Back to Basics: When to Engage, When to Walk Away

A candid reflection on staying grounded while engaging in contentious conversations—and when to take a step back.

✨ Episode Summary
In this heartfelt solo talk, host Corey Nathan goes back to the fundamentals of Talkin’ Politics & Religion Without Killin’ Each Other. Reflecting on recent emotionally charged interactions—some painfully personal—Corey revisits five foundational principles that guide his conversations and this podcast’s mission.

He opens up about the emotional toll of receiving attacks from opposing sides of the political and religious spectrum and how even with years of practice, the work of engaging respectfully remains challenging and ongoing.

Here are the five essentials Corey leans into when the temperature rises:
👉 Practice what you preach
👉 Contest or conversation? Know the difference.
👉 Articulate others’ views well.
👉 Sometimes, take it offline.
👉 Know when to walk away.

This isn’t just theory—it’s a personal reckoning, with honesty, humility, and yes, some humor too. 

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⏱️ Timestamps & Topics
• [00:00:00] 🎧 Intro: Hockey talk, Rangers vs. Kings, and a shout-out to The Democracy Group
• [00:02:00] Recent conversations that challenged Corey’s peace and patience
• [00:03:00] On being attacked by voices from both extremes of the Israel-Gaza conflict
• [00:06:00] Recognizing how giving space to others can draw heat—sometimes from all sides
• [00:07:30] The emotional cost of staying in these conversations
• [00:08:00] Going “Back to Basics”: Five principles to guide tough discussions
• [00:09:00] #1: Practice what you preach—even when it’s hard
• [00:10:00] #2: Contest or conversation? Choose wisely.
• [00:12:00] #3: Articulate others’ views honestly, even when you disagree
• [00:14:00] #4: Sometimes take it offline to preserve dignity and connection
• [00:17:00] #5: Know when to walk away—because not everyone deserves your time
• [00:20:00] Closing: Still learning, still growing, still hoping for peace

🧠 Key Takeaways
• See Other's Humanity: Engage with people as individuals, not as representatives of an ideology.
• Not Every Fight is Worth Fighting: Sometimes, disengagement is a form of self-care and wisdom.
• Curiosity Builds Bridges: Ask real questions. Seek understanding, not just rebuttals.
• There’s Power in Saying “No More”: Knowing your limits is an act of strength, not weakness.
• The Work is Ongoing: This isn’t about perfection—it’s about commitment to grow and do better.

🔗 Connect on Social Media:
Corey is @coreysnathan on...
• Bluesky
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Threads
• Facebook
• Substack
• TikTok

Our Sponsors:
• Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com
• The Village Square: villagesquare.us

And we are proud members of The Democracy Group: democracygroup.org

Thanks for tuning in! Now go talk politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️✨