Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words... can really hurt you. Join Dr. Sørina Higgins and guests to think about the powers and limits of language. Are words magical? Can they actually effect change? Why do people weaponize them? Can we shift our use of public rhetoric? What have great authors believed about the relationship between writing and the divine? How can you become a more powerful and effective writer?
My fabulous guests from Episode 52, “Gender Identity: Fixed or Fluid?” have returned! It was kind of astonishing: After two hours of that first conversation, the three of us felt like they were only just beginning. So Kelly and Chris were incredibly generous with their time, energy, honesty, and investigation—and they came back! Now, my internet kept dropping throughout this recording, especially the latter part, and they actually even finish the episode without me, but I kind of think the sections when I’m not there are the best. I hope you are inspired or challenged by this long, careful, unusual conversation.
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1 Nov 2026
MAGA vs TDS! Are Trump’s Policies Helpful or Harmful?
Don't miss Ben & Kevin’s practice session, in which they debate whether a hotdog is a sandwich!
Here’s the fifth of our Rogerian dialogues between two people who passionately disagree. Today, I talk with programmer, philanthropist, and world-traveler Ben Slivka, who believes that MAGA policies on foreign affairs, immigration, energy, DEI, Iran, etc., are beneficial for America—and with religious studies scholar Dr. Kevin Hensler, who believes that Trump and his policies are dangerous and destructive for democracy, economics, the environment, global alliances, and cultural issues. Listen here or—better yet—watch it on YouTube, then let me know: With whom do you agree more? Did either of them open your eyes to ideas you’d overlooked? Did you pick up on any skills you could use for conversing with ideological opponents? If you like this work, please support it by joining my Author's Circle. If you're an author, hire me as your Consulting Editor or Writing Coach. If you want more thoughts on politics, subscribe to my Substack.
27 Oct 2026
Sneak Peek: Is a Hotdog a Sandwich?
*Is a Hotdog a Sandwich? A Collaborative Conversation!* Ben Slivka and Kevin Hensler joined me for a practice session so they could get used to the Rogerian format, and they debated definitions and cultural traditions related to sandwiches and whether hotdogs fit those descriptions and uses. Here's the first five minutes of that conversation.
If you want to view the rest of this video, become a patron at https://buymeacoffee.com/higginssorina or a paid subscriber at https://substack.com/@sorinahiggins. Those of you who are already paid subscribers or members of my Author’s Circle will have already gotten the full episode. In any case, tune in this coming Sunday (11/1/26--just in time for the midterm elections) when Ben & Kevin discuss a serious topic: Trump and MAGA!
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