00:00:00 - Introduction and MinnPost Festival
Hosts Introduction: Becky Scherr and Michael Brodkorb introduce the podcast with two guests: Tanner Curl, Executive Director of MinnPost, and Jake Loesch, Executive Director of the Citizens League.
Discussion of MinnPost Festival: Tanner Curl shares details about the upcoming MinnPost Festival, the variety of speakers, and its focus on shaping Minnesota's future through civil conversations and policy discussions.
00:06:00 - Becky and Michael's Role in the MinnPost Festival
Overview of their Session: Becky and Michael discuss their upcoming session at the MinnPost Festival, titled "Turning the Tide: Reviving the Republican Vision in Minnesota," with guests John Rouleau and former State Senator Michelle Benson.
Focus on the Republican Party's Future: The conversation focuses on revitalizing the Republican Party in Minnesota and the importance of maintaining a two-party system.
00:09:30 - National Voter Registration Day
Importance of Voter Registration: Becky and Michael discuss National Voter Registration Day, reminding listeners to check their registration status and participate in early voting in Minnesota.
Impact of Down-Ballot Races: They highlight the significance of voting in local and legislative elections, mentioning how close just a few votes decide some races.
00:11:00 - Early Voting in Minnesota
Promoting Early Voting: Discuss the start of early voting in Minnesota on September 20th and how to vote by mail or in person.
Election Day Experiences: Becky and Michael share personal anecdotes about their experiences voting on Election Day, with Becky emphasizing her passion for voting in person and supporting election workers.
00:13:00 - Football Talk
Football League and Competition: The hosts shift to a light-hearted discussion about their fantasy football league and weekly picks. Michael boasts about his top position in the league, while Becky shares her struggles after a poor week of picks.
00:16:00 - Minnesota Vikings Game Recap
Vikings vs. 49ers Game: Michael describes his experience attending the Vikings game, commenting on the unusually high number of 49ers fans and the intense heat during the game.
00:21:00 - The Brimley Cocoon Line
Michael Passes Brimley Cocoon Line: Michael shares a fun personal milestone, explaining how he crossed the "Brimley Cocoon Line," which marks Wilford Brimley's age when he filmed the movie "Cocoon."
00:27:00 - Second Presidential Debate Cancellation
Trump's Refusal to Participate: Becky and Michael discuss Donald Trump's decision to cancel the second presidential debate with Kamala Harris.
Michael criticizes the move and calls it a missed opportunity for meaningful political discussion.
00:33:00 - Civility in Politics and Polarization
Interview with Jake Loesch: Jake Loesch joins the conversation and discusses the importance of civility in politics, the need to lower the temperature of political rhetoric, and how to engage in meaningful discussions across party lines.
Citizens League's Role: Jake explains the Citizens League's work in fostering civic engagement and civil discourse, emphasizing its focus on creating spaces for nonpartisan discussions on important policy issues.
00:44:00 - Social Media's Impact on Politics
Role of Social Media in Polarization: The group discusses how social media contributes to polarization by creating echo chambers and amplifying extreme viewpoints. They reflect on the need to find common ground and seek diverse perspectives in online conversations.
00:51:00 - Tools for Civil Discourse
Encouraging Curiosity and Dialogue: Jake and Becky offer tips for fostering civil political conversations, emphasizing the importance of curiosity, asking questions, and understanding different perspectives to bridge divides in political discourse.
UPCOMING EVENT: The Break Down with Brodkorb and Becky has been invited to the 2024 MinnPost Festival on September 28th. This exciting full-day event will feature speakers from Minnesota and some national voices.
The Break Down will be hosting a live podcast from the event and would like to invite you to join us. We would love to see you in person!