UNBIASED Politics – Peace Talks: Navigating Relationships in a Polarizing Political Climate

Host: Jordan Berman
Air Date: December 5, 2025

Episode Overview

In this “Peace Talks” segment of UNBIASED Politics, host Jordan Berman provides advice for listeners struggling with relationship conflict in today’s divisive political environment. Pulling from real, anonymized submissions, Jordan addresses dilemmas at home, work, and among friends, drawing on personal values of respect, communication, and the importance of separating disagreement from disrespect. This episode stands out for its practical, non-partisan advice and thoughtful, empathetic tone—proving useful for anyone navigating tricky dynamics across the political spectrum during holiday gatherings and beyond.

Guiding Principles and Episode Structure

Jordan’s Ground Rules (01:46–03:35):

• Most relationships are worth preserving; communication is always the first step.
  • “Communication comes first, separation comes last, especially when it comes to family and romantic relationships.” (02:14)
• No tolerance for repeated disrespect. If boundaries are chronically crossed, it’s a boundary—not a political—issue.
• Political views do not inherently make a person “good” or “bad.”
  • “I have Republicans, Democrats and centrists in my life whom I value and love equally... I welcome a range of beliefs as long as they're not egregious or dehumanizing.” (02:57)

Format:

• Submissions are grouped by context (Family, Romantic, Social, Work).
• Each scenario is addressed with specific, actionable advice.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Workplace Discomfort with Political Bias (04:29–06:15)

Scenario: Center-right listener in a small, left-leaning office feels excluded and pressured to share views as colleagues disparage Republicans.

Advice:

• Redirect conversations by anchoring discussions to shared, nonpartisan factual resources (e.g., UNBIASED episodes or trusted news sources).
• Suggest a “book club” style approach: listen to or read the same source, then discuss—giving everyone a common factual baseline.
  • "I get so many messages from people saying that the podcast has… helped them have calm, productive conversations... because it gives everyone the same set of facts." (05:37)
• Focus on education and mutual understanding, not conversion.

2. Family Tension over a Transgender Relative and Generational Reactions (06:17–09:05)

Scenario: A family politically divided over a young member’s gender transition and dropping out of college, with older relatives struggling to use a new name.

Advice:

• “Humanize” the discussion—don’t frame it as political, but as a family issue about caring for each other.
  • “Looking at this through a human lens could really help because this is about a person that you presumably love and care about, not necessarily what party you or they… belong to.” (06:56)
• Encourage mutual understanding: both the transitioning person and older family members may need time and empathy.
• Emphasize respect, patience, and gradual change—progress over perfection.

3. Dealing with In-Law Judgment and Protecting Personal Choices (09:07–14:13)

Scenario: Woman in a long-term relationship feels criticized by partner’s family for living in San Francisco and choosing not to marry/have kids.

Advice:

• Engage directly and authentically. Share positive perspectives on one’s own choices and environment.
• Use personal anecdotes and invitations (e.g., offering to show family the less-known sides of San Francisco).
• Set boundaries and be vulnerable:
  • “Tell them, like, look, guys, I love you so much… but I have to be honest with you, when you say things like this, it makes me dread our time together because I walk away feeling very judged." (13:22)
• Ask for their reasons to foster understanding, but prioritize one’s peace.

4. Ethical Dilemma—Workplace Procurement and Vendor Political Views (16:23–19:38)

Scenario: State employee asked to stop using a high-quality vendor because the business owner is publicly pro-Trump, resulting in more expensive, inefficient procurement.

Advice:

• Raise concerns strategically—focus on policy and efficiency, not politics.
  • “If you want to play it safe, you don’t even need to mention politics… just focus on taxpayer dollars being wasted… and that you are not working as efficiently as you could be.” (17:01)
• Seek clarity from a supervisor; ask for objective, policy-based criteria.
• Reference legal protections, such as New York Labor Law Section 740 (whistleblower protections).
• Regardless of outcome, take pride in ethical conduct and taxpayer stewardship.

5. Romantic Relationship: Facts vs. Feelings (19:40–23:34)

Scenario: Listener in a moderate-to-left relationship where partner seeks emotional validation over factual discussion during political debates.

Advice:

• Recognize and validate the emotional underpinning of partner’s reactions.
  • “Your girlfriend is not actually upset about the facts. She’s upset about the feelings behind the facts… she wants her feelings to be validated.” (20:52)
• Use reflective statements (“I can see why that video upset you”) before sharing a different perspective.
• Affirm care and acknowledge differences in processing information:
  • “I don’t always react the same way that you do, but it doesn’t mean that I don’t care. I just process things differently than you do.” (22:02)
• Frame political disagreements as communication challenges, not deal-breaking conflicts.

6. Friendship, Toxicity, and Political Hostility in High School (23:36–26:59)

Scenario: High school sophomore’s “best friend” (far-left, racially hostile, mocks conservative students) makes lunch period miserable.

Advice:

• Cut ties with toxic people regardless of political alignment.
  • “This is not a friend. You have to remove toxic people from your life when you can. They're energy suckers.” (24:09)
• No need to confront; gradual distancing is fine.
• Avoid political arguments at the lunch table—preserve your wider social peace (use your phone, check out when politics arise).
• If possible, find a different friend group. If not, “just survive lunch hour”—high school is temporary.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On disagreeing with respect:
  “Most relationships are worth trying to preserve when they can be preserved. Communication comes first, separation comes last.” (02:14)

• On family and identity questions:
  “The reality is, whether you or your family members agree with the choices, this is an adult making decisions for themselves. If your family cares about this person… they also have to respect that these are their decisions to make.” (07:30)

• On confronting judgment:
  “Be a little bit vulnerable while also trying to stand your ground.” (13:24)

• On being an ethical public servant:
  “People like you who can stand up to the government and say, hey, we should be spending taxpayer dollars in the most effective way possible… you guys matter a lot.” (19:00)

• On facts vs. feelings:
  “You don’t have to mirror her emotions… but what you do need to do… is acknowledge the feelings that are driving her reactions before sharing your own perspective.” (22:51)

• On ending toxic friendships:
  “Political views do not inherently make someone a good or bad person. What makes someone good or bad is how they treat people and how they show up in the world.” (25:09)

Timestamps for Key Sections

• Episode Intro & Core Principles: 01:14–03:35
• Workplace Political Pressure: 04:29–06:15
• Family/Transgender Name Change Dynamics: 06:17–09:05
• In-Law Judgment & Boundaries: 09:07–14:13
• (Mid-Episode Break & Ads) (Skipped)
• State Agency Political Procurement Dilemma: 16:23–19:38
• Romantic Facts vs. Feelings: 19:40–23:34
• High School Friendship & Political Hostility: 23:36–26:59

Episode Takeaways

• Empathy first: Focus on shared humanity, not labels or talking points.
• Boundaries are healthy, not hostile: Protect your own peace when necessary.
• Communication is a skill: Practice honesty, vulnerability, and respectful assertion.
• Facts aren’t always enough: Emotional needs often drive conflict.
• Remove toxicity, preserve relationships when possible: Know when to step back and when to stand up.

For advice submissions or further resources, listeners are invited to visit unbiasednetwork.com/peacetalks.