It started last year, in 2020, such a crazy year for so many of us. COVID. Ahmaud Arbery. George Floyd. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg. I had my own thoughts about what I was seeing on the news and social media. And for the first time in as long as I can remember, I saw people actually reaching out; even across social media I heard people having the difficult conversations and listening—really listening—to each other.

It lasted for a while, but then went away.

I wanted that back. I wanted to talk about the difficult conversations again, and for people to listen to different opinions once more. That was how the Good Faith Idea Exchange was born.

Good Faith Idea Exchange is a podcast I launched to create an environment where people with differing views on politics, justice, race, or most any other timely topic could express their viewpoints and exchange ideas without the rudeness or judgment often seen on cable news or heard on the radio.

I’ve noticed that the past 20 years of cable news networks and 12 years of social media dominance have fostered a culture of rudeness and ignorance—a culture of people “debating” by interrupting each other, talking over one another, not communicating to arrive at a better understanding, but to “win” the debate at all costs.

The Good Faith Idea Exchange isn’t about winning, but rather about thinking.

In episode one of the podcast, I had a talk with an old friend from the military. He and I don’t see things the same politically. Yet we had a thoughtful, mature conversation where we each made our points while listening to the other without name-calling, yelling, or dismissing other perspectives.

I also interview people who are making a positive impact in our communities, such as Tory Kern ’15, M.S. ’17—the manager of a youth street outreach team at House of Hope, an agency devoted to fighting homelessness—whom I interviewed in episode two.

In episode seven, I spoke with Rich Norris ’09, whose family escaped civil war in Liberia. A URI graduate, he is currently an assistant principal of the 360 High School in Providence where he advocates for young people and has many initiatives to help at-risk youths succeed. We had an honest talk about the education system and community involvement in these uncertain times.

I never would have imagined this podcast would gain such popularity so quickly. It has only inspired me to keep going and do more.

Above all else, the Good Faith Idea Exchange delivers a message of fellowship, of communion, with an audience from all walks of life. No matter what listeners’ backgrounds may be, no matter the shape of their paradigm, they gain content and information that forces them to take a step back and examine the validity of their beliefs. It is important for people to understand that any issue can be discussed, and perspectives shared in a comfortable, safe environment.

What began as a simple idea has taken on a life of its own.

If you have an idea that you think can make some kind of real impact in this world, I hope this will inspire you to pursue it, as I did. Don’t just brush it off and move on. You never know where it may take you. •