In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jay Barth, we cover a number of ideas, including the problems associated with an emphasis on "identity issues," the value in Arkansas of our ability to engage in "direct democracy" via citizen initiatives, and the Clinton Center's involvement (Braver Angels Arkansas is also a partner) in the Rockefeller Institute's "Civic Arkansas" project to improve citizen engagement in Arkansas. As a gay man, Jay understands and emphasizes the moral importance of people increasing their respect across various lines of identity in order to improve relationships and decrease conflict. Finally, Jay talks about two Arkansas politicians for whom he has great respect - Asa Hutchinson and David Pryor - due in part because of their pragmatic approach to dealing with differences and the examples they offer of respect across the political aisle.

Glen and April talk with Dr. Jay Barth, a native of Arkansas, who is the Emeritus Professor of Politics at Hendrix College, where he taught for 26 years. Jay currently serves as Director of the Clinton Presidential Library, and he has earned numerous awards for his work in education and politics over the years. In this first part of our conversation with Jay, he provides a brief biographical outline of his early life, born into a largely progressive family from which he developed many of his values. Jay also explains the three entities that make up the Clinton Presidential Center, with an emphasis on being non-partisan in its functions and outreach. While emphasizing the strong need for Americans to reach across political and other differences, he acknowledges the "Grand Canyon" divide our country presently is experiencing. To deal with this division, he speaks of values such as egalitarianism and resilience in helping us to continue our growth despite the obstacles.

In the second part of our interview with author and life coach Mike Starr, April and Glen hear several of his specific concepts about how important it is to use language carefully in managing one's life and relationships. Some words he considers dangerous or tyrannical and he offers alternative words and phrases that he suggests can improve how one approaches problems in one's life. Rather than address politics directly, he prefers to focus on relationships. Interestingly, he advocates shaming in some cases, given his concerns about current trends of what he sees as decreased personal responsibility and increased blaming of external factors among many people. He ends with a personal story about how he and his canoe partner managed difficulties in their relationship during the long float from Pittsburgh to New Orleans.