Political Violence and the Power of Listening: What Comes Next? — Manu MeelUncomfy: Sticking with Moments That Challenge Us • Season 2025, Episode 38
Sep 24, 2025 • 21m
“People don't actually follow outrage; what they follow is what is unique and different.”
Host Julie Rose talks with Manu Meel, co-founder and CEO of BridgeUSA, about how a new generation of college students is challenging the outrage economy, especially in the wake of the tragic assassination of Charlie Kirk. Meel explains that while conflict and violence often dominate headlines, the real counterculture movement is people hungry for respectful dialogue and pluralism. He argues that listening itself has become a radical act, one that could reshape democracy by empowering the “silent majority” to push back against polarization.
Manu’s organization, BridgeUSA – https://bridgeusa.org/
Manu’s podcast, The Hopeful Majority – https://www.thehopefulmajority.com/
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
00:46 Introducing Manu Meel and BridgeUSA
01:10 Discussing the Assassination of Charlie Kirk
02:28 The Mission of BridgeUSA
03:23 Challenges and Critiques of Bridging Efforts
06:30 Outrage vs. Dialogue in the Attention Economy
07:40 The Viral Impact of Constructive Dialogue
11:16 Building a Culture of Pluralism on Campus
15:49 Empowering the Silent Majority
18:44 Conclusion and Call to Action