Let’s Find Common Ground

The Bully Pulpit has merged with the Let’s Find Common Ground podcast. As the tone of public discourse becomes increasingly angry and divisive, Let’s Find Common Ground offers a healing path to reaching agreement and moving forward. At the USC Dornsife Center for the Political Future, we bring together top Republicans and Democrats to transcend partisan divisions and explore solutions to our most pressing national and global challenges. Join veteran strategists Bob Shrum and Mike Murphy along with other Center staff and major voices for fun conversations that advance civil dialogue and practical politics. The conversations go behind the curtain with elected officials, campaign staff, journalists, academics, pundits, and political operatives. Every exchange is guided by standards central to the Center’s mission: Respect each other and respect the truth. Opponents are adversaries, not enemies. And if you lose, don’t burn down the stadium.

A Conversation with Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-AK)

Mar 31, 2022

CPF Director Bob Shrum joins U.S. Senator Lisa Murkowski to discuss her decades-long efforts to bridge partisan divides and promote sustainability efforts, and her thoughts on Supreme Court nominee Ketanji Brown Jackson.

Featuring:

Bob Shrum - Director, Center for the Political Future; Warschaw Chair in Practical...

Healing Conversations Across Dangerous Divides: Mónica Guzmán

Mar 31, 2022

Mónica Guzmán is the loving liberal daughter of Mexican immigrants who strongly support Donald Trump. We hear her warm personal story of how Mónica set out to understand what divides America and discovered ways to overcome divisions that hurt our relationships and society.

In this episode of "Let's Find Common...

How to Have Fearlessly Curious Conversations in Dangerously Divided Times

Mar 28, 2022

CPF Executive Director Kamy Akhavan joins Sangita Shresthova, research director at Civic Paths Group, and Monica Guzman, journalist and author, to discuss her latest book and share insights on how to better understand and connect with those whose opinions and beliefs vastly differ.

Featuring:
Kamy Akhavan - Executive...

Bridge Builders in Congress. Reps. Derek Kilmer (D) and William Timmons (R)

Mar 17, 2022

The public’s trust in government is near an all-time low. Now some politicians are recognizing that polarization and division in the United States is a threat to how our democracy functions. In this episode, we hear from two members of Congress: One Republican, one Democrat.

Representatives Derek Kilmer and William...

Former Senator Barbara Boxer and Journalist Masih Alinejad on Lifting Women's Voices

Mar 11, 2022

Former U.S. Senator Barbara Boxer joins Iranian journalist and activist Masih Alinejad to discuss women’s rights in the Middle East and her documentary film “Be My Voice,” which chronicles her movement against Iran's policy of mandatory head covering for women.