We've Got To Talk

About We've Got To Talk

Our story begins in the halls of the University of Iowa, go Hawks! It was there that two seemingly different paths intersected and a friendship blossomed. Despite our different upbringings—Jolene in little Pleasantville, Iowa, and me, Nicole, just across the Golden Gate Bridge in the bustling Bay Area—we became fast friends. And here we are, almost 40 years later, living in a world that often seems intent on drawing lines in the sand and choosing sides. So why "We've Got To Talk"? Because we truly believe that in this deeply divided society, the power of conversation can unite us. Our goal isn't to change each other's opinions, but to listen with curiosity, kindness, and empathy. And yes, to have a good time while doing it! We invite you to join us on this journey and bring your friends along. We might not have all the answers or any of them—but we promise honesty, empathy, and a lot of heart. We hope our conversations give you a fresh outlook or at least entertain you as you go about your day.

Publisher

Nicole Fonarow and Jolene Conway

Category

news · society & culture

Language

en

Explicit

Yes

First episode

17 Feb 2025

Latest episode

7 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

14 of 88 episodes have a transcript.

1. 

   7 Oct 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Tribalism Is Destroying American Politics | Lura Forcum

   Host Nicole Fonarow interviews consumer and social psychologist Lura Forcum about how political tribalism leads to dehumanization and hinders productive policy conversations.

2. 

   30 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   "Bridgers vs. Dividers: The Report Card That Could Change the Midterms "

   Host Jolene Dibble and guest Brad Porteus discuss how Bridge Grades scores lawmakers on collaboration, offering a new voting lens beyond ideology.

3. 

   23 Sept 2026TRANSCRIPT

   Why Adam Cronkright Wants to Fire Every Politician in America

   Host Nicole Fonarow interviews Adam Cronkright, creator of "Goodbye Politicians, Hello Democracy," exploring citizen lotteries as a disruptive alternative to career politicians for more effective governance.

Inside a recent episode

Tribalism Is Destroying American Politics | Lura Forcum

Published 7 Oct 2026 · Transcript excerpt

[…] Could we make it so that you don't have full rights if you're not a member of our party? Could we make it so that you don't get as many goodies? And so far, we haven't gone that route. But it's a very different style of politics. And it's one that kind of asks people to prove their membership in the party, right? Like prove that you belong in the group and that you should get the goodies and like really demonstrate that you fit in. And one of the things that I think is also really problematic is that instead of the parties listening to voters saying, And saying, we should do what is important to these voters, what you end up with is the opposite direction, where they say, you need to listen to us. […]

Who has been a guest on We've Got To Talk

Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.

• Lura Forcum
• Brad Porteus
• Adam Cronkright
• Larry Rosen
• Layla Zaidane

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

YouTube views

38,444

Score snapshot 15 Sept 2025

Apple Podcasts (US)

4.8 / 5

26 ratings

Podcast Authority Score: 66 / 100

A composite of feed quality, social presence, YouTube performance and engagement. Read the methodology.

Quality

63

Social presence

91

YouTube

76

Engagement

51

Contact We've Got To Talk

Guest appearances

Does not typically book guests

Based on episode analysis; this does not confirm that the show is currently accepting guests.

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Questions about We've Got To Talk