In part 2 of our conversation with Jim Lagrone, he tells of a Baptist pastor who moved his family into a troubled neighborhood to turn it around, showing the positive ways faith-based efforts can have impacts beyond what occurs on Sundays in church. He also described pilot programs in Arkansas and other states where churches successfully collaborated to address social needs like crime and homelessness. Jim emphasized the importance of faith leaders collaborating with government officials on shared community goals, despite potential policy disagreements. He also said he advises pastors against endorsing political candidates, despite recent IRS statements that now allow those actions in churches. Jim then argues that misconceptions of "Christian nationalism" serve primarily as a political "attack line" used to target churches. He urged Christians to focus on building genuine relationships with others and approaching them with the love and understanding of Jesus rather than resorting to judgment of others or focusing on legislating morality.

April and Glen talk with Jim Lagrone, director of the Family Council’s Church Ambassador Network (CAN). In this first part of our conversation, Jim describes his journey in ministry of nearly 50 years, which includes diverse roles like hospice chaplaincy and pastoral leadership. He shared his core leadership philosophy, which is rooted in humility, service, and a love for people. Jim admits to unexpected lessons learned about how there are people with self-serving motivations even in religious and civic spheres. He then detailed CAN's mission and operations, stressing that their work focuses on approaching and building personal relationships between pastors and legislators, while avoiding lobbying for specific legislation. These pastors help legislators by, for example, providing resources and offering guidance on political engagement. One disclosure he felt some would find surprising was that during a prior period of service on a school board, Jim voted against banning a book that was targeted locally.

In part 2 of our conversation with Grant Morshedi and Angela Harris, April and Glen explore how Harmony Health is adapting to decreased government support, including a recently canceled CDC grant that would have funded a new building, which leaves them having to pay rent rather than owning a building for their services. Angela provided details about various funding options they utilize, such as via a key fundraiser for them, the annual World Cheese Dip Championship in Little Rock. Grant shared patient stories illustrating how healthcare access impacts broader societal issues like employment and family well-being, and Angela shared success stories of patients whose lives were transformed through health care received at Harmony Health. The conversation concluded with a call to action for listeners to support healthcare access and Harmony Health, as their financial base has become increasingly challenging.

On this episode of On the Other Hand, hosts April Chatham-Carpenter and Glen White speak with Dr. Grant Morshedi and Angela Harris of Harmony Health Clinic in Little Rock. They discuss the clinic’s free medical and dental services for uninsured Arkansans, volunteer staffing, support programs like a food pantry and behavioral health services, and the values of empathy and community that drive their work. Among the key issues discussed in this episode, both Grant and Angela emphasize the importance of access to health care because of how easily many citizens can be unable to afford or access healthcare despite their responsible behavior and willingness to work. Empathy for persons encountering such challenges is discussed, including an intriguing exchange about recent devaluing of empathy. Both talk about the personal benefits they derive from their work in this setting, which is clearly not done for financial gain.

In part 2 of our conversation with publisher Eliza Hussman Gaines, April and Glen explore the Democrat-Gazette's efforts to adapt to digital platforms and reach younger audiences through social media and video content. Eliza explains the paper’s "readers first" approach, editorial rules to avoid loaded language, and the importance of the Freedom of Information law in Arkansas for community transparency. Eliza discusses the challenges faced by local news organizations in Arkansas, including the decline of newspapers in rural areas, highlighting the importance of collaboration between news outlets to reach underserved audiences and the role of organizations like the Knight Foundation in supporting local journalism. She also discusses the business challenges facing local journalism, strategies to reach new audiences, reporter safety, news deserts, and the need for media literacy and collaboration to rebuild trust. In addressing the increasing mistrust people have in media sources, Eliza advises government officials to support and trust media rather than demonizing it. She expresses optimism about community engagement and the potential for change, while acknowledging the difficulties posed by low trust in media and restricted press access. Creative options for collaborating with other media sources is seen as a potential means for maintaining a viable, quality source of news for the public.

April Chatham‑Carpenter and Glen White interview Eliza Hussman Gaines, a fourth-generation newspaper industry leader and publisher of the Arkansas Democrat‑Gazette, as well as a leader in her family’s news media group, WEHCO. Eliza describes her family’s newsroom legacy, the difference between editorial and publishing roles, and the newsroom values that guide fair reporting. Eliza emphasized the role of journalists as community leaders and the view of she and her family as being stewards of the public’s access to quality information.

We discuss challenges facing local journalism—trust, misinformation, and the use of AI, Artificial Intelligence, in her company's news organization. We also explore how strong journalistic ethics, community stewardship, and smart business choices help sustain quality local news. Also discussed are concerns about recent legislative changes to Arkansas’s Freedom Of Information law and the importance of maintaining a strong FOIA law that ensures Arkansans have access to information about its government.

Eliza points out threats to a free press currently facing our country and how their paper uses several approaches to ensure that the information they provide the public is accurate and neutral. She emphasizes the broad range of political opinions that they publish in their paper as a means of covering multiple views that provide important perspectives to their readers.

In part 2 of our conversation with Doug Teschner and Beth Malow, Braver Angels national leaders and authors of a new book ("Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times,") April and Glen explore the role of "conflict entrepreneurs" (Amanda Ripley's term) who profit from or actively seek to divide Americans. They point out the importance of people understanding "how they're being manipulated," and they encourage each of us to ask ourselves, "Am I part of the problem?" or "Am I a conflict enabler?" Despite many current challenges, which are discussed in some detail, the authors express hope for the country's future, asserting that people are "hungry" for solutions and that the "pendulum will swing back." Doug’s work across political divides in the New Hampshire Legislature is described as one example of how to help make positive changes. Doug and Beth urge individuals to take what action they can in their own lives to help move our country back to a better place. Their book launched on September 9th and is available on Amazon and other online outlets. It offers readers many suggestions on how to make meaningful contributions to improving our national dialogue, with numerous stories of how others have taken encouraging steps. See their website for a sample chapter: beyondthepoliticsofcontempt.com.

April and Glen have a conversation with fellow Braver Angels and national leaders Doug Teschner and Beth Malow, whose new book, "Beyond the Politics of Contempt: Practical Steps to Build Positive Relationships in Divided Times," revolves around addressing the increasing political polarization and divisiveness in the United States and offering practical steps to foster positive relationships and civil discourse. Key discussions in part 1 include the importance of disagreement in a democracy, as it is a natural and necessary step toward finding solutions. However, Doug cautions that "when we dehumanize people" by calling them "evil," "stupid," or "not a patriot," this prevents productive engagement and leads to an "us versus them mentality,” even dehumanization, which degrades a healthy democracy. A crucial first step is for individuals to identify their core values and then reflect on whether their actions and words, especially when discussing political opponents, align with those values. "Are you living your values?" Beth expresses concern that in our current environment, the "exhausted majority" have withdrawn into their bubbles and silo and has become apathetic. Their book aims to inspire these individuals to return to a healthy form of democratic and societal engagement.