In this episode of The Optimistic American, we delve into how the media shapes our thoughts, the optimism of American youth, and the way forward for healing our fragmented nation. Our host, Paul Johnson, converses with acclaimed motivational speaker Dan Clark, who embodies profound wisdom from his global speaking experiences and written works. Here's the major themes addressed: - Media Influence and Mind Control: We delve into the profound effects of media on our perspectives, differentiating facts from the sensationalism that often abounds. - Power of Truth in Media: We discuss the role of media in shaping our understanding and worldview, emphasizing the significance of truthful and reliable information. - Youth Optimism and Cultivating Aspiring Leaders: We talk about the potential of the younger generation, their optimism, and the importance of nurturing these aspiring leaders, drawn from Dan's work with youth programs. - Dialogues and Understanding for Healing our Nation: We explore Dan's perspective on finding common ground through fruitful dialogues, a step towards healing the divides in our nation. - Motivational Speaker and Global Speaking Engagement: We learn about Dan's experiences as a globally recognized speaker, the wisdom he's gained, and his upcoming engagements. - Inspiring Stories and Perspectives on America's Future: We wrap up the session with inspiring narratives from Dan's life and insightful perspectives on America's future. Remember, your role in shaping a brighter America is pivotal. Here, we hold steadfast belief in the American Dream, and together, we can reignite the spirit of America. 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 02:02 - A 30 Year Project 04:53 - Obedience vs Motivation 10:24 - Optimism 11:14 - Truths 23:00 - Pay the Price 28:50 - Systemic Racism 30:25 - The Least Liberal Thing 33:27 - Capitalism vs Systemic Racism 40:12 - Misinformation Machines 52:09 - Perspectives 55:39 - Healing America 57:12 - Shut it & Listen 58:53 - Coming to an Agreement 1:01:18 - Opportunity & Accessibility 1:08:48 - A Better Version of Yourself 1:09:51 - Not That Far Apart 1:14:37 - Benefits From Differences 1:15:27 - Paralyzed For 14 Months 1:17:49 - Learn To Do 1:18:10 - Why? 1:20:00 - What's Right? 1:21:08 - Evil & Humanity 1:29:07 - Ronald Regan 1:31: 27 - Solving Problems 1:32:42 - Is the U.S. Going To Be Ok? 1:38:55 - Final Remarks & Conclusion

In this episode of The Optimistic American, we learn conversations techniques with guest Peri Kinder, an acclaimed writer and podcast host with a passion for bridging divides and fostering inclusivity in our diverse nation. In this vibrant conversation, we navigate through the complex layers of human connection, empathy, and the art of active listening. Here are the key points we will be covering in this episode: - Defining 'Bad Othering': We seek to understand the concept of "Bad Othering" and its detrimental effects on our society. With Peri, we aim to provide tangible ways to identify this issue and promote a more inclusive and empathetic approach. - Encouraging Kindness: Peri explores the idea of inculcating kindness and compassion, sharing prudent insights on how we can practice these virtues with loved ones and ourselves. - Facilitating Connection: We delve into the techniques of establishing meaningful connection, emphasizing the power of simple acts like eye contact and shared laughter, even amidst disagreements. - Improving Listening Skills: Peri elucidates on the art of holding space for others and active listening without judgment. She also provides strategies for creating a balanced dialogue that respects and values diverse opinions. - Overcoming Challenges: Taking inspiration from her work as a life coach and yoga instructor, Peri also shares her views on how we can deal with life's obstacles while maintaining a positive outlook. - Behind the Scenes of "Life and Laughter": Peri offers an inside look at her award-winning podcast, "Life and Laughter," inspiring listeners with her unique blend of humor and wisdom. We conclude with Peri's compelling perspectives on unity and the importance of celebrating our shared human spirit. Experience her practical wisdom firsthand - a tool we all can use to forge stronger relationships and build a more inclusive, empathetic America. 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 01:32 - 100 Episodes Later... 03:43 - Bad Othering 13:43 - An Obligation to Society 19:25 - Not Being Kind to Yourself 20:30 - Imposter Syndrome 23:40 - A Bridge to People 25:49 - Getting High 28:52 - Teaching Laughter 31:44 - Finding Common Ground 33:35 - Reframing to Success 36:48 - Metaphorically Armed 38:24 - Conservatives Vs Liberals 39:26 - Relationships in Society 45:32 - A Beacon to the World 47:14 - A Central Narrative 52:25 - An Arc in History 56:23 - An Evolution of Consciousness 57:41 - Final Remarks & Conclusion

In this episode of The Optimistic American, we explore the intricate layers of national security, fiscal responsibility, and intellectual freedom. Paul Johnson hosts former Air Force pilot, influential advocate, and congressman, Chris Stewart as he helps us navigate through complex geopolitical realities, the pressing issues of mental health, and the often-underestimated importance of balanced budgets. We will be covering the following points in this episode: National Security: We deep-dive into the state of our military and the challenges we face in homeland protection. We assess Washington's role in fortifying our armed forces, ensuring readiness against global threats. Balanced Budgets: Addressing fiscal responsibility, we discuss the necessity of balanced budgets. We explore the implications of budget deficits and debt, drawing on Stewart's experience in the congressional appropriations committee. The 'Deep State': Shining light on the shadowy corners of the intelligence community, we confront allegations concerning the 'Deep State.' The conversation uncovers Stewart's perspective on congressional oversight and democratic accountability. Edward Snowden and Intelligence Disclosure: Discussing the ongoing debate on intelligence disclosures, we reflect on the actions of Edward Snowden. We examine the balance between protection of privacy rights and national security. Mental Health: Shifting the attention to mental well-being, we explore Stewart's involvement in establishing the National Suicide Prevention hotline. We discuss how best to support individuals struggling with depression and underscore the interplay between mental health and overall community resilience. Challenges We Face: With references drawn from Stewart's book "The Final Fight for Freedom," we delve into democracy's survival concerns. In light of the challenges, we brainstorm solutions to bridge the political divide for a united America. Find his book on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Final-Fight-Freedom-Country-Chaos/dp/1637582145 Future of the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association: We conclude with a teaser into the exciting plans ahead for the Utah Aerospace and Defense Association and Stewart's new venture, Skyline Capital, co-founded with Robert O'Brien, a former national security adviser. Learn more about the Utah Aerospace and Defence Association at https://www.47g.org/. Visit Skyline Capital's website, https://skylinecapitol.com/. We hope you enjoy this episode of The Optimistic American Podcast and understand the important role you play in shaping a brighter future for America. Join us in our unwavering belief in the American dream. Together, let’s rekindle the American Spirit. 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 02:37 - The Miracles of Freedom 11:50 - Wrath & Righteousness 18:36 - The Final Fight for Freedom 21:23 - The Deep State 25:11 - Gaining Back The People’s Trust 26:41 - Edward Snowden 28:30 - The Israeli Conflict 34:35 - Ukraine 37:35 - Returning to The Regular Order 42:46 - The Divisions in Society 45:22 - An Optimistic America 49:07 - Final Remarks & Conclusion

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss the very essence of morality and its role in shaping human behavior. They cover the ethical dilemma people face when their moral compass is at odds with societal expectations. -How morality can make or break a society. -Why most people would rather be morally wrong than lose their place in society. -How to navigate the space between good and evil. -The shocking morality stories from the Bosnia ethnic cleansing campaigns. -What is cognitive dissonance? -How to navigate the conflict that exists between our values and our behavior. -Forgiveness and why some people struggle to let go of their anger, hurt, and desire for vengeance. -The best place to start if you want to be a patriotic American. -The role of cognitive dissonance in the Rwanda and Bosnia genocides. -People’s internal battle between doing what’s right and the need to fit in. -The common morality issues plaguing our society today. 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 01:41 - Morality 02:48 - A story about Bosnia 04:50 - The History of Sarajevo 10:21 - In conflict with your values 11:42 - Social Status, Morality, and Values 16:33 - So much to be grateful for 18:58 - Your view on life 20:28 - Surviving trauma & having hope 22:15 - Everyone has a role 25:45 - Where to start 26:35 - Maintain your agency 27:35 - We know better… 29:24 - 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 -The Gulag Archipelago by A. Solzhenitsyn - https://www.amazon.com/The-Gulag-Archipelago-Aleksandr-Solzhenitsyn/dp/1843430851

In this episode of The Optimistic American, Paul Johnson sits down with Dr. Emily Bashah to discuss the effects of love and forgiveness on our psychological and physiological well-being. They cover topics like the numerous benefits of forgiving others, lessons from countries who endured genocide, the use of forgiveness, what the research says about forgiveness, and much more. -Paul starts the conversation by describing the research on the physiological and psychological benefits of love and forgiveness. -Learning to forgive is not something you do for someone else's benefit but for your own good. -Emily reveals how non-forgiveness can negatively impact a person's existence. -Paul and Emily go through the research on the similarities between stress and hate-motivated behavior. -Paul shares his thoughts on the stressful nature of American politics and how people can shield themselves from toxic politics. -What the research says about the healing nature of forgiveness and letting go of hate. -Emily believes forgiveness does not mean wrongdoers get away with what they did to you. Forgiveness is choosing to let go of the burden of someone else's wrongdoing. -Paul adds that forgiveness doesn't mean you're a pushover. It means you're ready to accept what happened and are willing to find a way to go on productively with your life. -Emily and Paul discuss the lessons we can learn from Bosnia and Rwanda after their genocides about forgiveness. -Emily highlights why it's not a good idea to let politics or ideologies come in between you and your loved ones. -Paul reveals how freeing it felt when he learned to forgive his political rivals. -According to Paul, forgiveness is self-healing. The act of forgiving someone often leaves you in a better position than the people you forgive. -You don't have to give up on your values to forgive someone. You can be kind to them even though they're not treating you with the utmost kindness. -Emily reveals how she focuses on understanding the other person before seeking to be understood when disagreements arise. -For Paul, we live in an unfortunate environment where there is a daily barrage of negative news telling us who we should hate. This hate is creating a prolonged exposure to stress and is damaging our health and our society. 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 01:40 - Love & Forgiveness 02:45 - A Change in Anger & Hate 03:48 - Non Forgiveness 05:14 - Chronic Stress 06:37 - The Mind of an Inmate 09:56 - Agape 12:19 - What Are We Giving Up 16:54 - Seek to Understand First 17:48 - Religion & Forgiveness 20:35 - Break Away From Negativity 26:43 - Compassion 28:03 - Final Remarks & Conclusion Mentioned in the video: -optamerican.com -Addictive Ideologies: Finding Meaning and Agency When Politics Fail You by Dr Emily Bashah and Hon Paul Johnson -The Optimistic American on YouTube - @optamerican -Become a premium supporter of the show: OptAmerican.com/premium -Optimistic American Worksheet Downloads - OptAmerican.com/worksheets -Dr. Emily Bashah