Mónica Guzmán | Fearless Curiosity in a Time of Outrage

Update: 2025-12-23

Description

A conversation worth revisiting. Mónica Guzmán’s work captures the spirit of Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other at its best: fearlessly curious, deeply humane, and committed to bridging divides without sacrificing conviction.

In this Best of TP&R episode, Corey revisits his wide-ranging and deeply grounded conversation with Mónica Guzmán — journalist, author of I Never Thought of It That Way, Senior Fellow for Public Practice at Braver Angels, and one of the most trusted voices in America’s bridge-building movement.

Together, they explore why outrage so easily masquerades as moral clarity, how curiosity can act as a cooling force in moments of political rage, and why dialogue and activism are not opposing paths but necessary partners. Mónica reflects candidly on her own fears, boundaries, and doubts — including how to know when understanding must give way to action, and how to stay vigilant without becoming certain too quickly.

This conversation also digs into free speech, Congress’s abdication of responsibility, the ethics of moderation and “proven falsehoods,” and why policing structure rather than content may be one of the most overlooked tools for healthier public discourse.

If you’re new to TP&R — or if you’ve been looking for a hopeful, serious, and intellectually honest entry point into what this show is about — this episode remains one of our clearest expressions of that mission.

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Timestamps & Key Topics

[00:00 ] Why revisiting this conversation matters right now

[00:03 ] Processing elections without losing perspective

[00:06 ] Recognizing when outrage needs curiosity

[00:09 ] Congress, executive power, and shared civic frustration

[00:12 ] COVID, free speech, and lived experience across divides

[00:17 ] When understanding persuades — and when it doesn’t

[00:20 ] Boundaries, bridge-burning, and “loving from a safe distance”

[00:28 ] Moderation, misinformation, and policing structure vs. content

[00:37 ] Dialogue and activism — why we need both

[00:45 ] What good journalism actually looks like

[00:50 ] Where Mónica’s bridge-building instinct began

[00:57 ] Parenting, power, and conflict at the most human level

[01:00 ] The real work of talking politics & religion without killing each other

Key Takeaways

• Outrage isn’t clarity — it’s often unexamined fear looking for certainty.

• Curiosity doesn’t weaken conviction; it strengthens discernment.

• Dialogue without action can become navel-gazing — but action without dialogue is reckless.

• Policing how we engage often matters more than policing what is said.

• Bridge-building isn’t naïve optimism; it’s disciplined moral courage.

Notable Quotes

“Engagement is not endorsement.”

“Dialogue without activism is navel-gazing. Activism without dialogue is doomed.”

“Certainty is tempting — vigilance is harder.”

“Sometimes courage looks like not burning the bridge.”

Connect with Corey

Corey is @coreysnathan on all the socials...