In this episode, former naval officer and Republican candidate Aaron Dimmock talks about what it really takes to stay honest; in politics, in community, and with ourselves. He reflects on polarization, party identity, and the cultural forces that make admitting mistakes feel risky. Through stories from military life, his congressional run, and everyday human moments, Aaron explores why transparency is so hard and why it matters.

The conversation weaves through psychology themes like threat perception, group identity, and the silent-majority effect—ending with a hopeful look at how love, listening, and shared humanity can shift the tone of our national conversation.

00:00 — Calling out America’s “Bad Breath”
02:00 — Aaron’s journey: Navy officer to candidate
03:20 — The Ted Lasso metaphor for honesty
08:15 — Why politicians won’t admit mistakes
14:30 — The Stockdale Paradox & facing reality
19:30 — Aaron's take on how to mend the divide
23:40 — Losing friends for running Republican
34:00 — Fear, pain & why people get loud
55:50 — Improv game: the halftime speech to save America

Independent journalist Aaron Parnas shares how growing up in a partisan household shaped his early conservative political views, and how moving out helped him rethink what he believed. With Scott and Allison, they explore online polarization, identity, media ecosystems, and why social media makes the country feel more divided than it really is.

Aaron explains why 80% of Americans actually agree on 80% of issues, how algorithms reward outrage, and why meeting your neighbors can do more for democracy than any online debate.

00:00 Meet Aaron Parnas
01:12 What is independent journalism?
02:45 Aaron's favorite comedy bit
04:30 Cancel culture and late night comedy
07:24 How Aaron went from supporting Trump to moderating Kamala Harris' book tour
08:40 Why Aaron rejected political polarization early
10:23 Why America feels divided -- but isn’t as divided as we think
11:09 Why 80% of Americans agree on 80% of issues
12:03 The responsibility of reaching millions with news
13:55 What social media actually rewards
17:44 Authenticity, cringe, and being yourself online
19:51 How social media is changing the news landscape

Psychologist Caroline Fleck joins Allison and Scott to reveal the one tool that helps us connect with those with whom we may disagree. Caroline, a Stanford psychologist and author of the book "Validation", breaks down why we confuse validation with agreement, how fear shapes our political reactions, and why finding even a “kernel of truth” in someone’s perspective can transform conflict into conversation.

Plus, she opens up about the personal story that reshaped her understanding of empathy and helps Allison run the most chaotic improv game we’ve played yet: That’s So Valid—featuring Nana, prune juice revenge, and an alarming amount of "air-sex energy."

01:53 — Meet Caroline Fleck
03:34 — Why Caroline wrote "Validation"
05:08 — The Portlandia bit that reveals everything
08:45 — Comedy, connection, and co-conspiracy
11:14 — What Caroline finds not funny
13:44 — What is validation?
16:45 — The "kernel of truth" rule
19:26 — The skillset behind emotional survival
25:38 — Validation in extreme situations
33:01 — Why we think in black-and-white
48:21 — The “that’s so valid” game

Amanda Knox learned the hard way that facts don’t always change minds. After spending eight years on trial for a murder she didn’t commit, she’s now using stand-up comedy to reclaim her story in her own voice. Scott and Allison ask her why people cling to their beliefs, how humor can break through bias, and they play an improv game to help Amanda workshop new jokes.

03:50 – Amanda using standup to re-claim her story
6:10 – When a joke wasn’t funny then, but is now
8:39 – How to invite audiences to laugh at the hard stuff
9:25 – Can Amanda tell dark jokes?
12:43 – Freud break: humor as a defense mechanism
13:54 – Early reactions after the murder
16:12 – Amanda’s car crash story
19:51 – Why innocent people don’t all act one way
22:09 – Gestalt theory and public personas
23:19 – How do people change their minds?
28:00 – “Deep Canvassing” 101
33:21 – Asking “Why?” until a belief unravels
37:51 – Helping Amanda generate new jokes with an improv game
46:00 – Why “Yes, And…” works in life
49:08 – Steering energy instead of blocking it

Could "Yes, and..." mend America's cultural and political divide? Psychologist Dr. Scott Barry Kaufman and comedian Allison Reese put improv's golden rule to the test. They laugh, listen and spar with those on the frontlines of our divide, from polarizing public figures to the social scientists who study it. And if they can't mend it, they'll at least have a good laugh trying.