Discussing politics, religion and race — across color, creed and ideology — and we do it like the partners in democracy that we really ought to be.
Village SquareCast is the podcast your mother warned you about. We talk politics, religion and race — across color, creed and ideology — and we do it like the partners in democracy that we really ought to be. At The Village Square, we've had hundreds of conversations with tens of thousands of people — and now we bring you our favorites of these conversations via podcast. We talk in bars, we talk in churches, we talk across a hundred continuous tables in the middle of a street downtown. And through all this talking, we've discovered something truly remarkable — people are hard to hate close up. Oh, and we really think civics ought not to be boring. We hope you'll join us
In divided times like ours and through history, brave and unlikely friendships have endured, inspired and redeemed. You’ll meet pairs of friends on opposite sides of the political divide who not only manage their disagreements, they embrace them.
Joining us are Berny + Geston (they disagree on almost everything, except that they both love their country), Marian + Derek (a lesbian pastor and a conservative Latter Day Saint who work together on the thorny issues of religious liberty and equal rights), and Village Square Founder & President Liz Joyner’s friend Dr. Jacob Hess, co-author of “You’re Not as Crazy as I thought(but you’re still wrong).” Liz and Jacob have joined forces to convince the rest of America that friendships across differences are the very best kind (see their project and meet other unlikely friends here).
Intrigued by the title of this program? Learn where our inspiration came from in Patricia Nelson Limerick’s New York Times column “Dining with Jeff.”
Learn more about our guests and other event details at “Let Friendship Redeem the Republic.”
This program was presented in partnership with Florida Humanities.
“All Men are Created Equal,” but not everyone feels they are. Have we gone too far with insuring equality or not far enough? Can people be free if not all of them are? We’ll examine the straining of the central – and sometimes competing – principles of equality and freedom. Does your freedom threaten my equality? And does my equality limit your freedom? We’ll dive into the struggle on racial issues, gay rights and the appropriate role of the law in both insuring equality and safeguarding freedom.
Joining us are Father Tim Holed a of St. Thomas More Co-Cathedral and Terry Galloway of The Mickee Faust Club. While representing opposing viewpoints, these two model productive civil discourse, an openness of heart, and a desire to understand the other.
Learn more about our guests and other event details at “Created Equal and Breathing Free.”
This program was presented in partnership with Florida Humanities.
There are few areas of the culture war with deeper and more consequential divisions than the ongoing clash between faith and science. And just like with our other divisions, we’re having difficulty navigating the complexities of both faith and science without falling into our usual angry tribes. Is there another less infuriating way? In this respectful, brilliant and even joyous SquareCast conversation, our panel considers topics like how do we reconcile scientific findings with religious doctrine and just because science can do something, should we? (Believe it or not, there’s laughter involved.)
Joining our panel is FSU Physicist Dr. Harrison Prosper, on the team at CERN in Switzerland that discovered Higgs boson, referred to by some as the “God particle.” Bringing a deeply personal perspective to the conversation is Mike McHargue – or Science Mike – who talks faith “in an age where science explains our world so well.” We’re also delighted to be joined by Fr. Matthew Busch of Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. Facilitated by Rabbi Jack Romberg.
Learn more about our guests and other event details at “Faith vs. Science.”
This program was presented in partnership with Florida Humanities.
Vanessa Rowse hosts Village SquareCast—connecting listeners to the people, topics and context for each program—while serving up behind-the-scenes content and accessible personal reflections on what each show means to her as "a fellow flawed human." She delights in the opportunity to learn from guests and embraces the personal growth that often comes from a perspective shift with unusual honesty and a sense of humor. She welcomes podcast listeners to join her on the journey toward a greater understanding of our fellow Americans—and the peace of mind that comes along with it. So if you've had enough of politics as usual, dive in for Vanessa's signature call to "reach out with an open heart and mind to someone who doesn't look or think like you, it changes everything."
Engaging in civil discourse. Inspiring civic engagement. Exploring the future of our democracy.
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