In part 2 of our conversation with former Hot Springs, AR city manager Dr. Kent Myers, April and Glen learn how he came to join Braver Angels Arkansas. His concern over the increasing incivility in our country and its many negative implications for citizens and government officials led him to find ways to help cope with those problems so prevalent in our society today. He suggests ways to improve the work of Braver Angels in Arkansas as it seeks to reduce polarization. Among his suggestions, Kent talks about the importance of life-long learning that he sees as a common element in leadership in Braver Angels. Going into his ideas of how we can all improve our work together, he talks about the "C's" that he sees as critical. Those key factors include collaboration, compromise, compassion, civility, and communication. Kent also explains key elements of two leadership approaches: Servant Leadership & Authentic Leadership. An optimist by nature, he talks of his hope for improvements in our political behavior in the future. Kent concludes the conversation with two touching stories of experiences in his own life and how it taught him to not wait to show love and concern for those you care about.

Glen and April talk with Dr. Kent Myers, one of the newer leaders in Braver Angels Arkansas. With a background of serving as a city manager in several cities over his career, along with his doctorate in leadership studies, Kent brings considerable expertise to his work with Braver Angels. In this first part of our conversation, Kent provides a brief bio of his career, then discusses the ways he has approached his role as city manager in several communities around the country, including Hot Springs, AR for 14 years. He briefly outlines the differences between mayoral and the city manager form of government, including specifics about the hybrid model that is used in Little Rock. Outlining some of the critical aspects of sound leadership, Kent talks about the importance of collaboration in working in any leader role. He also mentions recent new concerns among government officials that the polarized environment has exposed civic leaders to new concerns, including verbal or other attacks due to perceived political differences. He explains how the COVID pandemic impacted the increased hostility at the how he learned to deal with these new challenges through forgiveness and transparency in his work.

In this second part of our interview with Dr. John Davis, April and Glen delve into details from John's new book, “From Blue to Red: The Rise of the GOP in Arkansas.” In his book, John identifies 3 generations of the modern Republican Party in Arkansas, featuring highlights of Republican politicians from each generation. For example, the desire for political diversity by William Rockefeller helped inspire his entrance into the Republican Party. The 3rd and current generation of Republicans he sees as not yet knowing what it's like to lose. John also mentions Asa Hutchinson's current status in the Republican Party and from there talks about how to get back to bipartisanship in Arkansas. He also recounts an interesting story about Dr. Janine Parry, who is Founding Director of the Arkansas Poll and an expert in Arkansas Politics.

Glen and April spoke with Dr. John C. Davis, a political scientist, researcher, and public servant and currently the executive director of the David & Barbara Pryor Center for Arkansas Oral and Visual History. In this first part of our interview, John discusses his work with the Pryor Center's Arkansas Oral History project, which features stories by and about Arkansans and Arkansas traditions. He traces some of the early influences of his family and values that led him to his life's work and views. Other details about his multi-faceted work are explored, including the influence on John of Bill Clinton's impeachment story, and his interest in working across political divides.

In part 2 of our conversation with Dr. Jay McDaniel, April and Glen talk with Jay about his view of how a "virtuous life" was important to our nation's founders and is important in our current community, including those not just like ourselves. Jay explains the concept of process theology, and he suggests that a healthy religious life should have both "roots" and "wings." We also find out what gives him hope and helps him reach across divides, which includes beauty and the Bee Gees. We explore Jay's work in China to explore spirituality in that culture, and we hear about the importance of "moral humility" in reaching across divisions.

April and Glen chat with Dr. Jay McDaniel, a theologian, author & philosopher who specializes in Buddhism, process theology, interfaith dialogue, and spirituality in an age of consumerism. Jay has published many books and articles, and he has a blog called "Open Horizons" [www.openhorizons.org], which he previously titled "Jesus, Jazz, and Buddhism." Our conversation with Jay includes his perspective of politics having taken on many of the roles typically associated with religion, and how he seeks to "find shared Joys" as a means of reaching across differences with others. We also explore Jay's work with interfaith dialog, and how, as a Christian, he values Buddhist philosophy in his spiritual journey.

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.