With Friends Like These

W. Kamau Bell (@wkamaubell), of CNN’s United Shades of America, joins to help a listener puzzle through how (and if) to have a relationship with her Trump-supporting parents. As he put it: Do they deserve the privilege of her children’s company? Also: What Kamau’s TV show has taught him about a post-election America, and a primer on the *good* kind of white pride. Kamau’s new book! The Awkward Thoughts of W. Kamau Bell: Tales of a 6' 4", African American, Heterosexual, Cisgender, Left-Leaning, Asthmatic, Black and Proud Blerd, Mama's Boy, Dad, and Stand-Up Comedian https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LZXZK2F/ref=dp-kindle-redirect?_encoding=UTF8&btkr=1 He is on tour! http://www.wkamaubell.com/calendar/ Our sponsors: Parachute sheets (they’re awesome): ParachuteHome.com/FRIENDS for free shipping and returns Third Love bras and underwear (very comfy): ThirdLove.com/FRIENDS to try one of their bras for free for 30 days Thred Up (consumerism but not): ThredUp.com/FRIENDS for an extra 40 percent off your order

Segment 1: Bob Inglis (of RepublicEN.org) is a conservative climate change denier turned conservative climate change activist. We talk about what he’s learned about how to approach those who disagree with him — there are some concrete tips! Lots of Greek and Roman references! Segment 2: We dive into the power and powerlessness of prayer with Washington Post writer and editor Elizabeth Stoker Bruenig. (TRIGGER WARNING: CONTAINS JESUS.) Bob on Twitter: @bobinglis Liz on Twitter: @ebruenig The show: @crooked_friends Here’s a profile of Bob that gets into his conversion experience: http://www.sierraclub.org/sierra/2016-6-november-december/feature/bob-inglis-takes-stand-climate-change (And here’s an interview we did for my day job: http://www.mtv.com/news/3007121/a-republican-evangelizes-for-action-on-climate-change/) Liz’s essay on prayer during a period of personal troubles: https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/acts-of-faith/wp/2016/12/24/my-husband-lost-his-job-his-sister-was-murdered-heres-what-it-did-to-

This episode wound up being about the limits and costs of empathy. First up: Franchesca Ramsey (@chescaleigh), creator and star of the hilarious social justice (really, all of that!) series, “Decoded.” We discuss about what she still feels uncomfortable talking about and who she feels uncomfortable talking to. Second segment: National correspondent for The Atlantic Graeme Wood (@gcaw), whose profile of honest-to-god Nazi and high school classmate Richard Spencer wound up being closer to his usual beat — ISIS — than Wood ever thought it would be. Wood is also the author of “The Way of the Strangers: Encounters with the Islamic State”: https://www.amazon.com/Way-Strangers-Encounters-Islamic-State-ebook/dp/B018PD2HIG/ Decoded: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLnvZ3PbKApGM-hHuQ9lNc5oSKsusjn0Z6 “His Kampf: Richard Spencer is a troll and an icon for white supremacists. He was also my high-school classmate”: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2017/06/his-kampf/524505/ Sponsors this week: Texture:

Red State contributor and Never Trump stalwart (who made the Trump doc “The Sociopath”) Ben Howe (@benhowe) comes on to talk about what the Left can learn from the Tea Party’s successes and mistakes. We also dive into how leaving the conservative movement has changed how he thinks about social issues such as abortion. In the second segment, Brandy Jensen (@BrandyLJensen) helps us dispose of the question, “Is Ivanka a feminist?” Instead, we wonder if neoliberal feminism is itself the problem. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

HuffPost’s Jason Linkins (@dceiver) guests on a special non-awkward, non-boundary-challenging episode in which we play some serious inside-DC media-criticism baseball! If that is the kind of thing you like, you will love this. Consider it a kind of ironic palate cleanser from last week’s intense earnestness. We’ll be back next week with your regularly scheduled discomfort. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

John Moe, of “The Hilarious World of Depression” and @johnmoe, joins for a special crossover pod about depression, suicide, and stigma. This is an intense episode and those who might be sensitive to this discussion, take care of yourselves. If you are struggling with depression or thoughts of suicide, you can call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: 800-273-TALK. Be well. You are loved. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Upworthy writer Parker Molloy has been unapologetically out and feisty as both a trans person and someone who struggles with depression and anxiety; we chat about why she’s chosen that path and what it means for her in real life. (Next time she’s on we will talk about the Cubs.) Doreen St. Felix of MTV News joins the show to discuss the latest in Clinton campaign autopsies, and the aesthetics of the Trump presidency (and why it’s so important that Michelle’s not wearing J. Crew anymore). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Criminal Defense Attorney Greg Doucette discusses how he went from traditional Republican to racial justice warrior. MTV political reporter Jane Coaston helps field a call from Marcus in California, who wants to know what to do when your friends say racist stuff they don't realize is racist. Also watch out for a cameo from #husbandofthepod. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Can’t make it to church this weekend? Get your God and hellfire here! First, a talk with @JeffChu, author of “Does Jesus Really Love Me? A Gay Christian’s Pilgrimage in Search of God in America,” about squaring faith and real life. Then official #friendofthepod @TheRickWilson joins to discuss the Republicans’ thirst for a “presidential” Trump (aint happening, we’re all going to die). Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Author of “Listen, Liberal” and genuine, actual, #friendofthepod, Tom Frank, stops by to answer the specific question, “With friends like the professional class, does the working class need enemies?” There is much discussion of how much music used to matter, damnit, and how Tom stays angry despite having a lovely family and beautiful life. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disability rights activist Alice Wong jumps right in with the awkward as we discuss who can even say “#cripthevote.” We discuss the coming deluge of #inspiring #promposals involving disabled people, and why she hopes they go away eventually. David Perry, a journalist covering disability issues, talks about avoiding able-ism and best practices for reporters. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Disagreeing about facts is one thing, what if you disagree about reality? Adam Savage (“Mythbusters,” Tested.com) joins to help a WFLT listener whose sister has embraced right-wing conspiracy theories. MTV’s Ezekiel Kweku comes by to discuss how America’s dystopian future could be based on its dystopian past. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Washington Post reporter Wesley Lowery talks about reporting on police killings while black, and political consultant Jessica Byrd speaks about how Michael Brown’s death drove her to try to change the world. Ana’s fellow MTV News correspondent, Jamil Smith, fills in this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

#NeverTrump diehard Rick Wilson discusses his past as an attack ad maker, and whether he helped create the post-truth era. MTV writer Jane Coatson joins to ponder when violence against the government is justified. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Culture critic Ira Madison III (@ira) joins the show for a very meta conversation about white people and what it's like to be "the black friend." Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ana Marie Cox talks with Pastor Christopher Jackson about why his Wisconsin community voted for Obama... before voting for Trump. She's then joined by Jamil Smith of MTV News for a conversation about the big stories this week. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're debuting an all new direction for "With Friends Like These," looking at how and why people change their minds about what they believe. All new episodes start Friday, May 15th! Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices