The new podcast “Politically Speaking” aims to breathe new life into political discourse through providing a platform for thoughtful conversations. 

Hosted by Daryl Carter, professor and associate dean at ETSU, this podcast looks to bring together people of diverse political, social and cultural backgrounds in order to foster an environment where differences are not only tolerated, but actively explored. 

“We’ve got 14,000 students here at ETSU, every one of them has a different life story, even if there’s similarities along race, gender, class, et cetera,” said Carter. “We want to elevate and celebrate diversity of opinion.” 

Daryl Carter hosts “Politically Speaking” (Photo/Contributed/ETSU)

The primary mission of the podcast is to educate, engage and inspire listeners to think critically about political issues while encouraging a culture of civility in discussions. 

The central theme of helping people both on and off campus expand their understanding of what politics are will be woven throughout these discussions. 

“Too often when we think about politics we think about Democrats and Republicans, but the truth of the matter is that we engage with politics every day,” said Carter. “Whether it’s buttering up your boss, knowing your performance review is soon or being nice to your professor because you’re hoping for an extension, we all do a bit of politicking.” 

An essential part of the podcast’s success lies in its thoughtful selection of guests. Rather than focusing solely on experts or those with a high profile, “Politically Speaking” looks to bring together a diverse range of voices, including community members, students, activists, and professionals from various sectors.

From ETSU president Brian Noland to SGA president Hunter Turgeon, every guest is carefully considered by the Office of Marketing and Communication and Carter. 

The goal of this is to ensure that each episode brings fresh perspectives from people who may hold more common views or from those who represent underrepresented or minority opinions. These discussions bring a more balanced and nuanced conversation that truly represents the world around us. 

Although this series currently has an installment of 10 episodes from now until November, Carter sees the impact of this podcast lasting beyond that. By creating a safe space where people can voice their opinions without fear of ridicule or backlash, the podcast aims to foster a campus culture that values diverse political beliefs.

“I think this is just going to be one of the most public recent reminders of just how unique this institution is,” said Carter. “We’re a special institution and a regional leader, not just in higher ed, but beyond, and the work we’re doing here is extremely valuable for society, for the region, for the state, for the southeast of the United States, and beyond.”

One of the recurring themes on “Politically Speaking” is the importance of young people engaging in political discussions, even with those they disagree with. 

In today’s political landscape, it can be tempting to avoid uncomfortable conversations or retreat into echo chambers. However, the hosts of the podcast argue that it’s through these challenging conversations that real progress is made. 

“You know, we want people to recognize that politics is more than just D[emocrats] or R[epublicans] Trump or Biden or Harris, we want them to recognize that the country does better when we are engaged,” said Carter. 

Be sure to subscribe to “Politically Speaking” for weekly uploads every Wednesday at etsu-hosts-politically-speaking.podbean.com/ .

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