Tag: Braver Angels

Wilk discusses Fear and Trust in the Gun Safety Debate with Paul Norris and Mark Beckwith on Episode 121 of the Derate The Hate Podcast

What Role Does Fear and Trust Play in the Gun Safety Debate? DTH Episode 121

August 10, 2022 wilkwilkinson Uncategorized 0 Comments

What role does fear and trust play in the gun safety debate? I recently sat down for a follow up conversation on the topic of gun safety with 2 friends of mine from Braver Angels. In December of 2021, I conducted a round table event with some friends on the same topic. A lot of things were left unsaid and unresolved in that conversation, as many conversations go when it comes to contentious topics. I asked my friends Mark Beckwith and Paul Norris to rejoin me for this follow-up conversation.
No matter what side of the issue you are on, we have to keep having the conversation. The conversation has to be had in a civil way. Without conversation, ignorance, fear and thus hate will continue to grow. Ask yourself again, “what role does fear and trust play in the gun safety debate?”

Wilk Wilkinson and Dr. Francis Collins discuss the government's response to the Covid-19 pandemic in episode 119 of the Derate The Hate podcast

The Truth and Trust Project… Episode 119 with Dr. Francis Collins Part 1 of 2

July 27, 2022 wilkwilkinson Uncategorized 2 Comments

Do you trust that our public health officials are telling you the truth? I for one find myself very skeptical these days. As many who’ve listened to the DTH podcast for long know, I’ve been highly critical of the government’s response to the pandemic from the very beginning. How does someone like me have a conversation with someone who had direct influence on the government’s response to the pandemic? Not so long ago, I would say that the conversation would never happen, because my attitude would not have allowed it.

The Truth and Trust Project may be one of the most important endeavors of my life. Several times over the past several months, I asked the question, “if you could ask Dr. Francis Collins or Dr. Tony Fauci a question, what would that question be?”. For that question, I received nothing but negative responses. The most common response was some variation of, “I wouldn’t waste my time, they wouldn’t listen anyway”… I asked the question because I am currently involved in a Braver Angels initiative called the “Truth and Trust Project” with Dr. Francis Collins and myself as partners.

Wilk discussing "Braver Politics" with Rick and Barbara of Braver Angels in DTH episode 113

Episode 113: Be Engaged, Not Enraged… Discussing Braver Politics with Braver Angels Rick & Barbara

June 15, 2022 wilkwilkinson Uncategorized 1 Comment

I started this podcast a couple years ago with the slogan, “Bettering the World, One Attitude at a Time”… That is more than just a mission statement for me, that has become one of my central purposes in life. Why you might ask? In many ways, it’s because I see our world, but more specifically our country, has in certain ways become broken.

What can we do if our country ‘s political system is broken?
In addition to doing the Derate the Hate podcast, I have become quite involved with the organization Braver Angels. Braver Angels has become one of the country’s leading organizations working to depolarize  and mend our social fabric. As I began to hear more about the latest initiative that Braver Angels was working on, Braver Politics, I wanted to know more. I thought who better to reach out to than my friends Rick and Barbara!

How can I engage without being enraged?
Would you like to become more involved in the political discussion, without becoming part of and enraged shouting match that accomplishes nothing? Take a listen to my conversation with my friends Rick Hotchner and Barbara Thomas, (who you may remember from Episode 48) where we are discussing Braver Politics… Let me know what you think!

Episode 107 of the Derate The Hate Podcast

Episode 107: Don’t Be Mad That It’s Over, Be Grateful That It Happened

May 4, 2022 wilkwilkinson Uncategorized 0 Comments

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase, and it may sound cliche, “Don’t be mad that it’s over, be glad that it happened.” Now, quite often this is said in regards to a relationship that has ended,  but this is not one of those times…

This week I was devastated by some revelations having to do with my deer camp. Those who’ve listened to the podcast with any regularity for any amount of time know that my deer camp was very much my happy place and deer hunting is something I most look forward to each and every year. Check out this episode to find out more about what happened. 

I also dive more into mindset, gratitude and some numbers associated with a study about the number of thoughts a person has on average each day, how many of them are negative and how much of that negative thinking is just recycled negativity from the day before. This is quite important because only we as individuals have the power to change this for ourselves…

This episode also includes some exciting updates on Braver Angels events that are taking place, including a project I’m currently involved in with the former director of the National Institutes of Health, Dr. Francis Collins… Links Below….

Dan Garscia of FAIR Twin Cities joins Wilk on the Derate the Hate podcast

Episode 102: From Left to Libertarian, A Pro-Human Perspective in the Twin Cities… with Dan Garscia

March 30, 2022 wilkwilkinson Uncategorized 0 Comments

As many of the regular listeners know, I love organizations that are all about bringing people together, promoting unity and community while also recognizing that we are all individuals with our own thoughts and ideas. This is why I truly adore and respect organizations like FAIR (Foundation Against Intolerance & Racism), Braver Angels and so many others that I have highlighted on the podcast. My friend Rick of Braver Angels recently introduced me Dan Garscia who is a spokesperson for the local Twin Cities chapter of FAIR.

The conversation in this episode was not originally meant to be one for broadcast, but just an introductory conversation between Dan and myself to find out more about FAIR Twin Cities. During the conversation, things were clicking with incredible synergy, so Dan and I decided this would be something of value to the DTH listeners. I have once again found a great collaborator for the Derate the Hate podcast in my new friend Dan Garscia of FAIR Twin Cities. Share this episode with your network, and more importantly, seek out and get involved with local chapters of great organizations like FAIR, Braver Angels and so many others doing great work to bring people together…

Wilk of Wilk's World and David Lapp of Braver Angels sit down for a conversation on the Derate the Hate Podcast

Episode 66: The Peoples’ Turn to Speak, We The Peoples’ Forum… with David Lapp of Braver Angels

July 21, 2021 wilkwilkinson Uncategorized 2 Comments

Do you ever feel like the average working class American has no voice in today’s polarized political climate? Are you sick and tired, as I am, of those in big government, big tech and big media keeping the average working class American silent while giving those who wish to keep us divided the loudest voices? Why settle for being a prisoner of polarization? What if there were an organization that were to give the average working class American a chance to sound their voice at the podium? Let’s talk about the “We The Peoples’ Forum”, part of the Working Peoples’ Project within Braver Angels…