In this episode, host Corey Nathan reconnects with Lisa Willey Knierim—Mayor of Cranbury Township, NJ, President of 1880 Hospitality, and high school pal. Lisa shares powerful insights into the realities of small-town governance, the impact of state housing mandates, and the ripple effects of national political discourse. From boardrooms to township meetings, she brings candor, civility, and a healthy dose of humor to the conversation.

What We Discuss:

• How national political polarization affects small-town governments.

• What the Mount Laurel Doctrine means for affordable housing in NJ.

• The value of listening and transparency in political leadership.

• How Six Sigma strategies works in business—and public service.

• Real-world consequences of recent U.S. tariff policy from a global trade professional.

Episode Highlights:

• [00:03:00] The structure of Cranbury’s local government and Lisa’s role as mayor

• [00:07:00] Breaking down the affordable housing mandate and land challenges

• [00:14:00] How partisan behavior has filtered into local meetings

• [00:24:00] Six Sigma in practice: business problem-solving that works

• [00:27:00] Why abrupt tariff policy changes hurt American businesses

• [00:34:00] Lisa’s close election win and continued work with her predecessor

• [00:45:00] Remembering the best of our communities post-pandemic

• [00:53:00] Lisa’s campaign to bring back civility in politics

Featured Quotes:

“At the local level, I wish I didn’t even have to declare my party. It feels absolutely irrelevant.” – Lisa Willey Knierim

“You’ve got to create a vanilla ice cream environment—not too spicy. Be compassionate, be practical, be human.”

“National-level problems shouldn’t be light-switch decisions.”

“It’s not that I can’t solve the problem. But I can listen. That’s halfway there.”

Resources Mentioned:

• Six Sigma Black Belt Certification: asq.org/cert/six-sigma-black-belt
• Cranbury Township Info: www.cranburytownship.org/
• Lisa Willey Knierim Campaign Page: www.facebook.com/LisaKnierimTC22

If you found this conversation insightful, please: ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion

@coreysnathan:

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Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this episode, Corey Nathan sits down with Kate Carney, Deputy Director at More in Common. Kate shares her fascinating journey—from working in Congress to boating 6,000 miles around the U.S.—and how those experiences shape her work today. The conversation centers on More in Common’s new report, The Connection Opportunity, and explores how we can foster meaningful relationships across political, racial, religious, and socioeconomic divides.

What's Discussed:

• Why social connection is critical to healthy democracy.

• Surprising data on Americans’ openness to diverse perspectives.

• How psychological factors like intergroup anxiety impact connection.

• Kate’s transformative journey completing the Great American Loop.

• Real-world solutions for bridging divides in your own community.

Episode Highlights:

• 02:00 – Kate’s 6,000-mile boat journey and what it taught her about America.

• 10:00 – The Connection Opportunity: How More in Common is reframing social cohesion.

• 21:00 – Why politics remains the most difficult line of difference to cross.

• 25:00 – The power of community norms and intergroup anxiety.

• 32:00 – Revisiting the "Hidden Tribes" report and what’s changed since its release.

• 41:00 – The seven levers of change for increasing social connection.

• 48:00 – How cities like Kansas City, Houston and Pittsburgh are fostering community dialogue.

• 54:00 – Personal agency and why democracy starts with you.

Featured Quotes: “We are inherently diverse. To build strong communities, we have to be intentional about connecting across our differences.” — Kate Carney “The more people connect across difference, the more they want to—it’s a cascade.” — Kate Carney “There’s an overwhelming desire to have these conversations. It’s the fortress of assumptions that gets in our way.” — Corey Nathan

Resources Mentioned:

• More in Common: www.moreincommonus.com

• The Connection Opportunity Report: moreincommonus.com/publication/the-connection-opportunity

If you found this conversation insightful, please: ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion

@coreysnathan:

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Our Sponsors:

• Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com
• Prolux Autogroup: www.proluxautogroup.com or www.granadahillsairporttransportation.com

Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡

In this episode, host Corey Nathan reflects on where we stand as a country several months into the current administration. With candor and conviction, Corey explores the themes of democracy, decency, and due process. Drawing from scripture, the Constitution, and commentary by thought leaders like David Brooks and Mike Madrid, this episode delivers a compelling, timely snapshot of America’s civic health—and what’s at stake moving forward.

What's Discussed:

• Why the First, Fifth, and Fourteenth Amendments are more important than ever

• The consequences of immigration policies that bypass due process

• How the economy (including tariffs and inflation) is impacting voters

• What swayed key constituencies in the 2024 election

• What to watch for heading into 2026 and 2028

Episode Highlights:

• [00:02:00] Framing the episode: A “temperature check” on America

• [00:05:00] The First Amendment under threat

• [00:07:00] Due process and the constitutional rights of all persons

• [00:14:00] What really moved voters in 2024 (spoiler: price of eggs + immigration)

• [00:17:00] A powerful quote from David Brooks on civilizational foundations

• [00:22:00] Legal attacks and a defense of constitutional law

• [00:29:00] Polling data showing shifts in public opinion

• [00:34:00] Real-world impact on families, students, and small businesses

Featured Quotes:

• “Nor shall any person be deprived of life, liberty, or property without due process of law.”
• “Don’t talk to me about Donald Trump being a brilliant businessman—he’s a brilliant thief.”
• “For me, it’s about democracy and decency. Always has been.”

Resources Mentioned:

• David Brooks: "What’s Happening Is Not Normal" (NYT) – www.nytimes.com/2025/04/17/opinion/trump-harvard-law-firms.html
• Adam Unikowsky on Substack – adamunikowsky.substack.com/p/the-case-for-suing
• Mike Madrid's Substack, The Great Transformation – substack.com/@madridmike

If you found this conversation insightful, please: ✅ Subscribe to Talkin' Politics & Religion Without Killin' Each Other on your favorite podcast platform. ✅ Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or wherever you listen: ratethispodcast.com/goodfaithpolitics ✅ Support the show on Patreon: patreon.com/politicsandreligion ✅ Watch the full conversation and subscribe on YouTube: youtube.com/@politicsandreligion

@coreysnathan:

• Bluesky
• LinkedIn
• Instagram
• Threads
• Facebook
• Substack

Our Sponsors:

• Meza Wealth Management: www.mezawealth.com
• Prolux Autogroup: www.proluxautogroup.com or www.granadahillsairporttransportation.com

Let’s keep talkin' politics and religion—with gentleness and respect. 🎙️💡