Check out part 1 of our conversation with April Chatham-Carpenter, new state coordinator for Braver Angels Arkansas, on our On The Other Hand podcast. Share freely with others.

Summary: In this first part of our interview with Dr. April Chatham-Carpenter, April shares her journey — from an aptitude test that launched a career in communication, to her discovery of Braver Angels and why its mission immediately resonated with her. She reflects on how communication sits at the heart of both polarization and healing, and describes her path from early Braver Angels volunteer to national leadership roles. April also introduces listeners to her new role as state co-coordinator for Braver Angels Arkansas and what drew her back to focus locally.

In part 2 of our conversation with Bob Estes, coordinator of Arkansas Peace Week, Bob gets practical—and personal—about what it really takes to bridge divides in Arkansas. He talks about why trust must come before persuasion, and he shares the surprisingly freeing impact of deleting Facebook from his phone. We also explore the deeper cultural and generational gaps shaping our state, why he’s hopeful about young leaders, and what it means to serve your community without being afraid to fail. Along the way, Bob reflects on how he hopes to be remembered—and the simple daily practice that keeps him grounded. It’s an honest, hopeful look at how change actually happens, often in quieter ways than we expect.

In this episode of On the Other Hand, Glen talks with Bob Estes, coordinator of Arkansas Peace Week and longtime advocate with the Arkansas Coalition for Peace and Justice, about what it really means to build a culture of peace in a deeply divided time. Bob reflects on the personal influences that shaped his commitment to fairness and equality, from mentors like Paul Wellstone and Woody Guthrie to his own experiences in community organizing. He explains how Arkansas Peace Week—centered around September 21—uses youth art and essay contests and practical lessons to plant seeds of nonviolence that may take years to fully bloom. The conversation also explores what Bob has learned about fostering respectful dialogue across political differences, citing as a hopeful example a recent bipartisan legislative success. It’s a thoughtful, grounded discussion about how peacebuilding happens—not just in theory, but in classrooms, communities, and everyday conversations.

In part 2 of their conversation with Jim Hudson, Secretary of Arkansas Dept of Finance & Administration, April and John explore how Jim leads his team in these polarized times, manages risk, integrates faith and integrity into public service, and finds hope amid division. Jim explores how leadership in government requires balancing experimentation with accountability, explaining how his team tests new processes, learns from early setbacks, and weighs financial investments against the real costs inefficiency imposes on taxpayers. He describes a service-oriented leadership style built on setting clear priorities, trusting teams to execute, and remaining visible during demanding periods, while emphasizing that respectful communication, active listening, and humility are essential when navigating political disagreements and policy debates. Jim also reflects on aligning personal convictions with organizational leadership, encouraging open internal debate while distinguishing deeply held principles from personal opinions. Connecting faith, character, and coaching to effective leadership, he discusses the major challenges facing Arkansas—such as poverty, educational outcomes, and rural population decline—while expressing optimism about economic growth in parts of the state and urging emerging leaders to focus on personal development, lifelong learning, and appreciation for the often-unseen contributions of public servants.

On The Other Hand podcast co-host April Chatham-Carpenter and guest co-host John O’Brien have a conversation with Jim Hudson, Secretary of the Arkansas Department of Finance and Administration, where he oversees multiple divisions and works with a wide range of stakeholders. In Part 1 of the interview, Jim describes his leadership journey, values, and consultative approach to mission-driven public service. Jim reflects on his journey from vocational ministry to public service, describing how a sense of calling guided him into his current role. He credits Governor Sanders’ leadership with a focus on individual stories, improved public services, and a refusal to accept mediocrity, while outlining his own leadership approach as one centered on collaboration, inspiration, and trust rather than micromanagement. Drawing on his interdisciplinary background in political science, law, leadership, and divinity, Jim explains how humility, appreciation for present responsibilities, and thoughtful communication shape his decision-making. Jim emphasizes that effective leadership in government requires balancing the risks of action and inaction and taking carefully considered risks in pursuit of meaningful improvement.

In this 3rd and final part of April and Glen’s conversation with Presidential Scholars co-director Mike Hemphill, Mike reflects on the power of courageous leadership rooted in authentic relationships. He describes examples such as those between U.S. senators David Pryor and Dan Quayle, who prioritized their relationship and shared values over a political issue. He also cited the navigating of political divides between local Arkansas leaders, as well as his mediation work between Little Rock and North Little Rock, showing how honest listening and human connection can solve real problems. Mike also highlights the hopeful, hands‑on collaboration he sees through the Clinton School’s community-focused faculty, reminding us that while technology can help, meaningful progress still depends on personal engagement and mindful communication.

In this second part of our On The Other Hand conversation with Dr. Mike Hemphill, Co-director of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, April and Glen explore the PLS program, how their students are trained in the "laboratory" environment they provide, and also how bridging divides can be accomplished through good leadership. Mike digs into how we make sense of the world—and of each other—when facts, stories, and values collide. He also explains why storytelling can be such a powerful way to build understanding across political divides. Participants in the PLS Program often grow by widening their perspective, forming relationships across differences, and reflecting deeply on their own assumptions—sometimes leading to major personal or career changes, according to Mike's account. Additional conversation reveals how leadership lessons can be drawn from multiple presidential administrations, focusing on how leaders make decisions and work together. Mike provides the example of the enduring friendship that developed between Presidents George H W Bush and Bill Clinton and their shared commitment to service in times of crisis. Mike sees this relationship as one hopeful model for bridge-building and unity in a deeply divided moment. Next up: part 3 of our conversation!

In this first part of our interview with Dr. Mike Hemphill, Co-director of the Presidential Leadership Scholars program, April and Glen learn how Mike's path from academia to leadership work shaped a simple but powerful belief: leadership grows out of real human interaction, not titles or formulas. He talks about why patience, curiosity, and reflection matter so much when we’re trying to communicate across differences, and how ideas from communication theory—and even jazz improvisation—help explain what good conversation really looks like. Mike also introduces the Presidential Leadership Scholars Program he co-directs, describing it as a hands-on “leadership lab” that brings together people from very different backgrounds and communities. Rather than teaching leadership from a textbook, the program focuses on storytelling, personal experience, and relationships, showing how listening, openness, and connection can broaden perspectives and help people lead more thoughtfully across political and cultural divides.