to focus on to get people to buy into bringing about change. -Gov. Whitman hopes that ranked-choice voting and primaries aren’t just going to change the voting system but parties too. We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This interview reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead. You can listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mfMCiR0Jtqs8lr4JeuYwA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-optimistic-american/id1615223090 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL29wdGFtZXJpY2FuL2ZlZWQueG1s We post new content every week so make sure to subscribe, turn on notifications, and like our videos! Learn more about The Optimistic American by checking out our website! https://www.optamerican.com Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 01:29 - Why Risk It? 10:50 - The Republican Party 13:15 - A Unifying Theme 21:26 - A Primary Reform 25:02 - The Forward Party 32:38 - Presidential Elections 33:59 - Change or Destroy 37:52 - How To Start An Effort 42:02 - Running For Public Office 46:30 - Final Remarks & Conclusion Mentioned in this video: -optamerican.com -Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson - https://www.amazon.com/Addictive-Ideologies-Finding-Meaning-Politics/dp/1956955488 -The Optimistic American on YouTube - youtube.com/@optamerican -Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium -Gov. Christine Todd Whitman - home.forwardparty.com/bod_meet_Christine_Todd_Whitman ForwardParty.com -Michael Willner - home.forwardparty.com/bod_meet_michael_willner -Andrew Yang - home.forwardparty.com/bod_meet_andrew_yang -Benjamin Franklin - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benjamin_Franklin -Mary Peltola - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Peltola -Sarah Palin - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin -Lisa Murkowski - murkowski.senate.gov -Donald Trump - donaldjtrump.com -Martin Luther King Jr. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr. -FoxNews.com -MSNBC.com -CNN - edition.cnn.com -Joe Biden - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Joe_Biden -James Carville - twitter.com/jamescarville -Paul Begala - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_Begala -Joe Manchin - manchin.senate.gov -Thomas Jefferson - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson -Alexander Hamilton - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Hamilton

In this episode, Paul Johnson sits down with presidential candidate and Forward Party Founder #AndrewYang. They discuss the status quo of the American political system and why the partisan system is dividing Americans and not providing them with a functional government. Additionally, the two talk about how the Forward Party was born and what it’s all about, the biggest threats to American democracy, and some mind-blowing statistics about the current political landscape. -In Andrew Yang’s opinion, the current two-party system is not designed for good policy, rather for putting people against each other. -Yang and Paul touch upon what’s not working with the current political system and how people are getting dragged to the extremes. -Paul and Yang touch upon the financial ramifications of the current political system and what the Forward Party aims at achieving from that standpoint. -A little dirty secret of American democracy: up to 70% of all political races are uncontested or uncompetitive because of gerrymandering. The result of this is that our government is being run by people who are elected by less than 10% of the vote, empowering extremists on both sides. -The goal of the Forward Party is to empower independents and unaffiliated voters that are discriminated against by the existing system, yet they help pay for the party’s primaries through their tax dollars. -Paul and Andrew Yang share what they consider the biggest threats to democracy right now. We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This interview reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead. You can listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mfMCiR0Jtqs8lr4JeuYwA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-optimistic-american/id1615223090 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL29wdGFtZXJpY2FuL2ZlZWQueG1s We post new content every week so make sure to subscribe, turn on notifications, and like our videos! Learn more about The Optimistic American by checking out our website! https://www.optamerican.com Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:01 - Why Is He Doing This? 04:05 - The Goal of The Forward Party 06:44 - Changing Parties 09:45 - A Blame Game 11:00 - Why Is The Existing System a Problem? 16:08 - A New System 27:08 - What are you seeing around the country? 32:58 - The Biggest Threats To Democracy 37:26 - Drawing in people from both sides 38:57 - How to get involved 42:06 - Final Remarks & Conclusion Mentioned in this video: -optamerican.com -Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson - https://www.amazon.com/Addictive-Ideologies-Finding-Meaning-Politics/dp/1956955488 -The Optimistic American on YouTube - youtube.com/@optamerican -Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium -Andrew Yang - home.forwardparty.com/bod_meet_andrew_yang -ForwardParty.com -VoterChoiceArizona.org -Liz Cheney - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liz_Cheney -Adam Kinzinger - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adam_Kinzinger -Lisa Murkowski - murkowski.senate.gov -Previous episode - How Political Reform Created Cooperation and Collaboration in Alaska, with Alaska Senator Cathy Giessel - https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/how-political-reform-created-cooperation-and/id1652543904?i=1000618592877 -Glenn Youngkin - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Glenn_Youngkin -Mary Paltola - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Peltola -Sarah Palin - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sarah_Palin -Christine Todd Whitman - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christine_Todd_Whitman -Krist Novoselic - home.forwardparty.com/bod_meet_krist_novoselic -Donald Trump - donaldjtrump.com

In this episode, Paul Johnson sits down with Pastor Anthony Cox of the Mercy Hill Church. They talk about the Mercy Hill Church, its role within the Phoenix community, and whether America is worth saving. Moreover, they touch upon the connection with individualism, the three things we find meaning in, and what can be done to address divisions and change the status quo of American society. -Pastor Cox discusses the idea that some religious leaders question whether America, as it is today, is worth saving. This creates a robust discussion of America. -Paul praises the diversity of Pastor Cox’s church, and the two unpack the concept of a diverse community further. -Pastor Cox shares his take on the connection between individualism, which is what America is founded on, and religion. -Paul discusses how the Reformation was inspired by Martin Luther’s ideas that every person deserves dignity in the eyes of God. Later, philosophers argued that if God granted every individual dignity, the government should do no less. Thus the connection between the Reformation and the bier of individualism. This helps create an understanding of why western society sees individualism as a governing ideal. -Paul and Pastor Cox touch upon Viktor Frankl’s three things we find meaning in, Martin Luther King’s three words to describe love and Plato’s idea of logos. -Pastor Cox and Paul talk about the current state of the American society and political system, and what could be done to try to improve the status quo. We are The Optimistic American, and we are in the business of promoting what is going right in our country. Every day, there is tremendous progress being made in America — across technology, public policy, science and medicine, and much more — that will set current and future generations up for success. Our goal is to highlight these advancements and tilt the scale of news and information from pessimism towards optimism. This interview reflects the best themes of The Optimistic American, that our best days lie ahead. You can listen to this episode on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, or Google Podcasts! Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/0mfMCiR0Jtqs8lr4JeuYwA Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/the-optimistic-american/id1615223090 Google Podcasts: https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkLnBvZGJlYW4uY29tL29wdGFtZXJpY2FuL2ZlZWQueG1s We post new content every week so make sure to subscribe, turn on notifications, and like our videos! Learn more about The Optimistic American by checking out our website! https://www.optamerican.com Chapters: 00:00 - Introduction 02:28 - Is America Worth Saving? 04:37 - Celebrating Diversity 06:16 - Looking Back Into History 26:43 - The Division of the U.S. 30:35 - Healing The Divisions 40:10 - Not a Perfect System But a Very Good System 50:04 - The Power of Forgiveness 58:38 - Final Remarks & Conclusion Mentioned in this video: -optamerican.com -Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson - https://www.amazon.com/Addictive-Ideologies-Finding-Meaning-Politics/dp/1956955488 -The Optimistic American on YouTube - youtube.com/@optamerican -Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium -Pastor Anthony Cox - mercyhillphoenix.com/about/ -Thomas Jefferson - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thomas_Jefferson -John Locke - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Locke -The Disappearance of God: A Divine Mystery by Richard Elliott Friedman - amazon.com/Disappearance-God-Divine-Mystery/dp/0316294349/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=The+Disappearance+of+God+by+Richard+Freeman&qid=1690826249&sr=8-1 -Martin Luther - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther -Jean-Jacques Rousseau - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jean-Jacques_Rousseau -Man’s Search for Meaning by Viktor Frankl - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man%27s_Search_for_Meaning -Martin Luther King Jr. - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Martin_Luther_King_Jr. Plato - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plato -Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn - en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aleksandr_Solzhenitsyn