What Holds America Together

Hi Everyone and Welcome Back! 

This week on The Nick Halaris Show we are featuring Francis Barry, the author of “Back Roads and Better Angels,” an important and inspiring new book examining the heart and soul of the American democracy. Francis, a Bloomberg Opinion columnist and member of the editorial board there, is a sought-after voice for those seeking more rational and civil political discourse and has an impressive track record working to make America a better place as a journalist, speechwriter, and advisor to former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg.  

Ready to dive in? Listen to this episode on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon Music and YouTube or on your favorite podcast platform.

I read “Back Roads and Better Angels” recently and walked away feeling both inspired and invigorated. Francis does a masterful job weaving together important, often untold, stories from our history with interesting stories, perspectives, and ideas from real Americans he met on his journey across the country and examinations of the critical cultural and political questions of the day. For anyone interested in understanding what’s really going-on in America, the book is a must read. 

I wanted to have Francis on the show to highlight this important new book and unpack some of his key findings. Tune in to learn:

• Why Francis decided to drive across America in a Winnebago in search of the keys to our national identity and our democracy

• The true cause of our feelings of disunity and the secret forces holding us together

• Why there is so much about American history that we are still reckoning with and why it is our willingness to do so that makes us so special

• How our shared commitment to the ideals of freedom, democracy, and equality provides a cultural glue powerful enough to hold us together even in our darkest hours

• What President Lincoln can teach us about how to keep a democracy together in times of great strife

  &

• Much, much more

Stay tuned to the end to learn why Francis thinks it’s a shared belief in our resiliency that ultimately holds us together and to hear his passionate plea for a return to civility in our political discourse.

As always, I hope you all enjoy this episode. Thanks for tuning in!  

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Summary

In this conversation, Nick Halaris interviews Frank Barry, author of the book 'Backroads and Better Angels.' They discuss the themes and topics explored in the book, which include the divisions in the country, the legacy of violence in American history, the process of reckoning with the past, and the resilience of the American people. They also touch on the importance of civic discourse, the American ideals of freedom and equality, and the need to prioritize relationships over politics. Overall, the conversation highlights the potential for growth and unity in America.

Keywords

American history, divisions, violence, reckoning, resilience, civic discourse, American ideals, unity

Takeaways

• The book 'Backroads and Better Angels' explores the divisions in the country and the process of reckoning with the past.

• American history has a legacy of violence, and it is important to confront and learn from this history.

• Resilience is a key characteristic of the American people, and it is important to remember this in challenging times.

• Civic discourse and the prioritization of relationships over politics are crucial for unity and progress in the country.

• The American ideals of freedom, democracy, and equality are central to the national identity.

• The pioneering and entrepreneurial spirit of America is also important for individual prosperity and national unity.

Titles

• The American Ideals of Freedom, Democracy, and Equality

• Prioritizing Relationships and Civic Discourse for Unity

Sound Bites

• "We have to be able to prioritize the relationship over the politics."

• "We really lost the idea of civic discourse."

• "We need more leaders who inspire our better angels and challenge people to rise above anger and grow."

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to 'Backroads and Better Angels'

03:15 Embarking on the Journey along the Lincoln Highway

08:15 America's Legacy of Violence

12:48 Redefining American Identity

16:00 The Civil War and Confederate Monuments

21:55 The Potential for Growth and Change

25:51 The Power of Humility and Empathy

28:19 The Impact of Social Media

31:09 Listening to Different Perspectives

35:57 The Resilience and Spirit of America

43:53 Prioritizing Relationships over Politics

46:24 Inspiring the Better Angels of Our Nature

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