The Conversation
The Conversation is the Crossing Party Lines (CPL) podcast. Crossing Party Lines is a non-profit that facilitates weekly discussions where people have the opportunity to share their thoughts and feelings about politics, society and everything in between, and to listen to what others think/feel so that we can really understand why American's believe what we believe. The Conversation continues these discussions so they can be shared with you. [Cover art by Eric Wagner - ericwagner.me]
Episodes
16 episodes
NATO: Does It Still Matter?
NATO, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, was formed in 1949 to “guarantee the freedom and security of its members through political and military means.” Seventy-three years later, many are wondering whether it’s time to look at the organiz...
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29:42
What's Your Political Color?
We've funneled ourselves into "Red" or "Blue". When in reality there’s an enormous range of colors on the political spectrum. You can even find different “shades” within a single party.The Pew Research Center recently released a report t...
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31:12
The US Withdrawal From Afghanistan: Reflecting on the War
America has been fighting in Afghanistan for 20 years. That makes it the longest war in American history. But now, the few thousand troops remaining are leaving. Is it time to leave? What has the war cost everyone? What, if anything, has ...
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29:28
A $15 Minimum Wage: Too Much, Too Little or Just Right?
The debate around raising the federal minimum wage has flared up again. What are the arguments for and against increasing it? Should we have a minimum wage at all? Or should we trade it in for a living wage?
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58:56
The 2020 US Presidential Election is Over. Now what?
As the dust settles on the 2020 US Presidential Election, we ask three Americans how they feel about how it went, what they wish the other party knew about them, what they expect from a Biden Administration and where they think former President...
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48:30
Trying to Make Sense of the Capital Riots
On Wednesday, January 6th, a crowd stormed the Capitol building. Some walked around. Some took photos. Some vandalized property. Some engaged in violence. Why? And how do Americans feel about what happened?
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52:40
Talking to Erik, an Independent – “Thinking Independently”
In this new 'Talking to...' series we’ll get to learn about individual Americans, how they came to think the way they do, what they think are the most important problems facing the country and why.In this episode we’re talking to Erik, a...
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44:54
The Last Ballot to Define America
Americans are coming out in historic numbers during a dangerous pandemic in what is shaping out to be the highest Presidential voter turnout in US history. What are the values that American's believe they are fighting for? What are they afraid ...
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59:38
Deciding Who Gets Shot: Kenosha, WI
In less than a week a man was shot in the back seven times and two others were killed during a protest in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Why did a police response to a local residence turn violent? Why did local protests that followed turn deadly? Could t...
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42:52
Portland and the Politics of Protest
In Portland, Oregon, protests against police brutality and systemic racism have been going on for more than 70 days. What started off as peaceful, evolved to attract riots and violence. Federal resources were sent in to address the situation an...
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53:42
Confederate Symbols: American History or American Hate?
The nationwide protests and demonstrations stemming from the killing of George Floyd in Minneapolis on May 25th, have prompted officials at all levels of government to consider drawing the curtain on some confederate symbols. What do these symb...
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56:28
George Floyd: The Start of Civil Rights Movement 2.0?
America has not seen protests like this since the civil rights movement. What is happening? How is it impacting the country? We welcome back the same four Americans with different politics, from our previous George Floyd conversation, including...
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51:20
George Floyd: Time for All American’s to Have “The Talk”?
Is “The Talk” something that African Americans need to still have with their children? Does it help? Four Americans with different politics, including a former police officer and an African American woman, reflect on the death of George Floyd a...
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49:38
Employer-Provided Healthcare: Is it Working?
The U.S. is one of the only developed countries that relies heavily on employer-provided health insurance. But in the wake of the Coronavirus we are asking ourselves whether employer-provided healthcare works for us. And what changes might we m...
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48:56