April and guest co-host John have a conversation with community activist Kwami Abdul-Bey, who has been a friend of Braver Angels in Arkansas for some time, co-founded or led local organizations, and serves as the Elections Coordinator & Organizer for the Arkansas Public Policy Panel. In this first part of our interview with Kwami, we explore his current involvement with several organizations locally. He provides his perspective on direct democracy and his concerns about recent laws that he believes raise barriers to Arkansas’s citizen initiatives process. A key response to him includes the importance of developing greater civic education. Kwami shares his worries about current challenges with democracy, which he sees as not now working as he was taught, something that especially troubles him as he seeks to answer questions his kids are raising about what is going on now, based on what they hear. Among his attempts to enhance community response to those challenges, he has helped create the Washitaw Foothills Youth Media Arts & Literacy Collective. Other aspects of our discussion include his views of dealing with both the “grass tops” and the “grass roots” in his community advocacy. Kwami also talks about his recent experience of running for public office as a Democrat, despite his history of being an independent. Despite much negative reaction to his association with the Democratic party, he tells us a story of one voter who sought him out and apologized to him recently for having been disrespectful to him because he ran as Democrat, after the winner the man voted for proved to not be who he thought. Kwami urges citizen involvement, stating “let’s stop being spectators, because democracy is not a spectator sport.”

In the second part of our conversation with Dr. Sherry Simon and Rev. Britt Skarda, we continue exploring what motivates their sustained civic participation and how people of faith can model engagement rooted in love and respect. Both guests describe the weekly gatherings in protest outside Congressman French Hill’s office as a diverse and committed community of citizens, consisting of veterans, teachers, parents, and neighbors, who come together out of concern for the country’s democratic health and future generations.

The discussion broadens to consider the challenges of political leadership, the tensions between principle and compromise, and the importance of maintaining dialogue even when disagreements run deep. Sherry and Britt emphasize the need for courage, empathy, and moral clarity in public life, noting that “we don’t have enough models for loving kindness” and exhorting listeners that “democracy is teetering on the edge… get out there… do something!”

We continue to seek Congressman Hill’s perspective for a future episode to enrich this conversation and deepen understanding across differing views.

In the 3rd and final part of our conversation with Jim Lagrone of Family Council's Church Ambassador Network, April and Glen explore with Jim issues of political polarization and civil discourse. Jim stressed the importance of character in political leadership, noting that leaders mirror the values of their culture. He shared his admiration for forgiveness shown amidst tragedy. Jim also provided practical advice for navigating political polarization within congregations, advising pastors to emphasize spiritual guidance, love, and respectful communication. The discussion touched upon concerns about the divisiveness of issues like abortion and the role of the 24-hour news cycle. Jim also affirmed the importance of caring for the environment, a value he admits some Christians have not always appreciated. Given the knowledge we now have of its importance, he suggests environmental concerns should be embraced. Jim also promoted the idea of political unity through initiatives like Braver Angels, discussing the challenges of engaging conservative churches, and he shared his mixed personal feelings about figures like Donald Trump, while advising against criticizing or endorsing politicians when advocating for unity.

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.